Return to Transcripts main page
Live From...
U.S. Concedes Enemy Fire May Have Downed Chopper; Terror Suspect's Wife Calls Charges Ridiculous
Aired June 29, 2005 - 15:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, HOST: "Now in the News," a blast in Baghdad targets the Babylon Hotel. So far, no word of any casualties. Police are still trying to determine whether the damage resulted from a suicide car bomb or a mortar shell.
Attack and counterattack along the Israeli-Lebanese border is really war playing strike back after members of Hezbollah crossed into disputed territory and took aim at Israeli troops. Israel reports four casualties.
And clashes over Gaza, where Jewish settlers have just 47 more days to pack up and move out. Today, protestors of the pullout plan tried to block highway intersections all over Israel. Police, for the most part, prevented any major disruptions.
Don't count on Canada for your prescription drugs. Its health minister says its country may ban both exports of drugs when supplies at home are low. He plans to introduce the measure in Parliament this fall.
And now CNN.com is offering a whole new way to get the headlines. Just log on to our web site and click on "watch" to check out the most popular stories, everything from politics and sports to entertainment. It's free on CNN.com.
RPG, apparently. Search and rescue risky, incredibly difficult even if the crash site were not a war zone. Twenty-four hours after a U.S. helicopter carrying 17 troops went down in remote northeast Afghanistan, hostile fire is the leading theory and the fate of the troops is unknown.
We get the latest now from CNN's Jamie McIntyre, who's at the Pentagon.
Hi, Jamie.
JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Kyra.
Well these troops were taking part in something called Operation Redwing, which was developed from intelligence from local Afghans and Afghan leaders about where Taliban and al Qaeda forces were in Afghanistan.
The -- the MH-47 that they were flying in is a Special Operations version of the Chinook twin rotor troop transport helicopter. According to military sources, it was ferrying a quick reaction team of Navy commandos into a rugged part of eastern Afghanistan when it appears that it was shot down by ground fire.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEN. PETER PACE, JOINT CHIEFS CHAIRMAN NOMINEE: The tragedy of yesterday and what appears to be a shoot-down of one of our Special Operations helicopters that included some very, very special folks who were on a mission for this country.
That's under investigation. We think it was a rocket propelled grenade, sir, but not 100 percent sure. And that will come out in time as we're able to get to -- to the scene and do the investigation required. It's our -- our hearts go out to their families.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MCINTYRE: Now this took place in Afghanistan's Kunar province in the east, a very rugged area. Getting to the scene has been difficult. It's on the side of a steep mountainside. The weather has not been good, but we are told that today, a day after the crash, U.S. forces have moved in around the area and a U.S. Air Force A-10 attack plane also fired several rockets to suppress the enemy ground fire.
Again, this is part of an operation that was to bring in those Navy SEALs to reinforce U.S. troops who are in a fierce fire fight with suspected al Qaeda fighters in the area.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
COL. JAMES YONTS, COALITION SPOKESMAN: Coalition troops on the ground in this area came in contact with enemy forces and requested additional forces to be inserted into this operation. That is why there was an aircraft. That's how that arrived on the battlefield.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MCINTYRE: One Pentagon official said this may be an example of how the United States is facing a thinking and adaptive enemy, not just in Iraq but also in Afghanistan.
Noting that when the U.S. troops are engaged in a fire fight with enemy forces in Afghanistan on the ground, those forces now know that it's a pretty good bet that reinforcements will be coming in by helicopter. They may have adapted their tactics in order to target that helicopter as it came in -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right. Jamie -- Jamie McIntyre reporting from the Pentagon. Thank you so much.
Well, it didn't last long against U.S. invaders in the fall of 2001, but the Taliban are still a concern, to say the least, of U.S. forces and the new regime in Afghanistan.
Peter Bergen knows the group and its goals as well as anybody. CNN's terrorism analyst and author of the book "Holy Warring." He joins us now live from Washington. Peter, your first reaction to the Chinook crash? There's talk that the Taliban, well, of course, it's claiming responsibility for this. But that the Taliban has some sort of new technology. That's why they were able to do this, if indeed it's true. Do you believe that? Do you think that they continue to get resources and upgraded weaponry?
PETER BERGEN, CNN TERRORISM ANALYST: Well, as General Pace indicated in his testimony the belief is that it was a rocket propelled grenade. Well, rocket-propelled grenades have been used in Afghanistan, you know, for decades now. So I don't -- that's not really a new technology.
PHILLIPS: So what is Taliban is claiming and what Peter Pace is saying are two different things?
BERGEN: Yes. However, I think the Taliban -- the spokesman for the Taliban is not a reliable guide. Certainly, he has said that the Taliban are responsible, but he's made all sorts of claims in the past. I mean, one of the claims he's made just recently is that 35 Americans or something like that were killed in this incident. Now even -- I mean, that doesn't make any sense. The maximum number of people who would have been killed would be 17, the number on this helicopter.
So even when the Taliban claims something they tend to exaggerate things. They may have simply been called lucky with this one particular, you know, RPG attack on this helicopter. Although we still don't know for a fact that it is an RPG attack, although that seems to be the hypothesis of the moment.
PHILLIPS: So Peter, let's talk about how strong the Taliban is in Afghanistan. You know, we've been talking so much about Iraq. Give us a reality check. Is it -- is it continuing to grow? Is it stronger? Is it stagnant since the war happened there in Afghanistan? What's your take?
BERGEN: Well, I think part of this is weather related. The Taliban -- you don't fight in the winter in Afghanistan for obvious reasons. I mean, just look at these pictures. In the winter everything would be covered with Snow.
So what happens is once April, May comes around the fighting resumes. So I think that's one factor we've got to consider.
I, being pretty optimistic about many things going on in Afghanistan. But I've got to say, the last two or three months have made me much less optimistic. We've seen charity workers, aid workers being kidnapped in Kabul. We've seen bombs going off in Kabul outside of hotels. We've seen a fair amount of resurgent Taliban activity.
Now all this is directed at one goal, I think, which is to interrupt the parliamentary elections that are coming up in September in Afghanistan. You may remember the October elections, the presidential elections last year in Afghanistan went surprisingly well. The Taliban were not able to interrupt them in any meaningful way.
They've got one more last shot here, which is the parliamentary elections, which are -- I think could be pretty contentious, because power in Afghanistan, local power, is very important, who controls the local power. Taliban clearly want to insert themselves into that. And they are -- that's why we're seeing this uptick in activity. It's the weather; it's the elections.
Are they stronger than they were two years ago? I don't think so. I think their strength has sort of remained roughly the same.
PHILLIPS: And where -- Peter where is that coming from? We were talking with a journalist earlier on LIVE FROM, and he said so much has to do with Pakistan. That President Pervez Musharraf wants to help the U.S. At the same time this is a man who's had assassination attempts on its life.
Do you believe that Pakistan is not taking a strong enough stance on the insurgency and allowing terrorists to breed in Pakistan and in turn go over to Afghanistan?
BERGEN: Part of the problem is that the border there is, you know, it's more than a thousand miles long. It's some of the most inhospitable territory in the world.
Even with a best will in the world, it's not possible to stop people going back and forth. So it's the physical conditions of the border.
And also the fact on both sides of the border you have the same ethnic group, the Pashtuns, who are the Taliban, is one of the largest ethnic groups in the world. There are literally millions of them. And they are on both sides of the border.
And there isn't really -- the border itself is quite a recent phenomenon between Pakistan and Afghanistan, set up by the British in the last century -- in the late 19th century.
So it's very easy for people to go back and forth. They've done it for millennia, and they're going to continue to do it.
So I'm kind of dancing around your question, is Pakistan doing as much as it could? I think they're doing quite a lot. If you had a Pakistani official sitting here, they would say, "Look, hundreds of our military guys, our police have been killed in this effort against al Qaeda. We're doing what we can. Our president himself has survived two serious assassination attempts, at least two serious assassination attempts against him."
And they feel that they are constantly being hassled by the United States to do more. And they're doing as much as they can.
If you had an Afghan official sitting here they might well say, if they were being a bit impolitic, that the Taliban, you know, are going back and forth in places like Kweta (ph), which is a fairly major city in Pakistan in the Blujistan (ph) area. But you know, very senior Taliban people are more or less living openly.
So that's -- these are both realities. The Pakistanis are doing quite a lot, but the fact is the Taliban are coming back and forth. They do have strong links to Pakistan.
PHILLIPS: Peter Bergen, thanks for your time today.
BERGEN: Thank you.
PHILLIPS: Well, standing his ground at Fort Bragg, President Bush, commander in chief, tells the troops and the nation and the world the U.S. will stay in Iraq, quote, "until the fight is won."
Mr. Bush invoked the specter of September 11 five times in his 28-minute address on the first anniversary of the hand-over of Iraqi self-rule.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The troops here and across the world are fighting a global war on terror. The war reached our shores on September the 11th, 2001.
After September the 11th, I made a commitment to the American people: this nation will not wait to be attacked again. We will defend our freedom. We will take the fight to the enemy.
The only way our enemies can succeed is if we forget the lessons of September 11.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Two separate investigations and President Bush have concluded that there's no evidence that Saddam Hussein conspired with al Qaeda or Osama bin Laden on the 9/11 attacks or anything else. But that didn't stop a Republican congressman from saying this earlier today on CNN.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. ROBIN HAYES (R), NORTH CAROLINA: It's very clear that terrorists are connected to what Saddam Hussein was all about and that again faces us as the most severe threat going forward.
CAROL COSTELLO, HOST, "DAYBREAK": But there is no evidence that Saddam Hussein was connected in any way to al Qaeda.
HAYES: Ma'am, I'm sorry, but you're mistaken. There's evidence everywhere. We get access to it. Unfortunately, others don't.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Well, the reviews are in from the Bush speech and they're largely positive.
A CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll of people who actually watched the speech finds 46 percent report a very positive reaction, 28 percent somewhat positive. And we point out that presidential speech viewers are much more a partisan group than the general public.
And we also note that the 46 percent very positive rating is a steep drop from the 67 percent who raved about the president's "mission accomplished" speech back in May 2003 aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln.
But before last night's address 56 percent of respondents felt the president had a clear plan for the war in Iraq. Afterwards 63 percent did.
The wife of an accused terror supporter speaks out.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ZAKKIYYA SHAH, WIFE OF TERROR SUSPECT: One thing about Tarik Shah, my husband, is that he is one that will show you one face all the time.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: But is this the face of an al Qaeda supporter? The rest of the story just ahead.
New plans unveiled. We'll show you more of the design for Ground Zero when we come back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(WEATHER REPORT)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: So could this be the New York City skyline of tomorrow? Possibly. This is how the so called Freedom Tower would tower over Lower Manhattan if the proposed design takes shape as unveiled today. This is a redesign after earlier plans were modified for safety reasons. And this design would make the Freedom Tower the tallest building in the world.
"Security Watch" now. There will be a new national security office within the FBI. The FBI director and his boss, the attorney general, announced today that the White House signed off on a list of changes to the U.S. Intelligence structure.
It's been 90 days, give or take, after a blue ribbon panel raised dozens of red flags over intel lapses and shortcomings, in particular concerning threats from weapons of mass destruction.
Meanwhile, two U.S. citizens accused of plotting to help al Qaeda both pleaded not guilty in federal court yesterday. In fact, the attorney for one suspect called the charges ridiculous, a sentiment echoed by the suspect's wife.
Our Mary Snow talked to her in this CNN exclusive. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Are you married to an al Qaeda supporter?
SHAH: No.
SNOW: The FBI alleges that he was very interested in Osama bin Laden, had listened to his speeches and had pledged loyalty to the Jihad. What do you say to that?
SHAH: Never heard it. Never heard him say that. And that's an alleged count.
SNOW: Did he ever talk about Osama bin Laden?
SHAH: Who can't talk about Osama bin Laden? He's on the news. He's in the newspapers. He's in "Newsweek." He's in "TIME."
SNOW (voice-over): One month ago, Tarik Shah was arrested. The indictment says he was planning to train al Qaeda supporters in martial arts, which he practiced.
(on camera) What was your reaction to that?
SHAH: Surprised, startled. I couldn't believe it. I was confused, because I really did not understand what they were saying, and what evidence they could possibly have that could connect him to any of these things that they were alleging.
SNOW: Your husband is a jazz musician.
SHAH: Yes, he is.
SNOW: Law enforcement officials say he was using that as a cover.
SHAH: Not true. One thing about Tarik Shah, my husband, is that he is one that will show you one face all the time. He's not two- faced. He does not have the ability to be two-faced.
SNOW (voice-over): Zakkiyya Shah married her husband 13 years ago and says he inspired her to convert to Islam.
SHAH: He had a tremendous light the first time I saw him. He was just glowing, and the first time I saw him, he was playing his bass.
SNOW: She currently has a job inspecting boilers, a trade she learned while serving four years in the Navy.
(on camera) You spent four years of your life devoting your life to the government, the very same government that's put your husband in jail. Are you angry about that?
SHAH: Very concerned about the amount of power that's being wielded. The government has a lot of power, and they are flexing, if you will.
SNOW (voice-over): She says a man posing as a music student turned out to be the government informant who betrayed her husband. She believes that Muslims have become a magnet for terror probes.
SHAH: We are all afflicted with trials and tribulations. And whatever is meant for us to happen here, we have to accept what's meant for us to happen.
SNOW (on camera): At federal court here in New York in an arraignment, Tarik Shah and his co-defendant and friend, Rafiq Sabir, both pled not guilty to charges of conspiring to provide support for al Qaeda. Both men are being held without bail but have the right to apply for bail. They are next due in court on September 6.
Mary Snow, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: And be sure to stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security.
News across America now.
A California jury recommends death for mass killer Marcus Wesson. Wesson was convicted of killing nine of his children and raping and molesting his daughters and nieces. All nine victims were found in a bloody pile at Wesson's home last year. Formal sentencing is set for July 27.
Hundreds of people expected at a memorial service in Camden, New Jersey, tonight for three boys that were found dead in a car trunk. Those boys, ages 5, 6 and 11, vanished a week ago today. They were found two days later in a car in the same yard where they were last seen alive. Two of those boys will be buried tomorrow. The third will be buried in Puerto Rico.
Firefighters trying to keep a raging wildfire from edging any closer to two Arizona communities. The 152,000 acre fire is about 20 miles from Pine and Strawberry, which are just north of Phoenix. Evacuations will be ordered if the flames get within eight miles of those areas.
Up front, U2's front man, Bono, has been known to rally for a cause. Well, he's doing it once again, but this time the cause is his own.
And is Russian President Putin smitten with bling-bling from the Super Bowl. Certainly seems so. Explanation straight ahead on LIVE FROM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PAUL GIAMATTI, ACTOR: He's a half a step behind. Do you feel it? Stick with it. Stick with it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Forget Russell Crowe and his legal situation. His movie is what's really on the ropes this summer. Ticket sales for the Depression era flick, "Cinderella Man," have been, well, depressing. So in hopes of delivering some extra box office punch, America's second largest movie theater chain is trying something new, a money- back guarantee.
AMC Entertainment says if you come see the movie and end up not liking it, they'll give you your money back. Go see it. It's a great flick and a great story.
Now to the Dublin courtroom where Bono is suing the pants off former wardrobe stylist Lola Cashman. The U2 front man claims that Cashman tried to cash in by auctioning off garments from 1987's "Joshua Tree" tour. The items in question include a sweatshirt, trousers and other tour apparel, including his Stetson hat.
Well, Cashman claims that Bono gave her the goods in a fit of post-concert euphoria. But Bono says giving away his hat would be like The Edge giving away his guitar; it just wouldn't happen.
Well, it's delicate diplomacy. Check out Russian President Vladimir Putin trying on NFL team owner Robert Kraft's Super Bowl ring. Kraft gave him the ring for a photo op. And it's an understated little thing, 124 diamonds, about five carats. No big whoop.
Well, time to go, and Mr. Putin did the customary thing in Russia. He said thanks, stuck the ring in his pocket and "dos vedanya." Awkward. There's a lot of speculation as to whether the prized ring was a gift or not.
Turning now to the market. Stocks aren't doing much ahead of the Fed's decision on interest rates, which is due out tomorrow afternoon. Right now Dow Jones industrials down about 32 points. The NASDAQ flat. While there's little doubt. Well, Susan Lisovicz is going to tell us more.
(STOCK REPORT)
PHILLIPS: Finally, you say you want to get a little LIVE FROM catch? Well, here's a tip. Catch a big honking fish. We'll prove it. Get an eyeful of this little beauty.
It's a Mekong catfish landed last month by some hearty souls in northern Thailand. According to "National Geographic" magazine, it's the biggest freshwater fish ever recorded: nine feet long, 646 pounds. It took disbelieving anglers more than an hour to wrestle that thing in.
And what do you do with such a specimen? Well, what else? You take some pictures and you serve it up. Thai villagers ate it. And that ain't no fish story, folks. That wraps up this edition of LIVE FROM. So glad you joined us. We'll see you tomorrow. Now here is Ed Henry with a preview of what's ahead on "INSIDE POLITICS."
Hi, Ed.
ED HENRY, HOST, "INSIDE POLITICS": Good afternoon, Kyra.
The speech is over. The reviews are in. So was it mission accomplished for President Bush? I'll talk to a top Republican and Democrat in Congress.
Plus, the fight over Social Security. Are Americans buying the president's pitch for reform? We'll take a look at some new poll numbers.
All this and much more when I go "INSIDE POLITICS" in three minutes.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Right now in the news, Baghdad police on the scene of an explosion at the Babylon Hotel. So far no reports of casualties, but there is a large fire in the hotel's parking area. Police believe the blast was caused by a mortar shell.
A precarious search and rescue mission still underway for 17 U.S. troops aboard a Chinook helicopter like this one that was downed in an Afghanistan war zone. U.S. officials say the helicopter was probably hit by an RPG as it was bringing in new troops for a fire fight. We just learned that some of those individuals were Navy SEALs. The Taliban are claiming responsibility for that attack.
He was convicted of murdering nine members of his own family. Now the jury has recommended death for Marcus Wesson. The Fresno man was found guilty of the grisly multiple murders earlier this month. Formal sentencing is now set for July 27.
Thanks for joining us. Stay tuned now; "INSIDE POLITICS" up next.
END
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
