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CNN Live Today
Badly Struck Indonesia as well as Rebels Aiding the Sri Lankan Government Begin Tsunami Relief and Rehabilitation; Congress to Increase Amount of Tsunami Relief
Aired January 03, 2005 - 10:00 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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: We've got to run. A lot more coming up next hour with Rick and Betty down at the CNN Center.
Good morning, guys. How are you?
RICK SANCHEZ, CNN CO-ANCHOR: Hey, Bill. Welcome back.
HEMMER: Thank you very much. Good to be here.
SANCHEZ: We've just been given some information about what to expect in that news conference that you've been talking about, as a matter of fact. It will be the president of the United States, and two former president of the United States talking about how they hope to get Americans, and American businesses in particular, to aid the relief effort.
During this hour we could likely hear from Kofi Annan, as well. And we may be able to take you to a certain part of Sri Lanka that no reporter has been to yet.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: That's right. We're going to take you to the areas directly affected within these two hours coming up. But right now here's what's happening in the news.
Relief crews and military personnel are funneling thousands of tons of relief supplies in to the region devastated by last week's tsunami. The challenge now is getting it to specific areas that so desperately need it. Roads, and bridges, well, they are wiped out. Communications are severed and vast amounts of food and medical supplies are sitting on docks awaiting delivery.
President Bush is due to speak in less than 15 minutes from now. But the topic is not yet clear. He could address the tsunami relief efforts or it could be unrelated. We will join this live news event as soon as it gets under way.
More pre-election violence in Iraq; car bombs exploded today at three separate checkpoints. One attack killed four Iraqi soldiers. Another killed at least three Iraqi police officers near the headquarters of Iyad Allawi's political party. The interim prime minister was not there at the time.
Tests have confirmed Mad Cow disease in a dairy cow in western Canada. Officials say the infected cow never entered the food chain for either humans or animals, and therefore, does not pose a health risk. The invest indication now focuses on its origins and whether other cows could be infected.
Well, good morning, everyone. From the CNN Center here in Atlanta, I'm Betty Nguyen in for Daryn Kagan.
SANCHEZ: And I'm Rick Sanchez. We're going to start with the growing response to the tsunami disaster. As we often do, we'll bring you first the numbers. About 155,000 people are now reported dead. Thousands of tourists are also still missing. Governments around the world have offered $2 billion in aid to countries hit by the tsunami. But getting that aid to the people who need it has been difficult. We'll have more on that. Also, militaries from several nations are helping to move the aid. Between 10,000 and 12,000 U.S. forces are part of that effort.
Now from the White House, at any moment, President Bush is to speak on the tsunami relief efforts and he's going to be joined by two former presidents, including his father.
CNN's Elaine Quijano is at the Executive Mansion to set the stage for us.
What are we going to hear, Elaine?
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello to you, Rick. Well, that's right. We're expecting that announcement to happen in about 15 minutes. As you mentioned, President Bush's father, former President Bush, as well as former President Bill Clinton, will be joining President Bush we are told in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, to announce that the two former presidents will be taking part in an effort to encourage Americans to support nongovernmental organizations, as they move forward on relief efforts.
Now, White House spokesman Scott McClellan saying just a few moments ago that this will be a chance to bring greater focus on the relief efforts. They will be encouraging not only private citizens but American businesses, as well to participate in some of the relief efforts going on. White House spokesman Scott McClellan also saying that President Bush himself also intends to make a contribution.
Now, the president is also expected to talk about the humanitarian relief under way by the government. Specifically, not only the $350 million that we heard the president; we heard the White House last week make the announcement that it was upping its initial aid of $35 million to $350 million, but also the military assets that are headed to or in the region already. Specifically, the use Abraham Lincoln," which has been helping to get U.S. military aircraft to the areas.
And President Bush again set to make that announcement in about 15 minutes.
We also understand that the president will be directing Americans to the USA Freedom Corps website in order to help them facilitate making contributions. The president, we also understand, after that announcement will be heading to four embassies here in Washington. The embassies of: Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka and the Thai Embassy. He will be signing condolence books there, as well as meeting with ambassadors to express his condolences in person.
SANCHEZ: Elaine, when you combine this announcement that we're about to get from the president, involving two former presidents with the high level trip scheduled by Secretary Powell and the president's brother, Florida Governor Jeb Bush. Is the key here does it seem by the White House to show the world that this is a top priority for the United States?
QUIJANO: Well, certainly there has been criticism. As you know, last week, about the initial U.S. response in the wake of the tsunami disaster. What the administration has said all along is that it was necessary to first assess the needs on the ground before the United States came out with a larger monetary figure.
But there had also been criticism, as some have noted that the president himself did not come out until several days. It was Wednesday before the president came out before the cameras while he was on vacation at his ranch in Crawford, Texas. Some criticism about that.
But since that time, Rick, as you know there have been several public gestures. Not only President Bush heading to sign these condolence books today, but last week, as well, Secretary of State Colin Powell visited several embassies to do the same. So this administration, certainly aware that that criticism was initially quite harsh, but saying that they are doing everything possible to help the tsunami victims.
SANCHEZ: Yes.
Quite an increase in the funds to $350 million, as well. Elaine Quijano, we thank you. We'll be checking back with you soon. Just to let our viewers know that we should be -- are scheduled to hear from the presidents in about 10 minutes -- Betty.
NGUYEN: A high-level U.S. delegation will tour the hardest-hit tsunami areas this week. Now, the group is led by Secretary of State Colin Powell and Florida Governor Jeb Bush, as Elaine Quijano just mentioned. They arrived in Bangkok about an hour ago. Powell says they plan to visit the Thai resort island of Phuket and Indonesia. The U.S. group will attend a conference of donor nations. Powell is also hoping to see the situation in Indonesia's Aceh Province. The group may wrap up its assessment in Sri Lanka.
Now, CNN has more than a dozen correspondents covering the tsunami disaster from every angle. From four different Asian nations. And you'll be hearing from them during our two hours and throughout the day, as well.
Most of those who died from the tsunami were in Indonesia's Aceh Province. The focus is on keeping the survivors of that devastated region alive.
CNN's Mike Chinoy has the latest from the provisional capitol of Banda Aceh.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MIKE CHINOY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In the stifling heat, they wait for what could be the difference between life and death. Water they can drink.
"We are drinking untreated water," says this 17-year-old Nanda Sweta (ph). "We don't have fuel to boil it. Some of our family are already sick."
Amid growing fears of epidemics, the Australian army in coordination with UNICEF, has set up an emergency water supply system, using purification machines to turn untreated water into 20,000 liters of drinking water every hour.
MARK HENDERSON, UNICEF: The town system is still running, but it's only running partially. And the water that's coming out is not potable or drinkable. So this is an opportunity for having drinking water here accessible to people.
CHINOY: But it's a race against time. Malaysian Doctor Abdul Latiff is running the only intensive care unit in Banda Aceh's only functioning hospital.
DR. ABDUL LATIFF, MERCY HOSPITAL, MALAYSIA: We are starting to see a lot of water-borne disease, and they're increasing by the day and quite considerable, but increase of numbers of patients, yes. There will be a major problem in the next few weeks.
CHINOY: The critical long-term step is to get the city's own water system up and running.
(on camera): But it's a massive challenge. Banda Aceh's water supply comes mainly from its rivers, rivers that are still clogged with bloated and decomposing corpses.
(voice-over): The army was fishing them out all day, putting them into body bags for burial in mass graves. But there are thousands more; the rivers of Aceh yielding up corpse after corpse with no end in sight.
Mike Chinoy, CNN, Banda Aceh, Indonesia.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SANCHEZ: And of course getting aid to tsunami survivors can be hampered not just by logistics, but also in some cases by politics.
CNN's Stan Grant is joining us now from a rebel-controlled area of northern Sri Lanka with more on that story.
Stan, set the scene for us.
STAN GRANT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes. Hi, Rick. I'm actually here at one of the pickup zones, the relief pickup zones for the Tamil Rehabilitation Organization. This is effectively the relief arm of the rebel Tamil Tigers. Now, they're a group still listed by the United States as a terrorist organization, which has waged a two- decade long civil war with the south and established this stronghold here in the north. They're now involved very much in delivering this relief to the people who desperately need it.
I can tell you, anecdotally at least; in the last 24 hours there has been a discernible pickup in the traffic through this zone. A lot more trucks coming through. Every half an hour or so another truck pulls up outside. The boxes are unloaded. You can see people behind me now unloading more of them, as we speak. Everything from water tanks to pots and pans to these boxes here. You can see the medical equipment back behind me, some foodstuffs and so on. So, it is coming through.
It's also coming from many different parts of the world. I've seen relief agencies here from parts of Europe, from Australia, from places like Korea as well.
There are some problems, though. One of the big problems being this is a de facto state controlled by the Tamil Tigers. That means there's a border between the north and the south. And that border closes. It closes normally at sunset and no more traffic can come through. It has been extended. The Red Cross now telling us the border is open until midnight. But it then closes and doesn't reopen until 6:00 the next morning. That's six hours. Six hours that are lost in this relief effort.
Another problem, speaking to some of the relief workers that have come across today, they're telling me, Rick, that some of the items that are arriving here are simply unusable. Clothes that are torn and frayed. Medical equipment that is years out of date in some cases. They're told me have syringes that are up to 10 years out of date, another box of medical equipment that arrived from a foreign country with no English instruction.
So, yes it is coming through. The relief is getting there. But there are teething problems and that's stopping these vital things getting to the people who so desperately need them -- Rick.
SANCHEZ: Stan I'm wondering, I mean have we been able to nail down yet what the Tamil Tigers have put their guns down and actually joined in the relief effort or not?
GRANT: They're coordinating the relief effort. The Tamil rehabilitation organization is an arm of the Tamil Tigers. They say they've been involved in this sort of work for two decades now, running this civil war. They know how to rehabilitate. They know how to get relief to people. They've had hundreds of thousands of people displaced in the 20 years of the civil war, tens of thousands of people who've been injured. They are very much involved in this process.
There is a cease-fire at the moment between the south and the north that's been in place for the past three years. The peace process has been going in conjunction with that has been put to one side. The cease-fire, though, does hold. But they are going to great lengths to stress that this is their territory. They're holding on to their quasi-sovereignty. They are not about to let that go. And if the relief effort is to continue, and indeed to speed up, it must go through the Tamil Tigers own bodies this relief organization. You can see working behind me -- Rick.
SANCHEZ: Stan, thanks so much for clearing that up for us. Certainly a tenuous situation. But it does appear that they are indeed helping.
Betty, over to you.
NGUYEN: Now south of Stan Grant's location in government- controlled Sri Lanka, conditions are improving. U.S. officials in Colombo say sanitation and clean drinking water are still a priority. But soon officials believe concerns will shift from the short-term emergency response.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JEFFREY LUNDSTEAD, U.S. AMBASSADOR, SRI LANKA: We're moving out of that phase now and we're moving into a reconstruction phase. We've allocated $12 million for that initially. We're starting to let contracts for that. We're going to do cash for work projects, where we will take people, put them to work. Which will have a dual benefit. One, they'll do things like clean rubble, repair schools, and they'll get cash, which will put cash back into the local economy.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: On Thursday, Lundstead says a U.S. Navy ship is expected to arrive in Sri Lanka. The Marines on board will deliver construction equipment to help repair the country's infrastructure -- Rick.
SANCHEZ: Certainly a lot of phases to this story. Tsunami aid is going to top the agenda when the new Congress begins work tomorrow, as well.
And CNN's Ed Henry is on Capitol Hill this morning. He's providing us now a preview of what we might expect to hear from some of our legislators.
Ed, over to you.
ED HENRY, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Rick. Social Security and other issues like that were supposed to dominate the agenda when Congress gets sworn in tomorrow. But instead, when new lawmakers come in for the 109-Congress on Tuesday, tsunami relief will be issue No. 1.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HENRY (voice-over): Senior lawmakers are already vowing to sharply increase emergency funds to victims of the tsunami disaster.
SEN. JOSEPH LIEBERMAN (D), CONNECTICUT: The $350 million that President Bush has now asked Congress for I believe will be A floor and not a ceiling.
HENRY: Congressional leaders will pass a resolution on Tuesday pledging their support for the victims, while the State Department actually delivers the money.
COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: Accounts that we have, and we take the money from those accounts. But those funds were supposed to go somewhere else. So they'll have to be replenished.
HENRY: Later this month Congress will repay those amounts with an emergency-spending bill that is likely to include even more aid. But lawmakers first want to assess the full extent of the crisis before deciding on an exact figure.
SEN. BILL FRIST (R-TX), MAJORITY LEADER: A lot of people say we're not moving fast enough. Or we're moving too fast, depending on who you're talking to. We just need to make a measured response, assess, make the diagnosis and respond appropriately.
HENRY: For that diagnosis, Frist is leading a delegation to Sri Lanka on Tuesday. Since he's a heart surgeon, Frist may even operate on victims who need help.
FRIST: To be on the ground as a physician, I do best when I see what's actually happening. See the patients, see the people affected, see the orphans. See if the aid that is coming in as being used effectively and efficient, and not just piles of supplies over in some building.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HENRY: Lawmakers will also consider a global warning system for tsunamis. Tens of thousands of lives may have been saved if such a system existed in the Indian Ocean -- Rick.
SANCHEZ: Thanks a lot. Ed Henry following that part of the story for us.
And as you can see, we have split the screen for you as we often do when there's an upcoming event. This one is going to be taking place in the White House. That's the Roosevelt room that you're looking at right there on your screen. And it's because the president of the United States, George Bush, is going to be accompanied by former President Bill Clinton and former President George Bush as well. They're both coming out now.
Let's listen in.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I thank you all for coming.
I'm honored to be standing here with two former presidents, President Bush 41, President Clinton 42.
We have come together to express our country's sympathy for the victims of a great tragedy. We're here to ask our fellow citizens to join in a broad humanitarian relief effort. Eight days ago, the most powerful earthquake in 40 years shook the island of Sumatra. The earthquake caused violent tsunamis in the Indian Ocean, which left an arc of destruction from Thailand to the Horn of Africa.
The devastation in the region defies comprehension.
More than 150,000 lives are estimated to be lost, including 90,000 in Indonesia alone. As many as 5 million people are thought to be homeless, or without food or shelter. Thousands more are missing and millions are vulnerable to disease.
Across the United States this week, our flags will fly at half- staff to honor the victims of this disaster.
We mourn especially the tens of thousands of children who are lost. We think of the tens of thousands more who will grow up without their parents or their brothers or their sisters.
We hold in our prayers all the people whose fate is still unknown.
BUSH: The United States government is in close contact with the governments of the affected countries. And America is playing a leading role in the relief and recovery efforts.
Our nation has committed military assets and made an initial commitment of $350 million for disaster relief. We're working with the United Nations and with governments around the world to coordinate the comprehensive international response.
American military assets in the region are now aiding recovery efforts. Patrol and cargo aircraft have been surveying damage and delivering supplies for several days. Air Force C-130s are flying aid missions 24 hours a day.
We are grateful for the hard work of the men and women who wear our nation's uniform.
The Abraham Lincoln carrier group is in place near Indonesia and transporting relief supplies by helicopter. Other naval and Marine assets will arrive shortly to generate clean water and provide further logistical help.
BUSH: I have sent a delegation headed by Secretary of State Powell and Governor Bush of Florida to the Indian Ocean region. There they will meet with fellow leaders and international organizations to assess relief efforts in place, as well as the needs that remain.
Secretary Powell and Governor Bush will report their findings directly to me so we can ensure that our government provides the most effective assistance possible.
We're showing the compassion of our nation in the swift response. But the greatest source of America's generosity is not our government, it's the good heart of the American people. In the week since the tsunami struck, private citizens have contributed millions of dollars for disaster relief and reconstruction.
Organizations like the Red Cross and the Red Crescent, the Salvation Army, Catholic Relief Services, Save the Children, CARE, UNICEF and America Cares responded rapidly after the tsunamis hit. They have reported an outpouring of generosity from around the world.
BUSH: To draw even greater amounts of private donations, I have asked two of America's most distinguished private citizens to head a nationwide charitable fund-raising effort.
Both men, both presidents know the great decency of our people. They bring tremendous leadership experience to this role. And they bring good hearts.
I'm grateful to the former presidents, Clinton and Bush, for taking on this important responsibility and for serving our country once again.
In the coming days, Presidents Clinton and Bush will ask Americans to donate directly to reliable charities already providing help to tsunami victims. Many of these organizations have dispatched experts to the disaster area and they have an in-depth understanding of the resources required to meet the needs on the ground.
In this situation, cash donations are most useful, and I've asked the former presidents to solicit contributions both large and small.
Over the past week we have seen some of the innovative ways Americans are helping people in need. A coffee roaster in California is handing out bags of coffee for a $10 donation to the Red Cross. In Virginia Beach, the owner of a tax assistance firm is making a donation for every tax return he prepares.
BUSH: Worshipers at a Buddhist temple in Houston collected thousands of dollars in cash to send to their sister temple in Sri Lanka. Some people are selling personal items on the Internet and donating the cash to the charities.
Many corporations are matching contributions by their employees. And several have shown exceptional generosity by donating large amounts of cash and products to the relief efforts.
Presidents Clinton and Bush will be speaking about the countless ways individuals and businesses can support this urgent cause.
I ask every American to contribute as they are able to do so.
For more information about how to make a donation, you can visit the USA Freedom Corps Web site at www.usafreedomcorps.gov.
Americans have suffered sudden catastrophe many times in our own history, from massive earthquakes in Anchorage and San Francisco to destructive wildfires in the West, to the series of hurricanes that struck Florida last year.
From our own experiences, we know that nothing can take away the grief of those affected by tragedy.
BUSH: We also know that Americans have a history of rising to meet great humanitarian challenges and of providing hope to suffering peoples.
As men and women across the devastated region begin to rebuild, we offer our sustained compassion and our generosity and our assurance that America will be there to help.
The presidents and I will be going to the embassies of the countries affected to pay our nation's respects.
I am so grateful that both President Bush and President Clinton have taken time out of their busy schedules to not only serve as a catalyst for people to give money to help, but also to join me and Laura in paying our deepest respects to those nations that have been affected by the tsunamis.
As well, the presidents will return to the White House compound to talk to members of the press about how to better affect this great relief effort that is now going on in our nation.
Thank you all for coming.
SANCHEZ: And there you go, the president of the United States underscoring just how vast the U.S. commitment is to this relief effort. Let's go ahead and bring Elaine Quijano in to the mix now.
Elaine, I think the power of this story is really in the picture, watching these three men. And I think we'll be able to show our viewers once again, as they walk into the room, we were all struck. And finally seeing them standing shoulder to shoulder, talking about what the United States plans to do to help all these people that have been affected by this tsunami.
QUIJANO: Certainly, Rick. And of course, not only for the domestic audience, coming out and announcing that there will be, in fact, this nationwide effort. These two former presidents embarking on this effort they will be conducting, we understand, media interviews. Also nationwide traveling, trying to get the word out to people, encouraging them to make their donations.
But also on an international level, as well. We heard President Bush say just a moment ago that they will be joining him as he goes to these embassies. So really presenting very much a united front. Very symbolic gesture to show that all of America really sort of stands behind this effort. Not just from a governmental point of view, but this private move, as well.
President Bush noting that the generosity of Americans has already been quite felt. That corporations, as he mentioned, matching employee contributions, giving various examples of how, in fact, Americans he said have been innovative in coming up with ways to help those affected.
But President Bush President Bush, as we mentioned earlier, very much aware of the initial criticism that the United States not quick enough to respond. Perhaps was too slow to respond, some critics have said. But coming out today yet another public gesture indicating that the United States is moving forward, trying to encourage people to help in their own way. Not just again from the public point of view, the government's point of view, but from a private standpoint, as well -- Rick.
SANCHEZ: I just can't help but notice, but I'm sure others have noticed as well. Somewhat conspicuous by his absence is another former president who's also had a huge international role since he's left office. I don't imagine that the White House gave you much prep on how they came to this decision to involve these two former presidents, but not involve former President Jimmy Carter?
QUIJANO: Well, that actually was a question that did come up just moments before the announcement was made, when we asked White House spokesman Scott McClellan. He said that he didn't really have any information on that. But in fact, that President Bush did reach out to these two former presidents, not really going into any specifics. Though said that he would check on that and get back to us about perhaps why the decision was made not to reach out. Or if it had in fact, had it already happened we just don't know at this point -- Rick.
SANCHEZ: We don't. OK. And we do thank you for bringing us up to date on that.
Elaine Quijano, joining us today with things taking place in the White House.
Betty, over to you.
NGUYEN: We also want to bring back CNN's Ed Henry who joins us now from Capitol Hill.
As we looked at these presidents and the current President Bush, all together on this one project to help those in such dire need right now, let's talk about lawmakers. Are they going to be leading efforts themselves to help in this effort?
HENRY: They are. In fact, Senate majority leader Bill Frist is heading to the region on Tuesday evening. He's a heart surgeon, as you know. So he plans to possibly conduct surgery, some operations on victims, survivors who need help. He wants to do that personally. But he also wants to wear his hat as majority leader in order to assess the situation.
The bottom line here is that the subtext is that this government right now is running a huge budget deficit. Almost $500 billion per year. So that's why you're seeing President Bush come forward and say while the U.S. government is ponying up a lot of money, he also wants to encourage private donations because there's a sense right now that's U.S. government cannot shoulder the burden alone. Also, House speaker Dennis Hastert last week put out a statement saying this is a worldwide problem and it needs a worldwide response. The subtext there being that other governments also have to kick in a lot of money. And that's why you're going to see a lot of lawmakers, like Bill Frist, head over to the region because they do not want to see Congress just write a big blank check at a time when it's running deficits. They want to go to the region, assess exactly what is needed, and then pass an emergency funding bill later this week.
So in the short term this week, Congress will only pass a resolution without any money, just saying that they support the victims and they want to help. But they will not have an emergency funding bill until later this month when they know exactly how much is needed -- Betty.
NGUYEN: All right, CNN's Ed Henry on Capitol Hill for us today. Thank you, Ed.
There's much more to come right here on CNN LIVE TODAY.
SANCHEZ: Yes. Including the interview that we're going to be doing with really two people. One, an official with UNICEF who's going to tell us what they're doing to try to help the children. And we're also going to have an interview with someone who's going to be able to tell us how you can help. What you can do to make sure that your money gets over there and to the right people.
But as we go to break, let's show you this picture if we possibly can. Take you back to the White House. As you can see the flag, it's flying at half-staff. The president has ordered it so. And we understand it will fly that way for the remainder of the week.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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Aired January 3, 2005 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: We've got to run. A lot more coming up next hour with Rick and Betty down at the CNN Center.
Good morning, guys. How are you?
RICK SANCHEZ, CNN CO-ANCHOR: Hey, Bill. Welcome back.
HEMMER: Thank you very much. Good to be here.
SANCHEZ: We've just been given some information about what to expect in that news conference that you've been talking about, as a matter of fact. It will be the president of the United States, and two former president of the United States talking about how they hope to get Americans, and American businesses in particular, to aid the relief effort.
During this hour we could likely hear from Kofi Annan, as well. And we may be able to take you to a certain part of Sri Lanka that no reporter has been to yet.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: That's right. We're going to take you to the areas directly affected within these two hours coming up. But right now here's what's happening in the news.
Relief crews and military personnel are funneling thousands of tons of relief supplies in to the region devastated by last week's tsunami. The challenge now is getting it to specific areas that so desperately need it. Roads, and bridges, well, they are wiped out. Communications are severed and vast amounts of food and medical supplies are sitting on docks awaiting delivery.
President Bush is due to speak in less than 15 minutes from now. But the topic is not yet clear. He could address the tsunami relief efforts or it could be unrelated. We will join this live news event as soon as it gets under way.
More pre-election violence in Iraq; car bombs exploded today at three separate checkpoints. One attack killed four Iraqi soldiers. Another killed at least three Iraqi police officers near the headquarters of Iyad Allawi's political party. The interim prime minister was not there at the time.
Tests have confirmed Mad Cow disease in a dairy cow in western Canada. Officials say the infected cow never entered the food chain for either humans or animals, and therefore, does not pose a health risk. The invest indication now focuses on its origins and whether other cows could be infected.
Well, good morning, everyone. From the CNN Center here in Atlanta, I'm Betty Nguyen in for Daryn Kagan.
SANCHEZ: And I'm Rick Sanchez. We're going to start with the growing response to the tsunami disaster. As we often do, we'll bring you first the numbers. About 155,000 people are now reported dead. Thousands of tourists are also still missing. Governments around the world have offered $2 billion in aid to countries hit by the tsunami. But getting that aid to the people who need it has been difficult. We'll have more on that. Also, militaries from several nations are helping to move the aid. Between 10,000 and 12,000 U.S. forces are part of that effort.
Now from the White House, at any moment, President Bush is to speak on the tsunami relief efforts and he's going to be joined by two former presidents, including his father.
CNN's Elaine Quijano is at the Executive Mansion to set the stage for us.
What are we going to hear, Elaine?
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello to you, Rick. Well, that's right. We're expecting that announcement to happen in about 15 minutes. As you mentioned, President Bush's father, former President Bush, as well as former President Bill Clinton, will be joining President Bush we are told in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, to announce that the two former presidents will be taking part in an effort to encourage Americans to support nongovernmental organizations, as they move forward on relief efforts.
Now, White House spokesman Scott McClellan saying just a few moments ago that this will be a chance to bring greater focus on the relief efforts. They will be encouraging not only private citizens but American businesses, as well to participate in some of the relief efforts going on. White House spokesman Scott McClellan also saying that President Bush himself also intends to make a contribution.
Now, the president is also expected to talk about the humanitarian relief under way by the government. Specifically, not only the $350 million that we heard the president; we heard the White House last week make the announcement that it was upping its initial aid of $35 million to $350 million, but also the military assets that are headed to or in the region already. Specifically, the use Abraham Lincoln," which has been helping to get U.S. military aircraft to the areas.
And President Bush again set to make that announcement in about 15 minutes.
We also understand that the president will be directing Americans to the USA Freedom Corps website in order to help them facilitate making contributions. The president, we also understand, after that announcement will be heading to four embassies here in Washington. The embassies of: Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka and the Thai Embassy. He will be signing condolence books there, as well as meeting with ambassadors to express his condolences in person.
SANCHEZ: Elaine, when you combine this announcement that we're about to get from the president, involving two former presidents with the high level trip scheduled by Secretary Powell and the president's brother, Florida Governor Jeb Bush. Is the key here does it seem by the White House to show the world that this is a top priority for the United States?
QUIJANO: Well, certainly there has been criticism. As you know, last week, about the initial U.S. response in the wake of the tsunami disaster. What the administration has said all along is that it was necessary to first assess the needs on the ground before the United States came out with a larger monetary figure.
But there had also been criticism, as some have noted that the president himself did not come out until several days. It was Wednesday before the president came out before the cameras while he was on vacation at his ranch in Crawford, Texas. Some criticism about that.
But since that time, Rick, as you know there have been several public gestures. Not only President Bush heading to sign these condolence books today, but last week, as well, Secretary of State Colin Powell visited several embassies to do the same. So this administration, certainly aware that that criticism was initially quite harsh, but saying that they are doing everything possible to help the tsunami victims.
SANCHEZ: Yes.
Quite an increase in the funds to $350 million, as well. Elaine Quijano, we thank you. We'll be checking back with you soon. Just to let our viewers know that we should be -- are scheduled to hear from the presidents in about 10 minutes -- Betty.
NGUYEN: A high-level U.S. delegation will tour the hardest-hit tsunami areas this week. Now, the group is led by Secretary of State Colin Powell and Florida Governor Jeb Bush, as Elaine Quijano just mentioned. They arrived in Bangkok about an hour ago. Powell says they plan to visit the Thai resort island of Phuket and Indonesia. The U.S. group will attend a conference of donor nations. Powell is also hoping to see the situation in Indonesia's Aceh Province. The group may wrap up its assessment in Sri Lanka.
Now, CNN has more than a dozen correspondents covering the tsunami disaster from every angle. From four different Asian nations. And you'll be hearing from them during our two hours and throughout the day, as well.
Most of those who died from the tsunami were in Indonesia's Aceh Province. The focus is on keeping the survivors of that devastated region alive.
CNN's Mike Chinoy has the latest from the provisional capitol of Banda Aceh.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MIKE CHINOY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In the stifling heat, they wait for what could be the difference between life and death. Water they can drink.
"We are drinking untreated water," says this 17-year-old Nanda Sweta (ph). "We don't have fuel to boil it. Some of our family are already sick."
Amid growing fears of epidemics, the Australian army in coordination with UNICEF, has set up an emergency water supply system, using purification machines to turn untreated water into 20,000 liters of drinking water every hour.
MARK HENDERSON, UNICEF: The town system is still running, but it's only running partially. And the water that's coming out is not potable or drinkable. So this is an opportunity for having drinking water here accessible to people.
CHINOY: But it's a race against time. Malaysian Doctor Abdul Latiff is running the only intensive care unit in Banda Aceh's only functioning hospital.
DR. ABDUL LATIFF, MERCY HOSPITAL, MALAYSIA: We are starting to see a lot of water-borne disease, and they're increasing by the day and quite considerable, but increase of numbers of patients, yes. There will be a major problem in the next few weeks.
CHINOY: The critical long-term step is to get the city's own water system up and running.
(on camera): But it's a massive challenge. Banda Aceh's water supply comes mainly from its rivers, rivers that are still clogged with bloated and decomposing corpses.
(voice-over): The army was fishing them out all day, putting them into body bags for burial in mass graves. But there are thousands more; the rivers of Aceh yielding up corpse after corpse with no end in sight.
Mike Chinoy, CNN, Banda Aceh, Indonesia.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SANCHEZ: And of course getting aid to tsunami survivors can be hampered not just by logistics, but also in some cases by politics.
CNN's Stan Grant is joining us now from a rebel-controlled area of northern Sri Lanka with more on that story.
Stan, set the scene for us.
STAN GRANT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes. Hi, Rick. I'm actually here at one of the pickup zones, the relief pickup zones for the Tamil Rehabilitation Organization. This is effectively the relief arm of the rebel Tamil Tigers. Now, they're a group still listed by the United States as a terrorist organization, which has waged a two- decade long civil war with the south and established this stronghold here in the north. They're now involved very much in delivering this relief to the people who desperately need it.
I can tell you, anecdotally at least; in the last 24 hours there has been a discernible pickup in the traffic through this zone. A lot more trucks coming through. Every half an hour or so another truck pulls up outside. The boxes are unloaded. You can see people behind me now unloading more of them, as we speak. Everything from water tanks to pots and pans to these boxes here. You can see the medical equipment back behind me, some foodstuffs and so on. So, it is coming through.
It's also coming from many different parts of the world. I've seen relief agencies here from parts of Europe, from Australia, from places like Korea as well.
There are some problems, though. One of the big problems being this is a de facto state controlled by the Tamil Tigers. That means there's a border between the north and the south. And that border closes. It closes normally at sunset and no more traffic can come through. It has been extended. The Red Cross now telling us the border is open until midnight. But it then closes and doesn't reopen until 6:00 the next morning. That's six hours. Six hours that are lost in this relief effort.
Another problem, speaking to some of the relief workers that have come across today, they're telling me, Rick, that some of the items that are arriving here are simply unusable. Clothes that are torn and frayed. Medical equipment that is years out of date in some cases. They're told me have syringes that are up to 10 years out of date, another box of medical equipment that arrived from a foreign country with no English instruction.
So, yes it is coming through. The relief is getting there. But there are teething problems and that's stopping these vital things getting to the people who so desperately need them -- Rick.
SANCHEZ: Stan I'm wondering, I mean have we been able to nail down yet what the Tamil Tigers have put their guns down and actually joined in the relief effort or not?
GRANT: They're coordinating the relief effort. The Tamil rehabilitation organization is an arm of the Tamil Tigers. They say they've been involved in this sort of work for two decades now, running this civil war. They know how to rehabilitate. They know how to get relief to people. They've had hundreds of thousands of people displaced in the 20 years of the civil war, tens of thousands of people who've been injured. They are very much involved in this process.
There is a cease-fire at the moment between the south and the north that's been in place for the past three years. The peace process has been going in conjunction with that has been put to one side. The cease-fire, though, does hold. But they are going to great lengths to stress that this is their territory. They're holding on to their quasi-sovereignty. They are not about to let that go. And if the relief effort is to continue, and indeed to speed up, it must go through the Tamil Tigers own bodies this relief organization. You can see working behind me -- Rick.
SANCHEZ: Stan, thanks so much for clearing that up for us. Certainly a tenuous situation. But it does appear that they are indeed helping.
Betty, over to you.
NGUYEN: Now south of Stan Grant's location in government- controlled Sri Lanka, conditions are improving. U.S. officials in Colombo say sanitation and clean drinking water are still a priority. But soon officials believe concerns will shift from the short-term emergency response.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JEFFREY LUNDSTEAD, U.S. AMBASSADOR, SRI LANKA: We're moving out of that phase now and we're moving into a reconstruction phase. We've allocated $12 million for that initially. We're starting to let contracts for that. We're going to do cash for work projects, where we will take people, put them to work. Which will have a dual benefit. One, they'll do things like clean rubble, repair schools, and they'll get cash, which will put cash back into the local economy.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: On Thursday, Lundstead says a U.S. Navy ship is expected to arrive in Sri Lanka. The Marines on board will deliver construction equipment to help repair the country's infrastructure -- Rick.
SANCHEZ: Certainly a lot of phases to this story. Tsunami aid is going to top the agenda when the new Congress begins work tomorrow, as well.
And CNN's Ed Henry is on Capitol Hill this morning. He's providing us now a preview of what we might expect to hear from some of our legislators.
Ed, over to you.
ED HENRY, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Rick. Social Security and other issues like that were supposed to dominate the agenda when Congress gets sworn in tomorrow. But instead, when new lawmakers come in for the 109-Congress on Tuesday, tsunami relief will be issue No. 1.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HENRY (voice-over): Senior lawmakers are already vowing to sharply increase emergency funds to victims of the tsunami disaster.
SEN. JOSEPH LIEBERMAN (D), CONNECTICUT: The $350 million that President Bush has now asked Congress for I believe will be A floor and not a ceiling.
HENRY: Congressional leaders will pass a resolution on Tuesday pledging their support for the victims, while the State Department actually delivers the money.
COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: Accounts that we have, and we take the money from those accounts. But those funds were supposed to go somewhere else. So they'll have to be replenished.
HENRY: Later this month Congress will repay those amounts with an emergency-spending bill that is likely to include even more aid. But lawmakers first want to assess the full extent of the crisis before deciding on an exact figure.
SEN. BILL FRIST (R-TX), MAJORITY LEADER: A lot of people say we're not moving fast enough. Or we're moving too fast, depending on who you're talking to. We just need to make a measured response, assess, make the diagnosis and respond appropriately.
HENRY: For that diagnosis, Frist is leading a delegation to Sri Lanka on Tuesday. Since he's a heart surgeon, Frist may even operate on victims who need help.
FRIST: To be on the ground as a physician, I do best when I see what's actually happening. See the patients, see the people affected, see the orphans. See if the aid that is coming in as being used effectively and efficient, and not just piles of supplies over in some building.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HENRY: Lawmakers will also consider a global warning system for tsunamis. Tens of thousands of lives may have been saved if such a system existed in the Indian Ocean -- Rick.
SANCHEZ: Thanks a lot. Ed Henry following that part of the story for us.
And as you can see, we have split the screen for you as we often do when there's an upcoming event. This one is going to be taking place in the White House. That's the Roosevelt room that you're looking at right there on your screen. And it's because the president of the United States, George Bush, is going to be accompanied by former President Bill Clinton and former President George Bush as well. They're both coming out now.
Let's listen in.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I thank you all for coming.
I'm honored to be standing here with two former presidents, President Bush 41, President Clinton 42.
We have come together to express our country's sympathy for the victims of a great tragedy. We're here to ask our fellow citizens to join in a broad humanitarian relief effort. Eight days ago, the most powerful earthquake in 40 years shook the island of Sumatra. The earthquake caused violent tsunamis in the Indian Ocean, which left an arc of destruction from Thailand to the Horn of Africa.
The devastation in the region defies comprehension.
More than 150,000 lives are estimated to be lost, including 90,000 in Indonesia alone. As many as 5 million people are thought to be homeless, or without food or shelter. Thousands more are missing and millions are vulnerable to disease.
Across the United States this week, our flags will fly at half- staff to honor the victims of this disaster.
We mourn especially the tens of thousands of children who are lost. We think of the tens of thousands more who will grow up without their parents or their brothers or their sisters.
We hold in our prayers all the people whose fate is still unknown.
BUSH: The United States government is in close contact with the governments of the affected countries. And America is playing a leading role in the relief and recovery efforts.
Our nation has committed military assets and made an initial commitment of $350 million for disaster relief. We're working with the United Nations and with governments around the world to coordinate the comprehensive international response.
American military assets in the region are now aiding recovery efforts. Patrol and cargo aircraft have been surveying damage and delivering supplies for several days. Air Force C-130s are flying aid missions 24 hours a day.
We are grateful for the hard work of the men and women who wear our nation's uniform.
The Abraham Lincoln carrier group is in place near Indonesia and transporting relief supplies by helicopter. Other naval and Marine assets will arrive shortly to generate clean water and provide further logistical help.
BUSH: I have sent a delegation headed by Secretary of State Powell and Governor Bush of Florida to the Indian Ocean region. There they will meet with fellow leaders and international organizations to assess relief efforts in place, as well as the needs that remain.
Secretary Powell and Governor Bush will report their findings directly to me so we can ensure that our government provides the most effective assistance possible.
We're showing the compassion of our nation in the swift response. But the greatest source of America's generosity is not our government, it's the good heart of the American people. In the week since the tsunami struck, private citizens have contributed millions of dollars for disaster relief and reconstruction.
Organizations like the Red Cross and the Red Crescent, the Salvation Army, Catholic Relief Services, Save the Children, CARE, UNICEF and America Cares responded rapidly after the tsunamis hit. They have reported an outpouring of generosity from around the world.
BUSH: To draw even greater amounts of private donations, I have asked two of America's most distinguished private citizens to head a nationwide charitable fund-raising effort.
Both men, both presidents know the great decency of our people. They bring tremendous leadership experience to this role. And they bring good hearts.
I'm grateful to the former presidents, Clinton and Bush, for taking on this important responsibility and for serving our country once again.
In the coming days, Presidents Clinton and Bush will ask Americans to donate directly to reliable charities already providing help to tsunami victims. Many of these organizations have dispatched experts to the disaster area and they have an in-depth understanding of the resources required to meet the needs on the ground.
In this situation, cash donations are most useful, and I've asked the former presidents to solicit contributions both large and small.
Over the past week we have seen some of the innovative ways Americans are helping people in need. A coffee roaster in California is handing out bags of coffee for a $10 donation to the Red Cross. In Virginia Beach, the owner of a tax assistance firm is making a donation for every tax return he prepares.
BUSH: Worshipers at a Buddhist temple in Houston collected thousands of dollars in cash to send to their sister temple in Sri Lanka. Some people are selling personal items on the Internet and donating the cash to the charities.
Many corporations are matching contributions by their employees. And several have shown exceptional generosity by donating large amounts of cash and products to the relief efforts.
Presidents Clinton and Bush will be speaking about the countless ways individuals and businesses can support this urgent cause.
I ask every American to contribute as they are able to do so.
For more information about how to make a donation, you can visit the USA Freedom Corps Web site at www.usafreedomcorps.gov.
Americans have suffered sudden catastrophe many times in our own history, from massive earthquakes in Anchorage and San Francisco to destructive wildfires in the West, to the series of hurricanes that struck Florida last year.
From our own experiences, we know that nothing can take away the grief of those affected by tragedy.
BUSH: We also know that Americans have a history of rising to meet great humanitarian challenges and of providing hope to suffering peoples.
As men and women across the devastated region begin to rebuild, we offer our sustained compassion and our generosity and our assurance that America will be there to help.
The presidents and I will be going to the embassies of the countries affected to pay our nation's respects.
I am so grateful that both President Bush and President Clinton have taken time out of their busy schedules to not only serve as a catalyst for people to give money to help, but also to join me and Laura in paying our deepest respects to those nations that have been affected by the tsunamis.
As well, the presidents will return to the White House compound to talk to members of the press about how to better affect this great relief effort that is now going on in our nation.
Thank you all for coming.
SANCHEZ: And there you go, the president of the United States underscoring just how vast the U.S. commitment is to this relief effort. Let's go ahead and bring Elaine Quijano in to the mix now.
Elaine, I think the power of this story is really in the picture, watching these three men. And I think we'll be able to show our viewers once again, as they walk into the room, we were all struck. And finally seeing them standing shoulder to shoulder, talking about what the United States plans to do to help all these people that have been affected by this tsunami.
QUIJANO: Certainly, Rick. And of course, not only for the domestic audience, coming out and announcing that there will be, in fact, this nationwide effort. These two former presidents embarking on this effort they will be conducting, we understand, media interviews. Also nationwide traveling, trying to get the word out to people, encouraging them to make their donations.
But also on an international level, as well. We heard President Bush say just a moment ago that they will be joining him as he goes to these embassies. So really presenting very much a united front. Very symbolic gesture to show that all of America really sort of stands behind this effort. Not just from a governmental point of view, but this private move, as well.
President Bush noting that the generosity of Americans has already been quite felt. That corporations, as he mentioned, matching employee contributions, giving various examples of how, in fact, Americans he said have been innovative in coming up with ways to help those affected.
But President Bush President Bush, as we mentioned earlier, very much aware of the initial criticism that the United States not quick enough to respond. Perhaps was too slow to respond, some critics have said. But coming out today yet another public gesture indicating that the United States is moving forward, trying to encourage people to help in their own way. Not just again from the public point of view, the government's point of view, but from a private standpoint, as well -- Rick.
SANCHEZ: I just can't help but notice, but I'm sure others have noticed as well. Somewhat conspicuous by his absence is another former president who's also had a huge international role since he's left office. I don't imagine that the White House gave you much prep on how they came to this decision to involve these two former presidents, but not involve former President Jimmy Carter?
QUIJANO: Well, that actually was a question that did come up just moments before the announcement was made, when we asked White House spokesman Scott McClellan. He said that he didn't really have any information on that. But in fact, that President Bush did reach out to these two former presidents, not really going into any specifics. Though said that he would check on that and get back to us about perhaps why the decision was made not to reach out. Or if it had in fact, had it already happened we just don't know at this point -- Rick.
SANCHEZ: We don't. OK. And we do thank you for bringing us up to date on that.
Elaine Quijano, joining us today with things taking place in the White House.
Betty, over to you.
NGUYEN: We also want to bring back CNN's Ed Henry who joins us now from Capitol Hill.
As we looked at these presidents and the current President Bush, all together on this one project to help those in such dire need right now, let's talk about lawmakers. Are they going to be leading efforts themselves to help in this effort?
HENRY: They are. In fact, Senate majority leader Bill Frist is heading to the region on Tuesday evening. He's a heart surgeon, as you know. So he plans to possibly conduct surgery, some operations on victims, survivors who need help. He wants to do that personally. But he also wants to wear his hat as majority leader in order to assess the situation.
The bottom line here is that the subtext is that this government right now is running a huge budget deficit. Almost $500 billion per year. So that's why you're seeing President Bush come forward and say while the U.S. government is ponying up a lot of money, he also wants to encourage private donations because there's a sense right now that's U.S. government cannot shoulder the burden alone. Also, House speaker Dennis Hastert last week put out a statement saying this is a worldwide problem and it needs a worldwide response. The subtext there being that other governments also have to kick in a lot of money. And that's why you're going to see a lot of lawmakers, like Bill Frist, head over to the region because they do not want to see Congress just write a big blank check at a time when it's running deficits. They want to go to the region, assess exactly what is needed, and then pass an emergency funding bill later this week.
So in the short term this week, Congress will only pass a resolution without any money, just saying that they support the victims and they want to help. But they will not have an emergency funding bill until later this month when they know exactly how much is needed -- Betty.
NGUYEN: All right, CNN's Ed Henry on Capitol Hill for us today. Thank you, Ed.
There's much more to come right here on CNN LIVE TODAY.
SANCHEZ: Yes. Including the interview that we're going to be doing with really two people. One, an official with UNICEF who's going to tell us what they're doing to try to help the children. And we're also going to have an interview with someone who's going to be able to tell us how you can help. What you can do to make sure that your money gets over there and to the right people.
But as we go to break, let's show you this picture if we possibly can. Take you back to the White House. As you can see the flag, it's flying at half-staff. The president has ordered it so. And we understand it will fly that way for the remainder of the week.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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