Return to Transcripts main page

American Morning

Two U.N. Outposts in Lebanon Relocated; Deadly Wave of Violence in Afghanistan

Aired July 28, 2006 - 09:30   ET

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

SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: This news just into CNN. The United Nations taking cautions this morning, following the death of four U.N. observers. Two outposts in Southern Lebanon will be temporarily relocated.
Senior United Nations correspondent Richard Roth joins us with an update on what exactly this means -- Richard, thanks.

RICHARD ROTH, CNN SR. U.N. CORRESPONDENT: Soledad, the U.N. officially confirming this. These were the unarmed outposts. It doesn't mean the United Nations is pulling out its peacekeeping mission that's been there since 1978.

It is highly symbolic, though. Many had questioned what these outposts were still doing. They moved back two of them. The other two, one of them was wiped out in the Israeli attack. The other, the U.N. is saying here, an Italian soldier was wounded by Hezbollah fire on July 23.

So these unarmed observers are now not going to be in the line of fire itself. There will be investigations by Israel, maybe with U.N. information, as to what happened on the fourth base, the one that Israel says it accidentally hit -- Soledad.

S. O'BRIEN: Richard, does this have an impact on the peacekeeping forces there, then?

ROTH: No, the peacekeeping force remains. They are not given peace enforcement responsibilities, though, set up by the U.N. So they really are just there to monitor and record who's violating cease-fires. And that really, according to many, does not have much of a role at this point during the fighting.

S. O'BRIEN: Richard Roth with that news just into CNN. Richard, thanks.

Want to get back to Miles. Miles, we've been telling you all morning, is in that border, northern Israel, right very close to where Lebanon begins.

Miles, good morning again.

MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning again, Soledad. We're at a kibbutz, and we're not naming the kibbutz, because the military has asked us not to, because we've been watching a war unfold all before us here. This beautiful vista, quite frankly, is scarred and marred by what we've been seeing, as the artillery has been falling down on Bint Jbeil and Maroun al-Ras and environs.

This kibbutz is just one of many all throughout Israel. An important part of the development of Zionism was the kibbutz movement, people sharing together, living together, meals together, working together in many respects.

Joining us right now is the descendant of one of the founders of this kibbutz. As a matter of fact, we're sitting in a park dedicated to her grandmother. This is Stav Tzoran, 22 years old, just out of university. Done her military duty.

Stav, seeing all this come to your doorstep, what has that been like?

STAV TZORAN, KIBBUTZ RESIDENT: Hard to see it happening, but...

M. O'BRIEN: Are people here frightened? What have people done in the kibbutz, especially those with young kids?

TZORAN: Families left. They went down south. All the children are safe. And a lot of people stayed here because you have to -- you can't freeze everything. We don't know how long it's going to keep going and how long it's going to last.

M. O'BRIEN: We're talking about 17 days now. And in many respects, people are sort of getting used to it, aren't they? Explain what happens.

TZORAN: Well, the first few days we were all in the shelters all day long and everything, but now just keep working and try to -- I mean, it's amazing how easily you get used to hearing the bombs all the time. Not much you can do about it.

M. O'BRIEN: Steady thud of artillery, and yet you continue your work, you're doing what you do here in the kibbutz. What are your thoughts, though, at this time? This is obviously an important time in history for Israel.

TZORAN: Hope it will end soon. I hope that we will reach the goals that we've set for this thing, and I hope that not more many innocent people need to be hurt for it on our side and their side, also.

M. O'BRIEN: You told me a little while ago, you're concerned about how Israel is portrayed through all of this -- is that artillery keeps being lobbed in and the bombs keep going in and civilians are injured and hurt and killed.

TZORAN: Yes, it's really -- it's hard for me to defend this, but on the other hand, we have no way to defend ourselves, also. I mean, fighting guerrillas, you're not fighting an army. We're fighting terrorist organization. And if you can think of a better way to handle the situation, I'm sure everyone will be happy but...

M. O'BRIEN: Think this kibbutz will ever live in real peace, genuine peace? TZORAN: I hope so. I hope so.

M. O'BRIEN: Stav Tzoran in her grandmother's park here. Beautiful vista here. As we say, marred by one little fact. There's a war going on right over there, about three miles from where we sit -- Soledad.

S. O'BRIEN: All right, Miles, thanks.

Let's turn to the Middle East, but keep the focus on the war on terror this morning. Afghanistan in the middle of the deadliest wave of violence since the 2001 invasion. Ten thousand U.S., British, Canadian and Afghan troops are trying to push the resurgent Taliban out of southern Afghanistan.

Said Jawad is Afghanistan's ambassador to the United States.

It's nice to have you sir. Thanks for...

SAID JAWAD, AFGHAN AMBASSADOR TO U.S.: Thank you very much.

S. O'BRIEN: ... talking with us.

Why is the Taliban getting not just stronger, but so much stronger?

JAWAD: Well, we see a spike in terrorist activities in Afghanistan for two reasons. The first reason is domestic. The national institutions in Afghanistan are not strong enough to provide services and protection to the Afghan people, due to the lack of resources. And also regionally, we are -- the region is becoming more and more tense in our part of the world. And terrorists still have access to ideological and physical safe haven in the neighborhood of Afghanistan.

And I think the third reason is more globally. The international community, especially in NATO, is taking an important role in Afghanistan. And that transition from U.S. to NATO provides an opportunity for the terrorists to attack NATO and kind of test their political commitment and their military might.

S. O'BRIEN: So let's break those three down even further. Is the answer more money from the U.S. or other sources?

JAWAD: Afghanistan is the first round in war against terror. We cannot fail. We cannot afford to fail in Afghanistan. More resources are certainly needed in order to boost the capability of the Afghan security forces, and to increase our ability to provide for good governance and provide services to the Afghan people.

S. O'BRIEN: In that transition that you describe as the Taliban taking advantage of or exploiting between the U.S. troops and to NATO troops, what could be done to hold off or stave off the Taliban? I mean, is -- should the U.S. not turn it over to NATO?

JAWAD: No, the fact that NATO is coming to Afghanistan is a sign of the consensus of the international community. We welcome their engagement. But when they are coming, they shouldn't be coming really to fight. And they have to have the necessary capabilities actually to fight this war effectively.

As I mentioned, this -- and again, this is also a mission that NATO cannot fail. The Cold War is over. And this is the most important mission for humanity. Terrorism is not only a danger for Afghanistan or the United States, it's a danger for humanity, for European countries or anyone. So that's why we would like them to have -- to come with a very robust mandate and all necessary equipment also, to fight this war effectively and finish up this misery that the Afghan people are suffering.

S. O'BRIEN: Given all that, then, do you think that there's not been enough focus on Afghanistan? That, to some degree, it's gotten lost in the arguments and debates over what's happening in Iraq, and now, more recently, what's happening between Israel and Lebanon?

JAWAD: That's true. We have had a very good start. A lot good steps have been taking place in Afghanistan. We have an elected president, we have an elected parliament. And somehow, people thought that well, things are probably going well. And with other crises starting in other parts of the world, including Iraq and other places ,Iran in our neighborhood, I think some of the attention was diverted to other areas.

S. O'BRIEN: Do you feel that five years after 9/11, Afghanistan would be further along than it is now?

JAWAD: Oh, we have come a long way. As I mention...

S. O'BRIEN: A very long way, and yet it's very tenuous.

JAWAD: It is, that's true. We are not out of the wood. We have a come a long way. There will be -- we will have a bumpy road ahead of us. But the commitment of the Afghan people is there. They truly would like to partner with the international community, with the United States, to take -- to make sure that Afghanistan will never go back again to the days of the misery, that we were a danger for ourselves, a danger for the region, a danger for the world.

And I think if you consider especially the fifth anniversary of 9/11, coming up soon here in New York, Afghanistan has made significant progress. We have -- six million children are going back to school, 3.5 million refugees have returned. The political process is in place. But still...

S. O'BRIEN: I was going to say, I feel like you're setting up for a "but," if the focus is not there...

JAWAD: Yes, we might lose that. We are facing the threat of terrorism. We are facing the threat of narcotics in Afghanistan. So truly, a lot of focus should be paid in Afghanistan. And it's very easy to win the war in Afghanistan. We have come a long way.

S. O'BRIEN: Said Jawad, nice to see you. Thank you for talking with us this morning.

JAWAD: Thank you very much. Thank you. My pleasure.

S. O'BRIEN: We certainly appreciate it. He is Afghanistan's ambassador to the United States.

(NEWSBREAK)

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: And it's starting to cool down a little in California, but 12 days of triple-digit temperatures have taken a heavy toll.

Here's CNN's Sumi Das.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GOV. ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER (R), CALIFORNIA: The conditions are not only uncomfortable, but they're very dangerous.

SUMI DAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Reporter: What started as an unusually oppressive heat wave in California has also become one of its most deadly. More than 100 people have died from heat-related causes in the past two weeks, most of them elderly. California's central Valley Has been the hardest hit. The highest death toll, in Fresno County, where the mercury has risen above 100 degrees for 14 consecutive days.

To stem further casualties, police officers went house to house, checking on residents. Cooling centers opened their doors. Air- conditioned buses were dispatched.

Little has escaped the scorching sun. Losses have extended to livestock, cattle carcasses piled up because haulers couldn't dispose of them fast enough.

And while it's too early to put a dollar amount on crop damage, the California department of food and agriculture says grapes are shriveled to the size of raisins, walnuts are burning in their shells, and peaches are shutting down, simply not growing.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's not even worth going in and picking them.

DAS: Equally at risk, those who tend the crops, as well as others who work outdoors. New state regulations that took effect this week imposed stiff penalties against employers who don't protect outdoor workers from excessive heat.

SCHWARZENEGGER: This is their right, to get enough water, to get enough shade, if someone feels dizzy to get the protection they need.

DAS (on camera): Forecasters predict the state will cool in coming days, a welcome escape from a heat wave that's been nothing short of relentless. California's capital, Sacramento, experienced 11 straight days of triple-digit temperatures, breaking a record set more than 150 years ago. Sumi Das, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(WEATHER REPORT)

S. O'BRIEN: Ahead this morning, we're "Minding Your Business" with Andy Serwer. A one-time holdout to music downloads going online with iTunes. Andy takes a look.

Plus, the public gets up close and personal with Brangelina's new baby. Wait a minute. That's not a real baby. We'll explain just ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.

Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

S. O'BRIEN: A.M. Pop this morning. Fans of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt can now get a closer look at perhaps the world's famous baby.

In fact, Jeanne Moos got to hold their little bundle, and Shiloh was quiet and sweet. Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's the closest the paparazzi may ever get to the Brangelina baby.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Could you turn the baby?

MOOS: Even though the baby is only the latest edition to be unveiled at Madame Tussauds Wax Museum.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Would you like to hold her?

MOOS: Sure I want to hold her. I didn't even have to ask her mom's permission. This is an unauthorized fake baby. Her parents weren't consulted.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Don't shake the baby.

MOOS (on camera): Don't shake the baby. What am I doing.

(voice-over): Don't worry, Shiloh can take it, while the rest of the adult figures, from Larry to Oprah are indeed wax.

Shiloh is made out of flexible silicone, all the better to withstand touching, sculpted from the photos that appeared in "People" magazine.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Those pouty lips, it's the best part, isn't it?

MOOS: Just like mom. Daddy and mommy are right there with Shiloh. On a scale of one to 10...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, it brings back fond memories sweetheart.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This baby is heavy.

MOOS: The first visitors to see Shiloh gave her a nine half for realism.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's human hair that we insert one by one.

MOOS: There are questions you'd never ask about the real Brangelina baby.

(on camera): She's not anatomically correct.

(voice-over): As for the paparazzi, they were in hot pursuit of what amounts to a doll.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ladies and gentlemen, we've reached the low point in our careers.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I wish that was the real one and nobody else was here. I would make a lot more money.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hold the baby a little higher.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Could you just turn your body this way, please.

MOOS (on camera): Could you burp the baby?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: One more look over this way.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We need a certain angle, and you're not willing to do that to her.

MOOS (voice-over): Hey, who's being the baby here?

Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

S. O'BRIEN: They have two other kids, you know.

ANDY SERWER, "FORTUNE" MAGAZINE: Yes, what about them?

S. O'BRIEN: Because they are adopted, they don't get to be in the little display? What's that about?

SERWER: And I want to know when are we going to see Tom Cruise's baby.

S. O'BRIEN: Oh, Suri, never.

Andy Serwer is "Minding Your Business" coming up next. What you got?

ANDY SERWER, "FORTUNE" MAGAZINE: Soledad, we are going to be talking about pay phones which are going by the by in this country. Do we care? And Metallica bends and finally goes on iTunes. We'll tell you all about it, coming up next on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

S. O'BRIEN: Each and every week, we take a look at the person with the single biggest impact on the news during the week. Carol gets to pick, and she joins us this morning to tell us who wins this week.

COSTELLO: Well, I get a say.

S. O'BRIEN: Oh, come on.

COSTELLO: It's done by committee but I do have a strong influence. And you know, one person definitely made her mark here and abroad. It is the U.S. secretary of state. Condoleezza Rice went to the Middle East and beyond in a whirlwind diplomatic mission to try and secure a cease-fire. She took with her an opinion virtually no one else shared, and she prevailed.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CONDOLEEZZA RICE, SECRETARY OF STATE: See you on the plane. Thank you.

COSTELLO (voice-over): Condoleezza Rice left Washington at the beginning of the week, heading straight for the hornet's nest. Her mission? Try to bring an end to the violence that's tearing the Middle East apart.

RICE: I think it would be a mistake. What we're seeing here, in a sense, is the growing (INAUDIBLE) of a new Middle East.

COSTELLO: Right off the bat, "Time" magazine called that language "revolutionary rhetoric," but the secretary of state is undeterred.

RICE: It will be my first stop here in Lebanon to express our desire to urgently find conditions in which we can end the violence.

COSTELLO: Throughout the week, Secretary Rice has pushed the White House stand that no cease-fire is possible until Hezbollah disarms. It's a tough sell to many, especially among Arabs, who see a rising civilian death toll and a humanitarian crisis that's trumping all other political issues.

BASHAR JA-AFARI, SYRIAN AMBASSADOR TO U.N.: In today's diplomacy, you cannot say my way or the highway.

COSTELLO: But despite the criticism, Secretary Rice has immersed herself in all aspects of the conflict, traveling throughout the region and eventually to the emergency summit in Rome. RICE: This is a region that has had too many broken cease-fires, too many spasms of violence, followed then by other spasms of violence.

COSTELLO: But her body language may have been proof that days of diplomacy under siege were taking a toll.

RICE: There should be an international force under a U.N. mandate that will have a strong and robust capability to help bring about peace, to help provide the ability for humanitarian efforts to go forward and to bring an end to the violence.

COSTELLO: The summit ends without a cease-fire agreement and a very frustrated Lebanese prime minister.

FOUAD SINIORA, LEBANESE PRIME MINISTER: The more we delay the cease-fire, the more we are going to witness more are being killed, more destruction and more aggression against the civilians in Lebanon.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: A lot of frustration in all corners. And of course, as you know, the crisis is far from over. Secretary Rice expected to return to the Middle East this weekend. But in talking to reporters this morning, she offer no timeline for her return, of course. We'll be following Condoleezza Rice's future travels.

S. O'BRIEN: We certainly will. Carol, thanks. I agree with her choice. You run the whole thing, come on.

(BUSINESS HEADLINES)

S. O'BRIEN: Got to take a short break. We're back in a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

M. O'BRIEN: That's it for the week on this AMERICAN MORNING. Thanks very much for being with us all this week. I'm Miles O'Brien, live from northern Israel -- Soledad.

S. O'BRIEN: You're making your way home, Miles?

M. O'BRIEN: On my way. I'll see you soon.

S. O'BRIEN: Good. Stay safe, Miles. Thanks. Thanks for all the reporting this week.

We're out of time. Let's get right to Daryn Kagan at the CNN Center, going to take you through the next couple hours on CNN LIVE TODAY.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com