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American Morning

Blast Heard in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Interview With Dan Senor

Aired April 21, 2004 - 07:30   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.


SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: And good morning. Welcome back, everybody. It is just about half past the hour on this AMERICAN MORNING.
Storms in the Midwest have killed three people. There are several more apparently trapped in a basement below. We're going to update you on that story just ahead in just a few minutes out of Illinois.

Also ahead this morning, another extreme day of violence in Iraq. A string of suicide bombings in Basra, renewed fighting in Fallujah. We'll get an update on how the coalition is responding, particularly in Fallujah, when we talk to Dan Senor, who is the CPA spokesman.

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: It is a busy Wednesday morning here. A much different topic coming up, too. A lot of people paid down their credit card bills with that tax refund. Did you know there's a right way and a wrong way to do it? You probably did. But our personal money coach, David Bach, back in a few minutes for "90-Second Tips" this morning, put you in the right direction to get everything figured out. So, stay tuned for David in a moment here.

In the meantime, top stories again here at the half-hour.

An explosion taking place in the Saudi capital of Riyadh. CNN confirming word of that about 15 minutes ago. The explosion went off in an area near the Saudi Information Ministry. Saudi authorities apparently had information on six different bombs and were able to diffuse five of them. The sixth did go off, we're told. Not clear what damage or injuries, if any. More details when we get it out of Riyadh in a moment here.

More than 60 Iraqis are dead in a series of blasts today in Basra. This is in the southern part of the country, largely quiet when compared with the Sunni triangle. Iraqi and British officials say car bombs went off near three Iraqi police stations in that southern Iraqi town.

Meanwhile, a group of insurgents now heading after the Marines in Fallujah. There are reports of Iraqis dead and at least three Marines injured. That firefight was fierce today. We'll get to more on that in a moment, too, with Dan Senor.

More troops will be pulling out of Iraq. The Dominican Republic now says 300 soldiers will come home ASAP. That planned withdrawal comes just days after Spain and Honduras announced plans to pull their troops out of Iraq as well. A clear schedule on that withdrawal not known at this point yet.

In this country, the government's star witness in the Oklahoma City bombing case takes the stand again today. Michael Fortier testified yesterday that bombing conspirator Terry Nichols was deeply involved in the plot to hit the federal building in Oklahoma City. Nichols is charged with 168 murder charges in the state trial. He's already serving a life term for his federal convictions.

We want to get to Saudi Arabia right now. Who do we have on the phone right now? Caroline Faraj of CNN reporting on the latest from Riyadh.

What do you have for us -- Caroline?

CAROLINE FARAJ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Bill, just like half an hour ago, the people and eyewitnesses told us that they heard a blast in the middle of the capital, Riyadh, in an area where the police department, as well as the Information Ministry is located. The officials in the Interior Ministry confirmed to us the blast, and they also told us that the police got a tip about six explosives, and they managed to diffuse five of them. And, according to the official, he said that unfortunately, we were not able to reach the sixth and to diffuse it.

Up to now we're not sure what exactly caused this and about the injuries. No information yet because it was only a half an hour ago -- Bill.

HEMMER: Caroline, if they diffused five of those bombs, how big were the explosives set to go off, do you know?

FARAJ: According to eyewitnesses and people living in the neighborhood, they said that the whole building was shaking, and that it's still shaking like after 15 minutes of the blast, which means it was really, really big -- Bill.

HEMMER: Also, the tip, from whom did it come, do we know?

FARAJ: Still they don't know anything at all, but this is not something new, Bill, here in Saudi Arabia. Just a week ago, the Interior Ministry announced that they managed to capture and find five big trucks full of explosives. And this is, as I said, it's nothing new. Every day we hear something about explosives or terrorist attacks or capturing some wanted people, according to the Saudis -- Bill.

HEMMER: Also, Caroline, just to be clear. Injuries, deaths, what's the word on that?

FARAJ: We haven't heard anything yet, and nobody was able to confirm, the neighborhood nor the Interior Ministry yet -- Bill.

HEMMER: Caroline Faraj, thanks. Working for CNN there in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with the very latest on what's happening there. It appears at this point the Saudis got extremely lucky. Six bombs set to go off, five were diffused. One did go off. However the extent of that damage not entirely clear just yet. Much more when we get it out of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

(WEATHER BREAK)

HEMMER: We want to get back to the violence today and the violent events today in Iraq, casting more doubt on that approaching transfer of power now set for June 30. British troops responding to explosions in Basra were attacked by stone-throwing mobs there. British and American officials say insurgents were trying to disrupt the transition. The last word we have, as a result of those explosions, at least 50 Iraqis are dead in Basra.

Dan Senor, senior adviser to civilian administrator Paul Bremer, with us to talk about all of the events throughout Iraq today.

And thank you for coming back with us here on AMERICAN MORNING.

I want to start in Fallujah, if I could. This cease-fire that was said to be taking hold earlier in the week appears to be absolutely ripped apart, as we look at this videotape from U.S. Marines locked in gun battles with insurgents. What's the status of what's happening now in Fallujah now, Mr. Senor?

DAN SENOR, SR. ADVISOR TO COALITION AUTHORITY IN IRAQ: Well, Bill, when these discussions began, we made it clear that while we remained hopeful about the intentions of the Fallujah negotiators, there were always question marks about their capacity to deliver. We made it clear that time was ticking. There was a lot of progress to be done and a lot of work ahead. And if there was not substantial progress quickly, major hostilities would resume.

Now, it's too early for us to assess exactly who was behind these activities this morning and what we're responding to before we make any conclusions about the status of negotiations. We are still forging ahead. But, again, our optimism is very cautious. We recognize that there are some very bad actors in Fallujah, who have a very real interest in preventing the success of any cease-fire. And if things don't get moving here, we may have to respond appropriately.

HEMMER: Two more questions about Fallujah, and then we'll move on to places like Basra. There was said to be an agreement to hand in heavy weapons. (A), has that happened? And, (b), do you have any indications of how many insurgents you are battling in Fallujah today?

SENOR: I don't want to comment on the exact numbers we are targeting here and that we're hoping to get -- remove from Fallujah for operational security reason. I don't want to tip our hand to the enemy in terms of who and what numbers we're looking for.

Unfortunately, the weapons turn-in effort has been very limited at this point. We have not seen, again, the progress that we were hoping to see, which brings me back to my earlier point and the point that we made yesterday at our press briefing. We're cautiously, very cautiously optimistic here. We have to recognize the facts on the ground, the challenges and the limited -- appears to be so far the limited capacity for the Fallujah negotiators to deliver. HEMMER: Let's move from the Sunni triangle to the southeastern part of Iraq, specifically in Basra. At least 50 dead there. What does that say about a town that was largely quiet under British control compared with the Sunni triangle? What does it say, Mr. Senor, about the level of security in that part of the country?

SENOR: Well, Bill, it says what -- about international terrorism and the nature of the threat that we experienced in Basra this morning, we've experienced in Basra, in Baghdad, in Najaf last August, we've experienced all over the world over the past couple of years. It is that you cannot protect against the terrorist threat 100 percent of the time. There will be some incidents when terrorists break through. They only have to be successful once in a while to instill a sense of fear and terror. And sadly, this morning they were successful.

We have said all along that Iraq is the central front in the war on terrorism. International terrorists are staking their ground here. They could strike anywhere, including places like Basra. And we have to be willing to confront it head on. If we do not face these terrorists here, we will face them somewhere else. That's the lesson of the last couple of years. That was the lesson of September 11.

HEMMER: Finally, Spain, Honduras, Dominican Republic, what's the state of the coalition in Iraq today?

SENOR: I think it's important to keep a big picture perspective here, Bill. We, obviously, are grateful for the service of the Spaniards and the other coalition countries, and we recognize that every government has to decide for themselves how they want to wage the war against terrorism, how they want to help secure Iraqi freedom. Every country will determine whether or not they want to play a direct role in Iraq.

But as for the broader coalition, there are over 30 nations with troops on the ground, 17 nations with civilian personnel on the ground. I go to work every day with British colleagues, Australians, Poles, Slovaks, the list goes on. Something like 15 NATO countries have troops on the ground. The United Nations is engaged right with Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi, with the political process, helping usher along the political transition.

So, it is a very international effort. We are disappointed when some countries may withdraw, but recognize that some of the parts here is what's really important. It is the credibility of the totality of the effort. No one single entity completely bolsters the effort or completely undermines it in the event that they withdraw.

HEMMER: Dan Senor from Baghdad, thanks for joining us today here on AMERICAN MORNING. There's a lot to cover in that country. Thanks for your time.

O'BRIEN: Also this morning, a lot to cover. The storms in the Midwest. In Illinois, four or five people are still missing as searchers look for them. Three people now confirmed dead there. We're going to update you on what's happening there. And, an explosion has rocked the Saudi capital. We'll have the very latest from Saudi Arabia as well.

HEMMER: Senator John McCain has got a few things to say about Bob Woodward's new book. We'll hear what he has to say about that today, as well as his own new book, coming up next hour here.

A break here. A busy Wednesday here on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HEMMER: Two stories we're following here at CNN. Confirming first the attacks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A large explosion there near the Saudi Information Ministry in the Saudi Arabian capital. We are told through our correspondent in the area that six bombs had been set to go off. Police had diffused five. They did not, however, get to the sixth one in time. It went off. No word just yet on injuries or the amount of damage there in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Another story, just confirming by CNN right now out of Iraq, a Danish man missing for a week has now been found dead. Very few details known. Not sure what part of Iraq this has taken place. But again, a Danish man, no identity given yet publicly, missing for about a week, found missing dead today in Iraq. More on these stories as we go throughout the morning.

Now -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Well, today Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich will visit the storm-damaged community of Utica, about 90 miles southwest of Chicago. Some strong storms moved through that region last night, killing at least three people, damaging dozens of buildings.

Crews are working their way through the rubble, searching for more victims. Thousands of residents have been left in the dark.

Joining us this morning from Utica is Mike Chamness. He is with the Illinois Emergency Management Association.

Nice to see you, sir. Thanks for your time. We certainly appreciate it.

Exactly what is the status of the search right now? Obviously, it's light behind you. So, have searchers once again gotten under way?

MIKE CHAMNESS, ILLINOIS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION: Yes, they are still in the search-and-rescue phase of the mission. As long as there is hope of finding more survivors in that tavern, they are going to pick through that rubble very carefully. And that's the phase that we're still in here.

O'BRIEN: I know you had some communication with some of the folks who were believed to be trapped in the basement of that tavern. What's the condition of the building? I mean, how likely is it that these folks have been able to survive? CHAMNESS: That's a hard thing to try and guess. I mean, it's different in every situation. The tavern has collapsed, and it's very devastating. But there's still hope, I think, of finding people, and that's what they are in there trying to do right now.

O'BRIEN: OK. How bad is the damage, not only in this one area, but across Utica?

CHAMNESS: In about a one and a half block area of Utica, it's pretty devastating. It's the area that you can see behind me. Two other communities, Granville and Joliet, were hit by the same storm system, by tornadoes last night as well. So, we have damage across a pretty wide area.

O'BRIEN: How many folks do you have working right now? And is that enough, or are you expecting to have a little more manpower sent to the area soon?

CHAMNESS: No, actually, what we do in Illinois is very structured in terms of mutual aid response. Exactly what the incident commander, the sheriff and the fire chief ask for is what we're able to deliver through the law enforcement and fire service mutual aid agreements we have. So, we have a number of communities. We have at least five technical rescue teams on the fire side, at least 10 additional squad cars and police officers, a number of firefighters. But it's done in an orderly manner in Illinois through a very structured response system.

O'BRIEN: That's good to hear. Earlier we heard 15,000 people are without power. That number, I believe, has dropped to somewhere around 2,700, which is really excellent news. How long before you expect all of those folks to get their power back on?

CHAMNESS: I mean, they're working on that right now. Certainly, we hope, by the end of today. The power companies are working very diligently. Clearly in an area that's devastated like this, it's a little more tedious and slow going.

O'BRIEN: As we mentioned, it looks like the governor is going to make his way into Utica I assume, to offer some condolences and some hope to the folks who are there. What time are you expecting him? What do you expect him to tell people there?

CHAMNESS: Governor Blagojevich made it clear he was in touch with the State Emergency Operations Center all evening. He made it clear that he anted to come here, but he wanted to come here at a time when he wouldn't be disrupting the search-and-rescue efforts. He wants to look at this area. He wants a good damage assessment report, so he can make the decisions he needs to make as governor.

O'BRIEN: Well, Mike Chamness is with the Illinois Emergency Management Association joining us this morning. Thanks for your time. I know how busy you are, so we certainly appreciate it.

CHAMNESS: Thank you very much.

O'BRIEN: Bill.

HEMMER: At 11 minutes before the hour. In a moment here, did Saddam Hussein steal millions from the U.N.? A brewing scandal now. The fitness of the U.N. in question about its ability to guide an emergency Iraqi government. Back to that story in a moment when we continue here.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: The United Nations today will begin investigating charges of corruption in its oil-for-food program. The U.S. says Saddam Hussein siphoned more than $10 billion from that program. Oil for food was a plan to allow Iraq to buy essential supplies for its people, while still under international sanctions. The name of at least one U.N. official has turned up in documents from the former regime. Critics charge that the U.N. may not be fit to assume the role of helping to form a new Iraqi government.

HEMMER: There's a House hearings on this very topic this week, too.

(CROSSTALK)

HEMMER: Some say he could have stolen $1 billion, if not more, from that single program? Wow!

O'BRIEN: Shocking, it really is.

HEMMER: What's up -- Jack?

JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: That couldn't happen at the United Nations, could it? I find that shocking.

The question of the day is about the Pentagon drafting plans to send more soldiers to Iraq, in case the commanders request them. The violence shows no sign of letting up. Some coalition countries are pulling out of Iraq. Recent polls show that an increasing number of Americans support sending more troops. And Republican Senator Chuck Hagel suggested that the United States may now be forced to reinstate the draft.

So, the question is whether you agree with Senator Hagel or not that the U.S. should bring back the draft. We've gotten over 300 letters in less than a half hour. A lot of opinions on this.

Al in Roselle Park, New Jersey: "Although my viewpoint may not be popular, yes, I believe the draft should be reinstated. In all my years, I cannot remember a time when the Reserves and the National Guard have been used in this way. It's time the U.S. fixes this problem."

Maureen in Los Angeles: "Hagel wants to reinstate the draft so all will share the burden and not only the lower and middle class will be serving. Doesn't he realize the wealthy will still be exempt by serving in the National Guard or getting jobs with local or federal congressmen?" Are there local congressmen? No.

Karen writes this: "No. Both my husband and brother are active- duty military with graduate degrees. They come from upper middle- class backgrounds. And at many points, especially in the '90s, could have doubled or tripled their military salaries by leaving the service. They stayed by choice, as do others. A draft would only breed discontent. Chuck Hagel should stop whining."

And Bob in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania: "Absolutely. Return the draft. Twenty-four hours later the protests will start, and 48 hours after that we'll be bringing our troops home from Iraq."

AM@CNN.com.

HEMMER: It's an election year, we remind ourselves. Any chance of that happening before November? I would say fat chance.

CAFFERTY: Of course not.

HEMMER: No.

CAFFERTY: Of course not.

HEMMER: The Pentagon, though, they have plans ready to go right now to get more troops in Iraq if they need to do it quickly. And right now, it looks like this summer they may have to.

CAFFERTY: I wonder if they'll do anything with the -- we've got almost 40,000 troops in West Germany. I wonder if some of those people might see service in the Middle East.

HEMMER: You know, Wolfowitz again yesterday -- he was on Capitol Hill with these hearings. And he said, listen, this is not a peacekeeping environment yet.

CAFFERTY: No.

HEMMER: So, if you draft any troops from any other country (UNINTELLIGIBLE) peacekeepers. This is combat right now, and you can see that clearly in Fallujah already today with the Marines.

CAFFERTY: Well, maybe -- you know, let the U.N. handle it, like they did with the oil-for-food thing.

(CROSSTALK)

HEMMER: More on Iraq in a moment. Also, more out of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. We're watching some live pictures from the Saudi Arabian capital. At least six blasts were set to go off. They diffused five of them. One did go off. Much more on that in a moment.

Also, the fighting in Fallujah continues to be one of our lead stories today. General Grange has some thoughts on that. At the top of the hour we continue right after this on AMERICAN MORNING. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HEMMER: In a moment here, a path of devastation now in Illinois. A tornado touching down there. Live pictures now courtesy of WFLD. At least three are dead. They are still looking for more this morning. Live to the scene in a moment when we continue at the top of the hour here.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.


Aired April 21, 2004 - 07:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: And good morning. Welcome back, everybody. It is just about half past the hour on this AMERICAN MORNING.
Storms in the Midwest have killed three people. There are several more apparently trapped in a basement below. We're going to update you on that story just ahead in just a few minutes out of Illinois.

Also ahead this morning, another extreme day of violence in Iraq. A string of suicide bombings in Basra, renewed fighting in Fallujah. We'll get an update on how the coalition is responding, particularly in Fallujah, when we talk to Dan Senor, who is the CPA spokesman.

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: It is a busy Wednesday morning here. A much different topic coming up, too. A lot of people paid down their credit card bills with that tax refund. Did you know there's a right way and a wrong way to do it? You probably did. But our personal money coach, David Bach, back in a few minutes for "90-Second Tips" this morning, put you in the right direction to get everything figured out. So, stay tuned for David in a moment here.

In the meantime, top stories again here at the half-hour.

An explosion taking place in the Saudi capital of Riyadh. CNN confirming word of that about 15 minutes ago. The explosion went off in an area near the Saudi Information Ministry. Saudi authorities apparently had information on six different bombs and were able to diffuse five of them. The sixth did go off, we're told. Not clear what damage or injuries, if any. More details when we get it out of Riyadh in a moment here.

More than 60 Iraqis are dead in a series of blasts today in Basra. This is in the southern part of the country, largely quiet when compared with the Sunni triangle. Iraqi and British officials say car bombs went off near three Iraqi police stations in that southern Iraqi town.

Meanwhile, a group of insurgents now heading after the Marines in Fallujah. There are reports of Iraqis dead and at least three Marines injured. That firefight was fierce today. We'll get to more on that in a moment, too, with Dan Senor.

More troops will be pulling out of Iraq. The Dominican Republic now says 300 soldiers will come home ASAP. That planned withdrawal comes just days after Spain and Honduras announced plans to pull their troops out of Iraq as well. A clear schedule on that withdrawal not known at this point yet.

In this country, the government's star witness in the Oklahoma City bombing case takes the stand again today. Michael Fortier testified yesterday that bombing conspirator Terry Nichols was deeply involved in the plot to hit the federal building in Oklahoma City. Nichols is charged with 168 murder charges in the state trial. He's already serving a life term for his federal convictions.

We want to get to Saudi Arabia right now. Who do we have on the phone right now? Caroline Faraj of CNN reporting on the latest from Riyadh.

What do you have for us -- Caroline?

CAROLINE FARAJ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Bill, just like half an hour ago, the people and eyewitnesses told us that they heard a blast in the middle of the capital, Riyadh, in an area where the police department, as well as the Information Ministry is located. The officials in the Interior Ministry confirmed to us the blast, and they also told us that the police got a tip about six explosives, and they managed to diffuse five of them. And, according to the official, he said that unfortunately, we were not able to reach the sixth and to diffuse it.

Up to now we're not sure what exactly caused this and about the injuries. No information yet because it was only a half an hour ago -- Bill.

HEMMER: Caroline, if they diffused five of those bombs, how big were the explosives set to go off, do you know?

FARAJ: According to eyewitnesses and people living in the neighborhood, they said that the whole building was shaking, and that it's still shaking like after 15 minutes of the blast, which means it was really, really big -- Bill.

HEMMER: Also, the tip, from whom did it come, do we know?

FARAJ: Still they don't know anything at all, but this is not something new, Bill, here in Saudi Arabia. Just a week ago, the Interior Ministry announced that they managed to capture and find five big trucks full of explosives. And this is, as I said, it's nothing new. Every day we hear something about explosives or terrorist attacks or capturing some wanted people, according to the Saudis -- Bill.

HEMMER: Also, Caroline, just to be clear. Injuries, deaths, what's the word on that?

FARAJ: We haven't heard anything yet, and nobody was able to confirm, the neighborhood nor the Interior Ministry yet -- Bill.

HEMMER: Caroline Faraj, thanks. Working for CNN there in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with the very latest on what's happening there. It appears at this point the Saudis got extremely lucky. Six bombs set to go off, five were diffused. One did go off. However the extent of that damage not entirely clear just yet. Much more when we get it out of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

(WEATHER BREAK)

HEMMER: We want to get back to the violence today and the violent events today in Iraq, casting more doubt on that approaching transfer of power now set for June 30. British troops responding to explosions in Basra were attacked by stone-throwing mobs there. British and American officials say insurgents were trying to disrupt the transition. The last word we have, as a result of those explosions, at least 50 Iraqis are dead in Basra.

Dan Senor, senior adviser to civilian administrator Paul Bremer, with us to talk about all of the events throughout Iraq today.

And thank you for coming back with us here on AMERICAN MORNING.

I want to start in Fallujah, if I could. This cease-fire that was said to be taking hold earlier in the week appears to be absolutely ripped apart, as we look at this videotape from U.S. Marines locked in gun battles with insurgents. What's the status of what's happening now in Fallujah now, Mr. Senor?

DAN SENOR, SR. ADVISOR TO COALITION AUTHORITY IN IRAQ: Well, Bill, when these discussions began, we made it clear that while we remained hopeful about the intentions of the Fallujah negotiators, there were always question marks about their capacity to deliver. We made it clear that time was ticking. There was a lot of progress to be done and a lot of work ahead. And if there was not substantial progress quickly, major hostilities would resume.

Now, it's too early for us to assess exactly who was behind these activities this morning and what we're responding to before we make any conclusions about the status of negotiations. We are still forging ahead. But, again, our optimism is very cautious. We recognize that there are some very bad actors in Fallujah, who have a very real interest in preventing the success of any cease-fire. And if things don't get moving here, we may have to respond appropriately.

HEMMER: Two more questions about Fallujah, and then we'll move on to places like Basra. There was said to be an agreement to hand in heavy weapons. (A), has that happened? And, (b), do you have any indications of how many insurgents you are battling in Fallujah today?

SENOR: I don't want to comment on the exact numbers we are targeting here and that we're hoping to get -- remove from Fallujah for operational security reason. I don't want to tip our hand to the enemy in terms of who and what numbers we're looking for.

Unfortunately, the weapons turn-in effort has been very limited at this point. We have not seen, again, the progress that we were hoping to see, which brings me back to my earlier point and the point that we made yesterday at our press briefing. We're cautiously, very cautiously optimistic here. We have to recognize the facts on the ground, the challenges and the limited -- appears to be so far the limited capacity for the Fallujah negotiators to deliver. HEMMER: Let's move from the Sunni triangle to the southeastern part of Iraq, specifically in Basra. At least 50 dead there. What does that say about a town that was largely quiet under British control compared with the Sunni triangle? What does it say, Mr. Senor, about the level of security in that part of the country?

SENOR: Well, Bill, it says what -- about international terrorism and the nature of the threat that we experienced in Basra this morning, we've experienced in Basra, in Baghdad, in Najaf last August, we've experienced all over the world over the past couple of years. It is that you cannot protect against the terrorist threat 100 percent of the time. There will be some incidents when terrorists break through. They only have to be successful once in a while to instill a sense of fear and terror. And sadly, this morning they were successful.

We have said all along that Iraq is the central front in the war on terrorism. International terrorists are staking their ground here. They could strike anywhere, including places like Basra. And we have to be willing to confront it head on. If we do not face these terrorists here, we will face them somewhere else. That's the lesson of the last couple of years. That was the lesson of September 11.

HEMMER: Finally, Spain, Honduras, Dominican Republic, what's the state of the coalition in Iraq today?

SENOR: I think it's important to keep a big picture perspective here, Bill. We, obviously, are grateful for the service of the Spaniards and the other coalition countries, and we recognize that every government has to decide for themselves how they want to wage the war against terrorism, how they want to help secure Iraqi freedom. Every country will determine whether or not they want to play a direct role in Iraq.

But as for the broader coalition, there are over 30 nations with troops on the ground, 17 nations with civilian personnel on the ground. I go to work every day with British colleagues, Australians, Poles, Slovaks, the list goes on. Something like 15 NATO countries have troops on the ground. The United Nations is engaged right with Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi, with the political process, helping usher along the political transition.

So, it is a very international effort. We are disappointed when some countries may withdraw, but recognize that some of the parts here is what's really important. It is the credibility of the totality of the effort. No one single entity completely bolsters the effort or completely undermines it in the event that they withdraw.

HEMMER: Dan Senor from Baghdad, thanks for joining us today here on AMERICAN MORNING. There's a lot to cover in that country. Thanks for your time.

O'BRIEN: Also this morning, a lot to cover. The storms in the Midwest. In Illinois, four or five people are still missing as searchers look for them. Three people now confirmed dead there. We're going to update you on what's happening there. And, an explosion has rocked the Saudi capital. We'll have the very latest from Saudi Arabia as well.

HEMMER: Senator John McCain has got a few things to say about Bob Woodward's new book. We'll hear what he has to say about that today, as well as his own new book, coming up next hour here.

A break here. A busy Wednesday here on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HEMMER: Two stories we're following here at CNN. Confirming first the attacks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A large explosion there near the Saudi Information Ministry in the Saudi Arabian capital. We are told through our correspondent in the area that six bombs had been set to go off. Police had diffused five. They did not, however, get to the sixth one in time. It went off. No word just yet on injuries or the amount of damage there in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Another story, just confirming by CNN right now out of Iraq, a Danish man missing for a week has now been found dead. Very few details known. Not sure what part of Iraq this has taken place. But again, a Danish man, no identity given yet publicly, missing for about a week, found missing dead today in Iraq. More on these stories as we go throughout the morning.

Now -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Well, today Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich will visit the storm-damaged community of Utica, about 90 miles southwest of Chicago. Some strong storms moved through that region last night, killing at least three people, damaging dozens of buildings.

Crews are working their way through the rubble, searching for more victims. Thousands of residents have been left in the dark.

Joining us this morning from Utica is Mike Chamness. He is with the Illinois Emergency Management Association.

Nice to see you, sir. Thanks for your time. We certainly appreciate it.

Exactly what is the status of the search right now? Obviously, it's light behind you. So, have searchers once again gotten under way?

MIKE CHAMNESS, ILLINOIS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION: Yes, they are still in the search-and-rescue phase of the mission. As long as there is hope of finding more survivors in that tavern, they are going to pick through that rubble very carefully. And that's the phase that we're still in here.

O'BRIEN: I know you had some communication with some of the folks who were believed to be trapped in the basement of that tavern. What's the condition of the building? I mean, how likely is it that these folks have been able to survive? CHAMNESS: That's a hard thing to try and guess. I mean, it's different in every situation. The tavern has collapsed, and it's very devastating. But there's still hope, I think, of finding people, and that's what they are in there trying to do right now.

O'BRIEN: OK. How bad is the damage, not only in this one area, but across Utica?

CHAMNESS: In about a one and a half block area of Utica, it's pretty devastating. It's the area that you can see behind me. Two other communities, Granville and Joliet, were hit by the same storm system, by tornadoes last night as well. So, we have damage across a pretty wide area.

O'BRIEN: How many folks do you have working right now? And is that enough, or are you expecting to have a little more manpower sent to the area soon?

CHAMNESS: No, actually, what we do in Illinois is very structured in terms of mutual aid response. Exactly what the incident commander, the sheriff and the fire chief ask for is what we're able to deliver through the law enforcement and fire service mutual aid agreements we have. So, we have a number of communities. We have at least five technical rescue teams on the fire side, at least 10 additional squad cars and police officers, a number of firefighters. But it's done in an orderly manner in Illinois through a very structured response system.

O'BRIEN: That's good to hear. Earlier we heard 15,000 people are without power. That number, I believe, has dropped to somewhere around 2,700, which is really excellent news. How long before you expect all of those folks to get their power back on?

CHAMNESS: I mean, they're working on that right now. Certainly, we hope, by the end of today. The power companies are working very diligently. Clearly in an area that's devastated like this, it's a little more tedious and slow going.

O'BRIEN: As we mentioned, it looks like the governor is going to make his way into Utica I assume, to offer some condolences and some hope to the folks who are there. What time are you expecting him? What do you expect him to tell people there?

CHAMNESS: Governor Blagojevich made it clear he was in touch with the State Emergency Operations Center all evening. He made it clear that he anted to come here, but he wanted to come here at a time when he wouldn't be disrupting the search-and-rescue efforts. He wants to look at this area. He wants a good damage assessment report, so he can make the decisions he needs to make as governor.

O'BRIEN: Well, Mike Chamness is with the Illinois Emergency Management Association joining us this morning. Thanks for your time. I know how busy you are, so we certainly appreciate it.

CHAMNESS: Thank you very much.

O'BRIEN: Bill.

HEMMER: At 11 minutes before the hour. In a moment here, did Saddam Hussein steal millions from the U.N.? A brewing scandal now. The fitness of the U.N. in question about its ability to guide an emergency Iraqi government. Back to that story in a moment when we continue here.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: The United Nations today will begin investigating charges of corruption in its oil-for-food program. The U.S. says Saddam Hussein siphoned more than $10 billion from that program. Oil for food was a plan to allow Iraq to buy essential supplies for its people, while still under international sanctions. The name of at least one U.N. official has turned up in documents from the former regime. Critics charge that the U.N. may not be fit to assume the role of helping to form a new Iraqi government.

HEMMER: There's a House hearings on this very topic this week, too.

(CROSSTALK)

HEMMER: Some say he could have stolen $1 billion, if not more, from that single program? Wow!

O'BRIEN: Shocking, it really is.

HEMMER: What's up -- Jack?

JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: That couldn't happen at the United Nations, could it? I find that shocking.

The question of the day is about the Pentagon drafting plans to send more soldiers to Iraq, in case the commanders request them. The violence shows no sign of letting up. Some coalition countries are pulling out of Iraq. Recent polls show that an increasing number of Americans support sending more troops. And Republican Senator Chuck Hagel suggested that the United States may now be forced to reinstate the draft.

So, the question is whether you agree with Senator Hagel or not that the U.S. should bring back the draft. We've gotten over 300 letters in less than a half hour. A lot of opinions on this.

Al in Roselle Park, New Jersey: "Although my viewpoint may not be popular, yes, I believe the draft should be reinstated. In all my years, I cannot remember a time when the Reserves and the National Guard have been used in this way. It's time the U.S. fixes this problem."

Maureen in Los Angeles: "Hagel wants to reinstate the draft so all will share the burden and not only the lower and middle class will be serving. Doesn't he realize the wealthy will still be exempt by serving in the National Guard or getting jobs with local or federal congressmen?" Are there local congressmen? No.

Karen writes this: "No. Both my husband and brother are active- duty military with graduate degrees. They come from upper middle- class backgrounds. And at many points, especially in the '90s, could have doubled or tripled their military salaries by leaving the service. They stayed by choice, as do others. A draft would only breed discontent. Chuck Hagel should stop whining."

And Bob in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania: "Absolutely. Return the draft. Twenty-four hours later the protests will start, and 48 hours after that we'll be bringing our troops home from Iraq."

AM@CNN.com.

HEMMER: It's an election year, we remind ourselves. Any chance of that happening before November? I would say fat chance.

CAFFERTY: Of course not.

HEMMER: No.

CAFFERTY: Of course not.

HEMMER: The Pentagon, though, they have plans ready to go right now to get more troops in Iraq if they need to do it quickly. And right now, it looks like this summer they may have to.

CAFFERTY: I wonder if they'll do anything with the -- we've got almost 40,000 troops in West Germany. I wonder if some of those people might see service in the Middle East.

HEMMER: You know, Wolfowitz again yesterday -- he was on Capitol Hill with these hearings. And he said, listen, this is not a peacekeeping environment yet.

CAFFERTY: No.

HEMMER: So, if you draft any troops from any other country (UNINTELLIGIBLE) peacekeepers. This is combat right now, and you can see that clearly in Fallujah already today with the Marines.

CAFFERTY: Well, maybe -- you know, let the U.N. handle it, like they did with the oil-for-food thing.

(CROSSTALK)

HEMMER: More on Iraq in a moment. Also, more out of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. We're watching some live pictures from the Saudi Arabian capital. At least six blasts were set to go off. They diffused five of them. One did go off. Much more on that in a moment.

Also, the fighting in Fallujah continues to be one of our lead stories today. General Grange has some thoughts on that. At the top of the hour we continue right after this on AMERICAN MORNING. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HEMMER: In a moment here, a path of devastation now in Illinois. A tornado touching down there. Live pictures now courtesy of WFLD. At least three are dead. They are still looking for more this morning. Live to the scene in a moment when we continue at the top of the hour here.

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