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Death Toll Rises to 22,000 in South Asian Tsunami

Aired December 27, 2004 - 11:30   ET

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

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


DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: We're coming up on the half hour. In fact, we're there right now. I'm Daryn Kagan and let's take a look at what's happening "Now in the News".
The number of dead from the South Asian tsunami rose to nearly 22,000 today. Armies and private agencies across a half dozen countries are scrambling to get help to survivors today.

In the business world, Ford is recalling 310,000 Escape SUVs and its twin, the Mazda Tribute. Officials say the rear liftgate is left unlocked. If it is, it could pop open during a crash.

An autopsy is planned on former NFL defensive great Reggie White. He died suddenly at the age of 43. White had been suffering from respiratory ailments for several years.

A winter storm is spreading sleet, snow and freezing rain along the Eastern seaboard today. Parts of Virginia had 14 inches of snow on the ground.

Israel today detained a candidate for next month's Palestinian presidential election. Jerusalem police say Mustapha Barghouti does not have permission to campaign in the city.

Keeping you informed. CNN is the most trusted name in news.

Now to a survivor's story. Todd Everts and his wife survived the tsunami that swept their vacation spot in Thailand. The couple moved to Hong Kong six months ago after the terrorist attacks in New York City. Everts spoke with CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING."

(BEGIN AUDIOTAPE)

TODD EVERTS, TSUNAMI SURVIVOR: When this event occurred yesterday we were about 15 minutes from heading to the beach where we had spent most of the day previously, on Christmas Eve, and then on Christmas Day. We're just devastated because there was absolutely no warning.

We had felt something of a tremor earlier in the day, but had no idea that there was an earthquake, had no idea that a tsunami was coming when it hit it was absolute and complete devastation. I -- after the swell went back out and it took with it cars and buses and, unfortunately, many tourists that were on the beach, there were people running asking if they had seen someone. And it reminded me of the days after 9/11 when people were walking around in a daze trying to see if anyone could locate one of their loved ones. The Club Med is quite a large resort and a major structure that has several stories is still intact, but the areas around the Club Med because it's an all-inclusive resort are quite guarded with six to eight feet walls. Those walls were absolutely eliminated, which I think is what you're looking at. That Club Med acted as a break wall, if you will, for the hotel that I'm at which is one block away from the sea.

If Club Med had not been there, we would have been a direct hit and probably would have looked similar to the photo you are looking at. If you can imagine the coffee shop that you frequent on a regular places basis or the place where you have lunch or dinner, we were just speechless. And in visiting the restaurants that we had frequented on Christmas Day, we had an Italian lunch on the seaside.

We visited that restaurant and there is no restaurant. It's just simply a pile of rubble. The roof collapsed, the wood oven, stove that was used to cook the pizzas is gone and the shop owners have no insurance. They have no inventory. They have no real asset to look at, and tourists are leaving Phuket. They're not coming.

It will take a tremendous amount of time to rebuild and unfortunately these locals will have to rely on the government and any sort of charity and any sort of fund raising that can be done on their behalf.

(END AUDIOTAPE)

KAGAN: The death toll could climb even higher from this tsunami disaster in Southeastern Asia. In Indonesia, for example, workers are pulling bodies from treetops and homes demolished by the waves. Our Atika Shubert joins us. She's using the videophone from Medan, Indonesia -- Atika.

ATIKA SHUBERT, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi, unfortunately we could only use the phone today, but we do have the latest news out of Aceh, in North Sumatra, which was the hardest hit area. This is the area that's closest to the epicenter of the quake.

Indonesia's president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, and his vice president Jusuf Kalla, actually visited this area today. The Vice President Jusuf Kalla told reporters that he expects the death toll to rise past 5,000 and possibly reach 10,000. Most those victims in the densely populated provincial capital of Banda Aceh.

The descriptions we've seen are just terrible, bodies in the streets. There is just simply not enough crews to come around and pick up bodies, trying to bury their dead, but there are simply too many bodies around to bury them at once.

Now, these death toll estimates do not even include any news of Aceh's west coast which is the area directly facing the epicenter. That entire coastline, communications have been cut off entirely. No word from rescue workers on the situation there. So there's a lot of concern that the death toll is almost certain to rise further -- Daryn. KAGAN: And some of the situation you're talking about, Atika, will cause even further problems. For instance, not enough time, not enough space, not enough people to bury the dead. That will lead to a sanitary -- an additional disaster.

SHUBERT: That's right. There's a lot of concern about dysentery, cholera, the water system will be effectively unusable. Not only because of the tsunami waves coming in and making water systems unusable, but also because what with all of the dead bodies around, dead human bodies, but also animal carcasses around. There are fears the water is now completely undrinkable. Food is in short supply and, of course, medicine in very short supply as well.

Which is why the military, in particular, has been mobilized to try and bring in as much food water and medicine as possible. The problem is because the communication and infrastructure has been wiped out completely in this area we just don't know if all of the help is getting to the people who need it the most.

KAGAN: Atika Shubert reporting from Medon, Indonesia. Thank you.

You mentioned the need for help, it is overwhelming. The United Nations addressing that. Let's listen in now, this is Jan Egeland, he is the head of emergency relief. Let's listen in.

JOHN EGELAND, U.N. RELIEF EMERGENCY COORDINATION: So, far, devastation comes in two waves. The first wave has already brought tens of thousands of casualties and dead, in wounded, and in missing. Many of the missing, we can presume are dead.

The second wave of devastation, really, now is the aftereffects. These aftereffects are affecting not the hundreds of thousands, but millions of people. The worst devastation is that cause to water and sanitation. Drinking water for millions have been polluted.

Disease will be a result of that and also acute respiratory disease always comes in the wake of these kind of massive disasters. An enormous relief effort is on its way. What is always overestimated is the international relief that is given in these first days.

Certainly, we have already experts having arrived in Sri Lanka, Maldives, already in the air to all of the other affected countries, or in all of these places already working there because we have country teams. They have all of them, disaster action teams in action. Coordinating with national authorities, but as I say, the international response is over valued in these first days. The local response is undervalued.

Because what has been done by local authorities, local municipalities, local NGOs, local Red Cross and Red Crescent societies have been clearly remarkable, because that's also something very new that these societies are more resilient, many of them than ever before.

They have a capacity to respond and a lot of relief work has already taken place in Indonesia, in Sri Lanka, in India in Malaysia, in Thailand. Where we have been preparing for disasters like this with national authorities already in many times.

The cost of the devastation will be in the billions of dollars. It would probably be many billions of dollars. However, we cannot fathom the cost of these poor societies and the nameless fishermen and fishing villages and so on that have just been wiped out. Hundreds of thousands of livelihoods have gone and many of those who have lost -- most of those who have lost their livelihoods were poor people with very little reserves of any kind.

We have already had meetings today with the -- with all of the relief agencies in Geneva. That is the U.N. agencies, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Federation and the NGO Alliances. As night comes Geneva we will have also now a series of meetings here. I will, myself, have a meeting with the principles, the executive heads by phone or by person of all the relief agencies today at 2:00 p.m.

We will also meet with the affected countries in New York today and tomorrow. We are pressing up on national authorities of the importance of working with us also to help coordinate the response. It is important that in each of the countries concerned there is one ministry responsible.

That there is a clear line of command as relief now will be flooding in. Already we see that in many of these societies there will be a problem, as tourists will be evacuated by emergency and other flights. At the same time as relief flights will be coming in with much-needed relief to the affected societies.

Exactly one year ago we had similar press conferences regarding the Bam earthquake, which also struck on the second day of Christmas, if I recall correctly. We had then the biggest outpouring of international relief ever. I think we will have this one surpass that -- and it should, because it's a much bigger disaster.

The Bam earthquake struck exactly one year ago. One city of Bam with total devastation, but in a very concentrated area. This tsunami has been flooding many coastlines, in many countries, and affects millions and millions of people. What we hope is that there will be now a generous response, not only to the emergency phase which has started but also to the reconstruction phase.

It will take years to build some of these societies. We should learn from the Bam earthquake lessons that, yes, the immediate emergency phase worked, but the long-term reconstruction was more difficult and was want of the same quality as the immediate relief and response.

Questions?

QUESTION: When you say that you had preparations with many of the nations affected was the U.N. aware of the fact that there was no tsunami warning system as apparently there is in the Pacific in the Indian Ocean? Was that something the U.N. ever tried to -- I mean, is this part of the responsibility of the U.N. or not? Was it something that you tried to install and were frustrated in installing and is it something now that must happen? EGELAND: I think indeed it must happen. I was not aware of -- we were not aware of no tsunami warning system. The -- of course, the problem with the tsunami is that it takes hours and or minutes for this wall of water to come. And there's just very, very little time. Depending on how close you are.

I mean, to Sumatra it must have been actually less than an hour, minutes to Sri Lanka I think it was two or three hours, to Africa it was nearly a day. This is something we have to look into. I think it would be a massive undertaking to actually have a full-fledged tsunami warning system that would really be effective in many of these places.

For the tourists, I think it would be easy, not for many of the local societies. We do have excellent monsoon and hurricane preparedness systems, especially in that region. I think what we saw the worst monsoons that we had this year 2004 ...

KAGAN: We've been listening to the Jan Egeland; he is the U.N. emergency relief coordinator, talking about the aid that is already in from all around the world from the United Nations and also from local organizations as well.

As he explained, two different waves -- not to use that word inappropriately, but two different waves of this emergency. The first, the dead and that has to be -- that has to be dealt with. The latest number is 23,700. That number expected to climb around Southeast Asia.

Then the next wave of need for the survivors; water, sanitation, millions around the world will be affected simply by unsanitary drinking water and the disease and the difficulty that is expected to follow with that.

He expects this is going to be in the billions of dollars in damage around the world. More from the United Nations and our correspondents that are stationed all around the world. Meanwhile, you can use the graphics and interactive features on our Web site to find out more about the tsunami and the latest on the crisis. Cnn.com available any time you're away from your television 24/7.

We will continue our coverage from around the world on the tsunami crisis.

Also we will be looking at news here in the U.S., looking at financial news and the New Year is just days away. If you're looking for ways to get your finances in order, Finance Expert Terry Savage has a few timely suggests for you. We'll be back in just a moment with Terry.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: We're getting word this Secretary of State Colin Powell will lead off the State Department briefing that's supposed to happen in about 40 minutes. At the bottom of the next hour, you'll see that live right here on CNN.

Meanwhile, we're kicking off a week-long look at your pocketbook for the New Year. Today's topic, we're getting your organized in 2005. Our guide to your money makeover "Chicago Sun-Times" financial columnist Terry Savage.

Terry, it has been too long. Good to see you.

TERRY SAVAGE, COLUMNIST, "CHICAGO-SUN TIMES": It's good to see you, Daryn.

This is the time of the year, though, it's a really good time to think about money. It's a sort of down week between Christmas and New Year's, and unless you're traveling, you are sitting at home, this is the perfect time to get organized so you can manage your money better in the new year.

KAGAN: OK. Let's do that. How about paying your pill bills online?

SAVAGE: Believe it or not that's the fastest growing use of the Internet with one exception. The only other thing growing faster is online dating.

KAGAN: OK. Well, they can go hand in hand, but that's a different topic for a different day.

SAVAGE: Exactly. Online bill paying...

KAGAN: People are concerned about security online, though.

SAVAGE: Online bill pay is absolutely safe and secure. You have a pin that puts you in the super safe world of bank transfers that they use to transfer trillions of dollars every day. It's safe. You are guaranteed against fraud. It's easier than you think.

Just go to your bank Web site. On every bank web site there will be a little button that says click here to learn more about online bill pay. You're not lost in cyberspace. They have real people, each bank has a phone number that you can call and they'll help you get started. You can pay anyone. People think you can only pay your utility bills, your credits. But if you went in on a Christmas present with your sister in California, or something like that. You can just put her name, address in, and the amount of money and for those people they will printout a check instead of an electronic transfer. So, online bill pay, they are saying fully one-third of all bills will be paid online in the next couple of years. This is the time to get started.

KAGAN: And you save the stamps. OK, I've done that. Quicken or Microsoft Money? I tried to install one of these last year. I got so overwhelmed, I just gave up.

SAVAGE: Oh, no. Daryn, this is so easy. I know it is a big box but inside is a little disk and the hardest part is figuring out which slot in your computer that little disk goes in.

KAGAN: No, I figured that out. SAVAGE: OK. Well, I've done the new Quicken 2005. I update every year. It's very easy, that connects you automatically to your bank. You already have a bank account and they'll connect you and get you started. Now you can actually pay your bills at the bank Web site and download it to Quicken. I prefer, for instance, to write my checks right in Quicken, line them all up, click send, put in my pin. And the information goes to the bank.

Then, the software creates your check register. The first time you have to put in your name and address, but ever after it remembers. And when you start typing A-M-E, when I do that is says, Oh, American Express, last month you paid this. You look at your bill and you say here's the amount this month. And then you give everything a category. That's what I really like about, because then with a click of your mouse, you can click in Quicken and say show me where all my money went.

KAGAN: Oh, yes. We love that.

SAVAGE: And you get a pie shaped chart or a bar chart. It's really useful in keeping control of your money.

KAGAN: People getting ready to deal with their taxes, but it does not have to be this end of year mess.

SAVAGE: Well, you know, next April you'll call me back and say what should we do? Well, the fact is, this is the time at end of the year to clean up your files. So if you're using Quicken or Microsoft Money you can download into tax software. This year the IRS says half of all returns will be filed electronically.

Set up a system right now, while all that stuff is still in your wallet or briefcase, buy a file box and put folders in it. And label it for deductions, business expenses that weren't reimbursed, dues and subscriptions. Maybe things like medical expenses, if you have enough, they could be deductible. Receipts for all your charity contributions that you wrote checks for this time of year, and then another one you'll be getting 1099s from banks and mutual funds and brokerage firms. File those away. So in April you'll be able to do your taxes without all that agony.

KAGAN: Very good. Great tips. We'll have you back tomorrow to talk about protecting our identity. Terry Savage. Thank you.

SAVAGE: Thanks, Daryn.

KAGAN: There is a videotape that's surfaced on the Internet. Very disturbing. It apparently shows the planning and execution of last week's attack on U.S. troops. A closer look at that, when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: U.S. authorities are reviewing a videotape said to show last week's attack on a mess tent in Mosul. Our Jeff Koinange joins us live from Baghdad this morning -- Jeff. JEFF KOINANGE, CNN INT'L CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Daryn.

Another bloody day in Baghdad in what's fast becoming an all too familiar scene in the streets of Baghdad. A suicide bomber drove his car right in front of one of the country's largest political parties, killing six, wounding 33. In separate developments, a Sunni party says they're pulling out of the election citing security concerns.

And in yet in a separate development, just what you mentioned Daryn, a videotape on the Internet which appears to show the planning and execution stages of the suicide bomb at Camp Merez in Mosul in northern Iraq that killed 18 Americans and three Iraqi national guardsmen, nearly a week ago.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KOINANGE (voice-over): CNN cannot independently verify the authenticity of the video that purportedly shows a bone-chilling prelude to what would become the deadliest attack on the U.S. military base in Iraq.

In the video, three members claiming to belong to the radical Islamic group Ansar Al-Sunnah, clad in black, wearing facemasks, and carrying automatic weapons are discussing an attack on Camp Merez in Mosul.

Among them, the would-be suicide bomber, identified here as Abu Omar Al-Mosuli.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): We, the Army of Ansar Al-Sunnah, are carrying out a destructive attack which will terrorize the hearts of Americans, crusaders and their helpers.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KOINANGE: The same man even includes the time of day the attack would take place.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Our lion will wait until the lunch area is crowded with the crusader. And then he will execute the operation.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KOINANGE: The people making the tape, then purportedly, make their way to an undetermined vantage point. Somewhere near what appears the cafeteria at Camp Merez, seen here in the foreground. They continue to film, while CNN cannot validate the time on the tape is authentic it does coincide with the time the attack took place. Seconds pass, then the explosion that appeared to rip the mess hall's roof off, killing 22 and wounding scores. The members then drive off while still filming the devastating outcome. The attack on Camp Merez is a hugely embarrassing security breech for the U.S. military. But the video does appear to confirm what the U.S. said earlier this week, that the attack was a coordinated and premeditated strike.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KOINANGE: Daryn, U.S. military officials at the Camp Merez tell us they'll be holding a memorial service Tuesday for the 13 U.S. soldiers killed in the December 21 attack -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Very disturbing video, indeed. Jeff Koinange from Baghdad. Jeff, thank you.

I'm Daryn Kagan. Tony Harris will be in next. He's in for Wolf Blitzer. That will happen after the break. Also Colin Powell expected to speak from the State Department within the half hour. I'll see you tomorrow morning.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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Aired December 27, 2004 - 11:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: We're coming up on the half hour. In fact, we're there right now. I'm Daryn Kagan and let's take a look at what's happening "Now in the News".
The number of dead from the South Asian tsunami rose to nearly 22,000 today. Armies and private agencies across a half dozen countries are scrambling to get help to survivors today.

In the business world, Ford is recalling 310,000 Escape SUVs and its twin, the Mazda Tribute. Officials say the rear liftgate is left unlocked. If it is, it could pop open during a crash.

An autopsy is planned on former NFL defensive great Reggie White. He died suddenly at the age of 43. White had been suffering from respiratory ailments for several years.

A winter storm is spreading sleet, snow and freezing rain along the Eastern seaboard today. Parts of Virginia had 14 inches of snow on the ground.

Israel today detained a candidate for next month's Palestinian presidential election. Jerusalem police say Mustapha Barghouti does not have permission to campaign in the city.

Keeping you informed. CNN is the most trusted name in news.

Now to a survivor's story. Todd Everts and his wife survived the tsunami that swept their vacation spot in Thailand. The couple moved to Hong Kong six months ago after the terrorist attacks in New York City. Everts spoke with CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING."

(BEGIN AUDIOTAPE)

TODD EVERTS, TSUNAMI SURVIVOR: When this event occurred yesterday we were about 15 minutes from heading to the beach where we had spent most of the day previously, on Christmas Eve, and then on Christmas Day. We're just devastated because there was absolutely no warning.

We had felt something of a tremor earlier in the day, but had no idea that there was an earthquake, had no idea that a tsunami was coming when it hit it was absolute and complete devastation. I -- after the swell went back out and it took with it cars and buses and, unfortunately, many tourists that were on the beach, there were people running asking if they had seen someone. And it reminded me of the days after 9/11 when people were walking around in a daze trying to see if anyone could locate one of their loved ones. The Club Med is quite a large resort and a major structure that has several stories is still intact, but the areas around the Club Med because it's an all-inclusive resort are quite guarded with six to eight feet walls. Those walls were absolutely eliminated, which I think is what you're looking at. That Club Med acted as a break wall, if you will, for the hotel that I'm at which is one block away from the sea.

If Club Med had not been there, we would have been a direct hit and probably would have looked similar to the photo you are looking at. If you can imagine the coffee shop that you frequent on a regular places basis or the place where you have lunch or dinner, we were just speechless. And in visiting the restaurants that we had frequented on Christmas Day, we had an Italian lunch on the seaside.

We visited that restaurant and there is no restaurant. It's just simply a pile of rubble. The roof collapsed, the wood oven, stove that was used to cook the pizzas is gone and the shop owners have no insurance. They have no inventory. They have no real asset to look at, and tourists are leaving Phuket. They're not coming.

It will take a tremendous amount of time to rebuild and unfortunately these locals will have to rely on the government and any sort of charity and any sort of fund raising that can be done on their behalf.

(END AUDIOTAPE)

KAGAN: The death toll could climb even higher from this tsunami disaster in Southeastern Asia. In Indonesia, for example, workers are pulling bodies from treetops and homes demolished by the waves. Our Atika Shubert joins us. She's using the videophone from Medan, Indonesia -- Atika.

ATIKA SHUBERT, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi, unfortunately we could only use the phone today, but we do have the latest news out of Aceh, in North Sumatra, which was the hardest hit area. This is the area that's closest to the epicenter of the quake.

Indonesia's president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, and his vice president Jusuf Kalla, actually visited this area today. The Vice President Jusuf Kalla told reporters that he expects the death toll to rise past 5,000 and possibly reach 10,000. Most those victims in the densely populated provincial capital of Banda Aceh.

The descriptions we've seen are just terrible, bodies in the streets. There is just simply not enough crews to come around and pick up bodies, trying to bury their dead, but there are simply too many bodies around to bury them at once.

Now, these death toll estimates do not even include any news of Aceh's west coast which is the area directly facing the epicenter. That entire coastline, communications have been cut off entirely. No word from rescue workers on the situation there. So there's a lot of concern that the death toll is almost certain to rise further -- Daryn. KAGAN: And some of the situation you're talking about, Atika, will cause even further problems. For instance, not enough time, not enough space, not enough people to bury the dead. That will lead to a sanitary -- an additional disaster.

SHUBERT: That's right. There's a lot of concern about dysentery, cholera, the water system will be effectively unusable. Not only because of the tsunami waves coming in and making water systems unusable, but also because what with all of the dead bodies around, dead human bodies, but also animal carcasses around. There are fears the water is now completely undrinkable. Food is in short supply and, of course, medicine in very short supply as well.

Which is why the military, in particular, has been mobilized to try and bring in as much food water and medicine as possible. The problem is because the communication and infrastructure has been wiped out completely in this area we just don't know if all of the help is getting to the people who need it the most.

KAGAN: Atika Shubert reporting from Medon, Indonesia. Thank you.

You mentioned the need for help, it is overwhelming. The United Nations addressing that. Let's listen in now, this is Jan Egeland, he is the head of emergency relief. Let's listen in.

JOHN EGELAND, U.N. RELIEF EMERGENCY COORDINATION: So, far, devastation comes in two waves. The first wave has already brought tens of thousands of casualties and dead, in wounded, and in missing. Many of the missing, we can presume are dead.

The second wave of devastation, really, now is the aftereffects. These aftereffects are affecting not the hundreds of thousands, but millions of people. The worst devastation is that cause to water and sanitation. Drinking water for millions have been polluted.

Disease will be a result of that and also acute respiratory disease always comes in the wake of these kind of massive disasters. An enormous relief effort is on its way. What is always overestimated is the international relief that is given in these first days.

Certainly, we have already experts having arrived in Sri Lanka, Maldives, already in the air to all of the other affected countries, or in all of these places already working there because we have country teams. They have all of them, disaster action teams in action. Coordinating with national authorities, but as I say, the international response is over valued in these first days. The local response is undervalued.

Because what has been done by local authorities, local municipalities, local NGOs, local Red Cross and Red Crescent societies have been clearly remarkable, because that's also something very new that these societies are more resilient, many of them than ever before.

They have a capacity to respond and a lot of relief work has already taken place in Indonesia, in Sri Lanka, in India in Malaysia, in Thailand. Where we have been preparing for disasters like this with national authorities already in many times.

The cost of the devastation will be in the billions of dollars. It would probably be many billions of dollars. However, we cannot fathom the cost of these poor societies and the nameless fishermen and fishing villages and so on that have just been wiped out. Hundreds of thousands of livelihoods have gone and many of those who have lost -- most of those who have lost their livelihoods were poor people with very little reserves of any kind.

We have already had meetings today with the -- with all of the relief agencies in Geneva. That is the U.N. agencies, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Federation and the NGO Alliances. As night comes Geneva we will have also now a series of meetings here. I will, myself, have a meeting with the principles, the executive heads by phone or by person of all the relief agencies today at 2:00 p.m.

We will also meet with the affected countries in New York today and tomorrow. We are pressing up on national authorities of the importance of working with us also to help coordinate the response. It is important that in each of the countries concerned there is one ministry responsible.

That there is a clear line of command as relief now will be flooding in. Already we see that in many of these societies there will be a problem, as tourists will be evacuated by emergency and other flights. At the same time as relief flights will be coming in with much-needed relief to the affected societies.

Exactly one year ago we had similar press conferences regarding the Bam earthquake, which also struck on the second day of Christmas, if I recall correctly. We had then the biggest outpouring of international relief ever. I think we will have this one surpass that -- and it should, because it's a much bigger disaster.

The Bam earthquake struck exactly one year ago. One city of Bam with total devastation, but in a very concentrated area. This tsunami has been flooding many coastlines, in many countries, and affects millions and millions of people. What we hope is that there will be now a generous response, not only to the emergency phase which has started but also to the reconstruction phase.

It will take years to build some of these societies. We should learn from the Bam earthquake lessons that, yes, the immediate emergency phase worked, but the long-term reconstruction was more difficult and was want of the same quality as the immediate relief and response.

Questions?

QUESTION: When you say that you had preparations with many of the nations affected was the U.N. aware of the fact that there was no tsunami warning system as apparently there is in the Pacific in the Indian Ocean? Was that something the U.N. ever tried to -- I mean, is this part of the responsibility of the U.N. or not? Was it something that you tried to install and were frustrated in installing and is it something now that must happen? EGELAND: I think indeed it must happen. I was not aware of -- we were not aware of no tsunami warning system. The -- of course, the problem with the tsunami is that it takes hours and or minutes for this wall of water to come. And there's just very, very little time. Depending on how close you are.

I mean, to Sumatra it must have been actually less than an hour, minutes to Sri Lanka I think it was two or three hours, to Africa it was nearly a day. This is something we have to look into. I think it would be a massive undertaking to actually have a full-fledged tsunami warning system that would really be effective in many of these places.

For the tourists, I think it would be easy, not for many of the local societies. We do have excellent monsoon and hurricane preparedness systems, especially in that region. I think what we saw the worst monsoons that we had this year 2004 ...

KAGAN: We've been listening to the Jan Egeland; he is the U.N. emergency relief coordinator, talking about the aid that is already in from all around the world from the United Nations and also from local organizations as well.

As he explained, two different waves -- not to use that word inappropriately, but two different waves of this emergency. The first, the dead and that has to be -- that has to be dealt with. The latest number is 23,700. That number expected to climb around Southeast Asia.

Then the next wave of need for the survivors; water, sanitation, millions around the world will be affected simply by unsanitary drinking water and the disease and the difficulty that is expected to follow with that.

He expects this is going to be in the billions of dollars in damage around the world. More from the United Nations and our correspondents that are stationed all around the world. Meanwhile, you can use the graphics and interactive features on our Web site to find out more about the tsunami and the latest on the crisis. Cnn.com available any time you're away from your television 24/7.

We will continue our coverage from around the world on the tsunami crisis.

Also we will be looking at news here in the U.S., looking at financial news and the New Year is just days away. If you're looking for ways to get your finances in order, Finance Expert Terry Savage has a few timely suggests for you. We'll be back in just a moment with Terry.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: We're getting word this Secretary of State Colin Powell will lead off the State Department briefing that's supposed to happen in about 40 minutes. At the bottom of the next hour, you'll see that live right here on CNN.

Meanwhile, we're kicking off a week-long look at your pocketbook for the New Year. Today's topic, we're getting your organized in 2005. Our guide to your money makeover "Chicago Sun-Times" financial columnist Terry Savage.

Terry, it has been too long. Good to see you.

TERRY SAVAGE, COLUMNIST, "CHICAGO-SUN TIMES": It's good to see you, Daryn.

This is the time of the year, though, it's a really good time to think about money. It's a sort of down week between Christmas and New Year's, and unless you're traveling, you are sitting at home, this is the perfect time to get organized so you can manage your money better in the new year.

KAGAN: OK. Let's do that. How about paying your pill bills online?

SAVAGE: Believe it or not that's the fastest growing use of the Internet with one exception. The only other thing growing faster is online dating.

KAGAN: OK. Well, they can go hand in hand, but that's a different topic for a different day.

SAVAGE: Exactly. Online bill paying...

KAGAN: People are concerned about security online, though.

SAVAGE: Online bill pay is absolutely safe and secure. You have a pin that puts you in the super safe world of bank transfers that they use to transfer trillions of dollars every day. It's safe. You are guaranteed against fraud. It's easier than you think.

Just go to your bank Web site. On every bank web site there will be a little button that says click here to learn more about online bill pay. You're not lost in cyberspace. They have real people, each bank has a phone number that you can call and they'll help you get started. You can pay anyone. People think you can only pay your utility bills, your credits. But if you went in on a Christmas present with your sister in California, or something like that. You can just put her name, address in, and the amount of money and for those people they will printout a check instead of an electronic transfer. So, online bill pay, they are saying fully one-third of all bills will be paid online in the next couple of years. This is the time to get started.

KAGAN: And you save the stamps. OK, I've done that. Quicken or Microsoft Money? I tried to install one of these last year. I got so overwhelmed, I just gave up.

SAVAGE: Oh, no. Daryn, this is so easy. I know it is a big box but inside is a little disk and the hardest part is figuring out which slot in your computer that little disk goes in.

KAGAN: No, I figured that out. SAVAGE: OK. Well, I've done the new Quicken 2005. I update every year. It's very easy, that connects you automatically to your bank. You already have a bank account and they'll connect you and get you started. Now you can actually pay your bills at the bank Web site and download it to Quicken. I prefer, for instance, to write my checks right in Quicken, line them all up, click send, put in my pin. And the information goes to the bank.

Then, the software creates your check register. The first time you have to put in your name and address, but ever after it remembers. And when you start typing A-M-E, when I do that is says, Oh, American Express, last month you paid this. You look at your bill and you say here's the amount this month. And then you give everything a category. That's what I really like about, because then with a click of your mouse, you can click in Quicken and say show me where all my money went.

KAGAN: Oh, yes. We love that.

SAVAGE: And you get a pie shaped chart or a bar chart. It's really useful in keeping control of your money.

KAGAN: People getting ready to deal with their taxes, but it does not have to be this end of year mess.

SAVAGE: Well, you know, next April you'll call me back and say what should we do? Well, the fact is, this is the time at end of the year to clean up your files. So if you're using Quicken or Microsoft Money you can download into tax software. This year the IRS says half of all returns will be filed electronically.

Set up a system right now, while all that stuff is still in your wallet or briefcase, buy a file box and put folders in it. And label it for deductions, business expenses that weren't reimbursed, dues and subscriptions. Maybe things like medical expenses, if you have enough, they could be deductible. Receipts for all your charity contributions that you wrote checks for this time of year, and then another one you'll be getting 1099s from banks and mutual funds and brokerage firms. File those away. So in April you'll be able to do your taxes without all that agony.

KAGAN: Very good. Great tips. We'll have you back tomorrow to talk about protecting our identity. Terry Savage. Thank you.

SAVAGE: Thanks, Daryn.

KAGAN: There is a videotape that's surfaced on the Internet. Very disturbing. It apparently shows the planning and execution of last week's attack on U.S. troops. A closer look at that, when we come back.

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KAGAN: U.S. authorities are reviewing a videotape said to show last week's attack on a mess tent in Mosul. Our Jeff Koinange joins us live from Baghdad this morning -- Jeff. JEFF KOINANGE, CNN INT'L CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Daryn.

Another bloody day in Baghdad in what's fast becoming an all too familiar scene in the streets of Baghdad. A suicide bomber drove his car right in front of one of the country's largest political parties, killing six, wounding 33. In separate developments, a Sunni party says they're pulling out of the election citing security concerns.

And in yet in a separate development, just what you mentioned Daryn, a videotape on the Internet which appears to show the planning and execution stages of the suicide bomb at Camp Merez in Mosul in northern Iraq that killed 18 Americans and three Iraqi national guardsmen, nearly a week ago.

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KOINANGE (voice-over): CNN cannot independently verify the authenticity of the video that purportedly shows a bone-chilling prelude to what would become the deadliest attack on the U.S. military base in Iraq.

In the video, three members claiming to belong to the radical Islamic group Ansar Al-Sunnah, clad in black, wearing facemasks, and carrying automatic weapons are discussing an attack on Camp Merez in Mosul.

Among them, the would-be suicide bomber, identified here as Abu Omar Al-Mosuli.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): We, the Army of Ansar Al-Sunnah, are carrying out a destructive attack which will terrorize the hearts of Americans, crusaders and their helpers.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KOINANGE: The same man even includes the time of day the attack would take place.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Our lion will wait until the lunch area is crowded with the crusader. And then he will execute the operation.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KOINANGE: The people making the tape, then purportedly, make their way to an undetermined vantage point. Somewhere near what appears the cafeteria at Camp Merez, seen here in the foreground. They continue to film, while CNN cannot validate the time on the tape is authentic it does coincide with the time the attack took place. Seconds pass, then the explosion that appeared to rip the mess hall's roof off, killing 22 and wounding scores. The members then drive off while still filming the devastating outcome. The attack on Camp Merez is a hugely embarrassing security breech for the U.S. military. But the video does appear to confirm what the U.S. said earlier this week, that the attack was a coordinated and premeditated strike.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KOINANGE: Daryn, U.S. military officials at the Camp Merez tell us they'll be holding a memorial service Tuesday for the 13 U.S. soldiers killed in the December 21 attack -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Very disturbing video, indeed. Jeff Koinange from Baghdad. Jeff, thank you.

I'm Daryn Kagan. Tony Harris will be in next. He's in for Wolf Blitzer. That will happen after the break. Also Colin Powell expected to speak from the State Department within the half hour. I'll see you tomorrow morning.

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