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CNN Live Today
Israeli Forces and Hezbollah Militants Ratcheting Up Their Attacks
Aired July 13, 2006 - 11:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Ominous new developments in the Mideast to tell you about.
Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants ratcheting up their attacks today. The United Nations is sending a team to the region, trying to urge restraint on both sides. But the fighting does continue.
Israeli forces confirm they have attacked two additional airports in Lebanon. This follows a bombing earlier today at the Beirut airport. Hezbollah fired rockets into northern Israel, hitting the town of Safad.
President Bush said that Israel has a right to defend herself, but he warns that Israel should not weaken Lebanon's government.
Let's bring in our senior editor for Arab affairs, Octavia Nasr, who has been following this very closely, both on the professional and personal side. Beirut your hometown and still have family there.
OCTAVIA NASR, SENIOR EDITOR FOR ARAB AFFAIRS: Right. And everyone I talk to says that they're back to war memories, as a matter of fact -- you know, long lines for bread, long lines for gas, people panicking.
Very interesting, yesterday I was speaking with people and people said that they kept going to work, schools were open, summer camps, everything was normal despite the bombing yesterday.
But today there's definitely panic. People are telling me that long lines on the border between Lebanon and Syria, the only way to get out of Lebanon right now by land. Of course, there is an Israeli blockade, a naval, air blockade and land. So the only way to get out is that one border with Syria.
Long lines. LBC, the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation, reporting that the line at the border is about three kilometers long.
KAGAN: Really? Are just people sitting in their cars?
NASR: Mainly people -- it's tourists just fleeing because they don't want -- they don't want to deal with this.
KAGAN: Well, as you mentioned tourists. Beirut is a town that has had a great resurgence --
NASR: Right. And this year...
KAGAN: ... in those last couple of years. I mean this was the hot place to go.
NASR: Right.
And this year in particular, all officials were saying that this is going to be a big year for them, everybody was going to make a lot of money.
As a matter of fact, trying to get into Beirut now is a nightmare because there are no seats available on any flights. Yesterday alone, officials were saying more than 35 flights were canceled and they were saying that not just the damages to the international airport, but also the money lost in the millions of dollars. A lot of flights were diverted to either Syria or Cyprus, the nearest two countries. And basically the officials are saying the money is going to other countries and they have to reassess now. It's going to -- is not going to be good for them. They were counting on this tourism and this money coming in.
KAGAN: OK. So that's the people's side.
Help me understand the government's side, because you've done such a good job of explaining, especially as the Lebanese are trying to push the Syrian influence out. You have this government that's in power. Democracy is supposedly on the rise there in Lebanon. Israel upset with Lebanon. But it's Hezbollah in the south that has taken these Israeli soldiers.
So you really have three different parties that you're dealing with here.
NASR: As always, it's very complex, isn't it, you know, any time you talk about the Middle East? But especially Lebanon, because it has so many different religions, so many different variations of people and religions and ethnic backgrounds.
But to synthesize for our audience, there is the Hezbollah guerilla. It's a Shiite guerrilla. That was formed back in the '80s. As a matter of fact, they say that they formed in order to fight the Israeli occupation of Lebanon.
Well, the Israeli occupation of Lebanon ended in 2000. Israel pulled all its troops out and all militias were supposed to disband.
But Hezbollah kept on going and they said that there is one disputed area, called the Shebaa Farms. You know, we talk about that a lot in the news. They said until that disputed area is cleared -- is it Lebanese, is it Syrian, is it, you know, Israeli, is it under occupation or what, Hezbollah is not going to disband.
So what happened, the tit for tat continues between Hezbollah and the Israeli forces, especially in the south.
What happened that really escalated the situation now is that Hezbollah took two Israeli soldiers captive. And they said that they're not going to return them. The secretary general of Hezbollah went on television yesterday and he said basically there is no giving those soldiers back unless in indirect negotiations. And basically he wants prisoners swapped, which Israel totally refuses. And basically that's what started what we're seeing today.
Everyone I talked to there...
KAGAN: Right.
NASR: ... and every single person I talked to is surprised at how quickly, how quickly the situation escalated and how bad it has become literally overnight.
KAGAN: Yes. Absolutely.
Octavia, thank you.
Octavia Nasr, our editor for senior affairs -- senior editor for Arab affairs.
Thank you.
You've got a long title there.
NASR: It doesn't matter.
Thank you.
KAGAN: Appreciate your time.
Thank you.
NASR: Thank you.
KAGAN: In California, images of a wildfire frozen in time. But the fire is on the move right now in California's Yucca Valley. And if it reaches the San Bernardino National Forest, there are fears it could really expected.
Our Kyung Lah is in Yucca Valley and brings us the latest -- hello.
KYUNG LAH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Daryn.
The incident briefing actually just wrapped up and I have some news for u.
The news out of this fire, the Sawtooth Fire, is that it is bigger now. It is 40,000 acres. Firefighters say they have made some progress as far as containment. It's about 20 percent contained. But the tough news for firefighters now is that they believe that a fire southwest of here is actually going to, in fact, merge with this particular wildfire. That brings the total acreage of both those fires, once they merge, if they do, indeed, later today, as firefighters, expect, it will be 50,000 plus wildfire. Now, part of the reason they believe these fires are going to merge is because of the tough terrain. You can take a look for yourself. It's very difficult here to establish any sort of fire line for firefighters. It's -- they have to cut through so much earth and work up all these hills, that it's almost impossible.
It's also very difficult to fight. You can see that the fire just literally skips through various areas and this area was burned. But if you look right above the burn area, this tree wasn't touched at all.
And so what firefighters say is that because of this, the wind, the weather, it is going to be yet another very difficult day -- Daryn.
KAGAN: All right, Kyung Lah in Yucca Valley.
Thank you.
Let's get a personal perspective on this and focus on Pioneer Town. It's on the edge of the flames right now, but it was once the center of western movies.
Joining me on the phone right now, Carol Post.
She is the owner of the town's Red Dog Saloon.
Carol, hello.
I would say good morning, but I bet it's a very tense morning for you.
CAROL POST, OWNER, RED DOG SALOON: Yes, it is.
KAGAN: Yes.
So you are not in Pioneer Town right now.
You've evacuated?
POST: Yes. I am in Yucca Valley, which is where I live, and it's about three miles down the hill from Pioneer Town. So it's very close.
KAGAN: So you live there, but your business is in Pioneer Town?
POST: Yes. Yes.
KAGAN: How concerned are you for it at this point?
POST: Well, you know, very concerned because we were a little relieved on Tuesday because they were able to save all of the historic buildings on Main Street. But then the fire backed and came back east yesterday and how far back east it came, I'm not quite sure.
So we really don't know. I did check last night about 10:00 and the road was still blocked. They were not allowing anybody up there.
So this morning I'm not quite sure. I can smell a lot of smoke here at my home.
KAGAN: Yes.
We keep talking about Pioneer Town and how they've shot a bunch of western movies, going back to the '40s there. But as somebody who has a business and you're invested in there, tell me about the attraction and the charm of the place.
POST: Well, there's a lot of history there, and we, as businesspeople, take that history to heart. And this is Pioneer Town's 60th anniversary this year.
KAGAN: There was supposed to be a big deal on Labor Day, wasn't there?
POST: Yes. We hope that we're still going to do that. By that time, we hope the people who have lost their homes will be on their way to, hopefully, rebuilding and looking forward to new homes. And we don't want to have to celebrate on the Labor Day weekend if we've got, you know, too many people suffering, but we're going to try.
KAGAN: So your home is in Yucca Valley.
Is your home in any kind of danger?
POST: Oh, no. No. We have homes on the hill. We have a small mountain ridge between Yucca Valley and Pioneer Town and there's a lot of homes built up the western end of Yucca Valley. And they were very much in danger, because we could see the flames on the ridge behind them, so.
KAGAN: Well, Pioneer Town built to celebrate the spirit of the Old West, and that's all about grit.
POST: Yes.
KAGAN: So we're going to wish that for you and wish you cool temperatures.
POST: Oh, yes. We need it.
KAGAN: Send a little humidity your way.
POST: It was 104 yesterday.
KAGAN: Both humidity and no wind.
How about that?
POST: That -- hey, that would be beautiful.
KAGAN: Absolutely.
Carol Post, Yucca Valley resident, the Red Dog Saloon.
Hopefully when this all resolves, we can all stop by and get a drink.
POST: Have a cold one.
KAGAN: OK. A cold one on you.
Thank you.
POST: Thanks.
KAGAN: Good luck, Carol.
Thank you.
We're following another story, a hot story, this one out of the Middle East.
Tensions rising between Israel and Lebanon. We'll get the latest from there just ahead.
And from slum to savior -- a look at the unlikely first responders in India's deadly terror attacks.
That's coming up on CNN, the most trusted name in news.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: We are staying with our top story of what is happening in the Middle East between Israel and Lebanon. And two captured soldiers and their status, where they are and what that means in terms of bombing between -- on both sides of that border.
We'll be going to our correspondents live in just a bit, as we watch rockets fly on either side of the Israeli-Lebanese border.
While we do that, let's head into the sky.
The space shuttle orbiting in the heavens greeted by Angels.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "CHARLIE'S ANGELS," COURTESY OF ABC)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Once upon a time there were three little girls who went to the police academy.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: Yes, that would be "Charlie's Angels" and the opening track of the 1970s show. NASA piped it in to awaken the crew. Discovery astronauts have the day off, but their Earth-bound colleagues do not.
Good morning, astronauts.
Back now to the situation in the Middle East. It is not just a concern for politicians, it's also affecting the financial markets today.
Susan Lisovicz from the New York Stock Exchange looking at that -- Susan, hello.
SUSAN LISOVICZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, there's a clear ripple effect, that's for sure, Daryn.
Oil prices up more than a dollar right now, at $76.09 a barrel. Yes, that's a record on inter-day trading. Investors obviously concerned about the rising tensions in the Middle East, not to mention North Korea, Iran, Iraq and Nigeria, where two explosions hit oil pipelines. That's an OPEC member and that is playing out on the stock market.
(STOCK MARKET REPORT)
KAGAN: All right, Susan, thank you.
Cutting that short because we do have breaking news, following up on the train blasts in India earlier this week.
Carol Lin has those details -- Carol.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: Daryn, a dateline out of Bombay, India. According to the Associated Press, investigators are naming two suspects in the Bombay train bombings; also releasing their photos. We're working on getting those images.
Some 350 people were detained after a series of explosions that was just simply devastating. It affected us here in the United States, as security was increased in a number of different cities. Two hundred people were killed in that train bombing. As soon as we get these pictures, we are going to bring them to you.
And I was just handed a little bit more information. Yes, officials naming two suspects today in the deadly train bombings that killed more than 200 people.
We don't have more details provided, but the government's anti- terror squad released pictures and we have the names here, Sayyad Zabiuddin and Zulfeqar Fayyaz, two young bearded men. Nationalities not provided yet. And nor is it clear where the photos -- apparently they're head shots which appear to have been taken for identification documents originating.
Some reports, Daryn, saying that authorities in Bombay had gotten a phone call from a man claiming to have -- that al Qaeda had set up a wing inside of India.
The investigation continues in that train bombing.
As soon as we get these pictures, we're going to bring them to you.
KAGAN: All right, Carol, thank you.
Our next story has also to do with what happened in Mumbai earlier today -- earlier this week.
Some of the first responders to those explosions in Mumbai were people who lived in nearby slums.
Our Seth Doane has details from Mumbai.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
SETH DOANE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Nearly every day, Bikram (ph) is here, sitting on the side of this busy Mumbai street across from a railway station weaving baskets to sell in the market. Bikram not only works here, but lives here, too. He and a half dozen family members sleep under a tarp, which they also use for shelter during the monsoon rains.
Many of the slums in Mumbai, like Bikram's, are right next to the railway lines. He was just across the street when one of the trains targeted by terrorists exploded.
In the chaos of those first few minutes following the attacks, before police, before rescuers, many of the first responders here came from the slums.
"I was sitting here working," he says, "and suddenly I heard a bang. So we went there to rescue."
These first pictures after the attacks show what Bikram might have seen -- chaos and carnage.
"We saw smoke blowing out of the compartment, the bodies strewn around. Some were in pieces, some without hands. I looked for those who were breathing faintly. We carried them to passing cars," he tells me.
Bikram says others from these slums came to help, too, all before police made it to the scene.
(on camera): Look at these cramped conditions inside these slums and imagine entire families living their whole lives here.
Mumbai is a city that's known for its slums. In fact, the largest slum in Asia is right here in this city.
But since the terrible attacks on commuter trains on July 11th, Mumbai's slums are now being known for their stories of compassion.
(voice-over): "I was scared, but when you see such scenes, would you turn your back?" he asks me.
Following an attack, you see the pictures of horror. But often just a little later, you start to hear of the good that happened, too.
"There are many people who will give their lives for other people," he tells me. "This city, Mumbai, has a heart."
Visiting, you could just walk by these slums without paying attention. Life here is pretty much as it was before the attacks. Bikram has baskets to sell, but he now has a wonderful human story to tell, too.
Seth Doane, CNN, Mumbai.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
KAGAN: Tense times in tough nuclear talks.
First, North Korea a top U.S. diplomat saying that time may be running out for China to persuade Pyongyang to give up its controversial missile tests and return to negotiations. Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill says it may be a matter of days and then Washington pushes for tough U.N. sanctions. That's something China and Russia have opposed.
And tough talk from Iran's president. He is dismissing a decision to refer his country back to the U.N. Security Council. Talks to end Iran's nuclear program failed. The president says that his country has the right to nuclear technology and it will never abandon that right.
Some interesting moments this morning as the U.S. envoy to Iraq facing some tough questions from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Here is part of that in the terse exchange between Zalmay Khalilzad and Senator John Kerry.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ZALMAY KHALILZAD, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO IRAQ: I believe that all Iraqis, or most Iraqis, let me say, would like the foreign troops to go out. We would like the troops to come out. But if you ask Iraqis, do you want them out now or in six months, I think you will get -- the overwhelming answer would be no. The question is what is the...
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D), MASSACHUSETTS: But our plan didn't do that.
KHALILZAD: What is...
KERRY: I just want it clear. Our plan didn't do that.
KHALILZAD: No, I'm not -- I'm not saying that. I'm just...
KERRY: So I don't -- so we should take the word abandonment off the table. We should leave the word success on the table. Different words.
Thank you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: Earlier today, the ambassador hailed Iraq's security forces for taking over control of a British protected province about 168 miles south of Baghdad. That hand over, the first of its kind, will test the ability of Iraq's forces to act on their own.
Still ahead as we watch developments in the Middle East, concern from Israel on where two captured soldiers might be taken and where those hostages might be going.
You are watching CNN, the most trusted name in news.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: And let's get the latest on developments from the Middle East.
Concerns from Israel about two captured soldiers -- Carol.
LIN: Yes, serious concerns.
CNN has confirmed with the Israeli foreign minister that the country is concerned that Lebanese guerrillas who captured two Israeli soldiers are actually trying to transfer them to Iran.
Now, the Associated Press is actually saying that that effort is being made, that these guerrillas are actually trying to transfer them.
CNN has a clarification that that is a concern likely to perk up the ears of the Bush administration, which so far is taking a wait and see position on the fighting that Israel is involved with now, on two fronts, both with Lebanon, and also incursions into Gaza, fighting with Hamas to try to get another kidnapped soldier being held in Gaza returned, as well.
So, Daryn, a very serious situation, if, in fact, that is true.
KAGAN: All right, Carol, thank you.
Focusing on a completely different topic, here at home, all week we've been telling you to prepare and protect your family as the summer storm season grows more menacing.
Today, the focus after the storm -- what you need to know after the winds and rain have subsided.
Here's Gerri Willis, host of CNN's "OPEN HOUSE."
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
WILLIS (voice-over): A category three storm has ripped through your area. You and your family evacuated to safe ground inland.
But what about the home you left behind?
TOM SINKS, CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH: Homeowners should be prepared by having a plan, knowing when to enact that plan and knowing how to get back into their house after they have left it.
WILLIS: Heavy winds and rain can cause structural damage to your home. Trees can bring down power lines and expose gas pipes.
So, what should you do when you return to a storm-battered home?
For starters, never enter your home with any sort of lighter or candle. Always use a flashlight to avoid igniting any leaking gas. Avoid standing in water unless you're certain the electrical circuit has been turned off.
Another potential hazard? Mold.
SINKS: It does cause a number of illnesses, particularly upper respiratory illnesses. And for people who have asthma, it could cause an exacerbation of asthma or an asthma attack.
WILLIS: Some materials are more susceptible to mold spores than others. Discard mattresses and carpets if they've been soaked in water more than 24 hours. They can't be easily washed and sanitized.
Boiling drinking water for several minutes is still the best option to kill bacteria, but in an emergency, you can mix eight drops of chlorine bleach with one gallon of water and wait 30 minutes. It should have a slight bleach odor. If not, repeat.
Another potential danger? Carbon monoxide, which can kill. Never use generators inside your home, garage, or even outside near open windows or vents. Lastly, install carbon monoxide alarms in your home. Test them and replace batteries frequently.
SINKS: All of these deaths are, in fact, preventable. And education and informing people about the proper use of this equipment is essential to prevent these deaths.
Gerri Willis, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
KAGAN: We'll go from devastation to development.
Tomorrow, we'll look at the real estate rebound along the Gulf Coast.
Gerri Willis continues her series, Prepare and Protect.
I'm Daryn Kagan.
Keep watching CNN.
YOUR WORLD TODAY up next, with news happening across the globe and here at home. They are live from right along the Israeli-Lebanon border.
And then I'll have highlights for you and headlines of what's happening here in the U.S. in about 20 minutes.
See you then.
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