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American Morning

Obama Ordered Top to Bottom Investigation on Failed Terrorist Attack; Suspect of Failed Terrorist Attack Claimed Bombs Came from Yemen; North Korea Captures American Missionary

Aired December 30, 2009 - 06:00   ET

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

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They can be taught. And I have every confidence that he could do it. But right now, the legalities of it are just astronomical.

KARA FINNSTROM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The Transportation Safety Administration says the 700 dogs it's currently using are trained to checked baggage, cargo and airport areas. It could be used to check people if necessary.

Terrorism concerns have prompted Auburn University to develop a program they claim trains dogs to sniff out suspects carrying explosives as they casually walk past. Since the Detroit incident, discussions about increasing aviation security have focused mostly on technology, but perhaps one part of the solution is man's best friend.

In Banning, California, Kara Finnstrom for CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN ROBERTS, CNN ANCHOR: And we're crossing the half hour. That means it's time for this morning's top stories.

President Obama saying mistakes were made and signals were missed leading up to the failed terrorist attack on Christmas Day. He has ordered a top to bottom investigation, and he wants preliminary test results in his hands by tomorrow. Here's more of what the president said yesterday.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I wanted to speak to the American people again today because some of this preliminary information that has surfaced in the last 24 hours raises some serious concerns. It's been widely reported that the father of the suspect in the Christmas incident warned U.S. officials in Africa about his son's extremist views. It now appears that weeks ago, this information was passed to a component of our intelligence community, but was not effectively distributed so as to get the suspect's name on a no-fly list.

There appears to be other deficiencies as well. Even without this one report, there were bits of information available within the intelligence community that could have and should have been pieced together. We've achieved much since 9/11 in terms of collecting information that relates to terrorists and potential terrorist attacks, but it's becoming clear that the system that has been in place for years now is not sufficiently up-to-date to take full advantage of the information we collect and the knowledge we have. Had this critical information been shared, it could have been compiled with other intelligence and a fuller, clearer picture of the suspect would have emerged. The warning signs would have triggered red flags, and the suspect would have never been allowed to board that plane for America.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KIRAN CHETRY, CNN ANCHOR: And we're going to have more on some of those missed warning signs in just a moment.

Meantime, President Obama also taking steps to fill one of his campaign promises. Ordering federal agencies to classify less and share more. Among other things, the executive order expected to make public more than 400 million pages of cold war era documents.

ROBERTS: And four officers with the Shenandoah, Pennsylvania police department have resigned after being accused of covering up a hate crime. Federal prosecutors say three of the men lied to the FBI in the case of two white high school football players accused of beating a Mexican immigrant to death. The resignations leave the small town with only three officers left on the payroll.

CHETRY: The more we learn about this failed terror attack on Christmas, the more things point to one place -- Yemen. Officials in Yemen warning now that there could be hundreds of al Qaeda trained operatives there, plotting against the United States. And Washington is reportedly working with Yemeni officials putting together plans to take out al Qaeda targets inside Yemen.

But there are unanswered questions. Why has al Qaeda moved there, and what is the situation really like inside the Arab world's poorest nation?

Here for the "AM Breakdown," "Washington Post" foreign correspondent Sudarsan Raghavan. He's reporting extensively from Yemen for several weeks now, and he joins us on the line this morning from the capital, Sanaa.

Thanks for being with us this morning, Sudarsan.

SUDARSAN RAGHAVAN, FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT, WASHINGTON POST (via telephone): Good to be here, Kiran.

CHETRY: First of all, explain for those watching today, why is Yemen such an attractive place. Why has it become a hotbed of terrorist activity for al Qaeda?

RAGHAVAN: Well, Yemen is facing a number of challenges. It's got a civil war in the north. It's facing -- the government is facing a succession movement in the south. There's extreme poverty. High unemployment. Their oil resources are dwindling. And you've got a lot of ungoverned areas around the country, which provide a perfect breeding ground for al Qaeda militants.

CHETRY: Also geographically, it seems to be a place where it is relatively easy for people who would like to go there and, perhaps, train or perhaps meet with others to get to?

RAGHAVAN: Yes, absolutely. You know, Yemen is in the Arabian peninsula, and it's actually the roots, where al Qaeda originally began, before it went out to Afghanistan and Pakistan. So many analysts are saying that what we were seeing now is al Qaeda returning to its roots and the terrain, especially in Yemen, is very -- it's excellent for them because it's very mountainous, there's a lot of remote areas, lawless areas in which they can thrive in.

CHETRY: And as we can see from the map right up there, you see how close it is to Saudi Arabia right there and a forest border, a border that's easily crossed it appears in some of these cases.

You know, there's been a debate about whether the U.S. should preemptively strike in Yemen, an idea that's being floated by some U.S. senators, and the U.S. has reportedly carried out previous strikes against al Qaeda in Yemen, and we're learning that there's a possibility right now that the U.S., as well as the Yemeni government, looking at fresh targets.

What type of an impact would these types of surgical strikes have in Yemen?

RAGHAVAN: Well, we've seen two strikes in the past two weeks. And basically, it's, you know, the government has claimed that it's killed at least 50 al Qaeda militants. But what we're also seeing on the ground is a growing opposition to it. People, especially in the south, you've seen people crying, that the targets are actually civilians, women and children. And the fear is that this could -- these air strikes could in the end create more anti-American sentiments and more sympathy for al Qaeda which could translate to more recruits for the group.

CHETRY: Understood. There's always that, of course, fine line between trying to make these targets and try to route out some of the al Qaeda leadership in these places, at the same time not hitting civilians, obviously, making the situation worse for people there.

What about the prominent role, perhaps, that's being discussed right now that former Guantanamo Bay detainees may have in terror activity in Yemen?

RAGHAVAN: Yes. I mean, the current al Qaeda branch, al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula who's claimed responsibility for the attempted bombing in -- over Detroit, they are led by several former Guantanamo detainees who were released under the Bush administration.

The -- you know, they include a guy named Saydal Shihri who is now the deputy leader of the group. Their theological adviser, spiritual guide you might say is also a former Guantanamo detainee. And, you know, we just learned yesterday that a Yemeni, who was released from Guantanamo was among four would-be suicide bombers who were killed two weeks ago in a raid north of the capital of Sanaa.

So, basically, what you're seeing here definitely is a strong involvement by former detainees in al Qaeda and Yemen.

CHETRY: Many were shocked by the claim yesterday of Yemen's foreign minister saying that, yes, he believes there are hundreds, perhaps 200 to 300 militants, radicalized militants in Yemen that would seek to attack the United States or to carry out some sort of terrorist attack.

What power does the government have to do anything about that?

RAGHAVAN: Well, the government doesn't control, especially the tribal areas, which was comprised of vast majority of Yemen. And al Qaeda prides in these areas. They live amongst the people.

You know, you have to remember, there's also a country that sent thousands of fighters to Afghanistan and Iraq, and they believe fervently in liberating Muslim countries from non-Muslims. So in this sense, there's great sympathy for al Qaeda's core message, which is, you know, protect the Muslims. But at the same time, you know, Yemenis don't really agree with al Qaeda's tactics. No one here I've spoken to wants to see a situation like Pakistan where you see suicide bombers, bombs going off every single day. So there is this distinction, but at the same time, there is a lot of sympathy for al Qaeda in Yemen.

CHETRY: All right. Sudarsan Raghavan, foreign correspondent with "The Washington Post," in Sanaa, Yemen, the capital this morning, giving us some perspective on this country that is certainly in the spotlight in the wake of that foiled terrorist attack.

Thanks so much for being with us.

ROBERTS: An American Christian missionary crosses over the border into North Korea, and is now being detained by the North Korean government.

What was he doing there, and what will happen to him? We'll try to find out coming up next. It's 39 minutes after the hour.

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ROBERTS: Welcome back to the Most News in the Morning.

Aviation officials are hoping that they can resume normal air traffic into and out of Puerto Rico this morning. Dozens of flights had to be canceled yesterday because of volcanic smoke and ash hanging over the nearby British Island of Montserrat. The volcano has been spewing ash for several weeks. Hopefully a lot of those tourists, vacationers will be able to get there today.

CHETRY: Yes. I thought the worst thing in the world is to be stuck there, at least. Nice weather.

Well at New York City will get a huge bill for the admitted 9/11 mastermind's trial. Police commissioner Ray Kelly said security costs for the upcoming trials of Khalid Sheikh Mohammad and four co- defendants will easily top the initial estimate of $75 million. Kelly says the city doesn't have enough officers to handle security and federal funds will have to pay the overtime.

Well, also new this morning, another American captured along the North Korean border. North Korea announced it detained a U.S. citizen who entered that country illegally.

ROBERTS: They aren't saying who he is, but man is believed to be Robert Park, a missionary. And who knew exactly what he was doing when he crossed over to the border. Here's Mary Snow.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): North Korea's news agency did not identify the American citizen it is holding, but the family of 28-year-old Robert Park believes it is him and said in a statement they are now working with the State Department and members of Congress.

Park is a Christian missionary who had been working in South Korea. And friends say he was focused on the plight of people in North Korea. In recent days, his parents told San Diego's CNN affiliate KFMB their son had indicated he willing to risk his life for his missionary work.

PYONG PARK, FATHER OF ROBERT PARK: He said: "I am not afraid to die. As long as whole world, all -- every nation pay attention to North Korea's situation, my death is nothing." That is what he said.

SNOW: A South Korean Christian group reported that Park entered North Korea last week country with a letter to Kim Jong Il. The State Department has not confirmed that report.

Here in the U.S., some friends got e-mails from Park with copies of the letter to North Korea's leader. In it, he says he has a message of Christ's love and forgiveness and asks to please open up your borders and close down all concentration camps.

John Benson ordained Park in Tucson, Arizona, in 2007. He says he last spoke with Park six weeks ago.

JOHN BENSON, FRIEND OF ROBERT PARK: He also told me that there was something going on in the works, but he didn't get into any details, you know, and that there was a possibility is the way he said it, there was a possibility that he may go into North Korea. And, you know, of course, that is -- it's alarming.

SNOW: And while friends offer prayers, one expressed a bit of a relief that North Korea announced it was holding a U.S. citizen.

DOUG MARTIN, FRIEND OF ROBERT PARK: The fact that they have acknowledged that they have someone is a good thing, because I think generally they would not acknowledge someone if they were going to kill them. But what the North does with him, who knows.

SNOW: Earlier this year, two American journalists faced a sentence of 12 years of hard labor after being arrested along the North Korean-Chinese border. They said they accidentally strayed into North Korea, but were later released after former President Bill Clinton met with Kim Jong Il.

(on camera): The State Department did not release a name, but a spokesman for the State Department says the U.S. will continue to work through the Swedish embassy, which handles diplomatic issues for the U.S. with Pyongyang to seek consular access to the U.S. citizen being held.

Mary Snow, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHETRY: All right. Well, now it's 45 minutes past the hour.

Jacqui Jeras will have the morning's travel forecast right after the break.

ROBERTS: And in ten minutes time, a look back at some of Jeanne Moss's best stories of the year.

Imagine calling 911 because the fast food restaurant that you ordered from got your order wrong. Yes, believe it or not, people do it. We'll show it to you coming up.

Forty-five minutes after the hour.

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ROBERTS: Welcome back to the Most News in the Morning. Forty- eight minutes after the hour and that means it's time for an AM House Call, stories about your health now.

It is supposed to improve memory and prevent cognitive decline, but a new study says the popular supplement ginkgo biloba flap does not work. It tracked 3,000 people between the ages of 72 and 96 for six year's time, the largest and longest study into the herbal remedy which accounted for $99 million in sales last year.

Columbia University study says kids regularly exposed to secondhand smoke at home are more likely to develop emphysema as they become adults. Researchers suggest their lungs may not recover completely from the early life exposure to tobacco. The study is the first to examine the link between childhood exposure to smoke and early emphysema in nonsmoking adults.

And the food police urging government regulators to crack down on false claims that they say deceive many health conscious consumers. A report from the Center for Science in the Public Interest says manufacturers using buzz words like whole grain, all natural, and lightly sweetened to grab shoppers attention. The group is appealing to the FDA to stop what it calls food label chaos.

For example, one of the things on the lightly sweetened aspect is frosted mini wheats or something apparently called lightly sweetened, but one serving has 12 grams of sugar.

CHETRY: There you go.

ROBERTS: Which is light compared to your average big bottle of Coca-Cola but still not exactly --

CHETRY: Lightly sweetened.

ROBERTS: Whole sugar.

CHETRY: The other thing too is when they say reduced salt and then you look on the back and you still see it says 780 milligrams of sodium, what was it before, it was reduced. Anyway. Yes, just got to check those labels.

ROBERTS: Yes, absolutely.

CHETRY: Meanwhile, it is 49 minutes past the hour, and we're getting a quick check of the morning's weather headlines with our Jacqui Jeras. She's in the Extreme Weather Center this morning.

(WEATHER REPORT)

ROBERTS: Thanks, Jacqui.

This morning's top stories just minutes away, including...

CHETRY: It's a major intelligence breakdown. Details coming to light that the CIA had information that could have disrupted this plot. Our Jeanne Meserve digging for details.

ROBERTS: And at 7:07 Eastern, why was the suspect even given a visa to visit the United States in the first place? The bureaucratic finger pointing has begun.

CHETRY: Then at 7:42 Eastern, a lonely young man looking to fit in. We'll take a closer look at internet postings believed to have been written by the terror suspect. Those stories and much more coming up at the top of the hour. Fifty-two minutes now past the hour.

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CHETRY: Good old foreigner. It's time now for the Moos News in the Morning. We hate all -- we all hate getting bad service, of course, at a restaurant, but for some people, it's not enough to just complain to the manager.

ROBERTS: They didn't hold the Mayo. They forgot the extra egg rolls. The pizza wasn't here in 30 minutes. For some, the only fix to such disasters, call the cops. Here's Jeanne Moos.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Fast, dial 911 for fast food. A burger, McNuggets, and now shrimp are leaving police dispatchers fried.

A woman who ordered takeout shrimp fried rice at this Texas restaurant was the latest to enter the fast food 911 hall of shame.

She wasn't the only one acting shellfishly. Remember the unhappy meal drama, when this woman called 911 three times from a Florida McDonald's.

But why are 911 operators so cooperative when these people call? We asked the senior dispatcher in Haltom City, Texas where the shrimp fried rice emergency occurred.

MOOS (on-camera): So, if I went to say, McDonald's, and ordered a quarter pounder and came out and only had an eighth of a pound, if I called 911, you would still be nice to me and send a police officer?

UNKNOWN FEMALE: I would have to, yes.

MOOS (voice-over): Police worry a minor food fight could escalate into a food rage incident.

UNKNOWN FEMALE: Our policy is not to have the sarcasm.

MOOS: But in Orange County, California, dispatcher didn't get the memo when she answered a call from a Burger King.

UNKNOWN FEMALE: I asked for four different times to make me a western barbecue burger.

UNKNOWN FEMALE: Ma'am, we're not going to go down there and enforce your western bacon cheeseburger.

MOOS: Six years later, former dispatcher Lynnette Carol (ph) is still laughing.

UNKNOWN FEMALE: Oh, dear Lord. I don't understand people, why are they calling the police for this.

MOOS: Lynette didn't get in trouble for how she handled the call.

UNKNOWN FEMALE: You're supposed to be here to protect me.

UNKNOWN FEMALE: What are we protecting you from, a wrong cheeseburger? Is this like it's a harmful cheeseburger or something? I don't understand what you want us to do?

UNKNOWN FEMALE: Just come down here. I'm not leaving.

UNKNOWN FEMALE: No, ma'am. I'm not sending the deputy down there over a cheeseburger.

MOOS: That's a nugget of wisdom even someone with a mind of a shrimp would get.

Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROBERTS: Maybe if she started throwing chairs because she didn't like her cheeseburger they would send the cops down there.

CHETRY: That's right. You got to escalate.

(LAUGHING)

ROBERTS: I'm telling you, just the absolute abdication of responsibility by some people is just stunning.

CHETRY: Can't make this stuff up.

ROBERTS: Unbelievable. Top stories coming your way in 90 seconds. Stay with us. Two minutes to the top of the hour.

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