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Lincoln Memorial Shut Down While Federal Agents Investigate Suspicious Objects; Official Curfew Over in Iraq; President Bush on his way to NATO Summit in Latvia

Aired November 27, 2006 - 14:00   ET

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

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, everyone. I'm Kyra Phillips from the CNN world headquarters in Atlanta.
T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm T.J. Holmes, sitting in today for Don Lemon.

Ahead this hour, we talk live with former Senator George Mitchell. He helped broker peace in northern Ireland. How does he rate Iraq's chances?

Also, New York's mayor promises a full and fair investigation into a fatal shooting while others want Police Commissioner Ray Kelly fired.

PHILLIPS: Michael Richards still in the hot seat, but Jesse Jackson says no one ought to say the "N" word anymore. The word on the word.

You're live in the CNN NEWSROOM.

We begin this hour with a developing story in Washington. Police and federal agents investigating a suspicious object at the Lincoln Memorial.

Homeland Security Correspondent Jeanne Meserve joins us now with the details -- Jeanne.

JEANNE MESERVE, CNN HOMELAND SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Kyra, they are still checking things out at the Lincoln Memorial. It turns out there were three different things they're looking at.

One, a Gatorade bottle that was left in a ladies room. The second, a coffee cup that was left in a stairwell. And the third, a letter that was left in the main chamber of the Lincoln Memorial.

These -- they have for the time being shut down the Lincoln Memorial. Visitors have been cleared from there. We're also told by our producer on the scene, Eric Fegal (ph), that they have shut down some of the small kiosks that operate in front of the Lincoln Memorial selling mementos. This, as the investigation continues.

They don't know what they're dealing with yet. I just talked to an official with the D.C. Fire Department who says they believe that the bottle that was found in the ladies room that appeared to be Gatorade is, in fact, Gatorade. This official says there are no wires or anything else protruding from it that would indicate it's anything other than what it's labeled as being. It's the right color for Gatorade. They really think that's what it is, in part because they looked at some surveillance video that showed somebody leaving it there.

The coffee cup they're pretty sure is just coffee, but they're going to x-ray that to take a better look at what's inside. They were unable to get a full -- a full view from the exterior.

The third thing is this letter which is described as being about 10 inches by 14 inches, laminated, sort of a packing envelope kind of thing. According to several sources, there were three things written on the outside, three questions. "Do you know what anthrax is? Do you know what a bomb is?" And "Do you know what chlorine is?"

According to a D.C. fire official, they are still looking at that envelope. They haven't opened it yet. They'll be doing a series of tests on that to try and figure out exactly what they're dealing with.

Meanwhile, we're told by several sources that the park police has put out a BOLO for a white male who was seen leaving the area at about 12:30. Apparently, some witnesses on scene saw an individual of this description holding what they think was that envelope before the alarm was sounded.

Let me emphasize that in D.C. there are a couple of white powder incidents every week. This is nothing unusual, except for the fact that it's happening at a memorial, that it has caused for clearing of that memorial, and, of course, there is a threatening letter attached to it.

So it's all being -- still being evaluated. No all-clear yet, but no streets have been closed. The city is functions as normal, except for this very small area in the vicinity of the Lincoln Memorial -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right. Jeanne Meserve, we'll keep tracking it. Thanks.

MESERVE: You bet.

HOLMES: We're going to take you back to live pictures again of that house explosion we've been keeping an eye on in New castle, Pennsylvania. New live pictures here we're showing you.

Again, three injuries that we know of. No deaths in this. This picture coming to us from WPXI, a local affiliate there.

We don't have a lot of information on this, but -- but we can see from the live pictures we've been seeing a neighborhood here, houses all around, going down the street, and then you see this one empty spot where this house used to be. You can see this house appears to be a total loss, completely leveled, completely flattened by an explosion. Don't know what caused that explosion. Luckily here -- I don't know if the people who were injured were actually in the house, but luckily, after seeing the devastation of the damage here, good to hear and good to know that no one, in fact, was killed.

Again, we don't know the extent of the injuries of the three people who were injured, but we're just keeping an eye on this, trying to get more information on it. And when we do, we'll try to bring that to you.

PHILLIPS: Flying low, firing down. A U.S. fighter jet crashed today in Iraq. No word on the fate of the pilot, the only person on board, or why the jet went down. A Pentagon source tells CNN the F-16 was on a strafing run, firing at targets near Falluja at the time.

HOLMES: The official curfew is over and Iraq's president has left the country on a business trip, but thousands, maybe millions of ordinary Iraqis dare not leave their own houses.

We're going to go now to Baghdad and CNN's Michael Ware.

Hello again, Michael.

MICHAEL WARE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, T.J., the curfew has been lifted, three days of lockdown following last Thursday's Thanksgiving car bombing massacre against the Shia population of the capital, Baghdad. At least 200 people died in that attack, hundreds more wounded.

Since then, we've seen retaliation from Shia militias. Things have deteriorated where we're seeing neighborhood against neighborhood engaging in mortal wars, lobbing bombs upon -- upon each other.

Now, while there remains a debate back home in the U.S. about whether there's a civil war, that debate is fueled by the luxury of distance. Anyone here on these streets living this up close and personal has no question in their minds whatever. This is civil war.

And you look at all the various definitions and the elements of civil war. Some say that it's too large groups fighting for the political center, where at least a thousand people must have died with at least 100 on either side. There must be militia-style combat, elements of ethnic cleansing, neighborhood on neighborhood, family on family, and some degrees of organization and coordination.

Well, T.J., you can check every box of that. This morning alone, after a three-day lockdown, there were still 39 executed bodies on the streets of the capital. Death squads still roam the city. Many of them institutionalized in police uniforms.

Citizens have to carry dual identity, one Sunni, one Shia. Children can't go to school for fear of crossing ethnic boundaries. Neighborhoods have fighting positions.

People are communicating by SMS and phone messages about roaming militia gangs. And we're seeing on blogs desperate calls for help.

If this is not civil war, T.J., then I don't want to see one when it comes.

HOLMES: Wow. All right.

Michael Ware for us in Baghdad.

Thank you so much, as always.

And the big question, can Iraq be saved? While a study group meets to mold strategy, we'll talk with veteran diplomat and former Senator George Mitchell. He's joining us live in the NEWSROOM.

We'll also hear from retired Army Lieutenant General Dan Christman.

That's coming up this hour.

For the president, destination Estonia. President Bush due to arrive next hour on the first stop of a high-stakes mission with implications for Iraq and Afghanistan.

CNN White House Correspondent Suzanne Malveaux joins us now live from Estonia.

Suzanne, hello to you, and what's the president got on his plate this trip?

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, he's certainly going to be arriving in the next couple hours or so here to Estonia. It's going to be his first stop.

And T.J., I have to say that the stakes are very high for President Bush. We are talking about his credibility and his legacy, dealing with two wars, of course, in Afghanistan, as well as Iraq.

Now, he's going to be arriving here meeting with leaders in Estonia to essentially highlight an important ally in the war on terror, as well as a democracy that is flourishing. It is Tuesday and Wednesday where he heads to Latvia. That is the NATO summit, and that, of course, is where they're going to be highlighting dealing with the war in Afghanistan.

There are about 32,000 troops, NATO troops, there. About 8,000 U.S.-led coalition forces.

As you know, T.J., the situation there has deteriorated tremendously since five years ago, when the U.S. routed the Taliban. We are seeing a resurgence, we're seeing a spike in the violence. And so this clearly is a very important test for NATO, its role in the 21st century, as well for this president -- T.J.

HOLMES: All right. Our Suzanne Malveaux traveling with the president.

Thank you so much, Suzanne.

PHILLIPS: Live to D.C. once again to update you on a situation at the Lincoln Memorial. Live pictures coming to us now from WJLA. Police and federal agents were called out to the scene. You can see members of the Hazmat team right now approaching the Lincoln Memorial.

Evidently someone discovered an envelope containing a note, a note that said, "What is anthrax? Do you know what a bomb is? Do you know what chlorine is?"

It was found right at the base of the Lincoln Memorial. Still don't know how it got there, who is tied to it. It could be a real threat, it could be a joke. But nevertheless, you can see after 9/11, Hazmat teams and authorities have to respond like this every time a potential like this comes forward just in case.

Tourists are being kept away from the Lincoln Memorial site right now while it's being examined. But as you can see, police, federal agents and members of the Hazmat team right now on the Lincoln Memorial site, trying to figure out if, indeed, there is a threat to civilians there in D.C. next to the memorial.

A very popular time for tourists right now. As you know, we're just coming off Thanksgiving vacation. Still a lot of people there in D.C. The Lincoln Memorial is one place that everybody likes to go visit.

So we'll keep following all the details on this and bring it to you as we get it.

HOLMES: Now we want to talk Iraq again. Troops fighting insurgents, Sunnis fighting Shiites, America policymakers fighting each other. The war in Iraq has sparked all sorts of conflicts, from Baghdad, to Washington, D.C.

Will there ever be a resolution?

We're going to get some insight right now from retired Army Lieutenant General Dan Christman.

Sir, thank you for being here.

We're seeing an article this morning, today, in "The New York Times" talking about some of the proposals that this study group is considering. Let me read you part of it, that one proposal.

And I quote, "A significant number of American troops should be withdrawn regardless of whether the Iraqi government's forces are declared ready to defend the country." It goes on and says, "Phased withdrawal of combat troops over the next year would leave 70,000 to 80,000 American troops in the country, compared with about 150,000 now."

Sir, in your opinion, can that strategy work to actually pull American troops out before you get everybody in place and ready within the Iraqi security forces?

LT. GEN. DAN CHRISTMAN (RET.), U.S. ARMY: In the first place, I think the article in "The New York Times" also said this was a debate. It was under way right now within the commission, and the commissioners themselves hadn't decided on the full sweep of the -- of the ultimate recommendation.

But to your question, if we were to do this, I think we're setting up an incredible clash between the senior uniformed military and our civilian community. One has to put this quote that you just read in context of General Abizaid's testimony last week, where it was very, very clear from him, speaking for many of the senior military officers, that they are not comfortable at all either in deadlines or with any precipitous withdrawal.

The uniformed military believes that we're on a right track, which if there's persistence, can lead to a stable Iraq. And that clash between senior military officials and the civilian community represented really through this commission will be, I think, a throwback to the kind of debate that we had in the early '70s about who lost Vietnam. It's a very, very important clash of cultures.

HOLMES: Who is going to possibly -- if you can, speculate a little here -- who is actually going to win that clash? Certainly you expect -- you should be listening to the -- to the generals on the ground, but at the same time, you've got policymakers, you've got a new Congress who has made some promises coming in.

Who wins that clash?

CHRISTMAN: Well, I think ultimately what will prevail here is that we'll see troops coming out. I think we'll see -- in all candor, my personal view is, we'll see numbers about the size that you discussed in your statement prevail around 2008, certainly before the presidential elections.

I think that's really what these midterm elections on November 7th suggested. That the American people are not willing to stomach the kind of casualties and persist with the -- with the kind of struggle going on in Iraq right now to the point that will satisfy the uniformed military. That's the ultimate bottom line.

HOLMES: Also at this delicate time, I don't know, Donald Rumsfeld on his way out, new guy on his way in, if, of course, he's approved by Congress. Does that set up a problem? Who's actually running the show at the Pentagon now?

CHRISTMAN: Well, the wonderful thing about the defense establishment is that they have a very clear hierarchy of the chain of command. Don Rumsfeld will stay, of course, until Bob Gates is confirmed. And even in this transition period, there is a deputy secretary of defense named Gordon England, who is very, very competent and ill be running the near-term show, the details. There's an undersecretary of defense for policy, Mr. Adelman, who will be doing the policy business for the Pentagon.

I think the real issue, though, is what Bob Gates will confront. And it's just not Iraq. That's obviously the most important thing, but Bob Gates will confront an incredibly difficult budget challenge as the services try to reset from what's happening from Iraq. Over $100 billion will confront Mr. Gates in terms of near-term additional defense spending if the services aren't to be broken.

HOLMES: I have to ask you as well about Muqtada al-Sadr. What in the world is the U.S. military, the Iraqi government supposed to do about this guy? Every day it seems like he wields more and more power. What are the options to handle him?

CHRISTMAN: Well, Muqtada al-Sadr right now is, like it or not, a political animal. He's part of the Iraqi political process. He's no longer simply a cleric who can unite certain factions of the -- of the Shia -- Shia religion. But he is a very important part of a rapidly growing Shia constituency, and he must be contended with.

Now, I think the way ahead on this is to deal with the militia, which he only partly controls. I think what's been clear now is that al-Sadr's Mehdi army has dozens and dozens of offshoots, only some of which al-Sadr controls. Those which he can't control, which are trying to undermine the Iraqi government, need to be taken out, killed or captured.

Those which he can control need somehow to be brought within the political establishment. That is a political challenge much more than it is a military challenge.

HOLMES: Well, Lieutenant General, thank you so much for spending some time with us and keeping some of this in perspective for us.

Thank you so much, sir.

CHRISTMAN: Thank you indeed.

PHILLIPS: Straight ahead, are we healing yet? Michael Richards' on-air penance to Jesse Jackson. We're checking out his latest apology in the NEWSROOM with the help of comedian Paul Mooney. He's just going to heal me through his humor and cute little face.

Yes, Paul, you are live. Don't do anything obscene.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: The "N" word, both epithet and endearment. Using it in anger or jest can open the floodgates, as Michael Richards is still finding out.

Yesterday Richards apologized again for his racist and profane tirade. This time on Jesse Jackson's syndicated radio show. Jackson wants artists and media to stop using the "N" word entirely.

Comedian Paul Mooney has used the word, oh, in a few of his routines, was in the studio with Jackson and Richards. He joins us now from L.A.'s Laugh Factory.

So, what do you think? Well, first of all, Paul, great to have you back with us again.

What did you think of Richards appearing with Jesse Jackson? Did it work?

PAUL MOONEY, COMEDIAN: It was the best. Of course it worked. It was the best. He's reaching out.

It's a time for -- it's a time for healing. It will take a lot of time, but it's a time for forgiveness.

I mean, we're all human beings. We all can make mistakes. We all have got a lot of hang-ups. And human beings are very complicated. But it's time for healing.

And you're right. We're going to stop using the "N" word. I'm going to stop using it. I'm not going to ever use it again. And I'm not going to use the "B" word.

And we're going to put an end to the "N" word. Just say no to the "N" word. We want all human beings throughout the world to stop using the "N" word.

We've got to take our power back. It's not an equal opportunity word. And it's not a very nice word. And we're going to end it, and we're going to start doing that today.

PHILLIPS: Now, Paul...

MOONEY: Well, it started actually yesterday.

PHILLIPS: ... you were -- you were pretty much the first comedian to use this word on a regular basis in your routines. You've been doing it for years.

Is this going to blow your routine?

MOONEY: No, of course not. I'm talented.

PHILLIPS: Well, that speaks for itself, you're right. So I'm curious, what will replace that word?

MOONEY: What do you mean? Black? Afro-American? African- American, whatever I want to say.

PHILLIPS: OK. All right.

So how do you think your fan base will respond to that? Do you think -- if you take a look at the word, OK, whether it's comedy or within rap, or just within social conversation, I mean, that's a lot of targeted audiences. That's a lot of African-Americans that use the word and don't have a problem using it, and it sells.

So how do you convince the rappers? How do you convince just the kids hanging out in the neighborhoods, man, don't use the word?

MOONEY: Listen, anybody's frame of mind can change. I can't change the past. I can change the present and the future.

And I'm simply -- for me, if my fans love me, they'll follow me. I'm not going to say the word.

Michael cured me of the word. I'm not easily shocked. The video -- the tape shocked me. And I finally got the gist of the word. It's too powerful and there's too much hatred in it, and I don't want to use the word anymore.

And my fans that love me will follow me. And when people all think, well, how can you make them stop, it's out there, it's not going to ever end, listen, one person can change history.

Helen of Troy, Joan of Ark, Harriet Tubman -- it wasn't Harriet Tubman and her sisters. It was Harriet Tubman. One person -- I'm just taking a stand with this.

And our mental thing changes. I'm going to take you back -- did you see "Roots"? Did you see it?

PHILLIPS: Oh, of course. We all saw it. That was -- everybody should see that movie.

MOONEY: OK. OK. We thought LeVar Burton had the biggest lips we had ever seen. We went into shock, where did they find somebody with lips that big? But today his lips are little.

Have you been to Beverly hills? His lips are small now.

PHILLIPS: Did he bring botox into the community? I was just wondering.

MOONEY: It doesn't matter. Yes. But we think differently about lips. Agree or disagree?

MOONEY: Interesting. Well, OK. I see what you're saying.

(CROSSTALK)

MOONEY: Listen to you trying to back off. Because you're an -- because you're an old-school white lady with thin lips. Please.

PHILLIPS: Oh. Now hold on a second here.

Now, if you want to get -- now, look. You and I have talked about this.

I'm glad you're having fun, T.J.

Now, do you want to look back -- if you want to look -- first of all, I have very good lips, thank you very much. Maybe some day I can kiss on you your bald head so you can get a taste of that.

No, but in...

MOONEY: With all those red lips. With all those red lips.

PHILLIPS: All right. Now hold on just a second here. Look at you trying to dis me. Look at you totally trying... MOONEY: I'm not trying to dis you. I'm just trying to make you come to the front about it. I like you. I'm not trying to dis you.

PHILLIPS: OK. Because I had the 15-second album of the Sugarhill Gang, all right? I was really hip and multicultural back in the day, so don't you start with me. Hip-hop hippity hop.

MOONEY: Oh.

PHILLIPS: All right, look, I've got a question for you. Listen, I've got a serious question.

MOONEY: I've seen your rap sheet.

PHILLIPS: Yes, I know. No pun intended.

Let me talk about when you were a writer for "Good Times" and "Sanford and Son." I've wanted to ask you this.

MOONEY: OK.

PHILLIPS: Was there ever a time when you were writing for those shows that you thought about the "N" word? That you thought about maybe we should throw it in there into a little skit with Redd Foxx? Maybe we should throw it into a little "Good Times"? Maybe we should experiment with that word.

Did that ever enter your mind? Did you ever bring it up in the writers' meetings?

MOONEY: Well, of course.

PHILLIPS: You did?

MOONEY: Listen, we brought -- we brought it -- look, "The Dave Chappelle" show, you've seen it. "Saturday Night Live" -- I mean, I've worked for a lot of shows that were late-night shows and on the edge. Of course.

I mean, I was having an affair with that word. You know, I was married to that word. Now I'm having a divorce. Maybe you'll understand that. I'm divorcing the word.

PHILLIPS: I would try to stay away from divorce.

Well, now that you're not going to use the "N" word...

MOONEY: And I'm not going to use the "B" word either.

PHILLIPS: OK. So -- and not going to use the "B" word. OK, that's good. But so what happens -- what happens to your character Negrodamus? Is Negrodamus OK?

MOONEY: Negrodamus is fine.

PHILLIPS: Yes? That will still work? MOONEY: Yes. Well, Negrodamus, yes it will work. Of course.

PHILLIPS: All right. Let me ask you a question then. All right? I'm going to ask you to think Negrodamus for a minute.

OK, Negrodamus, tell me about what happens to the future of Michael Richards now.

MOONEY: OK. Now you're making me choke. The future of Michael...

PHILLIPS: Do I need to get you some water?

MOONEY: He's going to be healed. Yes.

PHILLIPS: A shot of whiskey?

MOONEY: He's going to -- I have some. He's going to start his healing process.

PHILLIPS: OK. He's going to start his healing process. Now...

MOONEY: And...

PHILLIPS: Yes?

MOONEY: ... in the future he's going to be deported to Africa and he's going to come back with -- he's going to come back with eight black children that he adopted.

PHILLIPS: OK.

MOONEY: And he's going to live very -- he's going to live happily ever after in Harlem.

PHILLIPS: OK. Perfect. And what is he going to name those kids, Negrodamus?

(LAUGHTER)

PHILLIPS: I'm glad I could make you laugh.

MOONEY: You are very funny.

PHILLIPS: Yes, well...

MOONEY: You are. You're funny.

PHILLIPS: I had to get back at you for throwing me for a loop. All right.

MOONEY: I have to get rid of you. You make me laugh too much.

PHILLIPS: All right. Final question. The future of black comedy, what do you think?

MOONEY: Oh, it has a huge future. And without the "N" word.

PHILLIPS: That's what I'm talking about. New code of ethics is what Jesse Jackson said today, right?

MOONEY: That's right. That's right.

PHILLIPS: Paul Mooney...

MOONEY: And we've got to -- we've got to say no to the "N" word.

PHILLIPS: All right. Just say no.

Good to see you, Paul Mooney.

MOONEY: It's good to see you.

PHILLIPS: Sometime I'll Sugarhill Gang for you, all right? I'll tear you up.

(LAUGHTER)

I was hoping Otis -- Otis would cue the music.

HOLMES: I'm glad he didn't because I thought you might start rapping. And that was a problem.

PHILLIPS: Then Paul would really be laughing.

HOLMES: Only you. I respect that. You can take a segment about the "N" word, and we're talking about your lips. I love it.

All right, Kyra. Let's try to move on here.

We have to get to a more serious story. We've been talking, of course, about the incident in New York, the police shooting up there. Well, angry folks in the community now actually calling for the police chief to be fired.

We're going to find out if the mayor is going to stand by his men.

We're watching that story unfold and all kinds of other stuff here in the NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: Undercover cops open fire on three unarmed men leaving a bachelor party. That was early Saturday in New York City. Today in New York City, Mayor Michael Bloomberg is joining community activists asking why, but he's also backing his police commissioner as the investigation proceeds.

Here now, CNN's Deborah Feyerick.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: New York City's mayor, Michael Bloomberg, met with the clergy this morning, along with community leaders. The mayor promising a fair and thorough investigation no matter where it leads.

The mayor very determined to find out whether, in fact, race played a factor in this shooting. Among those cops who fired their gun, two were black, two Hispanic. The fifth was white.

MAYOR MICHAEL BLOOMBERG (R), NEW YORK CITY: I can tell you that it is, to me, unacceptable or inexplicable how you can have 50-odd shots fired, but that's up for the investigation to find out what really happened.

FEYERICK: The police officers were involved in an operation to determine whether guns were inside this particular club. According to police, one of the undercover officers thought that the groomsman, along with his friends, had a gun. Police are not sure whether in fact, the police officer identified himself as an officer before he began firing on the vehicle.

Now, according to police department rules cops cannot pull their gun on a vehicle even if they feel they are threatened because the police believe that if they see the car is moving, they will have time to get out of the way rather than draw the weapon. So that, too, under investigation. But right now the mayor trying to make sure that all the people in various communities throughout New York City remain calm. He has recruited the clergy and local community leaders to help him in this effort. Back to you in the NEWSROOM.

PHILLIPS: The curfew ends, diplomacy begins. Iraqi President Jalal Talabani is in Iran where he's talking to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad about a possible Iranian role in stabilizing Iraq. Washington has strongly rejected any such thing, but it's under growing pressure to change course. Talabani's trip was delayed a couple days because of the curfew and the shut down of the Baghdad's airport. Today Iraqis base the tight security, which was prompted by Thursday's massacre in Sadr City, the single worst attack of the war.

Can we talk? Should we talk? Can we trust? Will this help? When it comes to Iran and Syria, getting involved in Iraq, the questions just keep on coming. Let's hash it out and get some answers with a former senator and a top peace negotiator, George Mitchell. He joins us live from New York. Sir, good to see you.

FORMER SEN. GEORGE MITCHELL: Thanks for having me.

PHILLIPS: Well, let's talk about this leaked information that ran in the "New York Times." This quote coming forward, "a significant number of American troops should be withdrawn regardless of whether the Iraqi government's forces are declared ready to defend the country. Phased withdrawal of combat troops over the next year would leave 70,000 to 80,000 American troops in the country compared with about 150,000 now."

This was a part of this Iraq study group, information leaked to the "New York Times." What do you think about that? Is it possible to pull out now whether that country is secure or not?

MITCHELL: Well, first, of course, it was described in the newspaper account as a first draft that had not been acted upon by all of the members of the commission and it would be subject to debate. So I think it's clear, it's not a final decision, and we don't know what the final decision will be for a couple of days.

PHILLIPS: Well, what's your opinion? What do you think?

MITCHELL: I think there will be inevitably some degree of drawdown of American forces over the next year. That's inevitable. The's president's policy has clearly failed. The American people have repudiated it. So for just those two reasons there's going to be a change. I think that's the minimum change that would be required.

PHILLIPS: Lieutenant General Dan Christman was asked the same question. This is what he had to say earlier in our program.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAN CHRISTMAN, LT. GEN., U.S. ARMY (RET): If we were to do this, I think we're setting up an incredible clash between the senior uniformed military and our civilian community. One has to put this quote that you just read in context of General Abizaid's testimony last week where it was very, very clear from him, speaking for many of the senior military officers, that they are not comfortable at all either in deadlines or with any precipitous withdrawal.

The uniformed military believes that we're on a right track, which if there's persistence, can lead to a stable Iraq. And that clash between senior military officials and our civilian community represented really through this commission will be, I think, a throw- back to the kind of debate that we had in the early '70s about who lost Vietnam. It's a very, very important clash of cultures.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: What do you think? Could we see that same type of discussion like what we saw over Vietnam?

MITCHELL: Well, this is a democracy and of course we have discussion, we have disagreement and we have debate. And we expect the military leaders to provide their candid, unvarnished advice. We also know in our system there is civilian control and ultimately in a democracy, the people and their elected representatives decide. So I don't think there's anything unusual or unhealthy about different expressions of different points of view.

Secondly, I don't think that the proposal that you red calls for a precipitous withdrawal. It is, in fact, a gradual one over a long period of time. And it doesn't have a deadline for when it will be completed. I think those are both factors that have to be taken into account.

I think the most important thing here is that the debate will result in a change of policy in several respects. First to eliminate the administration's total fixation on Iraq to the exclusion of other areas, particularly the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. That's the principal concern, that's the principal issue, in the region. It's been largely ignored by the administration as it's focused entirely on Iraq, which I think has been a mistake. The second is to make this a regional issue. It's not just talking to Iran or Syria. It's talking to everyone in the region. I think that's almost certainly going to be one of the recommendations of the study group.

PHILLIPS: Interesting. I want to bring up a couple of those points. But what you just said about the Palestinian/Israeli situation, King Abdullah holding an interview on ABC. He said pretty much the same thing. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KING ABDULLAH, JORDAN: We're juggling with the strong potential of three civil wars in the region, whether it's the Palestinians of Lebanon or of Iraq. And I hope that my discussions at least with the president will be to provide whatever we can do for the Iraqi people, but at the same time, we do want to concentrate ourselves on the core issues which we believe are the Palestinians and the Palestinian peace process because that is a must today as well as the tremendous concern we've had over the past several days of what's happening in Lebanon.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: You really think the Palestinian peace process is more of a priority or should be more of a priority than what's happening in Iraq? Is there any way to compare the chaos and decide which is worse? Because I think the American people would probably say but wait, there are more people dying in Iraq, specifically American troops.

MITCHELL: Well, that's true, but over the long term, I think clearly in the Middle East, throughout the Muslim world, the Israeli/Palestinian conflict is a central concern and I think is the one that has the greatest potential to erupt and spread throughout the entire region.

I think of all the mistakes the administration made going into Iraq, and there were many, none was greater than the illusion that if you get a good result in Iraq, that's somehow going to solve all the other problems of the region. Even if we get a result in Iraq that seems now impossibly good given the chaos and mess there now, the region won't be stable until the Israeli/Palestinian conflict is resolved.

So you have to obviously deal with the situation in Iraq now that has been created and is such a horrible mess, but you have to keep in mind that the central issue remains the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.

PHILLIPS: Interesting. Senator Mitchell, you also helped broker the deal with northern Ireland. And what's fascinating to watch, the I.R.A. and the violence that happened with regard to the fight in northern Ireland, it was car bombs. The same tactic that insurgents are using in Iraq. All these decades later, it's the same form of terrorism.

MITCHELL: Well, I read a couple of accounts which suggested that the car bomb was invented in the northern Ireland conflict. I don't know if that's true or not, but at least that allegation was made. But the reality is, of course, that terror is not an enemy -- it's a tactic. One of the mistakes the administration constantly makes is to lump everybody together who is engaged in terrorism. The fact is that some of them are coherent groups. Some have coherent political objectives. Some you can gauge in dialogue, others like al Qaeda you cannot.

But the fact is we have to be more discerning and tailor our responses to the immediate circumstance rather than lumping everybody together and suggest they're all terrorists, they're all the same, you deal with them all the same way. That's clearly not the case.

PHILLIPS: Well, once again, you helped broker that deal. So what drastic move would you take if you were trying to broker a deal in Iraq right now?

MITCHELL: Well, that's very difficult. It's obviously more complicated now. I think the reality is that it's such a mess that there is no answer right now that is guaranteed to succeed and free of risk. Every course of action has a high degree of risk and is not guaranteed to succeed. But I think that there has to be a process that will force the Iraqis to make the difficult decisions they've so far refrained from making. And that is to deal with the militias to try to bring stability to the country. That hasn't happened because it's so painful for them, and until now, the president's policy of staying the course has been like a security blanket for them.

We're going to be there as long as it takes them to do what's necessary, and they're going to put off doing what's necessary as long as they can because it's so painful. That's why I think you do have to begin at some point a phased withdrawal of American forces to convey the message of seriousness and ultimately they have to take the tough decisions, which they so far have been unwilling or unable, probably a combination of both, to take.

PHILLIPS: George Mitchell, let's talk again. Appreciate your insight.

MITCHELL: Thanks for having me.

HOLMES: Well, forget the Turkish delight. Thousands of Muslim turks hit the streets to protest this week's visit from the pope. The NEWSROOM's keeping an eye on a controversial trip. Stay here.

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HOLMES: After weeks of record-setting highs for the Dow Industrials, stocks are kicking off the week with a big selloff. Susan Lisovicz here now to tell us why. Hello again, Susan.

SUSAN LISOVICZ, NYSE: Hello, T.J. It's not unusual, given the fact that the market doesn't only move in one direction. It's just that we have been used to and enjoying the fact that we've had a hot streak lately. Not to worry too much. Many pros here say it's not really healthy for the market to move in a straight line up.

There are a number of culprits today, working against the bulls. Oil, for instance, is up more than a dollar right now, climbing past $60 a barrel after Saudi Arabia's oil minister said OPEC may cut output even further.

Also the U.S. dollar falling to a 20-month low against the euro today. That is seen -- the dollar is -- weakness in the dollar as the U.S. economy as a whole, which is slowing down. Wal-Mart, a bell- weather certainly for the retail sector, issuing a disappointing sales forecast for November, one of the most important months for retailers -- shares of Wal-Mart today falling nearly 3 percent, one of the worst performing Dow 30 stocks. But 28 of the Dow 30 stocks are under pressure today.

The Dow right now, about ten points off of session lows, down 155 points or 1.25 percent. Declining issues swamping advancers here at the New York Stock Exchange here by 4-1. It's the biggest selloff right now since July, in fact, for the Dow Industrials. NASDAQ also under a lot of pressure, down 2 percent, 46 points lower.

Let's tell you about some better news, though: the tight labor market, which bodes very well for the college graduating class of 2007. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, most employers expect to hire more than 17 percent more college grads this year. Overall, just 5 percent of employers will decrease hiring, far better than the 15 percent this year. And this may not come as much of a surprise, considering that millions of baby boomers are nearing retirement age and will leave the work force. T.J.

HOLMES: Well, that sounds pretty good, on one hand. But I guess it's tough for the employers there. They need to get the best and the brightest -- you know, those Kyra Phillips-type graduates. What do these employers do now to attract some of these best graduates?

LISOVICZ: When you have these kind of conditions, it basically comes down to one thing, T.J., and you know it -- money. Instead of offering one-time signing bonuses, employers are having to cough up average starting salaries by more than 4 percent. That's nearly a full percentage point more than last year's increase. So very good for the graduating class of '07.

And by the way, the South is the region that will see the biggest increases -- the Midwest, the smallest. And that's the latest from Wall Street. Stay with us. You're watching CNN, the most trusted name in news.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You never expect cancer. And when you hear it, you're frozen. My father was diagnosed with lung cancer. They removed his lung, and they decided that he didn't need any chemo or radiation. And they said, No, no, you're cancer free. My dad was on top of the world. Exactly one year later, he was diagnosed with kidney cancer. I was angry. If they had detected the kidney cancer right after the lung cancer, maybe my 6-year-old daughter would know my dad, now.

MILES O'BRIEN, CNN HOST: When it comes to fighting cancer, detection is crucial. This year alone, almost 1.4 million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer. But with better detection methods on the way, the chances of survival are getting better all the time.

Dr. John Viatore (ph), of the University of Missouri-Columbia, says by listening to the noise some cancer cells make, we may be able to catch and treat it sooner.

DR. JOHN VIATORE, UNIV. OF MISSOURI-COLUMBIA: We have bound melanoma cells using this laser-induced ultrasound. Melanoma usually contains melanin, which is the color that the laser needs to be absorbed and create these ultrasonic waves.

O'BRIEN: But Viatore says, by adding color to the colorless cancer cells, this technique may also be effective in detecting other cancers.

VIATORE: This technology has the potential to impact oncology and cancer care across the board.

O'BRIEN: Today, in order for an MRI or CAT Scan to detect cancer, a patient must already have about a million cancer cells in their body. But Viatore says this technology could be used to detect as few as ten cancer cells in the body, and one day it could even identify a single cancer cell.

VIATORE: It takes away the waiting game. I want to know right now, am I still clear?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Want to update you now on a situation going on in Washington D.C. Live pictures coming to us from WJLA. Here's what happened. We do by the way expect a live news conference with the U.S. Park police soon. We'll bring that to you live. But basically somebody turned in a note that was found at the base of the Lincoln Memorial, a note saying what is anthrax? Do you know what a bomb is? Do you know what chlorine is? Of course, it alerted authorities. Police and federal agents responded. The hazmat team is still there. They're checking the area, they're keeping tourists away from the site while it's being examined. But as soon as the U.S. Park police holds a newser, we'll take it live.

HOLMES: A nightmare in Missouri. At least ten people dead, another two dozen hurt in a fire that swept through a home for the elderly and mentally ill overnight. We are expecting a live briefing from the governor there, Matt Blunt. The fire burned for hours in the town of Anderson, that's in the southwest corner of the state near Joplin, Missouri. The Missouri Highway Patrol says the home had 33 residents and two employees. A recent state inspection identified problems, but none related to fire safety. The cause of this fire still not yet known.

A former spy is dead, are others at risk? A radioactive case in London that even has the coroner worrying about exposure. We're tracking the fallout ahead in the NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: The 'a' word, apology. The 'h' word, healing. Both of those words getting a lot of use after a comedian's unfunny use of another word, the 'n' word. "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" A.J. Hammer has the details straight out of New York for us. What's up, A.J.?

A.J. HAMMER, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT HOST: Well, T.J., the apologies keep on coming from "Seinfeld" star Michael Richards. Jesse Jackson's radio show yesterday, yet another form for Richards to apologize for his racially charged meltdown that took place on stage at an L.A. comedy club. Richards has been contrite in public ever since this video surfaced of the episode he had about a week ago. He also says that he is currently seeking some professional help.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAEL RICHARDS, COMEDIAN: Personal work, deep personal work.

QUESTION: As in -- therapy, psychiatry?

RICHARDS: Yes, to get to the depths of my -- of anger, the issues of anger.

QUESTION: How do you think this went this morning?

RICHARDS: Very well. The African-American community has -- I mean, the leadership has opened up the healing. And for that I'm grateful.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: It has been a week of apologies for Richards. T.J., I guess we're just going to have to wait and see if it gets him any forgiveness from the African-American community or anybody for that matter who he offended in this incident.

HOLMES: Yes, he's apologizing to a large audience, but specifically there were two guys who were in the club that I guess were the ones who were taking the brunt of that attack of his. We've seen them. We actually interviewed them, had them on CNN. Has he reached out to those two in particular and personally apologized?

HAMMER: Well, it hasn't happened yet. Michael Richards does say though, it is something that he in fact is going to do. So, again, it's kind of a wait and see situation. Obviously those people the most deserving of the apology at the moment.

HOLMES: All right. let's turn to the music news now. A big concert happening in England, I guess. Something coming up. Tell us what you know about this one.

HAMMER: This is still very much in the planning stages at this point. But Princes William and Harry reportedly throwing a concert to honor their mother Princess Diana. At least that's what they're planning on right now. Of course, it was August 31st, 1997, when Princess Diana was killed in a Paris car accident. Well, now the British royal family wants to get some of the world's biggest stars together and do a little charity concert in her name.

The plan that's making the rounds at the moment is to invite major superstar acts ranging from Madonna to Elton John who performed at Diana's funeral, get them together, have them perform at London's Wembley Stadium on July 1st of next summer. That's the date that would have been Diana's 46th birthday. Buckingham Castle at this point has not confirmed any of these reports and says a concert is only one of the ideas being bandied around -- T.J.

HOLMES: All right. A.J., thank you so much. Sounds like a good concert, that would be a big one. Thank you so much. We'll see you again soon.

PHILLIPS: Well, swapping galoshes for snow chains in the Pacific Northwest. We're live in Seattle straight ahead from the NEWSROOM.

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