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American Morning

American Airstrike Sparks Protests in Pakistan

Aired January 16, 2006 - 08:00   ET

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

MILES O'BRIEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning.
I'm Miles O'Brien.

An American airstrike sparks protests in Pakistan. What or whom was the target and what will the missile miss mean to the future of the war on terror? We'll explain.

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: I'm Carol Costello in for Soledad today.

It's been 20 years since the first Martin Luther King Day. Is his dream living on or has the fight for equality gone in a different direction?

M. O'BRIEN: And tonight, they're handing out hardware to the best in movies and TV. We'll take you live to Los Angeles for a Golden Globes preview ahead on this AMERICAN MORNING.

COSTELLO: And good morning to you.

We hope you have the day off on this Martin Luther King Day.

M. O'BRIEN: Thanks for joining us on your day off, if it is, in fact.

We begin in Pakistan.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will not confirm a missile attack against al Qaeda on Friday. But today she reacted by saying al Qaeda cannot be treated lightly.

There's growing anger in Pakistan against the U.S. and their own government there for cooperation in the war on terror.

David Ensor live now in Washington with more on this -- and, David, what do we know about the intelligence information that led to this strike?

DAVID ENSOR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Miles, U.S. counter-terrorism officials say that the evidence that there were senior al Qaeda people in those buildings that were hit on Friday was excellent. They are quite confident that they hit a group of al Qaeda personnel in those houses. I'm told the number might be in the area of four to five.

Now, they had what they believed was good evidence that Ayman el- Zawahiri, the number two man in al Qaeda, might also have been among the group. But that, of course, no one is quite sure about at this point. They're not sure that at the moment the bombs dropped, he was in those buildings. And obviously that's what everyone wants to know, both Americans, Pakistanis and the rest of the world.

Now, clearly these -- this attack has raised political problems for President Pervez Musharraf in Pakistan. But it is interesting to note that all he has said about the attacks is that he advises people in the tribal area not to accept foreign fighters into their houses.

If Zawahiri is dead, this will obviously have an important impact on al Qaeda's effectiveness. He was considered by many to be the brains of the operation. And, obviously, he was the one who has most recently been repeatedly issuing tapes exhorting those who support al Qaeda to attack various targets and so on.

Now, the administration got indications over the weekend that even if this is controversial in Pakistan, they're not likely to be criticized by Democrats for the action that the Central Intelligence Agency apparently took on Friday.

Here's a comment on "LATE EDITION" from Senator Evan Bayh.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. EVAN BAYH (D-IA), INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE: It's a regrettable situation. But what else are we supposed to do? It's like the Wild Wild West out there. The Pakistani border is a real problem. We have solid information that the top al Qaeda leadership is being harbored in that part of Pakistan.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ENSOR: Now, another issue is whether or not -- and I -- there were reports in the wires that some of the bodies might have been quickly removed by an individual in the area soon after the attacks. Officials I've spoken to are unwilling to discuss the specifics about that. But there are some indications in the conversations I've had with officials that something like that may have happened.

So this may be difficult, to solve this mystery. But officials do believe they'll find out soon whether Zawahiri was there or not -- Miles.

M. O'BRIEN: So they will be able to determine one way or another.

Let me ask you this, David. At least on the face of it, President Musharraf has to probably be critical, somewhat, of the United States in order to protect himself domestically.

How much does this really affect the relationship between the U.S. and Pakistan, which is a key ally, after all?

ENSOR: This does not help. This makes it difficult for the Pakistanis to cooperate with the Americans. But officials I've talked to believe that while this is creating political problems for President Musharraf, the cooperation will continue -- Miles.

M. O'BRIEN: All right, thank you very much.

David Ensor.

You saw Evan Bayh there just a few moments ago. That was a little excerpt from Wolf Blitzer's "LATE EDITION" program, which airs every Sunday at 11:00 a.m. Eastern time right here on CNN. It actually airs all over the world, so you'll want to tune in for that next Sunday -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Definitely so.

Just a few minutes ago, a landmark inauguration in Africa. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf not only became Liberia's new president, she's also become the first woman elected to lead any African nation.

Liberia sits on the western coast of Africa, next to Sierra Leone.

CNN's Jeff Koinange joins us by videophone from Liberia's capital city of Monrovia -- good morning, Jeff.

JEFF KOINANGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) a historical moment, if you will. Just a short while ago, as you mentioned, President Elect Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf became President Ellen Johnson- Sirleaf, the country's 23rd president since independence in 1847, Liberia's and Africa's first ever female elected president.

Right now, she's giving her (UNINTELLIGIBLE), telling the Liberians (UNINTELLIGIBLE) dawn of a new democracy. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) like unemployment...

COSTELLO: You can't -- just to explain why the audio quality from Jeff Koinange is so poor, the inauguration is happening. This is Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf speaking right now to, of course, her constituents, her fellow countrymen.

Are we going to go back to Jeff and try to hear him?

Yes, OK, let's get back to Jeff and see if it's any better.

KOINANGE: That's right, Carol. And the speech was continuing (UNINTELLIGIBLE) as we speak, Ellen Johnson has been -- Ellen Johnson- Sirleaf making her inaugural address, telling the nation this is the dawn of a new democracy. She says she's going to address issues such as unemployment, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) giving them the chance. She's going to address the economy, which is in a shambles, as we speak.

Liberia has a $3.5 billion debt (UNINTELLIGIBLE) for a country of only three-and-a-half million people. She's going to have a (UNINTELLIGIBLE)...

COSTELLO: All right, we're going to apologize.

You cannot hear Jeff because, of course, the audio is not quite working for Jeff Koinange.

But Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Liberia's new president, talking about unemployment, which is widespread in the country. She's Harvard educated, has many U.S. ties and I think that she went to Harvard for economics. So we'll see if she's able to do something in that country about the widespread unemployment problems and many other problems that Liberia faces.

We'll go back to Jeff when we can.

Another country has elected its first woman president, Chile. Socialist credit Michelle Bachelet beat conservative Sebastian Pinera by 7 percent of the vote in a runoff. Bachelet is a one time political prisoner who currently serves as defense minister for outgoing President Ricardo Lagos. Bachelet takes office on March 11 -- Miles.

M. O'BRIEN: Perhaps the most influential congressman you don't know has stepped aside, the latest chapter in Lobbygate. Ohio Republican Bob Ney won't be leading the powerful House Administration Committee for the time being. That's because he's the latest to be linked to an indicted lobbyist.

CNN congressional correspondent Ed Henry joining us live now from Capitol Hill -- Ed, put this on the spectrum, the Richter Scale, if you will.

How big a deal is this for Republicans?

ED HENRY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Miles.

This is a huge deal because Bob Ney, as you say, not a household name, but he's at the center of the investigation of Jack Abramoff. And this is a sign that Republicans now are engaged in a bit of house cleaning. They're nervous that more Republican lawmakers and staffers may be drawn into this corruption investigation and they're also running scared that this could become the dominant issue of the midterm elections in November.

We already saw, two weekends ago, Tom DeLay stepping aside, saying he would not seek to reclaim his post as majority leader. Now Bob Ney this past weekend, late on Sunday night, deciding he also will step aside.

It's interesting because he says he will step aside temporarily because he feels he will be exonerated. But he right now is in serious legal jeopardy. For years, Ney has been known as the mayor of Capitol Hill because the House Administration Committee chairmanship puts him in charge of the internal things up here, things as small as parking spaces, things as big as lobbying disclosure.

But he has a new moniker these days. It's "Representative Number One." That's the name he was referred to anonymously in the plea deal of Jack Abramoff. The lawmaker who received various gifts, including a lavish golf trip to Scotland, in exchange for various official actions here on Capitol Hill. He says he'll be exonerated, but right now he's in some deep trouble -- Miles.

M. O'BRIEN: Ed Henry on Capitol Hill, thank you very much.

Let's get some other headlines in.

Kelly with that -- good morning, Kelly.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Miles.

We're beginning with a developing story out of Iraq.

A U.S. helicopter has gone down north of Baghdad. It is still not clear whether the helicopter was brought down by enemy fire. Officials would only say that the helicopter holds a two man crew. It is the third time a helicopter has gone down in Iraq this month.

Also in Iraq, that Iraqi judge presiding over Saddam Hussein's trial is standing his ground. He says he wants to resign, but it's not clear if officials will accept his resignation. Saddam Hussein's trial is expected to resume on January 24th.

The family of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon says he has moved his eyelids briefly, 12 days after suffering a massive stroke. This is all according to a hospital statement. It is not clear, though, if the development has any medical significance for the 77- year-old Sharon.

On the political front, Ehud Olmert, who is serving as interim prime minister, was tapped today as the chairman of the new centrist Kadima Party, and he will lead Israel into the March 28th elections.

The lone survivor of the Sago Mine disaster in West Virginia is said to be making steady progress. Randy McCloy, Jr. was upgraded from critical to serious condition Sunday, though he remains in a coma and in intensive care. Doctors say McCloy's heart and liver have improved, but his kidneys are still impaired.

Meantime, about 2,000 people took part in a memorial service for the 12 miners who died. McCloy's wife Anna was the first to light a candle at that service.

And NASA scientists are anxiously awaiting their first look at some precious space dust. The Stardust Space Probe returned to Earth Sunday after its rendezvous two years ago with a comet. Inside a canister on the probe, tiny particles scooped from the comet's tail, which could hold secrets to the origin of the solar system. Scientists will unlock the canister later this week.

Time to get another check on the forecast.

Chad Myers at the CNN Center with the latest -- and, Chad, we've been talking about it. Very cold in the Northeast these days.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: It certainly is. You know, the wind chill just kind of blowing through you now.

(WEATHER REPORT)

M. O'BRIEN: Coming up, the a 20th anniversary of the Martin Luther King Day holiday. We'll look at the state of the civil rights movement in America on this moment.

The Reverend Al Sharpton will be with us in a moment.

COSTELLO: And later, the confusion over those new Medicare plans. Maybe your parents are among those having trouble sorting out the choices. Well, we've got some advice for u.

That's just ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

M. O'BRIEN: Live pictures of the Ebenezer Baptist Church, Starburton Avenue (ph) in Atlanta. That's where Dr. King preached from 1960 to 1968.

Martin Luther King would have been 77 years old had he lived to see this past weekend. As we remember his life and his leadership we ask every year at this time, where is the progress on the dream he so famously framed?

The Reverend Al Sharpton is president of the National Action Network and a former Democratic presidential candidate.

He's going to be involved in some ceremonies a little later today in Harlem.

Reverend Sharpton, good to have you with us.

REV. AL SHARPTON, NATIONAL ACTION NETWORK: Thank you.

Good to be here.

M. O'BRIEN: What are your thoughts this morning?

What will you be saying today when you have a chance to speak at this ceremony?

SHARPTON: Well, I think that we must remember why Dr. King is in history. Dr. King confronted the social injustice of that time. And I think he'd want us to deal with the social injustice this -- at this time. We're going to have some of the evacuees from Katrina here, that are living in new year, waiting for their fate.

I'm sure Dr. King would have challenged the government response. I'm sure Dr. King would have challenged the neglect in the infrastructure that led to the levees failing. I think Dr. King would be challenging the war in Iraq, as he did the war in Vietnam.

I also think he'd be proud to see that there has been some inroads. But those that have made those inroads ought to use those positions to finish the journey toward full justice and a full and open society.

So that's what I'm going to be talking about today.

M. O'BRIEN: Well, you set up the discussion well, because we want to talk about leadership in just a moment.

But let's get back to what you're talking about with Katrina. A lot of people would say Katrina laid bare a lot of where the civil rights movement has failed, has not reached the goals that Dr. King would have wanted.

Has the civil rights movement, for lack of leadership or whatever, has it sputtered? Has it not done what it promised to do for African-Americans?

SHARPTON: No, I think what has failed is the government response to the civil rights movement. Civil rights leaders in the '60s under Dr. King basically raised the issues and dramatized the issues. It was the Congress that enacted the laws in response.

I think that any number of civil rights leaders, from the Reverend Jesse Jackson to those of us in the North, have consistently raised the issues. In fact, there wouldn't have even been an issue after New Orleans hadn't we raised it.

The question is why the government has not responded, like Kennedy's administration and Johnson's administration, to the issues that we're raising.

M. O'BRIEN: Is that a failure of leadership in the civil rights movement? And to some extent I guess I'm pointing the finger at you a little bit...

SHARPTON: Well...

M. O'BRIEN: ... in the sense that that you haven't held the government accountable.

SHARPTON: I think that if you look at the fact that Dr. King led, from '55 the Montgomery boycott, to '68, it took time. It took nine years to get to the Civil Rights Act. It takes a lot of time to build movements.

I think the fact that this country has changed in its attitude toward feeling there is no race problems probably after Katrina is a victory for civil rights leaders that's has been arguing that.

The fact that the public opinion shifted on the war in Iraq is a victory for those of us that challenged it.

So I don't think the leadership fighting those in power has failed at all. In fact, I think we're winning because the shift in public opinion didn't happen by itself, Miles. It happened because some of us were out there fighting.

M. O'BRIEN: Well, a lot of people would say, would look at Dr. King and say where is a leader of that ilk? And to follow that act, I guess, is a difficult thing. And I suppose you could say in response the fact that there isn't one leader says something about how the civil rights movement has matured.

Would you go along with that?

SHARPTON: I would go along with it to a degree. But I would also go along with -- and, you know, I came out of that movement as a child. There wasn't one leader in the '60s. You know, when Dr. King was alive, they used to say he's not the only leader. You have Whitney Young and the Urban League. You have Roy Wilkins. You have Malcolm X. You have Adam Clayton Powell.

So, I mean, they act as though that Dr. King was the celebrated one leader in his time. That is absolutely not true. When he was killed, he was being attacked by blacks and whites, and there were alternatives to him.

So I think that's a little rewrite of history.

M. O'BRIEN: I agree. I mean in history we tend to put blinders on.

But, nobody had the gravitas of him, I mean let's face it.

SHARPTON: I think no one had the gravitas at that time but him and I think at this time you have those that have emerged above others today. But this is not about leadership.

M. O'BRIEN: Who?

SHARPTON: This is about where the country is going. I certainly think Reverend Jesse Jackson has been very effective. I certainly think that members of the Congressional Black Caucus, like Maxine Waters, have been effective. And I think that we should give them their due and not wait until they die.

But I think, again, to say that a social or civil rights leader has a responsibility and not the government -- the president is going to see the National Archives today. He's the one that failed in New Orleans, not the civil rights leaders that challenged him. He's the one that saw weapons of mass destruction in Iraq that was not there and couldn't see a hurricane in New Orleans that was there.

So to blame the civil rights leadership that has raised the questions rather than those that ignored what they should have done, to me, is to make a mockery of the truth.

M. O'BRIEN: I think we warmed you up for the ceremony this afternoon.

SHARPTON: Absolutely.

M. O'BRIEN: All right, the Reverend Al Sharpton, always a pleasure.

SHARPTON: Thank you, Miles.

Happy King Day.

M. O'BRIEN: The same to you.

President Bush will speak this afternoon, as the Reverend Sharpton referred to, at Georgetown University's "Let Freedom Ring" celebration. CNN will carry the president's remarks live from the Kennedy Center at 3:30 Eastern time here on CNN -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Coming up, Soledad talks to the woman behind the Wonkette. Her snarky Web blog strikes fear in the human rights of some Washington insiders. So what will they think of her new novel?

And later, your parents still confused by all the new Medicare plans? We'll look at why so many people are having such a tough time.

That's just ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

S. O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: The Wonkette is a shining star in the blogosphere. She's become a must read for Washington insiders and political junkies everywhere.

Well, now, the woman behind the blog, Ana Marie Cox, is trying her hand at fiction. She's got a first novel out and it's called "Dog Days."

She joins us this morning.

Nice to see you.

Congratulations on the book.

ANA MARIE COX, "WONKETTE," AUTHOR, "DOG DAYS": Thank you.

S. O'BRIEN: We've got to talk about the blog, though, too.

First of all, I'm surprised that you wrote a novel and not a work of non-fiction, because, of course, the blog is all about what's happening in D.C.

COX: Well, you know, real journalists often accuse bloggers of making everything up. So I didn't think it was going to be that much of a stretch. And also, you know, there are things about Washington where you can't really say it in a non-fiction novel without getting sued.

S. O'BRIEN: Yes, there's that.

COX: So although...

S. O'BRIEN: Publishers hate that, by the way. COX: Yes.

S. O'BRIEN: What's "Dog Days" about?

COX: It's about Washington. It's about Washington during the campaign season. And it's a time, sort of my shorthand for it, in a town that's always a lot like high school, it becomes more like summer camp. There's a feeling during an election year where everyone's energy goes up. You know, everyone's kind of interest in what they're doing and what other people are doing goes up. And that extends much, much further than the war room.

It's like a second puberty. I mean they -- people think they're the first to discover having sex, having affairs and drinking.

And because you're life is in such a, you know, C-SPAN in a blender, why not add tequila?

S. O'BRIEN: Absolutely. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) really makes things better.

COX: Yes.

S. O'BRIEN: How did you manage to do the blog? I mean Wonkette is a very popular blog and gets really good critical reviews. And you post to it a lot.

How do you manage to do that and also turn out a work of -- a book?

COX: I don't know how. I did...

S. O'BRIEN: Has the last year been a blur?

COX: Yes. It really has been. Lots of coffee. I had a lot of help, really. Really wonderful guest bloggers who would come in and fill in for me. But in the end, I'm sort of embarrassed to admit that what worked for me was what they always tell a fiction writer, is like, you know, get up in the morning and write. You know, have a set time every day, you know, and just pound it out, whether or not it's good or bad.

S. O'BRIEN: Sort of a second job.

Now you must have loved the process, because now you've got a second book coming out.

Is it also a novel?

COX: No, it's like -- this is actually non-fiction. We'll try -- I'll try my hand at it and what that -- they call it r-r-r- reporting, I think.

S. O'BRIEN: I've heard of that.

What's it about? COX: It's actually going to be about the next generation of political leaders, which sounds very sober, but I'm hoping that they won't be.

S. O'BRIEN: Huh. No, I would imagine that actually it's going to be really interesting.

COX: Yes, I'm very interested, particularly, I think that young people today aren't as interested in building their lives around the parties. And kegs are fine, but not the Democrats or Republicans.

S. O'BRIEN: Right.

COX: And I'm sort of interested in people who get involved in that kind of thing very early and grow up with blogs and grow up with text messaging and how they're going to organize their lives that way.

S. O'BRIEN: You had to give up the blog.

Is it painful?

OK, no crying. It's going to be all right.

COX: Steady. I think it's going to be OK. You know, I've been doing it for two years, which in blog years is like doing it since the dawn of time.

S. O'BRIEN: Right.

COX: And, you know, the Bush girls are growing up. They seem less likely to get drunk and make out with each other, which was really sort of what always kept me going, was that hope. And I think it's just time to -- you know, I've handed over the reigns to two new Wonketters, I should say.

S. O'BRIEN: Two guys.

COX: Two guys.

S. O'BRIEN: I've got to tell you, I was like guys? And I'm not the only person who thought two guys taking over Wonkette?

COX: Well, it takes two guys to do a woman's job. You must know that.

S. O'BRIEN: Oh. Yes. I like that.

OK, I feel better. I feel suddenly better.

COX: And I also think like, you know, Wonkette, you know, it's like the Marines. It's bigger than one person, you know? And, also, once a Wonkette, always a Wonkette.

S. O'BRIEN: I was going to say, you never leave.

COX: That's right, you never leave. I don't -- I can't imagine ever giving up completely. It's too -- having this ability to instantly get your opinions out is kind of addictive.

S. O'BRIEN: Kind of, when you read them and check out what you're saying.

COX: Yes.

S. O'BRIEN: Ana Marie Cox, it's nice to see you.

Good luck with the new book.

COX: Thank you.

S. O'BRIEN: Good luck with the next book.

We're going to miss you running Wonkette...

COX: I'll be around.

S. O'BRIEN: But we'll be sure to keep in touch with you.

Thanks.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

M. O'BRIEN: You think U.S. politics provides a lot of grist for bloggers? Check this out. That is an M.P. a member of parliament. Well, at least for now, anyhow. He's acting like a cat. More proof reality TV may lead to the downfall of Western civilization ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANNOUNCER: You're watching AMERICAN MORNING with Soledad O'Brien and Miles O'Brien.

M. O'BRIEN: Those guys on the newsstand have a tough job today.

COSTELLO: Yes. It looks like that man was frozen to the newsstand.

M. O'BRIEN: He's been there for three days now.

COSTELLO: I know. It is so cold out now.

M. O'BRIEN: Somebody thaw him out.

COSTELLO: It was, what, it went down to about four degrees overnight and now we're up to, what, 18, maybe?

M. O'BRIEN: A whopping 18.

Hey, double digits. Come on.

COSTELLO: That's right. I shouldn't complain.

M. O'BRIEN: Yes.

Let's get some news headlines in.

Kelly Wallace in with that -- good morning, Kelly.

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