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Overseas Reaction to Bush's U.N. Speech; Chloramphenicol Found in Imported Shrimp; Kerry Makes the Talk Show Rounds

Aired September 21, 2004 - 13:30   ET

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

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


MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: All right, we've been listening to the president of the United States, seated beside the Interim Prime Minister of Iraq, Ayad Allawi, subsequent to their talks at the United Nations in New York.
The president saying -- kind of the lead quote, "We will not allow these thugs," referring to the terrorists who have held captive many kidnapped people -- most recently, of course, the three that were kidnapped. "We will not allow these thugs and terrorists to decide your fate and decide my fate," referring to himself, and then referring to Prime Minister Allawi.

In just a few moments, we will check in with some of the journalists there, as you look at some live pictures there from the United Nations. I believe the secretary of state is with him, as well, Colin Powell, as they make their way through the halls there, as this General Assembly meets.

In just a few moments, we'll see what the view is from Europe. We'll check in with two journalists -- one based in London, one based in Paris -- well, at least their publications are. They're over here, and they cover the United Nations. And we'll ask them how they're going to write the lead paragraph to their stories for their readers in just a moment -- Kyra.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Well, from politics to your pocketbook, let's move over tot he New York Stock Exchange, check in with Rhonda Schaffler for a market check. Hi, Rhonda.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER, CNN SR. BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Kyra.

Of course, everyone on pins and needles, waiting for the Federal Reserve to announce its decision on interest rates within the hour. It's all but certain the Fed is going to bump up interest rates later this afternoon. The current rate stands at one-and-a-half percent. Economists widely expect a quarter-point increase. It would be the third straight hike this year, and that's after nearly four years when the Fed went on a cutting spree or held rates steady.

Investors, as always, will closely be looking at Alan Greenspan's comments on the economy. They're trying to figure out if there are going to be future rate moves.

Some economists argue the Fed should stop raising rates, because the recovery has weakened and higher rates usually hurt consumers. But since the last round of hikes, most interest rates that impact consumers have held steady or dropped.

(STOCK MARKET UPDATE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Live pictures now from the U.N. You can see the president of the United States. Right behind him, U.N. Secretary- General Kofi Annan. The president sort of making his way through the various representatives and ambassadors there at the U.N.

As you know, he just, not long ago, delivered a speech, pretty much an unapologetic speech, to the U.N., an organization that he decided to not go with the consent of this organization when deciding to invade Iraq. But he did come before the U.N., this time defending why he decided to invade Iraq, telling the U.N. that his decision helped to deliver the Iraqi people from an outlawed dictator, that it was in the best interest of the entire world to bring down Saddam Hussein.

He also appealed to the world community here to join together in supporting the new Iraqi interim government. Just moments ago, we heard from the president and the Interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi together, holding a news conference after he gave this speech to the U.N.

You see also Secretary of State Colin Powell with the president, working his way through the crowd. It ran about 24 minutes, his speech, also including an appeal to intensify global war, of course, against terrorism -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: As Kyra mentioned, President Bush's speech before the U.N. was met with little applause from council members who have criticized his policies -- especially those in Iraq, to say the least.

So, what's the reaction overseas to the president's speech? Joining us from the U.N., journalist James Bone of "The Times of London" and Philippe Bolopion of Radio France. Good to have you both with us.

Philippe, let's begin with you. The president is asking the United Nations for some assistance to allow elections to occur -- although he didn't overtly state that in the speech, that's the behind the scenes right now -- to maintain some security, to try to get elections underway.

Is the world community prepared to help out the United States?

PHILIPPE BOLOPION, RADIO FRANCE: I don't think so. I don't think it's going to be the case, at least for France. The French president has been saying consistently that he wouldn't send any troops to Iraq under no condition. So, I don't think this speech is going to change anything.

What struck me personally in that speech is that the President Bush was much more conciliatory in the tone than he is usually when he's at the U.N. But the world as described just does not exist. The world where freedom is spreading from the seeds planted in Iraq and Afghanistan, and he called it the century of liberty.

But that's not the world we see on TV every day. We see beheadings. We see chaos. We see violence. We see hostages. My radio -- Radio France Internationale -- as one of my colleagues was held hostage in Iraq with another French journalist. So, I'm not sure that this vision is going to resonate very well in the General Assembly.

O'BRIEN: James, Philippe seems to suggest the president is looking at the world through rose-colored glasses. What do you think?

JAMES BONE, "THE TIMES OF LONDON": Well, you know, one of the things we do when we cover diplomacy is that we cover what's not said as much as we cover what is said. I didn't hear the words weapons of mass destruction in his speech.

I agree, actually, that he -- rather than actually tackling these issues, I think he's basically restated his case for invading Iraq and ignored the questions that people have at the U.N.

As a result, there's a kind of strange estrangement between the president and the other people here. It's almost as though there are two General Assemblies going on. There's the one that Mr. Bush is speaking to, and there's everybody else trying to come together and devise some other agenda. And you have the Brazilians, particularly, in league with the French really, trying to come up with an alternative agenda for the U.N. that isn't so security focused, isn't so terrorism focused, and is more focused on poverty and multilateral action.

O'BRIEN: Well, Philippe, it makes you think that the United States and the United Nations need to seek counseling to try to figure out how to talk to each other. I wonder if the U.N. takes that course and pretty much sits on their hands as the U.S. asks for assistance.

Is it headed down the road to irrelevancy?

BOLOPION: I don't know. It's difficult to say at this point. I think that the Secretary-General Kofi Annan is trying very hard not to be too critical. But when you read what he says, in between the lines, you can see that the world is not ready to make peace with the Bush administration about the war in Iraq.

And James is absolutely right. There was a huge elephant in the room this morning when the -- the President Bush was speaking. And that elephant was obviously the weapons of mass destruction. Is that the same administration that was -- a few months before the war, in the security council showing pictures of so-called chemical laboratories? Colin Powell showing a little bottle of anthrax, and that kind of threats that the world was supposed to be scared about?

Today, the U.S. administration itself is saying that there were no such weapons in Iraq, and President Bush is just doing as if all of that never happened. But it did happen, and the world remembers.

O'BRIEN: All right, James, just quickly, before you talk, I might have to interrupt you there. There may be a toast in a moment in just a moment at the luncheon there for the president, and we're going to take that as soon as it happens.

Right now, they're just kind of getting settled.

Go ahead, make point of, James.

BONE: Well, one other thing is, of course, people at the U.N. don't know if they're going to have to deal with President Bush beyond November. And they obviously hope they don't.

I mean, the Kerry ticket is very U.N.-friendly. Teresa Heinz Kerry used to be a U.N. translator. Peggy Kerry, John Kerry's sister, actually works at the U.S. mission across the street behind me here, and he's often seen in the U.N. corridors, strolling around, talking to delegates.

So the U.N. -- I was just talking to one of the U.N. officials. She said she had a Kerry badge in her pocket, but she'd been to a Kerry event last night.

So there's a lot of Kerry support here at the U.N., and they're looking at Bush, thinking, are we going to have to deal with this guy for another four years? And that has an impact on the issues.

BOLOPION: James makes sense...

O'BRIEN: pick up on that point, are you suggesting then that if Kerry were the president, the U.N. would end what seems to many of us to be a pit of petulance, a little bit of we told you so, you broke it, you own it. Would that change with a new person in the Oval Office?

BONE: Well, obviously, at the moment, the U.N.'s capped at 35 the number of people it's willing to send into Iraq. You might see more of an embrace...

O'BRIEN: All right, go ahead, Philippe, we're just about to have the president speak, the toast.

BOLOPION: I'm just not sure about that. I don't think that a Kerry president would change a lot of things. I think the main problem in Iraq right now is a security problem, and the reason why so many countries are reluctant to send troops, or anybody for that matter, is that they don't want to see their nationals get killed, and that would be the same with Kerry or with Bush.

O'BRIEN: Isn't it time, though, to -- for both sides really to bury the hatchet here? There are innocent people dying in Iraq every day. Isn't it the role of the United Nations to try to stop that, whatever the back story or history might be? James?

BONE: Well, if the U.N. were able to do it on its own terms, it would be more willing to. But of course it's not in that position. It has to do it on America's terms. And there's a lot of resentment of having to do it on America's terms. And the United Nations' officials feel that they blundered and got their friends blown up by going back in too early after the war and having the U.N. headquarters blown up. So they're being extremely cautious and standoffish to the Americans at the moment.

O'BRIEN: All right. Final thought, Philippe?

BOLOPION: Well, I'm just not sure you can put all the burden suddenly on the United Nations. The U.N. is underground. It's been doing, I think, as much as it can to help alleviate the situation there. But there is just a situated problem that nobody can look away from.

If you are the United Nations, if you are Kofi Annan, you don't want to see your people get killed. That's already happened in August last year, you know, more than 20 people from the U.N. got killed. He just doesn't want that to happen again.

And for now, no troops from no country are really ready to go inside Iraq and protect the U.N. there, so I don't think there is really anything the U.N. can do in the current security situation.

O'BRIEN: Gentlemen, thank you, Philippe Bolopion, Radio France, James Bone, "Times of London," we appreciate you taking time on what is obviously a very busy day for you both -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Still to come, keeping your dinner table safe. Why you may want to be extra cautious about where you get your shrimp.

Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

GEORGE W. BUSH (R), PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Members of the United Nations community, excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, my country is honored to welcome you to New York.

This is my fourth General Assembly, and I'm very pleased to be among you as we open the 59th session of the United Nations General Assembly this year, under the leadership of Foreign Minister Ping of Gabon.

We last met in the shadow of a great tragedy. In August 2003, a terrorist attack in Baghdad took the lives of 22 servants of peace, including Sergio de Mello, who gave his life for the values of liberty and peace.

We pledge once again to carry on their essential work.

That work is moving forward. U.N. officials are helping the people of Afghanistan as that nation moves toward an historic presidential election this October.

In Iraq, you're helping to build the infrastructure of democracy and prepare the way for free and fair nationwide elections.

In Sudan and Liberia, Haiti and other nations, this body has been working hard to bring security, humanitarian assistance and stability to the people in desperate need.

Much credit for these efforts is due to Kofi Annan, who has shown strong vision.

Mr. Secretary-General, with admiration for your leadership and with confidence in this organization, I offer a toast to you and your service and to the United Nations.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Now to news that shrimp lovers definitely don't want to hear.

CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta on imported shrimp and an outlawed antibiotic that might be showing up on your plate.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN SR. MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Americans eat on average three-and-a-half pounds of shrimp a year, and 80 percent of that shrimp is actually imported. New studies coming out talking about Chloramphenicol. That's a type of antibiotic, possibly tainting that imported shrimp supply.

Chloramphenicol is an antibiotic that was used in feed for some time, and the concerns about it are the following, it could lower your blood cell count, could cause nausea and vomiting and possibly leukemia. It could be a carcinogen, as well.

The good news is that the doses you'll likely get in shrimp are going to be so small that you're unlikely to suffer any of those adverse effects. But also worth knowing that the FDA only currently inspects about one percent of the shrimp supply.

Now, if you're concerned about this, it's worth knowing that you cannot see this, you cannot smell it, you can't cook the Chloramphenicol out. You can talk to your restaurant, you can talk to your shrimp supply person about whether or not the shrimp you're buying has been inspected.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: And the story doesn't end right there. This and other antibiotics may also be found in crayfish and other seafood, so consumers may want to eat seafood from the U.S., Canada, and Europe because they have somewhat more rigorous testing than some of the other countries.

As for asking where your shrimp comes from, current laws don't require labeling, so you may not get the real story. The FDA is about to change that. We're planning to follow up with more, so stay tuned.

O'BRIEN: John Kerry continues his forays into venues where many Americans get their political news: late-night TV. He appeared on Letterman last night -- naturally he read the "Top 10 List." He did "Regis & Kathy Lee (sic)," as well. That's one of the many reasons you should stay tuned to CNN LIVE FROM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: John Kerry's trip to New York has included a serious speech on foreign policy, as well as a light-hearted visit to "The David Letterman Show." Kerry joked that Bush's "Top 10 Tax Proposals" include allowing Dick Cheney to claim Bush as a dependent.

This morning, Kerry kidded about the debate schedule on "Regis & Kelly." And before you "Ripa" me, I do know it's not Kathy Lee anymore. What's it been, five or six years?

Anyway, here's the clip.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We're going to have three debates.

REGIS PHILBIN, CO-HOST, "LIVE WITH REGIS & KELLY": The first one set yet?

KERRY: September 30th...

PHILBIN: September 30.

KERRY: ... in Miami.

PHILBIN: In Miami, OK.

KERRY: Yes, the big hangup was George Bush wanted to get a lifeline system, you know, so that he could call somebody...

KELLY RIPA, CO-HOST, "LIVE WITH REGIS & KELLY": Wow, where did he get that idea?

KERRY: He's on top of things.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O'BRIEN: All right. Next hour, Kerry begins a round of appearances in Florida, focusing on healthcare costs.

PHILLIPS: Well, coming up in our second hour of LIVE FROM, President Bush addresses the world about U.S. actions in Iraq. Did the speech win over any new supporters in the United Nations? We'll have a live report.

LIVE FROM's hour of power begins right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: All smiles as Bush walks in, but what about after he walked out? Find out how the speech played, live from the U.N. PHILLIPS: Get the lowdown on the debates, as the candidates' camps get some intriguing ground rules for the verbal action. We have the word on the physical action, as well. What to look for, coming up.

O'BRIEN: From planning debates to raising rates -- we like the rhyme, but is the third time a charm, Mr. Greenspan?

PHILLIPS: Martha Stewart's got a date at the big house -- sort of. A judge gives her a deadline today. The latest, live from New York.

O'BRIEN: From the CNN Center in Atlanta, I'm Miles O'Brien.

PHILLIPS: And I'm Kyra Phillips. This hour of CNN's LIVE FROM starts right now.

O'BRIEN: Up first this hour, a big speech and small talk, countless handshakes, and maybe here and there a cold shoulder. It's George W. Bush day at the U.N. And if you've been watching CNN, you've seen the ceremony, diplomacy, and hints of mutual suspicion, much of it regarding Iraq.

Bush followed his annual address with a one-on-one discussion with Iraq's interim prime minister, after which reporters got in a question about that gloomy CIA assessment of Iraqi prospects for peace.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com


Aired September 21, 2004 - 13:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: All right, we've been listening to the president of the United States, seated beside the Interim Prime Minister of Iraq, Ayad Allawi, subsequent to their talks at the United Nations in New York.
The president saying -- kind of the lead quote, "We will not allow these thugs," referring to the terrorists who have held captive many kidnapped people -- most recently, of course, the three that were kidnapped. "We will not allow these thugs and terrorists to decide your fate and decide my fate," referring to himself, and then referring to Prime Minister Allawi.

In just a few moments, we will check in with some of the journalists there, as you look at some live pictures there from the United Nations. I believe the secretary of state is with him, as well, Colin Powell, as they make their way through the halls there, as this General Assembly meets.

In just a few moments, we'll see what the view is from Europe. We'll check in with two journalists -- one based in London, one based in Paris -- well, at least their publications are. They're over here, and they cover the United Nations. And we'll ask them how they're going to write the lead paragraph to their stories for their readers in just a moment -- Kyra.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Well, from politics to your pocketbook, let's move over tot he New York Stock Exchange, check in with Rhonda Schaffler for a market check. Hi, Rhonda.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER, CNN SR. BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Kyra.

Of course, everyone on pins and needles, waiting for the Federal Reserve to announce its decision on interest rates within the hour. It's all but certain the Fed is going to bump up interest rates later this afternoon. The current rate stands at one-and-a-half percent. Economists widely expect a quarter-point increase. It would be the third straight hike this year, and that's after nearly four years when the Fed went on a cutting spree or held rates steady.

Investors, as always, will closely be looking at Alan Greenspan's comments on the economy. They're trying to figure out if there are going to be future rate moves.

Some economists argue the Fed should stop raising rates, because the recovery has weakened and higher rates usually hurt consumers. But since the last round of hikes, most interest rates that impact consumers have held steady or dropped.

(STOCK MARKET UPDATE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Live pictures now from the U.N. You can see the president of the United States. Right behind him, U.N. Secretary- General Kofi Annan. The president sort of making his way through the various representatives and ambassadors there at the U.N.

As you know, he just, not long ago, delivered a speech, pretty much an unapologetic speech, to the U.N., an organization that he decided to not go with the consent of this organization when deciding to invade Iraq. But he did come before the U.N., this time defending why he decided to invade Iraq, telling the U.N. that his decision helped to deliver the Iraqi people from an outlawed dictator, that it was in the best interest of the entire world to bring down Saddam Hussein.

He also appealed to the world community here to join together in supporting the new Iraqi interim government. Just moments ago, we heard from the president and the Interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi together, holding a news conference after he gave this speech to the U.N.

You see also Secretary of State Colin Powell with the president, working his way through the crowd. It ran about 24 minutes, his speech, also including an appeal to intensify global war, of course, against terrorism -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: As Kyra mentioned, President Bush's speech before the U.N. was met with little applause from council members who have criticized his policies -- especially those in Iraq, to say the least.

So, what's the reaction overseas to the president's speech? Joining us from the U.N., journalist James Bone of "The Times of London" and Philippe Bolopion of Radio France. Good to have you both with us.

Philippe, let's begin with you. The president is asking the United Nations for some assistance to allow elections to occur -- although he didn't overtly state that in the speech, that's the behind the scenes right now -- to maintain some security, to try to get elections underway.

Is the world community prepared to help out the United States?

PHILIPPE BOLOPION, RADIO FRANCE: I don't think so. I don't think it's going to be the case, at least for France. The French president has been saying consistently that he wouldn't send any troops to Iraq under no condition. So, I don't think this speech is going to change anything.

What struck me personally in that speech is that the President Bush was much more conciliatory in the tone than he is usually when he's at the U.N. But the world as described just does not exist. The world where freedom is spreading from the seeds planted in Iraq and Afghanistan, and he called it the century of liberty.

But that's not the world we see on TV every day. We see beheadings. We see chaos. We see violence. We see hostages. My radio -- Radio France Internationale -- as one of my colleagues was held hostage in Iraq with another French journalist. So, I'm not sure that this vision is going to resonate very well in the General Assembly.

O'BRIEN: James, Philippe seems to suggest the president is looking at the world through rose-colored glasses. What do you think?

JAMES BONE, "THE TIMES OF LONDON": Well, you know, one of the things we do when we cover diplomacy is that we cover what's not said as much as we cover what is said. I didn't hear the words weapons of mass destruction in his speech.

I agree, actually, that he -- rather than actually tackling these issues, I think he's basically restated his case for invading Iraq and ignored the questions that people have at the U.N.

As a result, there's a kind of strange estrangement between the president and the other people here. It's almost as though there are two General Assemblies going on. There's the one that Mr. Bush is speaking to, and there's everybody else trying to come together and devise some other agenda. And you have the Brazilians, particularly, in league with the French really, trying to come up with an alternative agenda for the U.N. that isn't so security focused, isn't so terrorism focused, and is more focused on poverty and multilateral action.

O'BRIEN: Well, Philippe, it makes you think that the United States and the United Nations need to seek counseling to try to figure out how to talk to each other. I wonder if the U.N. takes that course and pretty much sits on their hands as the U.S. asks for assistance.

Is it headed down the road to irrelevancy?

BOLOPION: I don't know. It's difficult to say at this point. I think that the Secretary-General Kofi Annan is trying very hard not to be too critical. But when you read what he says, in between the lines, you can see that the world is not ready to make peace with the Bush administration about the war in Iraq.

And James is absolutely right. There was a huge elephant in the room this morning when the -- the President Bush was speaking. And that elephant was obviously the weapons of mass destruction. Is that the same administration that was -- a few months before the war, in the security council showing pictures of so-called chemical laboratories? Colin Powell showing a little bottle of anthrax, and that kind of threats that the world was supposed to be scared about?

Today, the U.S. administration itself is saying that there were no such weapons in Iraq, and President Bush is just doing as if all of that never happened. But it did happen, and the world remembers.

O'BRIEN: All right, James, just quickly, before you talk, I might have to interrupt you there. There may be a toast in a moment in just a moment at the luncheon there for the president, and we're going to take that as soon as it happens.

Right now, they're just kind of getting settled.

Go ahead, make point of, James.

BONE: Well, one other thing is, of course, people at the U.N. don't know if they're going to have to deal with President Bush beyond November. And they obviously hope they don't.

I mean, the Kerry ticket is very U.N.-friendly. Teresa Heinz Kerry used to be a U.N. translator. Peggy Kerry, John Kerry's sister, actually works at the U.S. mission across the street behind me here, and he's often seen in the U.N. corridors, strolling around, talking to delegates.

So the U.N. -- I was just talking to one of the U.N. officials. She said she had a Kerry badge in her pocket, but she'd been to a Kerry event last night.

So there's a lot of Kerry support here at the U.N., and they're looking at Bush, thinking, are we going to have to deal with this guy for another four years? And that has an impact on the issues.

BOLOPION: James makes sense...

O'BRIEN: pick up on that point, are you suggesting then that if Kerry were the president, the U.N. would end what seems to many of us to be a pit of petulance, a little bit of we told you so, you broke it, you own it. Would that change with a new person in the Oval Office?

BONE: Well, obviously, at the moment, the U.N.'s capped at 35 the number of people it's willing to send into Iraq. You might see more of an embrace...

O'BRIEN: All right, go ahead, Philippe, we're just about to have the president speak, the toast.

BOLOPION: I'm just not sure about that. I don't think that a Kerry president would change a lot of things. I think the main problem in Iraq right now is a security problem, and the reason why so many countries are reluctant to send troops, or anybody for that matter, is that they don't want to see their nationals get killed, and that would be the same with Kerry or with Bush.

O'BRIEN: Isn't it time, though, to -- for both sides really to bury the hatchet here? There are innocent people dying in Iraq every day. Isn't it the role of the United Nations to try to stop that, whatever the back story or history might be? James?

BONE: Well, if the U.N. were able to do it on its own terms, it would be more willing to. But of course it's not in that position. It has to do it on America's terms. And there's a lot of resentment of having to do it on America's terms. And the United Nations' officials feel that they blundered and got their friends blown up by going back in too early after the war and having the U.N. headquarters blown up. So they're being extremely cautious and standoffish to the Americans at the moment.

O'BRIEN: All right. Final thought, Philippe?

BOLOPION: Well, I'm just not sure you can put all the burden suddenly on the United Nations. The U.N. is underground. It's been doing, I think, as much as it can to help alleviate the situation there. But there is just a situated problem that nobody can look away from.

If you are the United Nations, if you are Kofi Annan, you don't want to see your people get killed. That's already happened in August last year, you know, more than 20 people from the U.N. got killed. He just doesn't want that to happen again.

And for now, no troops from no country are really ready to go inside Iraq and protect the U.N. there, so I don't think there is really anything the U.N. can do in the current security situation.

O'BRIEN: Gentlemen, thank you, Philippe Bolopion, Radio France, James Bone, "Times of London," we appreciate you taking time on what is obviously a very busy day for you both -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Still to come, keeping your dinner table safe. Why you may want to be extra cautious about where you get your shrimp.

Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

GEORGE W. BUSH (R), PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Members of the United Nations community, excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, my country is honored to welcome you to New York.

This is my fourth General Assembly, and I'm very pleased to be among you as we open the 59th session of the United Nations General Assembly this year, under the leadership of Foreign Minister Ping of Gabon.

We last met in the shadow of a great tragedy. In August 2003, a terrorist attack in Baghdad took the lives of 22 servants of peace, including Sergio de Mello, who gave his life for the values of liberty and peace.

We pledge once again to carry on their essential work.

That work is moving forward. U.N. officials are helping the people of Afghanistan as that nation moves toward an historic presidential election this October.

In Iraq, you're helping to build the infrastructure of democracy and prepare the way for free and fair nationwide elections.

In Sudan and Liberia, Haiti and other nations, this body has been working hard to bring security, humanitarian assistance and stability to the people in desperate need.

Much credit for these efforts is due to Kofi Annan, who has shown strong vision.

Mr. Secretary-General, with admiration for your leadership and with confidence in this organization, I offer a toast to you and your service and to the United Nations.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Now to news that shrimp lovers definitely don't want to hear.

CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta on imported shrimp and an outlawed antibiotic that might be showing up on your plate.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN SR. MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Americans eat on average three-and-a-half pounds of shrimp a year, and 80 percent of that shrimp is actually imported. New studies coming out talking about Chloramphenicol. That's a type of antibiotic, possibly tainting that imported shrimp supply.

Chloramphenicol is an antibiotic that was used in feed for some time, and the concerns about it are the following, it could lower your blood cell count, could cause nausea and vomiting and possibly leukemia. It could be a carcinogen, as well.

The good news is that the doses you'll likely get in shrimp are going to be so small that you're unlikely to suffer any of those adverse effects. But also worth knowing that the FDA only currently inspects about one percent of the shrimp supply.

Now, if you're concerned about this, it's worth knowing that you cannot see this, you cannot smell it, you can't cook the Chloramphenicol out. You can talk to your restaurant, you can talk to your shrimp supply person about whether or not the shrimp you're buying has been inspected.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: And the story doesn't end right there. This and other antibiotics may also be found in crayfish and other seafood, so consumers may want to eat seafood from the U.S., Canada, and Europe because they have somewhat more rigorous testing than some of the other countries.

As for asking where your shrimp comes from, current laws don't require labeling, so you may not get the real story. The FDA is about to change that. We're planning to follow up with more, so stay tuned.

O'BRIEN: John Kerry continues his forays into venues where many Americans get their political news: late-night TV. He appeared on Letterman last night -- naturally he read the "Top 10 List." He did "Regis & Kathy Lee (sic)," as well. That's one of the many reasons you should stay tuned to CNN LIVE FROM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: John Kerry's trip to New York has included a serious speech on foreign policy, as well as a light-hearted visit to "The David Letterman Show." Kerry joked that Bush's "Top 10 Tax Proposals" include allowing Dick Cheney to claim Bush as a dependent.

This morning, Kerry kidded about the debate schedule on "Regis & Kelly." And before you "Ripa" me, I do know it's not Kathy Lee anymore. What's it been, five or six years?

Anyway, here's the clip.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We're going to have three debates.

REGIS PHILBIN, CO-HOST, "LIVE WITH REGIS & KELLY": The first one set yet?

KERRY: September 30th...

PHILBIN: September 30.

KERRY: ... in Miami.

PHILBIN: In Miami, OK.

KERRY: Yes, the big hangup was George Bush wanted to get a lifeline system, you know, so that he could call somebody...

KELLY RIPA, CO-HOST, "LIVE WITH REGIS & KELLY": Wow, where did he get that idea?

KERRY: He's on top of things.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O'BRIEN: All right. Next hour, Kerry begins a round of appearances in Florida, focusing on healthcare costs.

PHILLIPS: Well, coming up in our second hour of LIVE FROM, President Bush addresses the world about U.S. actions in Iraq. Did the speech win over any new supporters in the United Nations? We'll have a live report.

LIVE FROM's hour of power begins right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: All smiles as Bush walks in, but what about after he walked out? Find out how the speech played, live from the U.N. PHILLIPS: Get the lowdown on the debates, as the candidates' camps get some intriguing ground rules for the verbal action. We have the word on the physical action, as well. What to look for, coming up.

O'BRIEN: From planning debates to raising rates -- we like the rhyme, but is the third time a charm, Mr. Greenspan?

PHILLIPS: Martha Stewart's got a date at the big house -- sort of. A judge gives her a deadline today. The latest, live from New York.

O'BRIEN: From the CNN Center in Atlanta, I'm Miles O'Brien.

PHILLIPS: And I'm Kyra Phillips. This hour of CNN's LIVE FROM starts right now.

O'BRIEN: Up first this hour, a big speech and small talk, countless handshakes, and maybe here and there a cold shoulder. It's George W. Bush day at the U.N. And if you've been watching CNN, you've seen the ceremony, diplomacy, and hints of mutual suspicion, much of it regarding Iraq.

Bush followed his annual address with a one-on-one discussion with Iraq's interim prime minister, after which reporters got in a question about that gloomy CIA assessment of Iraqi prospects for peace.

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