Return to Transcripts main page
American Morning
Obama Condemns North Korea's Nuclear; Big GOP Names Spar on TV; Pakistan Takes Strategic Crossings in Swat Valley; Indy 500 Champ Discusses Victory
Aired May 25, 2009 - 08:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KIRAN CHETRY, CNN ANCHOR: And good morning.
T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: Hey! How are you doing? How are you doing?
CHETRY: We have T.J. Holmes with us on this Monday, May 25th, in for John Roberts. Good to have you with us this morning.
HOLMES: We're still working on our chemistry here, obviously. Good morning to you all. Good to be with you as always.
CHETRY: And certainly a busy morning. We awoke to breaking news and we're going to be breaking down for you in the next 15 minutes. A lot of what's going on. North Korea and then the response from the world.
North Korea is claiming that it conducted a powerful nuclear test and reportedly also test-fired three short-range missiles. Well, this morning, Washington is assessing that threat to the United States. In a moment, we will be live at the Pentagon.
Also, the defiant act met immediately with a barrage of criticism from around the world. This morning, the White House calling the North Korea's alleged nuclear test a matter of grave concern. We're live in Washington with what the administration is planning to do.
Also, former Secretary of State Colin Powell and former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge making a case for a more inclusive republican party. They made the rounds on the weekend talk shows.
Ridge appearing on CNN urging fellow Republicans to tone down some of their language.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TOM RIDGE, FORMER U.S. SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY: You have used those terms. You need to be less shrill, less judgmental.
JOHN KING, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Who is being shrill and who is being judgmental?
RIDGE: I think a lot of our commentators are being shrill. I mean, I don't disagree...
KING: Rush? RIDGE: Yes. Listen, Rush Limbaugh has an audience of 20 million people. A lot of people listen daily to him and live by every word, but words mean things and how you use words is very important.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHETRY: And then Secretary Powell appeared yesterday on CBS's "Face the Nation." He assured Limbaugh and former vice president Dick Cheney that he is still a Republican, and both of them have questioned his loyalty earlier this month. And he warned the party will continue to suffer defections if it does not allow for moderate voices.
But first this morning, North Korea announcing it conducted a powerful underground nuclear test and fired several short-range missiles as well. The nation with a million man army called the test, quote, "part of the measures to bolster its nuclear deterrent for self defense." World leaders not hesitating in condemning the action.
CNN's Barbara Starr is live at the Pentagon.
What are you hearing this morning, Barbara?
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, Kiran, Admiral Michael Mullen, who appeared just a short time ago on AMERICAN MORNING, pointed out that this test is not a surprise to the United States and not a surprise to many governments around the world. The North Korean leaders had made statements over the last several weeks that they were threatening to do this kind of nuclear test and another round of firing of their short-range missiles. So that this activity, itself, that we woke up to, not a surprise to the Obama administration.
The big question now is what exactly did North Korea test? There's a lot of analytical work being done, the data being gathered, the intelligence being assessed to really verify that it was a nuclear test. Officials say there is no reason to doubt North Korea, but they might have a very close look at the data being gathered by sensors and get a very firm fix on exactly what was involved here.
This now really does, though, move to the diplomatic arena. A lot of job owning across many governments over the next many days and certainly expected also at the United Nations as world leaders again try to pressure North Korea to stop its nuclear efforts - Kiran.
CHETRY: And the testing to prove that North Korea is making some progress, also getting more aggressive. North Korea in the past, though, has ignored warnings against conducting a nuclear test. It seems that some of those diplomatic and political consequences didn't really make much difference. So, what may be different this time?
STARR: I don't think that there will be a lot of difference based on the sources we've spoken to here. The diplomatic pressure will certainly ratchet up. The one thing that can sort of be held over North Korea's head, if you will, is any further additional aid, money, food for the people there who, of course, continue to suffer very gravely. It remains to be seen if the government and the leadership in North Korea feels amenable at this time to the need for aid. Top officials have been saying over the last several hours, you know, this is a carrot and stick as it always is. And they have to see where North Korea is right now and whether they want to talk about all this.
CHETRY: Barbara Starr at the Pentagon for us. Keep us posted if you hear anything else today. Thank you.
HOLMES: And President Obama was one of the first to condemn the nuclear test calling it a threat to international peace and security. CNN's Jill Dougherty is also following this story live for us from Washington.
Jill, what is the White House saying?
JILL DOUGHERTY, CNN FOREIGN AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: Well, they're pretty tough words, you know? So far, the Obama administration has been temperate in the way that it responded to previous provocations from the North. But listen to what President Obama is saying now. "These actions while not a surprise given its statements and actions to date are a matter of grave concern to all nations."
And then the president going on, "By acting in blatant defiance of the United Nation's Security Council, North Korea is directly and recklessly challenging the international community. And, also, the president added that this will, in his opinion, "only deepen the isolation of North Korea."
But now the question is what can the international community do? And, obviously, the north is doing precisely what the international community has been saying don't do. So where do you go? Well, they could certainly talk to the United Nations. They have tried to get the six-party talks back on track. That's not working. Hillary Clinton, the secretary of state, has been very skeptical about where this is all going in terms of bringing it back on track diplomatically -- T.J.
HOLMES: All right. Jill Dougherty for us in Washington.
Jill, thank you so much.
CHETRY: Also new this morning, the nation's 11th confirmed swine flu death. It's in New York City woman in her 50s who had previous health issues. She's the second New Yorker to die after contracting the virus. Just last weekend, assistant principal at a Queens public School died of the H1N1 virus.
A brush fire north of San Diego County is still burning this morning. It's already damaged homes. Three of them scorching more than 120 acres as well. Fire officials are saying they hope to get it under control later today. They say it was spark by human activity. Not clear, though, if it was intentionally set.
And three small planes, three separate incidents, each entering restricted air space over Camp David. It happens, Sunday, while the president and his family were spending the holiday weekend there. Each of the planes was intercepted by an F-15 fighter jet. Those violations are being called minor.
HOLMES: Well, tribute to the troops this Memorial Day. A New Hampshire national guardsman critically wounded in Iraq was the guest of honor at Sunday's Memorial Day concert in Washington, D.C. You saw him there.
He suffered a traumatic brain injury when his post was ambushed in 2006. Actresses Katie Holmes and Dianne Wiest enacted a dramatic reading and tribute to him.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KATIE HOLMES, ACTRESS: Jose was my big brother. My best friend. We did everything together. He was always there to protect me. My rock. How could this be?
We got on the next plane from New Hampshire so we could be at the hospital in Bethesda when Jose arrived. As he was being wheeled into ICU, I -- you couldn't recognize him.
DIANNE WEIST, ACTRESS: It felt like someone grabbed my heart and rip it apart.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Former Secretary of State Colin Powell and Joint Chiefs Chairman Mike Mullen also spoke at the event, calling that young man a hero. A big concert, big night last night, always fun to see that event. But a lot of tributes last night.
CHETRY: Absolutely.
All right. Well, still ahead, there are some key figures inside the GOP that are doing some sparring.
HOLMES: Yes, sparring is one way to put it. General Powell fires back really at some criticism that was aimed at him. We'll tell you what this infighting may mean from both sides of the aisle.
Also, breaking news out of North Korea this morning. The secretive state says it conducted an underground nuclear test. What will it mean for stability in that region? We're talking to international security analyst Jim Walsh just ahead.
Also on the North Korea story, our guest, our correspondents all morning long following this. If there is something you'd like to sound off about, also, maybe you want to ask them a question. Let us know, head to our Web site at cnn.com/amfix and send us an e-mail or link to our Twitter page.
It's seven minutes past the hour.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: All right. Welcome back to the Most News in the Morning.
Six most popular stories to tell you about on CNN.com. The arrest of that guy. Miami Dolphins defensive end Randy Starks. Police say he used a truck he was driving to hit a police officer who was trying to stop the vehicle. This happened early Sunday morning in South Beach. Starks now charge with aggravated battery.
Also, a former drummer for Billy Joel is suing the piano man. His name was Liberty DeVitto. And he claims that Joel has failed to pay him royalties for years. The 58-year-old musician and teacher says he was Joel's drummer from '75 to 2005. And helped the entertainer create some of his biggest albums. DeVitto's lawyers say he doesn't know how much his client is owed, and an audit of Joel's records might be necessary.
Also, quite a month for Helio Castroneves. The Brazilian driver won his third Indy 500 yesterday. Now that would be great enough, but here's a thing. Just last month, he beat federal tax evasion charges that could have ended his career. Stay here with us. We're going to have Castroneves live to discuss his emotional victory on the track and his victory in the court. That's about 25 minutes from now.
Also major fireworks within the GOP. Former secretary of state Colin Powell swinging back against suggestions made by Rush Limbaugh and also former Vice President Dick Cheney that he's not a true Republican. This is how Powell put it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GENERAL COLIN POWELL, FORMER U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: Rush will not get his wish, and Mr. Cheney was misinformed. I am still a Republican. And I'd like to point out that in the course of my 50 years of voting for presidents, I have voted for the person I thought was best qualified at that time to lead the nation. Last year, I thought it was president now Barack Obama.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHETRY: Joining me now for reaction, senior CNN political analyst, Republican strategist Ed Rollins, as well as former Democratic National Committee communications director Karen Finney.
Great to see both of you this morning.
ED ROLLINS, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: Good morning.
CHETRY: So, Ed, let me start with you. Karl Rove dismissed this Cheney-Powell dust-up as a false debate that Washington loves, but does this discussion of who is a real Republican and who isn't help the party?
ROLLINS: What helps the party is more voters. At the end of the day, elections are what matter. And those of us that are active like Kiran and I, we're different. The vast majority of people vote every two years or four years. They vote for an individual. Individuals are nominated in districts and, obviously, a national election. The party is not like a church that you go to every Sunday. Some people contribute money, some people contribute votes. The ideological debate depends on where you fall on a specter. In order to be successful as a party, you have to invite all views in and you have to have people that sometimes disagree with you.
Colin Powell, on the past, has voted as a Republican who had been a great leader in this country. We would love to have him be a Republican. We would love to have him vote again. Now, obviously, he's not going to affect who is the nominee, and that depends on how, as he said, he votes for the man that he believes most represents -- or women who represents his views.
CHETRY: Karen, what do you think about the attention that all of this has gotten, especially some of the words of Rush Limbaugh? And also the high profile of late interviews of Dick Cheney, the former vice president?
KAREN FINNEY, FORMER DNC COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR: Well, I would say I think it's pretty much of an embarrassment for the Republican Party that you had Colin Powell on a Sunday show having to defend his right to call himself a Republican. And I think what you have seen, you know, I agree with Ed that votes are what matters. Now, but people aren't going to vote for a party when they feel less and less a part of that party or feel less and less able to be a part of that party.
I think what you've seen from the vice president, quite frankly, is his own attempt to kind of clean up his image. And I think it is damaging for the Republican Party because what you've seen the former vice president doing is sort of defending the policies of the past. And, you know, it's not a matter of continuing to explain it to the American people. I think the American people understand very well what happened in the last eight years, and they overwhelmingly voted against it.
I think as the country tries to move forward and the party, both parties try to move forward, what Mr. Cheney is doing is sort of grounding -- and Mr. Rove, frankly -- grounding that party in the politics of the past, rather than moving on to the future.
CHETRY: But we also did hear from Governor Tom Ridge -- he's somebody who's considered a moderate voice in the Republican Party as well.
And, Ed, he spoke out against some of Cheney's remarks that America is less safe under President Obama. He also suggested that some of the talk has been shrill, saying -- yes, he's including Rush Limbaugh in that.
Whose message do you think is resonating more with people who perhaps are undecided about who they are supporting.
ROLLINS: Well, first of all, whether they're undecided now or not is not irrelevant. Today, we have -- Barack Obama is our president. The gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey this year. Obviously, those voters will get to cast their votes. And that will depend on the candidates. I go back to the point.
This is a lot of background noise. This is a lot of -- you see Dick Cheney feels very passionately about what he believes. He defended it very effectively last week. The president very firmly articulated what his vision is.
You know, hopefully, if Secretary of State Powell wants to participate, he'll go campaign for candidates, he'll go help raise money. Those are the things that matter. But at the end of the day, the party and the future will be decided by the next nominee of this party, by the gubernatorial candidates in 2010 and by candidates across the country.
It is not some little group in Washington who says this is the Republican Party. It's millions and millions of voters who each year, each cycle decides these are the people we happen to support.
CHETRY: Right.
ROLLINS: Barack Obama obviously had great support this last election.
FINNEY: You know, I...
(CROSSTALK)
CHETRY: Go ahead, Karen.
FINNEY: Sorry. I was going to say, I have to disagree with Ed a little bit, having been in the Democratic Party for the last four years, which was a really big rebuilding time for us.
You know, we started to see in 2006 -- in pretty significant numbers people moving away from the Republican Party, not self- identifying as Republicans, starting to identify themselves as independents. Over the immigration debate, the Republican Party lost a lot of moderates and the Hispanic votes. So these things do matter over time. And this isn't just, you know, a debate going on inside of Washington.
We've seen articles and editorials in local papers around the country of people really questioning whether or not they feel comfortable in the Republican Party. Certainly, people vote for a candidate. But if the party continues to push away people with different voices, I do think, as Colin Powell pointed out yesterday, more of the center will be left for the Democrats.
ROLLINS: The largest plurality of voters in American today is self-identified as independents.
CHETRY: Right.
ROLLINS: And both parties have to reach out and bring them to the forefront when it comes time for an election. Democrats have gone through periods of being out in the wilderness, and we are out in the wilderness. You have to relate to ordinary people's lives. And I think that's what the focus has to be.
CHETRY: All right. Well, we are going to have to leave it there. But great to hear from both of you this morning.
ROLLINS: Thank you.
CHETRY: I hope you enjoy your Memorial Day. Thanks for getting up early with us.
Ed Rollins, as well as Karen Finney.
ROLLINS: Thank you. Great.
FINNEY: Thanks so much and thanks to our troops.
HOLMES: The White House calling North Korea's alleged nuclear test a matter of grave concern for all nations. But what is the president's top military official saying? We're talking to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs Admiral Mike Mullen just ahead.
Plus, the graduating class of 2009. Coming out of college to the worst job market in decades. So if you're a graduation speaker, how do you inspire in the face of such a bleak outlook?
It's 17 minutes past the hour.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: We were using Christine's play list this morning.
CHETRY: That's right. It's bananas out here.
HOLMES: Good morning to you all.
Welcome back to the Most News in the Morning.
It's that time of year, college seniors putting on those caps and gowns and, you know, getting that all-important diploma. But unemployment at its highest rate in decades being a graduation speaker become a pretty tough gig.
Christine launching a new special series now for us, "Life After Graduation."
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Good morning.
HOLMES: Good morning.
ROMANS: That's right. I mean, this is that time of year, right? Where you put on the cap and gown, and you get the diploma on stages and stadiums most weekends in May and early June. Notable speakers are trying to inspire the class of 2009. It's a graduating class with the worst job prospects in half a century.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We gather here tonight in times of extraordinary difficulty for the nation and for the world.
ROMANS (voice-over): And for these graduates. Only one in five has a job offer. So how do you find the right words, and what are the right words to say to these graduates?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You've been drafted to help clean up this mess.
ROMANS: Filmmaker and historian Ken Burns considered not even mentioning the financial crisis to Boston College's class of 2009.
KEN BURNS, FILMMAKER AND HISTORIAN: You can say, boy, it's really bad out there. You're looking at the worst job prospects, and I'm sure there are people that will be talking about that. I want to talk about larger things, about what it is that we do as human beings to be closer together.
ROMANS: In the end, he put the crisis in the context of America's history, saying, it has tested America's exceptionalism and, quote, "reveals the bankrupt soul of many of our trusted institutions."
BURNS: You remind them that they have a shared stake in something bigger than themselves. And that permits you to be realistic. These are really, really tough times. Your prospects aren't as good as they were five years ago for someone graduating from college. But you know what? This is another challenge, and you have that opportunity to do it. And so there's no B.S. You just have to give it to them straight.
ROMANS: And the statistics don't lie. The jobless rate for 20 to 24 year olds was 14.7 percent last month, while the overall rate was 8.9 percent. Speech writing expert Leeaundra Temescu says acknowledge it, yes, but dwell on it, no.
LEEAUNDRA TEMESCU, EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS COACH: I would simply acknowledge the realities of the economic climate with maybe a couple of sentences, and then move right on to the inspirational, the vision, the -- all of the good things that are in store for these people.
ROMANS: Inspiration for these 2000 undergraduates delivered here by a man known for his way of words.
BURNS: The last, you know, decade since the Second World War has all been mine. It's all been about greed. And so rather than talk about the specifics of an economy right now, which is just, we know like the air we breathe, isn't good. Let's talk about the mechanics of our reassembly.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROMANS: That's the message from Ken Burns for those 2.3 million graduating seniors. The Class of 2009 who even in an academic bubble have struggled with student loans or with the jobless at home. They have seen that there aren't as many recruiting events at their university, so they know what's going on out there.
But several people we talked to said they are actually envious of this class. Because this is a class that really gets to go out there and literally change the world. These are the people who are going to be the people who are going to put it back together again.
HOLMES: That's one way to put it, but I bet a bunch of those graduating seniors see it a little differently. Wish they could get a job right now.
CHETRY: Yes. I remember that they said the same thing to us. I mean, you know, you're always petrified when you get out of school. Where are you going to find a job? But what would be your one piece of advice? Mine would be intern somewhere and prove yourself, even if it's for free for a little while and get people to not be able to live without you, and then, you know, you have a better chance of getting paid to work there.
ROMANS: And have a good idea. Right now, these are the kids who are going to innovate and they're going to have a good idea, and it's going to be a way to try things news. Have a good idea and spread your idea around, and that's kind of the best way.
We talked about -- it felt like this when we were graduating. There are, you know, less than 20 percent of these kids have a job offer in the hand. That's down dramatically from when we graduated, I promise you. So this is really a tough year in terms of the job offer. So create the job for yourself, get the good idea and just be patient. It's going to take a little bit of time.
CHETRY: Live with mom and dad as long as they'll let you. Offer to do the laundry every now and then.
HOLMES: Sounds like you have some experience at this, Kiran.
CHETRY: A little bit.
HOLMES: All right. Christine, thank you so much.
And the series continues tomorrow on "Life After Graduation." President Obama calling for more national service from young Americans. So it's just a dismal job market. Will more grads turn to Uncle Sam for their first paycheck? That's tomorrow here on the Most News in the Morning.
CHETRY: Also, North Korea saying this morning it performed an underground nuclear test. What does it mean for our national security? We're going to hear from Admiral Mike Mullen. He's the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, just ahead.
Plus, what do Pyongyang's actions mean for the stability in the region? We're talking to international security analyst Jim Walsh later in the hour. Two interviews that you're going to want to hear. Twenty-four minutes past the hour.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHETRY: Welcome back to the Most News in the Morning. If you're just waking up, we're tracking breaking news out of North Korea this morning. The secretive communist state is on the receiving end of a global backlash after it claims it conducted a nuclear test earlier today.
Pyongyang threatened this test after the U.N. Security Council slapped the country with sanctions for a rocket test early last month. The White House this morning saying, quote, "North Korea is directly and recklessly challenging the international community." South Korea media is also reporting that they test-fired a total of three short- range missiles, conducting an underground nuclear test.
Let's talk about how the U.S. will respond, our military options on the table. Joining us now is Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, live from the Pentagon this morning.
Thanks for being with us this morning, Admiral Mullen.
ADM. MIKE MULLEN, CHAIRMAN, U.S. JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF: Good morning, Kiran.
CHETRY: From a military standpoint, what is your reaction to word that North Korea indeed did test-fire a nuclear bomb?
MULLEN: Well, we weren't surprised because of the recent statements by North Korean leadership that they intended to do this. As you know, they also recently launched -- unsuccessfully launched, potentially an intercontinental ballistic missile. So they grow increasingly belligerent. I believe they increasingly isolate themselves from the international community. And while it will take us a couple of days to verify this test, certainly, there's no indication that -- that it wasn't as they say.
CHETRY: Quick question on that note. Do we have the ability to -- to monitor their activities beforehand? I know we rely on South Korea. In this case, South Korea talked about some artificial seismic activity that led them to believe this happened, but do we have our own ability to be able to figure that out?
MULLEN: Well, I wouldn't go any details about our overall capabilities in that regard. But we do, over a period of time, have the ability to verify whether or not this was a nuclear test.
CHETRY: We're talking about diplomacy being, of course, the first route in this case, trying to figure out whether or not there would be more sanctions, trying to figure out if these six-party talks are still indeed going to go forward. But can you give us any indication of what the U.S. could do to protect us if, indeed, this is a threat to us should diplomacy fail? MULLEN: Well, I think that -- I think it's really important, Kiran, right now, to emphasize the diplomatic path, and that's really the one they are on. Obviously, we got forces deployed to that part of the world.
We have had for a significant period of time. We've got over 25,000 troops who are stationed in South Korea. We've got very close alliances there with Japan and South Korea as well. And you mentioned the six-party talks and the countries who are involved in that. I think we are absolutely critical as we move forward to address this increasingly belligerent challenge from North Korea.
CHETRY: Speaking of challenges, let's take about Iran. You said, yesterday, that Iran is on track for building a nuclear weapon by 2011. What is the administration's strategy for preventing Tehran from actually accomplishing that?
MULLEN: Well, I believe that Iran continues to be on this track to develop a nuclear weapons program, and President Obama's intent to reach out and establish a dialogue with Iran, I think, is incredibly important. And it's in that -- at least that strategic approach right now, without taking any options off the table with respect to Iran, that I am hopeful we can make some progress and get to a point where Iran figures out that if they develop a nuclear weapon, if they achieve that capability, that's destabilizing for them, not in their national security interest.
CHETRY: And finally on this Memorial Day when most of us are worried about the unofficial start of summer, as it's become, barbecues and the weather, what do you want the American people to remember about the true meaning of today, especially for the fighting men and women overseas?
MULLEN: Well, it's the best military I've ever been associated with and today is the day we need to remember their sacrifice, those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, as well as the families of the fallen and, indeed, there are many serving in harm's way as we speak, remembering their families and reaching out to them in communities throughout the land and making sure that those who have sacrificed so much, we've lost almost 5,000 in these wars and over 36,000 who have been injured and that we take care of them. They represent the best of America. They're the best young people I have ever been associated with. And they really do make a difference.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: Well, it's the bottom of the hour now. Let's take a look at our top stories.
A roller coaster ride for stocks across Asia today. North Korea suspected nuclear test and stocks slipping in South Korea, down more than six percent with those losses pretty much erased by the closing bell. Japan's Nikkei, Hong Kong's Hang Seng both made modest gains. Wall Street meanwhile, of course, closed today because of the Memorial Day holiday. Military leaders in Pakistan say they've retaken several strategic crossings from Taliban militants in the Swat Valley. It's all part of a bloody street battle in the regions biggest city, nearly 2.4 million people have been forced from their homes there according to the U.N.
Also, might have a tough time reaching your Facebook friends over in Iran now. Now, Iran has blocked access to Facebook ahead of upcoming elections. Opposition candidates are reportedly saying it's an effort to sabotage any challenge they might pose to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
CHETRY: All right. And returning now to our breaking news. North Korea defying the world saying it went ahead with an underground nuclear test and there are also reports that the secretive state launched three short-range missiles this morning. The White House was hoping to lure Pyongyang back to the negotiating table.
So, how will this affect our already strained relations? Joining me now is international security analyst Jim Walsh, who has actually traveled to North Korea. If you could sort of give us a primer, if you will, for people who are just learning more about this situation. How has the recent history transpired between getting North Korea to give up nuclear ambitions and to sort of join the world stage instead of being this isolated nation?
JIM WALSH, INTERNATIONAL SECURITY ANALYST: Well, if you go back a couple of years, it's been a roller coaster. Crisis followed by essentially an effective negotiation, a productive negotiation, followed by more crisis, followed by negotiation. The most recent part of this roller coaster ride was all positive.
North Korea have agreed back in February of 2007 to get rid of its nuclear weapons program and its nuclear weapons. It had stopped its reactor and that meant no reactor means no reactor material, means no more nuclear weapons. So they had capped their nuclear weapons program and then things began to slide off the rails late last year.
Remember, Kim Jong-Il had a stroke back last August. And there were soon questions about his leadership. Questions about the role of the military in North Korea. And ever since then, we've gotten a harder and harder line and that has culminated today in a nuclear test.
HOLMES: We're not surprised any more by what they do in North Korea, are we? And what is the point this time? What are they going for with this test?
WALSH: Well, T.J., you're right, we're not surprised. This was sort of like death. We expected it coming but we're surprised by the timing. Few people thought the test was going to happen today or yesterday. Most people thought there would be a test but it might not happen for a month, but maybe later into the fall.
Why are they doing it? Where does it go from here? Well, I think one of the questions that we have to ask and we may not be able to answer today is the motivation. Is this an action by North Korea intended to improve their bargaining leverage? If that's true, that's good news. Because it means North Korea wants to come back to the bargaining table.
If, on the other hand, and I suspect there may be something else going on here, this has nothing to do with bargaining, nothing to do with North Korea's foreign policy but rather reflects internal dynamics of what is happening inside the country as it begins to grapple with the issue of succession and leadership change. If that's what is going on, then we're in for more of this for quite some time. I don't think you'll see North Korea coming back to the bargaining table any time soon if it is internal issues that are driving this right now.
CHETRY: You know, that brings me to a point that I was wondering about earlier as well. This almost "boy who cried wolf" syndrome with North Korea, where we're not as alarmed as we possibly should be.
That sentiment is echoed by some of our viewers this morning. We had one, scottsdad, and he wrote on our blog. He asked the question - what if this test was for real someday, would it be 9/11 all over again but worst - meaning that, you know, for so long we say well they were just testing us. They were just testing, you know, the international world. But if they have the power to explode a bomb for a test, who is to say they couldn't just do it, you know, hit one of their neighbors like Japan or South Korea?
WALSH: Well, Scott makes a good point. And there is a certain, you know, when you have repeat provocations there is a certain getting used to it. If you look - you just reported it, T.J., those stock numbers. If you compare the stock impact on the stock market after the 2006 test to today, well, not so much reaction. Big reaction back in 2006. Not so much today.
But I think if the question is are they going to up and attack us or South Korea or Japan any time soon, the answer to that is no. This is serious, of course, it's serious. All things related to nuclear weapons are serious but I don't think that we should jump to the conclusion they have either the intention or even really the capability to launch a nuclear missile at Japan or South Korea or the United States.
Right now, this is still mainly a political act but you're right in the long term if we keep going in this direction they will have a fully developed nuclear weapons capability.
HOLMES: All right. Jim Walsh for us. We appreciate having you and your expertise.
WALSH: Thank you.
HOLMES: This morning. Thanks so much and enjoy the rest of your holiday.
WALSH: You, too. HOLMES: Meanwhile, President Obama is heading to Arlington National Cemetery for a Memorial Day tradition. A look at how the nation is honoring service and sacrifice today.
Also, the Indy 500 champ Helio Castronieves is going to be joining us live to talk about his sensational victory at the brickyard yesterday and maybe a bigger win he recently experienced in the courtroom. It's 37 minutes past the hour.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(MUSIC PLAYING)
HOLMES: For a race car driver, the Indianapolis 500, the most coveted title in the world. Well, Brazil's Helio Castronieves captured his third one yesterday. Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Helio Castronieves wins at Indy! Listen to the crowd.
No one would have thought this would taste as sweet as it does today.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: That sweet milk there. You can see how emotional he was after yesterday's race. It may have something to do with another win he experienced in April in a Miami courtroom. Joining us right now is Helio Castronieves. Sir, good morning to you.
HELIO CASTRONIEVES, INDY 500 WINNER: Good morning.
HOLMES: Congratulations on another win. Now you have to tell me, do you cry after every race and if you do, still, were these tears a little different after this race?
CASTRONIEVES: Well, let me tell you one thing, no question, this one is very special, you know? And after what has happened in my life, especially for the six months that I've been through a very rough - rough time. And it was like a movie going through my head in that time and I guess my tears were speaking for everything.
HOLMES: Yes. That movie could have ended a lot differently. And for the viewers here, let me explain to them. You were facing some serious tax evasion charges, we're facing possible prison time, deportation and you probably would have lost your career, lost your freedom maybe. Now that is over and that is behind you and another charge was dropped just on Friday, a couple of days before the race.
After going through all of that, does racing not seem so important anymore? Do other things in life seem to have more value to you now?
CASTRONIEVES: No question. Life perspective becoming a lot different, to be honest. But I just realized - well, I realized before, but it confirms that I love racing. That's the place I belong. That's what I know what to do. So, again, I mean, for me, it was a very hard and I have to say I have to thank the fans, because they kept me strong for this entire time, for this tough time, and I mean I am so honored to have fans like this and I dedicated this to them. And yesterday was just a magical day.
HOLMES: And one of the last things I'm going to ask you is about - I know race prep. You're a race car driver, your team, you prepare so much for these races. But in the back of your mind, was the preparation for this race a little different? Was there something in the back of your mind thinking man, if I could just win this race I could really turn a chapter in my life?
CASTRONIEVES: You know, the interesting thing, sometimes people don't know. Because it's such a long race and so difficult race as well, the preparation got to be difficult. The strategy got to be different. So that's why you don't panic in situations because if you do that, you might end up making a mistake because it's so long of this race, you still have time to fix the car and maybe overcome for a problem that you have. So again, this is a very special one and if you got to win one race, this is the one. And I'm so glad I'm talking to you right now as a winner of the Indy 500.
HOLMES: Well, the timing worked out in particular here. Got to let you go but I guess that's the sweetest milk you ever tasted yesterday, fair to assume?
CASTRONIEVES: Yes, absolutely. It taste awesome!
HOLMES: All right. Helio Castronieves, congratulations, three- time Indy 500 winner. Thanks you so much and enjoy the rest of your weekend.
CASTRONIEVES: Thank you.
HOLMES: All right -- Kiran.
CHETRY: Honoring service and sacrifice. The commander in chief paying tribute to the fallen and meeting troops. We'll have a look at his busy Memorial Day schedule ahead.
When you hear the term biological clock, most of the time you think of women but we'll tell you why older dads may need to pay attention, too. It's 43 minutes past the hour.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CHETRY: It's 46 minutes past the hour on this Memorial Day. There's a live look at Washington, D.C., the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, always a very popular place to visit and, today, for sure, it will be even busier. You can already see many lining up to scan the wall for the names of loved ones and lay wreaths and flowers there to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War. It's 46 minutes past the hour again. And we fast forward through the stories that will be making news on this Memorial Day. President Obama will be participating in the annual wreath laying ceremony. It takes place at the Tomb of the Unknown in Arlington National Cemetery at 11:00 a.m.. After that he delivers remarks at the Memorial Amphitheater. And you can see it all live here on CNN or CNN.com.
Also later today, the Americans Veterans Center will honor those in the military as well as all of those who served and died for our country with the National Memorial Day parade that begins at 2:00 p.m. in Washington.
Also tourists in New York getting a treat today. Traffic is going to be blocked off from parts of Times Square and Herald Square to make way for a new pedestrian-friendly mall. The new auto free zones are intended to reduce pollution and also help traffic flow more smoothly.
Right now, we check in with Reynolds Wolf. Of course, people who like to drive in those parts of Manhattan, especially the taxicab drivers, would take issue it will make traffic go more smoothly, but if you're walking the streets there, it must be a real treat not to have to dodge the cars.
(WEATHER REPORT)
HOLMES: All right. Well that clock is ticking for a lot of folks this morning. Women usually are the ones we talk about with those biological clocks but there's new information this morning and perhaps men may want to hurry things along as well.
CHETRY: Are you talking to yourself?
HOLMES: The ticking - Kiran, please let me get through the read here.
The ticking biological clock of the older man. It's 49 minutes and 21 seconds. 22 seconds.
CHETRY: Ticking, T.J.
HOLMES: Past the hour.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(MUSIC PLAYING)
HOLMES: Really did you pick this song out...
JASON CARROLL, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: This was all Kiran.
HOLMES: This is Kiran.
CHETRY: Color me Badd. I mean, do you remember that group? The dance moves? They were so cute. HOLMES: OK. Well, we're talking about this. It's playing this morning because we're talking about a story about many women putting off having children and want to get pregnant later in life and worry about the health of the baby, you know, the biological clock as it relates to a woman but there is a clock for the guys as well, the older guys.
CARROLL: Correct. Now we don't have to worry about this yet but pretty soon.
CHETRY: You're twenty-something...
(CROSSTALK)
CARROLL: I haven't seen that in quite some time. But here is the deal. There are some in the medical community who are going to find fault with this particular study but the results are in. And the study draws a link between the age of the father and the intelligence of his child.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CARROLL (voice-over): It has been happening for centuries. An older man taking a young bride, popular with kings. In this day, not uncommon with Hollywood royalty. This 20-something-year-old trying to sum up the thinking on the male biological clock.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Because we don't have to deal with the whole, you know, the estrogen issue. So men just keep on bumping it out, but women, they can't.
CARROLL: The truth is there may be a male biological clock and it's ticking.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm sure it's true. I mean, come on, it's men, no offense, but hello.
CARROLL: The headline from a recent study, older fathers may mean lower IQs in their children. Researchers found children born to 50-year-old fathers scored slightly lower on intelligence tests than children of a 20-year-old father, regardless of the mother's age.
The researchers analyze data from more than 33,000 American children. The study's outcome a hot topic in the blogosphere.
LISA BELKIN, "THE NEW YORK TIMES": I would hope that somehow it equalizes relationships between sexes of the same age.
CARROLL: Author Lisa Belkin blogged about the study and wrote an essay titled "Your Old Man" for the "The New York Times." The response, Belkin says overwhelming.
BELKIN: The men are getting really angry and the women are little too gleeful. There were just hundreds and hundreds of people and you could divide them into two categories based on gender.
CARROLL: Now a sense of urgency with some men.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, it's great news. Great news. I better get working then soon, huh. Coming on 35 here.
CARROLL: Dr. Harry Fisch is a professor of urology and authored a book on the male biological clock. He reviewed the study and cautioned more testing needs to be done because the study did not follow children's intellectual development beyond age seven.
DR. HARRY FISCH, PROFESSOR OF CLINICAL UROLOGY, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY: We can't say that men of a certain age that their children won't be as smart but what we are seeing are real indications. We're seeing clues that as men get older there are problems.
CARROLL: This expecting couple in their late 30s taking a measured outlook.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm just grateful that we're having our first. You know, if he's a little less intelligent, maybe the world doesn't need smarter people, doesn't need, you know, more gifted people, just needs people.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CARROLL: And while the study found a six-point difference in test scores between the children of a 50-year-old father and a 20- year-old, the difference in those scores dropped to just about two point when socioeconomic factors were taken into account. So, that adds to something there as well.
CHETRY: Of course. All right. But no, I'm serious...
CARROLL: You're happy about this. Admit it.
CHETRY: No, I'm not happy about that. You can't worry about every single thing. You know, sometimes, you know peoples lives don't happen exactly as they are supposed to or that society thinks they are supposed to but you know...
CARROLL: Thank you for that insight...
CHETRY: Well, for example...
HOLMES: We were kidding. We didn't want your opinion.
CHETRY: What I was going to say is you two eligible, you know, handsome, smart men...
HOLMES: Thanks, Kiran.
CHETRY: Don't have any offspring yet.
HOLMES: Kiran, thank you.
CARROLL: Thank you very much. Thank you. We'll continue this later.
HOLMES: Yes. Let's...
CHETRY: The ladies write in at cnn.com/amfix. We'll fix this. All right.
Still ahead, a brave veteran earns two Purple Hearts when he comes home from war. Then has to fight a new fight. He is doing it for all of the other veterans. Truly a Memorial Day hero. We're going to meet him. Fifty-six minutes past the hour.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CHETRY: Well it's fitting on this Memorial Day for "CNN Heroes" to bring you an inspiring story of a veteran who is making a difference in the lives of those who have served their country. First, he earned two Purple Hearts for his service in Vietnam and now he's in another battle, helping other veterans fight government red tape.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANNOUNCER: This is "CNN Heroes."
The veterans just don't know what to do. They don't know where to go. If we don't give them the information that they need so they can get help, they won't get help.
So very, very important that these men and these women who have served this country get into the VA system. Their medical needs must be met. If you're not in the system, the government cannot help you.
My name is Lynn Hughes. I'm from Rocky Mountain, North Carolina and my job is to help veterans. It's a benefit book. It tells you...
We sit down and explain to them how important this paper work is so that they can file for their benefits.
Once we get the DD214 which is right here, it will go strictly directly to you. It does not come to us.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Okay.
HUGHES: Once you get that, you call me on the phone and say, Lynn, I got it.
The veterans who come to see us really don't know how the process starts. They kind of fall in between the cracks. Most of them deserve the benefits that they are to get. Especially the ones who are service-connected. Wounds, no arms, no legs.
I'm not a hero. I'm just a guy who wants to get out there and help veterans.
Everything doing well for you?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, it's going along fairly well.
HUGHES: We're still fighting for you, buddy.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You fight all the time.
HUGHES: I took this upon myself because I didn't know of anyone else who was doing this. We don't ask them for anything, not even a stamp or an envelope.
How you doing, David?
These great men and great women suffer. That's why we do what we do, to give them a way to fight back, to love their country that hopefully hasn't forgot them.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CHETRY: Inspiration for sure. Well, thanks so much for being with us on this AMERICAN MORNING. We hope you enjoy the rest of your Memorial Day.
HOLMES: Right now, want to hand it over to CNN NEWSROOM with Heidi Collins.
