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CNN Live Today

Relief Efforts in Pakistan; New Orleans Police Beating; President Visits Hurricane Devastated Areas Again; South Asia Quake Update; Flight Delay Tips

Aired October 10, 2005 - 10:00   ET

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

MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: And we're out of time.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: We are out of time. So let's throw it over to Daryn Kagan.

Good morning, Daryn.

DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning to both of you. You guys have a great day in New York City.

We'll go ahead and get started. Let's take a look at what's happening right "Now in the News."

We begin in South Asia. The death toll estimates from Saturday's devastating earthquake are now running to 30,000 or more. Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz tells CNN that another 43,000 people were injured. The major earthquake was a magnitude 7.6. It struck about 60 miles from the Pakistan capital.

President Bush heads to New Orleans today. He'll be meeting with state on and local officials about rebuilding the city. This will be his eighth visit to the Gulf Coast since Hurricane Katrina struck. His two-day visit will also deal with housing victims of Katrina and Hurricane Rita.

The New Orleans Police Department has suspended and arrested three police officers for their role in what the department concedes is, "a troubling tape." The video shows two patrolmen repeatedly punching a 64-year-old man accused of public intoxication. A third officer is charged with assaulting a television news producer who helped capture the arrest on tape. The department has opened a criminal investigation.

An oil industry watchdog confirms what most of us already know. U.S. gasoline prices have climbed 10 cents over the past two weeks. The Lundberg Survey puts the national average of self-serve regular gasoline at $2.91 a gallon. The price is partly a result of refinery closings from Hurricane Rita.

I'm Daryn Kagan. Glad to be with you here on this Monday morning at CNN Center in Atlanta.

We begin with the survivors of the South Asian earthquake and desperate for help today. Much of the hardest-hit areas are just not accessible. Saturday's 7.6 earthquake is being called the worst natural disaster in Pakistan's history. Pakistan officials say the death toll now tops 30,000, but it's hard to get an exact number. Communications are down in many areas. Roads are blocked by landslides and that makes the relief effort into an already remote region even more difficult.

We've been able to get correspondents into the area. CNN's Satinder Bindra is just back from visiting one devastated Pakistani village and he joins us on the phone right now. He is in the capital of Islamabad.

Satinder.

SATINDER BINDER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, that's right. The biggest challenge still for authorities is to get into really remote areas just north of Islamabad. I went to one such area. It's called Bagram and very close to Bagram I went into a village called Chapagram (ph). And what I saw was very sobering, indeed, Daryn.

Almost every single dwelling in this small village had been leveled. It almost appeared to me that somebody took a large, big stick and just flattened every home in this village. The casualties here were 80 and the survivors in this village about 1,800 of them are just camping out in the open. They fear more earthquakes because there are regular aftershocks in this region.

All in all, in Pakistan, some 2.5 million people are now homeless and the big challenge is to get relief to them as soon as possible. In the area that I was in today, I was told by locals they were so upset at the slow pace of relief that when a few trucks arrived, these trucks were looted and actually two people were killed in the firing that followed. So some anger and anguish out there in these really remote areas. They expect help to arrive quickly.

I must add, Daryn, the United States is now helping out. Eight U.S. helicopters have arrived today in Islamabad. There are five Chinooks and three Blackhawks. And we're being told they will all be deployed to help in the relief effort tomorrow morning.

KAGAN: Satinder, how does the weather play into the possibility of getting aid to the people who need it the most?

BINDER: Well, the weather is really important because if it starts to rain, then that causes more landslides. A lot of the roads here have been blocked because of the earthquake and, again, people praying that the weather stays dry because if it starts to rain and that makes things very difficult indeed for helicopters. We're flying in mountainous areas.

Also if it starts to turn cold in the night, then that's really bad news for the homeless because they really don't have any tents in parts of Northern Pakistan, particularly in the northwest frontier (ph) province. It can get cold in the night, so that's a big worry for the people out there.

One more thing I should add, Daryn. On the third day, in some of these remote areas, rescue teams are now getting in today. I was with a Japanese rescue team. They have sophisticated equipment and they'll be going through some of these smashed homes, trying to see if at least at this point in time they can find any survivors.

KAGAN: Satinder Binder, live with us on the phone from Islamabad, Pakistan. Thank you.

Now let's give you at home an idea of the shock that was felt by survivors in Islamabad right after the earthquake hit.

A witness took this amateur video on a cell phone. You can hear the wailing from residents as they watched many of their homes reduced to rubble. In the background, dozen of collapsed buildings envelope the landscape. The area shown is where two apartment blocks were destroyed.

The U.S., as Satinder was mentioning, is responding to South Asia with money, equipment and personnel. President Bush met with a Pakistani embassy official at the White House on Sunday and called Pakistani President Musharraf. White House officials say the initial U.S. contribution to Pakistan will be $50 million for relief and reconstruction. Military aircraft will carry supplies into hard to reach areas cut off by the quake. Eight helicopters were expected to arrive today. And a seven-member assistance response team was also expected to reach Pakistan today.

President Bush is heading to New Orleans today. The scene of this next story, need to warn you here, the next story does include some video that is very disturbing. Police in New Orleans are dealing with a new controversy today. You know, you might remember reports of officers, desertions and looting following Hurricane Katrina. Well now three officers face charges after a videotaped beating. CNN's Alina Cho has that story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Two New Orleans police officers are seen here trying to make an arrest. The suspect, 64-year-old Robert Davis. Moments later, an officer on horseback maneuvers in front of the AP photographer, blocking his view. Then a glimpse.

Davis sustained several blows to the head. His head also appears to hit the wall. Later, four men, two of them clearly identified as police, push Davis to the ground and place him in a headlock.

Well, having seen the tape, what is your reaction?

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

CHO: Police Chief Warren Riley says tapes of the incident don't show everything.

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

CHO: Including this, an officer who identifies himself as S.M. Smith pushes the AP producer, pinning him against a car. In a profanity-filled tirade, the officer says, I've been here for six weeks trying to keep myself alive. Go home.

The aftermath was caught on tape by a CNN photographer. Davis' shirt is soaked with blood. As he tries to turn over, it becomes clear he has suffered head injuries. The suspect, Robert Davis, has been freed. He'll appear in court this week on charges including public intoxication, battery on a police officer and resisting arrest. Three New Orleans police officers are suspended, charged with battery.

RILEY: A few bad cops. It happens everywhere.

CHO: Since Hurricane Katrina, there have been many complaints about bad cops here, including looting by officers. One case involves a Cadillac dealership where the owner says officers made off with some of his cars.

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

CHO: The chief says the cars were used for patrols and rescues and that these are trying times.

RILEY: Where 80 percent of the city was flooded, where 80 percent of the citizens are displaced, had to be evacuated, 80 percent of the police department also lost their homes. Certainly this is a unique situation, to say the very least.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: I want to show you this as well. This is a mug shot of Robert Davis provided to the Associated Press. You can see, his eye is swollen shut. Here's an AP photo from outside the bar. Davis is grabbed by officers and another AP photo take immediately afterwards shows the suspect held on the ground by one of the police officers.

Not to mention President Bush heading to New Orleans this afternoon. This would mark the eighth trip to the region struck by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Our Suzanne Malveaux has more on today's trip.

Suzanne, good morning.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn.

I've already got the question from several people asking, how is it that the administration can get supplies to Pakistan within 12 hours but take days to get those recovery efforts to Katrina and Rita victims. So the White House wants to make it very clear that the president is on top of the recovery efforts and that, of course, will never happen again the way it unfolded just a couple of months ago.

The president, again, it's his eighth trip. He's heading down to New Orleans. It's going to be late in the day. He'll have dinner with state and local officials. And then on Tuesday, is when he's actually going to be participating in a Habitat for Humanity, building a home type of project that's going to take place in Covington, Louisiana.

He'll then go to Pass Christian. That in Mississippi where they're going to reopen a school. The president, obviously, trying to show the American people that, yes, he's on top of the recovery effort, that there's a sense of hope and rebuilding that is taking place in those communities. It is a slow process, but the president and the administration wanting the American people to know that once again he has not forgotten about those people.

Daryn.

KAGAN: Suzanne, let's talk about the battle around Supreme Court Nominee Harriet Miers. A lot of conservative leaders speaking out against President Bush's choice. But one conservative leader, James Dobson, who runs an organization called Focus on the Family, is supporting her and had this to say on his radio show. Let's listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAMES DOBSON, FOCUS ON THE FAMILY: Know some of the things that I know, that I probably shouldn't know, that take me in this stretch. And you will understand why I have said with fear and trepidation, why I have said that I believe Harriet Miers will be a good justice.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: So he knows something he shouldn't know but it sounds like the Senate Judiciary Committee wants to know what it is James Dobson knows.

MALVEAUX: Well, absolutely. That comment actually created quite a stir. It was on broadcast back on Wednesday here. Essentially what he said was that he was briefed by the president's top political chief, Karl Rove, about Harriet Miers, about her background, positions and things like this. And a couple of the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, their ears kind of perked up. They thought, well wait a minute, is somebody revealing what her vote would be on critical social issues like abortion, gay marriage and things like that.

They have since said that Harriet Miers at least Senator Patrick Leahy said, Senator Miers has assured him that she did not give that kind of information to Dobson. But, nevertheless, the committee is asking at least considering to have Rove and Dobson appear before and testify before the committee sometime when that process begins.

KAGAN: All right. Suzanne Malveaux at the White House. Thank you.

Let's get the latest now on the Pakistani government response on the earthquake. Joining us on the phone from Islamabad is Major General Shaukat Sultan, a spokesman for President Pervez Musharraf.

General, thank you for joining us.

Can you tell us the latest, sir, on getting relief aid to those in the most need in your country?

MAJOR GENERAL SHAUKAT SULTAN, MUSHARRAF SPOKESMAN: Yes. The relief aid has begun and come from many countries, and this includes the (INAUDIBLE) like Taipei (ph) and the rescue teams the (INAUDIBLE), medical, along with the (INAUDIBLE) hospitals (INAUDIBLE) from many countries. And it is being (INAUDIBLE) to the most affected area.

We have opened the roads with day and nigh efforts of the army engineers. The roads have been opened and this is opening up road communication (ph). The relief (INAUDIBLE) have become much easier.

We have established (INAUDIBLE) aid and (INAUDIBLE) with the help of helicopters. We are now trying to reach those areas. Areas we haven't been able to reach I think by today evening.

Fresh troops have also been indicted (ph) and they have been set up to establish those (INAUDIBLE). It could be back tomorrow morning that other relief work will be in full swing and we should be able to reach those areas where we haven't been able to reach so far.

KAGAN: General, you're also getting help from the U.S. military, $50 million so far committed from the United States. Is that proving to be helpful?

SULTAN: The U.S. helicopters (INAUDIBLE) has arrived today in (INAUDIBLE). Five are Chinooks and three are Blackhawk helicopters. We are also likely to get four helicopters. (INAUDIBLE) Pakistan (INAUDIBLE).

Yes, the financial help is also arriving from U.S., as well from many other countries. At this moment, there are major tasks ahead of us. First of all, (INAUDIBLE) if there are any survivors to rescue those survivors. That's (INAUDIBLE). And then also provide the temporary shelters and the blankets to those at least 2.5 million people who are still homeless. Willing to provide them the shelters provide them food and the drinking water, the medical aid and then, at the same time, removing the debris and removing the dead bodies and (INAUDIBLE) the dead bodies and then the major task lies ahead is of reconstruction.

KAGAN: And, General, let me ask you this, since, General, since you are a military man, let me ask you a question that's of great interest to many Americans. Do you think while this is an incredible tragedy, do you think it will help in the search for answers about Osama bin Laden, who many people believe have been hiding in that part of the world?

SULTAN: I think this is absolutely an irrelevant question to the situation at hand. While no one knows where Osama would be hiding, I think (INAUDIBLE) on speculation that he would be hiding here and the earthquake may be able to unearth him, I think is absolutely an irrelevant question and not at all related to the situation that is at hand here.

KAGAN: All right.

SULTAN: I don't (INAUDIBLE).

KAGAN: OK. General Shaukat Sultan, spokesman for President Musharraf. Thank you. There's much work and much help needed in your country and we wish you well in getting help to the neediest Pakistanis. Thank you, sir.

And we have much more ahead for you this morning, including a state of emergency in New Hampshire. Underwater and overwhelmed as residents there face some of the worst flooding in years.

Also, we're going to talk more about the question of Osama bin Laden. Could he have been injure order killed after the massive quake in Pakistan? We'll tell you why people are talking about that.

And later, flu fears. Here at home, is the U.S. ready to cope if the bird flu flies on to American shores?

You're watching CNN LIVE TODAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Let's talk a little bit of weather. Now check this out. This is Vince. It has weakened to a tropical storm. Poses no threat of U.S. landfall, but it does make this the second busiest Atlantic storm season on record. Vince is the 20th named storm of the season and, for a short time, it was the 11th Hurricane.

Well, even without Vince, there was enough weekend weather headaches to go around. New Hampshire's governor is saying his flooding is the worst his state has seen in 25 years. He has declared a state of emergency. Heavy rains pushed rivers out of their banks, hundreds have been evacuated in New Hampshire and neighboring state. At least four people have died along the east coast.

Jacqui Jeras is here talking all things weather, including wacky hurricanes that go to Portugal and Spain instead of destruction.

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: All right. It fits perfectly into the next story which is about traveling. If you have been frustrated with flighting, you're not alone. Delays and cancellations at many of the nation's airports now seem as constant as the chaos. Up next, Gerri Willis will tell you what to do when your flight is cancelled.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Well, not the best start to the week on Wall Street. The market's been open almost an hour. The Dow is down, you can see, down five points. The Nasdaq also starting out negative. It is down six points. Summer travel is over, but you know the holidays are right around the corner. So if a flight is in your future, you might want to know that delays and cancellations are on the rise. So what are your rights when you feel you have been wronged? Joining us with her "Top Five Tips," our Personal Finance Editor Gerri Willis.

Hey, Ger.

GERRI WILLIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, good to see you, Daryn.

Well, as you know, the airline does not have to tell you if they're cancelling your flight, you've got to find out on your own. But they do have to tell you why they cancelled the flight and that's critical in understanding what you get as a result.

Now, if your flight is cancelled because of a mechanical failure, flight consolidation or lack of a crew, you get the benes. You get the free flight, you get the hotel stay, you get the voucher for diner. But if it's weather, forget about it. You're on your own.

KAGAN: That's why they always say it's weather.

What about finding another airline? So you're stuck and you've got to get home or got to get where your going, your cousin's wedding. Find another airline?

WILLIS: Find another airline. Look, most people are just going to go on the next flight that that particular airline offers, and you may find yourself at the end of line and not able to even get on that flight. They will, if you persist, they will put you on another airline. What you have to do is make sure that you know what those next flights are. Get out that cell phone, call those 800 numbers and find out because information is power.

KAGAN: I'm one of those people who like to take direct, non-stop flights but you've got to be a little bit flexible at the last second.

WILLIS: Yes. Well, a, if you have a connection in your plan and your first part of the trip is cancelled, you've got to remember to make sure you've got connections. And, b, sometimes, if you have to wait a long time for that next flight, it's better to get a connecting flight because you'll end up in your destination faster rather than later.

KAGAN: Then the other problem of flying, that's your luggage.

WILLIS: Yes. This is crazy. If your trip is cancelled, your flight is cancelled, you've got to worry about what's going on happen to your luggage. It's the original airline that is responsible for your luggage. They're the ones who are going track it. They're the ones who are going to get it to your destination. So you'll definitely want to stay in touch with them. And that means holding on to that little sticker they gives you that gives the I.D. of your bag.

KAGAN: What if you take this all as a sign from the universe that you were just meant to stay home and you want your money back? WILLIS: Well, if you want to stay home, you can. Ask for a refund, believe it or not, and get it. Of course, most of us don't do that, so you're not even going ask for a refund. But if you do, ask for it on the spot right away because that's really the only way you're going to get it. If you go home, call the 800 number, you know, not going happen.

KAGAN: All right, Gerri, thank you.

WILLIS: You're welcome.

KAGAN: We're going back to international news just ahead. His hideout may have been hit hard, but did Osama bin Laden survive the massive earthquake in Pakistan? Up next, a look at the damage to the area and possibly to his network.

Plus, a natural disaster of another sort in Central America. Flooding, followed by mudslides turns entire villages into morgues. We're back after a quick break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: We are coming up on the half hour. I'm Daryn Kagan.

Here's a look at what's happening "Now in the News."

Aid to the South Asian earthquake victims is beginning to trickle in, but there's a major problem in getting the assistance to the remote areas. Eight U.S. helicopters arrived in Pakistan today and will begin carrying supplies tomorrow. The U.S. has promised an initial $50 million for reconstruction and relief in Pakistan.

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