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CNN Live Saturday

U.S. Aid Program To Palestinians Now Under Review; Al-Jazeera Released Videotape Of Hostages; Man Wrongfully Imprisoned For 24 Years Released; Roof Collapse In Chorzow, Poland; 20th Anniversary Of Challenger Explosion; Angry Fatah Activists Protest Hamas Winning Election; FEMA Employees Receiving Bribes; Suicide Rate Rises In New Orleans; Possible Bird Flu Vaccine; Eye Gazing Dating Trend

Aired January 28, 2006 - 12:00   ET

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

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN ANCHOR: Unfolding this hour, the developing situation in the Middle East and the challenge for the United States. How does it deal with Hamas, a group the U.S. considers a terrorist organization?
Also this hour, remembering the Challenger disaster, 20 years later.

And he spent nearly two dozen years in prison for a crime he did not commit. This hour, he'll join us tell us his story.

Welcome to CNN LIVE SATURDAY. I'm Suzanne Malveaux in for Fredricka Whitfield. A busy hour ahead, first "Now in the News." An older woman in Romania, suspected of having bird flu is undergoing tests. While bird flu has been found in poultry in more than two dozen villages in Romania, no human cases have been confirmed. Ahead an update on efforts to develop a bird flu vaccine.

Rebels in Afghanistan keep up attacks on schools. They torched three primary schools in southern Afghanistan, yesterday. Also the U.S. military says an American soldier in Afghanistan has been sentenced to four months confinement and reduction in rank and pay for streaking detainees.

As the former Soviet Republic of Georgia suffers brutal cold, with a limited natural gas supply the country strikes an emergency gas deal with Iran. The first shipments could begin tomorrow. Last weekend, an explosion destroyed a Russian pipeline that supplies gas to Georgia.

We begin this hour in the Middle East. Some are calling this week's Palestinian parliamentary elections a "political earthquake." All around the region the aftershocks are still being felt. The Fatah party is reeling from its defeat at polls.

Several armed Fatah members also stormed the Palestinian parliament building. In its first major policy speech the winning Hamas party said, resistance to Israel's occupation will continue. CNN's Ben Wedeman joins us now from Gaza with the latest -- Ben.

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Suzanne, we've seen demonstrations throughout the West Bank. We saw them in Ramallah, where Fatah gunmen took to the roof of the Palestinian parliament, fired in the air there in Nablas, in Bethlehem, in Tulkonerman (ph) also here in Gaza.

Thousands of gunmen were marching through streets firing through the air, protesting against the Hamas victory in the elections, but more particularly, protesting against the very own leadership who they blamed for having created the situation whereby so many Palestinians shifted their allegiance over to the Hamas movement. They're calling for a change in that leadership for the resignation of president -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who also runs the Fatah movement.

In fact, Abbas was supposed to come to Gaza today to meet with Hamas leaders and discuss the formation of a new Hamas-led government. However, because of security concerns, given these fairly wild demonstrations in the streets, his visit to Gaza has been postponed until further notice.

Meanwhile in the Syrian capital Damascus, the leader of Hamas, Khaled Mashaal, basically put forth his vision for how Hamas is going to deal with the situation in Gaza and the West Bank. As you said, he said resistance against the Israeli occupation, as he described it will continue. He suggested that possibly Hamas will try to unite all the armed factions within the Palestinian territories to form some sort of army, that's obviously an idea that probably the Israelis would not take kindly to.

He also addressed concerns from the United States and Europe over a Hamas-led government, both those areas, the Europeans and the United States, have said they may suspend aid to the Palestinian authority if Hamas takes over. Mr. Mashaal said they definitely should not do that to the Palestinian people.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KHALED MASHAAL, EXILED HAMAS LEADER (through translator): We're not going to wait for a green light from the U.S. nor any European country, despite the fact that we are very keen to establish dialogue with everyone in the international community. We're not going to be isolated. But it is important for everyone to respect us. The Palestinian people have chosen Hamas for what they stand for. If the United States want to talk to Hamas, they're more than welcome, but on the basis of what the Palestinians have chosen.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WEDEMAN: Now, it's not clear at this point when a Hamas-led Palestinian authority is going to be formed -- or rather, Hamas-head cabinet. As I said, the consultations that were supposed to take place between the President Abbas and Hamas have been postponed -- Suzanne.

MALVEAUX: Ben Wedeman, thank you very much from Gaza.

Now, in Washington, the Bush administration insists that the U.S. does not provide money to terrorist organizations. The U.S. Aid Program to the Palestinians is now under review. White House correspondent Elaine Quijano joins us with the latest. Elaine, thanks so much.

ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon to you, Suzanne. What I can tell you is that, since 1993, the United States has provided some $1.5 billion in economic assistance to the Palestinian people.

Now, though, President Bush is saying that, unless Hamas renounces violence and also renounces its pledge to destroy Israel, that that economic aid will be cut off. The president made those comments in on interview with CBS News. The president saying essentially the choice is up to Hamas.

Now, this is a difficult situation, of course, for this White House. It was about a year ago, as you know, that the president outlined one of his major foreign policy goals and that was spreading democracy around the world. Well now, of course, the question for the U.S., how best to deal with a democratically elected government led in large part by Hamas, which the U.S. views as a terrorist organization -- Suzanne.

MALVEAUX: Thanks, Elaine Quijano at the White House.

Now to Iraq, of course, and a new threat concerning four kidnapped members of a Christian humanitarian group. The Arab language TV network, Al-Jazeera, has aired video of an American, two Canadians, and a Brit who were kidnapped two months ago. On that tape, a message with what is said to be a last chance for the kidnappers' demands to be met. The latest from CNN's Aneesh Raman in Baghdad -- Aneesh.

ANEESH RAMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Suzanne, good afternoon. It is the first we've seen of these four hostages since December last year. They are as you say, all part of a group called Christian Peacemakers Team in Iraq. Among them American Tom Fox, a British national, and two Canadians. The tape reportedly shot January 21, airing today on Al-Jazeera. CNN cannot confirm the authenticity of the tape or it was shot on the 21st, but the four individuals do look notably thinner, notably weaker than we last saw them in December.

Now, they were abducted on November 26, the group holding them had demanded by December 10 of last year the release of all prisoners in Iraq. And after that deadline came and went, we heard nothing, publicly at least, as to the situation of these four hostages. Today's tape, again, the group holding them reiterating that demand saying, quote, "It is the last chance for the prisoners to be released." No specific deadline, though, was set.

There has been hope, at least found in the fact, that this tape came out by a spokesman for Christian Peacekeepers Team. The fact that these four individuals are still alive, they say, they had evidence as early as last week that these four individual were alive as they tried to secure their release.

Now, this comes, of course, as Americans wait for any word on American hostage Jill Carroll, the deadline set by her captors has been over a week now since it passed. No word on her situation. No word on her fate. Agonizing silence for her family but perhaps again, some hope, coming in the fact this tape, release of the four hostages weeks after their deadline passed, so hope again that Jill Carroll, despite the fact that her deadline has come and gone, could still be found, could still be rescued -- Suzanne.

MALVEAUX: Aneesh, is there any sense of optimism that perhaps the outcome will be good?

RAMAN: Well, I think in both of these cases, it's incredibly sensitive in terms of the individual that are dealing with these hostage -- with the people holding these individuals hostage. The release of all Iraqi prisoners, of course, seems implausible. In the case of Jill Carroll, though, you'll recall last week that U.S. military officials and Iraqi officials released five Iraqi women who were in custody.

That's important because those holding Jill Carroll have demanded the release of all female Iraqi prisoners. Iraq's justice ministry says there are four Iraqi women in custody, that they are set to be released some time soon. Both of these officials, U.S. and Iraqi officials, caution the release is unrelated to the demands of the hostage takers, but the hope in Jill Carroll's case, is that while the cause might be different the effects, Suzanne, will be the same.

MALVEAUX: Thanks, Aneesh, very much.

Now, some British troops in Iraq might be heading home before the year is over. That word today from British foreign secretary Jack Straw at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Straw says that a true pullout will begin only when Iraq's government is secure, but he hopes it can begin this year. About 8,500 British troops are in Iraq.

Now, plagued by delays the trial of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein is scheduled to resume tomorrow. The proceedings were supposed to bet back on track four days ago but were postponed, that, after a month-long delay. Two top judges have already been replaced. Saddam and seven co-defendants are charged in the 1982 killings of dozens of Shiite Muslims.

Encouraging news in the fight against the bird flu. Why researchers in Pittsburgh say they've made a breakthrough in the search for a vaccine for humans.

And, what's it like to be a free man, after nearly two dozen years in prison for a crime you did not commit? I'll speak wit the latest man to be exonerated by DNA evidence.

And we'll show you how the astronauts of the shuttle Challenger were remembered today.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MALVEAUX: It has happened again, an innocent man is released from prison, nearly two dozen years after he was incarcerated for a crime that DNA evidence shows he did not commit. CNN's Mary Snow has the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARY SNOW, CNN NEWS CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Handcuffed and shackled, 45-year-old Alan Crotzer walked into a Tampa courtroom Monday to applause, and news he waited for more than half his life.

JUDGE J. ROGERS PADGETT, HILLSBOROUGH CO. CIRCUIT CRT.: Crotzer, are you ready for what you've been waiting so long to hear?

ALAN CROTZER, 24 YEARS OF WRONGFUL IMPRISONMENT: Yes.

PADGETT: Motion granted, you're a free man.

SNOW: And with that, Crotzer left jail where he spent more than 24 years. He had been convicted in 1981 armed robbery and the rapes of a Tampa woman and her daughter. But recent DNA tests convinced the court he was not guilty.

CROTZER: I'm very happy.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Feels pretty good.

CROTZER: Yes, it does.

SNOW: Crotzer's attorney David Menschel.

DAVIS MENSCHEL, CROTZER'S ATTORNEY: It took the jury, an all- white jury, less than an hour to convict Alan Crotzer, and it took Alan 25 years to undo that jury verdict.

SNOW: To undo that verdict, Crotzer turned to the Innocence Project, a legal clinic that uses DNA testing to exonerate inmates believed to be wrongfully convicted. Lawyers say it's not only difficult finding DNA evidence in old cases, but attorneys in Florida also point to legal hurdles. They say there should be no limits on proving innocence and they're fighting to erase a statute of limitations on post-conviction DNA testing.

JENNIFER GREENBERG, Florida INNOCENCE INITIATIVE: Without legislative action, we know that the Alan Crotzers will remain in prison, die in prison, some of them will be executed.

SNOW: Advocates say it's impossible to put a number on how many cases of wrongful convictions may exist, but the Hillsborough County prosecutor says, Alan is one case that proves the justice system is not perfect.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MALVEAUX: That report from CNN's Mary Snow. And joining us now from Tampa is Alan Crotzer. I just want you to know it's an honor to have you here talking to us this afternoon. I can't imagine what you actually went through and your release. But how did you manage to keep hope alive, for 24 years, knowing that you were innocent and you really didn't know whether or not you would ever be released? CROTZER: No, I didn't know if I ever be released, but I did have hope. I had family, friends, and I tried to stay as positive as I can every day. That ain't easy in a very negative environment, where I was supposed to die at. But I kept hope alive.

MALVEAUX: And what kept you going?

CROTZER: Just wanted to be free, to be with my family, my mother who happened to pass away in 2001, who kept praying for me, always telling me, it's going to be all right, that god was going to bring me out of this.

MALVEAUX: And what did it feel like? Can you tell me what it was like when you found out that you were going to be released?

CROTZER: Felt like a lot of weight had come off my shoulders. Always did believe in and hope that I'd get out, but I didn't know that for sure. I thought I'd die in prison sometimes, true. But, to hear the judge speak the words and telling me I'm a free man you know, for a person to have that kind of power in my life, it was -- and they release me, like, I was overjoyed.

MALVEAUX: Any you've said, many times, and I think many people find this so amazing is that you say you're not bitter about what happened to you. How is that possible?

CROTZER: What I'm...

MALVEAUX: Why aren't you bitter?

CROTZER: What I'm saying is that I'm not the monster that people portrayed me to be 25 years ago. I'm not bitter as far as -- I don't know how to explain it.

MALVEAUX: Who do you hold responsible or accountable? Do you feel that the system has betrayed you?

CROTZER: Yes. The system ain't perfect. What happens is, people didn't do their, you know, they didn't do their jobs back then. Had they did a little leg work and investigated my, you know, my alibi and my innocence a little harder they would've seen that I hadn't done no crimes, but what they did was just -- I was easy pickings for the police at that time. It was a horrendous crime, five white victims, three black perpetrators. It was, you know, I was perfect for that.

MALVEAUX: Do you believe race played a role in that?

CROTZER: It played a role in that at that time, yes, it did.

MALVEAUX: What kind of compensation are you seeking now?

CROTZER: Compensation? I don't really speak on this much. But I've got a daughter that's 29 and she got two kids and they're my grandkids, they don't know me. My mother died on me. How can you fairly compensate a person for a wrong conviction and they spend a quarter of a century in prison for something he didn't do -- he didn't know anything about? How can you fairly compensate me for that? Is there a compensation for that? You know, how can they ever repay me my life, like that?

SNOW: Well Alan, we -- your point is very well-taken. I wish you the very best in starting your new life, your new beginning.

CROTZER: All right, thank you.

MALVEAUX: Thank you.

Remembering the shuttle Challenger and its crew. We'll take you live to Florida, when CNN continues after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MALVEAUX: And this just in from A.P. and Reuters wires, we're getting information about a roof collapse that took place in Chorzow. That, of course, it is a rooftop that had collapsed not far, in the Warsaw area of Poland. We have been told it's an exposition hall, that there were some 500 people believed to be inside. That it was some sort of pigeon show that they were attending.

One of the police spokespersons saying that the roof of the exhibition center in Chorzow collapse under the weight of the snow and that several hundred people are believed to have be inside. There is no information yet about casualties. As soon as we get that we will bring that to you. But again, a roof collapse in that area.

Now, 20 years ago today the nation watched in horror as the shuttle Challenger exploded less than two minutes into its flight. That brought a tragic end to the NASA's teacher in space mission. Memorial ceremonies were held at the Kennedy Space Center this morning. Covering that event, is the same CNN correspondent who covered the Challenger launch, our own John Zarrella.

JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Suzanne. That's right, 20 years ago today, about two miles from here, we stood at the edge of the lagoon by the countdown clock, so familiar, I'm sure, to all of our viewers, as Challenger ascended into the clear blue sky. A brutally cold morning, 36 degrees, and then 73 seconds into the flight, of course, exploded, killing the seven astronauts, including Christa McAuliffe of Teacher in Space.

Today, about an hour and a half ceremony here, at the Kennedy Space Center. It culminated with a wreath laying ceremony. June Scobee Rodgers, there, she laying the wreath, there, at the base of the memorial, that's the mirror memorial on which are the names of 24 astronauts inscribed, there, those who died in different missions, of course, Columbia mission astronauts there now, as well as Challenger, the Apollo I astronauts and others who have died in accidents. And laying that wreath this morning, after an hour and a half ceremony.

And, again, it was 20 years ago, and so hard to believe when the seven astronauts walked out after several days of delays, walked out, walked down, up to the launch pad, boarded the shuttle Challenger for what was to be this remarkable Teacher in Space mission and then 73 seconds later, of course, the great tragedy. During today's ceremony, June Scobee Rodgers remembered her husband and the talks that they often had about risk and whether it was worth it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JUNE SCOBEE RODGERS, WIDOW OF CMDR. DICK SCOBEE: Without risk, there's no discovery, there's no new knowledge, there's no bold adventure, all of which help the human soul to soar. And the greatest risk is to take no risk, for the progress of our nation depends on the growth, fueling the engine of the economy for our nation, moving forward as pioneers and to the next frontier.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ZARRELLA: Many of those who spoke today talked about the astronauts giving their lives, those both on Challenger and on "Columbia" and the fact that it was not in vain, that exploration is the only way that man knows, is to explore.

Of course, Suzanne, coming up in just a couple of days next week, February 1, will be the anniversary of the third anniversary of the "Columbia" accident and the loss of the seven crew members on that vehicle -- Suzanne.

MALVEAUX: Well John, I know so many of us remember that moment. It seem likes we all can recall, I remember my own mother, a school teacher, was with her class and it was just devastating to turn to them and have to explain what had just occurred. And I'm sure there are many stories, of course. John Zarrella, thank you for that story. Appreciate that.

A program note this weekend, "CNN Presents" the real story of Challenger astronaut and teacher Christa McAuliffe. For the first time her family reveals the private pain behind the public tragedy. Tune in tonight at 8:00 Eastern for "CNN Presents: Christa McAuliffe, Reach for the Stars." And ahead on CNN LIVE SATURDAY, how Hurricane Katrina continues to claim lives in Louisiana, and a live update on how residents are coping five months after the storm.

Later, promising news about a bird flu vaccine. Stay with CNN.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MALVEAUX: Here are the latest developments. NASA remembers one of its darkest moments. Commemorations were held at Kennedy Space Center this morning, marking the day 20 year ago when space shuttle Challenger blew apart. All seven astronauts onboard died in the accident.

Angry Fatah activists stormed the Palestinian parliament building in Ramallah. They want the resignation of senior members who they blame for their party's humiliating defeat in parliamentary election. The winning party, Hamas, says resistance to Israel's occupation will continue. And President Bush is threatening to cut off aid to the Palestinians if Hamas does not renounce violence. The U.S. has earmarked more than $340 million in aid for the Palestinian authority this year. Hamas leaders have described the U.S. position as aid blackmail.

And an update now on recovery and relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Time is running out for evacuees still living in hotels and motels. They have until Monday to request an authorization code that will extend their FEMA-paid stays beyond a February 7 deadline. That number is 1-800-621-FEMA.

Meanwhile, federal authorities announce the arrest of two temporary FEMA employees working in New Orleans. They say the workers are accused of seeking and receiving bribes from a caterer that provided meals at a FEMA camp.

And another victim of Hurricane Katrina has been found. The body was discovered under the debris in Saint Bernard Parish. The parish's medical examiner put Louisiana's death toll of Katrina at 1,104.

It has been five months since Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans. But expert says the storm is still claiming lives. CNN's Drew Griffin takes a look at the tragic rise in suicides, as residents find themselves in despair.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DREW GRIFFIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This story of Dr. James Kent Treadway is closely woven to the state of his city. These pictures of debris, disaster and despair are New Orleans closing in on five months after Katrina. In many areas, it looks like the storm hit yesterday.

TYRA TREADWAY, WIDOW: Depression is...

GRIFFIN: Tyra Treadway is a Katrina survivor.

TREADWAY: ... you think you're having a good day when you see a street that's cleaned, and you drive three blocks down and you see people out there trying to clean and sweep the sidewalk next to two stories of debris on the street, because they just want one little section to say, "It's mine. It's clean. And it doesn't have sheetrock dust on it."

GRIFFIN: It was in this environment of dust and debris that Tyra Treadway came home last November 16th and found her husband dead. For most of their 33-year marriage, he was one of the city's most prominent pediatricians, a man whose roots went back five generations and whose father started the practice he took over.

Now, he had hanged himself.

His wife, says the doctor, had been suffering debilitating back pain for three years, but it was the pain that came from Katrina that Dr. Kent, as he was called, could no longer take. TREADWAY: And actually, the only time that he was -- would really not focus on the pain and stuff is when he was with these patients.

GRIFFIN: His house was damaged but survived, his office flooded but also survived. What did not survive was his practice. Parents fled New Orleans, taking their children, his patients, with them.

Dr. Treadway was advised to retire, to start accepting disability payments, and to begin taking stronger pain medication. Instead, he took his life.

TREADWAY: But when you don't give anybody hope of leading somewhat of a life with dignity, you can't expect people to just exist.

DR. FRANK MINYARD, ORLEANS PARISH CORONER: In the past, we have not had this many professional people at one time commit suicide.

GRIFFIN: Since November 10th, the day New Orleans Parish coroner Frank Minyard began counting the dead as non-Katrina related, two lawyers and three doctors have killed themselves.

MINYARD: I don't know the mental status of these people prior to them doing the act, but I know a little bit about what happened to them. And it's obviously Katrina-related. People have lost their jobs. People have lost their homes. People have lost their loved ones.

GRIFFIN: Minyard says he helped talked a friend, a business owner, out of suicide. Many people, he says, are finding post-Katrina New Orleans just too much to handle.

MINYARD: I'm acutely aware of that, that the storm really precipitated these feelings. I mean, I've had them myself, just the fact that my office has been destroyed and, you know, my daughter's home has been destroyed. So I've had feelings of like that myself.

GRIFFIN: The coroner says that, for professionals who thrive on controlling situations, the storm was devastating. He fears the suicides are not over, but no one wants to deal with the problem. Politicians keep saying things are getting better.

(on-screen): But despite the billions of dollars pledged to bring this city back and the millions of dollars being sent to clean it up, people in New Orleans say, "Look around. The garbage is still everywhere," a visual sign that things are not improving. And that, they say, is the biggest problem. New Orleans is a city without hope.

CECILLE TEBO, GRIEF COUNSELOR: The psychological implications, the grief, and the loss, and the emotional roller coaster for some is simply beyond their ability to cope. Kids that aren't doing well, their parents aren't doing well.

GRIFFIN (voice-over): Cecille Tebo is a grief counselor for the New Orleans Police. The department lost two officers to suicide since the storm. She says she has been deeply depressed herself and every day is conscious of living in a destroyed city.

TEBO: Oh, god, our Steinway. My husband is a beautiful, beautiful pianist. This is our -- this is the tragedy here.

GRIFFIN: Her home was flooded. She's just learned her neighborhood could be bulldozed into a city park. The garbage isn't picked up. When she tries to get help repairing her house, FEMA and insurance companies, she says, put her on hold for hours, and insurance adjusters and contractors repeatedly don't show up for appointments. This is her new New Orleans.

TEBO: To me, it's abusive. It's like being in a really bad abusive relationship. Whereas as a counselor, I encourage people to get out of those relationships. So it's like, you know, the thought would be, "Get out. Don't do it."

GRIFFIN (on-screen): But you can't get out of your insurance. You can't get out of your building permits. You can't get out of -- for most people -- New Orleans.

TEBO: Right, so people kill themselves. That's how they get out. They just kill themselves.

GRIFFIN (voice-over): Tyra Treadway says she saw that frustration and depression building in her husband, and they did seek help. Two psychiatrists, she says, told them he would be all right. Now she wonders whether anyone in New Orleans will ever be all right.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Too depressing.

GRIFFIN: Drew Griffin, CNN, New Orleans.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MALVEAUX: Well, from outside the Crescent City, it is hard to tell if people's spirits are improving or not. We have invited social worker Sharon Kirkpatrick back. She was with us over a month ago to discuss how folks are dealing with the chaos. And Sharon is in our Gulf Coast Bureau.

Thank you very much, Sharon, for joining us again. I have to tell you, my family's from New Orleans. And, you know, I know this firsthand. I had relatives stay with me for several months and you could see kind of the waves back and forth, sometimes a great deal of sadness. Other times people seem to be OK.

Since we last talked to you about a month ago, have things gotten better or worse for the people that you've seen in New Orleans?

SHARON KIRKPATRICK, CATHOLIC CHARITIES: I would love to say they've gotten better, but unfortunately, I really don't think that's the case. I think the longer this stretches out, as slowly as progress is being made, it's taken a toll on people.

MALVEAUX: Have you noticed a rise in severe depression or suicide? So what have you actually seen in going from door-to-door, street-to-street?

KIRKPATRICK: Anecdotally, we have seen a rise in suicides. The previous segment talked about the suicide rate in professional people in New Orleans. I don't think it's limited to professionals. I think that's just what's most visible at this point.

We've had our outreach workers encounter people who have confessed that they had thought about driving their cars off of the interstate, because they just felt so overwhelms and defeated.

You know, we're talking about people who have paid their bills all of their lives, they've paid their taxes, and now they're left with nothing. And, you know, the uncertainty of the situation is -- it's really taken a toll.

MALVEAUX: And, Sharon, what do you do to try to help people, to try to counsel them to get over those feelings?

KIRKPATRICK: Our outreach workers talk to them. They do a lot of listening, a lot of emotional support. They try to get them to work on their own individual recovery plans.

I mean, one of the best ways to counteract this kind of depression is to have a plan, even if it's only for the next few days, know what you want to do, what you need to do, what you can do.

Also, plan some time for you to take time out for yourself to kind of get away from the stress of dealing with the mortgage companies and the insurance companies and the adjusters. People need to learn how to take care of themselves.

When we encounter somebody who is -- looks like they're significantly at risk, we do refer them to local mental health providers for ongoing treatment. But again, that's a question, too, because our health care system in New Orleans has been decimated. You know, the availability of services is a problem. I think probably ...

MALVEAUX: And, Sharon, based on that fact, I mean, would you recommend people go back at this time? Or perhaps is it just too early?

KIRKPATRICK: I think New Orleanians and Louisianians in particular, they love this state and they love this city and they will come back. Our goal is to make sure we're able to help them when they get here. We're helping each other. We're helping ourselves, and we'll come back. But it's going to be a difficult and long process.

MALVEAUX: Sharon, thank you so much. I know you have a big job ahead. Thank you very much. We appreciate that.

KIRKPATRICK: Thank you.

MALVEAUX: Now, coming up, we will have an update on that roof collapse in Poland.

BONNIE SCHNEIDER, CNN METEOROLOGIST: I'm CNN meteorologist Bonnie Schneider with a look at your "Cold and Flu Report" for Saturday. As we check things out across the country, we can show you parts of the country reporting flu outbreaks so far this season. You'll find widespread activity across the Southwest. That includes Texas, Arizona and New Mexico.

Also, regional outbreaks in parts of the southeast, sporadic reports of the flu so far for the Midwest and into North Carolina. And up towards Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire, no activity reported so far. That's good news for South Carolina. That's a look at your "Cold and Flu Report" for Saturday, I'm meteorologist Bonnie Schneider. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MALVEAUX: And we have more information on that roof collapse that took place in southern Poland. We are getting new details from a TV Poland Web site. Some of those details that a roof collapsed in an exposition hall, that, of course initial indications that were there were some 500 people inside at the time of the roof collapse.

Police believe that heavy snow actually caused the roof to collapse, according to TV Poland. The incident happened in the International Exposition Hall of Kadowice during a pigeon show. There is no word yet on fatalities or casualties at this time.

But again, more details about that roof that collapsed there in southern Poland, we'll be getting more to -- back to you shortly if we have any more details as well.

Now, back in this country, New York police have arrested this woman for alleged shoplifting and arson. Police say 49-year-old Savannah Johnson used a cigarette lighter to set several clothing stores on fire in order to get away with stolen merchandise. Johnson has been arrested 59 times across the country on charges ranging from shoplifting to prostitution.

And former Whitewater independent counsel Ken Starr has asked California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to spare the life of a 46- year-old, Michael Morales. Morales was sentenced to death in 1981 for raping and murdering a 17-year-old female. Starr asked the governor to commute the death sentence to life in prison because of new, conflicting evidence in the case.

And figure skater Michelle Kwan gets another shot at the elusive Olympic gold medal. The U.S. Figure Skating Association has granted her an injury waiver to compete in next month's Olympic games. Kwan secured a spot on the U.S. team by proving to a panel she's recovered from a groin injury.

And engineers in Washington State are working to keep a major river from flooding some residential property in the town of Oso. Authorities say a landslide blocked the river, an d heavy rains could cause major flooding. Engineers plan to dig a ditch to divert the water. Meanwhile, nearby residents have been told to prepare to evacuate. And, of course, it's nice to be here in Atlanta and the weather is beautiful here, Bonnie. I'm so excited, but it's also good in Washington, D.C. What's going on?

(WEATHER REPORT)

MALVEAUX: Good stuff. I love it, Bonnie. Either way, here or Atlanta, you know, we'll take either one. Thanks again.

SCHNEIDER: Sure.

MALVEAUX: And straight ahead a new, possible advance in the battle against a deadly illness. We'll tell you why researchers in Pittsburgh are excited a new development in the fight against bird flu.

And later -- we'll check out the new rage in blind dating. It's called eye gazing.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MALVEAUX: In the battle against bird flu, researchers in Pittsburgh have developed an effective vaccine for some lab animals. And while they hope to move forward with human trials, many experts are taking the news with a strong dose of caution. Here's CNN's Brian Todd.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In the race to combat a deadly strain, experts agree the latest advance is an important, but incremental, step. Using a genetically engineered human cold virus, scientists at the University of Pittsburgh produce a bird flu vaccine that is 100 percent effective in mice and chickens. We spoke to the lead researcher.

DR. ANDREA GAMBOTTO, UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH MEDICAL CENTER: So, if this is showed to be an effective vaccine, then we can move to the next step, to -- which is to try to mass-produce this vaccine for an immunized large population.

TODD: But Dr. Andrea Gambotto and other top experts on avian flu say that's a long way away. Experts say, if bird flu mutates and spreads further west, a new and likely very different vaccine will be needed. Plus ...

DR. ANTHONY FAUCI, DIRECTOR, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE: We have to be careful that we don't make a jump from a study that shows effectiveness in animals to one that's going be the answer to the problems that we have with the H5N1, that we hope will never become efficient in going human to human

TODD: Still, these researchers took only a month to prepare the vaccine. That's six weeks quicker than under current methods. Why does that matter? UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If we had a pandemic that was similar to the one that happened in the United States in 1918, roughly 90 million people would be ill.

TODD (on camera): The Pittsburgh researchers say human trials of their vaccine could begin in about six months, but Dr. Anthony Fauci at the National Institutes of Health, says it is pure folly to think about when or even if this vaccine will be on the market.

Brian Todd, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MALVEAUX: Well, it's a new dating trend that's forcing people to take a closer look at each other. Literally. Just ahead, we'll take you to some popular eye gazing parties that are sweeping the singles scene.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MALVEAUX: Well, does being stared at make you uncomfortable? Well, if the answer was yes, you may not be ready for the latest trend in blind dating. It is called eye gazing. CNN's Jeanne Moos takes a really close look and then another one.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It may look like couples having a bad night with nothing to say. But, hey, their eyes are doing the talking.

MICHAEL ELLSBERG, EYEGAZINGPARTNERS.COM: People ask me, are you allowed to blink. Yes.

MOOS: They call it eye gazing. You spend three minutes gazing into a stranger's eyes. And then you switch partners.

ELLSBERG: It is going to be really weird for about 30 seconds.

MOOS: Michael Ellsberg dreamed up eye gazing because he was sick of dating conversations that goes like this.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So you work here in the city?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I work here in the city.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Where do you live now?

MOOS: Eye gazing is supposed to be a deeper connection. Think of it as a cross between speed dating ...

ELLSBERG: Rotate!

MOOS: ... and the staremaster competition ...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Stare. MOOS: ... where contestants try not to blink for as long as 18 minutes while eyes tear and noses run. Maybe you would want to run rather than gaze into a stranger's eyes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Beautiful.

MOOS: But that didn't deter nearly 70 singles from showing up for what was only the second eye gazing party ever.

(on camera): You don't seem like a guy that would be quiet for three minutes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm a New York City tour guide. I talk for a living. It is kind of nice to meet a whole series of beautiful women and not have to say a word.

MOOS (voice-over): First, everyone mingled over drinks, then there were eye gazing tips.

ELLSBERG: Take both of your eyes and look at one of your partner's eyes.

MOOS: My first guy was a blinker. The tour guide couldn't resist making faces. His partner suppressed a smile and ended up practically cross eyed.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Troublemaker.

MOOS: By my fifth guy, I was thinking if the eyes are the windows to the soul, I need blinds. And by the eighth guy -- it is exhausting, though, isn't it?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, it is.

MOOS: Sorry, there were no stories of love at first gaze. Still ...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I thought it was pretty good. You know, I probably connected with like three out of ten.

MOOS (on camera): Did you guys gaze or you didn't gaze?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We did, we gazed.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, we gazed.

MOOS: How did you do?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I thought we had a good gaze.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You know what? The music makes a big difference.

MOOS (voice-over): A song like this would be far too obvious.

(MUSIC) MOOS: But apparently it wasn't heaven to be touched.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I kind of was a little standoffish about that, because I wasn't really feeling it. It was a little awkward.

MOOS: The first rule of eye gazing, forget hand/eye coordination,

Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MALVEAUX: And there's more ahead on CNN SATURDAY. "IN THE MONEY" is next. Here's a preview.

JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Thanks. Coming up on "IN THE MONEY," a new poll shows Republicans and Democrats divided on how the economy's doing. With State of the Union Address looming, we'll see what's behind that perception.

Plus, how the Enron case changed the way your money plays when the bosses are on trial next week. We'll see what's different on Wall Street today as a result of the Enron scandal.

And kicking the tires on Detroit's reputation as Ford struggles to keep it together. We'll look at whether American cars are any less reliable than the competition. All of that and more coming up right after a quick check of the headlines.

MALVEAUX: Hello, I'm Suzanne Malveaux. Here's a quick chick of what's making news now. Police say it's another snow cave in in Europe, this time in south Poland. The state television reports up to 500 people were inside an expo hall for a pigeon show when the snow- laden roof collapsed. At least 30 people have been taken to the hospital.

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