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Senator Jim Webb Travels to Myanmar to Secure Release of John Yettaw; President Obama Travels the Country to Push Health Care Reform; 2009 Medal of Freedom Recipients Talk About Their Experience

Aired August 15, 2009 - 10:00   ET

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

BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: From the CNN Center, this is CNN SATURDAY MORNING. It is August 15th. Good morning, everybody. I'm Betty Nguyen.

T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: And hello to you all. I'm T.J. Holmes. 10:00 a.m. here in Atlanta where we sit, 9:00 in Strongsville, Ohio, 8:00 a.m. for you folks waking up in Grand Junction, Colorado where you're going to get a special visitor today. The president is going to be there talking baout his health care town hall.

But we've got a lot of news, some of it breaking this morning. We want to get you to it. This just in to us this morning, breaking news out of Myanmar. An American sentenced to seven years there, four of those hard labor, he's going to be coming home. This comes after a visit from Virginia Senator Jim Webb.

Our Dan Rivers is in Bangkok, joins us now on the phone.

Dan Rivers, remind our viewers of exactly what happened with this American.

DAN RIVERS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, this guy, John Yettaw, basically sparked an international incident by swimming across the lake in the center of Yangon, the main city in the Yama (ph) to get to the home of Suu Kyi.

Now, she's the pro-democracy campaigner who's been basically under house arrest for much of the past decades. He spent a couple of nights in her compound where she is being held before he was discovered.

And they then put him and Suu Kyi herself two of her staff on trial for breaking the terms of her house arrest. And he was just sentenced last week to seven years hard labor.

Well, now, a U.S. senator, Jim Webb, has managed to secure his release. And we understand the senator and John Yettaw will be flying into Bangkok on Sunday.

HOLMES: What did Jim Webb get -- I know he was asking for it, at least, Aung San Suu Kyi for her release. She got that extra 18 months detention. Where did these talks go? What do we you what will happen with her?

RIVERS: He managed to get something that a lot of previous diplomats have not been able to get, that's a meeting with both Aung San Su Kyi and the senior general in charge of this military junta Tan Shwe.

We haven't heard any news at all on whether her house arrest will be relaxed. And to be honest, that's fairly unlikely because there is a lot of speculation around that they wanted to keep her out of the way for next year's election and they were keen to extend her house arrest, and this was the perfect excuse to do that.

But clearly, getting the release of John Yettaw was important. He is an ill man. He has got diabetes and epilepsy. He had been taken to a hospital before the verdict was delivered with seizures. We understand he was a Vietnam veteran and has a troubled mind, I think is probably the best way of putting it.

And obviously, one doesn't quite know why he swam this lake. There were reports at the time that he had had some sort of vision that she was going to be assassinated and wanted to warn her. So he is a troubled guy that clearly needs help. But the American delegation that went in there led by Jim Webb were keen to try and secure his release.

But what's important to remember T.J. to remember is this is an unofficial visit. It's not part of a State Department. It's the senator is acting on his own, basically.

HOLMES: That's right, it's a Senate visit, not on behalf of the U.S. necessarily or the State Department but he did in fact get the blessing at least of the White House to go.

Dan, how was he able to succeed where so many others had failed? He was able to get this meeting. Were his negotiations tougher just a little in trying to get that meeting, or does this signal some change in stance from this regime?

RIVERS: I think it's very interesting what's going on in the background here. I think, clearly, there is a reassessment of the U.S. policy toward Myanmar.

As you said, Jim Webb is not in an official capacity, but he did get the green light from the White House to go. And I think this is part of a reassessment of -- look, we have had sanctions in place for 20 years. Clearly, this isn't resulting in the toppling of the regime.

We saw that uprising in 2007 that resulted in hundreds of people being killed and the regime stayed in place.

What appears to be happening here is there was a massive international outrage when Aung San Suu Kyi was put on trial for this, huge amounts of pressure being put on Burma.

And perhaps this a sign they realize they have to respond in some way, that they will clearly use it for their own advantage, the military regime. They will put this on TV to show that he came here in a similar way when President Clinton went to North Korea and secured the release of those two journalists.

This equally will be portrayed in Myanmar as a bit of a public coup for the regime. And that's why it's controversial, because some people would say it only legitimizes the military regime. And a lot of people have argued that we should continue with the sanctions, we should tighten the sanctions, we should further isolate it.

But I think behind the scenes, there is clearly some sort of reassessment of U.S. policy here.

HOLMES: Our Dan Rivers for us in Bangkok this morning. Bangkok is where Senator Webb will be heading with the American, John Yettaw tomorrow, we understand. Dan Rivers, we appreciate it. Thank you so much.

Joined by Jessica Smith, Senator Webb's communication director, joining from D.C. on the phone. Jessica, thank you.

First question, was this always a part of Senator Webb's mission when he decided he was going it take this trip? Was part of the objective to get this American out?

JESSICA SMITH, COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR FOR SENATOR JIM WEBB (via telephone): Thanks, T.J.

Senator Webb is wrapping up a two-day trip to Burma. This is part of a larger trip, a two-week tour of Asia. He is the chairman of the East Asia and Pacific Affairs Subcommittee of the Foreign Relations Committee here in the Senate.

He has been very consistent about the need for aggressive diplomacy with these kinds of authoritarian regimes around the globe. He has been very consistent that if we engage with Burma, it will benefit both countries involved if we speak directly with Burma's leadership and work toward resolving our differences there.

So he has been consistent about this message. And he went over there with the intention of having very frank discussions with the top leadership in Burma.

HOLMES: But again, was a part of the objective -- did he always know going over that he was going to try to get John Yettaw out of there?

SMITH: He went over intending to have these frank discussions both with the prime minister and with the senior general there. He intended to raise the issue of John Yettaw and also Aung San Suu Kyi. He did have those very frank relations about releasing both of them.

And I think these discussions were fruitful. The engagement certainly was effective in this case and he was able to negotiate the release of John Yettaw.

HOLMES: What about the criticisms? We have seen Myanmar, the folks there do it before. The military junta used trips for propaganda reasons. Ban Ki-moon was there not too long ago and that was used as part of propaganda, if you will, and I know y'all have heard this criticism.

So what do you say to those who are looking at this as finding this -- even though the senator was not there as an official representative of the state department or the U.S., necessarily, but still it's a pretty high-ranking U.S. official making this trip. Some say it gives some legitimacy to an oppressive regime.

SMITH: I will say this was an official U.S. Senate visit behalf of the senator. He didn't go on behalf of the State Department, be he is there in an official capacity.

And again, Senator Webb has said consistent that it benefits all involved it we speak directly with Burma's leadership and work towards resolving our differences.

He really is a strong believer in aggressive diplomas, and I think we saw the fruits of that effort today.

HOLMES: Jessica Smith, again, Senator Webb's communication director out of D.C. Ma'am, we appreciate you hopping on the phone with us this morning. Thank you so much

SMITH: I appreciate it, thank you.

HOLMES: And again, I want to reiterate there that they are going to be leaving together. The senator will be leaving with the American tomorrow, John Yettaw, leaving and heading to Bangkok.

Jim Webb is on a two-week trip to that part of the world, to Asia. He will continue on. We don't know what will happen to John Yettaw. Like we were talking about he's not in really the best of physical condition, so I can't imagine him tagging along necessarily. So he migh be in Bangkok for awhile. Don't know when he'll get back to the U.S.

He's a Missouri man...

NGUYEN: It sounds like that may have been a key factor in securing this release, because Yettaw, while the trial was taking place in Myanmar, he suffered several seizures in jail. And so it just begs the question, could he have withstood that seven years that he was sentenced to in labor camps. And was that a determining factor when it came to releasing him when Jim Webb went over to do that, the senator did.

All right, that is the latest on the breaking news story that we have for you on that. But back here in this country, the first family is on a getaway in the wide open spaces of the west.

But as our Ed Henry explains, there is really no getting away from the health care battle for President Obama in this possibly make or break month for reform.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ED HENRY, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Sure, Montana is a nice place to visit this time of year. But the president had more on his mind than flying fishing. He also came for urgent business, buttering up the state's senior citizen and chairman of the finance committee, Max Baucus, who could hold the fate of health reform in his hand.

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: First of all, the man who is working tirelessly to make sure that the American people get a fair deal when it comes to health care in America, please give Max Baucus a big round of applause.

HENRY: In private, top presidential advisers acknowledge that the fight has reached a critical stage because the opposition has gained some steam, capitalizing on anger over federal bailouts and debt at many congressional town hall meetings.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Where does that state that government has these powers to take over health care?

HENRY: By comparison, the president's town hall here was pretty tame, though he did get one pointed question that reflected the strong opposition he is facing.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We keep getting the bull. That's all we get, is bull. You can't tell us how you are going to pay for this. The only way you are going to get that money is to raise our taxes. You said you wouldn't.

OBAMA: Look, you are absolutely right that I can't cover another 46 million people for free.

HENRY: But the president did not shrink from the challenge and vowed again he will not raise taxes on the middle class to pay for the difference.

OBAMA: When I was campaigning, I made a promise that I would not raise your taxes if you made $250,000 a year or less. That's what I said. But I said that for people like myself who make more than that, there's nothing wrong with me paying a little bit more in order to help people who got a little bit less.

HENRY: But many agree that's easier said than done. And so that leaves it to Baucus to figure out the pesky details of how to pay for reform.

White House aides private acknowledge his panel is the last, best hope of getting a bipartisan deal. The weeks of negotiations in Washington have thus far come up empty.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: And Ed Henry joins us now live from Big Sky, Montana. Ed, it seems like the president is almost going back to campaign mode when it comes to health care.

HENRY: You are right, Betty. Bloomberg News posted a story saying that now two Democratic ad firms that ran all the TV ads for the president back in the campaign are now back in business, ready to start doing health care ads, promoting what the president wants in terms of reform.

Yesterday, here in Montana, at that town hall, he was telling people, I need your help, I need you knocking on doors, as if he needs them to go out and vote. He wants them now to knock on doors to promote health care reform.

And also he's hitting the roads with these town halls, obviously. You mentioned at the top, a little bit of vacation this morning. He is going to Yellowstone in Wyoming with his family, a little R and R with him family to check out Ol' Faithful.

But then tonight, we are right away going to Colorado, Grand Junction, another town hall meeting. He's hitting the road.

And it is not just perhaps about campaigning in the short term for health reform. Let's not forget. He ran pretty hard in the mountain west in the last election, did pretty well, won a state like Colorado. He wants to also remind the voters he might be back for their vote in three and a half years or so, Betty.

NGUYEN: And very quickly, last night's town hall meeting, the president met some questions that were tough, but it was not very contentious as we have seen in some of these other town hall meetings. Do you expect anything like that along those lines tonight?

HENRY: I still think you can expect a pretty respectful response. Sometimes people take on members of Congress a little tougher than they would the president. The office bestows a bit of respect, whether it is Democrat or Republican, whoever it is.

And I also think the president made clear in the town hall yesterday, he made a little bit of a joke about television in saying TV loves a ruckus, that maybe we are showing a lot of pictures of anger, and maybe that doesn't fully reflect that there is serious conversation going on as well at these town halls.

So what's he is trying to do is maybe dial it back, turn the temperature down a little bit and get some thoughtful conversation moving forward. This is a very serious debate going on, a lot on the line politically, but also a lot on the line for the American people, the 46 million uninsured, the millions who have insurance, and may be nervous they are going to lose it. There is a lot on the line right now.

NGUYEN: Absolutely. And that's why so many people have so many questions, and at times it can become heated.

Ed Henry, joining us live from Big Sky, Montana, thanks so much for that.

HENRY: Thanks, Betty.

NGUYEN: Today, there are plenty of chances for Americans to confront their lawmakers on health care. Let me give you a map showing some of the town hall meetings and other events across the country.

Grand Junction, Colorado, is the site of the president's town hall tonight. Democratic Congressman Pete Stark is holding in fact three town halls in California. There are also events in Chicago and in Georgia.

But back to what we were talking about. Emotions, they are running high at town hall meetings nationwide. Today, we are live with health care reform uninterrupted, town hall meetings, and all sides in their own words. Get the questions, get the answers on town hall raw today at 2:00 eastern right here on CNN.

HOLMES: The Taliban claiming responsibility for the death of at least seven people killed by a suicide bomber today in Kabul, Afghanistan. CNN Atia Abawi is live in that area.

Atia, we know we are just days away from these presidential elections. What will this violence now mean looking ahead to next week?

ATIA ABAWI, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: T.J., this bomb rattled the capital of Afghanistan, causing many Afghans to rethink if they are even going to go to the polls. We went to a hospital where we met with victims of this car bomb.

And we spoke to a 21-year-old girl who told me that the car bomb itself made the decision for her. She had a voter registration card, but she refuses to go out and vote.

We spoke to her mother and her grandmother also waiting outside. They told us that they also refuse to go out and vote five days from now, in the second ever presidential elections here in Afghanistan.

Let's also remember that thousands of U.S. marines and thousands of coalition forces flooded into Afghanistan this summer hoping to provide a secure environment for Afghans to actually go out there. And they have secured towns and villages.

There are still very insecure villages still left all over Afghanistan. But when we spoke to the Afghan people beforehand, they said danger had never stopped them before because they had been living in danger for the past 30 years. But today was a chilling reminder that they could lose their family member at any polling station they go to.

HOLMES: Wow, Atia Abawi, that's not what people wanted right before those elections. Atia we thank you so much, live for us on the ground there.

And to really understand what's going on in Afghanistan and why we are over there, you can watch the Christiane Amanpour's documentary "Generation Islam" at 8:00 eastern on CNN.

NGUYEN: Let's get you the latest right now on the wildfire out there in California, specifically the Lockheed fire. Strong winds are making it very difficult to fight this fire in Santa Cruz, California. And a lot of people have in fact been under mandatory evacuations as well. Close to eight square miles of forest have been burned.

And this started on Wednesday, but to give you an indication of how tough it has been for firefighters, only 15 percent of it has been contained so far.

And some 1,500 firefighters are on the scene and on top of all of this because of these wildfires and the fact that they are still trying very hard to fight them back. A state of emergency has been declared.

HOLMES: Other breaking news story this morning, an American being held in a prison in Myanmar is coming home, that according to Senator Jim Webb, the Democrat from Virginia who was on a trip there who has negotiated the release of John Yettaw, the American who was convicted for illegally swimming to the home of pro-democracy leader there in Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi. That happened in May.

He was convicted to seven years, sent to prison for seven years. But now his release has been negotiated. Senator Webb is going to be coming home with him. Details on that of course still to come.

NGUYEN: We are talking about two trailblazers, an icon of the civil rights movement and one of Broadway's most beloved stars.

HOLMES: We will explain to you, even though it might not take much explanation, of why the president gave them one of the country's top honors.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: We want to talk about two recipients of the medal of freedom award, one of the highest honors if not the highest honors to be bestowed by the president.

And one of the recipients is here with us right here. We have Reverend Joseph Lowery. But also in our New York studios, we have the well-known, well-revered Chita Rivera, actress, singer, dancer, both of them honored this past week.

Reverend Lowry, let me start with you. This is quite -- you have been through so much, a pioneer of the civil rights movement. To receive an honor like this, and I'm sure you have had so many in the past, how special this one?

REV. JOSEPH LOWRY, 2009 MEDAL OF FREEDOM RECIPIENT: Very special. When you talk about the highest honor that a civilian can get from his country, you are talking about high cotton. I know you done know what high cotton is.

NGUYEN: I'm from the south. I have heard it.

(LAUGHTER)

LOWRY: It was a stunning surprise, and I'm still in orbit. NGUYEN: Really?

LOWRY: I'm looking for a landing place somewhere. I'm around the South Pole right now.

(LAUGHTER)

But to be in the company of such distinguished citizens and personalities as Chita Rivera and Sidney Poitier and former Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, and others, it was a great honor. And I'm thrilled.

But it is consistent with the president's theme about change. He made his selections from the theme, agents of change. And I am honored to be in that list.

HOLMES: Let's bring in Miss Rivera here in New York. I wish you could be here with us, but we'll take you from New York, that's all right.

I assume you echo some of the same sentiments we just heard there?

CHITA RIVERA, 2009 MEDAL OF FREEDOM RECIPIENT: I could not say it better than the reverend, because I kept sitting there saying, oh, my goodness, am I really here? I could feel the power, I could feel the beauty of all of these wonderful people.

And I suddenly remembered my mother used to roll Easter eggs on the White House lawn, and my Africa-American ballet teacher who was responsible for me even dancing, I wish she was here today, because she would be just proud. It was because of her that I started.

So it's an amazing, amazing -- and I totally agree with the reverend. I'm flying. I've had the best days.

And I must say, I teased the president, because when he and that beautiful wife of his did their first dance and she was in that gorgeous white dress, and he -- she started that dance. Well, every dancer in the room with me just let out a scream, because that's the high school dance we did, that was the bop dance that we did.

And I teased him about it. And Michelle said, well, that's the only step he has got.

(LAUGHTER)

NGUYEN: That is so great.

And as we mentioned, with the reverend, your among some really impressive company, Desmond Tutu, Sidney Poitier, Sandra Day O'Connor. Was there anyone in particular that you were excited to meet?

RIVERA: Well, actually, absolutely all of them. But I must say in my book that I carry every day, I have two names. One is Mother Teresa and the other one is Archbishop Tutu. And I have Archbishop Tutu, a blessed man. And to see him walk into the room -- dancers are work horses. We do our job. To be awarded and rewarded like this is something -- the responsibility is amazingly wonderful. I take it on, you know. And I'm glad that I am a part of this amazing group of people.

HOLMES: and Reverend Lowry, this is a tough question, nobody likes to blow their own horn here, but is it hard, when you talk about the highest civilian honor that's bestowed upon anybody in this country, and you're wearing it around your neck right now -- first, let me ask you, have you been wearing it since you got it?

LOWRY: I don't remember taking it off. I may have.

HOLMES: Did you shower in that thing?

LOWRY: Well, I leaned over out of the shower so the water would miss it.

(LAUGHTER)

But it's really is an honor. And it says a lot about our country that an ordinary small town preacher like me could be there with senators and bishops and archbishops and great entertainers. It ought to be encouraging to ordinary people everywhere like me to render service and serve the common good, and someday, you may get recognized.

HOLMES: Betty asked Miss Rivera, but also to you. Was there somebody in that room you just couldn't wait to go up and meet?

LOWRY: Yes, Michelle.

NGUYEN: Mrs. Obama.

LOWRY: I had met her before.

(LAUGHTER)

I teased the president all the time that I'm his competition, and at 87 years of age, I don't think he is bothered. He has a few more problems that are more real.

(LAUGHTER)

But it was a beautiful experience. And I was especially glad to see Senator Kennedy's daughter, who received the medal on his behalf, and Jack Kemp's widow. Jack, even though he was a Republican -- I'm neither Republican or Democrat. I'm Methodist, you know.

(LAUGHTER)

But Jack was a wonderful fellow. And I was so happy to meet his widow. I admired him. He was a good friend and a real American and a real Republican. He is one of the original Republicans, not the new style. NGUYEN: Reverend, we really appreciate your time coming here to share this moment with us and what it was like for you and actually to get to see the medal around your neck.

LOWRY: Well, thank you.

NGUYEN: I know you are not going to be taking it off any time soon, right?

LOWRY: I can't think of any occasion coming up that I could take it off for.

NGUYEN: OK, very good.

And Miss Rivera, thank you so very much. We appreciate it.

LOWRY: It looks better on her.

RIVERA: Actually, I also have the little one on. So, reverend, I'm wearing -- Bill Cosby told me to never take it off. I'm wearing the little one on everything.

LOWRY: Bless your heart. Well, you have more things to attract people than I do. So I need the big one.

(LAUGHTER)

HOLMES: Miss Rivera, good to see you. Wish you could be here with us. Hope to catch up with you again soon. But both you guys, thank you so much for being here. It's good to see you both.

NGUYEN: And congratulations to you both!

LOWRY: Thank you

RIVERA: Thank you so much.

NGUYEN: All right. And we want to do a quick little recap of our breaking news today. Senator Webb has secured the release of an America being held in Myanmar.

That American was sentenced to seven years hard labor camp there for entering the country and swimming over to democracy proponent Suu Kyi's home when she was under house arrest. And therefore that caused her house arrest to be continued for another 18 months as well.

But again, the headline here is that Senator Jim Webb has secured the release of an American that was jailed in Myanmar.

HOLMES: We will continue to follow that breaking story this morning.

Also, health care. We will get answers to your health care reform questions. Josh Levs looking into that for us. Good morning again, Josh.

JOSH LEVS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you guys.

Will health care reform in this country ultimately give the government access to your bank account? We have the facts coming right up for you guys.

HOLMES: Thank you.

And also health, speaking of, there was a health scare for that young lady. That's Fantasia. And it threatened to slow or end her career.

Now, she has a message for her worried fans. We sat down for a little chat, got back stage and even on the stage at the Kennedy Center up in D.C. Stay here. That interview is coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Welcome back.

This week's CNN hero is a chemistry teacher who spends his spare time plucking old computers from landfills and then shipping them to Kenya, where very few schools have them.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is CNN heroes.

JUDE NDAMBUKI, DEFENDING THE PLANEY: I was calling that night, and I see this computer. I found everything was perfect. So many computers are thrown out and so many are need in Kenya. So I decided I must do something.

My name is Jude Ndambuki, I refurbish discarded computers and send them to schools in Kenya.

The children in Kenya have very few resources, even a pencil. They're hard to get. Any part that I can play to make their lives better, it's great.

The computers are tested to make sure they are working. Then we label the name of the school on each box, and then we ship it to Kenya.

The computers are saved from poisoning the environment, and they're going to be used for 20 years by the schools. Every school is going to plant 100 trees for every computer. We are planting a seed, teaching the kids to help the environment and be engines of change.

It's like giving are the kids a new life. Computers are getting new life, and trees are being planted and being a new life too. It's all connected.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: And you can find out more about all of our CNN heroes on our Web site, CNN.com/heroes. And in just a few weeks, we will be announcing the top ten CNN heroes of the year.

HOLMES: A lot of people, unfortunately, dealing with foreclosure. That sounds bad. What could actually be worse? There are some stunned homeowners who found out there is an expensive answer to that question, coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: All right, we're going to get you the latest on our top stories today.

A suicide blast rocks Kabul, Afghanistan. So far, seven people have been killed, but close to 100 have been injured. The Taliban is claiming responsibility for that.

HOLMES: Investigators now looking at the air traffic controller who is supposed to be at the helm when that crash happened over the Hudson. Investigators said the controllers failed to advise a pilot about potential air traffic.

And look at that video. That video is just amazing, so see that plane actually hit the helicopter.

Union leaders say the crash could not have been prevented, however.

NGUYEN: Well, he has done his time, and Michael Vick is now a Philadelphia Eagle. He is due at practice today. Vick signed a two- year deal for $6 million a month after completing his sentence for running a dogfighting ring. And has vowed to campaign for animal rights.

We want to get you back to breaking news that we've been following for you today. Until today, a little bit earlier today, in fact, John Yettaw was looking at seven years hard labor in Myanmar. But now the American is coming home after a visit from Virginia senator, Jim Webb.

Yettaw was convicted for visiting prodemocracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi back in May. She was under house arrest at that time and not allowed any visitors, and for that she has to spend another 18 months locked away in her home.

Webb also met with her during his trip. He is the first congressman in more than a decade to visit Myanmar. Yettaw will leave with him tomorrow.

And to give you a little more perspective on this, CNN anchor Anderson Cooper filed this report back in May just one week after John Yettaw was arrested.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: It's an understatement to say the relationship between this woman and this man is a mystery. She is Aung San Suu Kyi, the peace prize laureate, who following democratic elections in Burma was blocked from becoming prime minister and placed under house arrest by the ruling military junta for most of the past two decades.

He is John Yettaw, a 53-year-old American from a small town in Missouri. He did he suddenly get involved in Burmese politics? Yettaw allegedly made his way into Suu Kyi's tightly guarded compound in Burma and swam across a lake to her house using homemade slippers.

He spent the night there, a violation of her Suu Kyi's arrest. Suu Kyi's lawyer told CNN she asked Yettaw to leave, but he refused, saying he was tired from his swim.

Now, both Suu Kyi and Yettaw are in prison. Some human rights activists think that's exactly what the Burmese government wanted.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Anything unusual happening in Myanmar, especially in terms of Aung San Suu Kyi, we always look with suspicion, because the government of Myanmar always true their level best to find an excuse to lock Aung San Suu Kyi up.

COOPER: Chief Kuman, himself a former political prisoner, has studied Burmese politics for more than a decade.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There are all kinds of conspiracy theories floating around. One is of course that he's working with the military. We don't know.

COOPER: There aren't any known connections between Yettaw and Burmese politics so there are many unanswered questions. Among them, how was the unemployed Yettaw able to pay for his trip from Missouri to Burma? How did he enter a country known for being strictly closed to foreigners? And how could he sneak undetected into Suu Kyi's heavily guarded home.

Reports say Yettaw, who is a Mormon, told Suu Kyi he came to pray with her. Friends and neighbors describe him as friendly and intelligent but also reclusive.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I would say around here he pretty much sort of keeps to himself. He has his own, I don't know if "agenda" is the right word, but he has his own priorities, and he is working toward those.

COOPER: Neighbors say Yettaw, father of seven children, was writing a book on faith-based heroism. It is also reported he attempted to reach Suu Kyi last year but was unsuccessful.

Yettaw could face 15 years in prison for immigration violations and trespassing.

Activists say the timing of this incident could not be worse. If Suu Kyi is convicted, which is almost a certainly, she will be unable to be a candidate in next year's election.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You think an incident to punish the victim thereby also ensure that Aung San Suu Kyi is not free for the upcoming election.

COOPER: Anderson Cooper, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: Well, obviously, a lot of change since Anderson filed his report back in May. Aung San Suu Kyi was sentenced to another 18 months of house arrest after Yettaw was found in her home.

So many claims, though, flying around about this topic, that being health care, so that CNN has brought back the "truth squad" to separate fact from fiction.

HOLMES: And Josh Levs on the squad. Good morning again to you, Josh.

LEVS: Good morning again to you guys.

This was interesting. It has been coming up more and more lately. We are hearing people suggest that if health reform happens, the government might now have access to your bank account. Here is what one person said at a town hall just other day.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: On page 58, 59 of this bill, which gives the government access to private, individual bank accounts at their free will.

I do not think the government has the right to do that. I would think, and I have to brush up on my constitution, but I would think that was unconstitutional. I know definitely it is un-American.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEVS: So where is it coming from? What's the deal?

Let me give you a few facts. You heard her refer to a House bill. There are various pieces of legislation working their way through the House and Senate. But the biggest thing people keep talking about is this 1,000-page bill in the house.

Let's go straight to this graphic, because I want to make this very clear for everyone. The House bill does call on the government to set some rules over electronic transactions.

When you look at what those are all about, we show you here on the next screen. What those are about basically is setting up a system, there's a standardized payment way of insurers getting money to doctors offices.

So for doctors offices and for hospitals that kind of funding has a standardized payment system for the money to go one relatively simple way. It specifically does not give the government access to individual bank accounts. That's why on the last screen, you will see the truth squad has weighed in. We are calling it false. The provision affects companies and medical billing. It does not affect individuals.

On the screen behind me, I want you all to know, because there are so many claims going on out there, you can see all of the truth squad as they come out, CNN.com/healthcare. On our main page right here at slash healthcare, you can see a link to several fact checks, lot of them coming out each day.

So keep an eye there. And obviously, guys, we are going to tackle as many as we can in the coming days, weeks, months, I don't know, for some piece of legislation that might make it to the president.

NGUYEN: People still trying to figure out what's going to be in that final piece of legislation. And a lot of people have questions. That's why you are seeing so many heated town hall meetings.

LEVS: That's right.

NGUYEN: This is a very good source for information. Thank you.

LEVS: Thanks.

HOLMES: Thanks, Josh.

Coming up next, Fantasia, the "American Idol" winner, career almost derailed, maybe even threatened by tumors in her throat. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: When traveling abroad, words and gestures can sometimes get lost in translation. CNN's Richelle Carey has tips on improving communication to avoid any misunderstandings next time you are on the go.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RICHELLE CAREY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It's easy to mis-communicate when traveling abroad.

STIRLING KELSO, TRAVEL + LEISURE: Affection and personal space is something that is very different from one culture to another. For example, in a lot of countries surrounding the Mediterranean, a kiss on the cheek or two kisses is a common way to say hello.

CAREY: Eye contact also varies across the globe.

KELSO: In Germany, there is actually a tradition when you raise a beer and toast someone, you have to make eye contact with everyone or else it means you will have seven years of bad luck in the bedroom.

CAREY: But in Asia, it may be more respectful to simply be quiet. KELSO: In Thailand, people keep their voices down in temples, and that's the same in churches and other religious institutions all over South America, Europe, and the United States.

If you are concerned about cultural misunderstandings when you travel, observe the locals and study up on the destination before you go.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: So there, you know. Don't let it get lost in translation.

Coming up, a foreclosure warning that you probably have not heard before. We will show you how banks are giving the properties back to the owners with devastating consequences.

HOLMES: Also, really some devastating consequences for Fantasia. At least, there could have been after she found out she had tumors in her throat of all places. That's not the news you want to hear if you depend on singing for a living. My chat with Fantasia coming up after the break. Stay here.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: Well, singing has never been a problem for Fantasia. It, of course, helped her win "American Idol" back in 2004. Of course, she is still singing on stage. But these days, she is mixes in a little acting between songs.

She has reprised her role of Ms. Celie in the Broadway production of "The Color Purple." Her first run as Celie was in 2007, ended in early 2008 after she missed about 50 performances with no real explanation. She is now ready to explain why she left and just why she had to come back.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FANTASIA, "AMERICAN IDOL" WINNER: I had to Miss Celie. She is a part of me now.

I think after my first week, I knew, oh, my god, this ain't no joke. It's not. And it is different from the first time I have been in New York for years. And I think that when I was doing it, then I had so much baggage of my own that it was hard for me.

HOLMES (on camera): As we say, now, you are back. Everybody wondered where did you go?

FANTASIA: I had a lot going on. Actually, I had tumors. I had to have surgery. And I was just tired. I didn't understand why I was so tired. I would go from "The Color Purple" and go get IVs because they said I was dehydrated. But it wasn't that. I had two tumors that was draining everything out of me.

HOLMES (voice-over): For Fantasia, getting news about tumors was bad enough. But they were in her throat, of all places, the worse news given that she is a woman without a high school diploma whose success has been almost solely based on her ability to sing.

FANTASIA: It was a trying time for me, let's say that, because after I had the surgery I couldn't speak for six weeks. So I was like, everything at the time was going wrong. I can't even speak or talk, can't work for six weeks. I work because I have to pay my bills and I have to take care of my whole family.

HOLMES (on camera): Are you fully recovered?

FANTASIA: Fully recovered.

HOLMES: How are your vocal cords?

FANTASIA: Stronger than ever. The only thing I have to do is I have to have somebody work with me because my talking, they say, is worse than my singing.

HOLMES: What does that mean?

FANTASIA: I don't know. Everybody says do you really talk like that? I'm like, yes, but the doctor says my talking is worse than my singing.

HOLMES (voice-over): While the speaking voice may need some work, the singing voice, judge for yourself.

Fantasia's health care prompted her to get a backup plan in education.

HOLMES (on camera): You want to go and get your diploma?

FANTASIA: Yes.

HOLMES: How is that going?

FANTASIA: It's hard. It has been a long time. I jumped out of school in the ninth grade. But I'm doing it because I have an eight- year-old daughter and a 16-year-old brother, and I'm so hard on them about school. I am so hard on them. And I'm like, how about this? Watch your sister while I'm getting my diploma. And I'm still cool.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: She is still cool.

HOLMES: She is studying right now, busy schedule, taking a test sometime in the fall. I am going to follow up with her, so she better pass.

NGUYEN: She is going to pass it. You have got to have faith.

HOLMES: Also, you saw earlier something we didn't really explain further. She has 23 tattoos.

NGUYEN: She has 23?

HOLMES: She has 23. She actually has to do her own makeup to cover it up before she gets on stage -- here and on the legs.

She actually explained that she was going through so much in life that when she was in pain, she would go and get another tattoo. She was already in pain. Go through this. She says she is done, though.

NGUYEN: I know a lot of people with tattoos, and it's one of those things, once you get one, you want another one.

HOLMES: And people don't know, you have makeup on this arm. This whole is covered.

NGUYEN: Completely. I have a sleeve attached right here.

(LAUGHTER)

We will be right back, talking about foreclosure on the other side of this break. You don't want to miss this story. It's a new form of foreclosure, something you may want to be aware of.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Welcome back everybody.

(WEATHER BREAK)

NGUYEN: Hello everybody from the CNN center. You are in the "CNN Newsroom." This is Saturday, August 15th. Good morning, thanks for joining us. I'm Betty Nguyen.

HOLMES: And hello to you all. I'm T.J. Holmes.

It's 11:00 a.m. here in Atlanta, Georgia, 8:00 a.m. in Santa Cruz, California, out west. We begin out there with dangerous wildfires that have really affected areas of the state of California, thousands forced from their homes by wildfires in the north, maybe dealing with more troubles.

Officials concerned the strong winds may start new fires and force more evacuation. The governor there, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, preparing to visit the fire zone in just the next few hours. A state of emergency went into effect Friday for Santa Cruz community where the communities of Bonny Doon and Swanson are being threatened -- 1,000 of homes and buildings in danger.

So far, no injuries to report. The cause of the fire still under investigation.

NGUYEN: Let's go to CNN's Reynolds Wolf in the severe weather center to see if there will be any kind of relief weather-wise for the firefighters. Some 1,500 are to fight this, but only 15 percent of the fire has been contained.