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American Morning
Evacuation of Americans From Lebanon Begins Today; Continued Words of War; Stem Cell Debate
Aired July 18, 2006 - 06:28 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: I believe is it -- you said they have the captain on the line, but I don't know what he's a captain of. Captain of what? What is he a captain of?
All right. Well, we just -- I believe this is the captain of the cruise ship, is that right?
Captain David Elliot, are you there?
CAPT. DAVID ELLIOT: Yes, sir.
O'BRIEN: OK. Have you left Cyprus? You're on your way to Beirut?
ELLIOT: Can you repeat that question?
O'BRIEN: I'm sorry, I have very little information in front of me. Can you tell me, are you on your way to Lebanon right now?
ELLIOT: Not currently.
O'BRIEN: OK. Tell us when you're going to be under way.
ELLIOT: OK. Basically, it's when we're scheduled to do so in the past few days and days to come.
O'BRIEN: OK. I'm sorry, we just reported that the cruise ship was on its way. What can you tell us about that?
ELLIOT: I'm having a little bit of trouble hearing you. Can you repeat the question?
O'BRIEN: All right. I'll tell you what, we'll get this communication linked up a little bit better. We'll get back with you very shortly.
Back with more in a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: Happening this morning, another summer sizzler. For the second straight day, temperatures expected to soar into the 90s in many places.
In Iraq, a suicide car bombing has killed at least 45 people. It happened in a busy market place near a Shia shrine in Kufa, about 100 miles south of Baghdad.
And the death toll from the tsunami that hit Indonesia's Java island is rising. The Indonesian Red Cross now saying at least 300 people have died, more than 400 injured.
Good morning to you. I'm Miles O'Brien.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Carol Costello. Soledad is on assignment this morning.
The evacuation of Americans from Lebanon is beginning today. The U.S. has now chartered a cruise ship that can carry 750 people at a time. But other Western governments have already gotten some of their people out, and the U.S. State Department is now taking heat for being too slow. Most Westerners leaving Lebanon are crossing the Mediterranean to Larnaca, Cyprus.
CNN's Chris Burns is there live now.
Chris, how many evacuees have you seen?
CHRIS BURNS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Carol, this has begun in earnest, this sealift from Lebanon over here to Cyprus. Over my shoulder is this Italian destroyer that arrived last night with some 400 people. At a dock a couple docks down is the French chartered liner that brought about 950 people, including 38 Americans.
And with me is a representative spokesman of the Cypriot Foreign Ministry here, Doros Venezis.
If we can ask you -- what I hear from the harbor master is, this is the largest evacuation ever since the Lebanese civil war ended back in 1991.
Can you give us a sense of how big this is?
DOROS VENEZIS, CYPRIOT FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN: Yes, it probably is. I mean, basically, we first started with airliners coming and brining people from -- from Beirut and Damascus, basically Damascus. And now from early morning today, we started with two ships arriving in the port of Larnaca, which is the closest ship -- the closest port.
BURNS: What can you tell us about the American ship, the chartered ship?
VENEZIS: The information we have is for a Cypriot liner that was hired by the U.S. government to help evacuating U.S. citizens from Lebanon.
BURNS: And do you know where that is? Where it's coming from?
VENEZIS: No, we don't. We just expect information of when, and if it's going to arrive to Larnaca or the two ports of Cyprus, and then set to Lebanon.
BURNS: OK. What other countries are sending ships?
VENEZIS: The information that I can confirm now is a Greek warship that is sailing right now to Lebanon. It's expected to arrive at 14:00.
BURNS: We also hear about the Norwegians chartering a ship as well.
VENEZIS: We have many requests that are all taken care of by our ministry and our government for many countries, but...
BURNS: Great. Mr. Venezis, thank you very much.
VENEZIS: All right.
BURNS: Thank you. Thank you.
VENEZIS: You're welcome.
BURNS: So, this effort is under way. The U.S. ship is being chartered. Not a lot of details from this end. It does appear to be very tight security. It is supposed to be escorted by the U.S. destroyer the USS Gonzalez.
Back to you, Miles and Carol.
COSTELLO: OK, Chris. I just have a few questions for you, because a lot of people are upset that the United States isn't getting Americans out of Lebanon. And they're asking why. I mean, the French have already chartered a ship. Why is the U.S. only doing it now?
BURNS: Yes. Carol, it has to do with security, security, security. That's what we're hearing from the Pentagon.
They're saying that they want this to be a safe and orderly evacuation. And not only is the USS Gonzalez involved, it's also the Iwo Jima, which is an amphibious assault ship, along with six other ships that are being pressed into service. More helicopters.
So, what they want to make sure is that this evacuation operation not be jeopardized by the conflict, by any possible attack. And that's why they need this presence. That's why it's taking more of an effort to put these military -- this military protection into place before beginning this evacuation operation -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Chris Burns live in Cyprus this morning.
Soledad, by the way, is making her way to Cyprus right now. She'll be joining us live throughout the morning, giving us a firsthand look at the Americans fleeing to safety. Hopefully, we'll check in with her a little later.
And this note for you. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will be heading to the Middle East, but is there really anything the U.S. or any other country can do to broker peace? Israel is now indicated -- indicating they may be willing to scale back their demands to end the siege, but still insists Hezbollah must be marginalized.
CNN's Paula Newton live in Jerusalem to tell us more.
Good morning, Paula.
PAULA NEWTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning.
We are still a long way away from any kind of negotiated settlement here. And that's the message we're getting on the ground.
You know, since this whole crisis started, really, the Israel government has not changed its words to its people or its orders to its military. They continue to pursue this crisis in the same way they have for the last week.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NEWTON (voice over): From the barrel of the guns, to the words on his lips, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is the very picture of resolve.
EHUD OLMERT, ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER (through translator): We shall seek out every single site, hunt down every terrorist who threatens Israel. We shall destroy infrastructures of terrorism until Hamas and Hezbollah do the decent thing demanded of them by every civilized person. Israel will not agree too live in the shadow of threats of rockets directed at its citizens.
NEWTON: Words of war that resounded on the battlefield, and with top Israel commanders who say they must hunt down Hezbollah, even if they're hiding out with innocent families.
BRIG. GEN. IDO NEHUSHTAN, ISRAELI AIR FORCE: I can tell you that we're doing the utmost effort to avoid any civilian casualties. Yet, you have to understand, it's very difficult when you have to operate within densely civilian-populated areas like the Hezbollah operates from.
NEWTON: Rage is the response throughout Arab world. Here in Gaza, they say they will live up to the Hezbollah leader's vow of revenge.
In Nablus, they already have. A bomb killed one Israeli soldier and injured six others early Tuesday. Blood and shrapnel creating memorials to Palestinian martyrs.
"It's all right," he says. "We'll avenge the assassinations in Gaza and Lebanon."
Just hours later, a Palestinian would-be bomber tried but failed to enter Jerusalem's holy city to make his murderous point. One not lost on Arab Israelis just meters away.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Palestinians, Hezbollah and Lebanon, all over the world they're all supporting each other because they have one enemy, which is Israel. NEWTON: To confront that threat, the government, for now, has chosen the military option, a punishing and relentless one that Israel is convinced will best protect its people.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NEWTON: They are also being supported here, Carol, by polls out that show more than 80 percent of the Israel population is in support of this military operation -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Paula Newton, live in Jerusalem this morning.
Thanks.
O'BRIEN: Up next, stuck in Beirut. We'll talk to an American student who is there and wishes she could get out.
COSTELLO: She's been stuck in her dorm room for a long time now.
Then, new embryonic stem cell legislation is expected to pass the Senate today. A hugely divisive political topic. We'll tell you how it could impact this fall's midterm election.
O'BRIEN: And scamming the elderly, crooks who bully and impersonate in order to rob grandma or grandpa or their financial security. We'll tell you how to avoid the scams.
Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Happening this morning, day seven of the crisis in the Middle East. Overnight, Israeli warplanes bombed Lebanese army barracks. Hezbollah responded with more missile strikes on northern Israel.
In Iraq, a suicide car bombing has killed at least 45 people. It happened in a busy market place near a Shia shrine in Kufa. That's about 100 miles south of Baghdad.
And in Georgia, leer at home, voters go to the polls today for a couple of big primary races. Former Christian Coalition leader Ralph Reed is running for the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor. In the meantime, controversial Democratic congresswoman Cynthia McKinney is up for re-election.
O'BRIEN: Three arrests now in the investigation into alleged mercy killings at a New Orleans hospital. Sources telling CNN those three are facing serious charges.
The investigation looked into reports of mercy killings at Memorial Medical Center in the days after Hurricane Katrina hit. Louisiana's attorney general expected to reveal more about the case at a news conference a little later today. CNN's Drew Griffin will have much more on this coming up in our next hour. A controversial and emotional debate expected to wrap up in the Senate today. Lawmakers will begin voting on three stem cell bills, including one the president is promising to veto.
CNN Congressional Correspondent Dana Bash has more from Capitol Hill.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DANA BASH, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Later today, the Senate is expected to pass and send to the president a bill that would lift restrictions on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. President Bush announced those federal limits in his first address to the nation five years ago, and now he intends to use his first veto ever to keep those limits in place.
What he and others say is that they believe it is morally unacceptable to destroy an embryo, even for scientific research. What they say it's important to do is promote other means of researching stem cells, and the search of cures for diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. But some self-described pro-life Republicans disagree, and they believe that science, embryonic research, is paramount.
As for Democrats, they say a maiden Bush veto on a popular issue is a political gift for them. They intend to try to exploit this issue against Republicans in November. But the reality is the politics of stem cell research is as untested and complicated as the science.
Dana Bash, CNN, Capitol Hill.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: And still to come on AMERICAN MORNING, why the chairman and CEO of one of the country's biggest companies actually bounced a check.
Business news coming up.
Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Happening "In America," it just keeps getting worse for Boston's "Big Dig." Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney now says more than 1,100 bolts holding up concrete slabs need to be reinforced. Last week, ceiling panels fell loose and crushed a woman to death inside her car. Two tunnels now closed.
It is back to work for House Speaker Dennis Hastert. The 64- year-old Illinois Republican was released from a Washington area hospital yesterday after undergoing four days of treatment for a skin infection in his leg.
Mickey Spillane, creator of the tough-guy detective Mike Hammer, has died from cancer at the age of 88. Spillane sold more than 100 million books and his Hammer character inspired several TV series and movies.
Crews are hoping to have a massive wildfire in the California desert contained by tonight. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger made his second visit to the area. The 62,000-acre Sawtooth fire has already destroyed nearly 60 homes and is believed to be responsible for one death. The adjacent 24,000-acre Millard fire is expected to be contained in several days.
River traffic is moving along the Savannah River in Georgia once again after an estimated 5,000-gallon oil spill. The Coast Guard temporarily shut down a 12-mile stretch of the river. The source of the spill has not been determined.
Still to come on AMERICAN MORNING, we're going to check back with our team of reporters standing by in the Middle East. We'll have the very latest on all of what is going on over there, all the fighting, and the efforts to get Americans out of harm's way.
Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: Well, you know what they say, there is no such thing as a free lunch. But some investment firms would try to tell you that that is not the case.
Gerri Willis in for Andy Serwer today.
Hello, Gerri.
GERRI WILLIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Miles. Good to see you.
This story very sad. Some 40 investment firms throughout the Southeast are under investigation for their practice of hard-selling investments to seniors at free luncheons.
No surprise here. Seniors are often picked on because, well, they've got the money. Now, here's the interesting thing about the study of those investors. Those people who were most likely targeted and most likely lost money, they tend to be more financially savvy, they tend to be men, and they are more likely to rely on their own knowledge.
Is any of this sounding familiar?
COSTELLO: Oh, yes. Oh, yes.
O'BRIEN: Yes.
WILLIS: A little knowledge is a dangerous thing, right?
O'BRIEN: I made a career on a little bit of knowledge. Very dangerous, yes.
(LAUGHTER)
O'BRIEN: Well, so, buyer beware.
COSTELLO: Buyer beware.
O'BRIEN: When you're offered a free lunch, really, you should know better.
WILLIS: These scams, I have to say...
O'BRIEN: Yes.
WILLIS: ... they offer more than they can really deliver. CD- plus, they say they'll give you returns that are better than certificates of deposit. If it doesn't sound like it's something that should be offered to you, do not take it.
O'BRIEN: Yes. All right. That's reasonable.
What else you got this morning?
WILLIS: Well, I've got to tell you another fascinating story. I don't know if you've ever bounced a check...
COSTELLO: Never.
O'BRIEN: Oh, never.
COSTELLO: Never.
WILLIS: No one here knows what that's like, but let me tell you who does. Jeffrey Immelt, the CEO of GE, yes, this a fellow that makes a little bit of cash.
O'BRIEN: What does he make?
WILLIS: Well, he makes, I believe, 15.4 million.
O'BRIEN: A year? A year?
WILLIS: Yes, baby.
O'BRIEN: OK.
WILLIS: OK.
O'BRIEN: Was it a big check?
WILLIS: Two thousand dollars. Not big for him, big for me. But not for Mr. Immelt.
He wrote the check to a fund-raiser for William F. Weld for his campaign for the seat of governor of New York, and you got it, it bounced.
O'BRIEN: But sort of what happened to Weld's campaign, too. It went...
(CROSSTALK)
COSTELLO: I was going to say, maybe he meant that to happen.
(LAUGHTER)
WILLIS: No idea there.
(CROSSTALK)
WILLIS: This should make you feel better, though, if you've got problems with your finances. Even the best -- the explanation here, if you want to know what really happened behind the scenes, apparently he had closed this account and didn't really realize it when he wrote the check.
O'BRIEN: Oh, I've used that scam before, yes, closed the account. Yes.
All right, Mr. Immelt. Obviously, there's some people on his team that are nervous this morning, I imagine.
WILLIS: Well -- yes, maybe.
You know, I just want to mention quickly, we'll have tips on how to fight high gas prices, what you can do if you're worried about those gas prices at the pump.
COSTELLO: You mean other than don't drive?
WILLIS: Other than don't drive, you'll have some great ideas you'll definitely want to hear.
O'BRIEN: Good.
Thank you, Gerri.
WILLIS: You're welcome.
O'BRIEN: See you in a bit.
COSTELLO: Time for a check on the forecast. Chad is in the weather center with his new toy.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Doppler 72 Trillion. Doppler Federal Budget Deficit. I don't know. We'll just keep going.
(WEATHER REPORT)
MYERS: The next hour of AMERICAN MORNING starts right now.
O'BRIEN: The U.S. evacuating Americans in Lebanon. Is it too little and too late, though?
More reason to flee. More attacks this morning on both sides of the Lebanon-Israel border. COSTELLO: The heat taking its toll all across the country. Some of the worst now being felt here in the east. Your forecast just ahead.
And more problems for Boston's "Big Dig." Those problems could leave some major roads closed for even longer.
That just ahead on this AMERICAN MORNING.
O'BRIEN: Good morning to you. I'm Miles O'Brien.
COSTELLO: And I'm Carol Costello in today for Soledad, who is on assignment.
O'BRIEN: We begin in the Middle East and more fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, and growing concern about Americans caught in the middle.
The Pentagon stepping up efforts to evacuate as many as they can of the 25,000 Americans in Lebanon who would like to go. A cruise ship chartered by the U.S. left Cyprus for Lebanon within the past hour. It can take 750 people at a time. It's a five-hour trip between Cyprus and Lebanon. They will be escorted by U.S. Navy warships.
Israeli bombs struck a Lebanese army base and a house near the border, killing 16. Hezbollah continues to return fire, launching rockets into northern Israel. At least 180 Lebanese, two dozen Israelis now dead in seven days of fighting.
Israel says it will take at least another week to create a buffer zone in southern Lebanon. The U.N. trying to negotiate a cease-fire meanwhile.
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