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CNN Live Sunday
Hurricane Emily Heads Towards Mexico
Aired July 17, 2005 - 17:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
GERRI WILLIS, CNN ANCHOR, CNN LIVE SUNDAY: Israeli troops are massed at the Gaza border, ready for a command to move in if directed.
And the British government plans to offer new laws to fight terrorism after transit bombings in London this month that killed 55 people and wounded more than 700. One proposal would make it illegal to insight terrorism even indirectly. That would apply to religious leaders who praise suicide bombers.
And the former prime minister who brought Britain into the European community has died. That from the British Press Association. Sir Edward Heath led the United Kingdom from 1970 to 1974. The yachtsman known as Sailor Ted came from humble origins as the son of a carpenter to break the traditions of blue blood leading the conservative party. He was 89 years old.
At this hour, the last flight out has left Cancun. And thousands of tourists are stranded there in the path of hurricane Emily. The dangerous storm now hours away from Mexico's Yucatan peninsula. As of 5:00 p.m. Emily's highest sustained winds are now more than 140 miles an hour and gusting much higher. That makes Emily the strongest Atlantic hurricane ever in the month of July.
Here's what's become of tourists, including lots of unlucky Americans. No more cocktails, no more cabanas, they're riding out the storm by the thousands in crowded public shelters. The Mexican government sent in buses to ferry people inland to schools, gyms, churches and other solid structures. At the airport yesterday, a rush to get out. Some of these people so desperate to leave they got on flights regardless of where the flights were headed. Others were turned away. Outbound planes booked solid. As for Jamaica, that Caribbean island was largely spared. Emily struck a glancing blow that did cause flooding and at least four deaths. The worst of the storm passed southward. CNN is your hurricane headquarters. Jacqui Jeras is standing by live with the very latest data. Jacqui.
JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Well, still a strong category four. The 5:00 advisory in with 145 mile per hour winds, higher gusts beyond that. It's about 135 miles away from Cozumel at this time so we're looking at possible landfall late tonight or to the early hours tomorrow morning You mentioned some people just couldn't get out of Cozumel or Cancun. If you couldn't evacuate, the best thing to do is to get away from the beach, as far away from the water as you can. Another way to evacuate is evacuate up.
If you're in a steady high-rise building, you don't want to be into those lower levels. The higher up you go, the better off you're going to be. You want to get away from that storm surge, so something to keep in mind there. There you can see, feeling the effects already along the Yucatan peninsula, get into the cloudiness and getting into some heavy showers and thunderstorms and those waves starting to certainly pick up already.
And also notice western Cuba being affected by Emily at this time. One to three inches of rain can be expected in western Cuba but certainly being bear the brunt of this storm as it continues to track on off to the west-northwest. It's moving pretty quickly around 20 miles per hour. Category four right now, but we are expecting it to likely stay at that strength as it makes landfall late tonight overnight tonight. Move across the peninsula and then back on over the open waters, it should intensify then once again after weakening when it moves over the land. We'll see a second landfall then likely late on Tuesday night, maybe early Thursday morning. It looks like best estimates into northern Mexico. You can see that cone of air, there is still time for the track to change Gerri, so everybody in the southern parts of Texas needs to be on high alert.
WILLIS: Thank you for that. Now we take you live where the place where the story is unfolding. CNN's Karl Penhaul has reached the Yucatan resort of Playa del Carmen. Karl, what's the situation there?
KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The wind is picking up quite substantially now. In fact, it's whipping up the sand on the beach where we are now at a place called Playa del Carmen. That's a resort south of Cancun and this is very close to where predictions suggest that the eye of that hurricane will hit.
As far as the tourists that are affected, authorities here, the Mexican authorities estimate there are 130,000 tourists on vacation in this region known as the Mayan Riviera right now. About half of those, that's to say, 65 or 70,000 of them are international tourists. Some from the U.S., some from Europe and as we've been seeing some of them have been trying to get flights out of the country or off to other parts of Mexico to get out of harm's way. But others simply have not been able to. And we, when we arrived here at the beach resort were turned away from hotel after hotel after hotel. Hotel managers simply didn't want the responsibility of any more guests and most of the hotels, especially those along the beach front, they've moved their guests out. They've move them onto floors, but sturdier buildings, sturdier structures well within the hotel walls. Hoping there they will be safe. Of course, the risk here close to the sea is that of a storm surge and authorities here are predict a storm surge of anything between 15 and 18 feet, Gerri.
WILLIS: Hey, Karl, how is the drive over from Cancun?
PENHAUL: Say again Gerri, sorry?
WILLIS: How was the drive over from Cancun? Was it difficult?
PENHAUL: Not particularly at the time that we came down. We came down late morning. It was already gusting along the highway there. There are trees, jungle in some cases and mangrove swamps in other cases that protect the highway, but it is a low-lying highway. But what I would expect once the full force of this hurricane kicks in in a few hours' time, I expect there would be a lot of palm trees and a lot of trees getting blown across that road and I expect that to stay strewn with debris for quite some time.
WILLIS: Karl, thank you for that report. That was Karl Penhaul reporting. Stay safe.
Stay with CNN, your hurricane headquarters for complete updates on hurricane Emily. The next live update coming at the bottom of the hour.
In Washington, the controversy over leaked secret sources and who knew that Valerie Plame worked for the CIA? That continues to simmer. Today a key player, "Time" magazine White House correspondent Matt Cooper told his side of the story on CNN's "Reliable Sources." CNN's Elaine Quijano joins us now from the White House. Elaine?
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello to you Gerri. That's right. Matt Cooper says that back in July of 2003, he had a conversation with President Bush's chief political strategist Karl Rove. Now Cooper says this was all happening in those critical days before a CIA operative's name was leaked, was made public rather in the media.
Cooper says that he told a grand jury last week that until that point, until that conversation with Karl Rove, he had not heard anything about the CIA operative who was married, it turns out, to former Ambassador Joe Wilson who at that time had criticized the Bush administration.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MATT COOPER, TIME MAGAZINE: After that conversation, I knew that she worked at the CIA and worked on WMD issues, but as I made clear to the grand jury, I'm certain Rove never used her exact name and certainly never indicated she had a covert status.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
QUIJANO: Cooper also says that he told jurors Rove wasn't his only source, that he also talked to Lewis Libby, Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff. Now critics say the White House is facing a credibility problem because two years ago, officials said Rove and Libby were not involved. But Cooper is now saying that both were sources.
In the meantime, the defense of and the attacks on Karl Rove continue. Some Democrats are calling for him to be fired or for his security clearance to be pulled because they say that he should not have been discussing a CIA operative with a reporter. Republicans are continuing to chalk up all of these questions to partisan politics, but still unclear in all of this, was a crime committed? That question still of course very much open.
The special prosecutor in this case, Patrick Fitzgerald, not saying a lot. His work is continuing and unclear at this point in which direction his investigation might be headed. But as he continues, his work still unknown, whether or not there will be any more public information coming out. We are getting this in bits and pieces. But this, yet, another critical component of the puzzle, this testimony that now Matt Cooper has come forward and made public. Gerri.
WILLIS: Elaine Quijano, lots of twists and turns in that story. Thanks for bringing it to us.
Turning now to Iraq where suicide bombers' actions have taken an alarming toll in the last few days and for the first time, former leader Saddam Hussein finds himself facing criminal charges from a special tribunal. CNN's Aneesh Raman has more from Baghdad.
ANEESH RAMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Saddam Hussein could now face trial as early as this September. That following today's referral of charges by the Iraqi special tribunal. Hussein will face trial along with other defendants, other members of his former regime, first, specifically, for an incident that took place back in 1982 north of the capital city in a town called Dujail. There in July of that year, Saddam narrowly escaped an assassination attempt. In reaction, 150 people were killed. This is the first though of what could be multiple trials the former dictator will face as each case is brought before the special tribunal. From the 1991 Shia uprising that was squashed, 150,000 Shias killed there, to the gassing of the Kurds in the north. He could be found guilty multiple times and could face the death penalty multiple times as well. Today, the spokesman for the Iraqi tribunal, the chief investigative judge, said this was a new phase for Iraq.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RAED JUHI, CHIEF JUDGE, IRAQ SPECIAL TRIBUNAL (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): And with this statement, the Iraq special tribunal has entered a new phase, the phase of the actual trial of these accused and we ask the almighty to support us.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
RAMAN: This is part of the process of this special tribunal. These men will not be charged individually but rather by a case-by- case basis. Any or all of the 12 high level detainees could face trial on any of these cases. Now the news of Saddam comes amidst growing violence here in Iraq. The death toll rising from Saturday evening's massive suicide bombing south of the capital city in the town of Musayyib. The explosion was located right next to as well, a gas station, apartments, homes, all of that adding to the destruction that rocked this town.
At the same time as the suicide bombing, multiple mortar attacks took place on police stations, the Musayyib police headquarters as well as the general hospital. The scenes that came out this morning showed residents just now beginning to digest what is becoming one of the deadliest attacks we've seen in Iraq since the war. Now it comes as violence ravages the capital city. Today, some four suicide car bombs taking place. At least nine people have been killed, some 20 other wounded. All of this underscoring the need for security in Baghdad, but also throughout Iraq and it further complicates the process that faces this transitional government which now faces a deadline just about a month away to have a draft of the constitution complete. Aneesh Raman, CNN, Baghdad.
WILLIS: Just ahead, we'll look at where Iraq is headed. Can this country overcome the violence and establish a democracy? I'll speak with a scholar who literally wrote the dictionary on Iraq.
And later, the director of Gunner palace shows us what everyday life is like for U.S. troops in Iraq. You're watching CNN LIVE SUNDAY. We'll be back in a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WILLIS: Welcome back to CNN LIVE SUNDAY. I'm Gerri Willis. Suicide attacks intensify in Iraq. Today nine people were killed and 21 wounded in a series of car bombings around Baghdad. That's on the heels of yesterday's suicide bombing near a fuel tanker 45 miles south of the capital city. The death toll there, at least 90.
Every day we hear about death and destruction in Iraq. But what about life there? Are Iraqis able to live with any sense of normalcy in the face of an insurgency that's killing their loved ones and neighbors every day? CNN producers met Iraqis who are moving forward with their lives and are even hopeful about their future. They're fascinating stories are recounted this weekend on CNN PRESENTS. Here's a look.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Just outside this tunnel of blast walls we've reached Baghdad heaven. The (INAUDIBLE) club is a recreational club in Baghdad. They just go to this club on a daily basis to just have a good time. We walked into a wedding and asked them to let us shoot their wedding.
Oftentimes, you know, women would be nervous about outsiders filming their wedding, but in this wedding, it was wide open. People were just being themselves and when we spoke to the mother, she said to me, this was something they needed to do for their children.
SANAA BAHRI, BRIDE'S MOTHER (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): We want the coming days to be happiness and joy, enough war, enough blood, enough pain. We're tired; we're really tired. So we bring pleasure to our children by these joyous events so that they look forward to the future with hope.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The father of the bride was an ex-captain in the Iraqi navy. My first impression was what an optimistic family. Why are they optimistic? How are they so optimistic in this time? It was only when I sat with him, one on one, I got the sense that he was upset.
ESSAM EL-HUSSAINI, BRIDE'S FATHER: I don't know what's happening. Is it true that the Americans didn't plan it well, or did they misunderstand what the Iraqis' behavior. People are afraid. I'm afraid for my son to go to school. I am afraid for my oldest son to travel to his hospital. I cannot send my daughter to the university. They have Bush administrations and we were very, very happy when he said that Iraq will be set an example in the Middle East. It will be one of the best countries in the Middle East. We appreciate his words, but I don't know, I mean, is it true that the great America cannot fulfill their promises?
KIANNE SADEQ, CNN PRODUCER: We walked into this apartment on one of Baghdad's safer neighborhoods. It's not too safe, but not -- and there was this small apartment which this group of filmmakers had made for themselves into their own paradise.
AYMAN MOHYELDIN, CNN PRODUCER: These filmmakers, they welcomed Americans with open arms when they first came, but then they saw them as occupiers taking control of their country and their city. But they also realized that they had a chance and the freedom to express themselves in a way that they never had before the Americans came.
AMMAR SAAD, FILM MAKER (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): Now I can make any film I want. I can make films about communism Islam, anything.
SADEQ: So here are all these filmmakers who are able to take Baghdad with all the destruction in it and make it into this canvas for their artwork that looks so beautiful. Like this film they made about the dangers of being a journalist in Baghdad.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You have so many relatives killed, siblings, relatives, brothers, sisters, whatever in every single house. You have to understand that life is difficult and the difficulty of living is the -- is the motivator of ideas.
SAAD (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): I say that there is chaos, destruction, devastation, killing, terrorism and everything. But on the other hand, there is life.
SADEQ: To me, the optimism of these artists captured something essential about Iraqis. People have seen beautiful Baghdad turn into a war zone. They wanted to see Iraq be the beautiful Iraq that they love.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WILLIS: Much of Iraq's future depends on a government that faces monumental challenges. The leadership has until August 15th to come up with a constitution the people will support. Joining us in Washington to talk about the shift from dictator to democracy is Edmund Ghareeb, professor of international relations at American University. Professor, welcome.
EDMUND GHAREEB, AMERICAN UNIVERSITY: Thank you.
WILLIS: Thanks for being here, this August 15th deadline, obviously, fast upon us here. Can the country meet it?
GHAREEB: The country needs a constitution. It needs a constitution that's going to represent the majority, but at the same time protect the minorities. Whether they are going to be able to deliver on time, this is really still a big challenge and it's becoming more difficult. Nevertheless, we've seen some important signs recently where there has been at least, in addition of some Sunni representation, the Sunnis have been looking at this whole process as an effort in part that has ultimately led to their marginalization. And so they are now participating in a sense, but that's only one part of the problem. It's the ability of the group to work together as a group, to rise above their sectarian identity, above their tribal and religious identity and to emphasize the Iraqi identity.
WILLIS: Let's talk about some of those divides that still exist beyond the Sunnis. What other groups need to be included in the process and which may be difficult to sign on?
GHAREEB: I think that the main groups have been the Sunnis have been at least in recent months have felt this marginalization. There is the issue also for the Kurds. The Kurds of today in a much stronger position that they had been in a long time. They are about 18 to 20 percent of the population. They have 27 percent representation in the parliament. They have the president who's a Kurd. The deputy prime minister, senior cabinet posts but they are still concerned about their future because of past discrimination, because of past repressions on them. And this issue of federalism is actually one of the most important issues because the Iraqis are still to a certain extent divided. The Kurds want to have the Federalism based on ethnicity to recognize their cultural rights and their political rights, while some other Arab Iraqis want to see a kind of administrative Federalism based on the geographical boundaries of the different provinces in Iraq.
WILLIS: Professor, you mentioned the Sunnis being a part of this conversation, now obviously participating more. Is that going to lead to less insurgent activity?
GHAREEB: I think a great deal is going to depend on what happens down the road and how able is the government going to be able to represent all Iraqis. To what extent is the United States government also is going to help this process along as well. And in addition to that, I don't expect that we're going to see a decline in the insurgent attacks any time soon. Instead, what we have are seeing is the opposite. There's been an escalation and an increase. But I think down the road, if we see that the government begins to solve the problems of the Iraqis on the issue of representation, on the issue of their daily lives, question of electricity, of water, of jobs, of health. I think it will improve the situation for all Iraqis.
WILLIS: Professor, will it help if we get a ratified constitution in that country? Will that reduce the activity among insurgents?
GHAREEB: I think down the road it's going to help. By itself it's not going to be enough. I think the issues are much bigger than that. The future also of the U.S. presence in Iraq, whether the U.S. wants to have permanent bases is something of concern, some issues. The interests of the foreign powers, some of the neighbors in Iraq, that's also a matter of concern. But I think internally, the issue, the most important issue is whether the average Iraqi begins to feel secure at home, from crime, from attacks and also believes that he has a future down the road for his children in terms of employment and in terms of improving his living standards. If that happens, I think there is at least a good chance that Iraqis will be able to overcome these difficulties and that the constitution would be an important milestone in this direction.
WILLIS: Professor Ghareeb, thank you so much for joining us today.
GHAREEB: Thank you.
WILLIS: Tune into CNN presents for a progress report on the Iraq war and an inside look at life in Baghdad. That's tonight at 8:00 p.m. Eastern. You're definitely going want to watch.
And in news around the world, violence in the Gaza strip today. Palestinians attacked a house in a settlement, wounding four people. Israel forces fired two missiles into a car carrying Hamas militants, but they escaped. And Israeli troops killed a Palestinian militant in another part of Gaza. Israel's defense minister said Israeli forces could soon launch a large scale operation in Gaza, while Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas pledged to do all he could to stop militants' attacks.
And thousands in Romania are homeless during the country's worst flooding in 50 years. Twenty one people have been killed. Torrential rains are hitting part of the eastern Balkan state especially hard.
Another flood on the other side of the world stranded a giant panda in a tree and a crew in China came to the rescue. They used an anesthetic shot and a rope to bring the 10-year old female down from her perch in Szechwan province. She was taken to a panda breeding center for a medical check and is going to be returned to the wild.
Just ahead, we'll get an update on hurricane Emily. A lot of American tourists are in the path of the storm this afternoon.
Also ahead, we'll show you how a community bid farewell to a toddler caught in the crossfire between her father and police.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WILLIS: Dangerous hurricane Emily is bearing down now on Mexico's Yucatan coast. And tens of thousands of tourists have evacuated inland. With Emily expected to hit the coast tonight, the winds are beginning to whip and the last departing flight has left Cancun. Please stand by for a live report.
And British police report six arrests in the city of Leeds under anti-terrorism laws. Officials say there is no direct connection to the terrorist bombings in London, even though Leeds has been the focus of the ongoing investigation.
Ten days after the deadly attacks, Britain's largest Sunni Muslim group is denouncing the bombings as contrary to Islam.
And Lance Armstrong stretches his lead at the Tour de France. With a week of racing left, Armstrong leads his closest competition by more than two minutes in his effort to retire with Tour de France triumph number seven.
We're tracking hurricane Emily at this hour. Jacqui Jeras standing by to give us the latest. Jacqui, what's going on?
JERAS: Well, we're getting closer to landfall, actually Gerri and if this continues at its current forward speed, we're looking at maybe between about five and nine hours from this time when we expect it to be making landfall. So it's getting a little bit closer. We're also seeing kind of some conflicting things on satellite imagery, some signs showing weakening, other signs showing strengthening. So we're going to have to watch and wait and see what happens here. We've seen kind of status quo winds over the last three to six hours at 145 miles per hour.
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