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Fidel Castro Hands Over Power to Brother; Interview With Florida Senator Mel Martinez; Northeast Heat Wave Continues

Aired August 01, 2006 - 15:00   ET

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

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Well, Fidel Castro's condition, here is what we know right now.
As far as the Venezuelan government is concerned, Castro's recuperation is advancing positively. The country's president, Hugo Chavez, is Castro's strongest international ally. He called the Cuban leader's office from Vietnam after hearing the news about Castro's surgery.

Florida Senator Mel Martinez, who fled Cuba as a teen, says he's not privy to inside information, but believes Castro must be very ill or dead. He said he would expect the Cuban government to let the news trickle out, rather than shock Cuban people.

And, at the White House, officials refused to speculate. The Coast Guard has had a longstanding plan in place to prevent any kind of mass exodus or migration between Cuba and the U.S., but says it sees no need to implement it right now.

Well, Tony Snow just commented on Castro and the situation in Cuba at the White House briefing. This is what he had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TONY SNOW, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: ... that this president has talked about from the very beginning is his hope for the Cuban people, finally, to enjoy the fruits of freedom and democracy.

And for the dictator, Fidel Castro, to hand off power to his brother, who's been the prison-keeper, is not a change in that status.

So, Raul Castro's attempt to impose himself on the Cuban people is much the same as what his brother did. So, no, there are no plans to reach out.

The one thing we want to do is to continue to assure the people of Cuba that we stand ready to help.

As you know, a few weeks ago, there was another report from the Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba where we talked about a number of things, including a compact with the people of Cuba for the day in which they no longer live under the boot of tyranny.

And we will be ready and eager to provide humanitarian, economic and other aid to the people of Cuba.

QUESTION: Can you expand on what you might know about "sidelined"? I mean...

SNOW: We really don't. We don't know -- we don't know what the condition of Fidel Castro is. We don't know the exact facts of this, because Cuba is a closed society. And, therefore, we -- we just don't have...

QUESTION: Do you have any reason to believe he's not alive?

SNOW: No. No. No reason to believe that.

Again, we suspect that some of those things would -- would be announced at the proper time, but we really don't have any information on it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Well, while Miami's Cuban community may be celebrating news that Fidel Castro is ailing, just 90 miles away, a much more somber reaction. For the Cubans who still live in Cuba, it's not easy to contemplate a future without the man who has been in charge for nearly 50 years.

CNN's Shasta Darlington has more from Havana.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SHASTA DARLINGTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: On the eve of his 80th birthday, Cuban President Fidel Castro relinquished power after intestinal surgery. He handed the reins over to his younger brother Raul.

Now, this message was read live by his secretary on Cuban television Monday night. In the message, Fidel Castro said that he would be handing the reins of power over while he recovered for several weeks from the operation. The announcement shocked Cubans. It was repeated today, Tuesday morning, in the official newspaper, "Granma," word for word.

But, at the same time, people want to sort of get on with their normal life. They want to assume that this is just a temporary state, that they aren't looking at any big changes.

Cubans I have talked to have said, you know, they have seen Raul standing by his brother's side for so long. They're used to him. They think they want to know what to expect, so, they just want to go to work and get on with their daily lives.

However, Raul is a bit of a different personality. He's not the charismatic leader that Fidel is. He has been by his side all along, but he's basically been in his shadow. However, he is considered more pragmatic. And, for some Cubans, that could be, actually, something to look forward to.

For example, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Raul famously said, at this point, beans are more important for the revolution than bullets. However, we haven't had any news on the state of health of Fidel Castro. And that is what most people are looking for. That's what most people are hoping to hear about as the day develops.

Shasta Darlington, CNN, Havana.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: Cuba libre, you may think of it as a drink that you can order at the bar. But, as Fidel Castro hands over power in Cuba for the first time in decades, it's a different kind of free Cuba that many Cuban exiles and their descendants are imagining.

One Miami blogger says, if you think you are seeing celebrating now, wait until -- quote -- "the old goat is dead. Even clocks will stop in Miami that day."

CNN's Susan Candiotti is at the epicenter of Miami's Cuban community, the Versailles Restaurant, right there in Little Havana. And they haven't stopped partying for hours.

Hi, Susan.

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, exactly.

It started last night, and it's still going strong, extremely peaceful, though certainly not quiet, for all the horns that have blaring, saxophones that have been playing, and rallying cries of, freedom for Cuba.

Now, we can tell you what's most intriguing to many of the exiles that we have been speaking with who have been in touch with or are trying to find out what's going on, on the island, is how they tell us how quiet it has been, their usual sources of information being -- not giving up much information at this time. And they are not quite sure why.

Now, of course, that could change as the evening goes on, and Cuban 2B (ph) begins it regular series of broadcasts for the night and talk shows. So, we shall see what lies ahead.

But, in the meantime, it has been really a party atmosphere, people here telling you that they are not celebrating anything, per se, but they are looking forward to what might possibly lie ahead. And the mere fact that Fidel Castro has ceded power for the first time anyone knows about in almost 50 years is considered a victory of sorts.

We talked with a number of exiles.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Cuba could be free in any moment. It doesn't matter if Raul take the power. It doesn't matter.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All we're doing is speculating what's going to happen. I -- hopefully, nobody will die. Hopefully, now, there won't be a civil war. And that could happen. There could be a regular transition to a democratic -- who knows. I mean, it's all -- it's all about speculation. But the good news is that at least this is the beginning to the end, you know, of Castro's life, you know? And, remember, his brother is 75, so he's not a young person.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't believe that. I believe Fidel is dead, and they don't want to tell the country that he's dead. So, they are doing it little by little. He's sick. He just got surgery. He's passing his power to his brother. I believe he's dead. I believe, in my heart, Fidel Castro is dead.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CANDIOTTI: Now, the official word we are getting from South Florida's congressional delegation is that it plans to travel to Washington to have White House meetings tomorrow and, hopefully, they said, get some behind-the-scenes information, possibly intelligence, about what -- the inside story about what is happening in Cuba.

That, of course, is of utmost importance to Cuban exiles. So, naturally, after that meeting, the congressional delegation will be speaking with the media afterwards.

But, for now, on the streets of Little Havana, outside the Versailles Restaurant, where gossip and coffee is like, you know -- to be without it would be like without -- a day without sunshine, I guess you could say down here.

This party will continue, I'm sure, throughout the day, and probably through the night, as it did last night, though everything has been peaceful. There have been no arrests so far -- Kyra, back to you.

PHILLIPS: All right, Susan, thanks so much.

Well, also in Miami, thousands of Cuban exiles celebrating in the streets tonight -- one well-known dissident will remain silent. Alina Fernandez will not be behind her radio microphone this evening.

That's cause for comment, because she's not only one of Fidel Castro's harshest critics. She's also his estranged daughter. Fernandez was born of relationship Castro had with a Cuban socialite. She didn't find out he was her father until she was 10. She fled Cuba in 1993 disguised as a Spanish tourist and came to the U.S. In addition to canceling her show this evening, Fernandez has refused all interview requests.

Intense, oppressive and downright dangerous -- temperatures are topping 100 degrees from Chicago to Central Park today, a big problem for people with health issues or no power.

CNN's Allan Chernoff joins us from Union Station, right there in the heart of Manhattan -- Allan.

ALLAN CHERNOFF, CNN SENIOR CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon, Kyra. Hey, not as bad for us who are outside, but still pretty bad. Have a look at this temperature, 105 degrees. I am not sure that's precisely correct. This is the $15 model. We probably should have bought the more expensive one, but, nonetheless, trust me, it is very steamy out here, without a doubt.

In fact, Mayor Bloomberg has declared a heat emergency. This afternoon, he was urging New Yorkers to stay inside, use air- conditioning, drink plenty of fluids, of course. And, if you don't have air-conditioning, he was telling people get over to a cooling center. But some people cannot do that. And they simply, sometimes, have to work outside.

Over here, we have a construction worker, Moreno (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hi.

CHERNOFF: How are you doing today?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was incredible. Today was incredible, was -- I guess today was the worst day ever to stay outside, very hot. Everybody was complaining about it. And I heard that tomorrow is going to be worse.

CHERNOFF: All right. Well, good luck tomorrow. I know you have to go back to work.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you very much.

(CROSSTALK)

(LAUGHTER)

CHERNOFF: OK.

Kyra, you can see a lot of complaining New Yorkers, but people, basically, are coping.

The key issue here for New York City right now is the power situation. Con Edison, the main power generator here, says 71 customers in the five boroughs of New York City are currently without power. That's not all that bad, because, a few weeks ago, they had a blackout for thousands of people. And they are trying to prevent that right now.

They also say, at the moment, New York City is using more than 12,000 megawatts of power, and that is enough to power 12 million homes -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: I don't know about your little gauge there. Is that like a $12 temperature gauge? We need -- we need to bump that up, Allan. I think the heat might take that right out.

(LAUGHTER)

CHERNOFF: That's right. I think it was about $15. And here we go.

(LAUGHTER)

CHERNOFF: Well, now 112. Whoops. I -- you know what happened, Kyra?

PHILLIPS: You put it in your pocket. That...

CHERNOFF: I stuck it in my pocket.

PHILLIPS: Yes. Exactly.

(LAUGHTER)

CHERNOFF: I put it in my pocket. That is what happened.

(LAUGHTER)

PHILLIPS: You have Jacqui Jeras laughing now as well -- the advantage of having the Weather Center right across the newsroom.

Allan, thanks.

CHERNOFF: That's right. I don't think you want this for the Weather Center.

(LAUGHTER)

PHILLIPS: No, I don't think so.

Jacqui Jeras, what do you think?

JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: No, but I might be able to hook him up with a good thermometer.

(LAUGHTER)

(CROSSTALK)

JERAS: I think he has invested all of his money in a good makeup artist, too, Kyra. Did you notice that? It feels like 108 in New York. No sweat.

PHILLIPS: Oh, exactly.

JERAS: You know...

PHILLIPS: Well, Allan doesn't sweat.

JERAS: ... he's in the air-conditioned truck in between his live shots...

(LAUGHTER)

PHILLIPS: That's right.

JERAS: ... I'm sure.

PHILLIPS: He's only out there for the two minutes he does that hit with us.

JERAS: Exactly, back in the A.C., which, hopefully, most people are doing, because, seriously, it really is a serious situation.

This very likely is going to become a deadly heat wave, just because the intensity of it and also the duration of this heat wave. We are talking about no heat relief in the Northeast until Friday, maybe Thursday afternoon, if you are lucky. So, we have got a long ways to go with this.

The heat relief coming into play tomorrow in the Upper Midwest, coming into play across the Great Lakes by your Thursday, and, then, Friday, the Northeast. Everybody should be starting to cool down.

But look at that. Yes, 108 is the temperature your body heat feels from the heat and the humidity in New York City. It feels like 102 there in D.C. Check out Chicago at 105 and -- or 106, rather, and 105 over into the Detroit area.

There, you can see it really confined from Chicago all the way over towards the east, doing a little bit better into Portland, Maine, but this stretches all the way up into Canada -- so, a lot of people getting in on this dangerous heat wave.

When does the relief come for you in Boston? Well, 97 today, 100 Wednesday. Check out that. By Thursday, Friday, we are even talking 70s. So, hang in there. This is the day that you are going to want to call aunt Margaret who lives in Boston or uncle George who lives in Washington, D.C. If they're elderly, call them today. Call them tomorrow. Make sure they have their A.C. on. Make sure they have their medicine and that everybody is safe.

There, you can see the temperatures cooling down, not quite as dramatically in Washington D.C. That cold front kind of makes its way down right into the Kansas City area, Saint Louis area, stretching across the Ohio River, and then into the Northeast.

Well, what can you do besides checking on your neighbors, your friends, your relatives? Just slow down. Take it easy during the heat. Between 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., just don't be outside, if you really don't have to. Dress for summer.

While that might sound like an easy answer, I have seen a lot of people walking around in blue jeans and long sleeves. Go ahead and put on the short sleeves. Wear the shirts. And just be comfortable. Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing the best thing you can do.

Drink water, and lots of it. Don't be drinking sodas with caffeine. Don't be drinking alcohol. That can dehydrate you. And stay in the shade, if you have to be outside.

We also check -- tell you to check on your pets. And, Kyra, I want to show you this picture. (LAUGHTER)

PHILLIPS: OK.

JERAS: We got this in from James Christy (ph) in Kokomo, Indiana. Maybe check on the wildlife, too.

(LAUGHTER)

JERAS: He took this picture this morning. We talked to him -- Kokomo, by the way, just north of Indianapolis.

(LAUGHTER)

JERAS: He took this picture early this morning. He said he watched the squirrel out of his window. It had a feast on the corn that fell out of his bird feeder...

(LAUGHTER)

JERAS: ... crawled up into the tree, and just totally cashed out.

PHILLIPS: I wish all the squirrels in my yard would do that, and stop running around in my attic.

(LAUGHTER)

PHILLIPS: That would be really terrific.

JERAS: Oh, yes, that would be good.

(LAUGHTER)

PHILLIPS: Feed them corn. That's the deal. OK?

JERAS: I know. It got nice, fat and happy.

PHILLIPS: That's great. There we go. We got our I-Report.

JERAS: Yes.

PHILLIPS: Look at this. We're getting all our young reporters already, you know, sending in pictures and video. It's great.

JERAS: Yes. You can just get on to CNN.com, get your picture in, and we will put it on the air.

PHILLIPS: Thanks, Jacqui.

Well, a refugee from a revolution, now he's making policy in Washington. I am going to talk with a Florida lawmaker who is keeping a close eye on what happens next in Cuba.

LIVE FROM covering all the angles on this developing story.

Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Let's get straight to Tony Harris with developments in the Mideast conflict -- Tony.

TONY HARRIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, just wanted to bring you the very latest, Kyra.

The IDF, the Israel Defense Force, is reporting that three soldiers have been killed in fighting in southern Lebanon in clashes in and around the town of Aita al-Shaab. Now, as you know, Kyra, Israel has launched a major expansion of its ground offensive into southern Lebanon, sending thousands more troops deeper into southern Lebanon, trying to clear out Hezbollah fighters.

The Israeli military is saying that it needs although another month to accomplish its goals there. But the new development on the ground today, just a couple of minutes ago, the news into us here at CNN and the international desk, that the Israel Defense Force has confirmed that three Israeli soldiers were killed, 25 more wounded, in clashes in Aita al-Shaab. That is in southern Lebanon -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right, Tony, we will keep checking in.

HARRIS: OK.

PHILLIPS: Appreciate it.

HARRIS: Thanks.

PHILLIPS: Well, for nearly 50 years, Miami's Cuban exiles have watched and waited for the end of Fidel Castro's reign over their homeland. Many have vowed that, some day, they would return to the island that they were forced to flee. Now, as Castro is sick enough to temporarily cede power, that possibility is becoming more real. So, what happens next?

Joining me now, a man with a very unique perspective, Senator Mel Martinez of Florida. He's in Washington. He left Cuba as a child.

Senator, good to see you.

SEN. MEL MARTINEZ (R), FLORIDA: Thanks.

PHILLIPS: I was reading a number of things that you have said since this morning.

Do you think Fidel Castro is dead?

MARTINEZ: Well, I think it could be.

You know, it's one of those things that, in a closed dictatorship like this, transitions to power never happen very openly. So, I just don't think we know. It's a possibility. However, it's also a possibility he's just very, very sick, although, in the history of this nation and in this history of this dictatorship, there has never been a transfer of power.

Castro has disappeared from view for weeks at a time, maybe, sometimes, even a few months, but never a transfer of power. And I think this would only have happened be -- only because he's very, very seriously ill.

So, you know, I hope that this might be a moment where the people of Cuba, for the first time in 47 years, will see an opportunity for change, for real change.

PHILLIPS: Well, and I -- even his private life, it has been so secret. I remember a headline that I read in one of the papers, that even the CIA is left to wonder.

I mean, this -- it is pretty amazing. From his kids, to his marriage, to his private life, and possibly even his death, he has incredible control over what gets out publicly.

MARTINEZ: Well, he hasn't been successful in many things.

One of the few he has been successful is in suppression, repression, and control. And, if you see, "The Miami Herald" reported this morning that the hospital where he is probably being treated or attended to was shut down on Sunday, and no one was allowed to leave or come in and out of that hospital, including the personnel that works there. And that's the way you maintain total secrecy over something like this.

And it is to the government's advantage to maintain total control over the information flow, so that they can, then, also control the events, and make sure that they manage and control those who may wish to use this as an opportunity to express themselves for the first time in almost a half-a-century.

PHILLIPS: Senator, take us back. You were 15 years old, Operation Peter Pan -- or, I should say, Operation Pedro Pan.

MARTINEZ: Pedro Pan, right.

PHILLIPS: And we actually found a picture, a couple of pictures.

(LAUGHTER)

PHILLIPS: Tell me what you remember about this, this time in your life, and when you had to leave. What do you remember in Cuba, and, then, what do you remember about that journey out of there?

MARTINEZ: Well, I was 15 years of age, so I remember an awful lot about Cuba. I have some wonderful memories of my childhood there, and, then, of course, some very sad memories of what occurred after we transitioned into this crazy revolution that began to change life as we knew it, and, frankly, began to -- you know, I remember being persecuted for being a person of faith, people going to church on Sundays being chastised and chased and things like that.

And I also remember our schools being closed, and only being allowed to go to public schools, but not to religious schools. I remember, as a child, the tough -- the decision that my parents made, that I don't know if I have the courage to make myself, which was to separate from me, allow me to leave, so I could live in freedom, while they remained behind -- and, then, four years of very difficult separation.

So, it's a lot of hard memories, a lot of difficult days, and a separation and a horror of a Cuban family, which, you know, I am only a small percentage of. Many others suffered under torture, imprisonment, and even death.

And so, the story of my family is one that has a happy, if bittersweet, ending. We were reunited here. We have lived a good life in this country. I have had an opportunity to do many things. But you always have that empty, hollow feeling inside of never having been back to the place where you were born, to the place where your childhood was formed.

PHILLIPS: So, now, here we are in the situation. His brother Raul is the one that has power at this point. I probably -- know what you are going to say about what you want to see happen.

MARTINEZ: Right.

PHILLIPS: But the reality of a major change, is it even possible, or will Raul definitely be the one to take over? And what will life be like for Cubans under his regime?

MARTINEZ: Well, I think, undoubtedly, the plan of the Cuban government is for Raul to take over, one 80-year-old dictator transferring power to a 75-year-old dictator. And the people in the -- midst of all of this have no say. That's not right. That's not what should happen.

In addition to that, I hear from a lot of people who live inside of Cuba who would venture to say that they don't believe Raul Castro has what it takes to maintain the hold on power that Castro has had for all these years.

He has always been a more sinister figure. He's not particularly charismatic. He does not have to ability to communicate with people, like his brother does -- or did.

And, at the end of the day, I just think he will be -- and a lot of other people agree with this -- that he will be a transitional figure, at best. Our hope is that there will be forces within the Cuban government, people who think differently about the future, who want to have a sense of hope instilled in people's lives, who will understand that Cuba must change. The world has changed. And to be sticking to a failed system in the year 2006 just doesn't make sense for the Cuban people.

PHILLIPS: Well, this story is definitely not going to go away.

Senator Mel Martinez, I hope you will join me again, so we can talk some more... MARTINEZ: Sure.

PHILLIPS: ... just about your journey, but also the future of Cuba.

MARTINEZ: Thank you.

PHILLIPS: I appreciate it, Senator.

One of the most controversial members of Congress is fighting for her political life again -- the latest on Cynthia McKinney, coming up on LIVE FROM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KENAN THOMPSON, ACTOR: Here's the deal, Anderson Cooper.

(LAUGHTER)

THOMPSON: There's 535 members of Congress. Only 84 of them are black. And only 14 of them are women. And only one looks this crazy when she comes walking up the steps.

Remember my face!

(LAUGHTER)

(APPLAUSE)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: We have remembered her, all right -- Georgia Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney not known for her legislative efforts. Instead, controversies keep her in the public eye.

She got national attention after scuffling with a Capitol Hill officer who didn't recognize her latest hairstyle. Several years ago, McKinney drew fire for suggesting that President Bush knew about the 9/11 attacks in advance.

She's on bumpy bid for reelection. And McKinney faces a runoff against former County Commissioner Hank Johnson.

In a televised debate last night, she criticized Johnson, while promoting her willingness to take controversial stands.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. CYNTHIA MCKINNEY (D), GEORGIA: I stand alongside our troops and our veterans, working families, and Mr. Clark (ph), who could get no help from Mr. Johnson when his land was swallowed up by a landfill.

Eisenhower reminds us that every dollar spent on war is a theft is from the people. And I have brought more than $350 million. Send me back to Washington, so I can speak truth to power.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Well, the runoff vote is a week from today. We will follow it.

Will Saturday bring more bad news for Tour de France winner Floyd Landis? That's when the results of a second doping analysis on the cycling champ are due. A first test showed unusually high levels of testosterone in his system. Landis claimed, the high levels of testosterone occurred naturally.

But "The New York Times" quotes an unidentified International Cycling Union official as saying the first test showed some of the hormone in his body was synthetic.

Seven-time -- or seven-time Tour winner Lance Armstrong told CNN's Larry King that he has some questions about that lab doing the test on his former teammate.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LANCE ARMSTRONG, FORMER TOUR DE FRANCE WINNER: Without getting too -- too crazy or too much of a conspiracy theorist, is that keep it in mind the laboratory here that found this abnormal reading is the same lab that -- that I have been involved in with all the allegations over in France.

And this is the same lab that, through the -- the independent investigation and that process, would not answer the simplest of questions to the independent investigator about the ethics of what they did and who conducted the testing and what conditions were -- they were done under.

And, you know, I'm a little skeptical of this particular laboratory. And the report backs up that skepticism.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Well, if the backup test is positive, Landis could be stripped of his Tour victory and be banned from cycling for two years.

When it comes to American vs. Japanese cars, well, it's no longer such a clear distinction.

Susan Lisovicz, live from the New York Stock Exchange, to explain -- Susan.

SUSAN LISOVICZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Kyra.

That's right. Because Japanese carmakers employ thousands of people here in the U.S., Japanese carmakers, in fact, produce more vehicles abroad than in Japan last year. And that's the first time that has ever happened.

According to a Japanese trade group, the 12 car and truck makers in Japan, including Toyota, Honda, and Nissan, built nearly 11 million vehicles at their overseas factories in the year ending March 31. That was slightly higher than the number of vehicles built in their own factories.

The figures reflects the Japanese companies' push to expand production into the U.S. and Canada, as well as China, which is now the world's fastest growing major car market. Just last month, we told you that Honda announced plans to build a new plant in Indiana -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Well, all the big automakers are reporting their July sales today. How did they do?

LISOVICZ: They didn't do well. It was another tough month, Kyra, for the big three, who continue to lose market share to their Japanese rivals.

(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

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