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American Morning

America Strikes Back: Interview of Sen. Max Cleland: Extra Funds for Centers for Disease Control

Aired October 09, 2001 - 09:02   ET

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

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: People who worked in the same building as that Florida man who died of anthrax are being offered testing and treatment, just in case.

CNN's Susan Candiotti is at a clinic in Delray Beach, Florida, with more on that.

Good morning, Susan.

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Paula.

So far this morning, here at the county health clinic at Delray Beach, Florida, far fewer people have shown up this day, as opposed to Monday, when as many as 600 workers of America Media showed up for both testing as well as counseling for possible exposure to anthrax. Long, long lines here on Monday; so far, very few people are showing up this day. The clinic doors opened just few minutes ago.

On Monday, again, those who showed up -- and this would happen again today -- will be have nasal swabs from them to test for possible exposure to anthrax. It takes a few days at the least for those results to come back. Also, they are being given a 15-day supply of antibiotics that might be extended to as many as 60 days. They are being told they might have to come back at another time for blood testing.

Also here is the FBI, because the FBI is handing out questionnaires to everyone, to ask them such things as what people did you have contact with, did you notice anything unusual in the building, and what kind of work were you doing at the building -- did you, for example, have any contact with the photo lab where the gentleman died who worked there, as well as the mail room -- a 73- year-old gentleman is currently being treated for pneumonia. Apparently, there is no connection made to possible anthrax. But they did test him last week and found, through a nasal swab, that he had been exposed to anthrax spores.

Now, in the meantime, the FBI, over at American Media, continues to search that building. That search may take as many as two or three days as they test various parts of the building, to see if when can find any additional examples of anthrax. As you know, they already found a case of it in the photo lab where Mr. Stevens passed away. So this work here at the clinic is just beginning this day, Paula, and we will report to you as the day goes on about what kind of progress is being made.

ZAHN: We will stay in close touch with you, Susan -- thanks so much.

Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are in charge of tracking dangerous bacteria like anthrax. In fact, the CDC actually has anthrax on hand, along with smallpox and other dangerous bacteria.

RHONDA ROWLAND, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Paula.

Of course, security at the CDC is of paramount concern to a lot of people right now, including Georgia's Sen. Max Cleland. Sen. Cleland is on a mission right now to get at least $100 million for the agency. Today his Senate committee holds a hearing on efforts to keep bioterrorism at bay.

Welcome, good to you have with us this morning.

SEN. MAX CLELAND (D), GEORGIA: Good morning, Paula.

ZAHN: What happens if you don't get this money?

CLELAND: I think we are in trouble. I think what we have to do is put together a Manhattan Project over the next three or four years to make sure that the CDC leads this effort for our nation, in our efforts defend ourselves against chemical and biological attack. Right now, though, they are understaffed, and in many ways, the facilities are not what they should be. Some of the facilities date back to World War II. So that threatens the security of some of those genes and germs, and also it threatens some of the hot zones where the employees work, those sensitive areas.

We need to upgrade the CDC dramatically. I'm going after $100 million this year. We want to go after $750 million next year, to make sure the CDC is the kind of agency that can lead the defense of our country.

ZAHN: Senator, given what you are saying about how compromised the CDC is staff-wise and in terms of the kinds of buildings these staffers have to work in, is the CDC object an obvious target for someone to do something bad?

CLELAND: Well, absolutely. That's why we have to act, and act now. That's one reason why I'm testifying this morning for $100 million extra over the $150 million that the president has requested. That's also why we are going to be working hard in the next few weeks to get that $750 million for an anti-biological and anti-chemical warfare effort, because the CDC is a great international resource, and it's right here in America. It is staffed by some of the finest people in the world in this regard, and they can lead the fight. We just need to give them the tools for the fight.

ZAHN: I know that you have said in the past that a biochemical attack is, quote, "possible and likely." Why do you say that?

CLELAND: Likely in the sense that if we don't strike back at terrorists, if we just sit back and stay on strategic defensive, instead of going on the strategic offensive, as we are now doing, we are likely to experience that kind of attack, because all the signs point to that -- all the testimony, all the intelligence points to that because that's the next level of destruction, beyond the big airplanes used as kamikaze missiles.

I think we are disrupting the terrorists' plans, we are disrupting their modus operandi, and I think we've got them on the run, as president has said, and I support the president totally in this regard.

ZAHN: But nevertheless, Senator, Americans listening today might be quite frightened by what are you are saying, particularly when they perceive the CDC is so vulnerable. What did you say to them this morning?

CLELAND: The CDC is doing a great job. It's just that we need to step it up to the world-class level that it belongs to be at, in terms of its facilities, in terms of its security, in terms of its protection, in terms of its authority to lead the fight. They have great people there. They're right on top of anthrax scare in Florida, by the way; they shipped 100 vials of antibiotics down there to that case.

But I think we have to put together a Manhattan Project make sure that the CDC has all the tools in the world that we need in this country to defend ourselves against biological and chemical attack.

ZAHN: My producers will kill me if I don't get just a five- second response from you: Do you think you are going to get this money -- a quick yes or no?

CLELAND: Yes.

ZAHN: OK, you made that quite clear. Thank you, Senator, we appreciate your joining us. It's always good to have you as part of our broadcast here.

CLELAND: Thank you.

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