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American Morning

Shiite Shrine Attacked in Iraq; Port Deal Sparks Controversy

Aired February 22, 2006 - 08:00   ET

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

SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning.
Welcome, everybody.

I'm Soledad O'Brien.

Miles is on a little vaca, but Rob Marciano has been helping us out, in for Miles.

Thank you very much.

ROB MARCIANO, CNN ANCHOR: Good to be here.

I think he's back tomorrow.

O'BRIEN: Yes, he is.

We've got some brand new pictures to show you. A devastating attack on that Iraqi holy site. The attack now inciting violent reprisals across the country. We're live in Iraq with the very latest on this developing story.

And a warning from President Bush -- he fires back at his critics over Arab ownership of some American ports. We'll tell you about that ahead.

MARCIANO: Execution on hold -- this man's case in California could change the death penalty in America.

And FEMA trailers on the move, but where are these mobile homes going?

O'BRIEN: Hopefully where people need them.

MARCIANO: Yes, hopefully.

O'BRIEN: We'll tell you that story just ahead.

Plus, Donald -- "The Donald" -- there he is, there he is on the left squaring off against Martha. There she is on the right. Let's just say it's ugly.

MARCIANO: But entertaining.

O'BRIEN: It's ugly but entertaining. We've got that story ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.

Stay with us.

We begin with some serious news right out of Iraq this morning.

An explosion at a Shiite holy shrine has triggered a series of revenge attacks now across the country.

Let's get right to CNN's Aneesh Raman.

He's live in Baghdad for us this morning -- Aneesh, good morning.

As we spoke about earlier, appeals for calm. But obviously those appeals are really not being listened to.

ANEESH RAMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: They're not, Soledad.

We already know, in the past hour or so, two Sunni mosques in Baghdad have come under attack. One of them, the front entrance was burned. Another one came under an RPG attack. The outer perimeter was damaged. Also, a Sunni office, a political office for Iraqi Islamic Party, was burned after people were vacated.

All of this after that assault this morning on one of Iraq's Shia -- one of the Shia Islam's most revered sites, the Askariya Mosque, north of the capital, igniting fury among the Shia population. Every hour, the number of protests seems to grow; the tensions, as well. Thousands upon thousands pour into the streets in the Kadhimiya area of Baghdad. That neighbors Sadr City, where we understand members of the Mehdi militia, that are backed by the Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, have taken up arms, are patrolling the area.

Government officials are still urging calm despite these isolated, at this moment, incidents of reprisal attacks. But, again, it comes at a very bad time for Iraq. The third attack on the Shia community in as many days. And it very significantly ratchets up the tension between the Sunnis and the Shias in this country -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Aneesh Raman with an update for us on what's happening there this morning.

Aneesh, thanks.

We're obviously going to continue to check in with you throughout the morning.

Appreciate it -- Rob.

MARCIANO: A CNN Security Watch now.

The White House is mired in a fight over a deal that give control of the six seaports, would give that control to Middle East-based companies. The president says there is no threat to U.S. security, but few on Capitol Hill agree with him.

Live now from the White House is correspondent Suzanne Malveaux -- good morning again, Suzanne.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Rob.

Of course, it was a really extraordinary set of developments yesterday with the president, as he me made it very, very clear that he is going to fight this all the way. Essentially, it was a very rare move. He brought, summoned the reporters back on Air Force One, reiterated his point here at the White House before cameras, saying that he would veto any legislation that would put on hold or delay a deal with this Dubai company.

The strategy now for the president, even realizing that his veto may be overridden, is to move forward, is to try to make the case here that this is a process that worked; also to say that this company is not a threat to national security. And then, furthermore, to explain that it is in the U.S.' interests to reward Arab allies who play by the rules and simply follow the books and that they must be fair to their business interests.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAN BARTLETT, WHITE HOUSE COUNSELOR: I think it would make anybody pause and want to have more information, more -- greater understanding of this transaction. And it's critically important for your viewers to understand that port security in the United States of America is charged to the United States Coast Guard and the United States Customs Office. That hasn't changed by this deal.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: So, of course, Rob, I also spoke with Dan Bartlett, who said that expect that they are going to be going on a full scale campaign here to try to convince members of Congress their point of view. They realize they may not be swayed here, but in the days and weeks to come they're going to do that, starting with the Armed Services Committee when they meet tomorrow -- Dan.

MARCIANO: Suzanne, pretty...

MALVEAUX: Rob -- sorry.

MARCIANO: That's all right.

A pretty strong reaction by the Republicans on Capitol Hill opposing this.

Is the president surprised by that?

MALVEAUX: They were actually stunned yesterday when the Senate majority leader, Bill Frist, put out this note calling for a hold on this deal. Also, of course, House Speaker Denny Hastert. This is a big problem for the White House. I mean they've got the Republican Party really in mutiny. They want to try to get together behind closed doors to explain, perhaps provide more classified information, what went behind this process.

But, also, you have to understand they've got an international audience, as well. They want to make through, get it clear that they need Arab allies in this war on terror and they have to treat people fairly.

MARCIANO: More complicated than at first sight.

Thanks, Suzanne.

Suzanne Malveaux live for us at the White House -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Continuing our CNN Security Watch now, Main Street America in the spotlight for, of all things, a suspected terrorist connection.

In Toledo, Ohio, three men of Middle Eastern origin pleaded not guilty to charges that they conspired to recruit and train terrorists to attack U.S. troops in Iraq.

Let's get right to AMERICAN MORNING'S Alina Cho.

She's in Toledo this morning for us -- Alina, good morning.

ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Soledad, good morning to you.

After a year long investigation, federal authorities unsealed a 12-page indictment here in Ohio yesterday. All three of the men at one point lived here in Toledo and two of them were current residents.

Now, the indictment alleges that the men hatched the plan here in Toledo about 15 months ago. It says that one of the men, 26-year-old Mohammed Zaki Amawi, also accused of verbally threatening to kill or injure President Bush.

Now, the indictment also alleges that the men tried to set up terrorist training camps and raise money for them. The government says they downloaded terrorist training videos on how to make improvised explosive devices and suicide bomb vests.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ALBERTO GONZALES, U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL: Clearly, they -- the folks had the motivation and I think that they've demonstrated that they had the means. And so I think that because of the good work of the law enforcement community, I think America is safer.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHO: All three of the men pleaded guilty -- pleaded not guilty, rather, in Ohio courtrooms yesterday. They are awaiting their next court appearance later this month. They are being held here in Ohio -- Soledad, if convicted of the most serious charge, all three of them could face life in prison.

O'BRIEN: You've had an opportunity, I know, Alina, to talk to some of the family members of these men.

What have they been saying?

CHO: Well, CNN did speak with suspect Amawi's younger brother last night, Soledad.

He told us -- and he was the only suspect arrested overseas, by the way.

The brother told us that Amawi left for Jordan about seven months ago. He wanted to go there, the family says, to set up a business, an Internet cafe. He was also looking to find a wife, according to family members.

Family members describe Amawi as a nice guy. They say that his biggest problem was that he talked too much. And, Soledad, they say he was all talk and no action.

O'BRIEN: Well, that might sound like they're planning a defense in some way, doesn't it?

CHO: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

O'BRIEN: Thank you very much.

Alina Cho for us this morning in Toledo.

Alina, thanks.

You want to stay with CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security.

Time to get a look at some of the other stories that are making news this morning.

Kelly has got that.

She's in for Carol and she's in the newsroom -- hey, Kell.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Soledad.

And good morning, everyone.

Another delay for a California execution. Michael Morales' execution has been put off indefinitely. The reason? Anesthesiologists refuse to take part in the lethal injection, citing ethical concerns. Morales was convicted of raping and killing a 17- year-old girl. The victim's family has expressed its shock over the postponed execution and the case could have a major impact on the fate of other death row inmates in the state.

Rescue efforts on hold in the Philippines because of heavy rains. There is fear the weather could trigger even more mudslides. Philippine President Arroyo met with rescue workers earlier today, nearly one week after a massive landslide buried one village. Officials believe the death toll could pass the 1,000 mark.

A glimmer of hope for some Louisiana residents. About 300 FEMA mobile homes are now on the way to areas damaged by Katrina. Nearly 11,000 mobile homes have been sitting empty in the mud in Arkansas. This is the first time any of those homes are being moved to the hurricane zone.

And a figure skater hits it big, so big, in Torino. American Sasha Cohen, all 90 pounds of her, coming in first in the women's short program. Cohen now leads over reigning world champion, Irina Slutskaya, as they head into the free skate competition tomorrow night.

And, Soledad, for all those figure skating fans out there, the Americans did quite well. Kimmie Meissner in fifth place, Emily Hughes in seventh.

O'BRIEN: Yes.

A strong team.

They look good.

WALLACE: Yes.

Looking good.

O'BRIEN: I watched last night, too.

I had my daughters watching. It was fun.

WALLACE: Oh, it's so fun.

O'BRIEN: All right, Kelly.

WALLACE: I'm looking forward to Thursday.

O'BRIEN: Yes, that'll be great.

Thank you, Kelly.

Weather now.

Bonnie has got that.

She's at the CNN Center at nine minutes past the hour -- hello.

Good morning, again.

BONNIE SCHNEIDER, ATS METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Soledad.

(WEATHER REPORT)

O'BRIEN: Well, you know, a serious report we have ahead for you this morning.

Many New Orleans police officers who were considered deserters were fired because they left their posts after Hurricane Katrina hit.

This morning, we're going to talk to an officer who said he had a legitimate excuse for leaving. He said he called his bosses. They approved it. His wife is very ill. He came back and he got fired anyway. We'll talk to him and get his side of the story this morning.

MARCIANO: I'm sure there's a number of stories like that. You shouldn't judge them all, for sure.

Also new this morning, Pope Benedict names 15 cardinals. We're going to look at what that -- what those choices might mean for the future of the Catholic Church.

O'BRIEN: And violence on the rise in Iraq. The Bush administration says there is only one thing that can stop it. We'll tell you what that one thing is. We'll go live to the Pentagon. That's ahead.

Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

O'BRIEN: We were among the first to get to St. Bernard Parish and we could not believe what we saw at St. Bernard Parish. We could not believe it.

I asked the sheriff, I said, you know, give me an estimate of how much damage you think you suffered here. He said 100 percent.

JACK STEPHENS, SHERIFF, ST. BERNARD PARISH: It's just now starting to sink in a little bit, you know? I'm sure as time goes on, you think about individual instances more than others. But it's a nightmare. It's a nightmare.

O'BRIEN: It's one of those stories where you could not say enough. The scope was impossible to really get a sense of, I think, on camera. We kept saying to our audience, it looks bad. It is so much worse in person.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

O'BRIEN: Hurricane Katrina six months later.

Next week, AMERICAN MORNING is in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast for the first Mardi Gras since Katrina hit.

We're also going to tackle some of the key problems that now face New Orleans and, in fact, face the entire region.

AMERICAN MORNING comes to you live from the Gulf Coast.

That begins on Monday morning.

Well, just about everybody in New Orleans affected, obviously, by the disaster. Some got caught between the proverbial rock and a hard place. And among them is this man, Police Officer Paul Schubert.

He left the city to take his disabled wife out of harm's way. He was suspended from the police department then he was fired. He's in New Orleans and going to talk about that this morning.

Good morning.

Nice to talk to you.

Thanks for being with us.

Tell us...

PAUL SCHUBERT, FIRED BY NEW ORLEANS POLICE: Thank you.

O'BRIEN: Let's begin with your story.

As the hurricane is approaching and you are aware of the hurricane's approach, you were going to -- you decided to take your wife kind of out of harm's way, as many people did. Your wife has rheumatoid arthritis. I know she's very unwell. She has diabetes, as well; visual problems, too.

What's -- what was the plan -- what was your plan for helping your wife out and then coming back in to take your post as an officer?

SCHUBERT: Well, originally the plan was to bring her to Texas. She has an aunt there. And she was going to be able to take care of. Or we assumed that she would be able to take care of her.

When we -- I left early Saturday morning with my wife after notifying my immediate supervisor, Lieutenant Colonel Brink (ph). I advised him that I was going to be taking my wife to Texas and that I would return as soon as I ensured that she was safe and everything was taken care of...

O'BRIEN: And what did your supervisor say?

SCHUBERT: ... and I hoped to be back some...

O'BRIEN: And what did your supervisor say to that?

SCHUBERT: He said that was no problem, that, you know, to return. And we had planned that I would be back probably some time Sunday night, before the storm was scheduled to hit Monday.

O'BRIEN: You got to Texas and there was a glitch.

What happened?

SCHUBERT: Yes, there was a major glitch. Part of her other family, extended family, was in Texas. There were several people at the house that she -- that we intended that she was going to stay at, including several people who were hospice patients. Her disease is an auto-immune disease and she has a low immune system. Basically she -- we couldn't let her stay there. There was just no -- nobody to care for her at that location.

O'BRIEN: So what did you do? where did you go next, then? SCHUBERT: We looked for hotels around the area and I found an acquaintance that was in New Orleans. Their daughter had some contacts with several hotels. And they found us a place in Tomball, Texas, a room there that she made available to us.

Once I got there, we got settled in, I started calling back to New Orleans, which was some time late Sunday night, early Monday morning.

O'BRIEN: And what did people say...

SCHUBERT: And I was unable to...

O'BRIEN: What did your bosses say at that point, you know, because the storm is now hours from its approach?

Did your bosses say this is unacceptable? Did they say hey, we understand, your wife is seriously ill and you now need to take care of her?

SCHUBERT: No, I had difficulty getting through. I kept getting a -- the lines kept saying that they were all busy, they were tied up, they were unavailable. I couldn't get through. We were using cell phones, both mine and my wife's cell phone. We tried to use a phone at the hotel. And all we kept getting was that all circuits were busy into New Orleans.

So I was...

O'BRIEN: You -- there was a panel that ruled at the end of the day -- and I know you made some other attempts to call your bosses, too -- that you could keep your job but the police superintendent, who we spoke to yesterday, actually, Riley, he reversed that decision and he said you need to be fired.

What was your reaction to that?

SCHUBERT: It was startling. I was amazed that he overturned the board's recommendation that I -- that I be able to be stay -- stay with the police department and that the allegations against me should be non-sustained.

O'BRIEN: There is a number of officers who are in the same boat. You're being portrayed as -- I don't need to tell you, I'm sure -- as deserters, as cowards who fled in the face of a terrible situation in your hometown.

When you hear those allegations, what do you think?

SCHUBERT: I don't accept those as the majority of the police officers on the department. When I did come back to work in October, I was welcomed back with open arms. There was no animosity whatsoever. The people that I work with were extremely supportive. Most of them knew my situation and a lot of them knew the condition of my wife prior to this incident, especially my lieutenant, who I had spoken to several times during the situation, and including my commander.

They all -- they all understood the circumstances and they were very supportive of my circumstances.

O'BRIEN: How is your wife doing now?

SCHUBERT: She becomes upset, especially when situations like this come up. The stress is just overwhelming and it keeps bringing back memories that it's her problem, it's her fault, she's the reason I lost my job.

O'BRIEN: And I'm sure you'll be appealing that.

Former New Orleans Police Officer Paul Schubert joining us this morning.

Thanks for talking with us.

Thank you for sharing your story.

We appreciate it.

SCHUBERT: Thank you.

I appreciate you having me.

O'BRIEN: Rob.

MARCIANO: Soledad, we've got more on the New Orleans recovery straight ahead. The city may turn to a famous name from its past to fix its problems.

Plus, we'll meet the early favorite in the next mayor's race.

Also, Pope Benedict names the first new cardinals of his papacy. What it says about the direction of the Catholic Church.

That's coming up next on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MARCIANO: A milestone today in the reign of Pope Benedict XVI. The pontiff choosing his first cardinals, 15 of them, just a few hours ago. Among them, two Americans. The appointments have people talking about what it means for the direction of the Catholic Church.

So let's find out.

CNN's faith and values correspondent, Delia Gallagher, has a lot to tell us, a little bit of insight into what's going on at the Vatican -- good morning.

DELIA GALLAGHER, CNN FAITH AND VALUES CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you.

MARCIANO: So, who did he choose, or at least the most notable ones? And were there any surprises?

GALLAGHER: Well, a big surprise -- two Americans. That's significant because, you know, the Americans are only 6 percent of the worldwide population of Catholics and yet they've got 10 percent representation in the College of Cardinals, very important because cardinals choose the next pope.

The two Americans, of course, are Archbishop O'Malley of Boston. You'll remember, he took over from Cardinal Law during the sex abuse scandal. And Boston is a city which normally has a cardinal, so he's sort of -- he was a cardinal in waiting in that sense.

Also, Archbishop William Levada, formerly of San Francisco. He's now over at the Vatican in Pope Benedict's former post at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. And that's a very important office at the Vatican and also one which usually carries the cardinal hat with it.

MARCIANO: And, I mean, this is really all about politics, in a church kind of way. I don't mean to put it down like that, but it does mean a lot of things for, you know, where the church is going now.

And what does this mean for the direction?

GALLAGHER: Yes, but let's remember that most of these men were already put in line by John Paul II. The only one who was newly appointed by Pope Benedict is William Levada of San Francisco and now over at the Vatican.

So that's his sort of first real cardinal appointment.

But a lot of these men were already cardinals in waiting, as it were...

MARCIANO: Right.

GALLAGHER: ... because there are certain offices at the Vatican and certain cities around the world which generally carry the cardinal's hat. So some of them were shoo-ins, in other words.

MARCIANO: So is the sense -- the feel at the Vatican is that we've had a pretty smooth transition from John Paul II? I mean he pretty -- he picked this pope and he's picking the cardinals that are now becoming -- coming into the College?

GALLAGHER: Yes.

MARCIANO: It takes a long time to actually change, doesn't it?

GALLAGHER: It takes -- well, it takes a very long time in the Vatican for change.

MARCIANO: Yes.

GALLAGHER: And certainly most of the cardinals were already put in place by John Paul II.

So in order to really see Pope Benedict's imprint, it's still going to take a few more years, probably.

MARCIANO: OK, so when is this -- there's a ceremony, I assume.

What happens there...

GALLAGHER: There is a ceremony...

MARCIANO: And then how do their job -- how does this job description change when you become cardinal?

GALLAGHER: Well, cardinal is essentially an honorary title. And, you know, the more important thing they do, as we saw last year, is elect a new pope. So those are only for cardinals under 80. So whenever you talk about cardinals, you've got to make the distinction between those under 80, who are allowed to vote in a conclave, and those over 80.

So their jobs don't change as such. It's just that they're sort of elevated to this position of honor.

And another interesting cardinal hat which is being given out is to Pope John Paul II's former private secretary, Stanislaw Dziwisz. He was the man who was beside the pope for 40 years and really is getting some recognition that he deserves. He's over in Krakow, Poland now.

MARCIANO: The pope also in charge of promoting bishops or archbishops? Is that his deal, too?

GALLAGHER: Yes. He appoints them, absolutely. And very interestingly, you know, a lot of people ask the question, well, is Pope Benedict going to listen to us? The bishops and the priests in the Catholic Church were concerned about this. And it seems that the indications are pointing that way.

So in the appointment of bishops, for example, he's sort of sending out a survey, asking some of his priests and bishops, who do you think would make the best bishop? Because they're the people on the ground and they're the ones that know the bishops and priests the best so.

MARCIANO: It's fascinating to see how this stuff works over there.

GALLAGHER: Yes.

MARCIANO: Delia Gallagher, thank you very much.

GALLAGHER: Thank you.

MARCIANO: CNN's faith and value correspondent -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Ahead this morning, criminal charges filed at the Sago Mine in West Virginia. It's not the owners, though, who are in trouble. We'll explain just ahead.

And we'll have more on the rising violence in Iraq. The White House and the Pentagon, too, say there's only one thing that's going to stop it. We'll tell you what that one thing is when we take you live to the Pentagon this morning.

That's ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.

We're back in just a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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