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Your World Today
U.S.-South Korea Talks; Italian Aid Worker Returns Home; Debt Relief Deal
Aired June 10, 2005 - 12:00 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.
ANNOUNCER: Live from CNN Center, this is YOUR WORLD TODAY.
ZAIN VERJEE, CNN ANCHOR: Nuclear tensions. U.S. President George W. Bush hosts South Korea's leader amid concerns over North Korea's weapon's program.
JIM CLANCY, CNN ANCHOR: Overjoyed. Italians celebrating this hour. The return of an aid worker held hostage for weeks in Afghanistan.
VERJEE: The Russians are coming. Luxurious accommodations and pricey facials proof that these brand new London residents have truly cut ties with their socialist past.
It is noon at the White House, 6:00 p.m. in Rome. I'm Zain Verjee.
CLANCY: I'm Jim Clancy. And this is YOUR WORLD TODAY.
Hello, and welcome to our viewers in the United States and around the world.
We're going to begin our report this hour in Washington, where two allies are at odds over North Korea. And they're trying to find common ground.
VERJEE: U.S. President George W. Bush and South Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun are meeting right now at the White House.
CLANCY: Both leaders want to see North Korea return to talks over its nuclear weapons program.
VERJEE: But one favors the carrot, the other the stick when dealing with Pyongyang.
Let's bring in Kathleen Koch. She joins us from the White House.
Kathleen, what's at stake here between the U.S. and South Korea?
KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Zain, both countries, both leaders, do insist that their alliance is solid. But this is clearly a very important meeting that comes at quite a delicate time.
As you stated, both President Bush and the South Korean leader, Roh Moo-Hyun, who arrived here at the White House just roughly 45 minutes ago, want to do whatever they can to jump-start the stalled six-party nuclear disarmament talks, talks that have been stalled for nearly a year now. And North Korean diplomats Monday did tell U.S. officials in New York that the north was committed to rejoining the talks, but they didn't say when.
So there was some degree of optimism then. But again, you are dealing with the Bush administration, that has in the past called North Korea part of the "axis of evil," described it as one of the world's "outposts of tyranny." And President Bush in recent days has said that U.N. sanctions may even be necessary to force North Korea back to negotiations. His spokesman, Scott McClellan, this morning told reporters that North Korea had what he called a "strategic decision" to make to abandon its nuclear ambitions and return to the talks without delays and, most importantly, without preconditions.
Now, clearly, President Roh today is expected to press for a diplomatic solution. His government has been pursuing a policy of largely peaceful coexistence to his neighbor to the north. He opposes both U.N. sanctions, as well as any talk of a military solution to the crisis.
There will, however, be talk about the military today between these two world leaders. Not only is South Korea an ally, with some 3,600 troops in Iraq, but also, of course, the U.S. has roughly 32,500 U.S. troops in South Korea. And the Pentagon plans to cut that number by some 8,000 troops over the coming year, so there will certainly be talk this morning, even into their lunch and meeting about reshaping the U.S. military presence in South Korea -- Zain, Jim.
VERJEE: Does Washington, Kathleen, trust Seoul?
KOCH: Well, that's a very good question, Zain, and one that is very difficult obviously for -- for us to answer here. But as you can see by the actions that the White House has been taking, the Bush administration in recent years, when you are saying coming to whether its trusts North Korea, the belief is that it takes firm action to get North Korea's attention, and to, again, get them back to the table.
CLANCY: Kathleen -- Kathleen, it's Jim Clancy here. Just a few minutes ago, Zain and I talked with Walid Jumblatt, the Lebanese Druze leader, who repeated assertions that Syria and his Lebanese allies may be targeting top politicians during the electoral process in Lebanon. Any comments there from the White House?
KOCH: There were comments this morning. Scott McClellan telling reporters that the Bush administration is deeply concerned about what he called interference and intimidation by Syrian operatives in Lebanon. And indeed, a senior State Department official did tell CNN that Washington has credible information that Syrian operatives do have plans to try to assassinate Lebanese political leaders, and also that Syrian military intelligence forces are planning on reentering Lebanon with a goal of destabilizing that country, creating an environment of intimidation.
So Scott McClellan this morning did say that the White House, the Bush administration, wants to see Sunday's elections proceed in a free and fair manner. He called for U.N. observers, U.N. verification teams to be present. And he ended his statements on it with -- saying that the international community really needs to send a clear message to Syria that it must "stop meddling in Lebanon."
CLANCY: Kathleen Koch handling a lot of stories for us there at the White House this day. Thank you.
VERJEE: The differences over North Korea have strained a strong friendship that began decades ago. Mike Chinoy looks at why the United States and South Korea don't see eye to eye when it comes to Pyongyang.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MIKE CHINOY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The U.S. and South Korea have been allies for more than half a century, ties forged in blood during the Korean War, sustained by the presence of 32,000 American troops in South Korea today. But as the crisis over North Korea's nuclear weapons program intensifies, the alliance is in trouble. The South Koreans sharply at odds with the Bush administration over Washington's hard line towards Pyongyang.
KENNETH LIEBERTHAL, BROOKINGS INSTITUTION: They've become increasingly worried that this administration's real goal is regime change in North Korea. And that's a goal that they don't share. And it's one that they want to cut off.
CHINOY: With Seoul within easy range of North Korean artillery, and likely to bear the brunt of any upheaval should North Korea collapse, the South Koreans don't want to see an increase in tension on the peninsula, especially as many in Seoul don't believe the United States has made a serious attempt to negotiate an end to the nuclear crisis and six-nation talks in Beijing.
THOMAS HUBBARD, FMR. U.S. AMBASSADOR TO SOUTH KOREA: South Korea want us to make every effort to achieve success in the six-party talks, want us to genuinely test North Korea's intentions before going on to other options.
CHINOY: And President Roh Moo-Hyun's government has made clear it won't go along with calls to bring the issue before the U.N. Security Council.
HAN SUNG JOO, FMR. SOUTH KOREAN FOREIGN MINISTER: The republic of Korea is much less -- they are willing to rely on pressure or sanctions if it comes to that.
CHINOY: The Roh and Bush administrations have also differed over just how the U.S. troops in South Korea might respond to collapse or disorder inside North Korea. And there's been anxiety in the south over Bush administration plans to reconfigure the deployment of the U.S. forces in South Korea and throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
In Washington, meanwhile, some have voiced concern that President Roh is tilting away from the alliance and towards a more neutral posture. The shift, in part, a response to a generational change in South Korea, a more youthful population with no personal memories of the Korean War, much less hostile towards the regime and Pyongyang. Trends that raise broader questions about the future of relationship that has been central to peace and stability in Asia for decades.
Mike Chinoy, CNN, Hong Kong.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VERJEE: President Bush and President Roh are expected to make some comments after their meeting. We are going to bring them to you as soon as we have them.
CLANCY: Well, despite the French and Dutch rejection of the European Union constitution, France and Germany say other EU countries should proceed with their own referendums. President Jacques Chirac of France and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder restated their position during a meeting in Paris.
Mr. Chirac responding to Britain's call for a review of the EU budget and farming subsidies. He said he was not prepared to discuss changes in the agricultural policy which greatly benefits French farmers.
VERJEE: An Italian aid worker freed after being held hostage for more than three weeks in Afghanistan is now back home. Italy's prime minister was among those waiting to greet Clementina Cantoni as her plane touched down in Rome.
Alessio Vinci joins us now live.
Alessio, home sweet home for Cantoni. What kind of reception did she get? Give us more details.
ALESSIO VINCI, CNN ROME BUREAU CHIEF: Hello, Zain. Yes, it was a nice reception for the former hostage. Italy's top government officials, including, as you said, not just the prime minister, but also the Italian president, Carlo Ciampi, as well as Rome's mayor, Walter Veltroni, and also some other top government officials.
A lot of media, of course, although this is a welcome far -- sort of lower key than previously that we have seen in recent months of other Italian hostages, primarily because she was kidnapped perhaps in Afghanistan and not in Iraq. Nevertheless, Clementina Cantoni emerged from the plane with a big smile.
She was obviously tired and drained after 24 days in captivity. But nevertheless, she had a big smile. She was welcomed by the media and by these people, as well as being accompanied by her own father and mother and brother who flew all the way to Kabul because they didn't want to wait any longer last night when the news broke that she had been released.
No word yet, of course, as to whether or not a ransom has been paid to secure her release. Afghan officials are denying it, although some officials, without being quoted, without being named, in Afghanistan are beginning to say that there was -- that some concessions were made. The Italian media, meanwhile, are saying that some money has been paid in order to secure her release -- Zain.
VERJEE: And to clarify, it was the Afghan government that negotiated with the kidnappers, right, and not the Italian government?
VINCI: That is correct. Unlike previous hostage situations in Iraq, this time around, even Italian government officials concede that it was the Afghan government who led the negotiations, of course with the help of some -- the Italian intelligence. But nevertheless, the Afghan people, the Afghan government, are the ones who conducted all the negotiations and eventually secured her release and contacted the hostage-takers.
VERJEE: CNN's Rome bureau chief, Alessio Vinci -- Jim.
CLANCY: Well, as we were mentioning earlier as we talked to Kathleen Koch at the White House, a senior U.S. State Department official says Washington has credible information Syrian operatives may plan to try to assassinate senior Lebanese politicians, and Syrian military intelligence forces are returning to Lebanon to create what they term an "environment of intimidation."
Well, top Druze leader Walid Jumblatt told us a short while ago that Syrian intelligence officers are still running free in his country even though the Syrian military has withdrawn. Walid Jumblatt saying there could be more assassinations in the future ordered by Damascus. We talked with the Druze leader just a short time ago as he was campaigning in the Shuth (ph) mountains.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WALID JUMBLATT, LEBANESE DRUZE LEADER: I'm talking about myself, about my comrades in opposition, yes, and about -- well, this climate of instability that, again, some people in Damascus want to create in Lebanon.
CLANCY: What hard evidence is there that assassinations may have been ordered or are in the process of being ordered?
JUMBLATT: We don't have proper evidence. I mean, we have a climate of uncertainty. And then this prominent journalist, (INAUDIBLE), who was a vocal opponent of the Syrian regime, well, this leads us to conclusions, at last we have some information that Syrian intelligence officer are roaming around in the mountains in Beirut.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CLANCY: Well, former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri was assassinated in February. And as Walid just noted, anti-Syrian columnist Samir Kassir was killed last week in Beirut. Many Lebanese are blaming the killings on Syria and its allies within Lebanon.
VERJEE: After weeks of opposition protests that crippled the country, causing food and water shortages and the resignation of the president, Bolivia is under a new leadership. During an emergency session, the congress appointed the head of the supreme court, Eduardo Rodriguez, as the new president. Elections are expected in the next three to six months.
The protesters, largely members of the country's indigenous population, have been staging demonstrations to force the government to hold new elections to nationalize the country's natural gas reserve.
CLANCY: All right. We're going to take a short break. But coming up, we are expecting some comments to come on videotape from President Bush and President Roh of South Korea any minute now. We're going to go live to the White House.
VERJEE: And also ahead, as the U.S. and Britain agree on a debt relief plan for poor nations, we're going to look at who will end up footing the bill.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CLANCY: An update. The jury, of course, still out in the molestation trial of Michael Jackson in California. Jurors have met now for a total of about 22 hours over the course of five days. The trial got under way all the way back in February.
We of course here at CNN are going to bring you that verdict the moment it comes in.
VERJEE: Meanwhile, let's check some other stories making news around the United States.
A new report states that the FBI missed several opportunities to uncover information that could have led agents to the 9/11 hijackers before the 2001 attacks. The bureau's inspector general says the FBI should have been aware of the presence of two of the terrorists in the United States.
President Bush has chosen a top Navy officer to be in charge of U.S. headquarters for tracking terrorist plots. If confirmed by the Senate, Vice Admiral John Redd will take over the new National Counterterrorism Center. Mr. Bush toured the center outside Washington just a few hours ago.
A total of five suspects are now being held in Aruba in connection with the disappearance of teenage tourist Natalee Holloway. Police say one of the suspects was with Holloway at her hotel's casino the day before she vanished. He and two other teens admitted giving Holloway a ride home the night she disappeared.
CLANCY: What may be good news for so-called heavily indebted poor countries. Britain and the U.S. agreeing on details of a debt relief plan for poor nations. "The New York Times" citing an unnamed senior official says this deal would free 18 countries of an estimated $16.7 billion in debt.
Finance ministers from the world's richest nations are going to be discussing this proposal at today's meeting of the G8 in London. Five areas up for discussion on Friday. Debt relief is already topping the agenda, with Africa owing around $300 billion in total. The International Finance Facility could double aid to $100 billion. It would issue bonds using G8 aid pledges as collateral. The International Monetary Fund's bullion, the third largest reserves in the world, could be sold to raise cash, while a proposed airline tax on EU flight tickets could fund even more aid. The millennium challenge account, now that's the U.S. framework for development, is also up for discussion there.
VERJEE: Eventually, the Bush-Blair plan could be extended to at least nine other countries. The continent of Africa alone already spends about $15 billion a year on debt repayments. So what does it mean to wipe off a nation's debt?
Robyn Curnow looks at what's involved in debt relief for Africa.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ROBYN CURNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In the past, some African leaders like Zaire's Mobutu Sese Seko have borrowed heavily, spent badly, and bankrupted their countries. Financial experts like Barbara James say Africa is still counting the cost.
BARBARA JAMES, AFRICA VENTURE CAPITAL ASSOCIATION: That money that was originally borrowed was borrowed by dictators, they who have long gone. But the current regimes are now being straddled with the repayments of these debts.
CURNOW: Debts that have grown exponentially over the years.
JAMES: If you factor in interest rate changes, factor in currency rate changes, the current value of the debt bears no resemblance to what was borrowed. So we are in a vicious cycle of high debt, inability to pay. And governments being strangled.
CURNOW (on camera): Every country in the world has debt. So it's not debt that's the problem, just the inability to pay that is. And most African countries just cannot keep up.
Take Ghana for example, a country that's respected for its good governance. Eleven percent of government spending goes into repaying debts, while only 9 percent is spent on health.
(voice-over): Government officials say debt is part of the reason many African countries are poor.
HILARY BENN, U.K. INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT SEC.: The argument has always been with debt cancellation, how do you pay for it? Because if you pay for it out of the existing aid money, well, you've taken the money from one pocket and put it in another.
CURNOW: This week in Washington, British Prime Minister Tony Blair won a concession from U.S. President George W. Bush that debt relief should not be financed out of aid programs.
JAMES: This money is going to be repaid out of new resources, so that there is not going to be a black hole at the World Bank because the U.S. government, U.K. government, will lead other G8 governments to put back the money, to effectively pay off the black hole that would have been there. And that is the real breakthrough.
CURNOW: So to free up Africa's debt, the rich countries are considering digging deeper into their own pockets.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is not only morally something that we ought to do. It's in the world's self-interest. Because if we don't deal with poverty, injustice and inequality around the globe, then, frankly, I don't think we're going to have a safe and secure world in which to live.
CURNOW: Whatever the motivation, many experts agree that Africa's people could be offered some hope of change if that debt is wiped out.
Robyn Curnow, CNN, London.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CLANCY: A problem in Africa that money might not fix. In Zimbabwe, a general strike protesting President Mugabe's crackdown on shantytowns entering its second day.
VERJEE: Later on CNN, we're going to get an inside look at living conditions for the poor inside Zimbabwe and the daily struggle just to survive.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CLANCY: Investors on Wall Street seem to be focused on a big trade gap report.
For that, let's go over to Gerri Willis in New York City.
(STOCK MARKET REPORT)
VERJEE: We're going to bring you a roundup of all our main stories in just a moment. And later...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They'll be play paying cash of some sort.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CLANCY: Feeling flush. Rich Russians descending on London and, well, emptying their wallets.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CLANCY: Welcome back this Friday to YOUR WORLD TODAY. I'm Jim Clancy.
VERJEE: And I'm Zain Verjee. Here are some of the top stories we're following. An Italian aid worker held hostage in Afghanistan for more than three weeks is now back home. Italy's prime minister and president were among those waiting to greet Clementina Cantoni as she landed in Rome a short while ago. She's been an aid worker for more than 10 years. The last two with the international aid agency CARE in Afghanistan.
CLANCY: A senior U.S. State Department official says the U.S. has, in its words, "credible information" that Syrian operatives plan to try to assassinate senior Lebanese politicians. Lebanese Druze warlord Walid Jumblatt, leader Walid Jumblatt, says he has no hard evidence of any so-called hitlist. The White House called on Syria to comply with United Nations Security Council resolution and remove all of its intelligence operatives from Lebanon.
VERJEE: The U.S. and South Korean presidents are trying to find common ground on how to deal with North Korea's nuclear ambitions. George W. Bush is hosting Roh Moo-Hyun at the White House. They're discussing ways to bring back Pyongyang to six-party talks over its nuclear weapons program. Seoul favors engagement in diplomacy, while Washington has taken a much more hardline approach.
CLANCY: Well, for some perspective now on the talks, let's bring in Kenneth Quinones. He is a former U.S. State Department official for North Korean affairs. He joins us now live from Washington.
The two sides can't agree on what approach to take to North Korea. But don't they have to agree that neither of these approaches appear to have worked?
KENNETH QUINONES, FMR. U.S. DIPLOMAT: Well, I do think there is plenty of common ground between Washington and Seoul. Both basically want nuclear-free Korean peninsula. They want a peaceful, diplomatic solution. I think most of the problems are over just how to get there. It's a matter of tactics, rather than long-term strategy and goals.
CLANCY: All right. But if -- you're right, it's all about tactics. One wants to see more engagement. But thus far, has engagement succeeded in getting North Korea to dismantle its program or to keep its word?
QUINONES: OK, well, that's a very complex issue. But at least in the past, when we first had nuclear notions with North Korea, '93, '94. We managed to freeze and at least temporarily halt their march towards nuclear weapons. Engagement accomplished that. Of course there are shortcomings. Given the options that we now have, and after four years of no engagement, hardline tactics and so forth, actually we had no results whatsoever. We haven't frozen anything. Actually, the North Koreans have marched ahead and now have accomplished their goal. They do have nuclear weapons. So we have to give engagement a serious consideration.
But also we need to be realistic about the expectations we have. And I think that's going to be the focus today. First of all, maybe the South Koreans want President Bush to temper his relatively hardline stance, and give engagement, or at least inducements, another chance. And at the same time, temper the expectations of where we might go from here.
CLANCY: Kim Jong-Il. What does he really want, in your view?
QUINONES: I think his -- first and foremost for him is survival of his regime, and that's why he puts nuclear weapons on the top of the list. I think it's a very, very serious area of miscalculation on his part. Possession of nuclear weapons doesn't accomplish what he wants, regime survival, respect, economic revitalization and so forth. It doesn't accomplish any of those things. On the contrary, it makes the international community even more leery of him.
CLANCY: We are expecting to hear within about a minute from President Roh Moo-Hyun and President Bush. It will be taped remarks. But I want to just hear from you your view. Do these two leaders have to stand together right now, no matter what there differences are in private?
QUINONES: I think it's absolutely essential. The United States and South Korea must project to North Korea and the international community a very solid, united front. After all, this is a very old alliance...
CLANCY: All right, I apologize. Kenneth Quinones, former U.S. State Department official. I have to break it off there.
We are going to go now and listen to what the president had to say earlier.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I'll have a statement. The president will have a statement. Then I will answer two questions from the American press.
I first want to express my country's deepest condolences for the accident that took place where a U.S. military vehicle killed a Korean woman. And we send our deepest sympathies to the woman's family.
And, Mr. President, I just want you to know our hearts are sad as a result of this incident.
The president and I had a very long discussion about very important issues, and we'll continue this discussion over lunch. And the reason why we've had a serious discussion on important issues is because we're strategic partners and allies and friends.
I appreciate the president's good advice, and we share the same goals: peace on the Korean Peninsula and peace throughout the world.
We share the same goals. We want our people to grow up in a peaceful society that's a prosperous society.
And so, Mr. President, welcome. Thank you for coming. And thank you for your friendship. ROH MOO-HYUN, PRESIDENT OF SOUTH KOREA (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): I thank you for your warm welcome. And I also thank you for the opportunity for us to engage in extensive discussions on various issues.
I also thank you, Mr. President, for your warm message of condolence regarding the unfortunately incident involving U.S. Forces Korea.
This is my fourth meeting with you, Mr. President, and my second visit to the United States.
ROH (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): And every time we meet together, Mr. President, questions abound regarding the possible existence of differences between Korea and the United States surrounding the North Korean nuclear issue.
But every time I meet you, Mr. President, in person, I come to the realization that there indeed is no difference between our two sides with regard to the basic principles. In fact, we are in full and perfect agreement on the basic principles.
And whatever problem arises in the course of our negotiations and talks, we will be able to work them out under close consultations.
There are, admittedly, many people who worry about potential discord or cacophony between the two powers of the alliance.
But after going through our discussions today, Mr. President, I realized once again that in regards to all the matters and all the issues of great importance, we were able to deal with them, and we were able to bring closure to them smoothly.
ROH (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): And I am very certain that our alliance remain solid and will continue to remain solid and staunch in the future, as well.
To be sure, there are one or two minor issues, but I am also quite certain that we will be able to work them out very smoothly through dialogue in the period ahead.
How do you feel, Mr. President? Wouldn't you agree that the alliance is strong and...
BUSH: I would say the alliance is very strong, Mr. President. And I want to thank you for your frank assessment and -- of the situation on the peninsula.
And I'm looking forward to having lunch with you. And I'm hungry like you are.
So I'm going to answer two questions.
QUESTION: Mr. President, just two days ago, the vice prime minister of North Korea said they do have a nuclear arsenal and they're building more. Doesn't statements like that suggest that North Korea will not come back to the bargaining table, and doesn't it make it harder to bridge the kinds of differences that do remain between the U.S. and South Korea?
BUSH: No, the South Korea and the United States share the same goal, and that is a Korean peninsula without a nuclear weapon, and that's what we've been discussing, how best to do that.
And the president and I both agree the six-party talks are essential to saying to Mr. Kim Jong Il that he ought to give up his weapons -- to making it very clear to him that the way to join the community of nations is to listen to China and South Korean and Japan and Russia and the United States, and that is to give up nuclear weapons.
BUSH: And we'll continue to work to have one voice.
We laid out a way forward last June. That is a reasonable proposal. And we're still awaiting the answer to that proposal.
But today's meeting should make it clear that South Korea and the United States are of one voice on this very important issue.
QUESTION: Mr. President, are there any inducements you're willing to offer to get North Korea back to the talks? And if I could ask about (OFF-MIKE)
BUSH: Sure. First of all, the first part of your two-part question is this: Last June, we did lay out a way forward. And it's just not the United States. This was a plan that the United States and South Korea and China and Japan and Russia put on the table.
And the plan is still there. And it's full of inducements.
The second part, on Syria.
QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE) you're feeling that Syria still has intelligence officers in Lebanon and are they carrying out (inaudible)?
BUSH: Well, I've been disturbed by reports I read in today's newspaper that said that Syrian intelligence officers might still be in Lebanon and might still be there.
And our message to Syria -- and it's not just the message of the United States, the United Nations has said the same thing -- is that, in order for Lebanon to be free, is for Syria to not only remove her military, but to remove intelligence officers as well.
And, obviously, we're going to follow up on these troubling reports. And we expect the Syrian government to follow up on these troubling reports.
Listen, thank you all very much. Thank you, Mr. President.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, they're very good.
ROH: Thank you very much.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CLANCY: South Korean president Roh Moo-Hyun, alongside President Bush there at the White House. It was important. He talked there a little bit about Syria at the end, but we're focused right now on North Korea and what he had to say. First of all, an apology from President Bush. And then at one point, he said that he was happy, he appreciated what he called president Roh's quote, "good advice." Now that may indicate that there was some differences between closed doors. But out in public?
VERJEE: Well, President Roh Moo-Hyun out in public also reinforcing the same point, saying that our basic principles are the same. And there may be differences in approaches to North Korea, but essentially, he said, the alliance is solid and any difference can be worked out.
CLANCY: Kenneth Quinones, a former U.S. State Department official, was with us a little bit earlier. I want to bring him back him. You listen to all of that. Any surprises at all? I mean, these two men standing up together, sending a message, if you will -- and they know Pyongyang is watching -- sending a message, we haven't got a difference in the world that we can't get past.
QUINONES: No, there was -- there were no surprises there. I think it was overall a very balanced discussion between the two. I did note that president Roh Moo-Hyun was a bit candid. And I think that's very important for him, because when he goes back home, he's going to have to tell his people, look, I didn't go to Washington just to smile and shake hands with President Bush. I did give him advice.
And I think President Bush also tipped his hat to that and inferred that he was at least listening to and would consider South Korea's advice. That worked out very well, overall.
VERJEE: Kenneth, Zain here. In spite of what we heard and in spite of a definitive show of unity there we heard just a few moments ago, South Korea has a totally different ideological approach toward North Korea. There is a gap of trust, many analysts say. It can't be fixed in just one meeting, can it?
QUINONES: No, and I think we also heard that in this statement. They tried to minimize the differences, but they nevertheless -- both leaders said OK, there are some issues here we're going to have to talk about. That's good, because in a solid alliance, you need quiet diplomacy, candid, quiet talks. And I think that's what they are aiming at right now.
CLANCY: OK. Kenneth Quinones, a former U.S. State Department officer for North Korean affairs. I want to thank you very much for joining us and lending your expertise, help us understand what we've just been watching there at the White House. We're going to take a short break.
VERJEE: Stay with us. YOUR WORLD TODAY will continue. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CLANCY: Let's check some of the stories that are making headlines in the United States right now. Jurors have arrived for a sixth day of deliberations in the child molestation trial of Michael Jackson. While the courtroom drama may be over, tensions are high among hangers-on.
A judge has approved a reporter's petition for a restraining order against an outspoken Jackson defender. Diane Dimond has B.J. Hickman's harassment -- says his harassment has interfered with her reporter and prompted her employer to hire security guards.
A 22-year-old California man is due in federal court with connection of an alleged plot to wage jihad against the U.S. Pakistani-American Hamid Hayat and his father are charged with making false statements to the FBI. Three Pakistani nationals have also been detained in the case. They're being held on immigration violations.
And in Florida, residents bracing for the region's first big blow of the season. Tropical storm Arlene roared past the Western tip of Cuba early on Friday, battering the island with heavy rains and high winds. The storm is projected to hit the U.S. Gulf Coast this weekend, but it is not expected to reach hurricane status.
We are going to be taking a quick break.
VERJEE: And then when we come back, we're going to get an update on Tropical Storm Arlene from our Femi Oke over at the weather center, so stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(WEATHER REPORT)
FEMI OKE, INTERNATIONAL WEATHER: And now time to take a brief pause and take a look at some satellite images in a new segment called "The Big Picture."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
OKE (voice-over): One of the most dramatic weather phenomena in Africa and the Middle East are sand storms. This is a satellite image of a storm from last month. You can see the sand covering virtually all of Kuwait, and obscuring the water in the Persian Gulf. The storm stir, when dry cold fronts move through the area. The dryer the air, the more sand and dust. Sandstorms can last for days. Some countries can see dozens each year. And that's the big picture of Middle Eastern sandstorms.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
This week, there are sandstorms in Baghdad in Iraq, and a number of people ended up in hospital because of their respiratory problems. That actually links quite nicely to the news that we have back at the desk news. CLANCY: All right, thank you for that, Femi.
News just coming in by wire services here to CNN that five U.S. Marines have been killed in the embattled Anbar province west of Baghdad, the town of Haklania (ph). A roadside bomb once again claiming the lives of five Marines.
VERJEE: We'll bring you more details as soon as we receive them.
That's this hour of YOUR WORLD TODAY. I'm Zain Verjee.
CLANCY: I'm Jim Clancy. You're watching CNN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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Aired June 10, 2005 - 12:00 ET
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ANNOUNCER: Live from CNN Center, this is YOUR WORLD TODAY.
ZAIN VERJEE, CNN ANCHOR: Nuclear tensions. U.S. President George W. Bush hosts South Korea's leader amid concerns over North Korea's weapon's program.
JIM CLANCY, CNN ANCHOR: Overjoyed. Italians celebrating this hour. The return of an aid worker held hostage for weeks in Afghanistan.
VERJEE: The Russians are coming. Luxurious accommodations and pricey facials proof that these brand new London residents have truly cut ties with their socialist past.
It is noon at the White House, 6:00 p.m. in Rome. I'm Zain Verjee.
CLANCY: I'm Jim Clancy. And this is YOUR WORLD TODAY.
Hello, and welcome to our viewers in the United States and around the world.
We're going to begin our report this hour in Washington, where two allies are at odds over North Korea. And they're trying to find common ground.
VERJEE: U.S. President George W. Bush and South Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun are meeting right now at the White House.
CLANCY: Both leaders want to see North Korea return to talks over its nuclear weapons program.
VERJEE: But one favors the carrot, the other the stick when dealing with Pyongyang.
Let's bring in Kathleen Koch. She joins us from the White House.
Kathleen, what's at stake here between the U.S. and South Korea?
KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Zain, both countries, both leaders, do insist that their alliance is solid. But this is clearly a very important meeting that comes at quite a delicate time.
As you stated, both President Bush and the South Korean leader, Roh Moo-Hyun, who arrived here at the White House just roughly 45 minutes ago, want to do whatever they can to jump-start the stalled six-party nuclear disarmament talks, talks that have been stalled for nearly a year now. And North Korean diplomats Monday did tell U.S. officials in New York that the north was committed to rejoining the talks, but they didn't say when.
So there was some degree of optimism then. But again, you are dealing with the Bush administration, that has in the past called North Korea part of the "axis of evil," described it as one of the world's "outposts of tyranny." And President Bush in recent days has said that U.N. sanctions may even be necessary to force North Korea back to negotiations. His spokesman, Scott McClellan, this morning told reporters that North Korea had what he called a "strategic decision" to make to abandon its nuclear ambitions and return to the talks without delays and, most importantly, without preconditions.
Now, clearly, President Roh today is expected to press for a diplomatic solution. His government has been pursuing a policy of largely peaceful coexistence to his neighbor to the north. He opposes both U.N. sanctions, as well as any talk of a military solution to the crisis.
There will, however, be talk about the military today between these two world leaders. Not only is South Korea an ally, with some 3,600 troops in Iraq, but also, of course, the U.S. has roughly 32,500 U.S. troops in South Korea. And the Pentagon plans to cut that number by some 8,000 troops over the coming year, so there will certainly be talk this morning, even into their lunch and meeting about reshaping the U.S. military presence in South Korea -- Zain, Jim.
VERJEE: Does Washington, Kathleen, trust Seoul?
KOCH: Well, that's a very good question, Zain, and one that is very difficult obviously for -- for us to answer here. But as you can see by the actions that the White House has been taking, the Bush administration in recent years, when you are saying coming to whether its trusts North Korea, the belief is that it takes firm action to get North Korea's attention, and to, again, get them back to the table.
CLANCY: Kathleen -- Kathleen, it's Jim Clancy here. Just a few minutes ago, Zain and I talked with Walid Jumblatt, the Lebanese Druze leader, who repeated assertions that Syria and his Lebanese allies may be targeting top politicians during the electoral process in Lebanon. Any comments there from the White House?
KOCH: There were comments this morning. Scott McClellan telling reporters that the Bush administration is deeply concerned about what he called interference and intimidation by Syrian operatives in Lebanon. And indeed, a senior State Department official did tell CNN that Washington has credible information that Syrian operatives do have plans to try to assassinate Lebanese political leaders, and also that Syrian military intelligence forces are planning on reentering Lebanon with a goal of destabilizing that country, creating an environment of intimidation.
So Scott McClellan this morning did say that the White House, the Bush administration, wants to see Sunday's elections proceed in a free and fair manner. He called for U.N. observers, U.N. verification teams to be present. And he ended his statements on it with -- saying that the international community really needs to send a clear message to Syria that it must "stop meddling in Lebanon."
CLANCY: Kathleen Koch handling a lot of stories for us there at the White House this day. Thank you.
VERJEE: The differences over North Korea have strained a strong friendship that began decades ago. Mike Chinoy looks at why the United States and South Korea don't see eye to eye when it comes to Pyongyang.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MIKE CHINOY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The U.S. and South Korea have been allies for more than half a century, ties forged in blood during the Korean War, sustained by the presence of 32,000 American troops in South Korea today. But as the crisis over North Korea's nuclear weapons program intensifies, the alliance is in trouble. The South Koreans sharply at odds with the Bush administration over Washington's hard line towards Pyongyang.
KENNETH LIEBERTHAL, BROOKINGS INSTITUTION: They've become increasingly worried that this administration's real goal is regime change in North Korea. And that's a goal that they don't share. And it's one that they want to cut off.
CHINOY: With Seoul within easy range of North Korean artillery, and likely to bear the brunt of any upheaval should North Korea collapse, the South Koreans don't want to see an increase in tension on the peninsula, especially as many in Seoul don't believe the United States has made a serious attempt to negotiate an end to the nuclear crisis and six-nation talks in Beijing.
THOMAS HUBBARD, FMR. U.S. AMBASSADOR TO SOUTH KOREA: South Korea want us to make every effort to achieve success in the six-party talks, want us to genuinely test North Korea's intentions before going on to other options.
CHINOY: And President Roh Moo-Hyun's government has made clear it won't go along with calls to bring the issue before the U.N. Security Council.
HAN SUNG JOO, FMR. SOUTH KOREAN FOREIGN MINISTER: The republic of Korea is much less -- they are willing to rely on pressure or sanctions if it comes to that.
CHINOY: The Roh and Bush administrations have also differed over just how the U.S. troops in South Korea might respond to collapse or disorder inside North Korea. And there's been anxiety in the south over Bush administration plans to reconfigure the deployment of the U.S. forces in South Korea and throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
In Washington, meanwhile, some have voiced concern that President Roh is tilting away from the alliance and towards a more neutral posture. The shift, in part, a response to a generational change in South Korea, a more youthful population with no personal memories of the Korean War, much less hostile towards the regime and Pyongyang. Trends that raise broader questions about the future of relationship that has been central to peace and stability in Asia for decades.
Mike Chinoy, CNN, Hong Kong.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VERJEE: President Bush and President Roh are expected to make some comments after their meeting. We are going to bring them to you as soon as we have them.
CLANCY: Well, despite the French and Dutch rejection of the European Union constitution, France and Germany say other EU countries should proceed with their own referendums. President Jacques Chirac of France and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder restated their position during a meeting in Paris.
Mr. Chirac responding to Britain's call for a review of the EU budget and farming subsidies. He said he was not prepared to discuss changes in the agricultural policy which greatly benefits French farmers.
VERJEE: An Italian aid worker freed after being held hostage for more than three weeks in Afghanistan is now back home. Italy's prime minister was among those waiting to greet Clementina Cantoni as her plane touched down in Rome.
Alessio Vinci joins us now live.
Alessio, home sweet home for Cantoni. What kind of reception did she get? Give us more details.
ALESSIO VINCI, CNN ROME BUREAU CHIEF: Hello, Zain. Yes, it was a nice reception for the former hostage. Italy's top government officials, including, as you said, not just the prime minister, but also the Italian president, Carlo Ciampi, as well as Rome's mayor, Walter Veltroni, and also some other top government officials.
A lot of media, of course, although this is a welcome far -- sort of lower key than previously that we have seen in recent months of other Italian hostages, primarily because she was kidnapped perhaps in Afghanistan and not in Iraq. Nevertheless, Clementina Cantoni emerged from the plane with a big smile.
She was obviously tired and drained after 24 days in captivity. But nevertheless, she had a big smile. She was welcomed by the media and by these people, as well as being accompanied by her own father and mother and brother who flew all the way to Kabul because they didn't want to wait any longer last night when the news broke that she had been released.
No word yet, of course, as to whether or not a ransom has been paid to secure her release. Afghan officials are denying it, although some officials, without being quoted, without being named, in Afghanistan are beginning to say that there was -- that some concessions were made. The Italian media, meanwhile, are saying that some money has been paid in order to secure her release -- Zain.
VERJEE: And to clarify, it was the Afghan government that negotiated with the kidnappers, right, and not the Italian government?
VINCI: That is correct. Unlike previous hostage situations in Iraq, this time around, even Italian government officials concede that it was the Afghan government who led the negotiations, of course with the help of some -- the Italian intelligence. But nevertheless, the Afghan people, the Afghan government, are the ones who conducted all the negotiations and eventually secured her release and contacted the hostage-takers.
VERJEE: CNN's Rome bureau chief, Alessio Vinci -- Jim.
CLANCY: Well, as we were mentioning earlier as we talked to Kathleen Koch at the White House, a senior U.S. State Department official says Washington has credible information Syrian operatives may plan to try to assassinate senior Lebanese politicians, and Syrian military intelligence forces are returning to Lebanon to create what they term an "environment of intimidation."
Well, top Druze leader Walid Jumblatt told us a short while ago that Syrian intelligence officers are still running free in his country even though the Syrian military has withdrawn. Walid Jumblatt saying there could be more assassinations in the future ordered by Damascus. We talked with the Druze leader just a short time ago as he was campaigning in the Shuth (ph) mountains.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WALID JUMBLATT, LEBANESE DRUZE LEADER: I'm talking about myself, about my comrades in opposition, yes, and about -- well, this climate of instability that, again, some people in Damascus want to create in Lebanon.
CLANCY: What hard evidence is there that assassinations may have been ordered or are in the process of being ordered?
JUMBLATT: We don't have proper evidence. I mean, we have a climate of uncertainty. And then this prominent journalist, (INAUDIBLE), who was a vocal opponent of the Syrian regime, well, this leads us to conclusions, at last we have some information that Syrian intelligence officer are roaming around in the mountains in Beirut.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CLANCY: Well, former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri was assassinated in February. And as Walid just noted, anti-Syrian columnist Samir Kassir was killed last week in Beirut. Many Lebanese are blaming the killings on Syria and its allies within Lebanon.
VERJEE: After weeks of opposition protests that crippled the country, causing food and water shortages and the resignation of the president, Bolivia is under a new leadership. During an emergency session, the congress appointed the head of the supreme court, Eduardo Rodriguez, as the new president. Elections are expected in the next three to six months.
The protesters, largely members of the country's indigenous population, have been staging demonstrations to force the government to hold new elections to nationalize the country's natural gas reserve.
CLANCY: All right. We're going to take a short break. But coming up, we are expecting some comments to come on videotape from President Bush and President Roh of South Korea any minute now. We're going to go live to the White House.
VERJEE: And also ahead, as the U.S. and Britain agree on a debt relief plan for poor nations, we're going to look at who will end up footing the bill.
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CLANCY: An update. The jury, of course, still out in the molestation trial of Michael Jackson in California. Jurors have met now for a total of about 22 hours over the course of five days. The trial got under way all the way back in February.
We of course here at CNN are going to bring you that verdict the moment it comes in.
VERJEE: Meanwhile, let's check some other stories making news around the United States.
A new report states that the FBI missed several opportunities to uncover information that could have led agents to the 9/11 hijackers before the 2001 attacks. The bureau's inspector general says the FBI should have been aware of the presence of two of the terrorists in the United States.
President Bush has chosen a top Navy officer to be in charge of U.S. headquarters for tracking terrorist plots. If confirmed by the Senate, Vice Admiral John Redd will take over the new National Counterterrorism Center. Mr. Bush toured the center outside Washington just a few hours ago.
A total of five suspects are now being held in Aruba in connection with the disappearance of teenage tourist Natalee Holloway. Police say one of the suspects was with Holloway at her hotel's casino the day before she vanished. He and two other teens admitted giving Holloway a ride home the night she disappeared.
CLANCY: What may be good news for so-called heavily indebted poor countries. Britain and the U.S. agreeing on details of a debt relief plan for poor nations. "The New York Times" citing an unnamed senior official says this deal would free 18 countries of an estimated $16.7 billion in debt.
Finance ministers from the world's richest nations are going to be discussing this proposal at today's meeting of the G8 in London. Five areas up for discussion on Friday. Debt relief is already topping the agenda, with Africa owing around $300 billion in total. The International Finance Facility could double aid to $100 billion. It would issue bonds using G8 aid pledges as collateral. The International Monetary Fund's bullion, the third largest reserves in the world, could be sold to raise cash, while a proposed airline tax on EU flight tickets could fund even more aid. The millennium challenge account, now that's the U.S. framework for development, is also up for discussion there.
VERJEE: Eventually, the Bush-Blair plan could be extended to at least nine other countries. The continent of Africa alone already spends about $15 billion a year on debt repayments. So what does it mean to wipe off a nation's debt?
Robyn Curnow looks at what's involved in debt relief for Africa.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ROBYN CURNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In the past, some African leaders like Zaire's Mobutu Sese Seko have borrowed heavily, spent badly, and bankrupted their countries. Financial experts like Barbara James say Africa is still counting the cost.
BARBARA JAMES, AFRICA VENTURE CAPITAL ASSOCIATION: That money that was originally borrowed was borrowed by dictators, they who have long gone. But the current regimes are now being straddled with the repayments of these debts.
CURNOW: Debts that have grown exponentially over the years.
JAMES: If you factor in interest rate changes, factor in currency rate changes, the current value of the debt bears no resemblance to what was borrowed. So we are in a vicious cycle of high debt, inability to pay. And governments being strangled.
CURNOW (on camera): Every country in the world has debt. So it's not debt that's the problem, just the inability to pay that is. And most African countries just cannot keep up.
Take Ghana for example, a country that's respected for its good governance. Eleven percent of government spending goes into repaying debts, while only 9 percent is spent on health.
(voice-over): Government officials say debt is part of the reason many African countries are poor.
HILARY BENN, U.K. INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT SEC.: The argument has always been with debt cancellation, how do you pay for it? Because if you pay for it out of the existing aid money, well, you've taken the money from one pocket and put it in another.
CURNOW: This week in Washington, British Prime Minister Tony Blair won a concession from U.S. President George W. Bush that debt relief should not be financed out of aid programs.
JAMES: This money is going to be repaid out of new resources, so that there is not going to be a black hole at the World Bank because the U.S. government, U.K. government, will lead other G8 governments to put back the money, to effectively pay off the black hole that would have been there. And that is the real breakthrough.
CURNOW: So to free up Africa's debt, the rich countries are considering digging deeper into their own pockets.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is not only morally something that we ought to do. It's in the world's self-interest. Because if we don't deal with poverty, injustice and inequality around the globe, then, frankly, I don't think we're going to have a safe and secure world in which to live.
CURNOW: Whatever the motivation, many experts agree that Africa's people could be offered some hope of change if that debt is wiped out.
Robyn Curnow, CNN, London.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CLANCY: A problem in Africa that money might not fix. In Zimbabwe, a general strike protesting President Mugabe's crackdown on shantytowns entering its second day.
VERJEE: Later on CNN, we're going to get an inside look at living conditions for the poor inside Zimbabwe and the daily struggle just to survive.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CLANCY: Investors on Wall Street seem to be focused on a big trade gap report.
For that, let's go over to Gerri Willis in New York City.
(STOCK MARKET REPORT)
VERJEE: We're going to bring you a roundup of all our main stories in just a moment. And later...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They'll be play paying cash of some sort.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CLANCY: Feeling flush. Rich Russians descending on London and, well, emptying their wallets.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CLANCY: Welcome back this Friday to YOUR WORLD TODAY. I'm Jim Clancy.
VERJEE: And I'm Zain Verjee. Here are some of the top stories we're following. An Italian aid worker held hostage in Afghanistan for more than three weeks is now back home. Italy's prime minister and president were among those waiting to greet Clementina Cantoni as she landed in Rome a short while ago. She's been an aid worker for more than 10 years. The last two with the international aid agency CARE in Afghanistan.
CLANCY: A senior U.S. State Department official says the U.S. has, in its words, "credible information" that Syrian operatives plan to try to assassinate senior Lebanese politicians. Lebanese Druze warlord Walid Jumblatt, leader Walid Jumblatt, says he has no hard evidence of any so-called hitlist. The White House called on Syria to comply with United Nations Security Council resolution and remove all of its intelligence operatives from Lebanon.
VERJEE: The U.S. and South Korean presidents are trying to find common ground on how to deal with North Korea's nuclear ambitions. George W. Bush is hosting Roh Moo-Hyun at the White House. They're discussing ways to bring back Pyongyang to six-party talks over its nuclear weapons program. Seoul favors engagement in diplomacy, while Washington has taken a much more hardline approach.
CLANCY: Well, for some perspective now on the talks, let's bring in Kenneth Quinones. He is a former U.S. State Department official for North Korean affairs. He joins us now live from Washington.
The two sides can't agree on what approach to take to North Korea. But don't they have to agree that neither of these approaches appear to have worked?
KENNETH QUINONES, FMR. U.S. DIPLOMAT: Well, I do think there is plenty of common ground between Washington and Seoul. Both basically want nuclear-free Korean peninsula. They want a peaceful, diplomatic solution. I think most of the problems are over just how to get there. It's a matter of tactics, rather than long-term strategy and goals.
CLANCY: All right. But if -- you're right, it's all about tactics. One wants to see more engagement. But thus far, has engagement succeeded in getting North Korea to dismantle its program or to keep its word?
QUINONES: OK, well, that's a very complex issue. But at least in the past, when we first had nuclear notions with North Korea, '93, '94. We managed to freeze and at least temporarily halt their march towards nuclear weapons. Engagement accomplished that. Of course there are shortcomings. Given the options that we now have, and after four years of no engagement, hardline tactics and so forth, actually we had no results whatsoever. We haven't frozen anything. Actually, the North Koreans have marched ahead and now have accomplished their goal. They do have nuclear weapons. So we have to give engagement a serious consideration.
But also we need to be realistic about the expectations we have. And I think that's going to be the focus today. First of all, maybe the South Koreans want President Bush to temper his relatively hardline stance, and give engagement, or at least inducements, another chance. And at the same time, temper the expectations of where we might go from here.
CLANCY: Kim Jong-Il. What does he really want, in your view?
QUINONES: I think his -- first and foremost for him is survival of his regime, and that's why he puts nuclear weapons on the top of the list. I think it's a very, very serious area of miscalculation on his part. Possession of nuclear weapons doesn't accomplish what he wants, regime survival, respect, economic revitalization and so forth. It doesn't accomplish any of those things. On the contrary, it makes the international community even more leery of him.
CLANCY: We are expecting to hear within about a minute from President Roh Moo-Hyun and President Bush. It will be taped remarks. But I want to just hear from you your view. Do these two leaders have to stand together right now, no matter what there differences are in private?
QUINONES: I think it's absolutely essential. The United States and South Korea must project to North Korea and the international community a very solid, united front. After all, this is a very old alliance...
CLANCY: All right, I apologize. Kenneth Quinones, former U.S. State Department official. I have to break it off there.
We are going to go now and listen to what the president had to say earlier.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I'll have a statement. The president will have a statement. Then I will answer two questions from the American press.
I first want to express my country's deepest condolences for the accident that took place where a U.S. military vehicle killed a Korean woman. And we send our deepest sympathies to the woman's family.
And, Mr. President, I just want you to know our hearts are sad as a result of this incident.
The president and I had a very long discussion about very important issues, and we'll continue this discussion over lunch. And the reason why we've had a serious discussion on important issues is because we're strategic partners and allies and friends.
I appreciate the president's good advice, and we share the same goals: peace on the Korean Peninsula and peace throughout the world.
We share the same goals. We want our people to grow up in a peaceful society that's a prosperous society.
And so, Mr. President, welcome. Thank you for coming. And thank you for your friendship. ROH MOO-HYUN, PRESIDENT OF SOUTH KOREA (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): I thank you for your warm welcome. And I also thank you for the opportunity for us to engage in extensive discussions on various issues.
I also thank you, Mr. President, for your warm message of condolence regarding the unfortunately incident involving U.S. Forces Korea.
This is my fourth meeting with you, Mr. President, and my second visit to the United States.
ROH (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): And every time we meet together, Mr. President, questions abound regarding the possible existence of differences between Korea and the United States surrounding the North Korean nuclear issue.
But every time I meet you, Mr. President, in person, I come to the realization that there indeed is no difference between our two sides with regard to the basic principles. In fact, we are in full and perfect agreement on the basic principles.
And whatever problem arises in the course of our negotiations and talks, we will be able to work them out under close consultations.
There are, admittedly, many people who worry about potential discord or cacophony between the two powers of the alliance.
But after going through our discussions today, Mr. President, I realized once again that in regards to all the matters and all the issues of great importance, we were able to deal with them, and we were able to bring closure to them smoothly.
ROH (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): And I am very certain that our alliance remain solid and will continue to remain solid and staunch in the future, as well.
To be sure, there are one or two minor issues, but I am also quite certain that we will be able to work them out very smoothly through dialogue in the period ahead.
How do you feel, Mr. President? Wouldn't you agree that the alliance is strong and...
BUSH: I would say the alliance is very strong, Mr. President. And I want to thank you for your frank assessment and -- of the situation on the peninsula.
And I'm looking forward to having lunch with you. And I'm hungry like you are.
So I'm going to answer two questions.
QUESTION: Mr. President, just two days ago, the vice prime minister of North Korea said they do have a nuclear arsenal and they're building more. Doesn't statements like that suggest that North Korea will not come back to the bargaining table, and doesn't it make it harder to bridge the kinds of differences that do remain between the U.S. and South Korea?
BUSH: No, the South Korea and the United States share the same goal, and that is a Korean peninsula without a nuclear weapon, and that's what we've been discussing, how best to do that.
And the president and I both agree the six-party talks are essential to saying to Mr. Kim Jong Il that he ought to give up his weapons -- to making it very clear to him that the way to join the community of nations is to listen to China and South Korean and Japan and Russia and the United States, and that is to give up nuclear weapons.
BUSH: And we'll continue to work to have one voice.
We laid out a way forward last June. That is a reasonable proposal. And we're still awaiting the answer to that proposal.
But today's meeting should make it clear that South Korea and the United States are of one voice on this very important issue.
QUESTION: Mr. President, are there any inducements you're willing to offer to get North Korea back to the talks? And if I could ask about (OFF-MIKE)
BUSH: Sure. First of all, the first part of your two-part question is this: Last June, we did lay out a way forward. And it's just not the United States. This was a plan that the United States and South Korea and China and Japan and Russia put on the table.
And the plan is still there. And it's full of inducements.
The second part, on Syria.
QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE) you're feeling that Syria still has intelligence officers in Lebanon and are they carrying out (inaudible)?
BUSH: Well, I've been disturbed by reports I read in today's newspaper that said that Syrian intelligence officers might still be in Lebanon and might still be there.
And our message to Syria -- and it's not just the message of the United States, the United Nations has said the same thing -- is that, in order for Lebanon to be free, is for Syria to not only remove her military, but to remove intelligence officers as well.
And, obviously, we're going to follow up on these troubling reports. And we expect the Syrian government to follow up on these troubling reports.
Listen, thank you all very much. Thank you, Mr. President.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, they're very good.
ROH: Thank you very much.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CLANCY: South Korean president Roh Moo-Hyun, alongside President Bush there at the White House. It was important. He talked there a little bit about Syria at the end, but we're focused right now on North Korea and what he had to say. First of all, an apology from President Bush. And then at one point, he said that he was happy, he appreciated what he called president Roh's quote, "good advice." Now that may indicate that there was some differences between closed doors. But out in public?
VERJEE: Well, President Roh Moo-Hyun out in public also reinforcing the same point, saying that our basic principles are the same. And there may be differences in approaches to North Korea, but essentially, he said, the alliance is solid and any difference can be worked out.
CLANCY: Kenneth Quinones, a former U.S. State Department official, was with us a little bit earlier. I want to bring him back him. You listen to all of that. Any surprises at all? I mean, these two men standing up together, sending a message, if you will -- and they know Pyongyang is watching -- sending a message, we haven't got a difference in the world that we can't get past.
QUINONES: No, there was -- there were no surprises there. I think it was overall a very balanced discussion between the two. I did note that president Roh Moo-Hyun was a bit candid. And I think that's very important for him, because when he goes back home, he's going to have to tell his people, look, I didn't go to Washington just to smile and shake hands with President Bush. I did give him advice.
And I think President Bush also tipped his hat to that and inferred that he was at least listening to and would consider South Korea's advice. That worked out very well, overall.
VERJEE: Kenneth, Zain here. In spite of what we heard and in spite of a definitive show of unity there we heard just a few moments ago, South Korea has a totally different ideological approach toward North Korea. There is a gap of trust, many analysts say. It can't be fixed in just one meeting, can it?
QUINONES: No, and I think we also heard that in this statement. They tried to minimize the differences, but they nevertheless -- both leaders said OK, there are some issues here we're going to have to talk about. That's good, because in a solid alliance, you need quiet diplomacy, candid, quiet talks. And I think that's what they are aiming at right now.
CLANCY: OK. Kenneth Quinones, a former U.S. State Department officer for North Korean affairs. I want to thank you very much for joining us and lending your expertise, help us understand what we've just been watching there at the White House. We're going to take a short break.
VERJEE: Stay with us. YOUR WORLD TODAY will continue. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CLANCY: Let's check some of the stories that are making headlines in the United States right now. Jurors have arrived for a sixth day of deliberations in the child molestation trial of Michael Jackson. While the courtroom drama may be over, tensions are high among hangers-on.
A judge has approved a reporter's petition for a restraining order against an outspoken Jackson defender. Diane Dimond has B.J. Hickman's harassment -- says his harassment has interfered with her reporter and prompted her employer to hire security guards.
A 22-year-old California man is due in federal court with connection of an alleged plot to wage jihad against the U.S. Pakistani-American Hamid Hayat and his father are charged with making false statements to the FBI. Three Pakistani nationals have also been detained in the case. They're being held on immigration violations.
And in Florida, residents bracing for the region's first big blow of the season. Tropical storm Arlene roared past the Western tip of Cuba early on Friday, battering the island with heavy rains and high winds. The storm is projected to hit the U.S. Gulf Coast this weekend, but it is not expected to reach hurricane status.
We are going to be taking a quick break.
VERJEE: And then when we come back, we're going to get an update on Tropical Storm Arlene from our Femi Oke over at the weather center, so stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(WEATHER REPORT)
FEMI OKE, INTERNATIONAL WEATHER: And now time to take a brief pause and take a look at some satellite images in a new segment called "The Big Picture."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
OKE (voice-over): One of the most dramatic weather phenomena in Africa and the Middle East are sand storms. This is a satellite image of a storm from last month. You can see the sand covering virtually all of Kuwait, and obscuring the water in the Persian Gulf. The storm stir, when dry cold fronts move through the area. The dryer the air, the more sand and dust. Sandstorms can last for days. Some countries can see dozens each year. And that's the big picture of Middle Eastern sandstorms.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
This week, there are sandstorms in Baghdad in Iraq, and a number of people ended up in hospital because of their respiratory problems. That actually links quite nicely to the news that we have back at the desk news. CLANCY: All right, thank you for that, Femi.
News just coming in by wire services here to CNN that five U.S. Marines have been killed in the embattled Anbar province west of Baghdad, the town of Haklania (ph). A roadside bomb once again claiming the lives of five Marines.
VERJEE: We'll bring you more details as soon as we receive them.
That's this hour of YOUR WORLD TODAY. I'm Zain Verjee.
CLANCY: I'm Jim Clancy. You're watching CNN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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