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Safety and Security Key Concerns at Mardi Gras Celebrations; President Bush to Speak Before Governors; Iraq Troop Levels

Aired February 27, 2006 - 10:59   ET

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

BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: Want to give you a look now at what's happening in the news.
In Long Beach, California, a security scare at the city's airport. Airport officials say a ticketed passenger acted suspiciously while being screened. They say he asked for a private screening and then took off running.

Police are now looking for that man. And departing flights are delayed.

Iraq's interior minister says he believes kidnapped American journalist Jill Carroll is alive and she will be released. That word from the U.S. ambassador to Iraq, Zalmay Khalilzad. Carroll was abducted, as you'll recall, from a Baghdad street early last month. The latest in a series of deadlines set by her kidnappers passed yesterday with no word about Carroll's condition or whereabouts.

We'll continue to monitor this.

President Bush meets just moments from now with governors from across the country. The White House get-together is part of the National Governors Association winter meeting. Among key issues expected to be discussed, National Guard funding, illegal immigration, and Mr. Bush's Medicare prescription drug program.

In Afghanistan's capital, police and security forces still surround the country's highest security prison two days after an uprising broke out. Prison officials say at least seven inmates were killed in Saturday night's rioting. Authorities say they're trying to negotiate with the prisoners to end this standoff. The Afghan deputy justice minister is quoted as saying the government could use force if they can't work out a peaceful solution.

Well, California's troubled prison system is losing its leader. Corrections Secretary Roderick Hickman has resigned after little more than two years on the job. The system has become increasingly under fire since Hickman's appointment by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Among the concerns, inmate uprisings, including riots over the weekend and earlier this month at San Quentin.

Well, good morning, everybody. And welcome to CNN LIVE TODAY.

It's 10:00 a.m. in New Orleans, where the party rolls on, and 11:00 a.m. in Washington, D.C.

From the CNN Center right here in Atlanta, I'm Betty Nguyen, in today for Daryn Kagan.

And speaking of that party, in a city down on its luck, the good times are still rolling. It's the day before Fat Tuesday in New Orleans, and this is the scene right now on Bourbon Street. You can see some people taking a little bit of a break.

This year's celebration has a different feel about it thanks to Hurricane Katrina. And nearly six months after the storm, safety and security are key concerns as party-goers fill the streets for Mardi Gras.

Here's CNN's Chris Lawrence.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It doesn't matter if it's the middle of the day or after midnight, the New Orleans Police Department says it's ready for any trouble during this year's Mardi Gras celebrations.

(on camera): How prepared are you right now?

SUPERINTENDENT WARREN RILEY, NEW ORLEANS POLICE: Well, we're prepared.

LAWRENCE (voice-over): I spoke with Police Superintendent Warren Riley as we walked through the Lower Ninth Ward, an area of the city heavily damaged by Hurricane Katrina and a place where residents still have not been able to return home.

(on camera): Are you doing anything to keep tourists from wandering into areas like this?

RILEY: No, we have officers on patrol. We're really focused more on looting. Obviously this area won't be looted very much because it's so devastated.

LAWRENCE (voice-over): The city of New Orleans recently banned guided tours that had been taking people through neighborhoods like this one. Riley admits the police department has about 200 fewer officers than it did before the storm, but he's getting help from 200 state troopers and federal agents. Riley also says shortening the celebration to eight days saved the city millions of dollars.

RILEY: We normally run the Mardi Gras off $3.1 million and overtime expenses for -- just for police. This year we're doing that off $1.2 million.

LAWRENCE: Pre-Katrina, the prison system could house 7,000 inmates. Now it can only hold 1,100. To help, officials built this temporary facility just to process people arrested during Mardi Gras.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Processing the inmates may be a little slow at first, but they're going to be revolving straight in, straight out. And the people arrested on serious charges, they're going to -- obviously they're going to stay. LAWRENCE: A bigger problem could be people who need to see a doctor. Only two hospitals in New Orleans have reopened with fully functioning emergency rooms.

RILEY: You know our biggest concern actually has been a medical situation, the ability to handle a number of emergencies.

LAWRENCE: So far there have not been any major incidents. And officials say if they can avoid them for two more days, Mardi Gras 2006 will end on a safe note.

Chris Lawrence, CNN, New Orleans.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: With Katrina casting such a big shadow over this year's Carnival season in New Orleans, the celebration is bittersweet. But the parties and the parades are still rolling along.

CNN's Sean Callebs checks in now from the heart of New Orleans' famed French Quarter, Bourbon Street.

It looks a lot different than it did, say, last night -- Sean.

SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, and it smells a lot different, too, than it did last night, Betty, to be terribly honest with you.

NGUYEN: I'm sure.

CALLEBS: And if you want a sobering reminder just how wild it was, just take a look at the gutter. It goes all the way down through there.

And you know, while Bourbon Street may say Mardi Gras to all the viewers at home and to legions of tourists, you know, to people who live here in this city, Mardi Gras is much more. It is the parades that do not come down Bourbon Street. They don't come down here. They go down St. Charles, they come down Canal.

But if you want to talk even more mystery, the Mardi Gras Indians, these are a group of -- these are a group that chiefly only go through their own neighborhoods.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CALLEBS (voice-over): From their elaborate costumes to their tribal spirit, the Mardi Gras Indians are considered the big chiefs of the annual New Orleans celebrations. But this year is unlike any other. Katrina, at least for now, has changed the fabric of the city, but not the spirit.

VICTOR HARRIS, MARDI GRAS INDIAN: Just because of what happened doesn't stop anything, you know? Because this is our culture.

CALLEBS: The Mardi Gras Indians are mainly African-Americans who lived in the heart of the city and were among the hardest hit by the hurricane. Victor Harris took us to his home in the Seventh Ward.

HARRIS: This is one of the costumes that got destroyed.

CALLEBS: The Mardi Gras Indians say they lost their expensive costumes they call suits in the aftermath of the storm. That means using needle, thread and patience to recreate the outfits.

HARRIS: We coming back. No wind, no rain, no storm will keep me away from this home.

CALLEBS: Or keep the exotic parade from going on.

(on camera): The roots of the celebration go back well over a century. Separated by racism and slavery from other Mardi Gras celebrations, African-Americans found a way to honor their heritage and at the same time embrace Native American culture.

(voice-over): There is a certain mystery to the origin of the Indians. Wayne Phillips is a curator at the Louisiana State Museum.

WAYNE PHILLIPS, LOUISIANA STATE MUSEUM: In the antebellum (ph) era, many runaway slaves found refuge with Native Americans throughout the South and that forged something of a bond, or at least an influence. CALLEBS: Unlike other parades with Krewes that follow specific routes, the Mardi Gras Indians have no predetermined path, staying mainly in their own neighborhoods.

LEWIS COLLINS, MARDI GRAS INDIAN: It's a day of expression and giving honor, because that's the day that we honor our ancestry.

CALLEBS: A day, they say, to remember history, revel in art, music, and free expression and this year, a chance to tell the world this city won't buckle in the face of disaster.

HARRIS: There's no other place like New Orleans.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CALLEBS: Interesting, too. And historians tell us that back in the day, decades ago, if two tribes would meet on the street, they would settle scores. People had masks on and basically no names were taken.

Well, nowadays, if two tribes run into each other on the street, it's a chance to show off a little bit, a chance to honor each other -- Betty.

NGUYEN: Well, Sean, you ran into quite a few folks on the street handing out beads. Tell us about that experience riding in the parade last night. That must have been something very special to you.

CALLEBS: Yes, certainly. We rode in what's called a super krewe, the Endymion Parade. There were about 60 floats. There were 2,200 of us.

The thing lasted hours and hours and hours. Getting going was a little bit difficult because there were two krewes rolling down the street yesterday, Bacchus, as well as the Endymion krewe, and just thousands and thousands of people as far as the eye could see, really embracing the parades, embracing the people who were out there throwing beads, and have made it very special for the people involved. Really a great time.

I know a lot of discussion, should they have Mardi Gras, should they not have Mardi Gras, is it money best spent? Well, the people we talked to last night -- and a lot of them did lose their homes -- were thrilled that it went on this year, and they're thrilled that it's going very well. It's very family-oriented this year, and coming from Bourbon Street, that's not always the case -- Betty.

NGUYEN: Very true. And the smiles on their faces say it all, though.

Sean Callebs, thank you.

You'll want to stay with CNN for continuing coverage of the Gulf Coast and what's going on down there with Mardi Gras. CNN's Anderson Cooper is in New Orleans tonight beginning at 10:00 p.m. Eastern. And tomorrow, Fat Tuesday, both "AMERICAN MORNING" and Anderson will have live coverage from the heart of Mardi Gras right here on CNN.

President Bush is juggling several political hot potatoes today, the ports deal, National Guard funding. Both affect the nation's security.

Let's go now to the White House. National Correspondent Bob Franken is there.

Where do you want to start, Bob?

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, let' see, let's start with the fact that they all involve the governors of the United States, who are going to be hearing from the president at any minute, the governors meeting at the White House because they're in town for the National Governors Conference.

The president is expected to speak to them. We will be listening to that speech, of course. He's expected, really, though, to talk about the kinds of issues that he's already been discussing that so intimately involve the governors, like Medicare, Medicaid, competitive counsel, that type of thing.

Also, the National Guard is an issue that might come up. Governors expressed some objections to the perceived cutback in National Guard funding. The White House is saying that there really is not a cutback, but it has certainly been perceived that way.

And there's the controversy over the ports and the port security. And the compromise -- that's what the White House is calling it -- a middle ground that was reached over the weekend when the company that is expected to take over security at six of the U.S. ports said it would agree to an extended investigation. This gave the White House a chance to step away from the controversy that had so blindsided it last week.

The president has a lot on his plate. There's a lot of discussion going on with the governors. We're going to hear what the president says to the governors in just a couple of minutes.

NGUYEN: Yes, we are. And we're going to be monitoring that as well, Bob Franken, and bring that to our viewers just as soon as developments occur out of that.

Bob Franken in Washington.

Thank you, Bob.

Well, President Bush is about to escape Washington and some of his critics, at least for a few days. Mr. Bush is flying to South Asia tomorrow. He'll spend three days in India.

Then he's off to India's rival, Pakistan. He's going to focus on both countries' nuclear programs, as well as their dispute over Kashmir.

Now, we told you we were going to monitor that speech to the nation's governors. Here it is, President Bush speaking to them.

Let's take a listen.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: It's really hard to get our companies to invest in research and development if there's uncertainty in the tax code and Congress allows the R&D Tax Credit to lapse. And when it lapses, planners say, "Well, I'm not sure it's going to be around, so why do we want to make investment?"

So making the R&D tax code (sic) a permanent part of our tax code will help spur continued research in technology.

Technology's going to help us stay competitive. It'll help us be the most productive society in the world, which means our peoples' standard of living is going to go up.

So here's some things we can work on, is we can get rid of all the, kind of, needless politics that tends to be dominating the landscape these days and focus on things that'll help this country remain the leader in the world when it comes to the economy.

I also want to thank those of you who've set up faith-based offices. I'm sincere about working with state and local governments to rally the great armies of compassion. And I know that some 32 states have set up faith-based offices. And I appreciate you doing that. It's really an important part of making sure our social agenda is comprehensive and complete.

I wish I could report to you that the war on terror is over; it's not. An enemy still lurks. They're dangerous people. And it requires a comprehensive strategy to defeat. And part of it, of course, is making sure our homeland is secure.

If you have any questions on the NSA decision, I'll be glad to give it to you -- I'll be glad to answer them.

The other part of the strategy is to stay on the offense, is to keep them on the run. And to this end, I want to thank you for supporting our Guard troops.

Many of you have been overseas and have seen our Guard troops in action.

BUSH: And I can't thank you enough for not only supporting the troops in harm's way, but providing great comfort to their families as well.

Ultimately, the defeat of the terrorists is not only to defeat them overseas so we don't have to face them here at home, but as well to spread liberty and freedom. And the freedom agenda is a powerful part of our country's desire to lay the foundation for peace. And it's making a difference -- it's making a difference.

I know one of the debates about the freedom agenda is will elections cause certain things to happen that you may not have want to happen. No, elections are only the beginning of the process. They're not the end.

Elections plus a focused foreign policy effort that helps build the institutions of democracy is what is going to be necessary to ultimately defeat the hateful ideology of those who would do our country harm.

It's an interesting debate that's going to take place here in Washington -- or is taking place in Washington: Do elections cause a radicalism or empower radicals? My answer is, the status quo empowered radicals. This notion that somehow the Middle East was a safe place for the last 30 years, because we didn't see, kind of, the turmoil that happens with elections meant we were safe -- I just totally disagree with that.

Kind of, beneath the surface that appeared placid -- the policy- makers was resentment and hatred and planning and plotting, all of which came home on September the 11th.

And I believe this country has got to be aggressive in our pursuit of democracy and liberty, based upon our firm belief that there are such things as the natural rights of men and women. After all, that's what caused our founding, that there is universality to liberty.

And we shouldn't be surprised when 11 million Iraqis go to the polls and demand freedom in the face of unbelievable terrorist attacks. That shouldn't surprise America. We ought to say, "We recognize that spirit." And it is that spirit that's ultimately going to be able to say, "We've kept the peace for our children and grandchildren."

And so, we can work together on these important issues. And I thank you for giving me a chance to come by and visit with you about them. Thank you.

(APPLAUSE)

NGUYEN: We've been listening to the president speak with the National Governors Association during this winter meeting. He talked about a number of issues, including making tax breaks permanent. He also talked about National Guard funding and the war on terror.

One of the other issues that he was going to take on, too, is the Medicare prescription drug program. And of course that has just wrapped up. And there's going to be some questioning by those governors.

We'll continue to monitor this and bring you any developments should they occur out of it.

Well, there is no end to the violence across Iraq, but there is hopeful news about kidnapped American journalist Jill Carroll. Ahead this hour, the latest from Baghdad.

And later, we'll talk with the owners of a bed and breakfast in New Orleans. They've rebuilt their B&B, but will the tourists return? Their story coming up on CNN LIVE TODAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: You've heard President Bush say it, as the Iraqis stand up, American forces can stand down. Well, the administration hoped to bring a significant number of troops home by the end of the year. Now, new questions, new doubts.

Let's bring in Pentagon Correspondent Barbara Starr with the latest on this.

Barbara, what do you know?

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, Betty, as everyone has watched the sectarian violence over the last several days in Iraq, the question, of course, is, what now for U.S. troops?

What we have learned is that Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is pursuing, of course, the plan to bring some U.S. troops home at least. He has asked General John Abizaid and General George Casey, the two top commanders, to come to Washington for a series of ongoing meetings about reducing troop levels.

The idea had been on the table. The meetings were expected to happen. But what impact has this sectarian violence had? They are going to go ahead with the meetings, but there's a split now about really how to proceed, we are told.

Top commanders say there are two schools of thought: let things really calm down, see how the Iraqi security forces do, that now would be the wrong time to make any new announcement about troop withdrawals. But the other line of thinking at the Pentagon is the Iraqi forces did well, all-scale civil war did not break out. They seem to be able to control the situation.

But nonetheless, Betty, a real note of caution here. The feeling amongst many people that we speak to is now the militias really are part of the security structure in Iraq. The U.S. has to figure out how to deal with that, and it may be just too soon to make any decisions about more troop withdrawals -- Betty.

NGUYEN: We'll see what comes out of that meeting.

Barbara Starr at the Pentagon.

Thank you, Barbara.

Well, Saddam Hussein has ended a hunger strike for health reasons. That's according to his lawyer, who says he met with the former Iraqi dictator in Baghdad yesterday. Hussein began the hunger strike 11 days ago to protest the way his trial was being handled. The trial is set to resume tomorrow, but Hussein's the defense team is requesting a delay, citing the recent sectarian violence that Barbara spoke of and the security situation across Iraq.

Well, there are new indications that Germany may have helped facilitate the war in Iraq more than first believed. You may recall publicly Germany fiercely opposed the U.S.-led invasion. Well, now, according to "The New York Times," two German intelligence agents in Baghdad obtained a copy of Saddam Hussein's plan to defend the Iraqi capital, and Germany privately passed that information on to the U.S. military commanders a month before the invasion. "The Time" cites a classified U.S. military study.

There's new hope emerging from Iraq over kidnapped American freelance journalist Jill Carroll. This as violent attacks continue across the country.

CNN's Aneesh Raman has the latest now from Baghdad.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANEESH RAMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The curfew in Baghdad lifted today as the city tried to return to normal. Traffic on the streets, the shops were opened, but the violence persisted. A mortar attack on a Shia neighborhood left at least four killed, some 17 others wounded.

And elsewhere in Baghdad, suburbs of sectarian tension remains incredibly high. There are a number of reports of Sunni armed men going into Shia areas and forcing Shia families to leave their homes. Equivocal reports of Shia militias doing the same to Sunni families in Sunni neighborhoods.

This as the government tries to restart talks on forming a unity government. Sunni politicians have said they are set to join talks with the Shia and the Kurdish leaders as long as the current government delivers on a number of issues that they are yet to do. So, those talks essentially, while in principle agreed upon, have yet to begin. Also, new word on the fate of American journalist Jill Carroll, kidnapped now since January 7. The U.S. ambassador to Iraq, Zalmay Khalilzad, saying in an interview that the interior minister here has reason to have hope that Jill Carroll could soon be released, that there are talks going on with those holding her captive.

Aneesh Raman, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: We're going to shift gears now, because owning a bed and breakfast is a dream for many people. But imagine trying to rebuild your B&B after Hurricane Katrina.

Just ahead, we'll talk with the owners of Maison Perrier Bed and Breakfast in New Orleans. How has business been this Mardi Gras season? Well, we're going to find out.

And later, it's been on the bestseller list for years and has sold tens of millions of copies worldwide. But today the publishers of "The Da Vinci Code" are in court. We're going to tell you why just ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Well, good morning and welcome back.

Want to talk about the weather outside. Jacqui Jeras joins us.

And Jacqui, when we hear the Pineapple Express, you think of something great, always there can be too much of a good thing.

JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Absolutely, yes.

(WEATHER REPORT)

NGUYEN: All right, Jacqui. Thank you.

Well, as Mardi Gras is celebrated along the Gulf Coast, many business owners are hoping the tourists will come to town and stay for a while. Just ahead, we'll talk with the owners of Maison Perrier, the bed and breakfast down there in New Orleans.

That's LIVE TODAY right after this break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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