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Anti-U.S. Outrage in Kabul; Back to the Old Days in Afghanistan?; Fresh Wave of Deadly Violence in Iraq

Aired May 29, 2006 - 17:00   ET

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

JOHN KING, CNN ANCHOR: And to our viewers, you're in THE SITUATION ROOM, where new pictures and information are arriving all the time.
Standing by, CNN reporters across the United States and around the world to bring you today's top stories.

Happening now, it's 1:30 a.m. Tuesday in Kabul. The Afghan capital rocked by deadly violence, fueled by anti-U.S. anger. Our Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr is there. We'll also talk to a writer for "GQ" magazine who witnessed the aftermath.

It's 1:00 a.m. Tuesday in Baghdad, where a fresh wave of violence has killed and injured dozens, including a CBS News crew. On this Memorial Day, we'll meet one Iraq war vet whose job now is to help bury his fallen comrades.

And it's 4:00 p.m. Central Time in New Orleans. Nine months to the day after Hurricane Katrina hit, the city's justice system is in disarray, with some accused criminals being set free.

Wolf Blitzer is off today. I'm John King. You're in THE SITUATION ROOM.

Right now in Afghanistan's capital, the U.S. military headquarters is on lockdown. Kabul is under curfew. And staff members of the U.S. embassy have been told to stay inside. Many angry Afghans are shouting, "Death to Americans!" Already simmering with anti-American tensions now at full boil after a U.S. military truck accidentally rammed into a crowd of pedestrians.

We have three reports. Our Brian Todd is here in Washington. Sam Dealey, who's writing for "GQ" magazine witnessed the aftermath. But let's start with our CNN Pentagon Correspondent Barbara Starr. She's in Kabul with details -- Barbara.

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: John, we have been in lockdown all day now. It is just a few hours from dawn. The curfew will be lifted at that point, and we will see if there is a second day of violence here in Kabul.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

STARR (voice over): In Kabul, a traffic accident turned into a day of rioting across Afghanistan's capital city. It began when hundreds of Afghans stoned a U.S. military convoy after an Army truck crashed into a dozen civilian vehicles. One Afghan died and several were injured.

After offering medical aid, the convoy tried to leave the area but matters took an even deadlier turn. The video from the scene shows at least one U.S. soldier, manning a .50 caliber machine gun on a military vehicle, firing his weapon in the direction of civilians on a hillside. All of this setting off a day of totally unexpected rioting and gunfire across the city.

At Camp Eggers, the military headquarters, troops had paused on Memorial Day to remember their fallen comrades. Within minutes, they took up defensive firing positions as gunfire was heard and protesters marched through the city.

(on camera): We have just heard from our rooftop position here about two to three minutes of gunfire across the city. We believe it was AK-47 gunfire we were hearing. It lasted for some time. You may able to see, there is smoke now rising from some location out in the city that we do not know what that location is. The camp here is in lockdown.

(voice over): Even as the gunfire continued to ring out, the coalition spokesman promised the U.S. military would investigate the incident.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will determine the facts regarding the incident and cooperate fully with Afghan authorities. In accordance with appropriate policies, compensation will be paid to those who are entitled.

STARR: Protesters and police continued to clash across Kabul throughout the day. The Afghan health minister says it is the worst violence in Kabul since the day the Taliban fled. At least eight civilians were killed and more than 100 injured. Several compounds were attacked.

Afghans on the street expressed their fury. This man saying, "The American soldiers killed many civilians."

(END VIDEOTAPE)

STARR: Afghan president Hamid Karzai has appealed for calm, but there have been several incidents, John, in which Afghan civilians have been inadvertently killed in military operations, and people here are becoming very angry -- John.

KING: Barbara, you say very angry. One line in your piece stands out to me on this Memorial Day, "The worst day of violence since the Taliban fell." I think many Americans sort of assume that Afghanistan is over, if you will, that it's in more transition to peace.

What are the commanders, the U.S. commanders telling you about why they think it's getting worse? STARR: Well, what they are saying here, John, is they now call this an insurgency in Afghanistan. In the south, they say the Taliban, again, are on the rise. This is an area they see concentrations of 50 to 100 Taliban fighters in some cases.

And what all of this is really about is now, with the Afghan government in place, finally, the Afghan government security forces, the U.S. military and the NATO forces that are here are moving into areas deep in rural Afghanistan, down south, and in the east, where, in the last four and a half years, they simply haven't been. You know, one of the things that happened here was the Taliban basically fled. They melted into the civilian population and chose not to fight.

Well, now they are coming back out. They had been biding their time, is the assessment, and coming out in areas where they feel they can take advantage of the local population.

There are many reports, for example, in villages where the Taliban had been burning schools, killing people, terrorizing the local population. The U.S. military commander here reports to us that there has been an increase in IEDs, in suicide bombs, and they indeed now call this an insurgency.

It sounds an awful lot like Iraq. It is not a widespread, not a nationwide insurgency, but it certainly now exists in some parts of the country, and the commanders here say, expect to see more combat operations in the weeks and months ahead. They are determined to deal with this. At the same time, on this Memorial Day, the top U.S. military commander says his troops will stay on the hunt for Osama bin Laden until he is captured or killed -- John.

KING: Barbara Starr for us in Kabul.

Barbara, often on the reported story. We're lucky to have you there for us. Stay safe.

Thank you very much, Barbara.

And my next guest witnessed the aftermath of today's crash in Afghanistan firsthand. Sam Dealey is a journalist working on a story for "GQ" magazine. He joins me now from Kabul.

Sam, just take us right into your cab. You decided you wanted to go out to see this. You hopped in a cab. Give us the scene.

SAM DEALEY, JOURNALIST: That's right. My photographer and I, we went out there. The accident happened about 9:00 in the morning, 9:15. We were there about 10:00.

At that point, the U.S. had already pulled out -- the troops were already pulled out to safety. And the Afghan police were manning the fort.

The crowd was pretty violent. The police were shooting into the crowd. There were some obviously problems with crowd control. Eventually the police just pulled back to some various other defensive positions, and the crowd just started to swell. And they were burning cars, overturning police boxes. It was just, you know, black plumes of smoke all over the place and the sound (ph) of gunfire.

KING: Were you personally at risk?

DEALEY: We started to move then into central Kabul -- I'm sorry?

KING: Were you personally at risk in this -- personally at risk?

DEALEY: It was pretty dicey. We were told -- yes, the police told us to get -- basically to get out of there.

The crowd was looking for foreigners. They were -- they wouldn't have taken kindly to us. So -- so we did pull back.

I went to the presidential palace here in Kabul, and that quickly became a mob scene, as well. There were just crowds of -- crowds of youth and men, throwing stones, coming out of every road and alleyway. And it was -- it was quite hairy for a moment there.

But we were able to punch out and head out with a -- the president of Afghanistan's -- its Olympic committee, at his house.

KING: You just heard Barbara Starr's report about this growing anti-American sentiment. Give me a personal account of what it feels like, what it -- what it is like, and what safety precautions you need to take now.

DEALEY: Well, it's funny. Just walking around Kabul, you don't really feel it until today. Soldiers do say that, you know, their helicopters and their Humvees, as they're going by, the kids are no longer kind of smiling at them, they're now picking up the occasional rock and throwing it.

You know, obviously, they are probably picking it up from their parents. Obviously, you also have the insurgency going on down in the southern provinces, where fighting has been very, very fierce. So, you do have a sense of things returning a bit, but for your average, just walking around the city of Kabul, I guess until today it wasn't quite apparent.

KING: And how long are you going to stay, Sam?

DEALEY: Well, as long as I can. As long as "GQ" will foot the bills, I suppose.

KING: Well, Sam Dealey, we thank you for sharing your stories with us today. And please stay safe, and maybe add a little bit more security the next time you head out in a cab.

Thank you very much, Sam. Stay safe.

Today's incident in Kabul has some asking, how much is Afghanistan moving forward? Or might the country actually be sliding back to the madness and mayhem seen during the Taliban era.

Our Brian Todd is here with more on that -- Brian.

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: John, the Taliban have actually resurfaced in some parts of Afghanistan, which is also a big reason why new questions are being raised about the country's stability.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TODD (voice over): If a traffic accident can spark a deadly riot in Kabul, if the Taliban can come back with a vengeance, and if the drug trade is still flourishing, then is the post-9/11 Western model for Afghanistan crumbling? It depends on who you ask.

This protester in Kabul has one answer.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And they're driving on the road, killing innocent people. We want America out of this country sooner or later! We hate America!

TODD: And one Western journalist in Afghanistan describes the situation as "quite bleak." "The perceived inability of the central government to extend its control over the whole country," he says, "is a huge factor."

Analysts believe that has led to the Tailbone's deadly resurgence in the south. As U.S. troops scale back and NATO forces move in there, Taliban militia are taking advantage of the porous border with Pakistan to launch offensives. Drug traffickers, they say, are also filling the void, allying with the Taliban and infiltrating the Afghan government.

But despite its problems, Afghanistan has made important strides.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The terror camps have been shut down. Women are working. Boys and girls are going to school. And Afghans have chosen a president and a new parliament in free elections.

TODD: Other signs of progress, analysts say, don't get much visibility.

BRIG. GEN. JAMES MARKS (RET.), CNN MILITARY ANALYST: The economy has improved by about 80 percent over the course of the last four years. Infrastructure is being built. Those are the schools and the hospitals and the road -- the road network. The training of the Afghanistan military and security forces is increasing. And there is an increased presence of Afghanistan command and control over the security that takes place within the country.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TODD: Those security forces, analysts believe, are key to the very delicate balance here. Their ability to win the trust of local villagers and warlords in the coming months and years, they say, will mean the difference between stability in some parts of Afghanistan and chaos in other areas -- John.

KING: Brian Todd, thank you very much.

And time now for what we call "The Cafferty File". Jack Cafferty standing by in New York.

Hi, Jack.

JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Hi, John.

When the FBI, with a warrant, searched Congressman William Jefferson's office a week or so ago, the chorus of outrage coming from the Congress was deafening. House Speaker Dennis Hastert when screaming to the White House. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales threatened to quit if the Justice Department had to return the documents. President Bush ordered the thing sealed for 45 days.

At that time, the Senate majority leader, Bill Frist, weighed in, saying that he was concerned about the constitutionality of the FBI search. A week later, the issue seems to have disappeared almost as quickly as it came. And Frist, who would like very much to be the next president, is now out with another position. He thinks the FBI acted appropriately.

He also said of the controversy, "I think we've seen it pretty much put to bed, I hope. I trust our Department of Justice."

So, here's the question: What does it mean when Senator Bill Frist says the controversy over the search of Representative Jefferson's office has been pretty much put to bed?

E-mail your thoughts to caffertyfile@CNN.com or go to CNN.com/caffertyfile. And there is no right answer -- John.

KING: I think one answer, Jack, is he would prefer not to be asked about it anymore.

CAFFERTY: I'm sure he would. That's kind of why we decided we'd do it here.

KING: We'll see what comes in. Thank you very much, Jack.

And if you want a sneak preview of Jack's questions, plus an early read on the day's political news and what's ahead in THE SITUATION ROOM, sign up for our daily e-mail alert. Just go to CNN.com/situationroom.

Up ahead, justice postponed. Nine months after Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans' jails and courts are in disarray. Our Gulf Coast correspondent Susan Roesgen investigates.

Also, on this Memorial Day, we'll introduce you to an Iraq war veteran whose duty now is to help bury his fallen comrades. His story in his own words.

Plus, a fresh wave of deadly violence in Iraq. Dozens of people are killed and injured. A CBS News correspondent is in critical condition, her crew killed. We'll have the details.

Stay with us. You're in THE SITUATION ROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KING: On this day that the United States pays tributes to its war dead, insurgents in Iraq are not letting up on their attacks. Today, insurgent attacks killed at least 50 people and hurt more than 80, including members of a CBS News crew.

CNN's Ryan Chilcote is in Baghdad and joins us now with the details -- Ryan.

RYAN CHILCOTE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: John, it has been an exceptionally violent day in Iraq. More than 50 people killed, more than 80 wounded in attacks around the country.

Right here in Baghdad, there have been at least seven bombings. One of them striking a U.S. military patrol that CBS News had a team embedded with.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHILCOTE (voice over): If you look closely at the 4th Infantry Division's Humvee that was the target of the attack, you get a sense of the power of the blast. As far as we know, they never saw their attackers. That's the way it usually is for U.S. forces in Iraq, and the journalists who cover this war.

CBS News reporter Kimberly Dozier, cameraman Paul Douglas and soundman James Brolan had just gotten out of their armored vehicle when a nearby car packed with explosives detonated. Dozier was seriously wounded. Cameraman Douglas and soundman Brolan were killed.

So was an American soldier. So was an Iraqi contractor who was helping the U.S. military.

Correspondent Dozier is an experienced hand in Iraq. A year and a half ago, she appeared on CNN's "RELIABLE SOURCES," describing how dangerous it was to go out, and in her words, "hunt a story." Forced to rely on others to gather the news.

KIMBERLY DOZIER, CBS NEWS: Well, I feel like I do everything by remote. Whereas when I first got here, say, a year ago, I could drive into the streets, go into a neighborhood, talk to Iraqis, ask what they thought about something.

CHILCOTE: At least six other bombs went off in the Iraqi capital Monday. Most of the victims, Iraqi civilians.

These people were killed by a bomb that went off near their bus in one of Baghdad's Shiite neighborhoods. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, CBS cameraman Douglas and soundman Brolan became the 70th and 71st journalists killed by hostile action since the war began.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHILCOTE: John, six U.S. soldiers that were also wounded in that same attack are recovering in American combat hospitals here in Iraq. As for the CBS News correspondent, Kimberly Dozier, she is also recovering, but she has been in and out of surgery. Still, doctors say they are cautiously optimistic she will recover -- John.

KING: And Ryan, you heard her frustration in your piece about how difficult it is, as she put it, to go hunt for a story. More dangerous for journalists now than it was a few months ago, or less so?

CHILCOTE: John, I think it is fair to say that it is more dangerous right now. However, I think it's also important to point out that what distinguishes us from a lot of the people here in Iraq is that we are able really to choose what level of danger we are comfortable with. That is something that you cannot say for a lot of the members of the U.S. military that are serving here. Remember that more than 2,400 of them have been killed since the war began.

It is also something that you cannot say, for a lot of the Iraqis that are here. Remember, more than 30,000 Iraqis have been killed since the war began -- John.

KING: Ryan Chilcote with an excellent point for us, doing excellent duty for us in Baghdad.

Ryan, thank you very much.

And today's death of an American soldier in Iraq increases the number of U.S. fatalities there to 2,466 since the war began.

Coming up, violence in Iraq, the nuclear standoff with Iran. We'll talk about that and more with a key member of CNN's Security Council, former Defense Secretary William Cohen.

Plus, crowded jails, courts that barely function. Nine months after Katrina, New Orleans' justice system is in crisis.

You're in THE SITUATION ROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KING: A live picture there in New York of the USS Intrepid on this Memorial Day.

The chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee says his panel will hold a hearing on an alleged massacre of Iraqi civilians in the town Haditha.

CNN Senior Pentagon Correspondent Jamie McIntyre has been on top of this story from the beginning and joins us now live with the latest developments -- Jamie.

JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN SR. PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, John, Pentagon sources tell us that members of Congress have been told that U.S. military investigators now strongly suspect that what happened in Haditha in November of last year was a rampage by a small group of Marines who snapped after one of their own was killed by a roadside bomb.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEN. PETER PACE, JOINT CHIEFS CHAIRMAN: I understand it's going to be a couple more weeks before those investigations are complete. And we should not prejudge the outcome. But we -- we should, in fact, as leaders, take on the responsibility to get out and talk to our troops and make sure that they understand that what 99.9 percent of them are doing, which is fighting with honor and courage, is exactly what we expect of them.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MCINTYRE: At first the U.S. military simply refused to believe villagers who accused Marines of murdering unarmed civilians, even when presented with credible evidence such as this videotape, which was given to the U.S. military by "TIME" magazine. Their story, that these civilians were killed by roadside bombs, were -- sort of fell apart in the wake of investigation that sources tell CNN will likely result in charges of murder against some of the Marines and dereliction of duty against the others.

Sources say between four and eight Marines from Kilo Company were directly involved, but that some Marines from other units knew what happened because they helped document the aftermath.

Lance Corporal Ryan Briones told the "Los Angeles Times" that he took pictures of at least 15 bodies and is till haunted by the memory of picking up a young girl who was shot in the head. "I held her out like this," he said, demonstrating with his arms extended, "but her head was bobbing up and down and the insides fell on my legs."

His mother has -- is talking to CNN this afternoon. Meanwhile, sources say that the charges in this case could come as soon as next month -- John.

KING: Jamie McIntyre for us at the Pentagon.

Thank you, Jamie.

And for more on this, we are joined by a key member of CNN's Security Council, our world affairs analyst, former defense secretary William Cohen. He's secretary -- chairman, excuse me, and CEO of The Cohen Group here in Washington.

Mr. Secretary, let's start with Haditha and the investigation. And I want you to listen before we speak to Congressman Jack Murtha, a leading voice in the Congress, Democrat of Pennsylvania, on defense matters, who has been pushing for this investigation. And there is this talk of a cover-up.

I want you to listen to Congressman Murtha.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. JOHN MURTHA (D), PENNSYLVANIA: Well, they talk about, well, you shouldn't speak about it until the investigation's over. Well, if I didn't speak out, there wouldn't have been an investigation. Who covered this up? Who is trying to cover this thing up? When something like this happens, you have to get it out in the open, you have to take action.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: Out in the open, take action. You've been the defense secretary. Talk about how sensitive this has to be for the Pentagon, allegations of a massacre and talk of a possible cover-up.

WILLIAM COHEN, FMR. DEFENSE SECRETARY: Well, I have a lot of confidence in Jack Murtha. I served with him in the Congress, and certainly when I was at the Pentagon I relied upon him as a strong supporter of the military. And when Congressman Murtha speaks out that he is trying to draw attention to something he felt was not being addressed, I think we have to pay attention to that.

Obviously, the secretary of defense and others can't comment at this point, nor should they, but wait until the investigation is complete. I think there's been quite a momentum building on this. And I would attribute it to Jack Murtha raising his voice of concern on the issue.

KING: I want to move, change subjects to Iran. The United States is trying to build up the pressure, international pressure to bring sanctions against Tehran because of its nuclear program. It has been tough sledding, to say the least, for the United States diplomatically.

What would your advice be to this administration as it tries to get to the next level, which is more help?

COHEN: Well, the president has plenty of advisors to counsel him on this. My own approach would be that it has to be both a carrot and a stick. And it has to be a proposal made to the Iranians that is significant, substantial, fair and balanced, so to speak. And one that the European, the key European countries, Great Britain, France, Germany, perhaps Italy and Japan in this mix, as well, but at least the three key European states that can join in this and say this is a fair proposal.

It's going to be...

KING: A direct proposal? Should the United States rip up the rules? Since the hostage crisis, there's been no direct one-on-one conversation. Because of the gravity of this situation, should the president just rip up those rules and try to start over, try to have a direction conversation?

COHEN: I think it can be done either multilaterally on unilaterally. I think at some point we have to deal directly with the Iranians. Perhaps not with President Ahmadinejad initially, but dealing with the Iranian government in some form. And sooner rather than later.

But it has to be in a form of a comprehensive package. Number one, saying, if you give up your nuclear ambitions, good things can follow from that. There can be diplomatic recognition, integration into the international community, no more sanctions, whether they're effective or not, but you are basically being embraced by the international community. Coupled with that would be the lack of stopping support for Hamas, Hezbollah, terrorist activities.

If that were the case, and if it was presented as an economic and diplomatic package, and they were to give up on that, then, I think, you can really look at both Iran, Iraq and the Middle East peace process as a comprehensive approach. But I think it's going to take a lot of carrots, as well as the sticks, especially for Japan and Italy to join in. They are the ones who will be hardest hit by their dependence upon Iranian oil at this point. And so for them to impose sanctions and run the risk they might be cut off somewhat or reduced in their supply of energy is going to be a much bigger task for them.

KING: I want to ask your thoughts on this Memorial Day, when the country pauses to reflect, to thank and honor the service, we've had Barbara Starr on from Afghanistan talking about the insurgency -- and using the word "insurgency". We know full well the price of the insurgency in Iraq.

How has the politics, the surprises and the politics of those military actions -- Afghanistan much less political than Iraq -- how does it, in your view, affect the mood of America as we mark Memorial Day?

COHEN: Well, I think most Americans are mindful of the fact that those who are in Afghanistan and Iraq today, they didn't go there by choice. This is not their decision. They volunteered to serve this country.

They went to Iraq and Afghanistan because the commander in chief has ordered them to go. So they are carrying out their duty, and they are serving with duty, honor and for country. And I think we have to really praise them for that, recognizing there are going to be some unfortunate incidents, as you reported just a moment ago. But overall, these men and women are incredibly courageous, patriotic and giving great sacrifice to this country.

And we need to pay tribute to them, and certainly, memorialize those who we have lost, and praise those who are now serving us, because, as my wife and others are fond of says we sleep under the blanket of freedom because of the service and sacrifice of the people who are volunteering to put their lives on the line for us.

KING: Most of the attention is on Iraq. But when you hear what you hear out of Afghanistan in recent does, does it suggest to you that there needs to be a redoubling of the effort there, perhaps more U.S. troops, bigger NATO commitment? Something more need to be done there.

COHEN: NATO is moving in to assume responsibility for control in Afghanistan. But that's on the military level.

In addition to that, as we've seen in Iraq, we are never going to be successful in Afghanistan or Iraq unless we have the hearts and minds of the Afghani people and those in Iraq. Military operations or occupations are never going to be successful if you don't have the support of the indigenous people.

And that's what we have to concentrate. What's going on in Afghanistan? Are, in fact, we providing a better quality of life than they had before? Same for Iraq. If we are not, we're not going to have the hearts and minds. We'll not have the support, and the military operation will not ultimately be successful.

KING: Former defense secretary William Cohen, thanks for your thoughts.

And coming up. My interview with a member of the honor guard at Arlington National Cemetery. He'll tell us about the challenges of honoring the nation's fallen.

And some have called it a living hell. And estimated 5,000 dead, 100,000 homeless. We'll have the latest on the devastating earthquake in Indonesia.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KING: Here's a look at some of the "Hot Shots" coming in from the Associated Press, pictures likely to be in your newspaper tomorrow.

In Laconia, New Hampshire, veterans salute as the remains of Private Nicholas Cournoyer are carried to the cemetery on the back of his pickup truck. The 25-year-old was killed in an explosion near Baghdad.

In Rochester, New York, Shila McCloud (ph) salutes veterans as they march down Main Street during the annual Memorial Day parade.

In Iraq, a Memorial Day display at the U.S. embassy in Baghdad.

And in Indonesia, a little boy eats breakfast near his devastated home. More than 5,000 people were killed in the earthquake that struck Saturday.

And that's today's "Hot Shots," pictures worth a thousand words.

And now we go to our Zain Verjee. She joins us from the CNN center in Atlanta with a look at other stories making news.

Hi, Zain.

ZAIN VERJEE, CNN ANCHOR: Hi, John, more on that quake. Shell- shocked survivors in Indonesia await aid that's just begun trickling in after Saturday's powerful quake. The estimated death toll from the quake now exceeds 5,000. Thousands of people are hurt, and as many as 100,000 could be homeless. The United Nations is appealing for more aid, including field hospitals, medical supplies and tents. The U.N. says more than 20 countries have pledged assistance. The quake was the fourth to his Indonesia in the past 17 months.

Indonesia also faces more bird flu cases. The World Health Organization confirms six new human cases of the disease in that country. Three of those who contracted the illness have died. The World Health Organization says that it appears that none of the new cases infected anyone else.

In all, 224 people in 10 countries have fallen ill with bird flu; 127 of them have died.

U.S. military prison guards are fighting a P.R. battle with about 75 detainees at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. The U.S. says the detainees are on a hunger strike. Officials at GITMO say they believe the strike is essentially meant to gain sympathy during upcoming military hearings. The officials say that past hunger strikes have ended after the cameras go away -- John.

KING: Zain, thank you very much.

And the Internet is the next frontier in the struggle over human rights. That's according to Amnesty International. Now the group is launching a new campaign aimed at combating censorship online.

Out Internet reporter, Jacki Schechner, is standing by with more -- Jacki.

JACKI SCHECHNER, CNN INTERNET CORRESPONDENT: John, this is that campaign. It's called Irrepressible.info. This is from Amnesty International.

Now there are organizations like Reporters Without Borders or Global Voices that have been keeping track of Internet censorship and repression for years. And now Amnesty is teaming up with "The Observer", a British newspaper to help get the word out to an even wider audience. They're asking people to put banner ads on their web site.

And some of these ads have information in them that is an example of what censorship might be in countries like China, Iran and Syria. You can put this text into your web site. The idea being that every time somebody comes to your web page, they're seeing something that a government may not want them to see.

They're also asking people to sign a pledge, asking governments to not censor information on the Internet and asking corporations to stop helping them.

Another thing they're linking to is this interactive web site. It's a coalition of partners that keep track of what's restricted online. And you can go around this map here. It's interactive. It will tell you what countries censor and what exactly they censoring online -- John. KING: We'll see if we can post that report, all around the world. See what happens. Thank you, Jacki.

And still to come, in our 7 p.m. Eastern hour, who would go to military funerals to heckle dead service members and their loved ones? We'll tell you about these acts that many military families find highly offensive. Now President Bush is taking action.

And delay of justice. Imagine not getting your day in court or even getting a lawyer for months. That's what Hurricane Katrina did in New Orleans. But very soon, that will change.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KING: It's nine months to the day since Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, and the city is just now about to hold its first jury trial since then. CNN Gulf Coast correspondent Susan Roesgen joins us live from the criminal court in New Orleans with a look at the city's badly damaged justice system.

Hello, Susan.

SUSAN ROESGEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, John.

In the hurricane, water completely surrounded this courthouse, and the judges had to evacuate by boat. Now the courthouse is set to reopen for the first time since Katrina, but for thousands of people stuck in jail in New Orleans, the justice system has completely shut down.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ROESGEN (voice-over): These are the living victims of Hurricane Katrina, some of the thousands of people sitting in jail for months without ever going to court or even seeing a lawyer.

But the inmates have an ally in chief criminal court judge Calvin Johnson. With his courtroom empty since the hurricane, the judge has released hundreds of inmates on bond.

JUDGE CALVIN JOHNSON, NEW ORLEANS CRIMINAL COURT: We have made it painfully clear to everyone and anyone that will listen that if this system does not operate, then, there will be hell to pay, if this system does not operate. We are important to a recovery process, as anything else you can imagine.

ROESGEN: The judge says the inmates he's released are charged with only minor crimes, and he's in favor of releasing more. But the local district attorney says freeing prisoners is not the answer.

EDDIE JORDAN, NEW ORLEANS DISTRICT ATTORNEY: We don't need simplistic, reckless solutions to complicated problems. And that's what I consider this threat to release all poor inmates on the streets of New Orleans.

ROESGEN: District attorney Eddie Jordan agrees the city desperately needs more public defenders. But without them, others argue that New Orleans inmates have lost their right to due process.

LAURIE WHITE, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: As long as we're all still here in the USA, unless we've been severed and made part of the Caribbean, we still have the Constitution. And they're innocent until proven guilty. And it's his job to prove them guilty.

ROESGEN: The first jury trials since the hurricane are set to begin next week. But there's another problem. Judge Johnson is afraid their simply aren't enough jurors in the city to hear cases.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROESGEN: And one more problem, John. The evidence room is in the basement of this courthouse. The basement flooded, so no one knows yet how much evidence has survived in thousands of criminal cases.

KING: Fascinating story, Susan. We'll watch when that court reopens. Something to keep watching. Thank you very much. Susan Roesgen for us in New Orleans. Thank you.

And up ahead, with honor and valor. That's how the nation is remembering the fallen troops who served their country. Coming up, my interview with an Iraq war veteran turned honor guard member at Arlington National Cemetery.

And rhetoric reversal? Last week, Republican Senator Bill Frist said he had constitutional concerns about the FBI raid on a congressman's office. Now, Frist says he thinks the incident has been pretty much put to bed. What do you think that means? Our Jack Cafferty has your e-mail.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KING: This just in to CNN. Word of an Israeli military operation, a military operation that includes firing a missile in Gaza. Our Zain Verjee joins us now at the CNN world headquarters with the latest -- Zain.

VERJEE: Hi, John.

We're hearing that an Israeli helicopter has filed a missile in northern Gaza. Palestinian medical and security sources tell CNN that three Palestinians have been killed. The Israeli army has not commented on this incident.

Meanwhile, Israeli security sources say Israeli soldiers today thwarted attacks on the Jewish state. They say soldiers captures two Palestinians at a checkpoint near the West Bank city of Nablus. An official says the pair dropped a bag of explosives as they tried to escape.

And in a separate incident, Israeli soldiers shot and killed a Palestinian who approached a security fence separating Gaza and Israel. A source says that he had a rifle and a ladder. In other news, President Bush joined Americans from coast to coast in honoring the nation's war dead this Memorial Day. He visited Arlington National Cemetery to place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns. Before the ceremony, Mr. Bush signed a bill into law blocking protesters from disrupting military funerals. The move was prompted by actions by a Kansas church whose members demonstrate at military funerals to protest homosexuality in the United States -- John.

KING: Zain Verjee, thank you very much.

And time now to check back in with Jack Cafferty up in New York -- Jack.

CAFFERTY: Thank you, John.

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist thinks the FBI acted appropriately when it comes to the searching of Representative William Jefferson's office a week or so ago. He says now the controversy's been pretty much put to bed.

But last week, before a meeting with the attorney general, Frist said he was concerned about the constitutionality of all of this. So, the question we asked is, what exactly does Senator Frist mean when he says the issue has been put to bed?

Pam in San Pedro, California: "It means that since the senator took a completely opposite stand on this issue just a few days ago, we are dealing with yet another classic Frist flip-flop, or FFF."

Curtis in Portland, Maine: "Jack, when Frist says that he means, 'Look how definitive I am. I want to be president in 2008'."

Kay in O'Brien, Oregon: "Is this the same guy, a medical doctor no less, who judged Terri Schiavo to be of sound mind? Basing his judgment on a videotape? As for the Jefferson office controversy, I guess it means Mr. Frist is providing one more of his peculiar judgments."

Wanda in Arlee, Montana: "Maybe Senator Frist meant that the issue is like Terri Schiavo: It may be bed-ridden, but it's not dead yet. He probably diagnosed the situation via videotape so he doesn't really know what he's talking about. Again."

Stan in Edison, New Jersey: "Speaking as one who has voted for Republicans for most of my adult life, Mr. Frist's comment means that there is another massive cover-up from those thieves in Congress and the White House. Good riddance to all of them."

Robert writes, "Frist's statement means what everyone knows, Jack. The pocket change is in the freezer but the big bucks are under the mattress, thus the matter has been put to bed, silly!"

And Sharon in Grants Pass, Oregon: "He thinks we won't notice how many sides of any issue he's willing to be on in order to get to the Lincoln bedroom" -- John. KING: And if Jack could answer his own question, he would write?

CAFFERTY: What's that? I just do the questions. I don't do answers. I'm not smart enough to do the answers, John.

KING: Did anybody write in to defend Senator Frist?

CAFFERTY: No.

KING: No. Well, you keep...

CAFFERTY: You want the short answer?

KING: That's the short answer. I wanted a longer answer, but that's OK. I'll take the short answer. Thank you, Jack.

Up next, he fought for his country. Now he helps bury its war dead. One soldier shares his thoughts on this Memorial Day, in his own words.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KING: See live pictures there of visitors streaming past the Vietnam Veterans Memorial here in Washington on this Memorial Day.

An estimated 1.7 million Americans wounded or killed in action have been awarded the Purple Heart since it was reintroduced in 1932. Today, New York officials are asking the public to help them create the hall of honor, the definitive resource on medal recipients.

Internet reporter Jacki Schechner has more -- Jacki.

SCHECHNER: John, this is a spot in Orange County, New York, where George Washington set up camp in 1782 and designed the Badge of Military Merit, which is the precursor to the Purple Heart as we know it today.

It's the same spot in 1932 where they gave out 150 Purple Hearts as we know them today to 150 World War I veterans. Now, it's going to be the home to the Heart Hall of Honor, the Purple Heart Hall of Honor.

Now, nobody's kept a record over the years of how many people have gotten these. They want people to send in their stories. They want them to send in their information, their photos, anything they have to help tell this record.

They're going to open this up in November 2006. They're also going to have a roll of honor, where you can go online on the Internet and search a database of people telling their stories. You can visit that at the museum -- John.

KING: Jacki Schechner, thank you very much.

It's a grim task but also a high honor, burying those who have died protecting this nation. Just this past week, I had the great privilege of meeting one man who takes this responsibility more than seriously.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CAPT. MICHAEL BANDZWOLEK, U.S. ARMY: I had spent a year in Iraq, during the invasion, and then, up into February of '04, with 101st Airborne Division. So it was different. It's different now, because I know my old battalion is back in Iraq at the time, and it's interesting to think about: I'm here and they're off doing that I could easily still be there doing that. That's still out there, and it's still something you can do, you know, any time, before or after you come here.

KING: Does that experience enter your thoughts at all when you're here, serving, when you're seeing people who served alongside you?

BANDZWOLEK: It does, just because, we've walked already, I saw two graves of guys that I went to high school with, other ones that I recognize, guys I went to college with or guys that I went to college with, soldiers that they've had. So you do think about it, when you see, you know, someone that you knew, and here they are.

KING: As this Memorial Day is marked in the country, as you know, the politics of the war have become much more controversial. Do you think -- does that bother you, as someone who wears a uniform, that the war has become so unpopular? And do you think in any way the political debate about the war demeans or effects those who are buried here?

BANDZWOLEK: No, I don't think it does. I think that the political debate would happen regardless, one way or another. And it's not my place to say whether I agree or disagree with what's happening. And I think that that is completely someone else's right to do, if they choose. And I don't think that most people in their opinions, while they might be against the war, want to take anything away from the troops who are doing the job.

KING: You do a job here in which you are trained to almost be dispassionate, to pay no attention to what's going on around you, to not be distracted by what's going on around you. You get quite emotional walking through there, because you said you're passing the graves of friends. How difficult is it to do what you do?

BANDZWOLEK: It is difficult. I think at first it is more difficult because you're not only learning a job, but you're dealing with a very emotional situation. As you grow a little bit more comfortable with doing your job, it becomes easier to focus on that and not so much the families that are surrounding you.

But it never gets easier. It's difficult to see someone who, you know, like I said, particularly, someone whose husband or wife or son or daughter just died in Iraq and Afghanistan, and to stand in front of them, and to do that job, and to try to remain, not necessarily dispatched but to remain focused on what your job is.

KING: Is it what you expected, or can you not think in advance or study in advance what the experience is going to be like?

BANDZWOLEK: I don't think at the time, when I came here, I knew what to expect. The longer I've been here, it's definitely been an honor to be able to provide a service on the other side of the Army. And there's a lot of people in Iraq and Afghanistan that are doing their job. And there need to be some people on this side that are representing what the Army does and what the military is doing and also provide honors for a fallen soldier from Iraq or Afghanistan.

So it is an honor to do this job, and I'm proud to say that I've done it.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KING: And it was an honor to meet and spend a little time with Iraq war veteran Captain Mike Bandzwolek. Tough duty on this Memorial Day.

We now continue our look at America's heroes with a special edition of "LOU DOBBS TONIGHT." I'll be back here at 7 p.m. Eastern with the latest news and a special Memorial Day interview with Senator John McCain. "LOU DOBBS TONIGHT" starts right now.

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