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French President Vows to Address Underlying Causes of Unrest; India and Pakistan Unite to Face Earthquake Tragedy

Aired November 07, 2005 - 14:30   ET

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

BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: Night has fallen in France, where police are bracing for yet another round of rioting and violence. Now, last night, the unrest escalated even further. Rioting spread to 300 towns and outside France for the first time.
Let's go live to Paris and CNN's Becky Anderson. I want to just briefly touch on what I just mentioned -- it spread outside France. Tell us where.

BECKY ANDERSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, outside France in Belgium and in Germany, there are concerns that there may be the sort of trouble that we've seen here over these past 11 days, as you say. Now, nightfall in Paris, Parisians waiting anxiously to see whether rioters will once again spill onto the streets.

And as Paris waits nervously news from the south of France. Reports of violence have erupted there, almost inevitably, people say. Reports that a bus has been fire-bombed by youth throwing molotov cocktails at that city bus. Some 4,500 cars have been burnt in France over the past 12 days. Schools and churches have been torched. There are now 9,500 police on the streets.

We have just heard from the prime minister, Dominique de Villepin. He said there will be an investigation into the deaths of the two boys, a 15 and a 17-year-old who were accidentally electrocuted when they ran into an electrical substation, running from the police who wanted to question them. That was on October 27th. And the prime minister says there will be now an investigation into that.

But, Betty, strong words from the prime minister of France tonight. He says that the forces of law and order will go to whatever lengths they need to establish law and order once again. He says this violence is, and I quote, "inexcusable and inaccessible." He says, "it just not (INAUDIBLE)."

When asked about the sort of concrete measures that Dominique de Villepin might instill, effectively, to address some of the economic and social injustices that these youth suggest that they are put under, he didn't answer that question. He simply said the police will establish law and order. It will be fair, but firm. That the reaction of the prime minister here in France tonight -- Betty.

NGUYEN: Yes, there are a lot of questions. CNN's Becky Anderson in Paris. And speaking of those questions, here are some. What's really behind the riots and what's the answer to restoring order in France?

Well, joining me from Boston is Stefan Collignon. He is a professor of European political economy at the London School of Economics and a visiting professor at Harvard University. We appreciate you joining us today.

I guess one of the main questions is -- we talk about these two boys who were electrocuted. But there's a bigger root to all this violence. What is it?

STEFAN COLLIGNON, LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS: Well, there's profound social problems behind this. And what we really are seeing is that there is the young people in specific parts of the suburbs in France that have been suffering for a long time because they don't find jobs, because they feel isolated and they are now revolting against the French state. What is interesting is, though, it's not against other religious groups, it's not Islamic revolt, it's a revolt against the French state.

NGUYEN: So it has nothing to do with religion.

COLLIGNON: Can you repeat, please?

NGUYEN: So are you saying it has nothing to do with religion?

COLLIGNON: No, this is not a religious thing. Of course it is true that many of these kids that are doing this are from immigrant parents. There is a sense of discrimination that the French state isn't capable of integrating them. But it is not a religious revolt. It is not a communitarian revolt. It is against the failure of the French state to integrate its citizens.

NGUYEN: So it's a matter of unemployment, combined with a clash of cultures, shall we say. Give us some perspective here. How high is unemployment among France's poor immigrants?

COLLIGNON: Well, the national average is 10 percent, which is high and perceived to be too high. But in these suburbs where we find these revolts, it's about twice as much, 20 percent. And if you look more closely with the youngsters that are actually doing this, it's probably, again twice as high, close to 40 percent.

NGUYEN: And we're seeing on the screen, possibly even as high as 50 percent. I want to read you something that Iran is saying about this, because that country is responding to the violence.

In an editorial in the "Kayhan International," it says, quote, "racism and xenophobia appear to be on the rise in France, dealing with the number of anti-immigrant politicians." And the "Tehran Times" writes: "The French government discriminates against and mistreats its black citizens." Now, is discrimination the problem, plain and simple?

COLLIGNON: Yes. And that is what these young people are actually experiencing. What is actually interesting is that, until in the year 2002, President Jacques Chirac got re-elected. The previous government, with Prime Minister Jospin, who was a socialist, put in a total different light. He created a police force that was called Proximity Police, which was walking and living in these neighborhoods. They knew the people, they knew the youngsters. They knew also the bad and the good ones and they worked with them.

When the new government came in, they abolished this police. They started to actually confront them much more to impose law and order, but with the consequence that these youngsters felt that this was all against them, that they were picked up by police because of the nature of the color of their skin rather than for the things they may have done. And, so, it has created a frustration, but it's a frustration that is expressed with respect to not being integrated into French society and into the French state rather than...

NGUYEN: Yes, the policy has changed. Right, I'm hearing you. But let me ask you this -- and very quickly, if you would. So now that we know the root of the problem, what's going to be the key to solving it?

COLLIGNON: It's very difficult because some people say that many of those who are revolting say, we always need to do that in order to get some money. But the French government is essentially bankrupt. And so they -- it's difficult to actually launch a social plan that would tackle these issues. It is -- but, in reality, the solution is long-run policies.

NGUYEN: Yes, it's going to take some time, too. Stefan Collignon with the London School of Economics. We thank you for your insight and your time today.

A luxury cruise liner attacked by pirates. That's right, pirates. Many American passengers were actually on board at the time. You'll want to hear their stories. That's next.

Plus, the U.N. calls for a global bird flu plan to prevent a human pandemic. We have those new details, ahead, right here on LIVE FROM.

NGUYEN: ...American passengers were actually on board at the time. You'll want to hear their stories, that's next.

Plus, the U.N. Calls for a global bird flu plan to prevent a human pandemic. We have those new details ahead right here on LIVE FROM.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SHANNON COOK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: As concern grows over the possibility of a bird flu pandemic CNN.com explains what you needs to know about the disease.

President Bush recently unveiled a plan to spend $1.2 billion on vaccine for 20 million people against the current bird flu strain, and while the deadly strain known as H5N1 doesn't spread easily from human to human, experts fear it could mutate allowing rapid transmission around the globe.

This interactive explains where bird flu originates. It was first identified more than 100 years ago in Italy. Domestic poultry, like chickens and turkeys, are most susceptible to the disease.

This timeline highlights the most significant flu pandemic and scares of the 21st century. In 1918 the Spanish flu claimed at least 20 million lives worldwide and is believed to have spread as a result of troop movement in World War I.

Find more by logging on to CNN.com/bird flu.

From the .com desk, I'm Shannon Cook.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Back now in B Control, where we're monitoring the many developments, including what is happening right now on the Senate floor.

Republican Senator John Cornyn is speaking, and he, in fact, is responding to an investigation called for by Harry Reid and Carl Levin into the intelligence used as a basis for the war in Iraq.

Let's take a listen.

SEN. JOHN CORNYN (R), TEXAS: Now, the latest accusation by some of the Democratic leadership that the administration has manipulated intelligence and has exaggerated the threat, is nothing more than an effort to use the war in Iraq for political gain.

And that is shameful. It devalues the sacrifice of our men and women that they're making on the battlefield every day, and it places at risk everything that Americans have sacrificed on behalf of the cause of liberty here and abroad.

Do the critics really need to be reminded that it was just a few years ago when Democrats joined Republicans in a bipartisan acknowledgment that Saddam Hussein posed a threat to the world?

In fact, it was the United States Senate in 1998 that unanimously passed the Iraq Liberation Act that called for the United States to support efforts to overthrow that terrible dictator.

NGUYEN: And that was Senator John Cornyn right now on the floor of the U.S. Senate responding to the call for an investigation into the intelligence used to go to war in Iraq.

We'll continue to follow that.

But now, we want to go back to where it began. New information on the origins of bird flu and how it affects people.

Plus, the results of new side impact crash tests. Many moms trade in their cars for minivans, but are they any safer? Find out how your ride measures up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Health officials from around the world gathered today in Geneva for an international conference call to confront the threat of bird flu.

Now, the virus has killed more than 60 people in Asia, and there are fears that it is spreading westward.

The World Bank said today that a flu pandemic lasting a year could cost the global economy up to $800 billion.

It's been a month since the earthquake in Kashmir, Pakistan and India. And remember that? It killed tens of thousands of people and left survivors in desperate need. It is a tragedy so enormous that India and Pakistan have had to work together in a region over which they have fought two wars. Today, officials from both sides met in Kashmir at the conflict's volatile epicenter in a show of cooperation.

But, as Stan Grant reports, history was there to greet them.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

STAN GRANT, CNN BEIJING CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It was supposed to be a day of peace. Instead, nearly 60 years of frustration and heartache erupted. Kashmiris on the Pakistan side of the line of control make a run for it. Police and soldiers moving.

(on camera): The army is moving now on the protesters. You can hear the fire around us. They're firing into the air, but people are up on the hill. There is always the risk here that someone really, could get seriously wounded, if not killed by this fire.

The people retreat to a hill, with chance of free Kashmir. This man makes a dash with his child in his arms. Another man, a young boy, also intercepted, refusing to move. So much for reconciliation.

The Pakistan and Indian military chiefs meet halfway. The first time this checkpoint at the Punch river has been open in nearly 60 years.

I'm literally walking in two countries at once. Here Pakistan, here India. This is the contentious line of control. Already, we've had Indian officials come across and tell us not to cross over here. This is the line the two countries have fought two wars over and people here still dream of crossing to be reunited would their families.

Relief supplies to earthquake victims exchanged. But despite promises, no people allowed to cross. A political log jam stopping names being cleared. Pakistan military blaming India.

BRIG. GEN. TAHIR NAQVI, PAKISTANI ARMY: I think so because we are ready for that and we haven't gotten any lists from them, we have prepared our lists. They are not ready to separate at this point of time.

GRANT: For the local people, cutoff from relatives for half a century, it is all too much.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, yes, yes, we want to go to Kashmir.

GRANT: We watch them gather on the hill and when our cameras move closer, the slow burn ignites. Pakistan's soldiers have fought two wars with their nuclear neighbor India for control of Kashmir for 60 years, the Kashmiri people caught in the middle. Today has shown nothing has changed.

Stan Grant, CNN, Punch checkpoint, Kashmir line of control.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: And this just into CNN.

Four task force Baghdad soldiers were killed today when a suicide car bomber attacked their checkpoint south of Baghdad. Now, the names of the dead are being withheld until their family is notified. The incident though is, indeed, under investigation. We do have to tell you that today's deaths brings the total to 2,052, as the number of U.S. military who have been killed in the war so far.

The U.S. Navy today removed an unexploded ordinance from a luxury cruise liner off the coast of Somalia. That cruise ship was attacked Saturday by heavily armed pirates and inflatable rafts. The raiders never managed to board and the cruise ship gunned its engines and simply outran them. The ship and passengers are now in the Seychelles Islands.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEAN NOLL, AMERICAN PASSENGER: When he said this is not a drill, I thought, oh, boy. We're going to have to abandon ship.

CHARLES FORSDICK, SOUTH AFRICAN PASSENGER: They hit us with rocket grenades, RPGs. And the -- there was a woman in her cabin and she was fortunately in her bathroom, but a rocket grenade went right through, blew the whole cabin off.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: Now, an official with Seabourn cruise lines said the passengers returned to their scheduled events today and the rest of the cruise? Well, it's still on.

Potter fans, listen up, Harry Potter has an edge, check it out.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DANIEL RADCLIFFE, ACTOR: It's terrifying, it's very intense.

EMMA WATSON, ACTRESS: I think it's scarier, much more of a thriller than it ever has been before. NGUYEN (voice-over): The world's favorite wizard is back on the big screen with a few surprises.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: A big victory for the entertainment industry. The Associated Press reports Grokster Limited, a leading developer of Internet software that can be used to steal songs and movies online, is shutting down. Grokster agreed to the move to settle a landmark piracy case filed by Hollywood and the music industry. For the details, they'll be announced a little bit later today.

The latest auto safety tests gave poor marks to a couple of popular minivans.

Susan Lisovicz has the report card live from the New York Stock Exchange. Susan, a lot of soccer moms might be interested in this.

SUSAN LISOVICZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: SUVs are so popular and, unfortunately, there a lot of head injuries associated with these side impact crashes. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety conducted its first side impact crash tests on minivans and side-impact air bags were a big factor.

Three models with side air bags as a standard feature got the best ratings. The '06 Toyota Sienna and Nissan Quest scored highest in their class. They got the best pick ratings. Without the side air bags, the Toyota Sienna just got an acceptable rating.

Two models without side air bags earned the lowest ranking. The Ford Freestar and the Mazda MPV. A version of the Freestar with side airbags got an acceptable rating.

The tests stimulate crashes in which an SUV or a truck hits the side of the minivan, the kind of crash that can happen at intersections when a vehicle runs a red light or stop sign. And Betty, as we all know, these happen far too frequently. Back to you.

NGUYEN: Hey, how are the stock markets doing today?

LISOVICZ: Stocks are doing all right. It was kind of stop and go earlier in the session, but stocks right now, nicely higher. Oil price is a big factor. Oil prices down right now, more than $1, though partly because of the temperatures here in the northeast.

The world's biggest market for heating oil, it's beautiful weather and certainly diminishes demand. Forecasters say they may remain so throughout the week. Checking the latest numbers right now, the DOW Industrials are up 50 points or half a percent. The NASDAQ is up ten points or about the same percentage wise.

And that's the latest from Wall Street. Betty, back to you.

NGUYEN: Pretty good on this Monday, Susan. Thank you.

LISOVICZ: Not bad, we'll take it. NGUYEN: No, not at all. Absolutely.

Well, thousands of fans gathered in London for the premiere of the new Harry Potter movie. Excited Potter maniacs endured rain showers for a peak at some of the stars of "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire." This is the fourth Potter movie and it's said to be the darkest so far. It is the first of the series with a rating requiring an adult to accompany youngsters under the age of 12. That tells you how scary it is.

The third hour of LIVE FROM, though, not scary at all. It starts right now.

Now in the news, some scary moments today for students at an elementary school in suburban Washington. It went into lockdown this morning, as police search for a suspicious man. And officers spotted him near the building wearing a ski mask and carrying a gun.

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