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CNN Live Saturday

Military Searching for Two Missing Soldiers; Violent Days in Baghdad

Aired June 17, 2006 - 14:00   ET

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

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Now in the news, the U.S. military is searching for two soldiers missing in Iraq after an attack at a checkpoint south of Baghdad. A third soldier was killed in last night's attack. Details straight ahead.
Across Baghdad today six bombings and mortar attacks leave three dozen people dead. One car bombing happened just a short time ago, killing at least 12 people at an Iraqi checkpoint. The violence comes despite a government security sweep across the city.

Washington is warning North Korea against testing a long-range missile. U.S. and South Korean officials say satellite images indicate Pyongyang is preparing the first test of a missile that is capable of reaching the U.S. The State Department says that would be considered a provocative act.

In the nuclear standoff with Iran in the country's foreign minister says his government will likely come up with amendments to a Western incentives package. But he did not say when Iran would issue its response.

NASA is expected to decide today whether the shuttle Discovery will launch on July 1st. Mission managers are meeting and we will bring you their decision as soon as they announce it.

We update the top stories every 15 minutes on CNN LIVE SATURDAY. Your next update is 2:15 Eastern.

And welcome to CNN LIVE SATURDAY. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. Ahead this hour -- too short for prison? A small town is split over a child molester's punishment.

Also, the U.S. soccer team takes the field but today's World Cup match is a bigger deal in Italy. We'll show you the fan frenzy overseas.

But first, to our top story. Right now, details on a developing story out of Iraq. The search for two missing U.S. soldiers. They disappeared after an attack last night near Baghdad that killed a third soldier. A spokesman says the military is conducting ground, air and water searches.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MAJ. GEN. WILLIAM CALDWELL, U.S. MILITARY SPOKESMAN: Within an hour of the incident, blocking positions were established throughout the area in a concerted effort to focus the search and prevent movement of suspects out of the area. Three raids were conducted during the night on suspected possible locations and a fourth operation was conducted this morning. Coalition forces engaged with local leaders in the area to enlist the support of civilians in providing any information they could, and these engagements continue.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: This is a painful reminder of the ongoing search for another soldier, Sergeant Keith Matthew Maupin has been missing in Iraq for two years now. He's believed to have been captured when his convoy came under attack near the Baghdad airport. I spoke to Maupin's mother a short time ago. Carolyn Maupin says this incident takes her back to that dreadful day.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

CAROLYN MAUPIN, SON MIA IN IRAQ: It's like reliving our first notice of when Matt, whereabouts unknown. I can relate to the parents and I've been praying for them, so hopefully they will find them very, very soon. Because I can relate to how they feel.

I believe that that is what keep keeps us lifted every day is the support from not only the military families but our community and surrounding areas and even the country, as a matter of fact, that everyone is there with us praying and hoping for Matt, and now I'm sure for the two of today.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Carolyn Maupin says she gets weekly reports from the military saying they are constantly looking for her son. A conversation with Carolyn Maupin coming up at the 4:00 p.m. Eastern hour as well.

It's an extremely bloody day in Baghdad despite a massive security crackdown aimed at ending violence that's devastated the city. Our Cal Perry is in the Iraqi capital with details.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CAL PERRY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This is not the day the prime minister of Iraq or the American military hoped for. Day four of the prime minister's security plan for Baghdad dubbed "Operation Together Forward" brought a bloody response from the insurgency.

Attacks across the country have killed at least 40. In Baghdad alone, at least 35 are dead with over 130 others wounded. The worst attacked, targeting the very security forces attempting to secure the city. An Iraqi army and police patrol hilt by a suicide car bomb. Eleven dead here, 15 others wounded. In a central Baghdad market, a bomb rips through the crowd. Five dead, at least 25 others wounded.

And in northern Baghdad, a sectarian target, a crowded Shia market. Two dead, at least 14 wounded. Shias falling under sectarian attacks for the second day in a row. Yesterday's attack on a Shia mosque still fresh on people's minds.

"A parked car exploded here, he says. There's no mosque or church here. It exploded by the shops and innocent people were killed."

The recent violence has not spared American troops. A stark reminder of the danger facing the U.S. military.

CALDWELL: Last night, a coalition force soldier was killed and two others are currently listed as duty status and whereabouts unknown after their security element came under attack at a traffic control point south of Yusufiya, Iraq.

PERRY: A massive search is under way for the U.S. soldiers. The area in Yusufiya shut down.

(on camera): According to the Iraqi government, al Qaeda in Iraq is on its final days. Today, however, proved a stark reminder to the Iraqi security forces, the Iraqi people and the U.S. military that there is still a fight to be had. Cal Perry, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: All this violence could be a blow to the good week President Bush is having in his Iraq War effort. The president made a quick trip to Baghdad this week and today, he's again defending the U.S. mission there. The president is at his ranch in Crawford, Texas, and that's where we find our CNN White House correspondent Ed Henry as well.

Ed?

ED HENRY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon, Fred.

That's right. The president here getting some down time after crisscrossing the globe. As you noted, to visit Baghdad on Tuesday to celebrate the formation of the new government. Then Friday he went all across the country, from the White House over to Seattle, then on to New Mexico, raising big money for vulnerable Republican members of Congress.

And at a stop in New Mexico for Congresswoman Heather Wilson the president basically charged the Democrats are advocating a policy of cutting and running from Iraq, the president making that charge as a new CNN poll shows approval of the president's handling of the war in Iraq has risen five points to 39 percent since last month. And in his Saturday radio address the president spoke about the challenges ahead.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, U.S. PRESIDENT: We face determined enemies who remain intent on killing the innocent and defeating these enemies will require more sacrifice and the continued patience of our country. But our efforts in Iraq are well worth it. The mission is necessary for the security of our country. And we will succeed.

(END VIDEO CLIP) HENRY: But in her official response, House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi noted this week the sad milestone of 2,500 U.S. servicemen and women killed in Iraq passed. She noted it's time in the eyes of Democrats for a new direction in Iraq.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

REP. NANCY PELOSI, (D) CA: It is time for a new direction in Iraq. At the earliest practicable time the United States must begin the responsible redeployment of its troops. And the Iraqis must assume the burden of defending their own country.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

HENRY: Now while the president has consistently rejected it, this new CNN poll shows that 53 percent of Americans want a timetable to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq, and also some other potentially bad news nor the president in the sense that his overall job approval rating only increased by one point in the last month, despite this good news coming out of Iraq. Democrats charging that if this is a Bush bounce, Republicans have a lot of work to do. Fred?

WHITFIELD: All right. Ed Henry in Crawford, Texas, thanks so much.

Turning now to allegations of U.S. troops abusing Iraqi and Afghan detainees. The Associated Press quotes a Pentagon report as saying some detainees were fed only bread and water for several days, were deprived of sleep and subjected to loud music. The report concludes that while the treatment was wrong, it was not illegal. A human rights group calls the report a whitewash. The incidents took place in 2003 and 2004.

Some critics compare the killing of Iraqi civilians in Haditha last November to the massacre of civilians by U.S. troops in My Lai during the Vietnam War. The lawyer defending a marine facing possible charges in the Haditha killings argues there were two different incidents. CNN senior Pentagon correspondent Jamie McIntyre reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): There was no crime to cover up, according to the attorney representing one of the marines who was involved in several of the shootings that resulted in the deaths of 24 Iraqis including women and children, last year in Haditha.

GARY MYERS, ATTORNEY FOR HADITHA MARINES: The rules of engagement are the license to do what they did. And as long as they followed those rules of engagement, I believe they have a defense. Justifiable homicide on the one hand, and perhaps self-defense on the other. In every particular, this fails as evidence.

MCINTYRE: After viewing the videotape of the victims and the aftermath, shot by an aspiring Iraqi journalist, Myers insisted it would not stand up in court. MYERS: It proves nothing, other than that there were people killed who died violently and who bled profusely. And all those things are regrettable. But none of them serves to prove murder.

MCINTYRE: What about the pictures taken by the U.S. military, seen by CNN, that appear to show victims shot at close range?

MYERS: It will be a Herculean effort on the part of the government to muster enough competent evidence to demonstrate that anything criminal occurred. And if all they've got are pictures that were taken after the events, it will be a very difficult thing.

MCINTYRE: Myers argues everything he believes the marines did that day, from shooting what turned out to be unarmed men in a taxi, to firing into buildings without knowing who was inside, can be defended as justified under the rules in effect at the time.

MYERS: There was a good faith belief that fire was coming from those buildings. These marines followed the rules of engagement. And if the rule of engagement at the time was, as I believe it to be with respect to the taxi, that when an IED went off, if people were seen running from the scene, they were considered insurgents and one had a right to fire.

MCINTYRE: Myers insists Haditha was not a massacre. And that comes from an attorney who successfully defended a company commander who was at My Lai, the notorious massacre of Vietnam.

MYERS: My Lai was a massacre. Men, women, babies and children were put into a trench and they were fired upon by American soldiers.

MCINTYRE (on camera): How could it be that marines could kill young children, a mother, appeared to be in their bed, and they just followed the rules? How can that be?

MYERS: Because they're not required to inquire, under the circumstances. They're not required to inquire. If they believe they were threatened, they can use deadly force. And that's what they did.

MCINTYRE (voice-over): Military experts tell CNN two principles should guide the use of lethal force -- proportionality and necessity. That is, how important is on the objective, and does it warrant the risk of innocent lives? And that is likely to be at the heart of this case.

(on camera): The U.S. military has announced that a separate investigation into whether there was a cover-up has been completed and is being reviewed by a three-star general in Iraq. Defense attorneys for some of the Haditha marines, meanwhile, tell CNN that an initial press release that inaccurately attributed some of the civilian deaths to a roadside bomb was not based on any information that came from their clients. Jamie McIntyre, CNN, the Pentagon.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: And details of President Bush's top secret trip to Baghdad, plus who is al Qaeda's new top man in Iraq? CNN brings you the only in-depth look at major events in Iraq. John Roberts hosts "Iraq, a Week at War" tonight at 7:00 p.m. Eastern.

Also tonight ...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR (voice-over): Coming up tonight at 10:00, a multi billion dollar industry you probably know little about.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You have a market that is effectively unregulated on the international level.

LIN: We're talking private military contracting. And you're paying the price.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Probably not going to be able to get a job now after I do this interview.

LIN: That's coming up tonight at 10:00 Eastern here on CNN.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Is America ready if disaster hits? It's time for a progress report. And you don't want to miss it.

Columbine remembered. We'll show you how the victims of the tragedy are being honored.

And later our legal team argues the latest Supreme Court developments on the death penalty when we come back.

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WHITFIELD: A quarter past the hour.

Here's what's happening right now in the news. The U.S. military is searching for two missing American soldiers. They disappeared last night during an attack at a traffic checkpoint south of Baghdad. A third U.S. soldier was killed.

Across Baghdad today, another round of deadly bombings. About three dozen deaths are reported in half a dozen attacks. Two of the bombings happened at crowded markets. Another attack at a police checkpoint killed at least a dozen people.

In Afghanistan U.S. military officials call it a quick and severe blow to the enemy. They say U.S.-led forces killed about 40 Taliban fighters gathered at a camp in southern Afghanistan. The U.S.-led attack was part of "Operation Mountain Thrust" which began its main phase Thursday.

In New Orleans, a deadly shooting spree. Five teenagers were shot to death near the central business district. All five were believed to have been in a sport utility vehicle when they were gunned down. Police say they think the shootings were drug related or some kind of retaliation attack. It's the most deadly crime reported in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina.

NASA getting set to decide when the next shuttle mission gets off the launch pad. A decision is expected sometime today. The space agency hopes to send Discovery into orbit on July 1st. NASA has been struggling to overcome technical challenges related to the shuttle's external fuel tank.

We update the top stories every 15 minutes on CNN LIVE SATURDAY. Your next update is coming up at 2:30 Eastern.

Not ready to handle a major disaster. That's the key finding of a new study by the Department of Homeland Security. It looked at emergency plans drawn up by states and cities across the country. CNN's homeland security correspondent Jeanne Meserve has the report which first aired on THE SITUATION ROOM.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Nearly five years after 9/11, nearly one year after Katrina, after $18 billion in federal grants to state and local governments, the Department of Homeland Security has concluded the majority of state and local emergency plans are not adequate, feasible, or acceptable to manage catastrophic events.

GEORGE FORESMAN, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY: The ordinary doesn't mean that you're ready for the extraordinary. And we've got to do a better job of taking our catastrophic planning to the next level.

MESERVE: The assessment found many state and cities lacked a clear command structure or plans on how to keep government operating in catastrophe. Evacuation remains a profound concern. With inadequate planning for large numbers of evacuees and particularly for people with special needs. Among the states with the lowest assessments, West Virginia, Oregon, Louisiana and Montana.

Though the cities of New York and Washington had plans that were rated far from perfect, they were much better than many, including Oklahoma City, which rated poorly despite its experience with the bombing of the Murrah Federal Building. And New Orleans, a majority of that city's emergency plan got the lowest possible rating.

FORESMAN: They were going through this nationwide plan review at the same time that they were still responding to and recovering from the effects of Hurricane Katrina.

MESERVE: The organization that represents emergency managers says hundreds of local jurisdictions do not have a full-time emergency management program because of federal funding shortfalls. Further, there is no national planning guidance or standards.

(on camera): DHS agrees state and local governments have not gotten all the tools they need from the federal government. But says this assessment will be used to measure progress from here on out. Jeanne Meserve, CNN, Washington. (END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: And Jeanne Meserve is just one of the reporters covering the world for THE SITUATION ROOM. You can catch Wolf Blitzer weeknights in THE SITUATION ROOM 7:00 Eastern, 4:00 Pacific. Remember to stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security.

The U.S. may be playing in the World Cup. But most of the enthusiasm is for the other guys. We'll get a live update from Europe straight ahead.

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WHITFIELD: And "Going Global" now. In Somalia, two warlords backed by the U.S. have reportedly fled to a ship in the Indian Ocean. This comes one week after the warlords were defeated by an Islamic militia that vows to impose Islamic law on Somalia. The country's last functioning government collapsed back in 1991.

Long live the queen. Today Britain's Queen Elizabeth II is celebrating her official 80th birthday. Her real birthday is April 21st. But the outdoor celebration which is always very official always comes two months later where there's a better chance of warmer weather. Thousands of people turned out to see her majesty.

And the World Cup is the center of attention around the globe. You're looking at the U.S. team practicing. They take on Italy at the top of the hour. The U.S. got whooped by the Czech Republic, 3-0, when they played this week at the World Cup games in Germany. So Team USA has got to win today to perhaps play at least another game or two in the competition.

Well, in an exclusive CNN interview, Angelina Jolie reveals she had the same fears many mothers experience during childbirth. She was scared that something would go wrong. The actress has two adopted children. She delivered baby Shiloh by cesarean section in Namibia last month with the baby's father, actor Brad Pitt, in the operating room. Jolie talked about her fears with Anderson Cooper in her first sit-down interview since Shiloh's birth.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANGELINA JOLIE, ACTRESS: Because you're there for the birth, which I wasn't for my first two kids, you're suddenly terrified that they're not going to take a first breath. That was my whole focus. I just wanted to hear her crying. At the last minute I became the mother that was sure everything was going to go wrong. And she's healthy and it was amazing.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: And you can watch Anderson Cooper's exclusive interview with Angelina Jolie in its entirety this Tuesday night, 10:00 Eastern, 7:00 Pacific, the actress talks about her passion for helping refugees around the world, baby Shiloh, and daddy Brad. It's all part of CNN's World Refugee Day coverage. CNN, the most trusted name in news.

Lethal injection is supposed to be a humane way to execute a criminal, right? Well, a death row inmate says it's cruel and unusual. Our legal experts will look at what the Supreme Court says about all of this.

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