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Your World Today

Three Days of Mourning Begin for Pierre Gemayel; Record Number of Civilian Casualties Reported in Iraq; Dealing With a Constant Threat in Sderot, Israel

Aired November 22, 2006 - 12:00   ET

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

RALITSA VASSILEVA, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Crowds mourn the death of another outspoken Lebanese politician. An assassination that threatens to plunge the country into yet more bloodshed.
STEPHEN FRAZIER, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Forced to stay indoors and constantly on edge as Palestinian rocket attacks launched in the battle against Israeli occupation take a toll on residents.

VASSILEVA: And some say they were only guilty of flying while Muslim. Imams thrown off a U.S. flight because someone thought they were suspicious. Passengers profiling passengers in a post-9/11 world.

It is 7:00 p.m. in Beirut and Sderot, Israel.

Hello and welcome to our report broadcast around the globe.

I'm Ralitsa Vassileva.

FRAZIER: And I'm Stephen Frazier.

From across the Middle East to across the Americas, wherever you're watching, this is YOUR WORLD TODAY.

Well, this was supposed to be a huge day of celebration to mark an Independence Day holiday in Lebanon. Instead, though, it has become a day for anguish, anger and apprehension.

VASSILEVA: Lebanon woke to watch preparations for the funeral of yet another politician cut down by assassins.

FRAZIER: Pierre Gemayel's murder is threatening to plunge the country into deeper political crisis now.

VASSILEVA: Hundreds walked behind the coffin as it was taken to his hometown a day after the Christian cabinet minister was gunned down in Beirut. "They killed the hero of heroes. They're killing Lebanon's dream," said one anguished mourner.

Beirut Bureau Chief Brent Sadler has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRENT SADLER, CNN BEIRUT BUREAU CHIEF (voice-over): The somber aftermath of Lebanon's latest political assassination, the body of young cabinet minister Pierre Gemayel is carried through the streets of his Christian ancestral home outside Beirut.

This time of anguish and sorrow on Lebanon's Independence Day tears at the emotions of these Gemayel followers, once part of a powerful armed militia in past wars.

Ahead of a funeral planned for Thursday, a potential flashpoint, Lebanon's security forces are now on high alert. Syria is being openly blamed for the Gemayel murder as well as the killings of four other leading anti-Syrian politicians and journalists over the past two years by many within the anti-Syrian ruling coalition led by embattled prime minister Fouad Siniora, a charge Syria denies.

(on camera): Politicians from all sides scramble to contain the fallout from this assassination, urging calm amid fears of an outbreak of brutal violence between Lebanon's sharply divided religious communities that sparked a civil war here during the 1970s and '80s.

(voice-over): Many political leaders here are now worried that Lebanon may be on the brink of being dragged into violent chaos. Mourners born after Lebanon's civil war say they are helpless in the face of unknown killers stalking their politicians.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We're like all Lebanese; we are very sad. We can't do nothing. We just have to stay crying and looking for the truth.

SADLER (on camera): Politicians from all sides scrambled to contain the fallout from this assassination, urging calm amid fears of an outbreak of brutal violence between Lebanon's sharply-divided religious communities that sparked a civil war here during the 1970s and '80s.

(voice over): In a sign of desperate times here, the Lebanese army sent armored vehicles along the main highway leading to the capital. Heavy security measures are meant to calm a nervous population.

But confidence has worn thin, especially among cabinet ministers who have now started to take refuge in the fortress-like home of assassinated former prime minister Rafik Hariri. A small army of guards, checkpoints, and explosives sniffer dogs seal off the mansions, protecting the late Hariri's son and political heir, Saad Hariri, from possible attack, along with some of his closes political allies.

SAAD HARIRI, LEADER, PARLIAMENTARY MAJORITY: I'm afraid that there -- there is still big threat on other ministers, and we should take all the precautions to -- to these ministers. And I -- and I believe that these assassins will not stop.

SADLER: They watch a bank of television screens to monitor local and international news.

Marwan Hamadi survived an attempt on his life two years ago.

MARWAN HAMADEH, LEBANESE TELECOM MINISTER: Part of the battle is to protect yourself. Not individually, but to protect the government of Lebanon against destabilization through elimination.

SADLER: The fear factor now reaches the very top of the western- backed government confronting a Syria-backed Hezbollah-led opposition. Prime Minister Fouad Siniora now living inside his heavily-defended office complex, fearing a possible attack on his life, too.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SADLER: Ralitsa, let's take some live pictures now coming in from Bikfaya. That's the ancestral home of Pierre Gemayel, where we can see mourners paying their respects to the family of former Lebanese president Amin Gemayel.

The Gemayel family struck by a series of assassinations over the past several decades here in Lebanon. The Gemayel family being a very important Maronite Christian political grouping in this very religiously divided country.

Now, all eyes are going to be on the center of Beirut tomorrow for the funeral of the assassinated cabinet minister, Pierre Gemayel. There's expected to be a very heavy turnout. Security will indeed be very high in the center of Beirut around the Maronite Catholic church, where that funeral will take place, expected to be attended by very large numbers of mourners -- Ralitsa.

VASSILEVA: Beirut Bureau Chief Brent Sadler.

We apologize there for those technical difficulties.

Thank you very much -- Stephen.

FRAZIER: A little more now, Ralitsa, on the history that Brent just hinted at.

Pierre Gemayel's family has been touch bid tragedy so many times before. The son of former Lebanese president Amin Gemayel, Pierre is now the fifth member of his family to die violently in public life.

At the Gemayel family home, the former president has already expressed his sorrow.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AMIN GEMAYEL, PIERRE GEMAYEL'S FATHER (through translator): This is the fifth martyr in the family before my brother, nephew and niece were killed. This is the fifth martyr in the family. But we have great faith.

We won't allow the force of evil to win. We have great faith and determination.

All of our friends and our 14th of February party will overcome this crisis and the evil. This evil cannot win in Lebanon as long as there still is these Lebanese and nationalist determination.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FRAZIER: An anti-Syrian politician is predicting that Lebanon hasn't seen the end of political violence right now. Druze leader Walid Jumblatt made a familiar accusation about who he thinks is behind the crime.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WALID JUMBLATT, LEBANESE DRUZE LEADER: I just accuse bluntly the Syrian regime, because it does not want Lebanon, the people of Lebanon to be free, independent, and to be -- and to be safe (INAUDIBLE).

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VASSILEVA: Syria has repeatedly denied any connection to the killing and has condemned the crime as a heinous terrorist act.

Earlier, we spoke to Bouthaina Shaaban, a Syrian cabinet minister. She says the murder could be the work of those who want to undermine Syria as it reestablishes diplomatic relations with Iraq. She also vigorously denies any Syrian involvement.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BOUTHAINA SHAABAN, SYRIAN CABINET MEMBER: This assassination comes as a blow into all of the efforts that are trying to bring a just and comprehensive solution to the region in which Syria is very active and very willing to help and promote. So it is the other side who is not interested in comprehensive (INAUDIBLE) who is perpetrating these crimes.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VASSILEVA: World leaders are condemning the assassination and calling for a complete investigation.

Britain's foreign secretary says many people are pointing the finger at Syria because of its record of "destructive meddling in Lebanon." Margaret Beckett says Syria has an option.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MARGARET BECKETT, BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY: Syria today faces a strategic choice. If the Syrian authorities are ready to play a constructive role in the region, we've made it clear that we are prepared to work with them. But if they support terrorism, promote instability, and interfere in other countries, we will unite with our regional and international partners to seek to prevent it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VASSILEVA: Beckett also says an independent and thorough investigation into the attack should begin immediately.

FRAZIER: Now to a troubling report on the spiraling death toll in Iraq. The United Nations is saying that insurgents killed almost 4,000 Iraqi civilians last month. And to put that in perspective, that is much higher than the number of U.S. troops killed during the entire war.

Let's bring in Michael Ware in Baghdad, who is just all too familiar with this kind of violence.

What is driving this now, Michael?

MICHAEL WARE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Stephen, what's behind this? And you're right to point out what the United Nations is saying is that in the past month, more Iraqi civilians died in that month than any other since the U.S. invasion in 2003. It's saying its civilian deaths are ever increasing. When you add it on the back of the U.N.'s last report, that's 13,500 people in just four months.

Now, the U.N. cites this as a result of terrorism and sectarian violence. It also notes that revenge is increasingly a factor as each sect, Sunni and Shia, responds accordingly.

This is starting to fit closer and closer to U.S. military intelligence definitions of civil war, where they said the violence will gather its own momentum. I think the U.N. is starting to reflect that.

It also pointed to disruption of entire communities to varying degrees, with whole neighborhoods displaced. This again touches upon what people hear on the ground, Iraqis enduring this preferred call (ph) a form of ethnic cleansing.

The U.N. also noted that professionals and educators are being targeted. The educational system of Iraq has been disrupted.

So this very much is a tragic time for the Iraqi people.

FRAZIER: So, clearly, Michael, this will be coming up when President Bush meets with Prime Minister al-Maliki in Jordan at this conference that they're planning. Are you getting any advanced read on specific measures that might be discussed to try and stem this civilian violence?

WARE: No, not at this stage. What we do know from the joint statement from both the Iraqi prime minister and President Bush is that the meeting to take place just in a week from now in Amman, Jordan, will focus on the progress of the war three years on, on the transfer of security responsibility to the Iraqi government, and perhaps tellingly the role of regional players in supporting Iraq.

Beyond that, there's no specifics. But those three agenda items alone are weighty enough. And all of which play into the level of civilian violence and the sectarian killings.

FRAZIER: And that reference to regional players, of course, Michael, Iran and Syria, the new -- the big new players in that deal.

Thank you for those insights.

Michael Ware from Baghdad.

VASSILEVA: Well, dealing with everyday realities and fears.

FRAZIER: Still ahead on YOUR WORLD TODAY, lessons learned in one Israeli town which sits only five kilometers from Gaza. You know what that means.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

VASSILEVA: Welcome back.

FRAZIER: You're with YOUR WORLD TODAY, where we bring CNN's international and U.S. viewers up to speed on the most important international stories of the day.

VASSILEVA: Israel's security cabinet is mulling a decision to step up military operations in Gaza. Some politicians have demanded tougher action to stop a wave of rocket attacks that have killed two people in Sderot in the last week. That town has been on the receiving end of the greatest number of rockets from Palestinian militants in Gaza, almost 2,000 in five years.

Paula Hancocks has more on how residents are dealing with the constant threat.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Concentration is etched on the faces of these Israeli fourth-graders as they sit for a math exam. But this is probably the least stressful part of their day.

They're being taught in a bomb shelter, so they're safe from a steady stream of Kassam rockets launched from Gaza. This is normal for a school in Sderot, three miles from the Gaza border. Children here learn things that no parent would want their child to know.

The school principal says they've learned to tell the difference between outgoing fire of the Israeli army and incoming Kassam rockets.

There's a constant hum of Israeli helicopters overhead, interspersed with gunfire. And the rush is on to re-enforce schools to withstand the impact of a warhead filled with six kilograms of high explosives, more than 13 pounds.

(on camera): The children in this school haven't been allowed to play outside during break time since the beginning of the summer. But the teachers say that they have been drilling it into them that if they are outside and they hear the air raid siren, they have to run straight into this shelter.

This is made of thick concrete. And it's one of the many that's been built in Sderot schools over the past year.

(voice over): Residents here say they live in a constant state of fear. Walking down the street is like playing Russian roulette. One Hamas militant warned residents to leave Sderot earlier this month. This week, hundreds did just that, boarding free buses for a holiday in the Red Sea resort of Eilat, paid for by a Russian billionaire.

The mayor of Sderot said he wants residents to stay.

ELI MOYAL, MAYOR OF SDEROT: I would stay here forever because I believe that we are not -- we shouldn't go way from this city. It's not our answer. Our answer to the terror is keep routine, keep normal life.

HANCOCKS: Frustration spilled into the streets of Sderot Tuesday when the U.N. commissioner for human rights, Louise Arbour, visited the town. Residents want answers as to why, after five and a half years, deadly rockets from Gaza continue to hit their town.

Paula Hancocks, CNN, Sderot, Israel.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FRAZIER: There is another twist today in the poisoning of a former Russian spy-turned-critic of the Kremlin. Doctors in the United Kingdom now say they do not know what is making Alexander Litvinenko sick, but they believe it is probably not thallium now. That's a change.

So the question still remains, who did this and what is it? Some are pointing at the Kremlin, but a spokesman for President Vladimir Putin says the Kremlin has nothing to do with this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DMITRY PESKOV, KREMLIN SPOKESMAN: We don't think that there is a need for commenting on these allegations against Kremlin, because this is nothing but nonsense. We cannot comment on the incident itself, but regarding the allegations, it is really pure nonsense.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FRAZIER: You saw the before and after pictures there of Litvinenko. He is now clinging to life and doctors say he may need a bone marrow transplant if he should survive.

VASSILEVA: China's president says his partnership with India will revitalize Asia. Hu Jintao made the comment during a meeting with Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi one day after signing a deal calling for a doubling of trade between the two countries to $40 billion by 2010. But Mr. Hu says his interest in India is not selfish.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HU JINTAO, CHINESE PRESIDENT (through translator): We also welcome the improvement of relations between India and Pakistan. China does not seek any selfish gains in South Asia. And it is ready to play a constructive role in promoting peace and development in the subcontinent.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VASSILEVA: A new era could be beginning in Nepal, offering the promise of a life free of fighting and a free of fear. Thousands attended rallies in Kathmandu and other cities to celebrate a peace accord signed by the government and Maoist rebels. The deal ends a 10-year-long communist insurgency in Nepal.

Wednesday was declared a public holiday. The government suggests that homes and public buildings be lit up in celebration.

FRAZIER: Still to come, your future commute.

VASSILEVA: They're electric, stackable and know just how fast you like to go. But would you trade in your SUV for one of these? A wild ride into the future coming up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: And hello, everyone. I'm Tony Harris at the CNN Center in Atlanta.

More of YOUR WORLD TODAY in just a few minutes. But first, a check on stories making headlines in the United States.

Over the river, through the woods, maybe across the country. Fifty-two percent of Americans are expected to travel for their holiday feast. And AAA says more than 38 million will travel at least 50 miles.

If you go by air, remember the airport's 3-1-1 rule. All liquids need to be in three-ounce bottles, and all bottles must be in one single zip-lock, one quart in size.

Heavy rain and high winds a big story for the Eastern Seaboard today. Jacqui Jeras following it for us from the weather center.

Hi, Jacqui.

JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Hey, Tony.

(WEATHER REPORT)

HARRIS: And as you get ready to head out on your holiday travel, stay with CNN and CNN.com, and stay up to date on travel conditions across the United States.

More Marines may be needed for duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, the word from the new Marine Corps commander. General James Conway's comments come as the Bush administration finalizes the next military budget. Conway says current rotations limit training and could put Marines to leave -- or prompt Marines to leave the service. His suggestion, either increase the size of the Marine Corps or reduce the rotation schedule. Here in Atlanta, a police drug raid ends with a 92-year-old woman dead and three officers wounded. Authorities say the woman opened fire when plain-clothed officers burst into her home with a search warrant. They say police fired back to defend themselves.

Eric Phillips of our affiliate WSB has the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SARAH DOZIER, WOMAN'S NIECE: They killed my aunt. They shot her down like a dog. She is 92 years old. I give her this house. That is my house.

ERIC PHILLIPS, WSB-TV REPORTER: Sara Dozier rushed to the scene when she heard her elderly aunt Kathryn Johnston had been killed in a shootout with Atlanta police.

DOZIER: They kicked her door in talking about drugs and there's no drugs in that house. They realize now they done the wrong house. They went and they killed her.

PHILLIPS: Atlanta police officials say three narcotics officers were serving a warrant at 933 Neal Street, when a female inside opened fire striking all of them. Their return fire killing her. Neighbors say they could hear the erupting gunfire.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It was oncoming just pow, pow, pow, pow, pow.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Because I had to get my little nephew and dive on the floor with him and I had to dive on top of him because is it sounds like the gunshot was right by our window.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The next thing I know that the ambulance came and the police car, they were just coming shooting down the street and we was concerned and we were scared.

PHILLIPS: The woman's niece says she's not surprised her aunt opened fire because she lived alone and had a gun for protection.

DOZIER: Yes, she has a gun and I went and got her a gun permit. Now, they didn't have to shoot that old lady down like a dog. They didn't have to do that. It's one old woman in that house.

I've got burglar bars there to try to protect her. I've got mercury lights out there to keep it bright and light.

I'm as mad as hell, and somebody's going to answer to that!

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: Man.

The incident is now under investigation. The assistant police chief says the officers were justified in shooting once they were fired upon. "NEWSROOM" returns at the top of the hour. Join Kyra Phillips and Don Lemon for all of the day's news, including an incredible story about how a quarterback sack ended a game and a career, but just might have saved a life. Find out how today in the "NEWSROOM."

Meantime, YOUR WORLD TODAY continues after a quick break.

I'm Tony Harris.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(NEWSBREAK)

FRAZIER: Iraq and Syria re-established diplomatic relations Tuesday following a 25-year rupture. While Syria, together with Iran, are accused of contributing to the unrest in Lebanon, both counties say they want to encourage stability in Iraq.

Senior Pentagon correspondent Jamie McIntyre reports on the influence of both in that nation.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): When the U.S. military is looking for an explanation for the rising violence in Iraq, it often points the finger directly at two of Iraq's neighbors.

GENERAL GEORGE CASEY, COMMANDER, MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ: Both Iran and Syria continue to be decidedly unhelpful by providing support to the different extremist and terrorist groups operating inside Iraq.

MCINTYRE: In testimony before the Senate last week, CIA Director General Michael Hayden cited what he called the Iranian hand as a formidable obstacle to peace in Iraq.

GENERAL MICHAEL HAYDEN, CIA DIRECTOR: It appears to be growing and Iranian ambitions in Iraq seem to be expanding.

With regard to Syria, it's sometimes hard to judge the distinction between incompetence and malevolence with regard to what goes on in Syria that may affect the situation in Iraq.

MCINTYRE: The United States claims between 70 and 100 foreign fighters cross the Syrian border each month to join insurgents. And U.S. commanders tell CNN's Barbara Starr, now traveling in the region, that a rogue element of as many as 10,000 Shia militia fighters are being funded by Iran.

BARBARA STARR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Officials here say that they now believe that breakaway element is largely influenced by Iran which is providing weapons, money and training inside of Iraq. It's something that is a matter of great concern here.

MCINTYRE: So why are Iran and Syria signaling they might be willing to take steps, such as tightening their borders or cracking down on al Qaeda terrorists? While it is in both country's long term interests to have a stable Iraq, analysts say Iran's power play is aimed at diminishing U.S. influence and making it look like the regional superpower.

VALI NASR, AUTHOR, "THE SHIA REVIVAL": But the whole point of this exercise is for Iran and Syria to show that they do not need U.S.'s approval for approaching the Iraqi government or for having their own peace plan and stability plan for Iraq.

MCINTYRE: The U.S. recognizes Iraq needs good relations with its neighbors and says the proof will be if both countries stop funding terrorists and fomenting anti-U.S. and Iraqi violence.

NICHOLAS BURNS, UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE FOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS: The challenge really is to the leadership in Tehran and Damascus to demonstrate that they have good faith here. It's not just a remark about meetings. It's to see some substantive change, policy change on the ground. That is what everyone is looking for.

MCINTYRE (on camera): It remains to be seen how much influence Iran can exert over factions it supports in Iraq and how willing or able Syria is to stop the flow of foreign fighters across its border. But perhaps the bigger question is what might those countries might want from Iraq in return.

Jamie McIntyre, CNN, the Pentagon.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

VASSILEVA: Lebanon, as we told you earlier in our show, is mourning the death of anti-Syrian cabinet minister Pierre Gemayel. While the country is used to political assassinations, this time it may threaten the government of Fouad Siniora at a critical time.

Joining us now to discuss the mood in Lebanon is Jamil Mroue, editor of "The Daily Star."

Thank you so much for joining us.

You were you amongst the mourners, amongst those expressing condolences for the assassination. Give us a sense of the mood of the people mourning this killing.

JAMIL MROUE, EDITOR, "DAILY STAR": Well, the people feel that they have gone off the cliff, so to speak, into the possible abyss of a political process that seems to be slipping away and into conflict. They feel that a lot of imagination is needed by the opposition, as well as by themselves, to gather, put the pieces back together and put the country back on track. It is a dangerous situation. It is a very precarious situation. The assassination of a young Lebanese nationalists, really, more than an anti-Syrian one. He's a Lebanese nationalist, with an agenda, really a nationalist, a unionist agenda, not a divisive one, has put the situation into a very slippery slope.

VASSILEVA: And you say that he was a nationalist. Did he have a national appeal? He was a Christian. What is the reaction in the pro-Syrian circle among supporters of his BOA?

MROUE: Well, everybody is shocked, and shocked in the sense of not knowing what to do next. The situation was very complicated and intricate before. Now it is sort of put on a -- in a sense, on a clean slate. But a clean slate of danger, not a clean slate of let's begin again.

And everybody, including the opposition, are certainly asking themselves, what can we do so that we don't all drop into an abyss, into a real serious problem? Certainly, the religion blood, and the president, ex-president Gemayel, the slain minister's father, came out with a statement that is just absolutely statesmanlike. In fact, he saved the day, by saying that we don't want to avenge. What we are offering is the stability of Lebanon, the democracy and freedom of Lebanon. Mr. Gemayel really, really helped tremendously in giving breathing space for everybody. And it is investing in this breathing space that is very, very important, and it requires imagination, political imagination, from all of the players, starting with the U.S. and others.

The arena of the possibility of stitching things back together is Mr. (INAUDIBLE) office, and he needs all the help he can get. Whether that is on the diplomatic level, whether that is certainly on the mediation level, and certainly that son the enforcement level, meaning to give him enforcement as an arbitrator.

VASSILEVA: What needs to happen on the part of Syria, which -- the finger has been pointed at Syria by the anti-Syrian government coalition. In fact, the Druze leader, Walid Jumblatt, says he's expecting more politicians to be killed and the finger is being pointed at Syria being involved.

MROUE: Look, there is a knee jerk to accuse Syria. Syria in the last two years has not helped to assuage, to appease the situation in Lebanon, partly because of the clumsiness in the manner of which they have dealt with the Lebanese situation. There is a natural tendency to say, oh, it's Syria. Why? Because we have had very bad relations -- or very bad time with Syrian interference in politics. Certainly, the assassination of President Lahoud's (ph) term two years ago and the ensuing wishy-washy way in which they addressed the tragic sequel of...

VASSILEVA: You disagree with those who say that Syria might be behind this because it does not want A U.N. tribunal investigating former Prime Minister Hariri's killing, which implicates senior Syrian security officials.

MROUE: No, I do not disagree. I think that the crux of the problem is the international tribunal. But am I sure that this is something that was done by the Syrians? I am not sure, although I understand the knee-jerk reaction from Walid Jumblatt and from others, from Mr. Hariri himself, who instantly pointed the finger at Syria. I understand because, again, the manner with which Syria has dealt with Lebanon under duress, when Lebanon was under duress, was not a kind manner. And therefore, Syria needs to do something. Can it do something? Of course, it can do something. Can it help in as far as easing the pressure? Of course it can. Syria is an important player. It's a very important neighbor. It's just the manner that they have dealt with the opposition, accusing them of being traitors, being harsh, using harsh words against them. There is no need for that. Now, does this -- will all of this circumstantial political evidence amount to evidence, forensic evidence that this has happened because of the Syrian regime or Syrian...no, not yet.

VASSILEVA: Jamil Mroue, editor of the "Daily Star" thank you very much. We'll continue to watch developments and continue this conversation. Thank you.

MROUE: Thank you.

VASSILEVA: Well, the police report listed the incident under security, but some say a more apt description would be discrimination.

FRAZIER: When we come back, we'll see what it is that led to the removal of six imams in the United States from an airline flight after apparently saying evening prayers.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

VASSILEVA: Long lines, long waits and shoulder-to-shoulder traffic. This airport scene is just part of the annual holiday rush in the U.S. as millions head home for Thanksgiving feast. Experts say even more Americans will pack trains, planes, and automobiles than last. They said people flying home should get to airports early, advising that's the best way to avoid short tempers from long lines. One airline has another take on how calm frazzled nerves. It's offering travelers flying on Thanksgiving day, a free beer.

Welcome back. Critics have long said that not all travelers are treated the same at U.S. airports, especially after the September 11 attacks. Now, an incident in the state of Minneapolis is causing outrage among the Muslim population. Let's turn to Stephen Frazier for more on that story -- Stephen.

FRAZIER: Well, Lisa thank you very much. Actually, Muslim leaders say that six imams who were removed from a commercial flight were treated as terrorists for doing nothing more than reciting evening prayers. An airport spokesman says the men were exhibiting peculiar behavior though, arousing concern among passengers and crew of the plane both. Dan Simon now looks at what exactly led the imams to be led away in handcuffs.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm asking you to please leave our ticket counter right now.

OMAR SHAHIN, NORTH AMERICAN IMAMS FEDERATION: I am going to leave. I am...

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK. I have given you a number that you can contact.

DAN SIMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It had the look and feel of a reality television show...

SHAHIN: This is obvious discrimination. Nobody can argue with me on that.

SIMON: ... as this Muslim leader clashes with a U.S. Airways ticket agent, less than 24 hours after being pulled off a plane. News cameras were there as the clerics demanded answers.

SHAHIN: We are American. Our loyalty to this country. And they are -- discriminate us.

SIMON: The trouble started in Minneapolis last night, when a passenger passed a note to a flight attendant, expressing concern about the behavior of six Muslim clerics bound for Phoenix. Police boarded the plan prior to takeoff, and took them into custody. The men say they were handcuffed and humiliated.

SHAHIN: They make us stand there for 45 minutes, have no right to talk, no -- don't do this. Don't do that. And they brought dogs to search for -- if we have anything suspicious.

SIMON: The imams say the only thing they could have done to draw attention was conduct their normal evening prayers in the terminal prior to boarding, and say they are victims of blatant religious discrimination.

SHAHIN: It's worst moment in my life, when I see six imams being taken off the plane without any reason, any. There is no reason to do that.

SIMON: But the Department of Homeland Security tells CNN, the concerned passenger claimed to have heard the group making anti-U.S. statements. All six imams said they simply did nothing wrong.

MOHAMMED ABUHANNOUD, COUNCIL ON AMERICAN-ISLAMIC RELATIONS: They were humiliated, and in the view of other passengers, which is very, very inappropriate, to treat religious leaders that way.

SIMON: The Council on American-Islamic Relations called for Congressional hearings on religious and ethnic profiling in the wake of the incident. U.S. Airways released a statement, saying -- quote -- "We do not tolerate discrimination of any kind, and will continue to exhaust our internal investigation, until we know the facts of this case and can provide answers for the employees and customers involved in this incident."

As for imams, they eventually got home to Phoenix on another airline. Surrounded by friends and family, they say we haven't heard the last of them.

SHAHIN: I will never allow ignorance to destroy my beloved America.

SIMON (on camera): We're getting a better understanding in terms of why the airline did what it did. The Associated Press got its hands on a police report. That report says three of the clerics had one-way tickets to Phoenix and no checked luggage. It also says that some of them asked for seatbelt extensions, and the flight attendant felt like it wasn't necessary. Even so, the clerics say they may file a lawsuit.

Dan Simon, CNN, Tempe, Arizona.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FRAZIER: We're going to spend a little time with the executive director of the Council on American-Islamic relations, who appeared briefly in Dan's report and who now says the crew and passengers succumbed to fear and prejudice in his words based on the stereotyping of Muslims. Nihad Awad joins us now to talk more about this issue of racial and religious profiling from Washington. Mr. Awad thanks for making time for us.

NIHAD AWAD, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CAIR: Thank for having me.

FRAZIER: Certainly, this is a regrettable incident. Let's review some of the things though that Dan mentioned. In fact, let's ask, let's further it because the imams have spoken with you and made it clear they think it was their recitation of evening prayers that provoked the initial response on this. Help me out. My Muslim friends recite many of their prayers in silence, but to be correct, must they be recited aloud?

AWAD: Well, again, I think this is an incident, of maybe a lack of understanding and sometimes misinformation. According to the imams, they have informed us that they did not conduct their evening prayer in the plane. They did it in the terminal and in a secluded area. Three of them. And of course, that particular prayer has to be said aloud, but not loud enough to disturb other people.

But I think the more people are familiar with the Islamic practices and the fact that Muslims have to pray five times a day. But even travelers can combine some prayers. It should not be a probable cause or a reason to suspect that the imams are prone to do something violent. I, myself, when I travel, see Christian friends next to me, sitting, crossing themselves before takeoff. I respect them for that.

FRAZIER: Right. Of course, so many Americans pray one way in a mosque or in a church and another way in public. They don't kneel or they don't prostrate themselves. And that, I think you pointed out, is out of respect for other people around them there. It is ok -- I mean, these imams apparently were simply standing. Is that your understand of what happened there?

AWAD: Again, three of them had done their prayer in the terminal, not in the plane, prior to boarding. So they proceeded to the plane. They got their boarding passes. They were seated. And everything was fine. And as for the seat belt extension -- you can tell from the footage that some of them are big, and the seatbelt does not fit them. So to ask for an extension is good for his safety and for the safety of other passengers. FRAZIER: Sure. Well, let's talk about the cascade of little thing which taken alone maybe would mean nothing. But we're learning a little more, as Dan said. Three of the imams had one-way tickets. That's kind of an issue. No checked baggage. Some of them didn't sit in their assigned seats. None of that really amounts to much. But you might understand in this climate how taken together they would provoke the initial alarm by a passenger. That's separate from how the police treated these holy men, don't you think?

AWAD: OK, as far as the one-way ticket, many people, including myself, I travel on a one-way ticket sometimes. And following procedural matters is OK. But the way they were handcuffed, questioned were triggered by one passenger. So we do not want another incident of flying while Muslim, because of the prejudice and fear of individuals would trigger this whole security alert and violate people's civil rights just to appease the fear of someone. If someone is fearful of someone else, we can take that individual and put them on another flight. But not six people because someone is fearful of them, and there's no justification for that fear.

But also, in addition to that, U.S. Airways refused to take them even on a later flight the following day. And we believe that could be an issue of discrimination. We're looking into it. And I hope that we're wrong, because we do not want to make a bigger issue out of an incident that was unfortunate, was humiliating. We have to defend the rights of our people as well.

FRAZIER: Indeed, and we're grateful for you doing that now. Nihad Awad, thank you.

AWAD: Thank you.

FRAZIER: I think the key phrase is the one you just mentioned there, flying while Muslim. Let's hope that that phrase can disappear from English soon.

AWAD: We hope so.

FRAZIER: Thank you very much.

AWAD: Thank you, Stephen.

FRAZIER: And we'll be back with more of YOUR WORLD TODAY after a short break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

VASSILEVA: Welcome back, everybody. U.S. President Bush is known for his tax cuts, not his turkey cuts.

FRAZIER: So it's not surprising that the head of the National Thanksgiving Turkey is still attached to its body. It's not surprising at all. Every Thanksgiving, in fact, the turkey industry donates one bird to the White House. This year, in fat, there were two, a flyer and a backup bird named Fryer.

VASSILEVA: Which one would want to be the fryer?

FRAZIER: They don't mean he's a monk.

VASSILEVA: And every year, at the last minute, the president pardons the turkey and all live happily ever after. They lived.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRES. OF THE UNITED STATES: I'm happy to report that he and Fryer both have many tomorrows ahead of them. This morning, I'm grateful I am granting a full presidential pardon so they can live out their lives as safe as can be.

In fact, it gets even better, later today flyer and fryer will be on a plane to Disneyland, where they're going to achieve further celebrity as the honorary grand marshal of the Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Thank you for coming. God bless. And happy Thanksgiving.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FRAZIER: It is true that most turk kiss in America wind up on the dinner table. That's the traditional main dish on Thanksgiving.

VASSILEVA: The holiday which always takes place on the fourth Thursday in November celebrates the Native Americans generosity to the pilgrims when they first arrived in North America.

FRAZIER: And with that, that's it for this hour. I'm Stephen Frazier.

VASSILEVA: And I'm Ralitsa Vassileva. Stay with us. The news continues here on CNN.

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