Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Saturday Morning News

Suicide Bombings in Baghdad Market, Missile Defense System Tested Successfully, U.S. Troops Authorized to Engage Iranian Operatives in Iraq

Aired January 27, 2007 - 09:00   ET

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

T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: Another deadly suicide attack in Baghdad this morning. As many as 13 people are dead following a pair of explosions in a crowded outdoor market. More than 40 others were injured.
Meanwhile, a mortar attack in northwestern Baghdad wounded nine people.

They looked like police, but they were not. Iraqi authorities say gunmen posing as police officers stormed a computer store in eastern Baghdad today. They dragged seven people into their vehicles and sped off.

BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: Well, it is the latest test in the effort to build a missile defense system, and, officials say, it was a success. The military conducted the tests off the coast of Hawaii overnight, and the Missile Defense Agency says the system was able to intercept a dummy target representing a Scud-type missile.

HOLMES: And let the word get out the Royals are here. Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall Camilla, arrived in Philadelphia yesterday. And today they're going to tour city landmarks. Tomorrow they head to New York City.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CRYSTAL GAYLE: I wish he would just give himself up, do his time, and go out and to the world as we all should do and be honest and open.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: Crystal Gayle speaking out about the alleged fugitive police say is in that bus right there, her tour bus. And he is on the run at this hour.

HOLMES: There has to be a faster way to get away.

NGUYEN: Than a tour bus. He also took a tractor a little bit earlier.

HOLMES: Tractor-trailer from Wal-Mart. We'll get into that. From the CNN Center in Atlanta, I'm T.J. Holmes, and this is CNN SATURDAY MORNING.

NGUYEN: Good morning, everybody. I'm Betty Nguyen. We want to thank you for starting your day with us.

First up, anti-war protests planned for Washington within the hour. Organizers of today's rally say they hope the protest sparks a nationwide movement to bring the troops home from Iraq. They're predicting a turnout in the thousands, including some active duty troops. And anti-war sentiments may gain strength inside the walls of Congress next week. That's when a resolution condemning the president's plan could come to a vote in the Senate, but the posturing in Congress is now drawing a stern warning from the administration's top man at the Pentagon.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ROBERT GATES, DEFENSE SECRETARY: It's pretty clear that a resolution that, in effect, says that the general going out to take command of the arena shouldn't have the resources he thinks he needs to be successful certainly emboldens the enemy and our adversaries.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: So we want to know what you think this morning. Does criticism of the war hurt the troops on the battlefield? E-mail us. Here's the address WEEKENDS@CNN.com. We're going to read those responses on the air just a little later this morning.

HOLMES: Some leading house Democrats are in Iraq this morning. House speaker Nancy Pelosi is leading that delegation into Iraq. After meetings with Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki, a renewed call for a political solution. A statement from the speaker says American troops should be moved quickly from combat to training roles.

New details now on last week's deadly attack on American soldiers in Karbala. Five soldiers were killed, but now the military is saying four of them were actually abducted and killed elsewhere. The well- planned attack was carried out by insurgents posing as Americans.

NGUYEN: Targeting Iranians in the fight for Iraq. President Bush gives U.S. troops authority to kill or capture Iranian agents deemed to be a threat. The administration says it's about protecting U.S. forces, but some members of Congress are concerned it's about expanding the war. Details now from White House correspondent Ed Henry.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ED HENRY, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice over): President Bush is trying to step up the capture and killing of Iranians who are fighting in Iraq and providing the most sophisticated and deadly improvised explosive devices to militias.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: If somebody's trying to harm our troops or stop us from achieving our goals, and killing innocent citizens in Iraq, that we will stop them.

HENRY: This allows the president, sitting with his newly confirmed commander in Iraq, General David Petraeus to try and achieve two goals, improve security in Iraq and get tough with Iran, which experts say has over 100,000 agents in Iraq. And at the same time, is moving ominously closer to obtaining nuclear weapons.

But the president's action against Iranian agents also provides fuel to the fire, fanned by Democrats that the White House is really gunning to expand the war in Iraq into Iran.

SEN. HARRY REID, (D-NV) MAJORITY LEADER: We want the American troops protected in Iraq. But for the president to escalate this conflict outside Iraq is something he has to come back and ask us permission to do.

HENRY: Democrats charge some of the president's rhetoric against Iran, like this last week, is reminiscent of the so-called cowboy diplomacy that led to the war in Iraq.

BUSH: If they're moving weapons inside Iraq, that will hurt the cause of democracy and more particularly hurt our soldiers, we'll take care of business there.

HENRY: But on Friday the president insisted Democrats are wrong.

BUSH: Some are trying to say that because we're enforcing helping ourselves in Iraq, by stopping outside influence and killing their soldiers or hurting Iraqi people that we want to expand this beyond the borders, that's, that's, that's a presumption that simply is not accurate.

HENRY: The president again stressed he's committed to solving the crisis in Iran through diplomacy, not war. But Democrats are skeptical especially with the president brushing off bipartisan congressional opposition to increasing troops in Iraq.

BUSH: Most people recognize that failure would be a disaster for the United States. And that I'm the decision maker. I had to come up with a way forward that precluded disaster.

HENRY: Top Democrats privately believe the president is prepping for war with Iran to divert attention from mistakes in Iraq. White House officials call that nonsense. And insist the president is committed to solving the Iranian crises through diplomatic means.

Ed Henry, CNN, the White House.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HOLMES: Calls for more money and troops in Afghanistan. The Bush administration pressing NATO allies for more support. The European Union is pledging more than $850 million, and President Bush said this week he'd ask Congress for nearly $11 billion in new aid. All this as the military gears up for a spring offensive by the Taliban.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MAJ. GEN. BENJAMIN FREAKLEY, U.S. ARMY: I do believe that the Taliban will try this spring and summer to do some of the things that they said they would do last year. Remember he announced that he would have a summer of blood and that he would take back Kandahar to spite the president, who is from Kandahar. He failed in that. So I think they'll continue to try, but innocent men -- not innocent, but misguided men will fail. And for the power of the few, many will probably be killed.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: The Pentagon is extending the tour of duty for about 3,200 U.S. troops in Afghanistan. The soldiers from the Army's Tenth Mountain Division will stay up to four months longer. In all, the U.S. has about 24,000 service members in Afghanistan.

NGUYEN: Turning now to politics, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee is now getting into the presidential race. An adviser for the Republican hopeful tells CNN Huckabee will form a presidential exploratory committee next week. He'll become the tenth possible presidential contender on the Republican side.

And one of those ten is former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. He's taken his campaign to New Hampshire again. Giuliani is scheduled to speak today at a major Republican event in Manchester. The Republican is hoping to gain even more momentum in the nation's first primary state.

HOLMES: On the Democratic side of things, the Hillary Clinton campaign is heading to Iowa. It will be the Senator's first visit to Iowa in three years. The Senator announced a week ago that she's in the race and has spent the last week doing Internet chats with potential viewers. We have potential viewers. She has potential voters. Excuse me.

NGUYEN: As for our viewers, they want to know what it's going to be outside weather wise before they step out this Saturday morning. Very cold for some folks.

(WEATHER REPORT)

NGUYEN: The next story sounds like a real country music saga. Country legend Crystal Gayle, she lost her tour bus. Actually, it was taken out of the Nashville area in a garage no less, allegedly by an escaped prisoner. It gets even better. Police are searching the southeast for Christopher Gay, there he is. And they say he took the tour bus to Florida but only after he allegedly stole a truck in South Carolina and a Wal-Mart tractor-trailer in Tennessee that was full of merchandise.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CRYSTAL GAYLE, COUNTRY MUSIC SINGER: I can't control it. I'm not going to let it bother me. I do want it back. I hope it still runs. Maybe he'll be a bus driver one of these days. He'll learn to drive a bus. You know, we need them all the time.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: Boy, she's got a pretty good attitude about it.

HOLMES: She's looking out for him in his future career.

Meanwhile, we've got this to tell you. A judge says unh-unh to a Katrina insurance settlement in Mississippi. That is coming up at the bottom of the hour "Open House" explains why the judge says no.

NGUYEN: Weight Watchers teams up with West Virginia to help one of the countries fattest states slim down. We are going to give you those details in ten minutes.

HOLMES: But coming up next shocking allegations against a Catholic priest. Well a Las Vegas man is on the run. Reaction when CNN continues.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We just don't know about people. I don't - I liked him a lot. I still do. And I still have faith in him.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: Well, first up here, a developing story. Right now police are searching for a Catholic priest out of Las Vegas. Police suspect this priest of attacking a woman who worked for the diocese. This all began about dinnertime last night. We now pick up the story of what's happening from Adrian Arambola from affiliate KLAS.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ADRIAN ARAMBALO, KLAS CORRESPONDENT (voice over): On Sunday's Father George Chaanine preaches to the parish of Our Lady of Las Vegas. He's the senior leader of the church, has been there for over a year. Tonight police want to talk to him regarding the beating of a woman who works with the Catholic Diocese.

CAPT. GARY SCHOFIELD, LAS VEGAS POLICE: A woman had run out of the inside of some of the church establishments here and claimed that she had been beaten. She was transported to University Medical Center for treatment. Any time that you arrive on a scene and a victim of a violent crime is on scene, it's disturbing.

ARAMBALO: Police received information that Chaanine might have a gun. So they locked down the area around the church including a building where kids were involved in an after school program. They are still searching for the priest, who they believe has fled and might be armed.

SCHOFIELD: We're just being told that he's armed. So out of safety concerns we just want the motorists out there, if they see his vehicle, to not approach him, to basically call the Metropolitan Police Department.

ARAMBALO: The parishioners are stunned by the allegations. RAYMOND MORRELL, ATTENDS PRIEST'S CHURCH: I just can't see it. Not armed and dangerous. I don't know. You know, you just don't know about people. I don't -- I liked him a lot. I still do. And I still have faith in him.

ARAMBALO: Raymond Morrell attends Chaanine's church every Sunday.

MORRELL: Well, he just talked about love a lot. You know. He made mistakes. I know I do. And he just made me really feel good about myself, and being there on Sundays.

ARAMBALO: Chaanine would often visit with the children who attend the parish's school. One parent said he is highly regarded and beloved by the kids. Now he's wanted by police for questioning.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HOLMES: And that report from Adrian Arambalo of affiliate KLAS. We do want to point out that CNN did try to reach the diocese of Las Vegas. No one has returned our calls thus far. We'll stay on top of that story for you all morning long.

Meanwhile, what happens when you try to lose too much weight too soon? Our fitness guru Jerry Anderson is answering some of your e-mail questions. He's up next. First, a preview of today's "Open House."

GERRI WILLIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Coming at 9:30 a.m. Eastern, "Open House." Big changes for property insurance in two parts of the country. We'll tell you all about it.

Plus, if you think you own the land under your home or the sidewalk out front, think again. Why you should care about mineral rights.

And find out how to stop that flooding in your basement. That's "Open House," 9:30 a.m. Eastern right here on CNN.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: All right. Free weight loss, West Virginia is going after its obesity problem, and it has the third highest percentage of obesity in the nation. So the state is turning to a big name in the weight loss game, Weight Watchers. As many as 75,000 people now on Medicaid may be eligible for weight loss courses paid for by the state.

And with that, let's get you straight into "Jerry's Jump Start," where we talk about getting fit, eating healthy, and losing that weight. Our favorite fitness guru and personal trainer, Jerry Anderson. There he is.

JERRY ANDERSON, FITNESS GURU: What's up, Betty?

NGUYEN: Live from L.A. We were watching you get pumped up a little bit earlier. ANDERSON: Yes.

NGUYEN: Good morning to you.

ANDERSON: Good morning, Betty. How you doing?

NGUYEN: I am doing great. We have some folks not so good, and that's why they have some questions for you.

ANDERSON: Cool.

NGUYEN: Let's get right to it. Sydonnie in New York says, Jerry, "My goal for this year is to lose two pounds a week or eight pounds a month. Is that too much weight to expect to lose? Because here is my method, my method is going to the gym every day, doing 30 minutes on the treadmill, 45 minutes resistance/weight training on the machines." I don't have to go there every day, but I want to see if I can lose as much as possible. Is that trying to go too fast?"

ANDERSON: A little bit. You got to keep it real. I recommend losing one pound of fat a week. That is the way you do it, the longer it takes to lose the weight, the greater the habit you create. If you set yourself up for failure, you won't make it. A lot of people canceled out of their New Year's resolution. In 20 days, January 20th, they were off board. You have to set yourself up, one pound of fat a week. Do cardiovascular every day for 30 to 45 minutes. Strength training every other day. She didn't mention anything about nutrition, 80 percent nutrients, only 20 percent fat to help you get to your goal. Make sure you balance it off. Strength training, aerobic exercise, low fat nutrition and mental fitness. You've got to make it over the task. You got to go under, you got to go over, got to go to the side. But you got to get there.

NGUYEN: It is also the life style, if you really push hard every single day; eventually you're going to get burned out.

ANDERSON: Exactly.

NGUYEN: You need to put this into your everyday routine and do a little bit here and there.

ANDERSON: You're exactly right, Betty. You got to go lifestyle. It's better to lose it slowly, and you create the lifestyle and the weight loss, if will stay off. If you take it off quick, it's going to come back on quick. You got to get the lifestyle in place. Do the right thing, girlfriend.

NGUYEN: OK. Vince has a question for you. He says, Jerry, "I have issues with late night binge eating." I can relate to this. He'll wakes up from a deep sleep, and he can put down an entire box of cookies. Help. What can you do to help Vince?

ANDERSON: Vince, Vince, Vince, what's going on with you? Vince, I want to you go nutty. Get yourself a handful of walnuts, peanuts or almonds and have that before you go to bed that will give you long- term energy so you don't wake up in the middle of the night. Don't think about the food, Vince. Get your mind off of that.

NGUYEN: How do you get your mind off? We're looking at food right now. How do you put it out of your mind? It's not so easy.

ANDERSON: You got to focus on your health. Vince has the whole day to eat. He should have had some yummy-yums all day. A little bit of something, but don't over do it. You cannot do it. Because Betty those extra calories are stored as fat. Whenever you take calories that you don't burn, you gain weight. I had a friend that did that. Every night, she would have eight ounces of milk and a couple Oreo cookies. She didn't gain weight because she built it into her daily calorie intake. If you don't do that, Vince, that's the best way to gain weight.

NGUYEN: I always thought you should save the sweets for early in the day so you can burn it. If you eat right and exercise right, you can have it whenever you want to.

ANDERSON: You can have a little bit of something. Don't go too far.

NGUYEN: That makes me feel so much better. Let me get to this next one. This one speaks to the people on the road a lot. It's from Betty. I didn't write this one in. I've never been behind a big rig. She asked. "Truck drivers, they need help. Exercise is a problem. Can you suggest exercises that we can do in the small area of our trucks?"

ANDERSON: Wow. You know what, Betty, this is a great question. You know what happens, truck driver's life expectancy is 15 years less than most Americans because of poor diet; poor exercise, and sleep deprivation.

NGUYEN: Fifteen years less?

ANDERSON: Fifteen years because they're overworking themselves. You need rest. You have to do it. The bottom line is truck drivers, instead of after work doing the 12-ounce curls, get yourself some 12- pound curls. Curls, shoulder presses, side laterals. Move to the side of the truck, push-ups, and jumping jacks. Walk around a track. Go to the parking lot. One of the best things is if you stay in a hotel; do not stay there unless they have exercise equipment. It's very important because your life depends on it. Every day you don't work out, that's less and less of a life span. You want to live to be 60, you got to take action.

NGUYEN: Absolutely. That's imperative. But that is some good information. You need to work out where you can when you can and make it a part of your life. Jerry Anderson, as always, we appreciate it.

Thank you for making it your lifestyle. You're loving yourself a little too much right now. We'll see you next weekend.

ANDERSON: All right. See you next week, thank you Betty.

NGUYEN: Here's a question for you. Is there a specific topic that you want to hear about right now from Jerry? Maybe fitness for people over 40. Fitness on the go for those of you short on time. Or even special fitness tips for women. Let us know what topic you want to know more about. E-mail us your questions at WEKENDS@CNN.com, and we'll pick one for next week.

In the meantime, a Katrina insurance deal dies in a federal courtroom. Up next, "Open House" explains why and what it means for the Gulf Coast.

Also, to spank or not to spank. One California politician wants to make it against the law. At the top of the hour, we'll ask a child expert how he thinks parents should discipline their toddlers.

And the president wants to change the way Americans get health insurance. How would it affect your coverage and your taxes? We're going to break down the numbers at 11:00 Eastern.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: Now in the news, new information on reports of a fatal carjacking of a U.S. Embassy vehicle in Kenya. According to the Associated Press, police say gunmen armed with assault rifles killed two women who were in the car. All this happened outside Nairobi today. The gunmen reportedly have fled with the car.

We are keeping a close eye on a number of things today, including the latest tests in an effort to build a missile defense system. Officials say it was a success. The military conducted the test off the coast of Hawaii overnight. The missile defense agency said the missile was able to intercept a target representing a Scud-type missile.

Also, keeping an eye on Washington this morning. Anti-war protests set to begin within the hour. Organizers claim tens of thousands will march against the war, including active duty military troops. We'll have a live report from the nation's capital at the top of the hour. And a live picture there of the nation's capitol, as we show you.

Meanwhile, we will tell you about something happening in London right now. A fresh report out of Britain on the murder of an ex- Russian spy. London police say they have determined how radioactive poison was slipped to Alexander Litvinenko last November. Those new details are coming up in a live report from London about an hour from now.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.voxant.com