Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Newsroom
Ford Announces Further Job Cuts; Pope's Use of 14th Century Quotation Sparks Outrage Among Muslims; Wisconsin Health Officials Discuss E. coli Outbreak in Spinach
Aired September 15, 2006 - 15:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: The war on terror abroad brings political battles here at home.
President Bush met the media this morning.
And our White House correspondent, Elaine Quijano, joins me now.
And, boy, did he have a lot to say, Elaine.
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon to you, Carol.
That's right. In the face of some strong opposition from some fellow Republicans, President Bush is showing no signs of backing down. In a news conference today, he insisted that CIA interrogators won't be able to do their jobs and extract vital intelligence from terror suspects unless Congress moves quickly to pass his proposed detainee legislation.
Now, the president outlined his arguments in the Rose Garden earlier today. He said that the problem lies specifically with Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions. That article deals with detainee treatment.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Common Article 3 says that, you know, "There will be no outrages upon human dignity." It's like -- it's very vague. What does that mean, "outrages upon human dignity"? That's a statement that is wide open to interpretation.
And what I'm proposing is that there be clarity in the law, so that our professionals will have no doubt that that which they're doing is legal.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
QUIJANO: Now, the president maintains that, unless Common Article 3 is clarified, that, in fact, American interrogators could be subject to prosecution for war crimes.
He also says that the possibility would effectively force the CIA to shut down that one secret CIA program the president acknowledged last week. But the president is facing some powerful opposition from senators, Republicans John Warner, John McCain and Lindsey Graham, all of them, of course, men with strong military ties, including Senator McCain, a former POW.
They believe that the president's legislation would allow other countries to apply their own interpretation of Common Article 3. And that, they argue, Carol, could put U.S. personnel at risk for abuse, if they were captured.
So, this continuing debate goes on -- the president noting, though, that time is running out, Congress getting ready to leave in just about two weeks, so they can campaign full-time -- and, of course, those congressional midterm elections less than two months away -- Carol.
LIN: A lot at stake.
Elaine, thank you.
QUIJANO: Yes.
LIN: In the meantime, an outbreak, an FDA warning. And Ohio says, scrap the spinach. Health officials there are now reporting cases of the same E. coli strain that has hit people in at least 10 states.
Crystal Davis has more from our Columbus affiliate, WSYX.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CRYSTAL DAVIS, WSYX REPORTER (voice-over): The FDA says this bug, the number of E. coli infections, is growing every day related to bagged spinach. That's why bagged spinach is now hard to find around central Ohio. Big chains like Giant Eagle, Kroger, and Wal-Mart have pulled all bagged spinach from their shelves.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We do know that there are E. coli. And, at this point, we're not certain exactly how many of them may be linked to the national outbreak.
DAVIS: The Columbus Health Department is still investigating. They tell me the reasons aren't clear, but most of the victims are women, like 27-year-old Gwen Wellborne (ph). Wellborne got sick after eating a spinach salad in New York, and spent 13 days in the hospital.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I was scared. They weren't sure if I was going to make it a couple more hours or another day.
DAVIS: Gwen had all the classic symptoms.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Abdominal cramps, and can have diarrhea that can -- can be bloody. These symptoms can occur as early as eight hours, to eight days from the time of consumption.
DAVIS: Every year, an estimated 73,000 cases and 61 deaths in the U.S. -- these new cases involved one of the most virulent strains of E. coli. But you should know, the danger is not all in the bag. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It can spread person to person. That is why hand hygiene is so important.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LIN: Now, coming up in just a few minutes, we are going to take you live to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for a news conference on the E. coli outbreak. The only fatality -- the only known fatality -- in the outbreak is a woman from Wisconsin.
Now, you could call it the incredible shrinking giant -- more job cuts, more plant closings at Ford Motor Company -- the announcement today in Detroit another sign in the decline of American auto manufacturing.
So, joining us live from New York, CNN's Lou Dobbs, host of "LOU DOBBS TONIGHT."
Lou, good to have you on this. I know that you have covered the auto industry for a long, long time.
Why did Ford have to make these kinds of cuts now?
LOU DOBBS, HOST, "LOU DOBBS TONIGHT": Well, the answers are straightforward: because of really bad management, excess on the part of union leaders, and particularly the United Auto Workers Union, and, absurdly perilous free trade policies that have captured this country over the past 25 years.
The result is cataclysmic for the automobile industry, for Michigan, for Detroit, and, frankly, for the -- for the national economy.
LIN: Well, didn't they see it coming? I mean, you take a look at the decline in sales of -- of Ford cars and trucks over the years...
DOBBS: Right.
LIN: I mean, there, they had, in 1997, more than 25 percent of the marketplace...
DOBBS: Right.
LIN: ... and, today, a little more than 16 percent. I mean, what was management waiting for?
DOBBS: One only knows. But, as I have said about this when the company put Bill Ford in as chairman and CEO, as a member of Detroit's leading lucky sperm club, his only reason for ever getting that job was because he his last name was Ford. His great grandfather was Henry Ford. It's an absurdity.
And the fact that they didn't know that this was coming, well, they haven't been paying very close attention, because they have lost, Detroit, more than half of its market share over the course of the last four decades.
And while Toyota and Honda, the European automakers, nearly all of them, are making profits, Ford, General Motors and now the German- owned DaimlerChrysler -- people talk, Carol, about the big three in Detroit?
LIN: No more.
DOBBS: Well, it's the -- it was the big two. That is Ford and General Motors. It is now quickly becoming the rather moderate and modest two, rather than big three.
LIN: And it's not the American auto worker themselves. I mean, they make German cars right here in the United States. They make Japanese cars.
DOBBS: You know, one of the things that infuriates me, Carol -- and I think you know this -- are the idiots in Washington, who start talking about, this work force is not capable of producing great product.
The fact of the matter is that the management structures of these companies have done a horrible job of trying to meet the demands of this changing marketplace, particularly over the last quarter-year.
Going back to your question about, did they see it coming, we have watched profitability decline. Ford this year is estimated to lose between $8 billion and $9 billion. When they offer these buyouts to 75,000 union employees, when they cut 30 percent of their salaried work force, white-collar work force, we're talking about an impact in this country of $25 billion to $30 billion to the economy, plus the $9 billion in lost profits.
LIN: Yes.
DOBBS: We have watched Ford and General Motors and Chrysler lose just about 1 percent of their market share each and every year for the past five years.
LIN: So, is the name worth anything anymore, Lou? I mean, I was talking with the editor in chief of "Car & Driver" magazine.
DOBBS: Right.
LIN: He said Ford is still a brand that can sell...
DOBBS: Right.
LIN: ... a valuable brand name.
DOBBS: Right.
LIN: But what if it were to reinvent itself, maybe even be a non-union shop under a different name, reorganize?
DOBBS: Carol, this is some -- you know, when I listen to, first of all, our policy-makers, our lawmakers in Washington, when I listen to the management and the CEOs in particular of the so-called big three in Detroit, the misinformation that is put out there -- for example, the difference between, in wages and benefits, the workers at Toyota and Honda, the European carmakers at the transplants in this country, when you add it all up, it's about a 15 percent differential.
The real additional cost, in the case of General Motors, comes from its huge, huge pension work force -- that is, those who have left the work force and are receiving retirement pay. The fact of the matter is that, whether it's union or non-union, it's not as big a deal as it once was.
LIN: Hmm.
DOBBS: There is only about a 15 percent differential.
But what the folks at "Car & Driver" aren't telling you, what the lawmakers aren't telling you, whether Democrat or Republican, the fact is, these transplants, each car that is being produced there by the Japanese carmakers and the European carmakers, while General Motors may be making a modest amount, about $200 per car, Ford and Chrysler losing, these transplants are making about anywhere from $1,200 to $1,500, but $1,000 dollar car in incentives from the federal and state governments in the states in which those plants are located.
So, they're getting an incentive from the United States taxpayer to produce cars to compete with these, what were once the big three, American-made brands. It's insane.
LIN: Lou Dobbs, we're going to hear more about this, I get the feeling, on "LOU DOBBS TONIGHT."
DOBBS: You better believe it.
(LAUGHTER)
DOBBS: Thanks, Carol.
LIN: Good to see you.
DOBBS: Good to be with you.
LIN: You can see more of Lou on CNN. "LOU DOBBS TONIGHT" airs at 6:00 p.m. Eastern, Monday through Friday.
Well, Cuba takes the reins of Non-Aligned Movement, but its leader remains a no-show. Cuba's three-year chairmanship began today in Havana at the annual meeting of two-thirds of the world's nations. Aging Fidel Castro, still weak from intestinal surgery, has not yet attended the summit, but Cuban officials say he could make an appearance tomorrow.
He was shown on television yesterday meeting with his friend and ally Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. He has also met with U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan. Signs of the times -- views that might be reserved for newspaper editorials or talk radio in other countries are larger than life in Cuba. And, at least temporarily, they have a global audience.
CNN's Gary Tuchman is in Havana.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GARY TUCHMAN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): World leaders, some quite unfriendly with the United States, are descending upon Cuba for the summit of non-aligned nations. The U.S. is not part of the summit, but there is a peculiar American presence.
MICHAEL PARMLY, U.S. INTERESTS SECTION CHIEF OF MISSION: It's not worthy of the Cuban people.
TUCHMAN: When Michael Parmly, America's top diplomat in Cuba, looks out the window of America's only diplomatic outpost here, this is what he sees: a billboard calling President George Bush an assassin, showing a picture of the president with bloody teeth, like Dracula, another sign comparing the president and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to Hitler, still another with images of President Bush and Cuban exile leader Luis Posada Carriles.
The accused terrorist, who is now a U.S. prisoner, is wanted by the Cuban government, but the U.S. will not extradite him to Cuba. The sign tries to mock George Bush by using his words from the past: "If you harbor terrorists, you are a terrorist."
The signs are clearly visible to the visiting world leaders. While there are no diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba, Parmly, the chief of the U.S. Interests Section, says it's still diplomatically inappropriate and vulgar. And that's not the only hostility he says his employees deal with.
(on camera): What happens to some of your people, though?
PARMLY: Homes broken into it, urine on the floor, dogs being poisoned, things like that.
TUCHMAN (voice-over): The Cuban government denies it's behind that, but the president of the Cuban National Assembly doesn't disavow responsibility for the signs.
(on camera): That kind of thing is potentially and probably very insulting to million of Americans. And I'm wondering if that's something the government advocates, those billboards? And isn't it a bit juvenile?
RICARDO ALARCON, PRESIDENT, CUBAN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY: The very least that we will have to do is (INAUDIBLE) to tell you the truth. I hope that, one day, listening to the truth will be as American as apple pie.
TUCHMAN (voice-over): Meanwhile, the Cubans are not too happy with something the Americans are doing. An information ticker put up by the U.S. can be seen on the windows of the American building. It's seen clearly at dusk, and can be seen from far away at night. The message on the sign right now: a free Cuba distanced from communist dictatorship.
In retaliation, the Cubans put up 138 black flags to block the view of the ticker, each flag symbolized in a Cuban life they say lost to terrorist acts by Cuban Americans.
Jose Carlos Aragosa (ph) is the director of the Anti-Imperialism complex, where the flags are located.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): They deserve the response they have gotten.
TUCHMAN: So, if it's not obvious already, just read the signs. Diplomacy is not exactly flourishing between Cuba and the United States.
Gary Tuchman, CNN, Havana, Cuba.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LIN: You can see more of Gary Tuchman's stories in "THE SITUATION ROOM." Join Wolf Blitzer this afternoon at 4:00 Eastern, the live prime-time edition at 7:00.
Well, Israel blames a military snafu for deaths of four U.N. observers in July. Now, July 25, southern Lebanon, an Israeli warplane fires missiles into a U.N. outpost in southern Lebanon. Israel's military today released its incident report, blaming inaccurate maps, outdated maps, that showed the U.N. post as a Hezbollah site. Now, the report says Israeli troops have standing explicit orders against targeting U.N. positions or personnel.
An ancient quotation sparks modern-day outrage -- coming up in the CNN NEWSROOM, why some Muslims think the pope needs to ask for forgiveness.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LIN: They were strong words back in the 14th century. And when Pope Benedict XVI quoted them this week, they sparked outrage all over again.
Speaking in Germany, the pope quoted a Byzantine emperor who called Muslim teachings evil and inhumane. Well, the pontiff did not say he agrees with the statements, but he didn't repudiate it either.
Angry Muslims are demanding an apology.
So, let's bring in CNN's faith and correspondent Delia Gallagher.
Delia, what was he thinking?
DELIA GALLAGHER, CNN FAITH AND VALUES CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, I think, Carol, that the pope was making these statements in a larger context of a kind of intellectual inquiry at a university about faith and reason, which is one of his favorite sort of topics.
And he was talking about Christianity, as well as Islam, in fact, predominantly about Christianity. But he did talk about Islam. And he took it upon 14th century text, as you said, a conversation between an emperor and a Persian scholar.
Let's take a look at what the pope said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
POPE BENEDICT XVI (through translator): He said -- and I quote -- "Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhumane, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GALLAGHER: So, you can see there, Carol, that the pope is quoting this 14th century book. And this is what has caused the problems, because there are many Muslims who are saying that it was inappropriate, even, to really raise this kind of a text, which doesn't represent fully the thinking throughout the centuries, or the thinking of other Muslims.
But the fact of the matter for the pope is, he thinks that this is a kind of intellectual inquiry. He says: Well, I'm looking into this, and I'm trying to understand, both from a Christian point of view and an Islamic point of view, what is our view of God? What is our understanding of God?
LIN: Well, Delia, he is supposed to visit Turkey, which is a predominantly Muslim country, in November. And there was a statement by the Turkish Religious Affairs Directorate, which reads, "It certainly wasn't the intention of the Holy Father to carry out an in- depth study of jihad, holy war."
I'm sorry. Excuse me. That was the Vatican statement.
Let me read it off the screen here: "The remarks reflect the hatred in his heart. I do not think any good will come from the visit to the Muslim world of a person who has such ideas about Islam's prophet" -- a disinvitation, you might say, Delia.
GALLAGHER: Well, certainly, now, this is going to be a concern for the Vatican, because they are going to have to figure out how to really deal with a pope who is -- is very much a kind of intellectual, professorial type, who might not be aware of the emotional impact of some of the things that he says.
And, in fact, they have released a statement, in which they try to quell a little bit of the flames that are being fanned. So, let's see what they say. They say: "It was certainly not the intention" -- as you were reading earlier -- "of the Holy Father to carry out an in- depth study of the jihad and Muslim thinking in this field, still less so to offend the sensitivity of the Muslim faith -- of the Muslim faithful." So I think, you know, you see there an attempt to sort of say, look, he wasn't even trying to intellectually figure out the entire thing of Islam. I think, really, it was about saying, both to Islamic scholars and to Christian scholars...
LIN: Yes.
GALLAGHER: ... let's understand the role of reason in faith.
So, it's a much more complex sort of inquiry that the pope is undertaking. But, of course, they have a right to say, well, why, in this climate, would you use words like jihad?
LIN: Right.
GALLAGHER: Or why, in this climate, would you bring back a 14th century text? And that is really the argument that is going on now.
LIN: Hmm.
Delia, good to have you. Thank you.
GALLAGHER: Thank you.
LIN: Well, a milestone for the Jewish faith, a milestone for a nation still healing from its atrocious history -- three newly ordained rabbis confirmed this week in the former East Germany. They're the first graduates of a private Jewish college in Dresden and the first to be ordained as rabbis in Germany since the time of Adolf Hitler.
About 500,000 Jews lived in Germany before the Nazis rose to power. And only a fraction of that number are there today.
Well, coming up, we are standing by for a news conference in Wisconsin on the outbreak of E. coli we have been following here in the NEWSROOM today. So, we're going to go to that event live when it begins.
You're watching CNN, the most trusted name in news.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LIN: Ford's shares are taking a beating after the company announced its accelerated restructuring plan.
Susan Lisovicz joins us now the from New York Stock Exchange with a closer look at the damage -- Susan.
SUSAN LISOVICZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: All right, Carol.
And it's hard to miss what's happening with Ford shares. It's the most actively traded issue here for the third straight day. And it's plummeting. And that's, you know, somewhat unusual, because, even drastic restructurings, Carol, not always seen as a bad thing to investors. In fact, a company's stock often rises after it announces job cuts, not because investors want to see people out on the streets, unemployed, but because they want to see the company succeed and make money. And that's not happening at Ford -- shares of Ford right now tumbling 11 percent. Investors seem to believe the company is not going far enough to announce it plans to return to profitability -- back to you, Carol.
LIN: All right. Thanks very much, Susan. Sorry to cut the business report short.
But we're going to go now live to Wisconsin, where we are going to hear from the Milwaukee Health Department on this E. coli spinach story. And a woman died there in Wisconsin.
So, let's listen in.
(JOINED IN PROGRESS)
BEVAN BAKER, MILWAUKEE HEALTH COMMISSIONER: This is our current data as of 2:00 p.m. today.
The case count for Wisconsin has exceeded 50 cases of infection. We have seen an increase in the number of confirmed cases of E. coli in Wisconsin, from 20 last evening, when we spoke, to 30 cases. We have seen an increase in the number of counties impacted by E. coli, from -- from seven counties yesterday, to nine counties today, including Milwaukee County.
And there is still only one death confirmed in the state of Wisconsin.
As you're aware, we're working closely with the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control to work on this multistate in what has now become a natural E. coli outbreak. We're in the preliminary epidemiologic stages of our investigation. And our recommendation still stands to -- for Milwaukee residents to avoid the consumption of bagged fresh spinach.
We have no additional information regarding lot or brand at this time. So, we're being extremely conservative in our recommendation. Based on information overnight and more now analyses, the -- the State Division of Public Health has also indicated they would like individuals to discard or to throw away any bagged fresh spinach. Not necessarily did we mention that last evening. We said that there be no consumption, but now they're mentioning that it should be thrown away.
We understand that these products would expire anyway. So, individuals might have that understanding.
We had voluntary product recall by many of the area distributors of fresh bagged spinach. We can say that the major food chains here in the city, our food inspectors were out and did spot-checks today. And we have confirmed that our -- the major groceries do not have this product available, fresh bagged spinach, at this time. So, we are really happy with our corporate partners in the food distribution and grocery industry, to have heeded the advice of the FDA, Division of Public Health, and the City of Milwaukee Health Department, and remove this product, which is a likely source for this E. coli outbreak, from -- from the -- from the shelves.
As I mentioned earlier, the case count now is confirmed at 30. We have an increase in the number of individuals who are hospitalized. There are now 17 individuals hospitalized. And we do have a new increase in the number of confirmed cases in Milwaukee County. It's increased overnight, from four cases to five cases.
And we still have four individuals who we're closely monitoring and watching -- who have hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of kidney failure. And they are to be watched carefully, because their situation could change. We hope it will be for the better.
We are still dealing with the fact that this is multistate. As I speak now, there is a multistate discussion under way with -- from Connecticut to Oregon, and many states in between. And -- and there may be additional date that will come overnight.
The thing that we want to also mention is that we did stand up a hot line for citizens of Milwaukee to call. We did have robust calls into that hot line this morning. For a few hours there, we had double-digit calls coming in. And the state of those calls were citizens who had heard the advice -- and we thank the media outlets for getting that out -- and were concerned if this alert should expand to other types of produce.
I want to reestablish the communication, and confirm that we are only indicating fresh bagged spinach as a likely source of this. This does not concern other produce that would include vegetables and fruits.
But what citizens should know, to prevent E. coli infection, they should wash all fruits and vegetables. They should cook all meats, especially ground beef and hamburger, very thoroughly. And they should drink only pasteurized milk, or juice or cider. And nothing is more important than the elementary form of prevention, of washing one's hands with soap and water before and after food preparation, and particularly when handling raw meats or ready-to-eat foods, and after using toilets or other lavatories.
This outbreak is pervasive. It is widespread, and it will require much epidemiological follow-up. We are being very thorough in our analyses. We're working with multiple agencies. And we will try to keep the public informed as we move forward.
One last statement before I offer questions -- open this up for questions, is that individuals who feel that they may have been exposed or are experiencing any of those symptoms that would -- cramping, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, particularly bloody stools, we urge them to seek medical providers. We urge them to be proactive, to establish those relationships. One cannot be too careful here on this occasion. We're particularly concerned, again, about the cohorts of the very young and the very old, who are most vulnerable, and anyone who has a suppressed immune system. It's important that they understand this.
So, with that being said, this is the latest data we have. Again, we are participating now, along with the state of Wisconsin, with the multi-state debriefing with the Centers for Disease Control and we may have additional information, but right now, this is the current state of affairs for not only Milwaukee City but Milwaukee County and the state of Wisconsin.
LIN: All right, we are listening Bevan K. Baker. He's the commissioner of health for the city of Milwaukee, holding a news conference there, talking to reporters, saying that so far, 30 cases now of E. Coli contamination over nine different counties.
There is no lot, no brand of bagged spinach that they have identified that is causing this and the recommendation is to throw all fresh bagged spinach out. It is the likely source, it's not definitive, but the likely source. This is over ten states now. You can continue watching this news conference on CNN Pipeline Network.
In the meantime, let's go back to business news. We've been talking about the big story today, the big layoff at ford. Susan Lisovicz is standing by at the New York Stock Exchange. So, Susan, I'm just wondering, you know, investors often like restructuring. So not the case, though, with Ford's stock?
(MARKET REPORT)
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANDY SERWER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Jim Stevens and Bruce Nevins have uncorked the secret of youth, living their dream as winery owners in Sonoma County, California.
JIM STEVENS, CO-FOUNDER, PERRIER NORTH AMERICA: I don't feel like I'm 59. I feel I'm 39 or maybe 29. Really what's exciting is when you see people in the tasting room who love those wines. That really makes it all worthwhile.
SERWER: Friends and business partners for over 30 years, Nevins and Stevens co-founded Perrier North America and built a foundation for the bottled water business in the United States.
BRUCE NEVINS, CO-OWNER, PERRIER NORTH AMERICA: The passion for wine really evolved by being in France a good deal of the time with Perrier and having the opportunity to visit some of the wine country out there.
SERWER: Dutcher Crossing opened in 2005. It's a boutique winery that the duo is committed to keeping small and personal, showcasing the award winning wine and breathtaking landscape.
STEVENS: I just love wine country living, love the passion for wines, people say when are you going to retire? I don't think I'll ever retire.
NEVINS: This is a real windfall. I mean it's a real wonderful segue into another life.
SERWER: Andy Sewer, CNN.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LIN: Our next story starts with a caveat, CNN cannot verify that the bone-chilling images you are about to see are exactly what they appear. They appear to be a suicide bombing in Afghanistan from the point of view of the bomber and a photographer who chooses to keep his distance at the fateful moment.
CNN's Anderson Cooper explains.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The video starts with the animation for Al-Sahab, al Qaeda's production company, a flag map of the United States blown up by missiles.
The tape, titled "The American Inferno in Afghanistan," first surfaced on the Internet, and was translated by MEMRI, an Israeli monitoring service. We found the translation pretty accurate, but CNN could not determine where and when, or even if the events depicted in the tape took place.
On the video, we see a man showing off a trunk filled with mortar rounds. Mortars like these used are commonly used in suicide car bombs.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I pray to Allah that this operation will be vengeance upon the American pigs and their apostate collaborator dogs.
COOPER: The would-be suicide bomber, called Abu Muhammad, makes a statement. From a name we hear later on the tape, he appears to be from Yemen.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: To my family and friends, I say, we will meet in paradise, Allah willing.
COOPER: The video then cuts to inside the bomber's car. A crudely rigged detonator is attached to a wooden board.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will carry out the operation within a few minutes.
Test it for the last time, Muhammad. Only 10 minutes left until the operation. What do you feel, Abu Muhammad?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I feel a great calm.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In your heart? UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. I pray that Allah accepts me. I have never felt so calm in my life.
COOPER: For a brief moment, we see the man who recorded these pictures. He urges the bomber forward.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Allah willing, your prayers and ours will be answered.
COOPER: The two men survey their target. A voice says the vehicles are American.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There are the American cars.
COOPER: There is an edit in the tape. Now the suicide bomber is driving on the road, his white car clearly visible.
The video is shot from a distance while the bomber talks to the cameraman on walkie-talkie.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Can you see them in front of me?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Did you see the Americans in front of you? Go on a little further, and you will see them in front of you. Abu Muhammad, there are Muslims behind you. Move a little faster. They are in front of you now. Place your trust in Allah, Muhammad. Remember, paradise, my brother. Remember paradise.
COOPER: You can hear the cameraman's heavy breathing, waiting for the explosion.
(EXPLOSION)
COOPER: The U.S. military says it has no record of such an attack. It is not clear whether this video is purely propaganda, or a blend of propaganda and an actual attack. On the tape, the cameraman drives off, rejoicing.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Glory to Allah, his prophet, and the believers!
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LIN: Anderson Cooper is following the war on terror. "360" weeknights at 10:00 Eastern.
Now, Cuba takes the reins of the Nonaligned Movement, but its leader remains a no-show. Cuba's three year chairmanship began today in Havana at the annual meeting of the two-thirds of the world's nations.
Aging Fidel Castro, still weak from intestinal surgery, has not yet attended the summit, but Cuban officials say he could make the appearance tomorrow. He was shown on television yesterday meeting with his friend and ally, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. He's also met with U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan. Well, critics dismiss the Nonaligned Movement as a relic of the Cold War. Supporters call a champion of a world's developing nations. Here's a CNN "Fact Check."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): If nothing else, the Nonaligned Movement is huge, 116 countries that make up almost two-thirds of the United Nations, representing most of Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Latin America.
The movement was founded during the Cold War in 1961. The founding fathers were the giants of the developing world: India's Nehru, Yugoslavia's Tito, Egypt's Nasser and Sukarno of Indonesia. Their ambition: take the middle road by avoiding aligning with either the United States or the Soviet Union. A good idea in theory, but critics were quick to argue that the movement was dominated by Moscow.
How could it be nonaligned when, for example, Castro's Cuba and Nehru's India were heavily dependent upon Soviet Aid, including weapons for their armed forces. Members, especially Castro, Tito and Nehru, stuck to their plan and ignored the critics.
With the fall of the Soviet Union, the movement appeared to lose whatever direction it had. Meeting every three years or so, the movement proposes grand objectives such as those at the Havana Summit: eliminating poverty, improving health care and settling the Middle East conflict. But many members also come with their own agendas; for example, Cuba calling for the lifting of the U.S. embargo and Iran seeking support for its drive to develop its nuclear program.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LIN: First year college, football scholarship, can you imagine a sweeter deal? So why would you want your little brother hanging around? Wait until you hear more of Ray Ray's story. It's coming up, right here in the NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LIN: A South Florida mother is no longer looking forward to her son's return from Iraq. Today, she is mourning his death. One of 2,680 American servicemen and women, fallen heroes. From the Iraq war, LuAnne Sorrell from our Miami affiliate WSVN reports reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CANDICE JORDAN, SON KILLED IN IRAQ: I never expected this.
LUANNE SORRELL, WSVN REPORTER (voice-over): Three days ago, Candice Jordan got a knock on her front door. That knock would forever change her life.
JORDAN: That was my worst nightmare. I think it would be any mother's nightmare. I never, ever expected to see them at my door. SORRELL: At the door was an army officer telling her that her son, Alexander Jordan, had been killed. On Sunday, the 31-year-old was gunned down in the streets of Baghdad.
JORDAN: He made us all laugh. He had a great sense of humor. He was super, super, sweet guy.
SORRELL: Jordan deployed last July for a one-year tour, but just as he was to return home, his unit was sent to Baghdad for an additional four months.
JORDAN: When they went to Baghdad, I was instantly alarmed, because, as we all know, that's a hot spot. And I think that's where I really became alarmed.
SORRELL: And her motherly intuition proved to be correct. Jordan would never return home to his mother or his new wife Tiffany, who he married just before his deployment. But Candice says her son died doing something he loved: protecting his country.
JORDAN: September 11th was devastating to him, that people would do that to our country. And he has always said that he wanted to make a difference in the world, that he -- he had the power to make the difference, the power of one. And I believe that about him, that what he did over there was a beautiful thing.
SORRELL: And as she mourns the loss of her only child, her prayers are with those still fighting.
JORDAN: They're walking out on their family life to protect us. And I find it very sad that we are now backing up on them when we should be standing behind them and supporting them. And the ones that are not standing and supporting them should be in front of them.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LIN: He was only 31. Alexander Jordan died Sunday in Baghdad, one of the 2,680 men and women from the U.S. armed forces who have died in Iraq.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LIN: Well, we all know how to not drink and drive, but now in California, don't talk and drive either, at least on your cell phone. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will sign a law banning the use of cell phones while driving unless drivers use hands-free sets or speakerphones. The law goes into effect in two years, but get this: the first-time fine, $20. Subsequent offenses will cost $50 each. Now, who said talk is cheap?
Time now to check in with CNN's Wolf Blitzer. He is standing by in "THE SITUATION ROOM" to tell what is coming up at the top of the hour. Hey, Wolf.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: We already have a similar law right here in the District of Columbia, Carol, and it seems to be working OK.
President Bush going on the offense against Colin Powell and Republicans who are breaking ranks. We're going to take a closer look at his tough words earlier today in the Rose Garden. Plus, we'll get reaction from Democratic Senator Joe Biden.
Also corruption and alcoholism. A Congressman pleads guilty and checks into rehab.
Plus, falling gas prices. Is it market pressure or an October political surprise?
And culture wars breaking out right now, the fight this time over skinny. A major fashion show bans overly thin models. We'll find out why the rest of the fashion world is outraged.
All that, Carol, coming up at the top of the hour in "THE SITUATION ROOM."
LIN: All right. Thanks very much, Wolf.
In the meantime, a terrific story here. OK, you consider an absent father, a crack-addicted mother, an 11-year-old boy in need of someone to count on. Well, luckily, that 11-year-old has an older brother with a heart, a conscience, and now a waiver now from the NCAA. Ramone McElrathbey -- we now know why everybody calls him Ray Ray.
Well, he is on a college football scholarship at Clemson University, which means he can't accept gifts or money. But when Ray Ray made news for taking in his little brother rather than letting him go into foster care, the school was swamped with offers of donations. Well, now they can accept them.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RAMON MCELRATHBEY, CLEMSON FRESHMAN: It means a lot because it shows that there are still great people out there, humans who actually care about other people and not just themselves, and that's a wonderful thing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LIN: And Clemson is setting up a trust fund to help the brothers, who share an off-campus apartment. And every day, Fahmarr does his homework while Ray Ray works out with the team.
The "Closing Bell" and a wrap of the action on Wall Street straight ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LIN: Bounce this baby on your knee and you may need a new knee. If the obstetrician said, congratulations, it's a linebacker, when this boy arrived, you could understand why. At 14 pounds, 13 ounces, he is the largest baby ever born at Backus Hospital in Norwich, Connecticut. And we are relieved to report he was delivered by c- section.
OK, closing bell about to ring on Wall Street. Susan Lisovicz, that's about the size of an 8-month-old, you know?
(STOCK MARKET REPORT)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
