Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live Today

'Security Watch'; San Diego Voters Inching Closer to a New Mayor; Famine in Niger

Aired July 27, 2005 - 10:31   ET

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

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back. I'm Fredricka Whitfield, in for Daryn Kagan.
I want to show you some new pictures that are just now coming in to end a very rare visit on Capitol Hill by President Bush there. He's exiting a meeting with top Republicans there, primarily talking about the Central American Free Trade Agreement, or CAFTA, but no doubt he was also talking with Republicans and other leading, perhaps, Democrats as well, talking about his Supreme Court nominee, John Roberts, and now the scheduled confirmation hearings that may take place late August at the earliest now.

Now at the half hour, here, what else, here's what else is happening now in the news.

CNN has confirmed that one of the four people arrested in predawn raids in Great Britain may be one of the would-be bombers from last Thursday's failed attacks in London. He is identified as Yasin Hassan Omar, a 24-year-old Somali. Four people were arrested earlier this morning in what Scotland Yard is heralding as a breakthrough in the investigation.

The top U.S. commander in Iraq says as early as next spring there could be an American pullout that would be, quote, "fairly substantial." General George Casey said such a withdrawal which would require several factors. They include continued political progress and further development of Iraq's security forces.

This hour on Capitol Hill, a hearing on how best to care for returning troops bearing the psychological scars of war. Specifically, the House committee is studying how the Pentagon and Department of Veteran Affairs are dealing with post-traumatic stress syndrome.

NASA is set to deliver a briefing at the top of the hour on the search for possible damage on the Space Shuttle Discovery. The crew used a newly modified robotic arm this morning to examine the craft's outer shell. During yesterday's launch cameras videotaped a small piece of debris falling from the underside of the orbiter.

Very busy on Capitol Hill today. The director of the FBI is there as well. Robert Mueller is testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee, which has oversight of the agency. Of particular interest to Congress is the reform effort at the FBI since 9/11.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) ROBERT MUELLER, FBI DIRECTOR: Since September 11th, we have recruited and processed more than 50,000 translator applicants. The efforts have resulted in the addition of 877 new contract linguists and another 112 language analysts, less the attrition. The FBI has increased its overall number of linguists by 69 percent, with the number of linguist in certain high-priority languages, such as Arabic, increasing by more than 200 percent.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: It's been said that one of the failures prior to the attack of 9/11 was not a lack of intelligence, rather there simply were not enough trained people to connect the dots.

CNN justice correspondent Kelli Arena explains how things have since changed inside the J. Edgar Hoover building.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KELLI ARENA, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Deanna Corsey (ph) is very clear about how important her job is.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: On 9/11, no one here lost a husband, they didn't lose a daughter or a wife. They lost 3,000, and we all take that responsibility very personally, and it's not something we're going to forget.

ARENA: Corsey is a veteran intelligence analyst for the FBI. She works alongside field agents from beginning to end on investigations. But it wasn't always that way.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It had analysts in the field for a long time, really since the existence of the analytical position in the FBI. But what we're doing now is making a concerted, concentrated effort to make the analytical cadre more a part of the cycle.

ARENA: Building a strong analytical core is seen as vital to preventing another terrorist attack. Analysts are the people who connect the dots, pointing field agents in the right directions. FBI analyst Barbara Tipton was recruited 10 months ago.

BARBARA TIPTON, FBI ANALYST: We look for trends, we look for suspicious activities, we look for pieces of a puzzle that when finally put together might indicate some issue that we need to pay more attention to.

ARENA: Tipton and other analysts go through training at the FBI Academy, just like agents do. This class focused on psychological profiles.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Purely analytical.

ARENA: There are more than 2,200 analysts. That's more than double the number on September 11th. There are more opportunities for promotions and higher pay. And the FBI has increased information sharing with other agencies, putting out more than 11,000 intelligence reports since 9/11.

To speed communication, FBI analysts now work in the same room as their CIA counterparts in the new National Counterterrorism Center.

MAUREEN BAGINSKI, FBI INTELLIGENCE DIRECTORATE: Everyone understands, and equally understands, they have a particular mission to fulfill, and that together is the only way this adversary is going to be defeated.

ARENA: Maureen Baginski's job is to drive the FBI's intelligence upgrade. She says it's working.

BAGINSKI: I can show you every day, every one of our reports has a customer feedback page on it, and I receive all of those personally, and I could show you some stellar comments from customers who comment on how well written our reporting is, but more importantly, how actionable it is.

ARENA: Lee Hamilton, the vice chairman of the September 11th Commission, says the FBI is headed in the right direction, but he's still sees gaps.

LEE HAMILTON, VICE CHAIRMAN, 9/11 COMMISSION: Their biggest failure by far is in their information technology system, their computer system, which they have acknowledged publicly has not worked after the investment of scores of millions of dollars. That's a very dramatic failure.

ARENA: Hamilton says what the FBI needs most is more time.

But one intelligence veteran says even that may not do the trick.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Even if I give you time, you're never going to get there until there is -- until Maureen Baginski has budgetary authority, has the personnel authority, really, to control a director of intelligence and the people in it.

ARENA: Changes in the works don't go that far, but there are plans to continue the reorganization.

MUELLER: I see it as an acknowledgement and a furtherance of the development of the FBI to respond to the threats of today.

ARENA: As Britain recovers from terrorist attacks planned by its own citizens, there is a more urgent need for first-rate domestic intelligence gathering here in the United States, and that falls squarely on the FBI's shoulders.

Kelli Arena, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: And be sure to stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security.

In San Diego, voters are inching closer to a new mayor, their fourth in a year marked by scandal and criminal charges. And riding the tide of unrest, a maverick surf shop owner who is now leading the race.

For a closer look, let's check in with reporter Chris Van Cleave of CNN affiliate XETV.

Hi, Chris.

CHRIS VAN CLEAVE, XETV REPORTER: Well, good morning. That's right, whoever becomes the next mayor of San Diego is going to have their hands full. They have a $1.4 billion pension find crisis. There's an SEC investigation into possible security frauds stemming from bonds that were issued. There's two city council members that have been already convicted of corruption charges. One of them was the acting mayor at the time, and, of course, we don't have a mayor here in San Diego, will not have a mayor officially until November 8th now, because of yesterday, there were three real candidates in this race, it started with about a dozen candidates narrowed to three.

One was Donna Frye. She's lovingly called the surfer chick by her supporters. She's a city council woman here in San Diego who has pretty much been the lone voice of dissent on the council through a lot of decisions that led San Diego down the road to a $1.4 billion pension hole. She was competing against the former San Diego Police Chief Jerry Sanders, and a self-made millionaire Steve Francis. He was funding his campaign with his own money.

Now despite low voter turnout, Donna Frye came in right about where she was pulling. She scored 43 percent of the vote. The former police chief, Jerry Sanders, who's also worked for the United Way and has a reputation for turning around troubled organizations...

... Despite low voter turnout, Donna Frye came in right about where she was pulling. She scored 43 percent of the vote. The former police chief Jerry Sanders, who's also worked for the United Way and has a reputation for turning around troubled organizations -- Jerry Sanders second with 27 percent of the vote. The self-made millionaire Steve Francis (ph), 23.5 percent of the vote.

That makes now a two-person race running for San Diego mayor, between this surfer chick and the former police chief. We talked to both of them. Here now listen to Donna Frye as she says what sets her apart in this race.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONNA FRYE, (D) MAYORAL CANDIDATE: I am the only candidate, if you think about it, that has ever been in a position to have to take a vote, to actually take a vote and have to decide on these issues when it was very unpopular to do so.

JERRY SANDERS, (R) MAYORAL CANDIDATE: All we had was the experience that I'd had in turning troubled organizations around. And I think that's one of the things that's really resonated with San Diegans. (END VIDEO CLIP)

VAN CLEAVE: Now, already, the campaign, at least both candidates, say they're bracing for what could be an ugly campaign. Some negative campaigning sort of already being hinted at as both candidates now posturing for who's best to turn around San Diego. We'll know November 8th who the voters support. Early polls show that Sanders seems to lead Donna Frye when they go head-to-head, but certainly a long way to go before we'll know for sure.

WHITFIELD: All right. The surfer chick and the police guy. Very interesting race. All right, Chris Van Cleave, thanks so much.

In Chicago, the scandal at City Hall is taking on a look of the Wild West, complete with a wanted poster. Cook County's Republican Party has issued an eye-grabbing reward for information to indict and convict Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley. Federal prosecutors have charged two administration officials and accused them of doling out jobs to political insiders and cronies. Daley has vowed to reform the hiring process. He maintains he had no knowledge of any wrongdoing and he has not been charged.

Let's take a look at other stories making news coast to coast now.

In Salt Lake City, a judge has declared that the man accused of kidnapping Utah teenager Elizabeth Smart is mentally incompetent to stand trial. The ruling sends Brian David Mitchell a mental hospital until he's deemed competent. Earlier on CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING," Elizabeth's father Ed Smart said it was a relief that his daughter may be spared having to testify at trial.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ED SMART, ELIZABETH'S FATHER: She could testify if she had to. I think that Elizabeth, you know, just doesn't pay any attention to this, only at the point where she has to do something. So I don't think that -- I think, put it in terms that she hopes he enjoys the hospital as much as she enjoyed being with him.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: The family's former handyman is accused of abducting the then 14-year-old Elizabeth from her bedroom in 2002 and keeping her as his second wife. Elizabeth was found nearly a year later.

Philadelphia police are asking for the public's help in finding a missing pregnant woman. 24-year-old LaToyia Figueroa was last seen a week ago at a doctor's appointment. About 30 of her friends and family began searching Monday for her. Police say her credit cards and cell phone have not been used. LaToyia Figueroa is five months pregnant.

President Bush will address the 40,000 people gathered for the Boy Scout Jamboree as the national event mourns Monday's death of four leaders. The men were electrocuted when a tent pole touched overhead power lines. A memorial service is scheduled for later today.

Still to come on CNN LIVE TODAY, a terrible famine in the nation of Niger. CNN's Jeff Koinange is there. His report, coming up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: In West Africa, the international community says the country of Niger is in a full-blown crisis. The country is about four-fifths of size of Alaska, with about 11 million people. Most of Niger is covered by the Sahara Desert. The only land suitable for farming is in the southwest, along the Niger River. That tiny region is responsible for 90 percent of Niger's economy.

A double dose of misfortune has plunged Niger into famine, with about one quarter of the population at risk of starvation and aide workers say it's about to get much worse.

CNN's Jeff Koinange explains what is happening there. We caution you, though, many of the images are disturbing.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEFF KOINANGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): No, this is not a refugee camp in Darfur. Instead, it's yet another looming crisis in yet another African country. The West African nation of Niger. Here in the tiny village of Maradi in the country's southeast, hungry mothers bring their equally hungry and malnourished children to refugee camps, hoping to get some relief. Relief that's clearly not coming fast enough.

DR. MEGO TERZIAN, DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS (through translator): Most of the children arrive at our center in terrible shape, very late and often our doctors cannot do anything.

KOINANGE: Hundreds of children have already died according to the aid agency, Doctors Without Borders, and tens of thousands more face eminent death. Another three and a half million people face starvation if help doesn't arrive on time. But what's most disturbing, according to the UN special envoy Jan Egeland, this is a crisis that could have easily been avoided.

JAN EGELAND, UN SPECIAL ENVOY: We have a full blown emergency in Niger. Children are dying from hunger. It was all predictable.

KOINANGE: Predictable because most aid agencies had seen it coming. A recurring drought followed by a massive locust infestation across the nation led many here to forecast the worst. And with the rainy season about to kick off, diseases are about to make things even worse.

JOHANNE DUHESNNES, DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS (through translator): It brings diarrhea and malaria and small children, especially malnourished ones cannot stand it. They are weak because of malnutrition. Now they are weak because of disease. It will increase the mortality rate in the next three months. KOINANGE: Those strong enough to flee the countryside are making their way to the capital Niamey and resorting to begging for food on street corners. "We need food for the children," this woman says. "This year the drought and the locusts have devastated everything. We have no food."

No food and no relief in sight, because the $50 million the UN keeps as an emergency fund is only available in the form of loans, which Niger cannot afford to repay. Instead, according to the UN, $500 million will be required just to jumpstart an emergency relief operation. Aid agencies warn that as many as 150,000 people may die in the coming weeks, if aid doesn't get to Maradi in time. An indication things here are about to get even worse.

Jeff Koinange, CNN, Lagos, Nigeria.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: And if you're moved to help, you can contact UNICEF at 1-800-486-1233, or find them online at www.unicefusa.org.

CARE can be reached at 1-800-422-7385, or on their Web site, at www.care.org.

And the United Nations World Food Program is 1-202-530-1694; www.wfp.org on the Internet for them.

Still to come on CNN LIVE TODAY, looking to purchase a vehicle? Well, better act fast. One carmaker is planning to take away a popular discount program. Full details straight ahead.

(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

WHITFIELD: Well, it's probably one of the most famous fund- raisers in America, the annual auction of the Chincoteague ponies. First, the herd must swim 200 yards from Assateauge Island, Maryland to Chincoteague, Virginia. It's a spectacle that draws thousands of people every year. The ponies will be auctioned tomorrow to raise money for the local volunteer fire department.

(WEATHER REPORT)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com