Return to Transcripts main page

American Morning

Reign of Pope Benedict XVI Reaches a Milestone Today; In Western Africa, Drought and Famine Combine to Take Lives of Millions of People

Aired July 27, 2005 - 08:30   ET

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

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: British police are questioning four men arrested in connection with last week's attempted bombings in London. Police stormed one of the homes before dawn, firing a taser stun gun to subdue the suspect. British media is reporting the main suspect could be one of the four would-be bombers.
Brian David Mitchell, the man accused of abducting Elizabeth Smart three years ago, has been ruled mentally incompetent. That means Mitchell will not be tried on charge of kidnapping, sexual assault and burglary unless his condition improves. Smart's father says the decision is a relief. It spares his daughter the trauma of a trial.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ED SMART, ELIZABETH SMART'S FATHER: You know, I don't think any father would want their daughter to have to testify. But, you know, I know that she's capable of doing it if she ever had to. But, you know, this guy is such a character. I can see this going on and on. So I think at this point our family hopes that he is at some point civilly committed.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Mitchell's wife and alleged accomplice Wanda Eileen Barzee was also found incompetent to stand trial. That happened last year.

And do I need to tell you this? Scorching temperatures being felt across the country is expected to be in the upper 90s along the East Coast today. The high temperatures have also been a problem for animals. Take a look at these chimps at the zoo in Wichita. Look at them. They're eating popsicles, Chad, to stay cool. Good idea.

(WEATHER REPORT)

O'BRIEN: Over at the Vatican, the reign of Pope Benedict XVI reaches a milestone today. The leader of the Catholic Church has been on the job 100 days. The new pope's potential for influencing the direction of the Catholic Church, as well as world politics, is explored in a biography called "The Rise of Benedict XVI." The author, also CNN Vatican analyst, John Allen. He joins us from Rome this morning.

John, nice to see you as always. A hundred days, I know it's not a whole heck of a lot of time, but what's the tone that's been set? what's been accomplished in those 100 days?

JOHN ALLEN, CNN VATICAN ANALYST: Yes, hi, Soledad.

Well, I think the first thing to remember is that the this is the Catholic Church, and the motto tends to be we think in centuries. So unlike an American presidency, there's not a rush to roll out a legislative program in the first 100 days. All we really have are some clues, indirect ones.

But I think two clear priorities that Benedict XVI has set to date. One is probably no surprise at all. The little perhaps a bit more surprising. The first would be his battle against what he defined himself the morning before his election as pope as dictatorship of relativism in the West. That's this sort of idea that you've got your truths, I've got mine, they're kind of all kind of equally valid, and he wants to challenge that. He's working right now on a major document that will lay out his ideas on that subject.

We've also seen him get involved politically around those ideas. In Italy, he blocked a campaign by the Italian bishops to try to block a referendum to liberalize in-vitro fertilization, which the church won. In Spain, he backed efforts by the bishop there to try to block a gay marriage law, which the church lost. So we know this is going to be a pretty politically engaged papacy.

I think the other thing that perhaps we didn't all see coming quite so clearly is how much of a priority Christian unity is for this pope. That is the effort to put the divided Christian family back together. He has declared that to be, in some ways, the central aim of his pontificate. Above all with the orthodox churches in the east. And that's obviously something that's going to run through his activities -- Soledad.

S. O'BRIEN: So then do analysts say, you know, again, at this early stage, he's very much alike John Paul II, or are they saying, who, here we're seeing the beginnings of some big differences with the previous pope?

ALLEN: Well, you know, I think, in terms of content, there's probably not a whole lot of difference to date, but there's certainly a difference in style. You know, you'll remember, of course, John Paul II was in a way the ultimate people person. He sort of craved human contact and being on stage. Benedict XVI doesn't have that same kind of instinct. He's much more of a loner in some ways, and we've seen that crop up in many different ways. For example, he's decided that in the future, he's not going to celebrate the edification ceremonies. So he'll allow that would be done in local diocese around the world. He's no longer inviting guests up for his private mass in the morning, as John Paul used to do. He doesn't have these massive working lunches that John Paul II did.

This is a guy who likes time to himself to think, to write and to try to sort of think about the momentous choices awaiting him in terms of where to take the church. We're expecting, Soledad, this fall there are going to be some big decisions that have to be made. Among other things, he's got six cabinet level positions, if you like, in the Vatican, men who are already over 75, that is past retirement age, he's going to have to replace them in fairly short order.

That'll tell us a lot about the kind of team he wants to assemble. He also has a major meeting of bishops coming up in October called a senate, where he has already changed the rules to try to make that process a little bit more open, to allow bishops to give him a little bit more unfettered, free advice about where the church ought to go. And obviously, having done that, he's going to have to decide what to do with the advice he gets. So It ought to be a very interesting autumn here in Rome.

S. O'BRIEN: Yes, no question about it. The next 100 days will be interesting. I'm sure we'll talk about that, too.

John Allen, CNN Vatican Analyst for us. Thanks, John.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

M. O'BRIEN: In Western Africa, drought and famine have combined to take the lives of millions of people. But humanitarian agencies say the crisis could have been predicted as far back as last year. Now relief is beginning to arrive in the nation of Niger. But is it too little? Is it too late? In some cases, the answer, unfortunately is yes.

Jeff Koinange joining us via video phone from one aid- distribution center in Niger. Jeff, the situation there, it's just appalling to see the situation there.

JEFF KOINANGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely, Miles. The situation is terrible at best, pathetic at worst. Let me give you an example, Miles. We're here at a displacement center. You see this Biyani (ph) here. He's two years old. He's suffering from any one of three diseases, anything from cholera to malaria to pneumonia. He's also severely malnourished. In a word, according to aid workers, this young man here could die in the next few days. And there are hundreds of them right here in this displacement camp. Thousands across the country have so far died. Aid agencies say up to 150,000 children will die if help doesn't arrive in time. That's the situation that's facing this country. This, despite what aid workers kept saying as far back as last November, waving the red flag, saying help is needed in this country. Now it's come to this, a situation that cannot be avoided now. It's going to cost 10 times as much to get these people up and running.

But guess what, Miles? These are the lucky ones. There are others in the villages, in the countryside, according to aid workers, they are dying like flies -- Miles.

M. O'BRIEN: Jeff, when those aid workers issued those warnings, why did they fall on deaf ears?

KOINANGE: It came at a time when the world wasn't looking at Africa the way they should be looking at Africa, Miles. They raised that red flag. They kept saying there's a drought in the region. There was a locust invasion that destroyed the entire harvest of this region. The entire world turned a blind eye on this country, Miles, and this is what it's come to.

And we understand, like I said, a couple of seconds ago, these are the lucky ones. Apparently out there, in the steaming African sun, these people who are too weak to cry out, are too weak to walk to centers like this, they are dying, and they will continue to die unless, according to aid workers, help arrives and it arrives sooner rather than later -- Miles.

M. O'BRIEN: Well, when you say help arriving, the sad fact is it is probably too late for many people there. People do respond, sadly, or we're glad to report, I guess, when they see these pictures. It's too bad it takes these pictures for people to take action.

ALLEN: It's not that late, Miles. Yes, there's been several thousand deaths. But still 3.5 million people can be saved, because according to the aid agencies, a quarter of this country's population will starve to death in the coming months if help does not arrive. Yes, it is too little. I doubt, Miles, that it's too late. A couple of these lives could be saved. If not, they're all going to die -- Miles.

M. O'BRIEN: Jeff Koinange in Niger. We'll try to get you some phone numbers a little later in the program where you can help out. Thanks very much. Back with more in the moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

M. O'BRIEN: Two high-profile crimes against children in Florida raise questions about why it seems like there are so many sex offenders living there. Nine-year-old Jessica Lunsford taken from her bed and killed by convicted sex offender John Couey. Now, police had lost track of him until he showed up living across the street from Jessica. And then 13-year-old Sarah Lunde murdered and dumped in a Florida pond by a convicted sex offender David Onstott.

Randi Kaye joining us now from Atlanta with more on this -- Randi.

RANDI KAYE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Miles.

The state of Florida has about 30,000 registered sex offenders living there. One zip code in Broward County in Southern Florida is where the majority of these offenders call home. Residents there are starting to notice and starting to worry about their children.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KAYE (on camera): So you just found out a few weeks ago that there were sex offenders...

NOREEN WILLIAMS, 33311 RESIDENT: It's about three weeks ago that they were in our neighborhood. KAYE (voice-over): Noreen Williams is a grandmother of five living in Broward County, Florida, zip code 33311.

WILLIAMS: Say, "Hi, bird."

KAYE: Noreen never paid much attention to the numbers until she learned her zip code has more sex offenders living on their own than anywhere else in the state of Florida.

WILLIAMS: I think it's a horror, total horror, that so many in one particular area.

KAYE: 122 sex offenders live here. That's more than double the number of offenders found in neighboring zip codes. State law requires residents be notified only when violent, repeat offenders move in.

(on camera): How did you feel before you found this information out about your neighborhood?

WILLIAMS: I was a little bit more relaxed. I'm not that relaxed now.

KAYE (voice-over): Noreen's grandchildren are no longer allowed to play in the front yard alone.

WILLIAMS: So this way they don't just open this and walk out. And nobody just don't open it and come in.

KAYE: And in the backyard, new four-legged protection.

(on camera): We did some checking with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and found 34 sex offenders living within one mile of Noreen Williams' home. One of them lives right up the street, just two blocks away.

WILLIAMS: I have a fear, especially for my little girl, for my little granddaughter, Nyeema. I need to protect her.

KAYE: When your grandma first told you that you need to be careful in the neighborhood, about other men, how did you feel?

NYEEMA DEMETRIUS, WILLIAMS' GRANDDAUGHTER: I felt scared.

KAYE: What has happened here in 33311? Has it become a dumping ground, in your opinion, for sexual offenders?

DON BOWEN, URBAN LEAGUE OF BROWARD CO.: I don't know that I would necessarily characterize it as a dumping ground, although, whether it's intentional or not, that may be the unintended consequence.

KAYE: 33311 is one of the poorest communities in Florida. Because of its proximity to the turnpike, housing is inexpensive here, making it attractive to those fresh out of prison. Many offenders also come here to live with their families. Parts of 33311 are in six cities -- Fort Lauderdale, Lauderdale Lakes, Lauderhill, Oakland Park, Plantation, and Wilton Manor. Plus a piece of unincorporated Broward County. While nearby communities have successfully passed ordinances to restrict offenders from moving in, getting a uniform policy across zip code 33311 would require action in seven different municipalities.

KAYE: Do you worry about these kids on the street with these sexual offenders living in the area?

BOWEN: Of course you worry about it, because you have well over 20,000 school-aged kids in the zip code. And many of them live within two miles of the school that they attend, which means that they're not bused, that they would walk unless somebody drives them. So, I mean, they're passing at least the addresses where sexual offenders and predators live.

KAYE (voice-over): Back in Noreen's neighborhood, I knocked on the door of one convicted sex offender. He wasn't home. I couldn't help but notice the children's toys scattered in the yard.

(on camera): Are there children that live here?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No.

WILLIAMS: That's the shocking thing, that it is so close to our children.

KAYE (voice-over): So close, and so many residents still unaware.

WILLIAMS: If I have to go around with a bullhorn and let them know, I will.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAYE: Noreen Williams is going door to door with flyers, making her neighbors aware of the sex offenders living there -- Miles.

M. O'BRIEN: Well, what about Broward County? What are they doing to keep track of these people?

KAYE: Actually, deputies from Broward County Sheriff's Office, they go and check on these offenders about every 30 days. If they can't find them, they look for them. Plus, every offender is required to register when they move to the state of Florida, and they stay on that registry for life. But, even then, as we've seen, the system is far from perfect. They do lose track of them around the country. The problem is, Miles, the burden is on the offender to register and be honest about his whereabouts.

M. O'BRIEN: Well, all right, the question is, then, really -- and it was really kind of haunting seeing those toys at that house -- are they harming children? Do we have proof of that?

KAYE: I asked that. I spoke with one sergeant from Broward County who has been on the job there since 1988. He told me he recalls just three instances of a sex offender re-offending. That is three times in 17 years. And none of those offenses occurred in the zip code 33311.

M. O'BRIEN: Interesting. But still, very disquieting to be there. All right, Randi Kaye, thank you very much.

KAYE: OK.

M. O'BRIEN: Soledad?

S. O'BRIEN: Still to come this morning, a group of women who call themselves the Spelbots. Have you heard about them? They're from Spelman College, and they are taking on the top techies in an international competition. How did they do? We'll tell you just ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

S. O'BRIEN: A settlement to tell you about in the Worldcom case. And also -- here's a question for you -- could your job be affecting your waistline? Andy Serwer's "Minding Your Business."

ANDY SERWER, "FORTUNE" MAGAZINE: You may remember, Soledad, during this Worldcom case, a real symbol of corporate excess was chief financial officer Scott Sullivan's mansion under construction in Boca Raton, Florida. Do you remember this baby?

S. O'BRIEN: I do. Who could forget it really?

SERWER: Huge, massive.

It now appears certain that Mr. Sullivan will lose this house. Just entered a settlement yesterday with New York State, a class- action lawsuit filed by stockholders and bond holders. He will have to give this house up, a 10 bedroom lakefront home worth $10.9 million. I'm going to give you more specs here, 65-foot pool, a waterfall spa, the gazebo, the six-car garage, a baronial (ph) fireplace, not just an ordinary fireplace.

S. O'BRIEN: What is a baronial?

SERWER: I guess it's big. Yes, a love that word, baronial.

Two-story mahogany library, a brick wine cellar and a tasting room. A lot of people out there might be wondering, what about Florida's homestead law that protects homeowners in the event of litigation or action by creditors? In this case, Sullivan's attorney said, you know what, you don't want to test that, because of the circumstances surrounding Worldcom's bankruptcy, you're going to get this taken away in courts.

S. O'BRIEN: AKA, lots of angry people who would fight that one.

SERWER: That's right. And two other executives at Worldcom were deemed to be penniless, so they're not going to try to collect any money from Buford Yates (ph), one of them.

S. O'BRIEN: Let's talk about this job and your waistline. I don't know the story, but it sounds compelling.

SERWER: It's other forms of corporate excess. Let's just put it that way. You get a new job, you're in there, you're happy, and then unfortunately, you're going to get fat. This is according to a new story by careerbuilder.com.

S. O'BRIEN: If you're happy, you get fat?

SERWER: Yes, you get settled in, you start ordering doughnuts, you sit at the phone, go online -- and those are some striking pictures. Basically people get settled into work, and they start eating the snack food and not walking around, and this new study says that...

S. O'BRIEN: And it's base on the fact that they're happy, or the fact that they're stuck at their desk and they're overworked?

SERWER: All of the above, I think. So you need to get out there, do more, run around, eat better, and not just get so settled in, like us here at CNN.

S. O'BRIEN: Yes, exactly. I was thinking all I had yesterday was doughnuts and coffee. Thanks, Andy. I feel better about myself today. Appreciate it.

M. O'BRIEN: Here's a clue. If you see yourself in that b role (ph), remember those things, you need a diet, I think.

S. O'BRIEN: Or change jobs.

M. O'BRIEN: Maybe so. Get a new job.

M. O'BRIEN: We see an awful lot of inspiring stories here as well from the field of competition. It's not every day you see one from a robot-building contest, however. But the all-women robotics team from Spelman College in Atlanta is defying stereotypes.

Daniel Sieberg looks at how the so called "Spelbots" did in a recent competition.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DANIEL SIEBERG, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Half a world away from home in Japan, the Spelbots, an all woman team from the historically black Spelman College in Georgia, found themselves competing against the big dogs of robotics at Robo-Cup 2005.

It's one of the biggest gathering of robotic programmers, designers, and hobbyists in the world, and the site of an intense battle for bragging rights among colleges from around the globe.

KARINA LILES, SPELBOT: I'm a little nervous, but I'm still confident that we will do well on the field. But I'm just waiting to see what's going to happen, because right now I don't know what to expect.

SIEBERG: But the story starts in Atlanta, and goes beyond the technology to some talented students who overcame plenty of odds.

ARYEN MOORE-ALSTON, SPELBOT: We're inspiring other young black or African-American women to do what we're doing and do more.

SIEBERG: Before getting to Japan, they first had to compete at a major U.S. tournament in may. They surpassed expectations by making the cut.

LILES: There were actually great teams there. But at the same time, we were able to stick with them.

SIEBERG: Even after that victory, they still worked long hours to train their $2,000 digital canines.

EBONY SMITH, SPELBOT; We were in the lab all night for like the first two days. It was scary, but then it was motivating.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So you can see, if we put him over here toward the yellow goal.

SIEBERG: Programming these dogs teaches lessons that will go far beyond the soccer field.

SMITH: I can see myself in the future applying it to the medical field, and that's something that I'm interested in, in using robotics and artificial intelligence.

BRANDY KINLAW, SPELBOT: They're doing research with prosthetic arms and legs, and by working with the dogs, you understand how the joints move.

SIEBERG: So beyond all the work, what's it like being on the Spelbot team? Well, apparently, kind of like being a rock star.

(on camera): So there's a cool factor to all of this?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, I think it's amazing. They think we're like rocket sciences, programming robot dogs to play soccer. They're like, what?

SIEBERG (voice-over): And they say the all-female dynamic makes for good teamwork.

SMITH: You always have the feeling that you have somebody else by your side, like you're never in it by yourself.

SIEBERG: Back to Japan now, and Osaka, where the team faced the ultimate challenge. The competitors dogs were fierce at Robo-Cup. Although the Spelbots gave it their best, the women didn't score a victory. But their coach said they're already planning for a rematch.

PROF. ANDREW WILLIAMS, SPELBOT COACH: I told students that they made history by being the first all-female team and also the first from a historically black college or university, and so I told them this is just the beginning, and we expect to be champions in five more years.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALES: Go Spelbots!

SIEBERG: Daniel Sieberg, CNN Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

M. O'BRIEN: All right, go team. In a moment, today's top stories, including new developments in the London terror investigation. Four men arrested. Is one of them a would-be bomber? A live report next on AMERICAN MORNING. Stay with us.

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