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Car Bombings in Iraq; Michael Jackson Trial; U.N. Under Scrutiny

Aired March 02, 2005 - 14:00   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: A published report in Spain raising questions. Grand Central terminal a target for terror. Both the New York police chief and the mayor spoke out about it today. We have the latest for you.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: God's law and man's law. The Supreme Court plunges into the debate over public displays of the Ten Commandments.

O'BRIEN: Is he out of gas? Or close to it, anyhow? An attempt to fly around the world on a single tank of fuel apparently going to fall short.

He broke baseball's color barrier. Live this hour, Congress honors the late Jackie Robinson with its highest civilian award.

From the CNN Center in Atlanta, I'm Kyra Phillips.

O'BRIEN: And I'm Miles O'Brien. This hour of CNN's LIVE FROM begins right now.

Well, are they grand designs or mere doodles? When it comes to the security implications of a sketch and computer files seized from terror suspects in Madrid almost a year ago, police there and in New York unimpressed.

The matter came to light in a Spanish newspaper. Reportedly, arguably, a plot against New York's Grand Central terminal in the wake of last year's horrible train attacks in Spain. As intelligence goes, however, the NYPD considers this batch crude, at best.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

COMM. RAYMOND KELLY, NEW YORK POLICE: This information came into our possession in November. The FBI made it available to the joint terrorist task force. It was also made available to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. You know, their engineers have looked at it; certainly their law enforcement personnel have looked at it.

We don't see it as being particularly threatening. It is a subject of investigation. But we don't see it, again, as a -- as an immediate cause for concern.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O'BRIEN: The raid that netted the purported Grand Central information came 13 days after bombs went off on four crowded commuter trains in Madrid, killing 191. To date, more than 60 suspected plotters have been arrested.

And, of course, CNN is committed to providing the most reliable coverage of news that affects your security. Stay tuned to CNN for the latest day and night.

PHILLIPS: Car bombings continue to take a grim toll in Iraq. Gunmen have killed two officers of the court who were helping prepare war crimes cases against Saddam Hussein. CNN's senior international correspondent Nic Robertson is live in Baghdad with all the latest in the Iraq conflict -- Nic.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SR. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kyra, the latest in Baghdad is there was a bomb just about over an hour ago at a mosque on the western side of Baghdad, close to the highway to -- the dangerous highway to Baghdad International Airport. U.S. military officials confirmed there was a blast. They say it didn't involve any U.S. troops.

However, Iraqi police say that there were worshipers in the mosque at the time the blast occurred. We still do not have details of any casualties.

This is unusual inasmuch as it targets a Sunni mosque and it comes in the evening. Very unusual to have explosions in the evening.

The day started in Baghdad, however, with a detonation at nine minutes past 7:00 in the morning outside a military training academy. Army recruits were lined up outside.

According to police, the suicide bomber drove a white vehicle towards the gates of the compound, detonating his explosives, killing six people, wounding 28. Police say the casualty toll could have been much higher, but for the high concrete barriers that have been erected around very many of these bases.

There was a second attack on the Iraqi army about two hours later. This time a suicide bomber driving a car on the road, targeting the convoy. He got his vehicle into the convoy, detonated his explosives, killing, we're told, seven Iraqi soldiers and wounding another two.

The death of a very senior Iraqi judge working on the Iraq special tribunal was reported late last night by Iraqi police. Significant because he is working on the tribunal that will try Saddam Hussein. Significant because it came just 24 hours after the special tribunal sat to hear its first case, at least the referral stage of the first case. That case involving Saddam Hussein's half brother and the former vice president of Iraq -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: And Nic, we've talked so much about the number of cases set to go before the tribunal before that of Saddam Hussein. How long before we do see Saddam Hussein standing trial?

ROBERTSON: Some estimates are that it could be even next year. What appears to be happening, or what western legal experts think appears to be happening, is that the Iraqi lawyers are trying to put forward their simplest and most sort of ready -- readied, prepared cases, if you will. So those some very senior people are coming in front -- that will come in front of the panel of judges.

They have the sort of easiest convictions, if you will. The evidence is there. They say that there's been a lot of evidence that has been maintained that was picked up after the regime fell.

So what we're being told is that each case will come up. There could be multiple defendants, if you will, in that case. That Chemical Ali may appear, for example, in several different cases. But that Saddam Hussein's case, because it may well be more complex and detailed than some of the others, may likely -- also waiting for the judges, perhaps, to improve their skills in court -- waiting longer. So it could be next year -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right. Nic Robertson, thank you so much.

And dozens of towns all over Vermont are on record wanting to bring the state's National Guard troops home from Iraq. More than 50 communities yesterday voted on a resolution questioning the use of the Guard in the Iraq war. Well, incomplete tally results showed that 40 towns adopted some form of that resolution.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This resolution is intended to restore the balance between the states and the federal government. It's to bring the power back to the legislature and say, look, you can have a say about what the future of our National Guard is going to be in this involvement.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: That resolution failed outright in three Vermont towns. Opponents argue such expressions hurt troop morale.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If we pass it, don't say it's for the Guard troops. That's -- that -- boy, that just puts them down.

That's not support. I guarantee it, because I've been there, and I've heard a lot of the same arguments I've been hearing here. And it's like, whoa, don't do it in my name. I'll speak for myself.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Well, Vermont has the nation's highest per capita death rate among National Guard members in Iraq.

O'BRIEN: "Beyond a disaster," it's a phrase from the witness stand in Michael Jackson's child molestation trial, describing the entertainer's image problems back in 2003. The source of those problems is a very sore subject for the defense and very possibly you inadmissible, yet we don't yet know for sure.

We do know CNN's Miguel Marquez is at the courthouse in Santa Maria, California, as always, with details -- Miguel.

MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I am here. My permanent position there, Miles.

That's Ann Marie Kite. She's a PR person who was hired by the Jackson camp, or at least somebody associated with Mr. Jackson after the Martin Bashir documentary aired. She describes herself as a crisis management professional as well.

She also goes by the name of Ann Gabriel. So you might see it referenced there as well sometimes.

Essentially, what the prosecution seems to be doing is trying to prove the reason for the conspiracy. They've charged Jackson with one charge of conspiracy. They're trying to prove the reason for that. And she seems to be giving the prosecution what they want.

In addition to what she says was this incredibly negative documentary that Mr. Bashir put together, there was also, at the same time, an NBC story that was being put together on Michael Jackson's plastic surgery. And she also referenced that smokinggun.com, which released documents from the '93 case against Mr. Jackson, including -- regarding inappropriate conduct with a young boy, as she put it, in court, in front of jurors. As you know, that '93 information is stuff that the defense is trying to keep out of this trial as much as possible.

She says as things progressed, within just days, she felt there was going to be a barrage of bad information for Mr. Jackson. She called -- in a call to a Jackson associate -- she got a very agitated call from a Jackson associate saying that the accuser's mother and the accuser and all the brothers and sisters had left the ranch. Later she got another call saying that the situation was contained. And later after that, she got a call from the lawyer who hired her initially, saying, that "they no longer had to worry about the accuser's mother because they had her on tape, and we're going to make her look like a crack whore."

What's going on right now in court is that Tom Mesereau Jr., Mr. Jackson's attorney, is questioning her. He has gotten out of her that she only worked for Mr. Jackson or for Mr. Jackson's team for six days total, and has highlighted two conflicts of interest that she had as well.

She was apparently let go or terminated by the team just after a few days. How this will all play out in the jury's mind, we'll get a little more for that once Mr. Mesereau has finished up with her -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: All right. Yet another piece of the puzzle, a confusing one at that. Thank you, Miguel Marquez. Appreciate it.

MARQUEZ: Sure. O'BRIEN: Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Cold case files reopened after the arrest of a man suspected of being a serial killer. Later on LIVE FROM, why police and family members hope the BTK developments will give them closure.

Also just ahead, allegations that U.N. troops sent to protect people are sexually exploiting them. We're going to talk live with a U.S. congressman who says the U.N. is not doing enough to prevent it.

And later on LIVE FROM, we catch up with Thomas Van Orden, the attorney whose suit is being argued at the Supreme Court today. Now, here's the twist: he also happens to be homeless.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Central Africa now. The U.N. reports as many as 60 Congolese militiamen were killed by peacekeepers in a firefight yesterday. That's days after a U.N. patrol was ambushed.

Nine peacekeepers, all from Bangladesh, died in that attack. The general leading the U.N.'s Congo mission says the retaliation shows that the blue helmets intend to get tougher on ethnic militias there.

But more attention now on the U.N. and some charges, if true, that are very troubling indeed. United Nations peacekeepers accused of abusing and sexually exploiting the very people they are there to protect. Some of the alleged victims, girls as young as 11 years old. The U.N. is taking action, and some say too little, and the charges are rattling all levels of the world body.

U.S. Congressman Chris Smith of New Jersey is joining the effort to get answers. He joins us now live from Washington.

Congressman Smith, it's a pleasure to have you.

REP. CHRIS SMITH (R), NEW JERSEY: Thank you very much for having me on.

PHILLIPS: Well, I read these reports of alleged rape, forced prostitution, trafficking of these young children. How did you find out about this? How did you know it was allegedly going on?

SMITH: Well, I think it's beyond the allegations stage now. The evidence is overwhelming. It's credible that several peacekeepers engaged in horrific behavior in raping 13, 14, 15-year-olds, and the evidence couldn't be more compelling -- for a loaf of bread, for $1 or $2.

And these victims have been traumatized first by the war, and now by some of these peacekeepers. And it should be emphasized, it's not all the peacekeepers. There are some very professional military men and women who are deployed in this large U.N. deployment. But regrettably, that reputation is being tarnished and being made suspect by the actions of these few. And that has to be stopped. PHILLIPS: Well, who selects these U.N. peacekeepers, and who holds them accountable? Is there any sort of watchdog organization that makes sure they are, indeed, doing their job?

SMITH: Well, increasingly, over the last couple of years, there has been training to know what to look for in terms of trafficking so that commanders can spot it among their own troops. Many of the troops do get some training. But the problem has been, we don't know how poorly or well the vetting process is, whether or not people who may have proclivities in this regard are being signed up in various countries.

The United States, for its part, is the largest donor of peacekeeping funding, bar none. In the Congo, for example, we've provided $250 million in this year alone for a total of about three- quarters of a billion dollars. So we are major funders, suggesting to me, not only do we have humanitarian interest here, but we have a fiduciary interest to make sure that the peacekeepers act in a way that's commensurate with the highest standard of ethical behavior.

It is prescribed in the blue helmet code of conduct, and that is obviously the peacekeeper code of conduct, to be involved in prostitution or trafficking in any way, shape or form. The problem is, there's a lack of enforcement. There's no real compelling penalty phase for those who commit these atrocities.

To its credit, Morocco has stepped up and now in the process of prosecuting six of its -- at least six of its peacekeepers who are involved in this, and in raping these young girls. So my hope is that we begin -- and I have legislation pending that would further this bill forward...

PHILLIPS: Tell us about your new bill.

SMITH: Sure.

PHILLIPS: Tell us specifically what it would do to make U.N. policy stricter and individuals that even try to do something like this be held accountable and pay the price.

SMITH: OK. This new bill builds on two earlier laws that I wrote, along with good bipartisan support, including Tom Lantos, the ranking member of the committee, to really crack down on trafficking in all of its forms and manifestations. The Trafficking Victims' Protection Act was the landmark legislation. I was the prime sponsor.

We moved to this third bill which now breaks off -- breaks out into a number of other areas, like peacekeeping, police overseas, U.N. deployments of -- and NATO and U.S. deployments anywhere in the world. We want to now have, before we approve any peacekeeping operation or re-up the mandate, if you will, to make sure there is an action plan in place certified by the U.S. secretary of state, in this case, Condoleezza Rice, to make sure that every "X" in the box is there to make sure that people are vetted correctly, that there are safeguards in place so that this kind of behavior doesn't happen. If it does happen, then there needs to be vigorous prosecution. One of the things we found in Congo was that a number of the young girls were very fearful about coming forward. And who can blame them? You know, they have already been...

PHILLIPS: Sure. They're seeing a man in a uniform with a gun.

SMITH: Exactly.

PHILLIPS: Of course they don't want to say anything. And also, unfortunately, we've got to wrap.

SMITH: Sure.

PHILLIPS: But we should point out that I hope that this bill and the action that you're taking will hold other countries accountable too. There are U.N. peacekeepers all over the world.

SMITH: That's right. We will do that, and we'd also deal with the penalty of limiting foreign aid to those countries that meet at least minimum standards. So we will expand the minimum standards to include how well or poorly their militaries behavior, including in a peacekeeping dimension.

PHILLIPS: U.S. Congressman Chris Smith. It's a valiant effort. Thanks so much for talking with us today.

SMITH: Thanks so much for having us on.

PHILLIPS: Miles.

O'BRIEN: All right. Live pictures now Capitol Hill, the rotunda. Take a look at this scene right now as we look at Congressman Richard Neal, Democrat of Massachusetts.

This is part of long-due commemoration to Jackie Robinson, the first black player in the Major Leagues, 1947. Cracked that barrier and went on to great fame in the Major Leagues. Today he is being remembered as a pioneer in the civil rights movement, and will be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.

The president will be there, and we're watching it closely for you. We'll bring it to you as it happens.

KATHLEEN HAYS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Kathleen Hays at the New York Stock Exchange. Up next, ousted HP chief Carly Fiorina could soon have a new gig. But she might face some stiff competition from Bono. I'll tell you what high-profile job has both a rock star and a business leader in the running coming up next on LIVE FROM.

(WEATHER REPORT)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Well, she's out at Hewlett-Packard, but the former chief there, Carly Fiorina, might not be unemployed for long. She could be taking on the world with her next job.

Kathleen Hays joining us with proof that once you get at that level, you never really go without a job, do you, Kathleen?

(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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Aired March 2, 2005 - 14:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: A published report in Spain raising questions. Grand Central terminal a target for terror. Both the New York police chief and the mayor spoke out about it today. We have the latest for you.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: God's law and man's law. The Supreme Court plunges into the debate over public displays of the Ten Commandments.

O'BRIEN: Is he out of gas? Or close to it, anyhow? An attempt to fly around the world on a single tank of fuel apparently going to fall short.

He broke baseball's color barrier. Live this hour, Congress honors the late Jackie Robinson with its highest civilian award.

From the CNN Center in Atlanta, I'm Kyra Phillips.

O'BRIEN: And I'm Miles O'Brien. This hour of CNN's LIVE FROM begins right now.

Well, are they grand designs or mere doodles? When it comes to the security implications of a sketch and computer files seized from terror suspects in Madrid almost a year ago, police there and in New York unimpressed.

The matter came to light in a Spanish newspaper. Reportedly, arguably, a plot against New York's Grand Central terminal in the wake of last year's horrible train attacks in Spain. As intelligence goes, however, the NYPD considers this batch crude, at best.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

COMM. RAYMOND KELLY, NEW YORK POLICE: This information came into our possession in November. The FBI made it available to the joint terrorist task force. It was also made available to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. You know, their engineers have looked at it; certainly their law enforcement personnel have looked at it.

We don't see it as being particularly threatening. It is a subject of investigation. But we don't see it, again, as a -- as an immediate cause for concern.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O'BRIEN: The raid that netted the purported Grand Central information came 13 days after bombs went off on four crowded commuter trains in Madrid, killing 191. To date, more than 60 suspected plotters have been arrested.

And, of course, CNN is committed to providing the most reliable coverage of news that affects your security. Stay tuned to CNN for the latest day and night.

PHILLIPS: Car bombings continue to take a grim toll in Iraq. Gunmen have killed two officers of the court who were helping prepare war crimes cases against Saddam Hussein. CNN's senior international correspondent Nic Robertson is live in Baghdad with all the latest in the Iraq conflict -- Nic.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SR. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kyra, the latest in Baghdad is there was a bomb just about over an hour ago at a mosque on the western side of Baghdad, close to the highway to -- the dangerous highway to Baghdad International Airport. U.S. military officials confirmed there was a blast. They say it didn't involve any U.S. troops.

However, Iraqi police say that there were worshipers in the mosque at the time the blast occurred. We still do not have details of any casualties.

This is unusual inasmuch as it targets a Sunni mosque and it comes in the evening. Very unusual to have explosions in the evening.

The day started in Baghdad, however, with a detonation at nine minutes past 7:00 in the morning outside a military training academy. Army recruits were lined up outside.

According to police, the suicide bomber drove a white vehicle towards the gates of the compound, detonating his explosives, killing six people, wounding 28. Police say the casualty toll could have been much higher, but for the high concrete barriers that have been erected around very many of these bases.

There was a second attack on the Iraqi army about two hours later. This time a suicide bomber driving a car on the road, targeting the convoy. He got his vehicle into the convoy, detonated his explosives, killing, we're told, seven Iraqi soldiers and wounding another two.

The death of a very senior Iraqi judge working on the Iraq special tribunal was reported late last night by Iraqi police. Significant because he is working on the tribunal that will try Saddam Hussein. Significant because it came just 24 hours after the special tribunal sat to hear its first case, at least the referral stage of the first case. That case involving Saddam Hussein's half brother and the former vice president of Iraq -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: And Nic, we've talked so much about the number of cases set to go before the tribunal before that of Saddam Hussein. How long before we do see Saddam Hussein standing trial?

ROBERTSON: Some estimates are that it could be even next year. What appears to be happening, or what western legal experts think appears to be happening, is that the Iraqi lawyers are trying to put forward their simplest and most sort of ready -- readied, prepared cases, if you will. So those some very senior people are coming in front -- that will come in front of the panel of judges.

They have the sort of easiest convictions, if you will. The evidence is there. They say that there's been a lot of evidence that has been maintained that was picked up after the regime fell.

So what we're being told is that each case will come up. There could be multiple defendants, if you will, in that case. That Chemical Ali may appear, for example, in several different cases. But that Saddam Hussein's case, because it may well be more complex and detailed than some of the others, may likely -- also waiting for the judges, perhaps, to improve their skills in court -- waiting longer. So it could be next year -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right. Nic Robertson, thank you so much.

And dozens of towns all over Vermont are on record wanting to bring the state's National Guard troops home from Iraq. More than 50 communities yesterday voted on a resolution questioning the use of the Guard in the Iraq war. Well, incomplete tally results showed that 40 towns adopted some form of that resolution.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This resolution is intended to restore the balance between the states and the federal government. It's to bring the power back to the legislature and say, look, you can have a say about what the future of our National Guard is going to be in this involvement.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: That resolution failed outright in three Vermont towns. Opponents argue such expressions hurt troop morale.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If we pass it, don't say it's for the Guard troops. That's -- that -- boy, that just puts them down.

That's not support. I guarantee it, because I've been there, and I've heard a lot of the same arguments I've been hearing here. And it's like, whoa, don't do it in my name. I'll speak for myself.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Well, Vermont has the nation's highest per capita death rate among National Guard members in Iraq.

O'BRIEN: "Beyond a disaster," it's a phrase from the witness stand in Michael Jackson's child molestation trial, describing the entertainer's image problems back in 2003. The source of those problems is a very sore subject for the defense and very possibly you inadmissible, yet we don't yet know for sure.

We do know CNN's Miguel Marquez is at the courthouse in Santa Maria, California, as always, with details -- Miguel.

MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I am here. My permanent position there, Miles.

That's Ann Marie Kite. She's a PR person who was hired by the Jackson camp, or at least somebody associated with Mr. Jackson after the Martin Bashir documentary aired. She describes herself as a crisis management professional as well.

She also goes by the name of Ann Gabriel. So you might see it referenced there as well sometimes.

Essentially, what the prosecution seems to be doing is trying to prove the reason for the conspiracy. They've charged Jackson with one charge of conspiracy. They're trying to prove the reason for that. And she seems to be giving the prosecution what they want.

In addition to what she says was this incredibly negative documentary that Mr. Bashir put together, there was also, at the same time, an NBC story that was being put together on Michael Jackson's plastic surgery. And she also referenced that smokinggun.com, which released documents from the '93 case against Mr. Jackson, including -- regarding inappropriate conduct with a young boy, as she put it, in court, in front of jurors. As you know, that '93 information is stuff that the defense is trying to keep out of this trial as much as possible.

She says as things progressed, within just days, she felt there was going to be a barrage of bad information for Mr. Jackson. She called -- in a call to a Jackson associate -- she got a very agitated call from a Jackson associate saying that the accuser's mother and the accuser and all the brothers and sisters had left the ranch. Later she got another call saying that the situation was contained. And later after that, she got a call from the lawyer who hired her initially, saying, that "they no longer had to worry about the accuser's mother because they had her on tape, and we're going to make her look like a crack whore."

What's going on right now in court is that Tom Mesereau Jr., Mr. Jackson's attorney, is questioning her. He has gotten out of her that she only worked for Mr. Jackson or for Mr. Jackson's team for six days total, and has highlighted two conflicts of interest that she had as well.

She was apparently let go or terminated by the team just after a few days. How this will all play out in the jury's mind, we'll get a little more for that once Mr. Mesereau has finished up with her -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: All right. Yet another piece of the puzzle, a confusing one at that. Thank you, Miguel Marquez. Appreciate it.

MARQUEZ: Sure. O'BRIEN: Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Cold case files reopened after the arrest of a man suspected of being a serial killer. Later on LIVE FROM, why police and family members hope the BTK developments will give them closure.

Also just ahead, allegations that U.N. troops sent to protect people are sexually exploiting them. We're going to talk live with a U.S. congressman who says the U.N. is not doing enough to prevent it.

And later on LIVE FROM, we catch up with Thomas Van Orden, the attorney whose suit is being argued at the Supreme Court today. Now, here's the twist: he also happens to be homeless.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Central Africa now. The U.N. reports as many as 60 Congolese militiamen were killed by peacekeepers in a firefight yesterday. That's days after a U.N. patrol was ambushed.

Nine peacekeepers, all from Bangladesh, died in that attack. The general leading the U.N.'s Congo mission says the retaliation shows that the blue helmets intend to get tougher on ethnic militias there.

But more attention now on the U.N. and some charges, if true, that are very troubling indeed. United Nations peacekeepers accused of abusing and sexually exploiting the very people they are there to protect. Some of the alleged victims, girls as young as 11 years old. The U.N. is taking action, and some say too little, and the charges are rattling all levels of the world body.

U.S. Congressman Chris Smith of New Jersey is joining the effort to get answers. He joins us now live from Washington.

Congressman Smith, it's a pleasure to have you.

REP. CHRIS SMITH (R), NEW JERSEY: Thank you very much for having me on.

PHILLIPS: Well, I read these reports of alleged rape, forced prostitution, trafficking of these young children. How did you find out about this? How did you know it was allegedly going on?

SMITH: Well, I think it's beyond the allegations stage now. The evidence is overwhelming. It's credible that several peacekeepers engaged in horrific behavior in raping 13, 14, 15-year-olds, and the evidence couldn't be more compelling -- for a loaf of bread, for $1 or $2.

And these victims have been traumatized first by the war, and now by some of these peacekeepers. And it should be emphasized, it's not all the peacekeepers. There are some very professional military men and women who are deployed in this large U.N. deployment. But regrettably, that reputation is being tarnished and being made suspect by the actions of these few. And that has to be stopped. PHILLIPS: Well, who selects these U.N. peacekeepers, and who holds them accountable? Is there any sort of watchdog organization that makes sure they are, indeed, doing their job?

SMITH: Well, increasingly, over the last couple of years, there has been training to know what to look for in terms of trafficking so that commanders can spot it among their own troops. Many of the troops do get some training. But the problem has been, we don't know how poorly or well the vetting process is, whether or not people who may have proclivities in this regard are being signed up in various countries.

The United States, for its part, is the largest donor of peacekeeping funding, bar none. In the Congo, for example, we've provided $250 million in this year alone for a total of about three- quarters of a billion dollars. So we are major funders, suggesting to me, not only do we have humanitarian interest here, but we have a fiduciary interest to make sure that the peacekeepers act in a way that's commensurate with the highest standard of ethical behavior.

It is prescribed in the blue helmet code of conduct, and that is obviously the peacekeeper code of conduct, to be involved in prostitution or trafficking in any way, shape or form. The problem is, there's a lack of enforcement. There's no real compelling penalty phase for those who commit these atrocities.

To its credit, Morocco has stepped up and now in the process of prosecuting six of its -- at least six of its peacekeepers who are involved in this, and in raping these young girls. So my hope is that we begin -- and I have legislation pending that would further this bill forward...

PHILLIPS: Tell us about your new bill.

SMITH: Sure.

PHILLIPS: Tell us specifically what it would do to make U.N. policy stricter and individuals that even try to do something like this be held accountable and pay the price.

SMITH: OK. This new bill builds on two earlier laws that I wrote, along with good bipartisan support, including Tom Lantos, the ranking member of the committee, to really crack down on trafficking in all of its forms and manifestations. The Trafficking Victims' Protection Act was the landmark legislation. I was the prime sponsor.

We moved to this third bill which now breaks off -- breaks out into a number of other areas, like peacekeeping, police overseas, U.N. deployments of -- and NATO and U.S. deployments anywhere in the world. We want to now have, before we approve any peacekeeping operation or re-up the mandate, if you will, to make sure there is an action plan in place certified by the U.S. secretary of state, in this case, Condoleezza Rice, to make sure that every "X" in the box is there to make sure that people are vetted correctly, that there are safeguards in place so that this kind of behavior doesn't happen. If it does happen, then there needs to be vigorous prosecution. One of the things we found in Congo was that a number of the young girls were very fearful about coming forward. And who can blame them? You know, they have already been...

PHILLIPS: Sure. They're seeing a man in a uniform with a gun.

SMITH: Exactly.

PHILLIPS: Of course they don't want to say anything. And also, unfortunately, we've got to wrap.

SMITH: Sure.

PHILLIPS: But we should point out that I hope that this bill and the action that you're taking will hold other countries accountable too. There are U.N. peacekeepers all over the world.

SMITH: That's right. We will do that, and we'd also deal with the penalty of limiting foreign aid to those countries that meet at least minimum standards. So we will expand the minimum standards to include how well or poorly their militaries behavior, including in a peacekeeping dimension.

PHILLIPS: U.S. Congressman Chris Smith. It's a valiant effort. Thanks so much for talking with us today.

SMITH: Thanks so much for having us on.

PHILLIPS: Miles.

O'BRIEN: All right. Live pictures now Capitol Hill, the rotunda. Take a look at this scene right now as we look at Congressman Richard Neal, Democrat of Massachusetts.

This is part of long-due commemoration to Jackie Robinson, the first black player in the Major Leagues, 1947. Cracked that barrier and went on to great fame in the Major Leagues. Today he is being remembered as a pioneer in the civil rights movement, and will be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.

The president will be there, and we're watching it closely for you. We'll bring it to you as it happens.

KATHLEEN HAYS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Kathleen Hays at the New York Stock Exchange. Up next, ousted HP chief Carly Fiorina could soon have a new gig. But she might face some stiff competition from Bono. I'll tell you what high-profile job has both a rock star and a business leader in the running coming up next on LIVE FROM.

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O'BRIEN: Well, she's out at Hewlett-Packard, but the former chief there, Carly Fiorina, might not be unemployed for long. She could be taking on the world with her next job.

Kathleen Hays joining us with proof that once you get at that level, you never really go without a job, do you, Kathleen?

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