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CIA Leak Probe; After the Storm; Train Packed With Commuters Derails in Liverpool, England

Aired October 26, 2005 - 14:00   ET

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

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: It's a nail-biter of a week for power players at the White House as everyone waits for possible indictments in the CIA leak investigation.
ALLAN CHERNOFF, CNN SR. CORRESPONDENT: I'm Allan Chernoff, in Oakland Park, Florida, where ice and water delivered by FEMA are about to run out.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The black athlete seems to have -- you know, statistically program, program, program, you know, seems to have an edge as far as the sport is concerned.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Talk about speed. A football coach grabs headlines instantly with controversial comments that some are calling racist.

From the CNN Center in Atlanta, I'm Kyra Phillips. This hour of CNN's LIVE FROM starts right now.

This just in to CNN via The Associated Press. We're trying to get more information to bring it to you, but we're getting word that a rush hour train that was packed with commuters has derailed in Liverpool. That's northwest England.

It happened, we believe, within just the last 30 minutes or so, but we are working details on this story. It just came across the wires. The Associated Press reporting during rush hour.

We've got ITV News, I'm told, up, reporting on this live. Let's listen in.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: ... 90 passengers on board.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Chris, many thanks for that. Obviously we'll keep you updated throughout the program on any further developments in Liverpool.

Do stay with us.

PHILLIPS: We just missed the end of that newscast. And, of course, as they've been following this story at the top of their hour -- and I think I caught the last part of what that reporter said. Possibly 19 people injured. We'll work on that. But right now, a train packed with commuters derailing in Liverpool, England. We'll bring you more information as soon as we get it.

Now, it may be only fitting for a secret investigation into a blown secret identity. The world is left guessing as to what went on behind closed doors of a grand jury room in Washington a mere two days before its members disband for good. Did special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald obtain indictments over the outing of an undercover CIA operative? And, if so, is outing the charge, or will he allege some kind of cover-up after the fact? And who, if anyone, will be charged?

Every indication points to Lewis Scooter Libby, chief of staff to Dick Cheney, seen right here on the right, and/or the deputy White House chief of staff, Karl Rove. Rove and Libby spoke to journalists and maybe each other about Valerie Plame, a CIA specialist on WMD and the wife of former diplomat Joseph Wilson. Wilson became an outspoken, some say embarrassing critic of the White House arguments for war in Iraq.

Well, we do know that Fitzgerald and the grand jurors met for three hours today, then adjourned with no word to anyone.

CNN's Bob Franken has spent a long, chilly day outside that courthouse.

And Bob, I just want to throw something else at you. Interviewing Bob Barr, former Republican congressman, saying he's in Washington hearing that possibly the name George Tenet might be a part of a possible indictment. Are you getting any word of George Tenet while you're there at the courthouse?

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Bob Barr, who I've known for a long time, knows as much as I do about what goes on beyond those doors. And the answer to that question is very, very, very little because of very strict rules of secrecy.

George Tenet's name has been mentioned. There is some discussion about whether he was the one when he was CIA chief who told Vice President Cheney about the identity of Valerie Plame.

By the way, I think if you look in the U.S. code we'll have trouble finding the word "outing," but, at any case, obviously that's a description about what occurred with Valerie Plame. That is to say, her identity was -- her cover was blown.

She became known. And the question is, did the law that prohibits that, was there a violation of that particular law?

As you also pointed out, much of the attention is focused on Karl Rove, the White House deputy chief of staff. More importantly, the president's chief political adviser. And Scooter Libby, who is the vice president's chief of staff. Their names have come up in the public disclosures repeatedly about what kind of questions and answers have been given before this grand jury. One other thing,, the grand jury term is scheduled to end on Friday. The possibility exists that the special prosecutor, Patrick Fitzgerald, can go to the judge and say, I need to extend it one more time. And there's another possibility he could ask another that another grand jury take a look at the information he's compiled.

The last possibility is -- two other possibilities -- no indictments, or the possibility that indictments were handed down today but they were done in secret for one reason or another -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right. Bob Franken. Let us know if you hear anything. We'll keep checking in with you.

Meanwhile, it's deadline day for Harriet Miers, President Bush's controversial Supreme Court nominee. She is supposed to hand over a division of her answers -- or a revision, rather, of her answers. You remember that questionnaire she had to fill out requested by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Miers' first responses to its questionnaire was considered vague and incomplete by both the committee chairman, Arlen Specter, and the committee's leading Democrat, Patrick Leahy. The White House says that a response will be made soon.

All right. Now we're going to take you to south Florida, where both the frustration and the lines are growing two days after Hurricane Wilma blew right through that state. Many people trying to buy basic necessities are facing a long wait.

This was the scene today in Hollywood, Florida. And similar queues are forming at any store selling water, food, ice and gas in the other affected areas. Power crews are scrambling right now to restore electricity to the millions of people who lost power. That job could take weeks, we're told.

President Bush is set to visit that storm-damaged area tomorrow. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff is touring it today. And there's a lot to see on both sides of the state. But much of the damage is concentrated along the East Coast.

That's where we find CNN Senior Correspondent Allan Chernoff. He's in Oakland Park, near Fort Lauderdale, right there where they're handing out ice and water.

Allan, how's it going?

CHERNOFF: Kyra, it's going very well. A very efficient operation. And they have been handing out the water and the ice since early this morning, but they are about to run out.

This water right over here, that's all that remains. And there's about a similar amount of ice, as well. Yet, even at the same time, the line of cars you can see extends all the way down the block.

They had been handing out water and ice to people on a walk-up basis. That already has been suspended because there are so many people still in their cars.

Keep in mind, this area is still without power. As a matter of fact, right here at the community center where they're handing this ice and water out, we have a downed power line right over here.

This a distribution power line, and the utility crews have told me that these sorts of lines normally carry 7,600 volts of electricity. Obviously the line not active right now. But this is just an example of the sort of work that has to be done here before people can get their power back, before they can actually get their electricity, get those refrigerators operating.

Now, as I said, the operation here running quite smoothly today, very different from the experience yesterday. Many people here were waiting four to five hours before they finally did get some ice. And the people who received water and ice today say after yesterday, they are still very frustrated about the situation.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SHIRLEY MCMILLEN, FLORIDA RESIDENT: We went around looking for ice yesterday, and the places that were supposed to have ice did not have any ice because the trucks didn't come. So, we road around, burning out the little bit of gas that we did have trying to get ice. And there was no ice to be given or water.

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CHERNOFF: The lines are quite long at gas stations here in southern Florida. This morning, we saw two gas stations opened, and at each of those gas stations more than 80 cars waiting for gasoline. And the lines did not appear to be moving very quickly.

Some of the people in line had their tanks half full. But nonetheless, they were still so anxious about the situation that they were getting in line even with such an extensive wait -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Allan Chernoff, live in Oakland Park, near Fort Lauderdale.

It seems like it's picking up behind you there, Allan. We'll continue to follow up with you.

We're going to take it now back overseas to the Middle East, where we've told you about at least five people now reported dead, more than 20 wounded. They're the victims of a Palestinian suicide bombing in the northern Israeli city of Hadera.

The bomber blew himself up in a market packed with shoppers. He was identified as a 20-year-old resident of the West Bank. And in a phone call to CNN, the Islamic Jihad militant group claimed responsibility for that attack, saying it was in retaliation for the killing of one of its leaders in the West Bank on Monday.

Now we want to update you about that train derailment we've been telling you about in Liverpool, England. Chris Ship (ph) of ITV News has the latest. He just brought this to us.

Is he joining us?

No. This was a newscast that we actually dipped into. We re- racked it so w%we could bring you what they had at the top of their ITV newscast. They had more information than we were able to bring you. Here's what they had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The latest we have for you, Chris, is that the train involved, it was a slow-moving shuttle service. We think a Mersey rail service. It was heading between two of Liverpool's main stations, Liverpool Lime Street and Liverpool Central. And the accident happened at around about 6:00. So only within the last hour or so. Details only coming into us in the last 10, 15 minutes.

So, it's on the Werril (ph) line of the Mersey rail service, a slow-moving shuttle. It was underground at the time. That, of course, will pose particular problems for rescuers as they try to get to the train.

But I think the fact that we've been told this information, that it was a slow-moving service, probably we can read into that that's probably got to be good news in terms of any injuries that were involved underground on this train. So, there -- we know that there were 90 passengers onboard the service at the time. British transport police telling us it was a packed commuter train as it made its way underground.

But I think (INAUDIBLE), along with the slow-moving news that we've had in the last few minutes, we can add that to the news from Mersey Ambulance Service, whose spokeswoman told us that they've had no reports of any injuries thus far. And, of course, all the emergency services are on scene in Liverpool right now.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: All right. That was the top of the ITV newscast at the top of the hour. They're in England. And this is what we've learned.

We told you about a rush hour train packed with commuters had derailed in Liverpool, England. Now, according to that report, 90 passengers on that train. A slow-moving service.

The reporter saying that's good news, meaning it's possible that when that explosion happened that no one was hurt. And at this point, there are no reports of injuries, according to ITV.

We'll stay on that story.

Now, waiting for the rescue from the wrath of Wilma, stuck in Cancun with the Denver blues again. We're going to talk with a worried mom about her family's situation coming up next.

And Wal-Mart executives are worried, too, about fallout from a dastardly internal memo. Details in "Biz."

And seeking the truth. A proposed new government office to investigate and prosecute cold cases from the civil rights era. It could happen. We're going to talk about it later on LIVE FROM.

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PHILLIPS: Help is on the way for the more than 10,000 U.S. tourists still stranded in Mexico after Hurricane Wilma. Continental and American Airlines are sending at least nine flights to Cozumel and Cancun today to bring some of them home. More flights expected through the weekend also. Plus, a cruise ship is heading to Cozumel to pick up Americans and take them to Florida free of charge.

Now, some of the stranded tourists in Mexico are comparing the chaos post-Wilma to what happened after Hurricane Katrina. Joining me now on the phone from Colorado is Shirley Chugden. Her daughter, son- in-law and their four children have been stuck in Cancun since the storm hit last week.

Shirley, have you been able to make contact with them?

SHIRLEY CHUGDEN, FAMILY STRANDED IN CANCUN: Yes, we have. Yes.

PHILLIPS: And so what's the update? Are they doing OK? Where are they, and how are they holding up?

CHUGDEN: They were escorted by the Mexican military to the airport in Cancun today. And the last we heard, they had boarding passes to get on American Airlines at 10:30 to go to Dallas.

PHILLIPS: So do you know if they got on that flight?

CHUGDEN: We don't know yet. We assume they did because we have not heard back from them.

PHILLIPS: Now Shirley, when this all happened, how long did it take for you to get through to them/ Well, first of all, how long did it take for you to finally reach them?

CHUGDEN: We could not reach them at all. We could only get calls from them, and that's because someone in their group had a cell phone that worked.

PHILLIPS: And where were they stranded?

CHUGDEN: They were in the Technological University, inland on Cancun. And my daughter was with -- our daughter was with -- and her family were with a group. There were 21 of them, and they were inside, like, about a 12 by 15 room with no -- with terrible heat.

They were all sleeping head to head. It was very -- it was very -- they were there for six days.

PHILLIPS: Six days at the Technological University?

CHUGDEN: Yes.

PHILLIPS: And were they able to get food or water?

CHUGDEN: Yes, the hotel resort sent over their staff. But at the end of about five days they were rationing water and they were running short on food. And the people there who had babies could only change diapers once a day.

PHILLIPS: Oh.

CHUGDEN: The sanitary facilities were horrible. And on the sixth day everybody was getting sick, vomiting, diarrhea, that sort of thing. And it's -- they've just been in miserable, miserable situations.

PHILLIPS: How did your grandkids handle it? What did your daughter tell you?

CHUGDEN: She told me that we would be so proud of the children, that they were -- they were coping very well. The little one's only 5. And whenever she got tired she'd just find a cornerer of a sheet and pull it over her and go to sleep.

But they had generator power, so they had some fans going. But my -- our grandson is covered with a heat rash and they've all been traumatized. They've been terribly traumatized.

PHILLIPS: So, once they get back home, Shirley, how are you going to deal with your grandkids? How is your daughter and her husband? Have they talked at all about how to sort of deal with the psychological aspect of what you said, they're pretty traumatized right now?

CHUGDEN: Right. My daughter says that they're going to need some help to get through this. But we're most upset about the fact that there was no one there to help them.

We've contacted the U.S. Embassy, the U.S. State Department, our congressman.

PHILLIPS: Did you get any reaction from any of those places?

CHUGDEN: Oh, they all assured us that there were people -- the U.S. State Department assured us that there were people on ground in Cancun and that people with families like our kids were top priority. And they were going to get them out of there. And as of today, my daughter told me that she had -- they had not seen one person from the United States, not Red Cross, not anything. Nothing.

PHILLIPS: So, it was only the Mexican army that responded?

CHUGDEN: Yes. And the fabulous, fabulous people in Mexico at this resort who have just helped them through this ordeal.

PHILLIPS: Wow. Shirley Chugden joining us from Colorado. But her daughter and son-in-law and their four kids have been stuck in Cancun for far too long, hopefully on their way home now.

Keep us updated, Shirley.

CHUGDEN: I will.

PHILLIPS: All right. Thank you so much.

CHUGDEN: Thank you.

PHILLIPS: Well, from misery in Mexico to a new coat of snow in New England, Hurricane Wilma is also playing a role in the latter. That storm helped fuel a Nor'easter that dumped up to 20 inches of snow from Maryland to New Hampshire, and that's left thousands of people cold, wet and without power. Dozens of schools are now closed.

Ski resorts are loving the snowfall. But driving conditions are treacherous in parts of that region.

Our severe weather expert Chad Myers keeping a close eye on that storm. And he joins us now from the CNN weather center with more.

(WEATHER REPORT)

PHILLIPS: Well, straight ahead, football coaches say the darnedest things. And sometimes their words grab headlines right off the sports page. A beloved and admired coach finds himself in the center of controversy. See what you think later on LIVE FROM.

And who says you can't go home again? A historic return of a world famous jewelry dynasty to the icy streets of Moscow.

KATHLEEN HAYS, CNN FINANCIAL CORRESPONDENT: I'm Kathleen Hays, live from the New York Stock Exchange. Wal-Mart's facing a new round of criticism, and I'll tell you why right after this break.

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(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

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