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Three Car Bombs Explode Near Central Market In Baghdad; Political Rift In Iraq's Government Spilling Into Streets; Hezbollah- Led Protesters Hit Streets Of Beirut; Fidel Castro No-Show At Celebration; Conjoined Twins Separated in Saudi Arabia; U.S. Military Deserters Choosing To Go To Canada Instead Of Iraq

Aired December 02, 2006 - 12:00   ET

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

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: "Now in the News," another big attack in Iraq. At least 51 people are dead after a series of car bombings in Baghdad. Scores more were wounded. three car bombs went off in quick secession in a busy shopping district.
And much of the Midwest, here in this country, digging out today after a powerful pre-winter snowstorm. Half a foot fell on Chicago. Even more snow fell in parts of Wisconsin and Missouri. At least 11 deaths are blamed on the storm.

A huge Beirut protest aimed at toppling the Lebanese government is in its second day. Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators turned out yesterday and many spent the night camped out in tents. The protests are led by Hezbollah which claims the current government is too friendly with the United States.

Cuba is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Fidel Castro revolutionary army, but the ailing Cuban leader is nowhere to be seen. Castro has been recovering from intestinal surgery since July. His non-appearance today is adding to speculation that he's suffering from inoperable cancer.

Delicate, difficult surgery has started in Saudi Arabia to separate conjoined twins. The procedures is expected to last at least 20 hours. The baby girls share many vital organs, but doctors say so far so good.

Car bombs deliver more death and destruction in Baghdad on the eve of the top Iraqi Shiite lead's trip to Washington and a meeting with President Bush.

Not all of the American troops like the orders some refuse to fight and desert their units. We'll have a look at those soldiers who don't want to serve in Iraq.

And it's a kid's movie about dancing penguins so why are so many adults riled up? The news is unfolding live this Saturday, the 2nd day of December, I'm Fredricka Whitfield, you're in the NEWSROOM.

In the fight for Iraq just hours ago, three car bombs exploded near a central market in Baghdad, killing at least 51 people and wounding more than 90. This as the U.S. military reports the combat death of another soldier in Anbar province. Our Nic Robertson joins us live from the Iraqi capitol -- Nic.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SR. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fredericka, the blasts occurred about an hour before sunset, the market would still have been busy, the market -- store holders would have been getting ready to pack up and leave, everyone here wants to be off the streets before dark, but these blasts came an hour before that, ripping through the neighborhood.

Ten stores were destroyed, 12 vehicles destroyed, 51 people killed, 90 injured, so many casualties they were taken to five different hospitals. And from where we are here, we could see huge pools of black smoke pouring up from that area in the center of Baghdad. It is an area many, many people go shopping.

And we've also learned from Iraqi police today they have discovered 44 bullet riddled bodies on the streets of Baghdad. They say some of them show signs of torture, some of them had their hands tied behind their backs, often. It appeared that these murders are the results of sectarian attacks -- sectarian killings.

We do understand, for the Iraqi army today -- in a joint operation today north of Baghdad with the U.S. forces there, they have rounded up 43 suspected insurgents, 25 of them, they say, were on their most wanted list. But this attack in Baghdad, just before dark, a very, very bloody attack, Fredericka.

WHITFIELD: Horrible day there. Nic Robertson, thanks so much for that update from Baghdad.

And that violence, among the topics power Shiite leader, Abdul Aziz al-Hakim will discuss with President Bush when they meet Monday in Washington. Today Hakim dismissed a call by U.N. Secretary Kofi Annan to hold an international conference on Iraq.

Our State Department correspondent Zain Verjee has more on how the political rift in Iraq's government is spilling into the streets.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ZAIN VERJEE, CNN STATE DEPARTMENT CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Stripped of political power and using firepower to make their voice heard, under Saddam Hussein, the Sunni minority called the shots, but now their rivals, the Shia majority is in the stronger position. The U.S. has tried to reach out to the Sunnis to give them a stake in Iraq's future along with Shias and Kurds.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: In the long- term, security in Iraq requires reconciliation among Iraq's different ethnic and religious communities.

VERJEE: U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, Zalmay Khalilzad, convinced the Shia majority to include Sunnis in the drafting of Iraq's constitution and pushed for amnesty programs for Sunni insurgents and sharing Iraq's oil wealth with Sunnis. But U.S. officials admit the two sides are moving no closer. Sectarian violence is raging as the fighting gets bloodier, the politics messier.

DANIELLE PLETKA, AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INST: We need to win militarily in Iraq and we need to understand that that victory is extraordinarily important to a political victory.

VERJEE: But U.S. officials now worry whether the unproductive Sunni outreach also alienated the Sunni majority.

TOM CASEY, STATE DEPT SPOKESMAN: This not a matter of favoring one group other another or disfavoring one group over another, it's about helping the Iraqis themselves move forward.

VERJEE: But privately, officials say they're increasing range of options as part of new Shia tilt to win back the majority. One of the most influential Shia leaders, Abdul al Aziz al-Hakim will be in Washington to meet with President Bush on Monday.

PLETKA: We need to be with the people who are with us and against the people who are against us and not start picking sides based on sectarian affiliation.

VERJEE: One possible approach along those lines would be for U.S. officials to ease pressure on Iraqi Prime Minister al Maliki to crack down on against Shia militias like the Mahdi Army.

(on camera): But the proposed Shia tilt would not exclude Sunnis. A Bush administration official says that the vice president of Iraq, a Sunni, is scheduled to meet with President Bush next month.

Zain Verjee, CNN at the State Department.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: And later this afternoon in the NEWSROOM, the next chapter in Iraq. Carol Lin examines the military options for the U.S. ranging from a complete troop withdrawal to sending more Americans into the conflict. That's at 5:30 p.m. Eastern, right here in the NEWSROOM.

Turning now to another hot spot in the Middle East, thousands of Hezbollah-led protesters hit the streets again today, in Beirut Lebanon, they're demanding the U.S.-backed government step down.

The latest now from Hala Gorani in Beirut -- Hala.

HALA GORANI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi Fredricka. Hopefully you can hear me over the noisy protests behind me. Opposition demonstrators are day two of an open-ended protest vowing to bring down the cabinet and the government of the U.S.-backed prime minister here, Fouad Siniora.

They say his cabinet is not representative of the Lebanese. As for Fouad Siniora, he says that he was and his government was elected democratically and he said, a little bit earlier today, that this is not the way to solve Lebanon's disputes. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

FOUAD SINIORA, LEBANESE PRIME MINISTER: I have strong belief in the Lebanese that definitely they have tried all attempts to solve problems in the past through violent ways, through nonpeaceful means. And it proved to be a failure. So we cannot resort to violent ways. It doesn't solve the problem. In Lebanon, it does not solve the problem. Don't let anybody waste his time. It will not lead to anything. We have to agree among each other on all the issues.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GORANI: Well, that was the prime minister of Lebanon, Fouad Siniora. As these demonstrations continue to paralyze parts of downtown Beirut, the big question going forward is will the government of Fouad Siniora survive? If it does not, what will take its place and what will be the reaction of the West, including the United States, which has thrown its weight behind Fouad Siniora -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: And Hala, you talk about how this demonstration is paralyzing the city of Beirut, so what is this doing for the overall economy, there in Lebanon?

GORANI: Well Fredricka, this is one of the forgotten stories of Lebanon over the past few months, after the Hezbollah-Israel conflict over the summer and up until now, the Lebanese economy has been devastated. I spoke with the economy minister of Lebanon just a few hours ago, he told me that the portion of revenue of this country that goes to repaying debt alone on its interest is 75 percent. He says the political, but also the economic crisis in this nation can only go from bad to worse if opposition party members continue to demonstrate in the way they have over the last two days.

Fredericka, back to you.

WHITFIELD: Hala Gorani in Beirut, where thousands continue to demonstrate. Thanks so much.

Well so far, Cuba's president, Fidel Castro, is a no-show at the very big party. Celebrations in Havana, marking the 50th anniversary of his revolution, where hundreds of thousands have turned out, and they're also celebrating his 80th birthday. Our Morgan Neill is live from Havana.

And so Morgan, the question is are Cubans expressing any dismay that there's a no-show of Fidel Castro, much like the international community is communicating?

MORGAN NEILL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Right, well, what we've seen is a great deal of uncertainty here. People have said yes, they are saddened somewhat, the people we talked to, they left the parade this morning, but they also said they were hopeful, they expect to hear more from him, and that's in line with what they've been hearing from their leaders over and over. That is that President Fidel Castro is recuperating, that this process could be a long one.

Nevertheless this is a day he himself set when he handed over power temporarily to his brother at the end of July. He set this day and asked the country to wait to celebrate his birthday, now. So the fact he was unable to appear is going to create some doubt in the minds of most Cubans.

Now what we did see today was a military parade through Havana's Revolutionary Plaza. We saw armored vehicles, tanks, fighter jets. Even a replica of the original yacht that brought the revolutionaries to Cuba from Mexico some 50 years ago. But in place, where we usually see President Fidel Castro, we saw his brother, acting President Raul Castro.

Now he came out and talked about the unity between the Communist Party, the army, and the Cuban people. Be he mentioned nothing about his brother's condition. So as I say, uncertainty for a lot of the Cubans, here. They said they are a bit saddened by his inability to come. But honestly, the message they've been getting over and over and over is that their president is recovering well. So this is bound to create some doubt, the fact that he couldn't be here today -- Fredericka.

WHITFIELD: All right, Morgan Neill, thanks so much, from Havana.

Well, faced with fighting in Iraq, some young men head for the border instead. The secret lives of American deserters in Canada.

And doctors in Saudi Arabia begin the delicate and arduous task of separating a pair of conjoined twins. We'll get an update from the chief surgeon on how the operation is going.

(WEATHER REPORT)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Power is till out in thousands of homes and businesses in the Midwest today after a brutal pre-winter storm. Many places got their first snow of the season and a lot of them including Traverse City, Michigan, got more than just a dusting. Chicago got half-a-foot of snow, snarling traffic. And hundreds of flights serving Chicago were cancelled disrupting airline schedules all over the country.

While the snow and ice gave a holiday look to this St. Louis neighborhood it made driving conditions pretty dangerous. The storm is blamed for at least 11 deaths nationwide. Our Reynolds Wolf is in the Weather Center reporting on the big snow and now, hopefully, the big thaw?

(WEATHER REPORT)

WHITFIELD: Those Iraqi conjoined twins, well they are in surgery in Saudi Arabia. We'll get a live update on how the operation is coming up next in the NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: "Going Global" now, the widow of poisoned Russian dissident Alexander Litvinenko now testing positive herself for radioactive polonium. A man who dined with Litvinenko, in London, also has small amounts of the metal in his system.

Venezuelans go to the polls tomorrow. Present Hugo Chavez, a frequent U.S. critic, trying to win a second term. The fiery leftist promises 21st century socialism for the next six years. His rival, Manuel Rosales, Venezuelans have a clear choice, democracy or authoritarian rule.

The Philippines now reporting more than 300 dead after a typhoon plowed into the island nation, nearly 300 people are still missing. Most provinces are without power today. Some spots are still neck deep in water. Typhoon Durian, the fourth super typhoon to hit the Philippines this season alone.

Iraqi sisters, Fatima and Zahra, undergoing separation surgery in Saudi Arabia, today. The 11-month-old twins are joined at the chest and abdomen. They share a liver, a colon and urinary system, the girls from the poor Baghdad neighborhood of Sadr City. Their surgery possible after the Saudi royal family intervened. Correspondent Mohammed Jamjoom, live from Riyadh, now.

And how are the girls doing? Because I understand they have been in surgery for quite a few hours now?

MOHAMMED JAMJOOM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Fredericka. They've been in surgery about 13 hours now and the surgery's been going remarkably well. And we have some great news to report, just moments ago, they were separated. It's the first time they've ever been separate since they were born. They have now been taken to two separate operating tables.

Now they head into the reconstruction phase of the surgery which will take another three to four hours, but the Dr. Abdullah al- Rabeeah, who's heading up the surgical team here, sent a personal message to the parents that Fatima and Zahra are going to be just fine.

WHITFIELD: Wow. That's remarkable. Now, how about the family? The parents? Are they there? Are they able to be there at that Saudi Arabian hospital while the surgery is taking place?

JAMJOOM: They are here. They have been here all day. I've spoken to them several times. The last time I spoke to their father, Haider Abob (ph) he was starting to feel a bit nervous with all the media attention. I spoke to him earlier this morning he said he was quite relieved because the day had finally arrived. He'd been getting so many well wishes. So many people from Iraq had calling him. So many people from Saudi Arabia.

When I last saw him, he was fatigued. He said he couldn't sleep the night before, worrying about the surgery, that the mother was a bit worried, as well, that's Majda. But apparently now they are quite relieved with the message that was sent from the Dr. Abdullah al Rabeeah. WHITFIELD: Oh, and that's such encouraging news. Now this family actually made their appeal on Iraqi television, didn't they, before the Saudi royal family stepped in and said we can try and make this happen?

JAMJOOM: Absolutely. The girls, Fatima and Zahra, were born in a Sadr City hospital and the mother started appealing very quickly to the media for anybody to help their daughters. They were born in terrible conditions. They were malnourished, they were beset by infections at an early, early age.

And basically, they had been offered by many surgical teams to take a look at the daughters. They consulted with many people, with many doctors and then they decided that going with this team in Saudi Arabia, that is really world renowned, was the best option.

King Abdullah had heard be at story, he was on a trip to Malaysia and he offered to have the twins medevaced here to have them assessed by the surgical team to see if they could be good candidates for this separation surgery. Now Dr. Abdullah al Rabeeah's team has successfully separated 11 pairs of conjoined twins over the years. This is the 12th operation that they're doing and so far it's just going remarkably well.

WHITFIELD: Oh, that is such a great story. All right, Mohammed Jamjoom, thanks so much. So glad the prognosis is great for these beautiful 11-month-old girls. We'll be keeping tab on their development.

Meantime, here in this country and sometimes going abroad, U.S. soldiers fleeing to, in some cases, Canada.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I've had to face public opinion, I've had to face disownment from my father. He told me I was dead to him.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: A look at those troops who decide desertion is the best choice for them. Their stories straight ahead here in the NEWSROOM.

And the children's movie that has some grownups all heated up. This one, right here, "Happy Feet," not so happy to everybody.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: So most of us couldn't imagine life without our cars, but for one Seattle family going car less has its rewards. Randi Kaye joins them for a typical day on this edition of "Modern Living."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RANDI KAYE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Alan Durning (ph) is on his way to work, no suit, just Spandex. Three months ago, the Durning family of Seattle gave up their wheels to help save the planet.

ALAN DURNING, SAVING THE PLANET: We're making a quantifiable difference because we're not burning anywhere near as many gallons of gasoline.

KAYE: If Alan's math is correct, and in one year cars emit their own weight in pollution, then he's saving the environment about 4,000 pounds of pollution.

Amy walks most places and a few hours a month, she rents a hybrid car.

(on camera): Without a car, Alan and Amy figure they now walk about a mile and a half every day. Not only is that good for the planet, but seems to be benefiting them, too. Together, they believe they've lost nearly 10 pounds.

(voice-over): And they've gained more of what they call "walking around money." The car less lifestyle saves them $200 a month, not much compared to what they hope to be saving the planet, but they'll take it.

I'm Randi Kaye, that's this week's "Modern Living."

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Half past the hour, here's what's happening right now in the news. Triple car bombs killing at least 51 people and wounding 90 near a market in central Baghdad. Police say one of the bombs appeared to target an Iraqi army patrol.

Millions of Americans are digging out from the season's first big wintry storm. It cut a wide swath from the southern plains into the upper Midwest. Snow, ice, rain, wind -- you name it -- all part of the mix. We'll have an update straight ahead right here in the NEWSROOM.

A massive protest in Lebanon. Thousands of Hezbollah supporters vowing to topple Beirut's U.S.-backed government. Prime Minister Fouad Siniora says he has no intention of stepping down.

11-month old conjoined twins now separated. Moments ago, we learned doctors in Saudi Arabia have successfully separated the two. They will be in surgery another seven hours or so and doctors are confident the babies are going to be just fine.

Missing all the fireworks -- Fidel Castro didn't show up for celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of his Cuban Revolution. His absence fueled speculation that the ailing leader may not return to power at all.

They didn't ship out, they got out. U.S. military deserters choosing to go to Canada instead of Iraq.

CNN's Thelma Gutierrez looks at three young men and their controversial decisions.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Vancouver, British Columbia. Somewhere in this city of two million people, American servicemen live in the shadows, soldiers on the run from a war they won't fight and the United States, which they swore to protect.

A world away, in a dark Vancouver basement, Sara Byorknis (ph), a librarian, reaches out across cyberspace to young soldiers seeking refuge in Canada.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They Googled AWOL, and our contact information came up.

GUTIERREZ: Private Smith from Texas, Specialist Michael Hanson from Minnesota, and PFC Alonzo Lewis from Florida -- these three young deserters are typical of the hundreds who have made their way to Canada, aided by a network of lawyers, college instructors, even Vietnam-era defectors, who gave them advice as they left the United States, and are now helping them to try and stay in Canada.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is our newest arrival.

GUTIERREZ: This is Private Smith. He asked us not to reveal his real name, because he fled an elite Army unit and entered Canada illegally, on foot, carrying a backpack and a phone number for the war resistance movement tucked into his sock.

(on camera): Was it tough to make that decision?

"PRIVATE SMITH," U.S. ARMY DESERTER: Well, the decision was made overnight.

GUTIERREZ (voice-over): Overnight, because, at 19, Private Smith, a medic, was facing his second tour of duty in Iraq.

SMITH: I have seen what a bullet can do to a man. I have seen what a bomb can do to a person. I remember talking to my mom on the phone and I said, "Mama, I can't do this anymore. I can't fight anymore. I can't go to that war again."

GUTIERREZ: It was a decision that would cost him dearly. Once across the border, Private Smith called the Canadian war resisters from a pay phone. A voice at the other end of the line sent him to Elsie (ph) and Karen Dean, who have given him a place to stay.

KAREN DEAN, PEACE ACTIVIST: There's a piece of every mother that wants to believe, if her son made this decision, there would be another woman someplace in the world who would take them in.

GUTIERREZ: Michael Hanson, once a radio operator in Iraq, is now an American refugee in Canada. The hardest thing is the loneliness.

MICHAEL HANSON, U.S. ARMY DESERTER: There are times when I miss my family. It is tough, knowing that there's a chance that I might not be able to go home.

GUTIERREZ: Alonzo Lewis knows that isolation. He comes from a military family in the South. He hasn't talked to his parents since he left. Lewis cannot legally work in Canada, so he has to rely on Valerie (ph) and Yevon Raul (ph) to feed and shelter him. It is a fragile existence.

ALONZO LEWIS, U.S. ARMY DESERTER: A lot of people are afraid that some -- maybe the government will come and -- come to Canada, get them, and take them back.

GUTIERREZ: Even though there may be U.S. warrants out for their arrest, Canadians can legally harbor American deserters.

JAMES GOULD, PRIVATE SMITH'S ATTORNEY: We're talking about a process of caring, one person at a time, and trying to help and save one person at a time.

GUTIERREZ: Activists are also trying to change Canada's immigration laws.

BILL SIKSAY, CANADIAN PARLIAMENT MEMBER: The folks who are coming here now, the resistors who are coming here now, face a very difficult situation, in terms of gaining legal status.

GUTIERREZ: Deserters must claim they're political refugees from the United States. And no deserter from the war in Iraq has been granted that status so far.

(on camera): Organizers with the war resistance movement here in Canada say 30 Americans have already applied for refugee status to remain here in this country. And no one knows for sure just how many more are living underground.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're going to keep you guys safe.

GUTIERREZ (voice-over): Activists Robert Ages and Valerie Lannon (ph) estimate several hundred deserters are living in Canada illegally, people they say they feel bound to help.

(on camera): You don't think you're doing anything wrong?

BOB AGES, WAR RESISTERS SUPPORT CAMPAIGN: I think we're doing the most moral thing anyone could do.

GUTIERREZ (voice-over): Private Smith says leaving the military was the most courageous thing he has done in his life.

SMITH: I have had to face adversity. I have had to face public opinion. I have had to face disownment from my father. He told me I was dead to him.

GUTIERREZ: What hurts the most, he's no longer allowed to see his little brother.

SMITH: I have lost pretty much like half of my family. They won't speak to me anymore. And I could care less what anybody thinks. I know what I'm doing is right here.

GUTIERREZ: They say they joined the military as teenagers, and left as men, walking away from everything they had ever known and ever loved.

Thelma Gutierrez, CNN, Vancouver.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: And while Private Smith did not return for his second tour of duty, many others have. One-fifth of the Army's active duty troops have served multiple tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.

So does a service member who doesn't want to return to war have any options other than deserting? Eugene Fidel is a military law attorney and president of the National Institute of Military Justice joining us from Washington.

Good to see you.

EUGENE FIDELL, MILITARY LAW ATTORNEY: Hi.

WHITFIELD: All right, well, let's answer that very question. Are there other options besides deserting when you just don't want to go back?

FIDELL: Well, there is provision in American law for what's called in service conscientious objector application, a person who's already in service, even if he or she is a volunteer as everybody is in the current all volunteer force, can apply to be designated as a conscientious objector.

And if they succeed in that, they will either be discharged as a conscientious objector or in some few cases, they might be retained but put in a non-combatant status. So there is an option.

WHITFIELD: So most soldiers probably know that. Is it that they are not likely to get a positive outcome and that's why they don't pursue that avenue as opposed to just crossing the border?

FIDELL: It's hard to say. The information available doesn't indicate how many people who have gone to Canada or other countries have applied for conscientious objector status and been turned down. That's a fact I would certainly be interested in knowing.

But, in any event, there certainly is a procedure to try to be designated as a conscientious objector. The numbers are extremely small. For example, thus far, this calendar year, only three in- service conscientious objection applications have been approved by the Marine Corps. The number for the Army is somewhat larger but you're talking about small numbers.

WHITFIELD: So to be a conscientious objector, what do you need to establish?

FIDELL: You have to establish that you have a deeply held opposition to law in all forms. It doesn't have to be religiously- based, incidentally. You can be a nonbeliever and if your value system functions in the same way that a religiously-based value system functions, then you can still qualify.

But the key is, under American law, you have to be opposed to war in all forms, not simply this particular war. We do not recognize selective conscientious objection.

WHITFIELD: So in the case of the young medic who was in Thelma Gutierrez's piece who said I just couldn't deal, you know, with another bullet-riddled body, that isn't going to be argument enough because she applying it to the Iraq war and not necessarily to all wars?

FIDELL: You would have to know a great deal about what that person's belief system was and that's why the military has a quite strenuous process for screening people. There are interviews that are required, face to face interviews. You have to meet with a chaplain, usually a mental health provider as well. And the chain of command has to function on it. The key thing is to assess the person's sincerity and what the nature of the individual's views are.

WHITFIELD: So let's talk be at pursuit that the U.S. just might carry out in looking for these deserters. We saw in that piece that Canada can harbor American deserters legally. But can the U.S. pursue these men and women just like they might any other person they declare a fugitive who has sought refuge in any other country.

FIDELL: We don't try to extradite people who are -- who have evaded military service.

WHITFIELD: You said we do not?

FIDELL: We do not. No, and countries do not typically honor other countries' requests for extradition where that's the only offense. However, what we do is keep a careful list of people who have deserted and if a deserter returns across the border or attempts to, that person is quite likely to be stopped.

In addition, if the person does succeed in crossing the border and they're stopped by the police, for example, there's every reason to fear they would be arrested. So it's a serious problem and it's one that's going to haunt people for many, many years unless, of course, somewhere down the road there's an amnesty.

WHITFIELD: Right, well, fascinating stuff. It really is. Eugene Fidell, military law attorney and president of the National Institute of Military Justice. Thanks so much for your time.

FIDELL: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: Here in Atlanta, emotions still flaring after the shooting of an elderly woman during a so-called no knock search. Neighbors of the victim say this is the not the first time Atlanta police have kicked down a door unannounced in their community.

And a dancing penguin fights for acceptance from his peers in the new children's film called "Happy Feet," but he's having more trouble winning over some critics of the movie's very message.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Now some stories making news across America. Look very carefully at the shaded box at the top of the screen. Right there. More than five years after the 9/11 attacks, the FBI has released another video of the explosion at the Pentagon. These pictures came from a security camera at a nearby hotel.

A suspected serial killer is under arrest in Louisiana. 42-year- old Ronald J. Dominique is accused of murdering two men and he's a suspect in as many as 20 other deaths. He was arrested at a homeless shelter.

Members of a controversial Kansas church were planning a demonstration outside a North Dakota Indian reservation today. A U.S. soldier killed in Afghanistan is to be buried on the that reservation. The Westboro Baptist Church stages demonstrations at soldiers' funeral to protest what it calls America's tolerance of homosexuals.

More now on the police shooting of an elderly Atlanta woman. Atlanta police have released audio tapes of police communications after the shooting occurred. There apparently were no requests for medical attention for Kathryn Johnston who died during an attempted drug bust at her home. The police had a no knock warrant. Some members of Atlanta's African-American communities say that's an all too familiar scenario.

Here's CNN's Rusty Dornin.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): For three years, Tia Carter and Alphonso Howard lived in this south Atlanta house, not far from the home of Kathryn Johnston, the elderly woman shot dead by police as they served a no knock search warrant after she fired at officers.

The couple didn't know Johnston, but they say they do recognize the names of the three officers wounded in the shooting at Johnston's house. They were the same officers they say crashed into their home last year, also armed with a no knock warrant.

TIA CARTER, FILED POLICE COMPLAINT: They had a gun. My kids room is right there and the guns could have went off and they would have been murdered.

DORNIN: The search warrant says an informant told police he bought $30 of marijuana at Howard's house and there were weapons. The informant's words were enough for the magistrate to grant a no knock warrant, the same magistrate who granted the no knock warrant at Johnston's house. It took five days to serve the warrant at Howard and Carter's house. Officers say they yelled "police" before breaking down the door with a battering ram.

ALPHONSO HOWARD, FILED POLICE COMPLAINT: If you look here, you can see that I was in the front master bedroom.

DORNIN: Howard says he ran down the stairs to get his three young children. Guns drawn, officers handcuffed him. The informant had described the drug dealer as a big man with a gold tooth.

(on camera): The suspect didn't look anything like you?

HOWARD: No ma'am. No ma'am, this is a guy that was with faded hair, gold teeth, younger guy about 35. I'm 44 years old right now.

DORNIN (voice-over): Howard says the police refused to show him the warrant, thoroughly searched the house, then left three hours later. Police took away his legally registered guns and noted in an incident report that traces of cocaine were found. A private investigator hired by the couple's attorney says no drug connection was ever made.

JAMES MERCIER, PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR: He was never charged. He was never arrested, no drugs were found in the house.

DORNIN: Howard filed a complaint with the city two days later. That was 18 months ago. Now he says he plans to sue.

Atlanta Police declined an interview, citing the pending litigation, but issued a statement saying Howard's complaint "was investigated and there was not enough information." Howard still wonders about how good the police work was given how long it took them to serve the warrant.

HOWARD: Exactly. They would have seen there was kids and all. It wouldn't have been no reason to come in here at 10:00 at night. Them drug dealers don't go to bed at 10:00 at night.

DORNIN: No laughing matter for Atlanta's African-American community.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm scared to death.

DORNIN: Where people are still angry about what happened to Kathryn Johnston and where the police chief is now promising to review no knock warrants.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Someone is telling a lie.

DORNIN: Rusty Dornin, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Not so happy with "Happy Feet." An animated box office smash sets off a new salvo in the culture wars. That's straight ahead in the NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(WEATHER REPORT)

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WHITFIELD: Come on, who doesn't love penguins? They're a hit with many moviegoers, but not with some conservatives.

CNN's Jeanne Moos has the story of the P.C. penguins.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): You know things are going downhill when dancing penguin causes a political flap.

NEIL CAVUTO, FOX NEWS ANCHOR: They're foisting this on my kids.

GLENN BECK, TALK SHOW HOST: Tell me about it first, OK, so I know I'm walking into propaganda.

MOOS: Not everyone is happy with the blockbuster "Happy Feet." "Crappy Feet" one critic called it. Some conservatives say it's dark, disturbing environmental propaganda, pitting cute penguins against big, bad humans in the fishing industry.

BECK: In an animated version of "An Inconvenient Truth."

MOOS: But can you really compare Al Gore's global warming documentary to "Happy Feet"?

CAVUTO: I half expected to see an animated version of Al Gore pop up.

MOOS: In Al Gore's film, glaciers crack, but the only cracking in "Happy Feet" is caused by bad vocals.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I heard an animal once do that but then they rolled him over. He was dead.

MOOS: There is no global warming in "Happy Feet," though the director readily admits to amplifying environmental themes. The penguins are starving because of over-fishing. Humans are called aliens.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Have you ever been abducted my aliens?

MOOS: Check out the six-pack holder around his neck.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is my sacred talisman.

MOOS: It ends up almost choking him to death.

(on camera): Even the "New York Times" describes the movie as "a view of hell as seen through the eyes and ears of creatures we foolishly, tragically call dumb."

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yo, penguino, I'm the genius Ramon.

MOOS (voice-over): That's the voice of Robin Williams, portraying one of the lead penguins. The movie has gotten rave reviews.

ERIC BOEHLERT, MEDIA MATTERS: I just think conservatives are, you know, still cranky from the election and they pick a fight with this animated penguin. It doesn't make any sense.

MOOS: One critic even suggesting there's a gay subtext. Mumbles is an outcast because he dances, but can't sing.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: But it just ain't penguin, OK?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Don't ask me to change, pa, because I can't.

MOOS: But don't expect Mumbles to join the ranks of actual gay penguin couples. "Happy Feet" defenders say he's no different than Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

ROBERT THOMPSON, SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY: Of the 50,000 things affecting America's youth in negative ways today, I don't think the penguin movie is probably on that 50,000.

MOOS: As for kids who have seen the movie...

(on camera): What's the movie about?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Happy feet.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I love you. I love you.

MOOS (voice-over): ... "Happy Feet" seems to have gone to their heads.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Show me what the penguins do.

MOOS: But those "Happy Feet" are stepping on conservative toes.

Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Some happy and unhappy feet to maybe frozen feet. Reynolds Wolf in the Weather Center. Extreme weather.

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WHITFIELD: Reynolds Wolf in the Weather Center. And, you know, the weather just runs the gamut, extremes all across the map.

(WEATHER REPORT) WHITFIELD: Thanks a lot, Reynolds.

Well, a look at the top stories in a moment. "IN THE MONEY" is next and here's a preview right now.

JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Thanks.

Coming up on "IN THE MONEY," the battle after the war. See how cash affects whether America's veterans get the care they need and deserve when they get back home.

Plus, conspicuous consumption -- find out if binge spending for the holidays is truly a patriotic act or a sign that you perhaps need to get a life.

And the proof's in the paperwork. We'll tell you about the latest corporate scandal and the college professors -- not government regulators, college professors -- who tracked it down. All that and more right after a quick check of the headlines.

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