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CNN Live At Daybreak

New Orleans Mayor Wants To Allow Residents Back Today; Catholic Church Targeting Gays?; Water Concerns in New Orleans

Aired September 19, 2005 - 06:29   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN ANCHOR: From the Time Warner Center in New York, I'm Kelly Wallace in today for Carol Costello, who is on assignment in New Orleans.
Good morning, everyone. And thanks so much for starting your day with us.

We will hear from Carol in just a moment. But first, we want to call your attention to the left side of your screen. CNN has teamed up with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to bring you the faces of the missing in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Since our effort began on Saturday morning, calls to the center have tripled. And with your help, more displaced parents and children can be reunited throughout the day.

Now, though, a look at stories in the news.

A major dispute over the return of residents to New Orleans. Mayor Ray Nagin is calling for thousands of people to come back starting today. But Vice Admiral Thad Allen, the federal official leading Katrina relief efforts, says not so fast. We'll have a live report from the disaster zone in just a moment.

North Korea is promising to give up its nuclear weapons program. That news came this morning in a joint statement at six-nation talks in China. In exchange, the United States and other nations are pledging energy and economic aid to North Korea.

Germany will be forced into a coalition government after Sunday's elections failed to produce a clear majority. The conservative party, led by Angela Merkel, held a slight edge over Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's party in the parliamentary election.

To Chad Myers at the forecast center.

(WEATHER REPORT)

WALLACE: We want to show our viewers some pictures we're getting in. Some live pictures coming in from our affiliate, WPLG-TV. And these, Chad, you can see some boats in Miami Beach, Florida. You see some winds are picking up there. Should we be seeing winds, Chad, pick up throughout the day?

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes, Kelly.

(WEATHER REPORT) WALLACE: Turning now to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. This question: Will people begin returning to New Orleans today?

As we mentioned, New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin says he wants that to happen. But the man in charge of the federal response to Katrina says to wait.

CNN's Ed Lavandera is in New Orleans this morning.

Good morning, Ed. Great to see you. So, what's the latest on what has become clearly a public disagreement?

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kelly, first of all, I think it's important to understand exactly -- we're not talking about the entire city. We're talking about very limited pockets of the city where the mayor would like to see people come back in first.

One of the first ones, as you can see over my shoulder here, that's the bridge that takes you over to what's called the West Banks. The town of Algiers is over there. That is up and running.

The area we're in, which kind of leads you to the Garden District in the Uptown area just west of the French Quarter, is where the mayor would like to see people to start coming in. But even in this particular area there is no water. There is no electricity in most parts. There is no sewage. And that is what the top man of the -- the top man who is leading the reconstruction efforts, Vice Admiral Thad Allen of the Coast Guard, says that, look, this is a city that is not quite in a situation that has livable conditions. And he wants people to slow down and delay their return here.

But Mayor Ray Nagin wants to push people to come back here forward. He believes that the quickest way to rebuild New Orleans, to get this city booming again, is to get the people back as quickly as possible.

But Thad Allen continues to voice his warnings of concern.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VICE ADM. THAD ALLEN, DIR., FEDERAL RELIEF EFFORTS: The main threat right now for health and safety comes from the water that's standing in and around the New Orleans area, which has excessive levels of E. coli and fecal coliforms. In fact, DOD forces that have been supporting the New Orleans Police Department going house to house actually decontaminate themselves when they come out with their waders on.

And I have personally discussed that situation with the administrator of the EPA and the director for the Center for Disease Control. I represent a unified federal position on this.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LAVANDERA: And there's another concern kind of looming out there now as well. The Army Corps of Engineers has put out a report saying that many of the levees that are still in the city here were so damaged, not the ones that broke obviously, but there are other parts of the levee system that are so damaged by the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina that they are very weakened in a lot of places. And there is some concern that even a minimal thunderstorm, not even a hurricane, but just a regular thunderstorm, could cause some more potential damage.

Another point that Thad Allen is pushing across to these people to make sure -- he thinks the return should be delayed. But that's obviously not something the mayor wants -- Kelly.

WALLACE: All right, Ed, we have to leave it there. Ed Lavandera reporting from New Orleans. And you can see Ed continue his reports on "AMERICAN MORNING" this morning.

Also, we want to mention that Vice Admiral Thad Allen will join us later this morning. He will be on CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING." That's just a little more than 30 minutes from now.

One of the areas Mayor Nagin wants to repopulate in the Algiers neighborhood of New Orleans. Algiers, or zip code 70114, is the area where we are focusing on today, as we take you zip code by zip code this week through the Big Easy.

This is also the place where our very own Carol Costello is standing by.

Good morning to you, Carol. Give us a sense -- we asked you this earlier. But for viewers just joining us, give us a sense of what you have really been seeing since you've been on the ground in New Orleans since Saturday.

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Well, Kelly, I spent all day yesterday in the neighborhood of Algiers, in the town of Algiers. And I've got to tell you that people are really excited to get back home, to get into their homes to see the damage, to clean up. Not many of them are back yet.

But, you know, I heard Ed Lavandera talking, and what a contract, because in Algiers, there was no flooding, because they're far enough above sea level that that saved them. Most of the damage that you see to homes has been caused by the wind.

We saw two homes that were leveled. But other than that, we saw holes in the roofs. We saw trees down and things like that, things that are easily fixed.

Let me explain where I am. I'm at this big warehouse. It's called Mardi Gras World. This is where they put some of the floats together for the Mardi Gras celebration. And a distribution center has been set up on the ground. You can see all of the food items here. This was actually set up by the residents of Algiers, along with help from the Church of Christ -- not be FEMA or the Red Cross.

And here's where the problem is going to be. There aren't many grocery stores up and running to full capacity, Kelly. So, it's very hard to get food. Yesterday alone 500 to 800 people came through here, and everybody is not back yet.

So, Lilly Duke, the woman who runs this, is really concerned. Because how are they going to get all of that food? She has to beg people to send in more supplies. She's literally on the phone 24/7 to get these huge semi trucks from somewhere to donate all of this food.

The other problems people are going to have is getting building supplies. Home Depot is open, but there's only one Home Depot.

The Army Corps of Engineers set up a little table down the way, and they're taking applications from people for something called the Blue Tarp Program. And what that is, is they'll come out, and they'll put a tarp over the holes in your roof. The only problem is they got 9,000 applications, like, over the course of three days.

So, 120 days they're giving you just to come out and inspect your property, Kelly, and then maybe three to four weeks before they finally get that tarp on. And the residents I spoke to yesterday are just hoping it doesn't rain.

Add to that, there really aren't many working gas stations. So, you're not going to be able to travel very much. The banks aren't open.

So, the little businesses located in the town of Algiers can't get supplies in. They can't get any money from the bank for transactions. And most of their employees have not come back.

So, not much is up and running, and the residents pretty much seem to be on their own, yet they're excited to be back -- Kelly.

WALLACE: I bet. You know, excited to go back, check their homes, check their valuables. We can understand that. Carol, it's just fascinating to listen to you, and we look forward to hearing all of your reports on "AMERICAN MORNING" a little bit later from now. Carol Costello reporting from Algiers. Thanks so much.

Still to come here on this edition of DAYBREAK, the Vatican is taking a closer look at Catholic seminaries. And some human rights advocates are expressing concern. We'll explain why.

Later, that murky water, what's in it, what's not, and what are the real health concerns for New Orleans residents? We'll answer those questions.

But first, here's a look at what else is making news this Monday morning, September 19.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WALLACE: A nice view of New York City on this Monday. Welcome back to DAYBREAK.

Here is the question we're focusing on now. Is the Roman Catholic Church targeting gays? "The New York Times" reports the Vatican is sending investigators to each of its 229 seminaries in the United States to look for -- quote -- "evidence of homosexuality," and for faculty members who dissent from church teaching. We're going to bring you both sides of the issue.

First, we're joined by Deb Weill, executive director of Dignity USA. Her group says it is troubled by all of this. She joins us live from Washington.

Ms. Weill, thanks for joining us today.

DEB WEILL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DIGNITY USA: Thank you, Kelly.

WALLACE: First, I want to tell you what a spokesperson with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is saying. Saying this is not a homosexual issue, saying that this is about finding out whether seminaries are adequately equipping these men, the future priests. What do you way to that?

WEILL: Well, the question there that they're asking is not solely focusing on sexual orientation, but there's no question when you read this that sexual orientation is the key thrust to these visits. This Vatican has been obsessed with homosexuality. They don't understand homosexuality. And they're blaming us for this sex abuse crisis in the church.

WALLACE: So, you see it as a direct connection between the sex abuse crisis in the church and this movement, this investigation of seminaries in the United States. What do you see as that connection?

WEILL: Well, the church is making the link between homosexuality and pedophilia. Even though experts -- the church had a symposium, a four-day symposium, in 2003 and called in eight experts. And those experts told the church there was no link, and that they should continue to ordain gay seminarians.

But the church didn't listen, and they're continuing to blame gay seminarians. And they have still not dealt with the crisis properly.

WALLACE: Let me ask you, though, because we know, of course, that the Catholic Church does not support homosexuality. It is not something it supports. So, why then would it be wrong, let's just say, for the Vatican to go ahead and look to see if, in fact, there are some priests in seminaries who are homosexual? Why would that -- if this is something the church does not support, why would that be a wrong thing to do?

WEILL: But the church allows homosexuals who are celibate. And, for instance, the American Catholic bishops in their document, "Always Our Children," said about homosexuals, in you God's love is revealed.

There's clearly a place for homosexuals in the church, and the church has said that as much. And that gays have served well the church for centuries and have served as priests for centuries in the church.

WALLACE: All right, Deb Weill, we appreciate you talking with us. Deb Weill from Dignity USA with one side of the debate. Turning now to the other side, we want to talk with the Roman Catholic Church, someone from the church. And the church is denying that its investigation is a homosexual issue.

Joining us live to explain the Vatican's goal is Monsignor Francis Maniscalco. He is director of communications for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

You were just listening, monsignor, to Ms. Weill. She says no doubt about it, there is -- the church is definitely targeting homosexuals by this investigation.

MSGR. FRANCIS MANISCALCO, U.S. CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS: The visitation, which is take place, is an assessment of institutions, not of individual seminarians. And it has two focuses. One is, are the seminaries giving good formation to live the very challenging life of celibacy throughout the priesthood, throughout the life of a priest? And, is it conveying the moral teaching of the church as has been understood traditionally and has been expressed by the (INAUDIBLE) recently of Pope John Paul II? That's the purpose of the visitation.

And it's also a study of the entire atmosphere of the seminary in terms of its formation of priests in a human fashion, in a spiritual fashion, and in a fluctual fashion.

WALLACE: But is there some way that as you do this visitation, this investigation, if you do find that there are some homosexual priests in seminaries that steps will be taken to not allow them to continue in the priesthood?

MANISCALCO: Well, homosexuality in the clergy, as your viewers probably know, is an enormous issue in many Christian faiths, not just the Catholic Church. And those faiths don't have celibacy as a requirement.

The point here is, is there some sort of attitude or atmosphere created or allowed in the seminary that perhaps in an era of gay rights has become ambiguous about whether a priest can be celibate but also perhaps support a gay rights agenda or even perhaps to be somewhat active? And that is not helpful to a lifelong commitment to celibacy.

WALLACE: Does the church believe that homosexuality -- excuse me -- in the church is a contributing factor to the sex abuse scandal that we have seen in recent years?

MANISCALCO: I think that the church is certainly not saying that homosexuality and pedophilia are the same thing. Absolutely not. But there are cases that do not involve pedophilia that involve some other kind of behavior with older young people, which is both criminal and immoral.

And so, we need to make sure that our priests also realize that that is not an appropriate behavior for anyone -- not a priest, who is a celibate man, but also not to any person. So, it's not associating pedophilia and homosexuality, but it is saying that perhaps sometimes there are priests perhaps that have been informed in a way to understand that this kind of behavior, whether with an age-appropriate person or inappropriate person, is not compatible with being a celibate person.

WALLACE: It's obviously a provocative debate. I wish we had more time. But we're out of it on this busy news morning. Monsignor Francis Maniscalco, director of communications for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, thanks for coming in bright and early to share your insights with us today.

MANISCALCO: Happy to be with you.

WALLACE: Still to come here on DAYBREAK, it's not safe to go into the water, but one expert tells us New Orleans' water may not be a toxic as feared. We'll talk with him when we come back. Don't go away.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WALLACE: And welcome back to DAYBREAK on this Monday.

So, here's a question: How toxic is the water in New Orleans? The answer is crucial, of course, to those returning to the city.

Ed Laws, dean of coast and the environment -- excuse me -- at Louisiana State University, is keeping up with results of EPA testing, and he joins us live on the phone from Baton Rouge.

Mr. Laws, thanks for being with us.

ED LAWS, LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY: Thank you, Kelly. I'm pleased to be with you.

WALLACE: Yes. First question. Is the water situation possibly not as bad as we all feared it to be?

LAWS: It does have sewage in it, and that's clearly evidenced by high counts of fecal bacteria. EPA has done extensive testing for toxic organic compounds, and the good news is they found almost nothing above water quality standards.

They have found heavy metals, particularly lead and arsenic, above the criteria. But generally, I think the concern about toxic organic compounds has, at least so far, not materialized.

WALLACE: So...

LAWS: Water is being pumped into Lake Pontchartrain. And, you know, there was a concern about fish kills. There have been some dead fish, but not large numbers.

WALLACE: So, what about some people going to some of these less- damaged areas in New Orleans or outside New Orleans as well? What's the possibility of using, living, brushing your teeth with water, the kind of water we're talking about right now?

LAWS: Well, the kind of water we're talking about, no. You don't even want to get that on your skin. People have, in fact, come in contact with the water, and they've developed rashes. So, there's obviously something in the water, whether it's microorganisms or something else that is an irritant. If you swallow it, certainly the sewage in the water is going to cause -- giving you problems. You're probably going to get a good of diarrhea.

WALLACE: Mr. Laws, Chad Myers, our meteorologist, is joining us with a question -- Chad.

MYERS: Ed, I'm a little concerned about what happens to the sludge that is building up below the water level surface. And how toxic or how poisonous will this dirt and all of the land be? I know there's a lot of sodium in the water, because it was -- it's a brackish lake when the water came in. But, I mean, are they ever going to be able to grow anything on this dirt ever again?

LAWS: That is a subject of debate right now. As the waters are pumped out, the soils are going to have to be analyzed to determine how problematic they are. Conceivably it will have to be handled almost like a superfund site, where the contaminated soil is trucked away to some safe repository.

Alternatively, they may just bring in clean soil and layer that over the surface.

It will depend on the results of the tests. And, of course, those haven't been done yet.

MYERS: Ed, we have one quick question. Where does New Orleans get their water from? Is it below level, or is it out of rivers? Where do they get that?

LAWS: It's out of aquifers, and there are a lot of wells. Right now testing is being done on those wells to determine whether the floodwaters have infiltrated them.

MYERS: OK. Thank you very much, and thanks for your time today.

LAWS: All right thank you.

WALLACE: Yes. Ed Law is with the Louisiana State University talking to us from Baton Rouge. We appreciate it.

And, Chad, turning now to today's DAYBREAK coffee mug question.

MYERS: Hey!

WALLACE: Normally one of my favorite moments of the show.

MYERS: Well, it's been gone for about three weeks.

WALLACE: It has been gone. MYERS: That was the hardest ticket ever. Well, it wasn't here. Hey, now it's back. We'll try to put a little smile on somebody's face.

Here is your DAYBREAK morning coffee mug question of the day. When does President Bush hope to have all of the Hurricane Katrina evacuees out of shelters? And the second question, you have to answer them both. Two people were arrested in California for posing as volunteers from what aid organization?

Submit your answers to CNN.com/daybreak. There's a little link p there that says submit your answers, submit your comments, whatever you want. Just give us your answers right there. We'll give you a winner tomorrow.

WALLACE: All right. A coffee mug will be awarded tomorrow, Chad. Great.

MYERS: Right.

WALLACE: OK. When we come back, everybody, a look at your travel forecast. This is DAYBREAK for a Monday morning. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WALLACE: And welcome back.

Chad has an update for all of you business travelers.

(WEATHER REPORT)

WALLACE: Now, folks, a look at these stories in the news.

A major dispute over the return of residents to New Orleans. Mayor Ray Nagin is calling for thousands of people to start coming back to less-damaged areas today. But Vice Admiral Thad Allen, the federal official leading Katrina relief efforts, says not so fast.

North Korea is promising to give up its nuclear weapons program. That news came just hours ago in a joint statement at the six-nation talks in Beijing.

There's been an explosion this morning at the British embassy in Zagreb, Croatia. British officials say one person was wounded when an explosive device blew up in a mailroom. Authorities are now investigation.

Well, that's all for this edition of DAYBREAK. From the Time Warner center in New York, I'm Kelly Wallace, in today for Carol Costello. Have a great day, everybody. "AMERICAN MORNING" starts right now.

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