Return to Transcripts main page

Live From...

Suspicious Package Found in California Train Station; Rove Appears Before Grand Jury; Security Tightens on Eve of Iraqi Vote

Aired October 14, 2005 - 14:30   ET

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

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Continuing to follow these live pictures right now. You can see the bomb squad there operating the little robot that they use to come across -- or, actually, it's utilized to SWAT teams and bomb squads. It, obviously, looks like the SWAT team is on the scene here in Norwalk, California, heading towards this suspicious package at a train station in Norwalk. It's just under the 605 freeway, which has caused a lot of backup.
We have two live pictures. You can see here live pictures via our affiliate KABC. The 605 freeway being blocked off in this area, and then traffic being diverted, which is unfortunate. At least it's not 5:00 in the afternoon there yet because usually this area is a complete nightmare during Friday traffic. So, hopefully it'll get cleared up by the time -- but you can see right here the train station how it's right under the 605.

Now back to KCAL's live picture as the bomb squad is using the robot to move up it's -- what we're being told, it sounds like a red bag. An anonymous caller called in telling them about this suspicious package. We're now being told it's a red bag of some sort. So they've cleared out the train station, evacuated that area, and using this robot to come up to the package to try to figure out what it is.

Of course, that robot allows the technician -- you saw not far behind the technician that's operating the robot -- to sort of move towards that package and it's able to disable an explosive device, if, indeed, there is one in there with without endangering any human being. It usually has about three cameras on it and it can sense various sounds. It can pick up sounds and vibrations and those cameras can see exactly what's in that bag.

So, right now a member of that bomb squad -- not quite sure if it's LAPD or one of the local bomb squads in the area -- responding to this suspicious bag at the train station right under the 605 freeway. It's a commuter train station that runs from the Long Beach area, the Norwalk area into Los Angeles. Usually a number of people take that into work every day, but right now it's been cleared out and traffic, once again, backed up tremendously on the 605 freeway.

You can see the area right here, all been cleared out. It's been blocked off. Traffic has been diverted to try and keep that area safe because, if, indeed, that is an explosive device, they don't want anybody around that area to deal with it.

So right now, the bomb squad on the scene at this commuter train station in Norwalk, California, just under the 605 freeway. It looks like there is LAPD that is there, so more than likely that might be the LAPD bomb squad using the robot to approach that suspicious bag. And as the technician moves in with the little robot, they'll be able to disable an explosive device, if indeed there is one in there, without anybody being hurt.

So, cameras moving in on it to try and figure out what's going on. You can actually see the double picture here now. KCAL actually looks like has a camera on the scene in addition to a helicopter so we can monitor both live angles as you see the robot there getting closer.

I'm not sure if it approached the suspicious bag yet, but it's -- OK, I'm being told one is a live picture and one is taped. So the close shot we're seeing of the robot is our videotape and then the live picture there of the main bomb squad -- that's actually being set as the command center.

Inside the bomb squad's truck there, you've got a number of officers and technicians that are monitoring the cameras that are inside that little robot that you see right there.

So, while there's one technician moving in with the robot, you've got a number of other qualified technicians and officers inside that bomb squad truck working it from the command center post there. We'll let you know if we find anything out.

We're following the live pictures, obviously. We're going to take a quick break. More on the suspicious bag found at the commuter train station in Norwalk, California. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Continuing to follow these live pictures now, out of Norwalk, California. This a commuter train station that's just underneath the 605 freeway. Norwalk is not far from Long Beach, California. It's southeast of Los Angeles, California. And what is happening right now, there was a report, a caller called in about a suspicious bag, so now the bomb squad is on the scene using its robot to move in on that package and try to figure out if, indeed, there is an explosive device inside.

Mike Herek with the L.A. County Sheriff's Transit Service Bureau is with us on the line. First of all, Mike, forgive me. I know the L.A. County Sheriff's Department pretty well. I'm not familiar with the Transit Services Bureau. Is that a special department of deputies that works just the train area?

LT. MICHAEL HEREK, L.A. CO. SHERIFF'S TRANSIT SVCS. BUREAU: Yes, the Transit Services Bureau is the transit policing for the L.A. Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

PHILLIPS: Got it. So is that the L.A. County bomb squad that's on the scene?

HEREK: Yes, it is. It's the Sheriff's Arson and Explosive Bomb Squad. PHILLIPS: OK, and tell us what's going on. You've got a call from an anonymous individual, is that right? Kind of take us back to how this all got to this point.

HEREK: Sure, and I tracked down that because there was a question earlier about the caller. What it was is that we had an alert green line metro train operator who noticed a backpack at the Norwalk train station and it had been sitting there for a couple hours. So, he called us up. So, we responded.

We treated it as a suspicious package. We followed our normal protocol and, therefore, we're being -- we're coordinating the areas, and for safety's sake, we're working with the California Highway Patrol who, unfortunately, had to shut down the freeway because the platform is adjacent to the freeway, and so we were concerned about some -- safety's sake.

Right now the Arson and Explosives are on scene to determine if it -- yes, it is a suspicious package or no. They are determining that right now, and as soon as they make a determination and ensure that it is safe, then we'll resume traffic and train service.

PHILLIPS: So, Mike, it is a backpack.

HEREK: Yes.

PHILLIPS: OK, so it's possible somebody could have accidentally forgotten their backpack.

HEREK: That's possible, too.

PHILLIPS: You can't take any chances, of course.

HEREK: That's right. We've had -- in the past we've had people come up with -- we've had unattended packages and a person says, oops, I forgot it that and that solves that problem. And I wish that would have been in this case, but since it's not, we're following all procedures for suspicious devices.

PHILLIPS: Sure, so let's go ahead and maybe talk a little bit more for our viewers. You're using the robotic device, obviously, I saw. We have a tape from earlier. We can't really see it from the live picture right now, but the technician -- there is a technician with the robotic device and we're seeing other members here of the bomb squad. Actually, are they pulling -- can you see this live picture, by the way Mike, as we're talking?

HEREK: No, I have got so many things going on here. There are several things happening.

PHILLIPS: All right. It looks like they're pulling cable of some sort. I'm not quite sure why they're doing that. I don't know if you would know. Is it -- oh it looks like -- actually, it looks like it's a cable that is attached to the robotic device maybe. Can you tell us sort of what is happening in the van and then what's happening with the robotic device? I mean, obviously there's -- what are there about three cameras on the robotic device, is that right?

HEREK: Yes. The only thing, I'm not knowledgeable as far as the actual device that the Arson and Explosives use and that's a specialized unit that handles these types of devices all the time. So I am not able -- not attached to Arson and Explosive so I'm not able to answer those questions.

PHILLIPS: All right. That's OK, no problem. So they -- but so the green line metro train operator that saw this backpack, maybe we could give folks kind of an idea of the green line metro or the green line metro train route. And is this a pretty common route for folks to take to and from work? I mean, like, what's the main points? Does it go from Los Angeles to Long Beach? Kind of give me an idea about the line.

HEREK: Well, the green line starts in Norwalk.

PHILLIPS: OK.

HEREK: And it travels eastward towards LAX, then it diverts south to the Redondo Beach, and that's where it ends.

PHILLIPS: All right. So how is this affecting -- how many people do you think use it this time of day?

HEREK: It's -- the ridership is kind of light at this time of day. The unfortunate part is it's near the freeway, which is always -- and there's two freeways and those are always major arteries.

PHILLIPS: All right, good, so it's not really -- so there -- everybody has been evacuated from the area, I'm assuming, right?

HEREK: That's correct.

PHILLIPS: OK. So you've got -- now, how long is this going to take? Do you know where we are within this operation? If indeed, they've come up to the backpack and be able to determine anything at this point. How long could this last?

HEREK: Timewise, I'm not able to give you a time. This is in the hands of the arson explosive technicians. And every package is unique and it could be handled in several different ways, so that's why they have to be very careful.

PHILLIPS: OK. Mike Herek, L.A. County sheriff, Transit Services Bureau, we sure appreciate your time. We'll continue to monitor this. I hope you don't mind. We're going to continue to check in with you. So, indeed, it looks like this is not a bomb, it's just somebody that left their backpack. We can sort of move on and of course not worry people that might be in this area or, at least kind of give folks an idea of when the 605 will get flowing again.

HEREK: Oh, yes.

PHILLIPS: Mike, thank you so much.

HEREK: Oh, you're so welcome. Thank you for calling.

PHILLIPS: All right, so, we're following the bomb squad here, the L.A. County Sheriff's Bomb Squad, as they continue to try to figure out what's inside that suspicious backpack that was left at the green line metro train station there after an operator noticed it and called it in. So we will continue to follow that live event that's happening right now.

Meanwhile, I want to take it back over to the courthouse, where our Bob Franken is. And this is the other story that we've been following throughout the day, and that is Karl Rove. He's the president's top political adviser, going before the grand jury for the fourth time. He's already left the courthouse.

But, Bob, you have some type of statement.

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Right. We had reported, as you know, that Karl Rove had no comment going in or out. That is what we expected. We also expected that the conclusion of the testimony, there would be a statement from his attorney Robert Luskin -- perfunctory, perhaps.

This is the statement. It includes the following assertion. "The special counsel has indicated that he does not anticipate the need for Mr. Rove's further cooperation." That, of course, that is after four cooperations, four appearances before the grand jury. And this last one going well over three hours.

Karl Rove, one of the top two White House officials whose name has come up repeatedly as a possible source. It's an investigation into whether leaks to reporters about the identification of the undercover CIA operative Valerie Plame, who's the wife of an administration critic, had been illegal. An investigation that's been going on for more than two years.

The attorney also went on to say, as he had before, that he did not get any indication from the special prosecutor that Mr. Rove was a target of the investigation. That is to say, facing indictments. As a matter of fact, the lawyer repeated, he had been told by Fitzgerald that no indictment decisions have been made. All of that had been stated before.

Of course, that also means, Kyra, that no indictment decisions about not indicting have been made either, if Fitzgerald is telling the lawyer what it is that he has said that he did. In any case, the statement indicates that Karl Rove has finished his laborers before the grand jury after four appearances -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Bob Franken, thank you.

We're going to take a quick break. More LIVE FROM right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Once again, we're continuing to follow possibly a bomb scare in Norwalk, California. We did talk with someone from the L.A. County Sheriff's Department, and it's a backpack, a suspicious backpack. So it's very possible that somebody just forgot their backpack here that this train station in Norwalk, California.

But nevertheless, they can't take any chances, so the L.A. Sheriff's -- L.A. County Sheriff's Bomb Squad is there on the scene. You can see the robotic device there on the scene, moving its way closer to that suspicious backpack to try to make sure it's not an explosive device.

Meanwhile, it's a real pain there those traveling on the 605 freeway, because that's all been shut off in that area in Norwalk while they try to figure out what's happening there at the train station. You can see the back-up there, via our affiliate KABC.

Mike Brooks, a law enforcement analyst, joining us on the phone. And, Mike, hopefully it is just somebody that forgot their backpack. But they can't take any chances. So the robot obviously moving towards that backpack to try to get a better view of what's in there with its multiple cameras. And if possible, if it is an explosive device, that robot can disable it, right?

MIKE BROOKS, CNN LAW ENFORCEMENT ANALYST: That's exactly right, Kyra. What they can do is the robot will go up and it has a camera on it. And they'll take a look at all different angles. And sometimes I'll even go up. And you'll see it has a little -- almost like a little claw on the front. And they can take that and move it and manipulate it around. And then they'll know that it's not susceptible to shock or friction. And that's something the bomb techs can use.

And then if they have to, also, the bomb techs can also remotely disrupt it. And what they would sometimes -- you see there's almost like a little -- looks like a shotgun, a little tube on the front. They can put a load in that. And they can actually shoot -- it's called an RSP, a render safe procedure. And it shoots all you can use, a gel or water or a number of number of things to shoot through that. And it would disrupt any electrical system that would be in an infared explosive device.

But that's down the road. They'll look at this and sometimes they'll go up and maybe do another x-ray and see exactly, analyze the x-ray and then decide what kind of thing they're going to do. But this is the way to do it. Might as well send the robot down there, if you use the robot instead of sending someone down to put hands on the device.

PHILLIPS: How long does it take, Mike? We were just trying to figure out how long this freeway is going to be backed up and folks are going to have to be diverted. I mean, obviously, as soon as they get on that backpack, how long does it take to determine whether there's an explosive device in there or not?

BROOKS: Well, it depends. They will go ahead and analyze it right now. If they decide to go ahead and actually go down and set up a portable x-ray and take an x-ray shot of that, then it will take them a while to take a look and see exactly what's involved in the x- ray. If it is an infared explosive device, what kind of electrical system it has. Those kinds of things.

So it could take some time. But, again, you know, they don't concern themselves too much with the traffic. They're more concerned and focused specifically on that device. And the L.A. County Sheriff's Bomb Squad is one of the best in the country.

PHILLIPS: Mike Brooks, thank you so much. We'll keep in touch with you and also follow what's happening there in Norwalk, California. So far, we haven't gotten any updated information on what is inside that backpack, but we'll follow it.

Meanwhile, on the eve of the Iraqi vote, coalition forces are imposing a security clamp down. Sealed borders and a nighttime curfew are just some of the efforts underway to try to make voting safer. Security and the role of certain opinion leaders are among the wildcards that could affect tomorrow's outcome.

For more now, I'm joined by Kianne Sadeq. She's a CNN producer normally based in Iraq. And CNN's Nic Robertson. He joins us by phone. He's in the Iraqi -- or videophone, rather. He's in the Iraqi capital of Baquba.

Nic, why don't we start with you? Give us an update on how things are looking and how they're doing. Does it seem secure and are people ready to head to the polls?

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, it does seem reasonably secure. We were going out this evening when the last of the balloting papers and material were being delivered to the polling stations. The roads there are absolutely deserted. There's been a vehicle ban in place since last night. That will run all the way through the elections at the end of Saturday. There are a lot more police out on the streets. They're already around the polling stations. The polling stations themselves are getting set up.

Officials that we're talking to, election officials, security officials and their Iraqi police, the Iraqi army also very heavily involved in the security procedures here. They're all saying that they think -- if you remember back to those elections in January earlier this year, the parliamentary elections, they think they learned a lot during those elections and that for that reason they're much better prepared this time.

And in this particular province just outside of Baghdad, they say they think the situation is safer. Voter registration has been higher. And they think they're going to have a much bigger turnout, Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Well, Kianne, one of the best advantages you have is that you spend a lot of time with the people there in the region. You speak so many languages. You're able to get a real feel for how they're feeling.

Are they scared, are they nervous this time around?

KIANNE SADEQ, CNN PRODUCER: Well, I think the people are scared. Of course they're nervous, but more doubtful. They're not very confident with what this constitution is going to give them. They haven't had time to read over, study the constitution and they are very weary about it.

And if they do like it, then their concern is, OK, if we like this, then will they really implement this constitution for us in the future?

So they have many doubts in their mind and have a very hard time trusting their leaders and trusting those who speak out.

PHILLIPS: Now, is the trust factor -- do they -- what about -- OK, you're talking about their leaders and those that are running for office, they're not sure about those individuals.

Why is that? Are they concerned that these are people that have been picked by the United States government? Are they worried about military involvement on behalf of the U.S.? What is it exactly?

SADEQ: Yes, they don't have trust for the government because they believe that the U.S., the United States, the United States military is involved in everything.

So they don't believe that this is an Iraqi constitution, this is by Iraqi people.

Most of them go out and vote based on what their religious leaders tell them because those are the leaders who they have been following their entire lives. And so these are the leaders that we have chosen to follow and these are the people we trust.

As for the government, they are always weary of that because they believe that the United States always has something to do with it. And so they just can't trust those people, even if one day they did. Or even if their religious leaders told them to vote for these people, they still don't trust them.

They'll still wait to see what the cleric says because they always believe that there's an outside word, there's a foreign word in there and that it's not an Iraqi word.

PHILLIPS: Interesting.

Nic, are you hearing anything from the clerics like Muqtada al- Sadr or al-Sistani? Are they speaking out? Are they encouraging individuals to go and vote?

ROBERTSON: We're not hearing that in Baquba directly.

We are certainly hearing people concerns about that outside involvement in the constitution, in the government. People expressing concern that they feel that there's an Iranian influence in the government and in the constitution. People feeling that they had a better deal under Saddam and that this -- that their life now is worse and that the politicians aren't measuring up. And this cuts across the sectarian divide between -- the Shia Muslims have the majority of the power this time, the majority of the representation in the government; the Sunni Muslims, who are greatly being encouraged (AUDIO GAP) many of them who boycotted the elections earlier in the year.

So there are many doubts, but what's perhaps been interesting, it's subtle shifts that you're seeing. We saw yesterday two men arguing on the street over whether they should vote for or against the constitution. And even somebody brought out the copy of the constitution and they were standing in the street debating it; one saying that it will lead to division in the country, the other saying it will lead to unity.

That kind of open discussion publicly on the streets before the last election was something that you really perhaps might not have seen here quite so openly displayed because people were worried then about the possibility of being attacked by insurgents just for going to vote.

The change here that is being described to us is a relative change. It's not entirely safe. Four polling stations were attacked last night, five policemen killed, six wounded. Three more policemen were wounded in this town in a roadside bomb today.

So it's not entirely safe, but there is among the people we talk to perhaps more open debate on the streets than there might have been nine months ago in those elections in January.

So in that way perhaps people have a little more confidence that the process is working, but, certainly, there is huge skepticism, as Kianne says, huge skepticism about their politicians here.

PHILLIPS: Nic, thank you. Kianne, thank you.

But stay with me just a minute because we've got some breaking news to tell you about.

We're just getting word of two planes colliding in northeast Ohio. We've got these pictures just in, live pictures via WEWS in Ohio.

All we know right now, troopers are reporting multiple fatalities. We're getting kind of a closer shot here. It looks like two small private planes by looking at the wings there that went down in Rootstown. The state highway patrol saying that the two aircraft collided. They went down in this sort of farm area in Rootstown, in northeast Ohio. They crashed in this field this afternoon, not quite sure what time.

We just got these live pictures. I think it happened possibly within the last 45 minutes. Don't know what exactly happened. Now we're getting another aerial view from one of the helicopters that are airborne right now in this field, this farm area in northeast Ohio.

All we know at this point, the state highway patrol saying they believe that there are multiple fatalities in these two small planes that crashed in this field in Rootstown Township in Portage County. It happened not long ago.

We will try and work as much information as we can to tell you, if, indeed, we can tell you where these planes took off from and if, indeed, how many people were on board both of those aircraft.

That does it for us here on LIVE FROM.

Have a great weekend. We will see you next Monday.

Meanwhile, THE SITUATION ROOM starts right now.

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