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Russian/Georgian Cease-Fire Challenged?; President Bush Speaks About Russian Invasion; Arkansas Town Under 24-Hour Curfew

Aired August 13, 2008 - 11:00   ET

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

TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Days of war, hours of peace. Right now, growing fears a cease-fire between Russia and Georgia may be more fragile than ever. President Bush will address the situation just minutes from right now. But first, let's set the stage for you.
Georgia's president says Russian troops have ignored the truce and continue to push well beyond South Ossetia. Those are the disputed regions at the center of this conflict. They wanted to split from Georgia and move more closely with Russia.

The president of France, who helped broker the cease-fire, says the European Union can send peacekeepers to Georgia, but only if both sides agree. Part of the mission, humanitarian aid. There have been no firm numbers on civilian casualties or refugees.

HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: As always, we are deploying CNN's vast international resources now to cover all of the angles of this very rapidly developing story.

CNN's Zain Verjee is at the State Department. Barbara Starr is at the Pentagon this morning. And Frederik Pleitgen is in Georgia's capital city of Tbilisi. CNN's Kate Bolduan is at the White House, the Rose Garden there, awaiting the president's comments that should be coming up in about 15 minutes or so.

Want to go ahead and begin though with Zain at the State Department.

Good morning to you, Zain.

ZAIN VERJEE, CNN STATE DEPARTMENT CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Heidi.

Well, the State Department, the call is still the same for Russia to withdraw its troops from Georgia and to just stand down and stop its military offensive. They are really telling us that the U.S. and its allies are pushing to isolate Russia diplomatically. And they're saying that they want to punish Russia for this invasion into Georgia that widened out from the breakaway -- the would-be breakaway provinces of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. They're saying that they're going to be considering kicking Russia out of the exclusive club of industrial nations known as the G-8, and also possibly having its World Trade Organization membership put at stake.

But the diplomatic pressure is really huge. The Europeans are taking the lead on this one, though. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is really working the phones hard behind the scenes, talking to all world leaders to try and get both sides to stand down and stick to the cease-fire agreement -- Heidi.

COLLINS: Well, it seems like, Zain, President Bush already said some of these things, particularly to Putin, who a lot of people asking this morning, boy, did Putin just sort of snub him?

VERJEE: Well, Russia is in a pretty strong position. They have multiple objectives on this one. They're feeling pretty good.

What they're trying to do here is assert themselves, Putin, specifically, on the world stage. And what they're doing is flexing their military power. They're sending a signal not only to the U.S. and Georgia, but throughout the region that they are the ones in charge. This is Russia's back yard, and it wants to be the one that has the most influence in the region.

All of this is also a battle for influence by the West and the U.S. against Russia. And the Russians have really, Heidi, been feeling encircled. They've been feeling that the U.S. is making certain moves in its region, backing its former Soviet republic and really pushing for NATO membership for countries like Georgia, putting a missile defense system in Poland and the Czech Republic.

So Vladimir Putin and many Russian leaders are saying, you know what? It's time now to flex our muscles on the international stage and send the signal not only to the West, but also to other former Soviet republics that may be looking to cozy up to the West, either politically or militarily -- Heidi.

COLLINS: All right. CNN's Zain Verjee this morning, our State Department correspondent.

Zain, thanks for that.

Now back to Georgia and its capital city of Tbilisi. We want to take a moment and check in with Frederik Pleitgen. Actually, we are going to do that momentarily. We'll get to Frederik in the capital city in just a few minutes.

HARRIS: But first, Heidi, let's get to the White House. And covering the White House for us today is our Kate Bolduan. And Kate has more on the president's statement from the Rose Garden, expected in just a couple of minutes -- Kate.

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Just a couple of minutes, Tony.

Yes, we're out here right now waiting for the president to come out to make his statement. As I'm sure we've already been talking about, he'll be accompanied by Defense Secretary Gates, as well as Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

We still are expecting just a statement. We do not know if he'll be taking questions. Of course, we'll be ready for that. But as of now, the guidance is that they don't know yet if they're going to be allowing questions. And you probably can remember that neither the president nor anyone in this cabinet has taken questions on the record since this six-day conflict has really started to escalate. So we are hoping to hear some more from the president. And we're waiting right here in the Rose Garden for him to come out.

HARRIS: OK. CNN's Kate Bolduan for us.

Kate, appreciate it. Thank you.

COLLINS: Georgia's president says more than 100,000 civilians are left homeless by the fighting. At this hour, U.S. military planes are on the way with humanitarian aid.

CNN Pentagon Correspondent Barbara Starr has the latest now on all of this.

So, Barbara, what more can you tell us about the military's humanitarian mission? Obviously, part of a comprehensive approach from the administration.

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Exactly, Heidi. That is what the president is expected to talk about, a comprehensive approach involving both the diplomatic initiatives that Zain spoke about, but also military initiatives aimed at establishing the U.S. presence in Georgia.

It will begin with humanitarian relief flights, U.S. Air Force C- 17s flying into the country carrying relief supplies. It is possible this effort will go on for some time as part of an effort to demonstrate to the Russians that the U.S. can move into Georgia, as well when it chooses to, to offer this keep of assistance in the wake of this conflict.

The U.S. is making it very clear on several fronts it plans to continue its military relationship with Georgia. There's been a longstanding program to train and equip Georgian forces to work in Iraq. That is expected to continue.

The U.S. will be watching very carefully, as well the Pentagon, to see what happens on the Black Sea. Russia has currently 17 warships off Georgia's coast in the Black Sea, and eventually the U.S. Navy is expected to make its move to reassert its presence in that particular body of water as well. The president, we are believing, will make every effort to demonstrate that the U.S. will remain engaged with Georgia -- Heidi.

COLLINS: All right. CNN Pentagon Correspondent Barbara Starr.

Barbara, thanks.

HARRIS: Now back to Georgia and the capital city of Tbilisi. That's where we find CNN's Frederik Pleitgen.

And Frederik, if you would, give us an assessment on where things stand right now with the government, with the people there in Tbilisi. I'm just sort of curious to what degree they're aware -- and I'm talking about the people here -- of what's going on around them.

FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, that's a very interesting question, Tony. I mean, when you look on the streets here, when you look at the traffic on the streets, there's still very much normal traffic on the streets. You see people on the streets.

It doesn't appear that many people are aware of what is actually going on very close to the capital city of Tbilisi here. But then when you talk to the government officials, you find them in a very worried and very tense mood, especially when we were hearing those reports and actually confirming those reports that that Russian column of armored vehicles and troop transporters was actually on the road leading here into the capital city of Tbilisi. When we were talking to the Georgian officials, they seemed to be very worried and concerned about that.

Now, I was able to see earlier this morning the president of this nation, Mikheil Saakashvili, at a press conference. And there he appeared to be very defiant and somewhat angry, saying that he believes the Russians had violated the terms of that cease-fire agreement that is supposed to be in place between these two nations. And that, of course, calls for both sides to end hostilities and also for both sides not to advance across their positions.

Now, the Russians, of course, for their part, are saying they don't believe that they violated the terms of that cease-fire agreement. They say they were only using that tank column to go to a military base and to demilitarize a zone here in Georgia. But of course, that's something that's by far not good enough and not satisfactory to the Georgian government. They say they believe Russia's ultimate aim is to overthrow the government in this country -- Tony.

HARRIS: Frederik, have you been able to understand at this point -- and maybe you've talked to someone who can offer some clarity on this, as to why Georgia's president hasn't at least softened his public rhetoric? He seems to have very few cards to play here. Help isn't rushing in.

PLEITGEN: Yes, you're absolutely right. And that is certainly something that some of the people that we've been talking to have been criticizing, even in the past couple of days.

They say he didn't always play his cards very well. They say he might have miscalculated some of the reactions that his words would have.

Nevertheless, you're absolutely right, he hasn't softened up his rhetoric whatsoever. He's still hurling accusations at the Russian government.

He is saying that the Russians are committing atrocities in cities like Gori. He's accusing them of waging a campaign of ethnic cleansing. So, very, very strong words coming from the Georgian president. And he's also saying that his country would not allow Russian troops to enter the city, that the people of this country would fight with every drop of blood that they have left. So certainly, you're absolutely right, the rhetoric coming here from Georgia has not died down at all -- Tony.

HARRIS: All right. Frederik Pleitgen for us in Georgia, in the capital city of Tbilisi.

Frederik, thank you.

COLLINS: OK. We are keeping our eyes closely trained on the Rose Garden, because we have gotten the two-minute warning. So there is a picture for you there for President Bush to come out and make his comments regarding the situation in Georgia.

While we wait for that, Josh Levs is standing by once again at the international desk to talk more about this region, because not everybody understands exactly where we're talking about here.

But this country is basically the size of South Carolina.

JOSH LEVS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, it is. I mean, it's a small country. And, you know, as part of the Soviet Union for a long time.

Let's close in on this map, because I'll give you some context about what we're seeing today. And obviously we'll pull out in time for President Bush, which is right now. So I'll tell you stuff later. Let's listen to the president.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Good morning.

I just met with my national security team to discuss the crisis in Georgia. I've spoken with President Saakashvili of Georgia and President Sarkozy of France this morning.

The United States strongly supports France's efforts as president of the European Union to broker an agreement that will end this conflict. The United States of America stands with the democratically-elected government of Georgia. We insist that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia be respected.

Russia has stated that changing the government of Georgia is not its goal. The United States and the world expect Russia to honor that commitment.

Russia has also stated that it has halted military operations and agreed to a provisional cease-fire. Unfortunately, we are receiving reports of Russian actions that are inconsistent with these statements.

We are concerned about reports that Russian units have taken up positions on the east side of the city of Gori, which allows them to block the East-West Highway, divide the country, and threaten the capital of Tbilisi. We're concerned about reports that Russian forces have entered and taken positions in the port city of Poti, that Russian armored vehicles are blocking access to that port, and that Russia is blowing up Georgian vessels.

We're concerned about reports that Georgian citizens of all ethnic origins are not being protected. All forces, including Russian forces, have an obligation to protect innocent civilians from attack.

With these concerns in mind, I have directed a series of steps to demonstrate our solidarity with the Georgian people and bring about a peaceful resolution to this conflict. I'm sending Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to France, where she will confer with President Sarkozy. She will then travel to Tbilisi, where she will personally convey America's unwavering support for Georgia's Democratic government. On this trip, she will continue our efforts to rally the free world in the defense of a free Georgia.

I've also directed Secretary of Defense Bob Gates to begin a humanitarian mission to the people of Georgia headed by the United States military. This mission will be vigorous and ongoing.

A U.S. C-17 aircraft with humanitarian supplies is on its way. And in the days ahead, we will use U.S. aircraft, as well as naval forces, to deliver humanitarian and medical supplies.

We expect Russia to honor its commitment to let in all forms of humanitarian assistance. We expect Russia to ensure that all lines of communication and transport, including seaports, airports, roads and airspace, remain open for the delivery of humanitarian assistance and for civilian transit. We expect Russia to meet its commitment to cease all military activities in Georgia, and we expect all Russian forces that entered Georgia in recent days to withdraw from that country. So I have made clear Russia's ongoing action raises serious questions about its intentions in Georgia and the region.

In recent years, Russia has sought to integrate into the diplomatic, political, economic and security structures of the 21st century. The United States has supported those efforts. Now Russia is putting its aspirations at risk by taking actions in Georgia that are inconsistent with the principles of those institutions. To begin to repair the damage to its relations with the United States, Europe and other nations, and to begin restoring its place in the world, Russia must keep its word and act to end this crisis.

Thank you.

COLLINS: We have a very brief and yet powerful statement from President Bush there in the Rose Garden. Obviously standing with him, Secretary Defense Gates and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Want to get back over to Zain Verjee now in the State Department to talk a little bit more about what we have heard here, which again, I would say, as we listened to that, some strong words. Obviously, you see some of them on the bottom of the screen there: "Russia must keep its word and act to end this crisis."

A couple of other things. Said that some of these actions were very inconsistent to the principles of the institutions that have been put in place years ago regarding the former Soviet Union and the republics that were formed outside of that.

So, once again, want to get over to Zain Verjee now.

Zain, when you listened to that, what did you hear him talking about? Particularly interested in this Gori Highway. He seemed to be particularly concerned about the blockage of it.

VERJEE: Exactly, because that highway really is the strategic highway into the main capital city, Tbilisi. And Russia's control of that is going to be detrimental, possibly for humanitarian reasons, as well as the U.S. has been calling for Russia to leave. So its very presence on the ground poses a problem for diplomacy.

The other thing that struck me in that conversation is that the United States is turning up the diplomatic pressure. President Bush announcing that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, standing there right next to him in front of the White House, is in fact going to be heading to France to meet with and have discussions with the French president, Sarkozy, who has really been taking the lead thus far on diplomatic efforts to try and push the Russians to do what they want. Secretary Rice, the president said, will also be traveling to Tbilisi, in Georgia, and have face-to-face discussions with President Sarkozy.

He insisted, too, that the United States will give its unwavering support to Georgia, and that it stands for its territorial integrity, as well as for democracy in the region. And Secretary of State Rice is going to be pushing the U.S. democratic values in those regions, that is really in Russia's back yard. So significant announcements there from the president -- Heidi.

COLLINS: Absolutely.

All right. CNN State Department Correspondent Zain Verjee.

Thank you, Zain.

HARRIS: And let's take a moment to talk to our Pentagon Correspondent Barbara Starr.

And Barbara, kudos to you. You gave us a heads-up that the president would be talking about a comprehensive plan on the diplomatic front. We heard about that, and also the U.S. military as well involved in a humanitarian effort in Georgia as well.

STARR: Well, Tony, all of that pretty well laid out. But I think what struck me first is, once again, President Bush embarked on a very interesting strategy here, exactly what he did the other day at the White House, basically laying out the intelligence case, the intelligence information that the U.S. believes it has it about what Russia is up to.

Really a directed message at the Russian government, being very specific about these reports, about the Russians being on that key highway outside of Gori, about blocking Georgian ports, about blowing up Georgian vessels. These are matters of very closely-held intelligence reports that the U.S. has been trying to verify. And the president, just like he did the other day, laying it all out there, basically saying right to Moscow, we know what you're doing and stop it.

Whether he is successful remains to be seen.

He is also choosing his words very carefully about U.S. military involvement, saying there would be a vigorous and ongoing U.S. military-led humanitarian relief effort.

Now, vigorous and ongoing, what could that possibly mean?

HARRIS: Yes.

STARR: What we've been hearing here, Tony, is numerous ongoing C-17 flights into Georgia. And once you start talking about that, you are talking about the possibility of putting some contingent on the ground at the airport to coordinate all of this military personnel, to help get it into Georgian hands, to begin to possibly help distribute it, at least into the Georgian hands, that will take it out to the effected countryside. There is a possibility that we are talking about relief flights for many days going in, and some contingent on the ground to help coordinate it.

The president also made a very specific reference to the U.S. Navy beginning to help. What we know is the U.S. hospital ship Comfort, home-ported in Baltimore, not very far from here, has been getting some initial word to think about starting to get ready to make its way to Georgia. But that could be several days away -- Tony.

HARRIS: And Barbara, just quickly, I note here that the president talked about his conversations today with Georgia's president. He talked about his conversation with France's president. He did not mention a conversation with Russia's president.

And as I'm watching Secretary Gates, I'm wondering, have you been given any indication that Secretary Gates has been in touch at all with his counterpart in Russia?

STARR: Well, he has been over the last several days.

HARRIS: OK.

STARR: I have to tell you, we don't know right now, but what I can tell you is the Pentagon, the U.S. military, has been in very close contact with its Russian military counterparts to coordinate these flights into Tbilisi to make sure there are no mistakes -- Tony.

HARRIS: OK.

Our Pentagon Correspondent Barbara Starr for us this morning.

Barbara, thank you.

COLLINS: Want to take a moment now to get back to CNN's Kate Bolduan. She is at the White House, and was there for the president's statement that was just made moments ago in the Rose Garden. You know, Kate, when we hear what the information was that President Bush had regarding all of this, and we put that up against what we've been hearing earlier today from both people that we spoke to from the Russian government and from the Georgian president himself, Barbara just mentioned it as well, some of this intelligence that the president has regarding Russian military vehicles on the Gori Highway, more of them in the port city of Poti, and that Russians are blowing up Georgia vessels, I mean, that is all information we have not yet heard.

BOLDUAN: And I think it's very important, and Barbara may have pointed it out, but the fact that President Bush took the time to list that bit of intelligence that he knew about I think was, as we've been talking about, a pointed statement to the Russian leadership that the administration is on top of what's going on there. And he had a very pointed statement: Russia's actions have raised serious questions about their intentions in Georgia, as well as put their aspirations in regard to their diplomatic leadership in the world at risk.

So I think you picked out a very key part of that, that could easily go overlooked, is that the president taking time to list the intelligence that they have. He's saying, hey, we know what's going on.

COLLINS: That's right. All right.

We will continue to follow that, obviously, and in the days ahead, these trips that certainly Condoleezza Rice is making, and comprehensive contingency-type plans that Secretary Gates will also be making, according to the president.

And once again, that announcement just moments ago from the Rose Garden.

HARRIS: We want to take a minute and show you some of the very key areas very much in play now in Georgia. As Heidi mentioned, the port city of Poti. We're talking about Gori. We're clearly talking about South Ossetia and the capital city of Tbilisi.

We will do that with our Josh Levs in just a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: All right. As promised, let's get you to Josh Levs now. He is at our international desk.

And Josh, if you would, let's do a couple of things here. Let's sort of catch folks up on the military moves from Russia today, and then let's explore some of the things the president talked about just moments ago.

LEVS: OK. You've got it.

Let's start off with the simplest map we have, which is our one up at CNN.com right now. I want to talk you all through the basics of what we're seeing today. Here's Russia, here's Georgia. This is South Ossetia. And yes, I'm pronouncing it that way. We can talk about that later. South Ossetia right here.

Now, what we heard today, early this morning, the reason everyone was buzzing, was that Russian troops were here in Gori and apparently traveling eastward. And there were concerns by the Georgians that they might be headed toward Tbilisi, the capital. Well, here is what Russia is saying.

As part of resolving this whole conflict, Russia wants no Georgian troops at all back in South Ossetia. None. But they also want to create what they're calling a demilitarized zone.

Let's actually zoom back in here.

I want to show you, they want a demilitarized zone all along the outside of South Ossetia right there. So Russia is saying today they've been going around basically getting rid of Georgian military sites on the outside of South Ossetia.

HARRIS: That's right.

LEVS: Their statement is that they are trying to demilitarize this area.

Now, I know you were also interested...

HARRIS: Yes, yes. Josh, show us -- the president made mention of it specifically, of this East-West Road and, you know, the fact that Russia is essentially in control of that. And that has really broad implications for Georgia.

LEVS: That's huge, yes. That's a critical part of what's also happening.

I'm going to go to a more complicated map here. This is from ReliefWeb.

Let's zoom in here. It might look confusing. Ignore everything except what I point to.

HARRIS: Great.

LEVS: This is South Ossetia. Same cities we were just looking at -- Gori, and over here, Tbilisi, is the capital. Now you see that big red line along there?

HARRIS: Yes.

LEVS: And you also see a black line with little vertical marks along there.

HARRIS: Yes.

LEVS: Well, that's the major east-west thoroughfare in the entire country. You have a major highway and the train goes through there.

If anyone in this country needs to travel east to west, which so many people do for the economy, they need to take that road. There aren't lots of roads along here. You have this one. The AP calls it the only significant east-west road in Georgia. So, basically, in order for the economy to function...

HARRIS: So commerce is transacted on that road, travel, family, and all those kinds of things. A lot of that happens along that main east-west road.

LEVS: It does. In fact, let's go back to the simpler map here. You'll see why.

HARRIS: Great.

LEVS: The ports are over on the west. So a lot of the economy relies on this port over of in the Black Sea.

So if anyone needs to get from this area, the capital, where a lot of people live, or Gori, or other areas over here to the Black Sea, they need to be able to travel along that major thoroughfare. And Tony, if they can't do it, the economy can be largely shut down. And the Georgians are saying that's one thing Russia is doing, basically grabbing control there.

HARRIS: And show us very quickly the city of Poti, because the president mentioned that as well, and that the Russians are essentially in control of that, and may be in the process of destroying Georgian vessels there.

LEVS: OK. In fact, let's zoom back in one more time.

This is Poti right here, over at the west by the port at the Black Sea. And I think I can click on it here on our picture at CNN.com.

There you go. You can see that this is an explanation, that this is an area where Russian troops have been, and what the Georgian foreign ministry is telling us is happening each day. So that right there by the port is another site that we are hearing Russia has presence...

HARRIS: Yes.

LEVS: ... can do a lot to the economy, to the political scene, the country's ability to function -- Tony.

HARRIS: Absolutely.

Good stuff. Thank you, Josh.

LEVS: You got it. Thanks.

COLLINS: Other news out there today to tell you about, of course. Golden boy Michael Phelps adding more gold to his collection. Is he getting help from a fast track?

We're live in Beijing.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: Welcome back, everyone, to a very busy CNN NEWSROOM.

COLLINS: Yes, very. Hi, everybody, I'm Heidi Collins.

The cease-fire between Russia and Georgia, President Bush is taking action. He says there are signs Moscow is not abiding by the agreement by moving deeper into the former Soviet Republic. Just minutes ago the president announced he will send secretary of state Condoleezza Rice to meet with France's leader. She will sit down with President Nicolas Sarkozy who helped broker the cease-fire. He of course, also the president of the European Union. Then Rice will continue on to Georgia's capital of Tbilisi.

HARRIS: So America's golden boy is at it again in Beijing. Michael Phelps swam away with two more gold medals, one win in an individual event, another in a relay. Today's two golds give him five in Beijing and 11 for his career, making him the all-time gold medal leader in Olympic history. Hey now, and he's not done yet. Phelps has three more chances to add to his record. Michael Phelps and swimming have dominated the Olympics so far.

Why is everyone going so fast is the lingering question? Many say it's those new suits. But it also may have something to do with China's water cube. The pool is deeper than the one at the last Olympics by a meter, it is also two lanes wider and has special lane ropes that dissipate waves better. That all leads to, we're told, a faster pool and the numbers seem to prove it. Look at this, so far 38 Olympic records broken, 14 world records. In the Athens, Olympics, just 8 world records fell and there's still four more days of swimming to go in Beijing.

COLLINS: In your daily dose of health news, an inspiring Olympic story comes to an end in the semifinals of the 200-meter break stroke. Swimmer Eric Shanteau has failed to advance to the finals. He now faces a more important challenge is going to be faced than beating other swimmers. He is fighting cancer.

CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): He's been preparing for Beijing his entire life.

ERIC SHANTEAU, OLYMPIC SWIMMER HAS CANCER: Dreaming about the Olympics, it's -- that's for as long as i can remember.

GUPTA: But just two months away from realizing his dream, doctors gave U.S. swimmer Eric Shanteau devastating news. Testicular cancer.

SHANTEAU: You get hit with basically the biggest low you can ever have in your life.

GUPTA: Then two weeks later, the biggest high. Twenty four- year-old Eric Shanteau won a spot on the U.S. Olympic swim team.

SHANTEAU: As far as my swimming career is concerned, that's obviously the biggest high.

GUPTA: Testicular cancer is an extremely treatable disease. More than 95 percent of cases are cured, especially when they're caught early. Luckily, Shanteau's was. He made the extremely difficult decision to wait until after Beijing to have his operation, placing trust in his doctors who are closely monitoring his condition.

SHANTEAU: I'm probably not going to be swimming in four years regardless. I'm looking at the end of my career here, whether I'm having treatment done today or in another month. It would make no difference.

GUPTA: Lance Armstrong, the world's best-known testicular cancer survivor is applauding Shanteau's fight. After Armstrong was diagnosed with a more advanced form of the disease in 1996, he went on to win seven Tours de France.

Did you think you were going to die?

LANCE ARMSTRONG, TESTICULAR CANCER SURVIVOR: You have moments for sure. Moments of weakness where you think, I'm going to die or perhaps I'm going to die. I was totally committed, totally focused, and I had complete faith in my doctors and the medicine and the procedures.

GUPTA: But here's the question -- in Eric Shanteau's case, is holding off on his treatment smart?

DR. OTIS BRAWLEY, AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY: It is not unusual for someone to delay getting treatment for several weeks or several months. I'm not advocating that everybody wait a period of three or four weeks. If they do it under medical supervision, it can be very safe.

GUPTA: With the odds in his favor, it's a small risk Shanteau eager to take.

SHANTEAU: I'm not going to let it beat me. I'm not going to let it affect what I've been working for so long.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: Eric Shanteau is scheduled for cancer surgery coming up in two weeks.

Quickly want to get you to Rob Marciano standing by now. More breaking news to talk about here. Tornado watch. Where are we talking about?

ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: We're talking South Georgia, Northern Florida, this in effect until 6:00 tonight. The red box now popping up on the radar screen, this energy rolls across the I-10 corridor and the Florida Panhandle. Places that are in this, just barely, Tallahassee, Jacksonville and Savannah, it includes Titletown (ph) there and Valdosta, Georgia, as well as these stores continue to rumble across the South.

So far we haven't seen any new warnings pop with these, but certainly gusty winds south of Albany heading to the east-southeast at a pretty decent clip across I-75. We'll watch that for potentially seeing some rough weather over the next couple of hours.

The low country of the Carolinas is seeing some heavy rain. This is much needed. We'd like to get it farther west up into the mountains where the reservoirs are, but such is the way of life. We'll take any sort of rainfall we can get.

(WEATHER REPORT)

MARCIANO: And we'll keep you posted on that, plus a tornado watch in effect until 6:00, south Georgia and north Florida. Back to you guys.

COLLINS: OK. Rob, thank you. Appreciate it.

HARRIS: First, cease-fire now a surprise. Russia's military rolls deeper into Georgia. We are covering all angles from Tbilisi, Gori, the White House. Where are the Russian troops headed?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: The CNN Election Express headed from D.C. to Denver and the Democratic convention. This morning, it is in Michigan to find out what voters are saying. Let's find out from Tom Foreman live with the Election Express in Sturgis, Michigan.

Tom, good morning.

TOM FOREMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Tony.

It's a beautiful day here in Sturgis. A lovely town, about 11,000 people, generally a Republican town. I'll tell you one of the more important things about it. It's a small town. As much as these candidates are getting around, one of the themes you hear in many of the small towns we've passed through is often the candidates are addressing big city issues but there are a lot of people who live in rural America or smaller towns who would like to be spoken to as well. Listen to what one gentleman said to us this morning.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WARREN ENGLISH, MICHIGAN VOTER: Rural voters out here, you know, they're out here to vote. A lot of people don't pay attention to them.

FOREMAN: What are different about the issues out here versus in the city? ENGLISH: Well, I think a lot of our kids are going to war, OK, and I think, you know, that's a real important issue. And I think the economy is a big issue. You know, this isn't a service industry for getting grocery shopping people and things like that in cities. This is, you know -- we're making things out here. And it's hard to see jobs go to China and it's hard to see our kids go to war. You know, it's kind of like reported as a sideline.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FOREMAN: A lot of voters we've talked to say that they still don't feel that either candidate really is give them enough of a read on how they feel about jobs being exported, about trade with other nations, and how that affects jobs here. Certainly in small towns like this where manufacturing, making things is the name of the game. That really matters, Tony. So any of the candidates who want to scoop up votes, they need to swing through Sturgis here and do some talking. Because people want to hear from them.

HARRIS: You know what? Tom, I'm always interesting if this and I know you cover a lot of this on your show every week. I'm curious when I hear people say that they don't feel there is enough information available or the candidates aren't speaking directly. Is there another way that the candidates could speak more directly to these groups of people, like the group you just talked to? We know there are town hall meetings going on across the country every day because we see it right here in the NEWSROOM.

FOREMAN: I think people like those kind of meetings. I think really what voters are saying is, you can go to the Web sites of these candidates and you should. You can get a lot of information and you can listen to the candidates a lot. I think what many people are saying is, don't talk to us like politicians. Don't be so careful about what you say that you don't say anything. Because people want to hear in nuts and bolts terms, what are you going to do about taxes, about jobs, about this? Tell us what you're going to do, and we'll vote for or against you. But if you keep being mushy about it and trying to be too careful, it scares them away.

HARRIS: Factoring in the politics in every moment and statement for us. Tom Foreman for us in Sturgis, Michigan. Good to see you, Tom. Thank you.

COLLINS: A little girl kicked off the Olympic stage because she just wasn't pretty enough.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: The Olympic opening ceremonies were supposed to be China's coming out party. Now some of the facts coming out about that party are making China look a little silly.

Here's CNN's John Vause.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) JOHN VAUSE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The defining moment for modern China, a national celebration and one little girl, Yang Peiyi, was heard but not seen. Apparently because offer appearance and stage presence. Games organizers confirmed to CNN during the opening ceremony Yang's voice was used by another little girl. Lin Miaoke was mouthing the words to "Ode to the Motherland" as China's flag entered the stadium.

The opening ceremony's musical director explained why on Beijing radio.

"The reason was for the national interest," he says. "The child on camera should be flawless in image, internal feelings and expression." "Lin Miaoke," he went on to say, "she is excellent in those aspects."

"The decision," he says, "went as high as the Politburo." "We had to do it. We had been through several inspections. They're all very strict. When we rehearsed at the spot, there were spectators from various decisions, especially leaders from the bureau who gave the opinion it must change," he says.

Few here realize that Lin was lip-synching. "Tiny Singer wins Heart of Nation" is the headline in Tuesday's "China Daily." "Lin Miaoke may be only nine years old but well on her way to becoming a star thanks to her heartwarming performance," the article gushes without mentioning she never sang a note. But as word gets out on the Internet, some Chinese bloggers are outraged.

"If you're not good looking, no matter how well sing, you'll not be onstage. Do you know you're twisting a whole generation?" read one comment.

"If foreigners found out, they would think we can't find a girl good at both," read another.

(on camera): As for seven-year-old Yang Peiyi, she reportedly says that she's just honored to have had a role in the opening ceremony in the first place, even though few here realized just how big her part really was.

John Vause, CNN, Beijing.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: A little Chinese girl pushed to the background is a story many of you have taken great interest in. Josh Levs, you have seen a lot of commentary on CNN.com and I've heard just, you know, amongst friends and so forth, a lot of people talking about this.

LEVS: Oh, yes. This one caught on. Everyone is talking about it. People are weighing in all over the place. Ten people e-mailed it to me yesterday. I can't believe that happened to her!

Let me show you something. This is our story about it on CNN.com. I'm going to click over to another page where people were allowed to submit their comments. It would take me forever to even scroll through all of these. It just keeps going and going and going. Here's what we've done, pulled out some of the more interesting ones, including a debate people got into in reacting.

Let's look at what people had to say. We'll put it in this screen right here.

Starting off with Annie: "Both little girls are adorable. This is very sad -- quite unbelievable."

Now to the next one. We have Kevin telling us: "You have got to be kidding me. I think any seven year old who has the talent to sing that song should be on TV. She is adorable."

All right next one now. Colleen: "The real singer is absolutely adorable. The organizers should consider what kind of impact this has on children all over. A real shame."

Now here comes the debate. Steven: "I'm in the entertainment business. Don't you people realize that producers hire and fire people on their looks from Broadway to Hollywood."

But Jonathan says: "They decided to have a cuter girl on television and this is an outrage? Watch American TV. Enough said."

Now from C.G.: "When things come out of Hollywood, it's assumed they're not 100 percent genuine. However, when a country opens itself up to the world via the Olympics, I think the world audience expects a true and genuine representation."

Let's do a couple more here.

"Imagine that, a country that puts looks before anything else, I'm so glad it's not like that here in America. When China's dominating the world in 10 to 20 years we'll have this to throw in their faces. Take that, China." That's from Johnny.

And the last one, "Yang Peiyi is very cute. Someone please tell her."

Well, Joel Z, I don't think you have anything to worry about. My guess, Heidi, if China lets her travel she'll probably be on the "Tonight Show" in the next month and way more famous than she would have been otherwise.

COLLINS: Somehow I don't think they're going to let her do that but I hear what you're saying.

Josh, appreciate it, thank you.

LEVS: Thanks.

COLLINS: Crime, a crackdown, a town under 24 hour curfew. Anybody on the streets stopped and questioned.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) COLLINS: A big win for the nation's biggest electronic store. Best Buy says it's got a hot buy. Susan Lisovicz at the New York Stock Exchange with details on this.

All right, Susan, what is it?

SUSAN LISOVICZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You know, I know you can figure it out. Apple's, iPhone. Best Buy will start selling the newest 3G model next month becoming the first U.S. chain to do so. Currently only Apple and AT&T sell the iPhone, which will be carried when Best Buy's 1,000 full-sized stores and Best Buy mobile locations, both the 8 and 16-gig models will be available and prices will match Apple as well as AT&T. Heidi?

COLLINS: This is probably pretty important for Best Buy, I would imagine.

LISOVICZ: That's right. The iPhone appears to be recession proof. We told you earlier in the last hour that July retail sales fell, consumers are cutting back on discretionary items. The iPhone, on the other hand, is flying off the shelves. This week, one influential analyst said that in just the first month it was available, 3 million 3G iPhones were sold.

Stocks are selling too. They're selling off today for the second straight day. Retail sales are getting beat up on the back of those numbers. Also Macy's shares are down nearly three percent. Its forecast has said its sales for the year won't match Wall Street's estimates or its earnings, I should say.

The Dow right now is down 173 points or 1.5 percent. The NASDAQ down one percent. Oil is up $2.50, it's one of those kind of days, Heidi.

COLLINS: I'm hearing ho humming on your part.

LISOVICZ: All right. Go back in the rearview mirror, just a little further back.

COLLINS: All right, Susan, we know you're watching all the numbers.

Appreciate it -- Susan Lisovicz.

LISOVICZ: You're welcome.

HARRIS: An Arkansas town under 24-hour curfew. Anybody on the streets stopped and questioned. Is it legal?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: Well, police in an Arkansas city get the green light to expand 24 hour curfew patrols in an ongoing anti-crime sweep. But the ACLU says some of the police action might be unconstitutional. The City Council of Helena-West Helena is allowing police to take curfew patrol city wide instead of the 10-block depressed area they initially targeted as part of their patrols, officers stop and question any passers by. A lawyer for the ACLU says such stops could violate residents' rights.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HOLLY DICKSON, ACLU ARKANSAS: They feel they have a right and they do intend to continue to saturate and question everyone who happens to be in an area. But that is the unconstitutional nature of it.

MAYOR JAMES VALLEY, HELENA-WEST HELENA, A.R.: With that we're not particularly concerned about the ACLU's approach, because we're trying to do a lawful job of keeping people safe and it's a difficult job to do.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: Police say the patrols have led to 32 arrests, but note that no one has been taken in simply for breaking the curfew.

COLLINS: CNN NEWSROOM continues just one hour from now.

HARRIS: "ISSUE #1" with Ali Velshi and Christine Romans starts right now.