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American Morning

Latest Developments in Fighting in Middle East; Washington, D.C. Crime Wave

Aired July 13, 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: There's been a rapid escalation of violence in the Middle East. Israel launching attacks on several fronts this morning. Minutes ago, Hezbollah launching a counterattack. We've got that ahead.
BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: I'm Bob Franken on the Washington Mall, which traditionally has been an oasis of safety. But now it's become part of a D.C. crime problem.

MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Crimes in the courtroom -- a judge targeted once again. Couldn't it have been avoided?

S. O'BRIEN: And dangerous wildfires are gaining ground in Southern California. Dozens of homes have already been destroyed. We'll update you on the progress there.

M. O'BRIEN: And after the waters recede -- the danger after a storm. What you need to think about what to do and what not to do after a storm has cleared.

That's ahead on this AMERICAN MORNING.

Good morning to you.

I'm Miles O'Brien.

S. O'BRIEN: And I'm Soledad O'Brien.

Let's get right back to our breaking news.

Conflict in the Middle East reaching a new level today. Reports that Israel has issued a warning to Lebanese civilians that could precede a deadly mission in Beirut. And Hezbollah has launched a counterattack in Israel's city of Safad.

We're covering the day's latest developments from Jerusalem with Paula Hancocks and Beirut with Alessio Vinci.

Paula, let's begin with you.

This rocket attack into Israel out of little bit -- could you update us on what happened there -- Paula?

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Soledad, the information we have from the Israeli military is that one of these Katusha rockets that Hezbollah guerillas have been launching from Southern Lebanon into Israel has hit the town of Safad.

Now, this is a fairly small town, but it's just on the border, about 20 kilometers or 30 miles south of that Southern Lebanon-Israeli border.

Now, we learned that one man is critically injured and several others less wounded. But it's significant that these rockets are now starting to hit towns themselves.

Now, we've heard from Hezbollah itself. A Hezbollah representative has told CNN that Hezbollah intends to hit Haifa. Now, it said it's going to launch a missile attack on Haifa. This is one of the big three cities in Israel. It's a population of about 300,000 people. And it is further south in Israel, deeper into Israel, which is significant if they are intending to escalate the violence in that particular way.

But at the same time, we're seeing Israel, according to Israeli media, dropping leaflets on a certain suburb in Southern Lebanon, a stronghold of Hezbollah, saying that residents should evacuate, leave their homes, because there will be an operation there.

Now, Israeli media is also saying that this is the same neighborhood that the Hezbollah chief, Hassan Nasrallah, actually lives.

So on both sides, tensions are increasing. The violence is increasing. And certainly the rhetoric and the threats are stepping up a notch -- Soledad.

S. O'BRIEN: Yes, we've certainly seen that, Paula.

Paula Hancocks for us this morning.

Paula, thanks.

The Israeli Army says no target is immune.

Let's get right to Beirut and Alessio Vinci -- good morning, Alessio.

ALESSIO VINCI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Soledad.

On this just, the report that Paula just talked about, these Israeli jets dropping leaflets on the southern suburbs of Beirut, where the majority of Shiites live here in this capital. We understand from Hezbollah that should Israel, indeed, strike that southern part of Beirut, the consequences would be dire and that it is that Hezbollah would then strike back at the northern port city of Haifa in Israel.

So there not just violence, of course, on the ground, but also a war of words is escalating between the Israeli and the Hezbollah militia.

Now, meanwhile, the Israeli jets this morning have also targeted the infrastructure not just in the southern part of Lebanon, but also here in the capital of Beirut, dropping bombs and missiles on all three runways of Beirut's international airport, basically shutting it down.

I think that this morning -- we arrived overnight. I think we might have been one of the last flights into Beirut before it was shut down because of that attack.

The Lebanese interior minister calling this attack an act of war against the country's economic interests, of course, tourism being the country's biggest economic interest, with hundreds of thousands of tourists perhaps no longer being able to come here. As well, of course, as the naval blockade that Israel is imposing on Lebanon. That is also going to have some consequences because, of course, Lebanon counts on not just the cruise ships that arrive here in Beirut, but as well as container tankers delivering fuel for the power stations in this country.

So all this, of course, is creating a certain degree of problems to the Lebanese government, who have been held responsible as a whole here by the Israelis, not just Hezbollah, who are belonging -- who have ministers in the government, but the entire government as a whole.

And that is why we are seeing Israel striking at different targets throughout this country, and not just at Hezbollah targeting -- back to you.

S. O'BRIEN: Alessio Vinci for us this morning.

Alessio, thank you for that update -- Miles.

M. O'BRIEN: In Washington, a crime wave is prompting police to gear up and get tough. The police chief declaring a crime emergency, which means his force is on extra alert now.

AMERICAN MORNING'S Bob Franken joining us now live from Washington on the Mall there with more -- hello, Bob.

FRANKEN: Hello, Miles.

And perception, of course, is reality. And the perception is important because this is such a heavy tourist season. And there has been a bit of a problem down here on the Washington Mall.

I should point out that Washington being Washington, it has several police jurisdictions. The park police patrol this area, but, of course, it's just part of the District of Columbia. There have been some hold-ups here. Over the Memorial Day weekend there were some and they have been a couple this week. That is very unusual down here at the monuments, which have always been, in effect, this sanctuary, very, very safe, even with the problems of the city, the District of Columbia.

And the District is having problems. In July, although the murder rate has not really increased from the year before, there has been a big jump this month. And just as damaging as anything is the fact that they have happened in areas that are not the norm. In Georgetown just this last weekend there was a brutal slaying and an attempt rape in Georgetown, which is not an area that is often hit with crime.

They have been others prominently in areas that are not the usual mean streets of the poorer sections of town. That's such an inequity, but it is still one that causes an awful lot of publicity and the police chief here says that it is symptomatic of a trend.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHIEF CHARLES RAMSEY, WASHINGTON POLICE: We're starting to see a trend where more and more people are being arrested in neighborhoods that they do not live in.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FRANKEN: So the police chief now has declared a crime emergency. That's not just his giving an opinion, it has an official result, which means that the chief was able to circumvent some of the union procedures and assign police officers where he believes they are needed without going through the usual procedures -- Miles.

M. O'BRIEN: Bob Franken on the Mall.

Thank you very much.

Another courthouse shooting to tell you about this morning. It happened in North Carolina. And once again there are lingering questions -- how can it happen time and again?

Brianna Keiler is here with details -- good morning, Brianna.

BRIANNA KEILER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Miles.

In the past year-and-a-half, we've already seen a half dozen deadly courthouse shootings, the most recent just yesterday in North Carolina.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

KEILAR (voice-over): The whole thing was over in a matter of minutes. And when the smoke cleared, a deputy was wounded and the man who shot him was dead.

SHERIFF WARDIE VINCENT, NORTHAMPTON COUNTY: They did not have time to think about it. They reacted instantly.

KEILAR: It happened at a courthouse in Jackson, North Carolina, as inmate Willie Forrest was being transferred to a prison in Raleigh. Police say he grabbed a deputy's gun-and shot him in the arm. After a brief struggle, Forrest was shot and killed by another officer.

JOE MACGEE, NORTHAMPTON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE: I've always been taught that in times of stress, you revert to your training, and that's what I did.

KEILAR: This is the sixth deadly courthouse shooting since the start of 2005. Within the past year-and-a-half, we've seen similar incidents in Seattle, Middletown, Connecticut, Tyler, Texas, Reno, Nevada and Atlanta.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He's at the back door shooting at these people.

KEILAR: The Texas incident was captured on the courthouse surveillance cameras. The violent shooting spree in Georgia left four dead, including a judge and a court reporter. Some say the blame lies in only one place.

DENNIS SCHEIB, ATLANTA ATTORNEY: Bad security. Just, just terrible, terrible security. And it's been going on for years. This should never have happened. But it just -- security has just been lax for years.

KEILAR: One issue up for debate -- whether officers should be allowed to carry guns inside courtrooms.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I've always enjoyed having armed deputies in the courtroom with me.

KEILAR: But no guns would have meant no guns for an inmate like Willie Forrest to grab. Keep in mind, this was a man who had already proven to be vicious and uncontrollable. After his conviction for kidnapping in 2003, he attacked his lawyer in court, fracturing his skull.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

KEILAR: The officer Forrest wounded was treated at an area hospital and later released. And the State Bureau of Investigation is now looking into the shooting.

M. O'BRIEN: Well, we heard that judge, Judge Newkirk, briefly say in that piece that he prefers having armed guards in the courtroom. Now, some would suggest get the guns out of the courthouse entirely. Just check them in at the door.

There's still a big debate on that, isn't there?

KEILAR: Yes. And we've heard so much about these fatal shootings, of course, that you might think that's a good idea. But there are some judges concerned that often enough, it happens. The suspects bring in knives or razor blades. They say that if guards did not have guns, they think there could be serious and fatal consequences. So they -- some of them definitely still want guns in the courtroom.

M. O'BRIEN: All right, Brianna Keiler, thank you very much.

KEILAR: Thank you.

M. O'BRIEN: Soledad.

S. O'BRIEN: Let's go right to the forecast this morning.

Chad Myers at the CNN Center -- hello, Chad.

Good morning.

(AUDIO GAP)

S. O'BRIEN: Chad, I see your lips moving, but I don't hear a word you're saying.

Can you hear me?

We're going to try to fix that problem.

If I knew anything about the weather, Chad, I'd make up stuff.

M. O'BRIEN: I think it's going to be raining where we are.

S. O'BRIEN: There's going to be lots of rain. It's hot, unfortunately, out in California where they really need cool temperatures.

M. O'BRIEN: Hot and windy in California.

And it's other weather in between. We'll live with that.

S. O'BRIEN: Oh, (UNINTELLIGIBLE). And we're going to get Chad's microphone fixed ASAP.

M. O'BRIEN: Yes.

S. O'BRIEN: Coming up this morning, we'll get back to the breaking news out of the Middle East.

Is the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah about to escalate into a regional war?

We're going to take a look, just ahead.

M. O'BRIEN: Also, speaking of hot and windy, that huge fire in Southern California, it's still raging and threatening. We will go live to the fire lines to see how they're doing.

S. O'BRIEN: And this morning, the best way to keep your bones and muscles strong as you get older.

Miles, you want to pay close attention.

M. O'BRIEN: Oh, thanks a lot!

S. O'BRIEN: I'm just kidding you.

M. O'BRIEN: My gosh!

S. O'BRIEN: And you might have to adjust your exercise...

M. O'BRIEN: Don't you need to nurse your voice or something?

S. O'BRIEN: I'm joking.

Those stories ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.

We're back in a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

M. O'BRIEN: To Southern California now, that Yucca Fire in San Bernardino County has burned up 37,000 acres so far this morning, destroyed 42 homes, 55 out buildings. About 1,000 people out of their homes this morning.

Rick Vogt, battalion chief with the San Marcos Fire Department, joins us now from Morongo Valley, California with more.

Rick, give us a sense, if you could, as to whether firefighters have gotten the upper hand. Or is it still way out of control?

RICK VOGT, SAN MARCOS FIRE DEPARTMENT: Yes, it's very early to even start talking about containment dates or times.

The fire is, again, 37,000 acres, and we estimate approximately 30 miles of (UNINTELLIGIBLE) before we'll have this contained.

M. O'BRIEN: All right, obviously things are dry and hot and windy there, making it very difficult for the firefighters.

Give us a sense, give us a -- sort of lay out the sorts of conditions they're contending with.

VOGT: Well, in addition to the weather that you described, the terrain presents challenges. We're talking about steep hills that make progress by hand crews and engines slow and difficult. And that combined with the weather makes it a challenging fire.

M. O'BRIEN: And tell us about injuries and just the general casualty count. First off, firefighters and people who live there.

(AUDIO GAP)

M. O'BRIEN: Oh, I think we just lost him.

Rick Vogt, our satellite went down.

We'll try to get him back.

In the meantime, I think we have Chad Myers with a microphone that is operative -- Chad Myers great to have you back.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: It's amazing what two AA batteries will do for you.

M. O'BRIEN: It's a good thing. And it's amazing how they fail at just the right moment, don't they?

MYERS: Yes. That was there a second ago.

M. O'BRIEN: Yes.

MYERS: Well, actually, I was just plotting this. The wind speed here right along the fire at the canyon, the rim there, at five miles per hour.

The problem is today the temperature is going to be 108 degrees and the relative humidity is going to be 15 percent. That's always a problem. When you get relative humidity down around 10 percent, that just dries everything out again and you get fires to move around. And we do have that -- I'm sorry, say that again.

OK, we've got the fire guy back -- Miles, back to you.

M. O'BRIEN: If just -- yes, I've been trying to tell them to turn on my microphone.

MYERS: Oh.

OK.

M. O'BRIEN: We'll be back with you, Chad. You stay there, right on the East Coast.

MYERS: OK. No problem.

M. O'BRIEN: Rick Vogt, are you there?

Chief Vogt?

VOGT: I'm here.

Yes, I am.

M. O'BRIEN: Sorry about that.

VOGT: No problem.

M. O'BRIEN: We were talking just about the casualties -- how many injuries, deaths, that kind of thing.

Can you give us an idea of where things stand on that front?

VOGT: Yes. We have listed eight injuries to firefighters and two to civilians. They're all listed as very minor injuries, though.

M. O'BRIEN: OK, so we can be thankful for that, that's for sure.

VOGT: Absolutely.

M. O'BRIEN: Do we know what started this fire?

VOGT: Yes. This is actually one of several fires that were started in the area due to lightning. About three days ago, we had thunder cells that went through with dry lightning and, of course, any ignition sources out here in this dry vegetation is going to cause a problem.

M. O'BRIEN: I should say.

What are the, you know, the words to the wise there for people who aren't out of their homes this morning but are living in that general area.

I assume you're being pretty strict with them about how they handle barbecues, cigarettes, that kind of thing?

VOGT: Absolutely. In Southern California at this time of year, throughout the Santa Ana season, it's very...

(AUDIO GAP)

M. O'BRIEN: We are so sorry about that.

I don't know what's going on up there.

Technical difficulties -- Chad, are you back?

MYERS: Well, I am, but, you know...

M. O'BRIEN: Let's press on with that weather forecast. We'll get this interview done piecemeal.

How about if we go look at the East Coast for a little while and then we'll get the demons worked out.

MYERS: Well, the full moon was a couple of days ago.

M. O'BRIEN: Yes.

MYERS: So, OK.

So I'm putting this together piecemeal, as well.

The wind speed right now, as I showed you before, 86 degrees, six miles per hour. But the temperature even this morning already there is 86. It just never did cool down. Nothing to do with the fire, it just never did get a chance to cool down.

(WEATHER REPORT)

M. O'BRIEN: Chad, hold it there.

We'll get back to you.

We've got it back and we're not sure how long it's going to last so we've got to...

MYERS: I'll just stand right here.

M. O'BRIEN: ... we've got to ask one more thing of Chief Vogt.

Chief, we apologize, first of all, for all of this.

These things happen every now and again.

But we've been talking a little bit about Pioneer Town, which people who watch old westerns, they don't know it, but they've seen it and they're familiar with it. It's a place where -- oh, gosh, I think we'd best give up on this one -- Chad, do you want to wrap up your weather forecast and then we'll just call it -- we'd better just go to a break and try to make some rent.

Chad, you finish up.

MYERS: Fair enough.

(WEATHER REPORT)

M. O'BRIEN: Thank you for being there for me, my brother.

MYERS: All right.

M. O'BRIEN: Chad Myers.

Coming up, our week long series to Prepare and Protect. We've been telling you how to storm-proof your home.

What about the dangers that await you when you come back?

This is series business, folks. We're talking about mold and all kinds of other nasty things.

Stay with us for more AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

S. O'BRIEN: We're well into the second month of this year's hurricane season, and all is quiet on the storm front, so to speak.

So now is the perfect time to prepare and protect your home for if and when a major storm hits.

Gerri Willis is the personal finance editor and also the host of CNN's "OPEN HOUSE."

The latest in her special series -- good morning.

GERRI WILLIS, PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: Good morning, Soledad.

Good to see you.

Just as important as knowing what to do before a storm hits is staying safe in the aftermath. And the biggest threat to your health may come from your very own home.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE) WILLIS (voice-over): A category three storm has ripped through your area. You and your family evacuated to safe ground inland.

But what about the home you left behind?

TOM SINKS, CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH: Homeowners should be prepared by having a plan, knowing when to enact that plan and knowing how to get back into their house after they have left it.

WILLIS: heavy winds and rain can cause structural damage to your home. Trees can bring down power lines and expose gas pipes.

So, what should you do when you return to a storm-battered home?

For starters, never enter your home with any sort of lighter or candle. Always use a flashlight to avoid igniting any leaking gas. Avoid standing in water unless you're certain the electrical circuit has been turned off.

Another potential hazard? Mold.

SINKS: It does cause a number of illnesses, particularly upper respiratory illnesses. And for people who have asthma, it could cause an exacerbation of asthma or an asthma attack.

WILLIS: Some materials are more susceptible to mold spores than others. Discard mattresses and carpets if they've been soaked in water more than 24 hours. They can't be easily washed and sanitized.

Boiling drinking water for several minutes is still the best option to kill bacteria, but in an emergency, you can mix eight drops of chlorine bleach with one gallon of water and wait 30 minutes. It should have a slight bleach odor. If not, repeat.

Another potential danger? Carbon monoxide, which can kill. Never use generators inside your home, garage, or even outside near open windows or vents. Lastly, install carbon monoxide alarms in your home. Test them and replace batteries frequently.

SINKS: All of these deaths are, in fact, preventable. And education and informing people about the proper use of this equipment is essential to prevent these deaths.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

WILLIS: For more information on keeping your family safe after the storm, log onto the CDC Web site atcdc.gov.

And as for your emotional recovery, log onto redcross.org to find out about counseling -- Soledad.

S. O'BRIEN: What's coming up tomorrow?

WILLIS: Oh, we've got a fun-thing tomorrow.

I'm going to actually be in New Orleans, with suffered so much damage during Katrina. We're going to take a look at the real estate market, how it is recovering in many areas of the Gulf Region.

S. O'BRIEN: A little bit of good news there.

WILLIS: Yes.

S. O'BRIEN: All right, Gerri, thank you.

Gerri's Prepare and Protect tips are on our Web site.

For more information, just go -- and, really, this guide on how you and your family can save yourselves if a major storm hits -- go to cnn.com/openhouse.

Coming up this morning, we're talking to the author of a new book on race and money and sports. It's called $40 million slaves.

Are black pro-athletes really working on a plantation? This author says yes.

And later this morning, some tips on keeping your bones and your muscles strong, as you go through your 30s and your 40s and your 50s. You might need a new workout routine.

We'll explain just ahead.

Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

S. O'BRIEN: Welcome back, everybody.

I'm Soledad O'Brien.

M. O'BRIEN: And I'm Miles O'Brien.

Thanks for being with us.

Let's get a look at the top stories today.

Brianna Keiler in for Carol Costello in the newsroom -- Brianna.

KEILAR: Hey, guys.

And good morning, everyone.

Let's take a look at what's now in the news.

President Bush says Israel has the right to defend itself. The president speaking about two hours ago during a joint news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The comments come amid escalating violence in the region. And we'll have much more on that coming up.

A developing story out of Iraq. The U.S. military confirms an Apache helicopter has crashed in a dangerous area of southwest -- pardon me -- southwest of Baghdad. The two pilots have survived and are now in a medical facility, but it's not clear if they are injured.

Meantime, CNN now confirms President Bush will host Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki. That meeting set for next week at the White House.

And the Federal Drug Administration has approved a new pill to fight HIV and AIDS. It combines the three most widely prescribed HIV drugs into just one pill. The wholesale price, more than $1,500 for a 30-day supply. The drug is expected to be on the market next week.

And it's not looking good for Barbaro. Vets now say the Kentucky Derby winner is facing tough odds.

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