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Your World Today

Shiite Militia Briefly Seizes Control of City in Southeastern Iraq; Iran's Ahmadinejad Warns Europe Over Israel; Condoleezza Rice Attends High-Level Meetings in Beijing

Aired October 20, 2006 - 12:00   ET

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

HALA GORANI, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Hostile takeover? A Shiite militia briefly seizes control of a city in southeastern Iraq.
JIM CLANCY, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Also, be afraid, be very afraid. Republicans play the terror card ahead of crucial midterm elections in the U.S., but will it work?

GORANI: And culture clash. The head scarf debate intensifies in one Belgian town this time. Some Muslims are crying foul.

CLANCY: Hello, and welcome, everyone, to our report broadcast around the globe.

I'm Jim Clancy.

GORANI: I'm Hala Gorani.

From Belgium to Iraq, or wherever you're watching, this is YOUR WORLD TODAY.

CLANCY: We continue to monitor a developing situation in Iraq. Tense, but calm. That's how British officials are describing the situation in the Iraqi city of Amara this hour.

Witnesses say hundreds of Shia Muslim militiamen stormed the city, which is in southern Iraq -- it's just north of Basra. A fierce gun battle erupted with local police, leaving 16 people dead, 90 others wounded.

CNN's Arwa Damon following the story from Baghdad.

Barbara Starr at the Pentagon.

Let's begin with Arwa.

Now, the latest that we're hearing, Arwa, is that the situation might not have been as dire as a takeover. Still, it raises questions about just how powerful these militias are and what they can do.

ARWA DAMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely, Jim. I mean, what we're seeing right now is an incident that really highlights one of the main issues that faces the Iraqi government right now, and that is disarming the militias. It also raises the question of who really controls the streets in Iraq. Now, according to the British military, the situation right now is relatively calm. But if we look at how all these events unfolded, if we go back to Wednesday, on Wednesday, the chief of police, the intelligence chief of police, was killed in a roadside bomb, along with four of his bodyguards. Following that, members of his tribe then went to one of Muqtada al-Sadr's offices in Amara and allegedly kidnapped a senior Mehdi militia commander.

That is apparently what caused the Mehdi militia and the hundreds to storm and fight with AK-47s and rocket-propelled grenades to Iraqi police stations in that area. The battles lasted for two days.

Finally, on Friday, the Iraqi police, no longer able to repel the attacks, fled those two locations. One of them was set on fire.

Now, after that the Iraqi government has now dispatched over 500 additional police and forces to that area. They have not yet asked for British help. But this really underscores the issue of the militias and who really brought that situation under control.

What we are hearing right now is that Muqtada al-Sadr himself first called the area in the morning, called his offices that are located in Amara, calling for calm, calling for a cease-fire. Following that, we are hearing right now that he did dispatch a team down to that area.

Again, this entire situation highlighting the issue of who really controls the streets. What we're seeing right now is, on one hand, the Iraqi government and its security forces, versus the militias that everyone here is saying really need to disarm -- Jim.

CLANCY: All right. Arwa Damon reporting live from Baghdad.

Thank you, Arwa -- Hala.

GORANI: All right. Let's briefly take a look at Muqtada al- Sadr, the radical Islamic cleric whose militia is currently battling in some parts of Iraq for control of some areas.

Now, his father was a grand ayatollah of Iraq, Muhammad Sadiq al- Sadr, whom Saddam Hussein killed in '99, along with two of his other sons. His Mehdi army has fought a number of battles with U.S. and Iraqi forces, including the uprisings in Najaf and Karbala two years ago. The White House has accused Iran of backing a number of Shiite militia in Iraq, including al-Sadr's Mehdi army.

Now, this is not a new issue, of course, confronting Iraq and coalition forces there. Barbara Starr joins us now live from the Pentagon with that.

What, in light of what happened today -- and of course the details are still sketchy -- were they in control completely, how brief was it, et cetera? But still, this is a big, big issue for the American military, those militia who are armed and who are in control of some parts of the country.

What are you hearing at the Pentagon as to what the strategy might be to battle that problem?

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, that's the tough question, Hala, what to do about all of this.

You know, General Caldwell, the top U.S. military spokesman in Baghdad, has been talking about this a good deal in his recent briefings. I think it's fair to say, one of the points that General Caldwell has been making is that violence breaks out, it is expected to continue to break out, but the sort of standard of judgment is how quickly Iraqi forces can move into an area and get a handle on it and start to begin to restore control.

We saw it several days ago in Balad, north of Baghdad, same type of situation. And now down in Amara, in the southern part of the country. And it has been not a good situation from that very standard of judgment.

It's been very tough for Iraqi forces to move in and gain control again. And by most measures, in both of these places, it hasn't been very successful.

So the question remains on the table how to control the militias, how to control the death squads that move into these areas. The U.S. military believes there's both a military solution, possibly getting the Iraqi security forces to step out much more quickly in a much more substantive manner, but also a political solution. And that's getting Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's very fragile government to be strong enough to really move against these groups. And by all accounts at this point they simply can't do it -- Hala.

GORANI: All right. Barbara Starr at the Pentagon.

Thanks very much -- Jim.

CLANCY: Tensions between Israel and Iran increasing as each ramps up the criticism of the other. Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad speaking at the annual Jerusalem Day demonstration in Tehran. He said Israel had no further reason to exist and would soon disappear, and warned Europe that it may get hurt if it continues to support Israel.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD, IRANIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): Supporters of the fake regime of Israel will be held accountable for any house destroyed in the Palestinian territories or any likely aggression imposed on the neighboring countries. The nations will get the revenge over the supporters of this regime.

With your deceitful conspiracies, you appointed this group of brutal terrorists to rule people. Our offer is this: You brought them here, you yourselves grab their hands and feet and take them away.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CLANCY: Well, meantime, in his strongest words yet, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert warning that Iran would have a price to pay if it doesn't back down from its nuclear ambitions.

GORANI: All right. Let's turn our attention now to North Korea.

The North Korean leader, Kim Jong-il, has no plans for setting off a second nuclear test blast. That's according to South Korea's Yonhap news agency, which cites a diplomatic source in China. The reporter comes a day after China sent a special envoy to hand deliver a message to Kim Jong-il.

One South Korean newspaper says Kim told that envoy that he now regrets the first nuclear test conducted on October 9th. That same newspaper also reports that Kim is willing to return to negotiations, but only with concessions from Washington.

CLANCY: Well, that news comes as representatives of North Korea's harshest critic and its strongest supporter met in Beijing. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice talking with Chinese envoy and foreign minister Li Zhaoxing. Afterwards, they reiterated their support of United Nations sanctions and called on Pyongyang to return to the six-party talks.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CONDOLEEZZA RICE, SECRETARY OF STATE: We also talked about the importance of leaving open a path to negotiation through the six-party talks because, after all, President Hu and President Bush are both committed to a diplomatic solution to this problem. The DPRK should return to those talks without condition and should begin the implementation of the September 2005 agreement of the six parties.

LIN ZHAOXING, CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER (through translator): We hope that all relevant parties will maintain cool headedness, adopt a prudent and responsible approach, and adhere to dialogue and peaceful resolutions as the general direction of our efforts.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GORANI: Well, our Zain Verjee is traveling with the U.S. secretary of state. She sat down for an exclusive one-one-one interview with Condoleezza Rice in Beijing a short while ago. Rice says the U.S. has had discussions with North Korea within the context of six-party talks.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RICE: If they have anything that they want to say to us, if they really do want to talk to us, they're doing it. Chris Hill has had multiple discussions with his North Korean counterpart, one on one, with no other countries at the table. He's had dinner with them, all in the context of the six-party talks.

This is just an excuse. What the north wants is to have a negotiation with the United States so that when they ignore the terms of the agreement, they can say, well, after all, that was with the United States. What is troubling to the north is that for the first time they're having to face the collective will of China, Russia, Japan, South Korea. And now with resolution 1718, the entire international system.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GORANI: Well, Rice also told CNN the situation, the current crisis can be resolved with Kim Jong-il in power, but rules out a visit to Pyongyang. Rice heads to Moscow next.

CLANCY: Using the war on terror as a campaign tool?

GORANI: Coming up, Republicans play up the threat of terrorism ahead of the election, according to some. But that strategy could fail.

CLANCY: And is Paris your idea of the perfect vacation? Its most recognizable landmark is competing to become one of the new seven wonders of the world. We're going to show you how you can participate in deciding.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

GORANI: Welcome back to YOUR WORLD TODAY, seen live in more than 200 countries across the globe. This is CNN International.

The fear factor in U.S. politics. Republican Party advertisements like this one hit the air waves this weekend.

You can hear it, a clock ticking in the background. The ads warn of a more cataclysmic terror attack. Osama bin Laden and other top al Qaeda leaders are featured prominently in some of these TV commercials, as are their threats against the U.S. dating back to 1998.

Now, Democrats, at least some of them, denouncing the ads of the Republican Party's latest fear-and-smear tactic to scare voters and distract from the party's shortcomings. The party's communication director says, "Once again we see that the GOP will truly do and say anything, regardless of whether or not it's true, they are so desperate to hang on to power" This is according to the Democratic Party.

And of course, Jim, there is indeed a lot of stake in this election.

CLANCY: Well, there is a lot at stake in this election, and we can expect to see more problems. Both sides really deploying the attorneys as well, expecting a lot of the races could end up being decided this the courts.

Midterm elections now just about two weeks away. The Republican Party ramping up its effort to retain control of both houses of Congress. The GOP has used the various tactics before. Questions about whether fear tactics, though, will work in this or any situation. Suzanne Malveaux has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We're fighting an enemy that knows no rules.

RICHARD CHENEY, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: This is a hard fight. Terrorists...

TONY SNOW, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: Terror...

BUSH: Terror...

LAURA BUSH, FIRST LADY: Terrorism...

CHENEY: Terrorists...

RICE: Terrorism...

BUSH: ... the war on terror.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice over): The Bush administration's message is clear: Be afraid, very afraid -- the threat of terrorism is real, and only the Republicans are suited to protect the American people.

VIN WEBER, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: There is an element of fear that properly ought to be instilled in people and that has been in every previous war.

BUSH: There is an enemy that still lurks. An enemy that still plans. An enemy that still plots. An enemy that still wants to hurt the United States of America.

MALVEAUX: Democrats say it's fear mongering.

HOWARD DEAN, DNC CHAIRMAN: What the Republicans bring you is fear and smear.

MALVEAUX: Cut through both side's spin, the strategy of focusing on this doomsday scenario is one that works.

In 2002, Republican lawmakers successfully captured eight seats by making the fight against terror their party's platform.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was before the war in Iraq and before the war in Iraq went badly.

BUSH: I see a great day coming for our country, and I am eager for the work ahead.

MALVEAUX: Two years later, President Bush successfully won re- election, despite the growing violence in Iraq, by painting his opponent, Senator John Kerry, as weak on terror.

WEBER: The theme is, the Republicans are strong when it comes to security issues and the Democrats are not.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's vicious and dangerous.

MALVEAUX: The late President Reagan hammered that theme in his drive for re-election, with his famous bear ad representing the cold air threat.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: John Kerry and the liberals in Congress voted to slash America's intelligence operations.

MALVEAUX: President Bush used a pack of wolves to illustrate the terrorist menace in his re-election bid.

WEBER: If the people don't feel some sense of threat, they're not going to vote on national security issues.

MALVEAUX: That's why analysts say the president and Republicans are constantly talking terror. Now leading up to the congressional midterm elections.

But pollsters warn it may not work this time.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's one word that explains it, and that is Iraq.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

GORANI: All right. Suzanne Malveaux there.

For all the news from the campaign trail, plus profiles of key races, log on to a special section of our Web site, cnn.com/election.

CLANCY: You know, there were seven ancient wonders of the world.

GORANI: Twenty-two hundred years later, you could help choose the new seven wonders. Sydney's Opera House is one of the contenders. We'll tell you who the others are coming up.

CLANCY: Also, a toast to success. Cuba's family-run eateries thrive against the odds.

Those stories coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: The U.S. Attorney's Office in New Jersey has filed charges against 20-year-old Jake Brahm (ph). More details expected this hour. He's due in court later today.

The threat posted on the Web warned of dirty bomb attacks against seven NFL stadiums this Sunday. Officials say it was a hoax. Brahm (ph) and a Texas buddy were trying to see who could come up with the scariest threats.

In stories yesterday about the priest who admits he fondled former U.S. congressman Mark Foley about 40 years ago, CNN and other news organizations published an incorrect photograph showing another employee of the diocese. And CNN profoundly regrets our error.

Obama in '08. Some are calling for the senator from Illinois to run for president. Even Oprah supports Barack Obama. And right now, Obama is the nation's only African-American senator. Analysts say his appeal seems to cross race and party lines.

He talked about it with CNN's Larry King.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D), ILLINOIS: The idea that there are a set of common value and common ideals that we all believe in as Americans, whether we're Republican or Democrat or Independents, and that if we focus on what we have in common, rather than what divides us, that we can actually make progress in commonsense, practical terms on some of the challenges that we face in the country. And I think that tone is one that the country seems to be hungry for right now.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COLLINS: Obama does have a new book on the market. It's called "The Audacity of Hope." He insists he has not decided whether he'll run for the nation's top job.

For latest breaking political news, check for updates throughout the day on CNN Political Ticker at CNN.com. All politics, all the time.

Want to get over to Reynolds Wolf. He is all weather, all the time.

Hey, Reynolds.

REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Absolutely. Hey, how are you doing?

(WEATHER REPORT)

The North Korea nuclear threat, trouble in Iraq -- NORTHCOM commander Admiral Timothy Keating brings his insights on both to the "NEWSROOM". Kyra Phillips and Don Lemon bring you the day's top stories at the top of the hour.

Meantime, YOUR WORLD TODAY continues after a quick break.

I'm Heidi Collins.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

GORANI: Welcome back to YOUR WORLD TODAY.

I'm Hala Gorani.

CLANCY: I'm Jim Clancy.

And these are the top stories that we're following right now. North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-il, not planning a second nuclear test blast. Now, that is according to South Korea's Yonhap news agency just a day after China's envoy went to Pyongyang.

Meantime, the U.S. secretary of state holding talks with top officials on the matter in Beijing. North Koreans, she says, told China they want to return to six-party talks.

GORANI: Witnesses in the southern Iraqi city of Amara say hundreds of members of a Shiite militia group loyal to cleric Muqtada al-Sadr clashed with Iraqi forces and attacked police stations. The Iraqi government is sending hundreds of troops and police to the city. British officials who are not in Amara say the area is now calm and the militia has dispersed.

CLANCY: All right. We're going to stay in Iraq for a minute.

The Shia Muslim cleric who's at the heart of all this, Muqtada al-Sadr, some say that he was responsible for diffusing the violence created by his own militia. He has a long family history in Iraq. It is connected to Saddam Hussein, it is connected to Tehran, as well.

Here's a "Fact Check" on the controversial cleric.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice-over): In his early 30s, Muqtada al- Sadr is an expert at blending Shiite radicalism with Iraqi nationalism. Most of his millions of supporters are young and poor and are captivated by his fiery anti-Americanism. Many live in Baghdad's Sadr City, a slum of at least two million, which used to be called Saddam City. The area was renamed for Sadr's father after the fall of Saddam Hussein.

The father was a prominent Shiite cleric in Iraq before he was assassinated in 1989, reportedly by agents of Saddam Hussein. Sadr assumed control of his father's network of schools and charities, using them to expand his support among the poor.

One of the biggest obstacles now facing the Iraqi government is Sadr's powerful Mehdi army. Mehdi fighters have fought numerous battles with U.S. and Iraqi forces. The most serious were uprisings in Najaf and Karbala in 2004. Observers say Prime Minister Nouri al- Maliki has been reluctant to move against Sadr because he controls 30- some seats in parliament and because he depends on Sadr for support against rival Shiite politicians.

Another vexing problem is Sadr's connection to Iran. The Bush administration accuses Iran of supplying arms to Iraqi insurgents and militias, including Sadr's. A report by the Council on Foreign Relations says that in a recent visit to Tehran, Sadr even pledged to fight alongside Iranians if attacked by the United States.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

GORANI: All right. It gives you a quick idea there of Muqtada al-Sadr, a little refresher background on the man. But today the violence in the Iraqi city of Amara is underscoring something very significant, and that's the challenge of reining in militias in Iraq.

Let's discuss this in more detail. Martin Navy is defense analyst at Kings College, London, joins us now.

We saw there militiamen briefly seizing control of Amara. And, really, regardless of whether or not they're still in control of that city, it's a significant development. Give us your take on what happened this day in southeastern Iraq.

MARTIN NAVIAS, KINGS COLLEGE LONDON: Well, it is unclear whether this takeover by Muqtada al Sadr's forces was driven by Muqtada al Sadr himself or is an independent operation. Muqtada al Sadr is losing control of many of his militia troops, and these may have acted independently. But whatever the case, the United States and its allies have been pressing the Iraqi government for some time now to rein in Muqtada al Sadr. They've been asking him to control the death squads that are bringing terror to Baghdad and to other parts of Iraq.

But so far, the Iraqi government has failed to do so. Possibly because they don't have the will to do so, as your fact check report correctly indicated, the Iraqi government is dependent upon Muqtada al Sadr's support, and partly because it is quite possible that the Iraqi army could not take him on.

GORANI: All right. In the past, Martin, the White House press secretary and others at the White House, reluctant, perhaps, to discuss the role of militias. But Tony Snow, the White House press secretary, addressed that very issue recently. Let's listen to what he had to say and then I'll have you react.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TONY SNOW, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: The Prime Minister Maliki met yesterday with Muqtada al Sadr and with Ali al Sistani. And one of the things that they have been talking about is, in fact, suppressing violence. You've seen -- you've seen the prime minister taking action. He's moved some people around at the ministry of the interior. They've demobilized the police unit.

I think it's pretty clear that Prime Minister Maliki is moving aggressively to go after sectarian violence. I'm not in any position to judge the release of the cleric.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GORANI: All right, I don't know, were you able to hear that? Some of it? Tony Snow saying Prime Minister Maliki moving aggressively to address the sectarian violence.

NAVIAS: Yes, well, I mean, you can show examples of where the Iraqi government has moved to control some aspects of Muqtada al Sadr's actions. But the fact remains that the Iraqi government has not, as far as we can determine yet in Europe -- and Mr. Snow may have different views -- attempted to properly, significantly and seriously rein in Muqtada al Sadr and various other groups.

At the moment, while on the one hand American and British forces are acting to build up an Iraqi army and there are now hundreds of thousands of Iraqi security forces, the fact is that Muqtada al Sadr and other groups have infiltrated this security force and have used it towards their own end. In other words, the one argument is that while we have invested all this effort in building up the Iraqi services, on the other hand, all we may really be doing is unleashing one army in the context of an Iraqi civil war.

GORANI: And Martin, highlighting, also, the issue that -- and in Baghdad as well, and we heard that from General Caldwell yesterday. When coalition forces secure an area or feel like they've secured an area enough for regular Iraqi army troops to come in, you invariably seem to have the issue of militias then battling for control of that same area.

NAVIAS: Yes, the fact is that neither the Americans nor the British have enough forces in Iraq to impose themselves on the length and breadth of their country. All that happens is that when our forces move in, we have tricked the enemy, we push them out. But all they do is go into some other area, and the problem resurfaces.

Britain, with great fanfare, withdrew from Maysan province some time ago. And now, today, we see that, despite our best efforts, militias are back on the streets there. I'm afraid the situation, at least from the perspective of many of us looking at it from the United Kingdom, is getting out of control.

GORANI: But, Martin, either the solution is military, in which case you really need more troops on the ground on the coalition forces part -- either that or it has to be political. If it's political, what is the solution, then?

NAVIAS: Well, clearly we cannot impose ourselves militarily on the Iraqi situation. My view, and the view of many people here in the United Kingdom, is that the situation is out of control because we are not controlling events. We are becoming irrelevant to events. One senior British general described the situation that the British army's become simply one tribe in the broader context of Iraqi politics. The fact is that we are not in control of events. And what we want is not going to determine what is happening, either politically or militarily in Iraq.

GORANI: So it's a lost battle.

NAVIAS: Well, I don't think we should talk in terms of victory and defeat. I don't think those terms are particularly useful in the context of Iraq. I think what we've got to talk about is in terms of achievable objectives. And we have achieved significant objectives. We've removed a terrible dictator. We've resolved the issue of weapons of mass destruction. We've given the Iraqis an opportunity to engage in democracy. We've built up the Iraqi army. The time has now come for us to withdraw ourselves from the Iraqi situation and allow the Iraqi people to take what we have given them, to take that forward. GORANI: OK, Martin Navias, thanks very much. Not all analysts agree with you on that one, but we'll have an opportunity, hopefully, to discuss that again. Martin Navias of Kings College, London, thanks for being with us -- Jim.

CLANCY: It was a big debate over the Muslim veil, as well. And it's going on not just in Britain, where you could fairly argue there's a national debate that's raging about this. The prime minister, Tony Blair, saying the veils are signs of separation.

But as we learn now from Robert Moore, Britain far from the only European country where the veil is a big issue. In fact, in one Belgium town, even wearing a veil can lead to arrest.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ROBERT MOORE, ITV CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Not just Britain, but Europe has a debate raging about Islamic dress. Should Muslim women be allowed to wear, in public, the burka and the niqab the two forms the veil that fully cover the face?

Well, welcome to the town of Maaseik in Belgium. Unexceptional. But here, police have an unusual duty to enforce a ban on the veil.

(on camera): The head scarf is allowed, but if a Muslim woman is seen in public wearing a niqab or a burka that completely covers the face, she can be fined the equivalent of 40 pounds for the first offense. It doubles the second time. The third time, she can be arrested.

It's straightforward, but is it fair? And how are people reacting?

MOORE (voice-over): The local mayor who imposed the law says it's been a big success.

JAN CREEMERS, MAYOR OF MAASEIK: The result is a good solution, I think, and everyone accepts it. And problem is solved.

MOORE: Wrong. The problem is not solved. I asked the mayor to sit down and listen to his critics, including a local Muslim woman who was born and raised in the town and who feels humiliated by the law.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think everybody has right to wear whatever he or she wants. Why -- why change that?

CREEMERS: When I speak to someone, I want to see the face. I want to see the eyes. I want to see the nose and the mouth.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: But we elected you. And my point of view, you' really stabbed us in the back, because you took someone's pride away.

CREEMERS: And there are always people who didn't like these rules, but everyone most obey them. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There's no law or no man like you who will say to me this law says you have to take off the niqab, because I won't take it off. That's my religion.

CREEMERS: On a public place...

MOORE: And so the argument raged until the mayor told Nasira (ph) she leave Belgium, perhaps forgetting this town has always been her home.

But it is also true the law is extremely popular.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They live here. They get paid here. They get a house. They get everything. They get Social Security. They get all kinds of things. So I think they have to adjust.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We have another culture. They should sort of adjust.

MOORE: But if this town is being held up by a model by some, in the eyes of others, it is a community of discrimination.

Robert Moore, ITV News, in Maaseik, Belgium.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CLANCY: Well, the head of the U.S. Central Command, General John Abizaid, apparently on his way to Washington for top-level talks with the president, the secretary of defense.

GORANI: Right, previously unscheduled meetings, we understand, that should be held. We are expecting a news briefer by the Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. We'll be carrying that live for you at 1:30 p.m. Eastern.

CLANCY: It's very likely that all of this relates to what we were talking about in our program yesterday and that is that the U.S. is considering a complete rethink of its strategy in Iraq.

Well, we're going to take a short break here. But when we come back, it's been called a home of radicalism in Russia today.

GORANI: Just ahead on YOUR WORLD TODAY, we'll take you to the far-flung reaches of Dagestan (ph) for a rare glimpse of what Moscow calls an Islamic insurgency.

CLANCY: And then later, Hala, be sure to get your vote in. Cast your ballot for what you think should be one of the new seven wonders of the world.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

GORANI: Welcome back. You're watching YOUR WORLD TODAY on CNN International. Let's go straight to the Pentagon. Our Barbara Starr is there for the latest there on reports that the head of the U.S. Central Command, General John Abiziad is heading to Washington. Barbara, what can you tell us?

STARR: Well, Hala, actually President Bush letting this news slip to an interview with the Associated Press just a little while ago, but now CNN has confirmed from military sources that General Abizaid, the head of the U.S. Central Command, is on his way, within the next hours, possibly -- that soon -- to Washington, D.C. He will meet with the secretary of defense, Don Rumsfeld, and then also with President Bush.

General George Casey, the top commander in Iraq, will be involved in this series of meetings, via secured video teleconference, of course, from his location in Baghdad.

Now, if you think these are just routine meetings, military sources tell us that this whole series of consultations was actually just laid on within the last couple of days with the rise in violence, with the situation in Iraq. It is expected, frankly, that there are options on the table for review of U.S. military strategy in Iraq. What those options are, are being very close hold, we are told. In fact, most of our sources say that they simply have not seen those options. Any matters of discussions are very close hold at this point.

Depending on the president's schedule, we are told that General Abizaid and Secretary Rumsfeld could have an initial meeting with the president later today or tonight, and then that they will have a much lengthier, in-depth discussion tomorrow. All of this of course pending on what President Bush's schedule looks like.

But very clear, our sources are telling us, that it was in the last couple of days that it was decided that these key individuals, General Abizaid, General Casey, the secretary of defense, needed to get together with the president and talk about the situation in Iraq and see what options they might come up with -- Hala.

GORANI: All right. Let me just -- let's listen to Tony Snow and what Tony Snow had to say about that very subject just yesterday, Barbara.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TONY SNOW, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECY.: Tactics change all the time. Generals talk about changing tactics all the time. It happens regularly. It is nothing new in a time of war. As a matter of fact, it would be a dereliction of duty if generals did not constantly adjust to the changing conditions and tactics on the ground.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GORANI: All right so we can see there, we were given somewhat of a warning this was perhaps in the cards, and that's what we're expecting to happen today, but we're going to look at that, at 1:30 p.m. Eastern, Barbara, with Donald Rumsfeld's news briefing.

STARR: Right, perhaps I should explain to everyone. Behind me, you do see not just the U.S. flag that we always have on the podium here at the Pentagon, but the flag of South Korea. There is going to be a press conference just shortly in this room. The minister of defense of South Korea is here for a series of bilateral talks with the secretary. They will appear at 1:30 Eastern Time in the United States to discuss here on this podium, to discuss the situation in Korea, and we can only expect that Secretary Rumsfeld will get a number of questions on the situation in Iraq -- Hala.

GORANI: All right, Barbara Starr at the Pentagon, thanks -- Jim.

CLANCY: Well, E.U. officials say they're concerned with the tensions now between Russia and Georgia. These tensions over disputed territory spilled over in the past month as Russia imposed sanctions on Georgia after Georgia detained several Russian military officers on espionage charges. The men were subsequently released. All of this as Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a European Union summit in Helsinki this weekend. The initial invitation was extended so that Mr. Putin could discuss energy ties with the 25 E.U. leaders. But recent events have turned the agenda toward human rights, as well as Russia's troubled relationship with the state of Georgia.

Still to come right here, an appetite for a little capitalism?

GORANI: Long held in check by President Fidel Castro, Cuban entrepreneurs hope to enjoy some slack, while his brother Raul is in charge.

Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CLANCY: Let's go know to the southwestern U.S., where two young fishermen made a, well, rather surprising catch. The two reeled in a catfish from a canal near Phoenix, Arizona. You know, in honesty, it took them about an hour to land the fish, and here's why. It was 1 1/4 meters long. It weighed more than 20 kilo grams. The young anglers used chicken liver as bait. By the way, they say that they may not cook it. They may, instead, stuff it. That was a catfish. It did not leap into the boat. They had to pull it in.

GORANI: It pounds, what is that, about 45, 50 pounds, something like that?

CLANCY: Yes, 44 pounds.

GORANI: Forty-four pounds.

CLANCY: It's a big one.

GORANI: All right, here we are. Cuba's long-term ruler, Fidel Castro, has never been a fan of private business. But while his brother Raul Castro rules state affairs, some analysts believe entrepreneurs might have a chance there. Family-owned restaurants, for instance, are slowly proving that theory in Cuba. But even that venture is hard for the government to swallow.

Morgan Neill has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MORGAN NEILL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Virtually everything in Cuba is run by the state: banks, music stores, movie theater, even ice cream parlors. But scattered among the government businesses, a handful of what are called paladares, family-run restaurants set up in people's homes. Paladares exist somewhere between socialism and capitalism, driven by entrepreneurs, but heavily taxed and subject to very specific regulations.

Ramon Arena (ph), nicknamed Mongo (ph), runs one of these rare examples of Cuban private enterprise, El Monguito. He can only seat 12 people at once. All the workers must be either family or people who have lived in his house for three years. When he opened 10 years ago, he could serve shrimp and lobster. Now there are rules against that too.

Paladares were first allowed in the mid-1990s, a grudging admission of the failure of state restaurants to measure up to tourist's demands. Once legalized, the number of paladares exploded.

But they were never embraced by President Fidel Castro, who frowned upon entrepreneurs who often earned more than both teachers and doctors. Soon, higher taxes, new rules and frequent inspections whittled the number of paladares in the capital from some 2,000 to estimated 90 today.

(on camera): Many analysts say that's no accident. Paladares, they say, seen as a necessary evil during economic crisis of the '90, but as Cuba's economy began to improve, they're simply no longer necessary.

(voice-over): Still, the entrepreneurial spirit is finding ways of showing itself. Ramon points out the sticker advertising El Monguito on the side of his car, an innovation in Cuba.

Morgan Neill, CNN, Havana.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CLANCY: Well, here's a little more food for thought. If you love to travel and you have a yen for visiting some world famous landmarks, you may want to raise your hand or speak up. There's a contest that's going on right now to choose the new seven wonders of the world. Twenty-one locations have been short-listed. You get to choose between them.

Jean-Paul de la Fuente, director of the New 7 Wonders Foundation joins us now from London.

Well, it's pretty exciting and it gives everybody a vote, but let's start at the beginning. The ancient seven wonders of the worlds, things like the Colossus of Rhodes and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, long gone. Is that why there's a need to get a new seven wonders? JEAN PAUL DE LA FUENTE, DIRECTOR, NEW 7 WONDERS FOUNDATION: Well, good day to you, Jim, and thanks again for having me on the show.

I would say it's absolutely that. What we have is something that has been in history, mythically, magically, for over 2,000 years. And what we're doing with this is really allowing people to have their say, to participate, and to choose and vote. For the first time ever, the first ever global vote for the new seven wonders of the world.

CLANCY: But now the list has narrowed right now to 21. If people really want to find about this, you go to new -- that's N-E-W -- seven. You can use either writing out seven or the seven, wonders.com, right?

DE LA FUENTE: That is correct.

CLANCY: And there you can see all of the places, the 21 that are listed. Can you give us any hints? How's the voting going? What's in the lead? Taj Mahal? Eiffel Tower?

DE LA FUENTE: Well, it would be -- it's fair of you to ask that question and it's fair of me to not answer it. It's going very well. There's a great interest. There's lots of voting. And I have to say, each and every one of these 21 magnificent candidates has a chance. But you'll find out only on the 7th of July next year, 07-07-07, when we announce the results of the vote in Lisbon, Portugal.

CLANCY: You know, something I noticed when I go down the list -- and once again, this is -- what you're looking at right now, the Pyramids of Giza, of Egypt, that was on the original list. It's the only surviving wonder of the world, and it's short listed again this year. What do you think is the most unusual new one? The Opera House in Sydney?

DE LA FUENTE: It's difficult to say. I'm personally captivated by the power and the intrigue of the statues of Easter Island. But that's my personal opinion, and really it doesn't count, because what counts here is the fact that people are voting and choosing. And everyone is inspired by one or indeed by seven different place, and that's the beauty of this competition.

CLANCY: Now, what happens -- I mean, I guess there's never really an official list. This will be as close to official as it gets. And the deadline is 07-07-2007, so 777.

DE LA FUENTE: You could say, Jim, that we're a little bit obsessed by the number seven, but I'll be absolutely clear. This is a very legitimate list. In fact, it's the world's first ever global vote. So, in fact, the outcome of this, the new seven wonders of the world, will be quite an extraordinary historical declaration.

CLANCY: Now ...

DE LA FUENTE: We're saying to people that by -- sorry, carry on. CLANCY: Well, you know, like you say, it's extraordinary. I want to remind people, they're not going to get charged to vote but they do have to register. You know, I wanted to vote twice, but it's not going to be possible.

DE LA FUENTE: No, that's -- actually, you can vote in additional ways. You can vote by telephone. You can vote by other means, but the best way is to go online, new7wonders.com, and register and choose your own new seven wonders of the world.

CLANCY: Now, when it's all said and done, I mean, and these seven wonders come out, what do you think it means for these countries and these attractions? There's no dams on there, you know, like the Three Gorges Dam. You know, some are surprising choices.

DE LA FUENTE: I think so what it means, first of all, to be one of the 21 finalist candidates is extraordinary. It's already a privilege and a unique opportunity, but I think for the new seven wonders of the world, it's an opportunity to go down in history.

CLANCY: Going down in history, making history. You can be a part of it. New7wonders.com. I want to thank you, Jean-Paul de la Fuente, very much for being with us.

GORANI: All right. What's your top pick?

CLANCY: Oh, you know, it would have to be -- the pyramids have to be one of the ones in there.

GORANI: Yes, well they were on the original list.

CLANCY: I mean, there's going to be seven, so you have to come up with a whole list of seven.

GORANI: The only U.S. potential wonder is the Statue of Liberty. So you have that.

CLANCY: Kind of surprising, but ...

GORANI: All right, Eiffel Tower, I think is part of my seven there. Anyway, let's remind our viewers.

CLANCY: We've got news coming up.

GORANI: Right, 1:30 p.m., U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld holding a newser. The head of U.S. Central Command you see there, John Abizaid, heading to Washington for unscheduled meetings.

CLANCY: And those may mean, very definitely, a change in strategy for the U.S. in Iraq. We'll see. We'll see what they have to say. That has to be it for this hour. For now, I'm Jim Clancy.

GORANI: I'm Hala Gorani. Stay with CNN.

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