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CNN Live Today

South Asia Quake; Guatemala Mudslide; Videotaped Beating in New Orleans

Aired October 10, 2005 - 10:59   ET

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

DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Let's take a look at what's happening "Now in the News."
President Bush heads back to the hurricane disaster zone today. He's due to arrive in New Orleans later today. Tomorrow he'll travel to the other areas along the Gulf Coast. The two-day trip focuses on housing for victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

In world news, more violence in Iraq today in less than a week before a referendum on the country's constitution. Four Iraqi police officers were wounded in a car bomb attack in southwestern Baghdad. Also, two Iraqi police and two civilians were killed in separate attacks in the Iraqi capital.

Gas prices have climbed about a dime a gallon over the past two weeks. The Lundberg Survey puts the average price nationwide at $2.91 a gallon for self-serve regular. The publisher of the survey blames the increase on refinery closures from Hurricane Rita and the lingering effects of Hurricane Katrina.

Conservative leader Angela Merkel says she is poised to become Germany's first female chancellor. Merkel says her Christian democrats have reached a deal with Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's party. According to Merkel, Mr. Schroeder's social democrats will take eight cabinet positions, while Merkel's party takes the chancellor's seat and six cabinet posts.

Good morning. Welcome back to CNN LIVE TODAY. Let's check the time around the world.

Just after 8:00 a.m. in Los Olivos, California; just after 11:00 here in Atlanta, Georgia; and it's just past 5:00 p.m. in Berlin.

From CNN Center in Atlanta, hello. I'm Daryn Kagan.

We're going to begin this hour with the destruction and desperation n South Asia. The massive earthquake in Pakistan and Kashmir wiped out entire villages. And today, government police and hospital officials say the death toll has climbed to more than 30,000. Rescue teams are digging through mountains of rubble, and quake survivors are struggling to get the basics, like food and clean water. Here now are some of the latest developments.

Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf pleading for helicopter and relief supplies. Countries and aid agencies are responding to the call for help. A major international relief effort is under way.

The White House has announced initial aid of up to $50 million. And eight military helicopters have arrived in Pakistan from U.S. operations in Afghanistan.

Let's get the latest now from the earthquake zone. We have reporters dispatched throughout the region. Among them, our Senior International Correspondent Satinder Bindra. He joins us by phone from Islamabad -- Satinder.

SATINDER BINDRA, CNN SR. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, the biggest challenge here continues to be trying to reach remote and inaccessible areas. Several of the roads were blocked with landslides after the earthquake, and now officials are just managing to get into some areas, some badly-affected areas in the northern part of Pakistan.

The Pakistani army went into a place called Batgram today. Accompanying them was a Japanese rescue team. And we went to some villages in that area.

I went to a village called Chapagram (ph). And Daryn, I must say what I saw there was very sobering. Almost the entire village was leveled. All the mud huts and homes, they had been destroyed.

This village suffered -- 80 people dead. And the survivors, about 1,800 of them have been camping out in the open.

They've received very little relief. In fact, just a few trucks arrived in that region a short while ago, and locals telling me that caused food riots. And, in fact, a law and order problem could be brewing, because people are not only hungry, they're frustrated, they're angry, and they really need medication, they need -- they need blankets and they need tents.

Temperatures here are hot in the day, and it gets very cold in the night. So that's going to be a priority for the administration here in the coming days.

KAGAN: Satinder, a number of helicopters on their way, if not already arriving, in the region, including many from the U.S. military, that's going to help in getting to some of these areas?

BINDRA: Yes, that is going to help. But Daryn, it's not going to make a vast improvement in the situation.

The scale and magnitude of this earthquake I've been reporting all along is very, very large. Now, the United States has sent in eight helicopters. They're five Chinooks and three Black Hawks. They've arrived today, and I've been told by U.S. military officials that they'll be tasked on their first mission, they'll be flying their first mission tomorrow. And we expect they'll be going to some of the worst-affected areas, taking food and medication, because that's very, very important.

KAGAN: Satinder Bindra, live from Islamabad. Thank you. Now to the Indian-controlled Kashmir area. Officials there report nearly a thousand deaths there from the South Asia earthquake. But survivors were left stunned by the scope of the disaster there.

Our coverage continues with this report from Ram Ramgopal in the Kashmir border town of Uri.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RAM RAMGOPAL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): The physical pain of a survivor. This is Srinigar's main hospital, where the wards are full of patients, victims of an earthquake not seen in Kashmir for generations.

Rafit Arrah survived the quake. Her relatives pulled her out of her home in the center part of the Kashmir Valley. "I saw the walls collapse around me," Rifat says. "I thought I was trapped, then I was dragged free."

In the border town of Uri, Atta Mohammed Lon (ph) and his wife Saira Begum sit dazed outside their devastated house. "We've lost all our material possessions, everything," says Saira. "We survived only because of the grace of god."

Lon lost his business as well. The smoke still smolders in what used to be his shop more than a day after the quake struck.

The devastation is everywhere. Local residents say it's not clear how bad the damage was in some of the hardest-hit villages.

Uri lies on the strategic highway linking the Pakistani and Indian-controlled areas of Kashmir. Damage is extensive. The Indian security forces are leading the relief and rescue efforts in this badly-hit region. However, it will be weeks, months, maybe years before life returns to the way it used to be. This once buzzing town, surrounded by some of the world areas most beautiful mountains, is now eerily silent.

Ram Ramgopal, CNN, Uri, Indian-controlled Kashmir.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: And then there's this fact: children made up half the population of the quake-affected areas. That's according to UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund. Executive Director Ann Veneman outlined what the agency is doing in an interview on CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANN VENEMAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, UNICEF: We've got teams of people who have been working all through the weekend, deploying resources. We have the first shipments that have now reached the most affected areas. We know they're reaching the children and the people, and the families who need them. Whether it's shelter, medicines, nutritional assistance for children, it is extremely important that we work towards survival of these children and families the most immediately.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Veneman also said that UNICEF is working on identification systems to reunite children who may get separated from their parents.

Relief supplies from the U.S. have started arriving in Pakistan. President Bush has pledged initial aid of up to $50 million, along with some much-needed equipment.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: One of the biggest concerns for the government of Pakistan is not enough airlift capacity to get into some of the rural areas where people are suffering. So we're moving choppers.

Secretary Rumsfeld is surveying the assets that he may be able to move in the area. We're working with Pakistan at all levels of the government. Pakistan is a friend, and the United States government and the people of the United States will help as best as we possibly can.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: The eight U.S. military helicopters that arrived in Pakistan today will be used to ferry rescue teams and relief supplies.

To Guatemala now, the disaster brought on by the rains of Hurricane Stan. Officials say that hundreds of people, perhaps a thousand or more, have been smothered by a landslide.

CNN's Harris Whitbeck joins us on the phone now from Santa Garia -- Harris.

HARRIS WHITBECK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, the Guatemalan military, the U.S. and the Mexican air force, and Guatemalan private air clubs are taking advantage of a break in the weather this morning to try to fly some reconnaissance missions to the areas that were most hard hit, and also try to get as much food and medicine into these areas. (INAUDIBLE) Guatemala is in its seasonal rain period right now, and the concern is that the weather might once again hamper efforts to reach some of these areas that are very, very remote.

The town of Panabaj, on the shores of Lake Atitlan in the highlands, was completely wiped out. The authorities there are talking about declaring it a graveyard. And a group of Spanish volunteer firefighters and rescue workers who are in that area said this morning that at this point the only thing that can be done is to -- is to declare that area a graveyard.

The local deputy there mayor told me yesterday that he believes that a thousand people might still be buried under the mud there. And while on the general level there is some progress in the distribution of aid, the aid is getting to regional capitals, there is still a problem of getting the aid to the people who need it in the communities.

But again, the weather is cooperating, so the hope is that rescue workers and officials trying to get aid to people might get a break this morning -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Harris, I read about a conflict between -- in different areas between locals who want to keep digging and looking for their loved ones, and officials who realize it's a big safety concern and they have to keep people out of those areas.

WHITBECK: Well, that's correct. That occurred in the town of Panabaj, where the population there, which is -- they're Mayan Indians, would like to get their dead out and perform the rituals that are called for in death. But again, the more pragmatic approach from officials and from these volunteers, rescue workers from Spain, is that it's too unsafe to continue trying to dig there, because the earth around the area is still unstable.

KAGAN: Harris Whitbeck, live from Santa Garia in Guatemala. Thank you.

Flooding also a major problem right here in the U.S. Coming up, a state of emergency in New Hampshire, where some areas are under water and overwhelmed. We'll update you on the situation there just ahead.

And flu fears. There are a lot of concerns about whether the U.S. would be ready if there was bird flu outbreak here at home.

And police in New Orleans are facing new problems and questions about conduct. When you see these pictures you'll see what we're talking about. And we'll tell you what happened and how police are responding to the scandal.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Want to go back now live to Islamabad and give you more coverage on our South Asia earthquake. Our Becky Anderson standing by via videophone in Islamabad -- Becky.

BECKY ANDERSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, thanks very much, indeed.

Yes, I'm in the Pakistani capital at a site here in Islamabad that many people are calling Pakistan's, or at least Islamabad's ground zero. I'm just going to move away from the camera shortly so that you can see what's going on here.

And what they've done at present at the Margolis Towers (ph) complex, where one building has completely disintegrated -- it simply fell apart at 8:50 in the morning on Saturday -- what they're doing now is that called for silence (ph), they've (INAUDIBLE) the bulldozers and the digging equipment. They think they may have heard something.

What they've told us here, the search and rescue team, and indeed the Pakistani army, is that those left under the rubble -- and they think there are some 50 to 60 people -- probably have five to seven days worth of survival (INAUDIBLE) 17 days. But they won't have water under there, of course. So they are still hoping that some people can be brought out alive from the situation here.

Thirty-five people have been brought out, bodies have been brought out dead. But there have been 93 walking (INAUDIBLE) from this scene. Quite incredible when you think about it.

As I said, they think there are still 50 to 60 people (INAUDIBLE). They're using their sniffer dogs and all the equipment that you can see behind me in order to try to and free those who are still there -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Becky, how long do they think someone can survive in that rubble?

ANDERSON: Well, as I said, about five to seven days. I was quite surprised by that, because it's been incredibly hot here. It's slightly cooler here now, but we're in Islamabad, and it's an extremely hot time of the year, very unlike what's happening up north in the areas which are very much (INAUDIBLE). This area here, the nights will be extremely cold.

But they're saying five to seven days underneath the rubble there. That's certainly the period of time that they will keep going in order to try and free those who are still there.

KAGAN: Becky Anderson, live from Islamabad. Thank you for that.

We come back here to the states now, check on the markets. Our Susan Lisovicz is doing that for us from the New York Stock Exchange.

(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

KAGAN: We're back with Jacqui Jeras in a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Winter can't seem to wait in the Rockies. Snow in the Rockies. Snow is falling today along Colorado's Front Range. Parts of I-70 are closed. The Red Cross is taking in stranded travelers.

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: President and Mrs. Bush head to the Gulf Coast, to the hurricane zone today. Will their trip be overshadowed by a videotaped alleged beating by New Orleans police? More on that just ahead.

And harsh words for former President Bill Clinton. Wait until you here what former FBI director Louis Freeh says about the scandals that plagued his old boss.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) KAGAN: President Bush visits the Gulf region today for the eighth time since hurricanes Katrina and Rita struck. The two-day visit will focus on housing for hurricane survivors still living in shelters. The president arrives in New Orleans later today. He'll have dinner with state and local officials. Tomorrow, he and the first lady will travel to other areas in the disaster zone.

Three New Orleans police officers are facing charges in a videotaped beating of a suspect. A police spokesman says the officers have been suspended without pay pending an investigation.

A word of caution as we show you this story. There is some bloody, somewhat graphic nature of the confrontation, and was captured on videotape.

The story now from CNN's Sumi Das.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SUMI DAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Three New Orleans police officers face suspension and battery charges following the beating of a 64-year-old man, Robert Davis, who was arrested for public intoxication and the assault of a news producer at the scene. The incident took place Saturday evening in the city's French Quarter district and was captured on videotape by a news cameraman. That footage shows two police officers delivering several blows to the suspect's head.

A second cameraman shot this video from the balcony of a nearby hotel. It shows Davis' face covered with blood. New Orleans Police Department officials viewed the tape Sunday morning.

ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Having seen the tape, what is your reaction?

CHIEF WARREN RILEY, NEW ORLEANS POLICE DEPT.: Well, to see this tape is -- it's troubling.

DAS: Police Chief Warren Riley says the tape don't tell the whole story.

RILEY: What is obvious is that our officers used more than the force necessary.

DAS: The videotape emerges after allegations some officers participated in looting during and following Hurricane Katrina. The owner of a Cadillac dealership says policemen took some of his cars.

RILEY: We had units that lost their entire fleet due to the flood. And they did in fact commandeer some of those vehicles. We're not denying that.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: And that was CNN's Sumi Das reporting. We're going to have more on the story in "LIVE FROM" today at 1:00 Eastern. The chief of police will talk about the investigation. That's at 1:00 Eastern, right here on CNN.

So we've been asking you, our CNN viewers, to e-mail us your thoughts on the rebuilding of New Orleans. Here are some of the responses.

From Sandy, in Melbourne, Florida, she says, "Only the downtown and French Quarter should be rebuilt. I think anything that was under water should be bulldozed because of the bacteria and mold that can never be removed. They need to get over it and start fresh."

From Jamie, in San Francisco, "Yes, New Orleans can evolve and its spirit thrive if it doesn't throw out its family jewels: its rare scale for humans rather than for cars; its wisdom that we work to live, not live to work; its joi de vivre and architecture. We'll need Dutch help for stronger levees, otherwise New Orleans got it right in so many ways in its past."

"Architecturally, I would rather be poor in New Orleans than rich in Dallas, Houston or Atlanta. Rebuild in New Orleans style."

To share your thoughts, read the latest on the relief efforts, or electronically thumb through our galleries of images. Visit our special Web site, CNN.com/katrina.

The final results of Afghanistan's parliamentary elections are about to be announced. We're going to take a look at one of the world's forgotten wars.

One of our correspondents who has been in Afghanistan joins me up next for an update on that country's state of affairs.

And could Germany be on the verge of having its first female chancellor? A live report from Berlin is coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Let's go ahead and take a look at what's happening "Now in the News."

A few hours from now, the U.S. military will airlift water, food tents and blankets to South Asian earthquake victims today. As many as five million people may have been left homeless by the disaster. Many are sleeping outdoors in freezing weather.

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