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The Situation Room
Resistant Strain of Bird Flu Virus Discovered in Vietnam; Karl Rove Faces Grand Jury For Fourth Time; Iraqi Constitutional Referendum Vote Set to Begin; Zalmay Khalilzad Interview; Daniel Craig to Play James Bond
Aired October 14, 2005 - 15:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: I'm Wolf Blitzer. And you're in THE SITUATION ROOM, where new pictures and information are arriving all the time. Standing by, CNN reporters across the United States and around the world to bring you the day's top stories.
Happening now, it's 3:00 p.m. here in Washington. The president's top adviser, Karl Rove, appearing before a grand jury for the fourth time, as the CIA leak probe nears what could be a milestone.
It's 2:00 a.m. Saturday in Vietnam, where researchers are reporting a very disturbing finding, one case of bird flu apparently resistant to the best available drug treatment.
And it's 10:00 p.m. in Iraq, where the critical constitutional referendum gets under way in just a few hours. We will talk about it with the United States ambassador to Iraq.
You're in THE SITUATION ROOM.
We're also following two developing stories right now, one in Northeast Ohio. That's where the state Highway Patrol says two small aircraft have just collided. You can see the pictures behind me. The planes crashed in a field in Rootstown Township. That's not far, about 40 miles away from Cleveland. These are live pictures you're seeing right now.
We don't know how many people were aboard those two aircraft. We don't know what the condition of those people are. We're monitoring this story for you right now. The Highway Patrol in Ohio does say that multiple fatalities may -- may -- be involved.
Another story we're following right now in Southern California -- a suspicious package was found today on a light rail train station in Norwalk. That's not far way from Los Angeles. It's prompted closure of two major Southern California freeways, as investigators are trying to determine what that suspicious package is all about. These are live pictures you're seeing from that train station in Norwalk, California, right now. We're monitoring that story. Huge traffic jams have developed on those freeways as a result of this inspection of that suspicious package.
We will get to all of that as -- as we get more information.
But, here in Washington, a very important story developing right now as well. The top adviser to the president of the United States, the deputy White House chief of staff, Karl Rove, was back before a grand jury today testifying for the fourth time. He was inside that courthouse for four-and-a-half hours. It's the latest chapter of a complex probe into leaks that revealed the name of an undercover CIA clandestine officer to the news media.
Our national correspondent Bob Franken is all over this story. He's joining us now live from the courthouse. Bob, what happened?
BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, that's an extended period of time. And of course, this was his fourth appearance.
We know that the president's deputy chief of staff, Karl Rove, had been asked back -- he had volunteered to come back, if needed -- asked back by the special prosecutor after "Time" magazine reporter Matthew Cooper had named him as a source of the name of Valerie Plame, the CIA undercover operative who is the wife of Joe Wilson, who had been such a harsh critic of the administration.
The investigation is to determine if any laws were broken during the course of publicly identifying her. And Rove is one of the two top administration officials -- the other, the vice president's chief of staff, who is Scooter Libby -- who has been repeatedly named. Rove was asked about that in the grand jury.
There's very little else that we are getting, as far as information is concerned, with indications that this investigation is winding up. And in the very perfunctory, brief statement that Rove's attorney put out at the conclusion of the testimony, there was another indication of that. Robert Luskin put out a statement after Karl Rove had left, without saying anything to reporters, saying: "The special counsel has not advised Mr. Rove that he is a target of the investigation and firm -- and affirmed that he made no decision concerning charges."
Now, that's all stuff he has said before. The new part is, the special counsel has indicated, he does not anticipate the need for Mr. Rove's further cooperation. But that cooperation has also, Wolf, entailed four appearances before the grand jury. And you have a White House that is very anxiously watching to see just how significant that is.
Wolf.
BLITZER: We're reading in the tea leaves and we are trying to find out what happened inside, Bob. But what do you make of the fact that he was in there for four-and-a-half hours, suggesting they had a lot of questions for him before that grand jury?
FRANKEN: You know, they did. And something we need to point out -- and this is information we have gotten from his attorney. The independent -- independent counsel -- excuse me -- I'm so used to calling it that -- the special counsel, Patrick Fitzgerald, had not indicated whether he had made any decisions about whether to indict.
But this appearance did not include an assurance from Fitzgerald that Rove would not be indicted. That's highly significant, particularly when you juxtapose it to the large amount of time that he spent in the grand jury room.
BLITZER: Bob Franken, reporting for us from the courthouse. Thanks, Bob, very much.
Let's head out to Los Angeles right now. We're getting some more information on that suspicious package found at a train station in Norwalk, California. That's not far from L.A.
CNN's Thelma Gutierrez is joining us now live from our bureau. What do we know about this, Thelma?
THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, right now, a robotic vehicle is on the platform. They're making their way out to that suspicious backpack, to try to determine exactly what it is. I just talked to a California Highway Patrol spokesperson a short time ago. And she told me that it is absolutely a mess out on the freeway right now. The 605 and the 101 is closed near that platform on the Green Line, the Metrolink Green Line.
And the traffic, she says, is backed up for at least eight miles. That area is closed down, of course, until the California Highway Patrol is -- and also the Los Angeles Sheriff Department is able to get in and exactly determine what that package is.
They have set up a command center in the area. And, again, they have that robotic vehicle making its way toward that package to try to determine what it is. Apparently, someone spotted it shortly before 10:00 a.m. Pacific time this morning. They reported it to a Los Angeles Transit Department spokesperson -- person there, who then turned it over to L.A. County Sheriff's.
Wolf.
BLITZER: Thelma, thank you very much.
Let's stay out in Los Angeles. Lieutenant Mike Herek with the Sheriff's Transit Service Bureau is joining us on the phone now.
Sheriff, thanks very much for joining us. What can you tell us about this suspicious package? First of all, what does it look like?
LIEUTENANT MIKE HEREK, LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF'S TRANSIT SERVICE BUREAU: It is a red backpack, a common backpack that anybody would carry.
BLITZER: So, it's theoretically possible this could just simply be someone forgetting his or her backpack, and leaving it at the train station?
HEREK: That -- apparently what that might be. We -- Arson/Explosives had just rendered it safe. Now we're taking a look inside to see who owns it and why it was there.
BLITZER: When you say there's -- some -- some dogs were sniffing it and they say it's safe? Is that what you're suggesting?
HEREK: No. They -- they actually detonated. They have a procedure where they'll detonate the package. And, if there's anything in there, it would set it -- it would set it safe.
So, they did detonate the package with a -- a shot. And they have determined that there is no bomb. And there's -- now they're looking at the contents to see who owns it and -- and why it might be there.
BLITZER: So, the standard operating procedure, in a situation like this, Sheriff, is -- is that, if there's a suspicious package, you go through all of this, all the inconvenience, all the traffic jams, as a result, because you -- you have no idea. You want to err on the side of safety. Is that right?
HEREK: Yes. See, a -- incidents international have taught us to be very careful. And we are going to treat all these -- these situations the same and to make sure that the public does not get caught up accidentally.
BLITZER: Now, we -- we know that, in New York City, last week, there was concern about baby strollers. But I think they also mentioned backpacks as well. Is that one of the factors that caused you, in this particular case, to go through these procedures, to make sure there was nothing wrong, nothing explosive in that backpack?
HEREK: Yes. We -- we study the international events from bombings, such as Madrid and London. We have -- also corroborate with law enforcement agencies, like the FBI and New York. We -- those are something that's common. So, we want to make sure that these things are safe. And, if it is -- if there is something, we want to make sure that we have protocol in place to protect the public.
BLITZER: Now, did that robotic machine, whatever it's called, did that determine that there was no explosive inside?
HEREK: Well, I can't give you an exact way that they came to that information. But, yes, that is part of the tools that the Arson/Explosives use to -- to sense several things that -- that -- that may cause it -- more suspicion.
BLITZER: But -- but the -- but it's over with now. Is that right?
HEREK: That's correct.
BLITZER: You have determined, there's no explosive. It's just a backpack. You're now to find out who owned that backpack and return it, presumably, to the owner?
HEREK: That's right. We're going -- we are going through the contents exactly to see who owns and it -- was it a mistake or was there -- or was there something else involved?
BLITZER: And, when you say something else involved, what does that mean? Just...
HEREK: We want to make sure that nobody is -- that we -- we don't want us to have a bunch of hoaxes out there.
BLITZER: So, just to make sure. And now you're going to let traffic flow again?
(CROSSTALK)
BLITZER: And are you going to reopen this train station?
HEREK: That's correct. Right. We -- there's no reason to have the traffic closed down anymore.
BLITZER: All right, good -- good work.
HEREK: Thank you.
BLITZER: Mike Herek is with the L.A. County Sheriff's Office. Thank you, Sheriff, very much for that update -- the situation resolved in Norwalk, California.
The forecast is improving, but the situation on the ground is still severe in parts of the Northeast -- flooding after eight straight day of rain, flooding continuing.
CNN's Mary Snow is joining us now live from Lincoln Park in New Jersey with more. It looks like it's raining behind you. How bad is it?
MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Wolf. It -- there's been downpours throughout the day.
And this is the scene in many places here in New Jersey and throughout the Northeast. I want to show you. This is Midwood Road here in Lincoln Park. About 20 people, according to police, had to be taken out yesterday by boat. One police officer I spoke with said that water was so deep in some of the levels, that it was chest high.
Now, there is just a small gap where I'm standing. But if you turn around on this road, you can see, this area has literally turned into a river itself. Here, in northern New Jersey, there are six rivers that run through this part of the state that emergency officials are watching.
Nearby, in Fairfield Township, in Essex County, that is one area of concern. Is it near the Passaic River as well. And the river is expected to crest tonight. Police have told people that they are strongly urging them to leave their homes, although some remain. They are using high-water vehicles and boats to get some people out. They have also brought in about 3,000 sandbags.
And they say that they have also had prisoners help with that sandbagging effort. But, it is not just the northern part of the state. In Monmouth County, there is also flooding going on in various areas. In Spring Lake, about 100 people had to be evacuated from their homes.
Wolf. BLITZER: And that water behind you, that, I take it, was a street. That's not a river. That, at one point...
SNOW: Right.
BLITZER: ... was a normal residential street.
SNOW: Yes. That's exactly right. This is a residential street. I'm not sure if you can see behind me, but as -- there's just the tip of a mailbox down there. And what is happening is, this town -- two rivers run through it. One is the Passaic. And that is the river that is expected to crest tonight. And officials are saying, you know, they're bracing for the worst. The rain is expected to continue through tomorrow.
BLITZER: Mary Snow in Lincoln Park, New Jersey for us. Mary, thank you very much.
We're following a developing story, that plane collision in Ohio. Two small planes have collided. We're going to go there and bring you the latest on what happened and the fatalities that may have resulted.
Also, ahead in THE SITUATION ROOM, the deadly bird flu. It's already spread to Europe. And now there's concern that it may be drug- resistant. We will take a closer look at that.
Plus, Coast Guard chase -- a boat from Cuba overturns, killing a 6-year-old boy. And now, there's a federal investigation. We will find out how a flight to freedom turned to tragedy.
And a little bit later, NFL steroid use. Bill Romanowski admits being juiced-up in a "60 Minutes" interview. We have a preview.
All that, coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back to THE SITUATION ROOM.
In just a matter of hours, Iraqis will begin voting on a proposed constitution that will shape the future of their country, at least potentially.
Our senior international correspondent, Nic Robertson, is joining us from Baquba in Iraq, via videophone, with the latest. Only hours away from the start of that vote, Nic, what's it like where you are?
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, just nine hours away. The roads in the town where we were today, inside Baquba, completely deserted. There's a vehicle ban in place to try and defeat the would-be suicide bombers who would drive their cars with explosives to polling stations. In this province, some 268 different polling stations, almost one million eligible voters. Over 80 percent of those are registered to vote.
Officials here tell us that they think their preparations are going better than the parliamentary elections in January last year. They say they learned a lot during those elections. They say their police are better ready to provide the security. Their army are better ready, also, to aid in the security.
The -- the voter registration has been higher. We were out at some of the polling stations today as the last of the balloting papers were being delivered there. The polling stations, very tight security around them -- a lot of police -- the officials there, again, confident that they have everything in place.
The question really is, is, which way will people vote? Will they vote for referendum, yes in favor of it? Some people saying that will divide the country. Others we have seen, arguing for it, in favor of it, on the streets here, saying, no, the constitution will actually unify people.
But just nine hours away from the polls opening, now.
Wolf.
BLITZER: Have people actually read the draft constitution? I know they printed millions of copies. But have they been successfully circulated around the country, so people have had a chance to actually read the document?
ROBERTSON: From what we have seen, a lot of people have been telling us that they haven't had chance -- a chance to see it. Just yesterday, on the streets, we saw people handing copies out at checkpoints, people reading it in the streets, debating it in the streets. But by and large, I think it's really only just become available to most people. Some people said to us, look, we're not going to vote for it because we -- we haven't read it and we don't know what's in there.
I think, certainly, now it's in people's hands, it will open up discussion and debate. But, really, that's only a few days before the -- before people actually get a chance to vote for it.
Wolf.
BLITZER: Nic Robertson in Baquba. Thank you very much, Nic, for that. We will check back with you and our entire team covering this story over the next several days.
And we will get more on the Iraqi vote later this hour. The United States ambassador to Iraq, Zalmay Khalilzad, will join us here in THE SITUATION ROOM. Stay with us for that.
Meanwhile, President Bush's message today to the Pakistani ambassador to the United States was rather simple: We want to help in any way we can. That's what the president said. He went to Pakistan's embassy here in Washington to sign a book of condolences, in the wake of the South Asia earthquake that's estimated to have killed more than 35,000 people in Pakistan alone. In it, the president wrote -- and I'm quoting now -- "The American people will stand with you as you recover" from supplies to man -- cover -- and to help with the recovery that's pouring into Pakistan from around the world.
Chaklala Air Base in Rawalpindi, south of Islamabad, is a staging area for relief efforts, which are creating some unlikely alliances.
CNN's Andrew Stevens is joining us from that air base now. And he has the latest. Andrew, what's going on there?
ANDREW STEVENS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Unlikely alliance, indeed, Wolf. Really, a remarkable piece of cooperation amid two bitter enemies. I'm talking about the United States and Iran here, is when humanitarianism really shone through in this disaster area.
The Iranians arrived yesterday on a cargo flight full of aid. It was actually full of quite heavy vehicles, four-wheel drives, the like, to get up north, to get into those disaster, earthquake- shattered areas. They arrived at the air base here. But there wasn't any equipment, at least that they could see, to actually unload what they had.
The Americans had just brought in some big front-end loaders. The Iranians went across to the U.S. commander at the camp here and said, is it OK if you help us unload our vehicles? And they said, sure thing, Wolf. We will do whatever it takes.
They got those things off in a fairly -- a fairly quick time. And away everybody went, got on with the job of getting aid through.
And the aid really is now starting to flow up north into the stricken areas. In the last 14 hours or so, we have seen choppers taking off from this air base regularly, Wolf. We have also seen, in the last couple of hours, the U.S. Air Force bringing in two or three cargo planes, including a C-17, coming in just a couple of hours ago, unloading pallets of halal food to -- some 25,000 ready-to-eat meals, they'll be going north as soon as they can. So, the aid effort is starting to pick up here.
Wolf.
BLITZER: And I take it the Indian government -- there's a rivalry between Pakistan and India -- but the Indians are helping the Pakistanis in this particular case, rather dramatically, as well?
STEVENS: Well, the Indian government certainly has offered -- offered, pretty much right off the start, to provide any sort of assistance that could be delivered into Pakistan.
Remember, the earthquake hit the -- or the worst part of the damage has been caused in the Pakistani area of Kashmir and also in the northwestern provinces of Kashmir. The Indian government was offering help. The Pakistani government was a little reluctant initially, to start. But certainly, aid is starting to work its way through from the Indian side now. So, we are seeing cooperation between the two governments on getting aid to the stricken areas.
Remember, Wolf, also that India -- the Indian side of Kashmir also hit by the earthquake, so the Indian government also has quite a lot of aid, problems of its own delivering to those remote areas in that Kashmir region.
BLITZER: Andrew Stevens, reporting for us . Andrew, thank you very much.
Still to come here in THE SITUATION ROOM, U.S. troops in Iraq, will they be coming home any time soon? We will hear what the United States ambassador to Iraq has to say.
Plus, Daniel Craig -- you may never have heard of him before, but he's the new 007. We will have the scoop on what's being called the blond Bond. Richard Quest -- and only Richard Quest -- will join us to discuss James Bond.
Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Serious words of warning from the country's top health official. Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt is wrapping up a trip to Southeast Asia, where he's been learning more about bird flu and the threat of global pandemic. Leavitt says the warning signs are already there, and that the potential is so troubling, no nation on Earth can afford to ignore it.
In our CNN "Security Watch," an alarming report right now of a drug-resistant strain of the bird flu virus.
CNN's Brian Todd is joining us here in Washington. He has details. Brian?
BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, this is a worrisome sign for researchers, but it does need to be put in some perspective.
The journal "Nature" reports in its edition out next week, that researchers have found a case where a 14-year-old girl with avian flu had developed a partial resistance to the best antiviral drug on the market known to combat the disease. It's called Tamiflu. The journal says this patient in Vietnam had no known contact with poultry, but did care for her older brother, who had avian flu. This young girl was treated for avian flu back in February, and recovered.
We contacted the manufacturer of Tamiflu, a company called Roche, for comment on the study. Company officials tell CNN they're trying to get more details about this case. But they add, that it's possible this patient might have been infected well before she got any dose of Tamiflu. And -- now, this is the area where you really have to put this drug in perspective. Tamiflu is an antiviral. It is not a vaccine. Expert says it attacks the flu virus. But it is not a cure. It helps reduce the severity of the illness and is most effective when taken as soon as symptoms appear.
Top health officials tell CNN, because of that, because it is most effective within those first 48 hours, it has often not proven effective in patients who are further along, and was never meant to.
Officials at Roche say, in all their consultations with flu experts, there have been no new cases of resistance to Tamiflu.
Wolf.
BLITZER: All right, Brian, we will stay all over this story. Thank you very much.
To our viewers, stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security.
Moving on, other news we're watching. It's a very popular car, largely because of its excellent gas mileage. Now, though, there's been a recall.
Ali Velshi is here in THE SITUATION ROOM with us for the "Bottom Line." Ali, what is going on?
ALI VELSHI, CNN ANCHOR: This is the -- the strangest thing that's going to happen to people when they drive their car. It's not an engine failure. It's not overheating. It's not a fire. It's a software problem.
And this is the problem of the future. We have been talking a lot about cars. The Toyota Prius -- Prius -- is the most popular of the hybrid electric cars. They have two power generation plants. One is electric. One is gas.
Well, Toyota has identified a problem with some of the 2004 and 2005 models. One hundred and sixty thousand of them are going to be called back. There's a problem with the engine. And what happens is that, in some of them, a light will come on, telling you there's a -- there's a problem. The car will stall while you're driving.
The electric engine will still work. So Toyota says you're not in danger, because you can still pull over on it. And once you turn the car off, apparently it will turn back on again, right after. But it is a problem. Toyota is -- is offering a recall on these 160,000 units. They say they will get the information out to all of the buyers of this car.
But it's interesting that we now have a hybrid car with a -- you know, a recall. I think it's probably the first major recall in a -- in the hybrids. But this is the way of the future. With gas prices being where they are, people are buying...
BLITZER: So, when...
(CROSSTALK)
VELSHI: ... many of these.
BLITZER: When people have to bring their car in for a software update, is that what they have to do?
VELSHI: Yes, it's a glitch.
(CROSSTALK) VELSHI: It's -- it's kind of the way you would fix it on your computer, I guess. They -- they -- it's -- it's not a -- it's not a mechanical problem. It's a -- it's a software problem. And that's -- maybe that's a good thing. Maybe -- maybe it will be easier to fix things. Maybe they will send you a download on your computer one day, and you can just plug it in.
BLITZER: Good to have you here in Washington. Thanks for filling in.
VELSHI: Been my pleasure.
BLITZER: Thanks to Kyra, Tom Foreman.
(CROSSTALK)
BLITZER: All you guys did an excellent job for me. Thanks very much.
We will stand by with Ali. He's coming back this hour.
Just ahead, Iraq prepares for its constitutional referendum. I will go one-on-one with the United States ambassador to Iraq, Zalmay Khalilzad. He'll give us an inside look at this historic event.
Later, a smuggler's boat -- too many passengers and an ill-fated break for asylum. This time, though, there was a deadly consequence.
You're in THE SITUATION ROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: The security net has tightened around Iraq as its people prepare to vote to reject or accept the proposed constitution.
One of the many who are closely watching the process surrounding this potentially historic referendum is the United States ambassador to Iraq, Zalmay Khalilzad. I spoke with him at length from Baghdad just a short while ago.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER (on camera): Mr. Ambassador, thanks for joining us here in THE SITUATION ROOM. Let's get right to the referendum. The voting starts in only a few hours. Are you 100 percent certain this will be passed?
ZALMAY KHALILZAD, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO IRAQ: Well, we'll have to see. Now it's in the hands of the Iraqis. Every effort has been made by the various parties to make accommodations toward each other. In the last couple of days some important changes were made to accommodate the Sunni Arabs, who did not participate in the last elections.
Now several groups of them support the constitution, are voting for it. You know, the Islamic Party, the Waqfa (ph) people who have six or 7,000 mullahs who lead prayers in various mosques, some of the people from the dialogue council, and some of the major tribal chiefs now have come out in favor of the draft constitution.
A major step forward has been taken. Now the Iraqi people have a chance to study it in the hours that remain and decide tomorrow, and we'll wait and see. The future of Iraq, the future of the constitution is now in the hands of the Iraqi people.
BLITZER: One of the more respected, though, Sunni groups, the Association of Muslim Scholars, they're still opposed. A spokesman quoted in the "Chicago Tribune" today as saying, "We call on the people to boycott the referendum or to vote no. Voting yes to the constitution gives legitimacy to occupation."
How concerned are you that there still are a lot of Sunni Iraqis strongly opposed to this draft constitution?
KHALILZAD: I don't know how much of the Sunni Arabs the Alamar (ph) Council represents. That group is under a lot of pressure. It's splitting into a moderate and a radical group.
It's clear that there are people in the Sunni community who are opposed, but the largest political group, the Islamic Party, has expressed support, as well as some of the others that I named.
So the draft constitution, which a few days ago could have been characterized as a Shia-Kurdish document, now has got a substantial amount of Sunni support.
But the fate of the constitution, the draft, is in the hands of the Iraqi people in all communities, in all regions and this is the way it should be, and we'll wait and see what they decide tomorrow.
BLITZER: There was an interesting exchange on September 29, between Senator Carl Levin of the Armed Services Committee and General George Casey, the head of the U.S. military operations in Iraq, in which Levin said that, "If there's a strong majority of Sunnis -- which is very possible -- that vote against the constitution, could that not possibly lead to a worsening political situation rather than a better one?" And General Casey said, "I think that's entirely possibly, Senator."
Do you think this last-minute change has avoided that contingency?
KHALILZAD: We will have to wait and see to make a definitive determination. But it's clear that now the document has significant Sunni support and should assist with the passage of the constitution.
It would have been very unhelpful, could have increased the problems of Iraq, if the Sunnis had been opposed in general to the constitution -- if the Sunni population generally were opposed to the constitution.
That situation has been changed now and I think it's going to be helpful both politically, in terms of the next phase, the elections in Iraq, but it also will help with the counterinsurgency strategy because as you know, in order to succeed in an insurgency you need to win the population away from the insurgents and the terrorists, to isolate them. And it's very important that this agreement was made and that the Sunnis now, significant Sunni forces, are in support of the constitution.
BLITZER: The insurgency, though, seems to be intensifying, and I suspect as people get ready to vote it will get even worse tomorrow and in the days to come. Is that your assessment?
KHALILZAD: Well, there is no question that the terrorists and some of the insurgents want the constitution to fail. They want the people not to participate.
Already in the last 24 hours there has been attacks against several voting stations, at least in three instances there has been gunfire against the stations.
We anticipate the possibility of something significant and major to happen. The insurgents and the terrorists would like to do that. Our forces and the Iraqis are on guard, trying to disrupt and prevent and deter those sorts of activities.
I think the people of Iraq will come out, they will vote tomorrow, and this will be a good day for the people of Iraq, for them in a peaceful manner to decide their future, not by the terrorists deciding their future but the people of Iraq deciding their future.
Not one man, Saddam Hussein, deciding the future of Iraq, but the people of Iraq, whether Sunni, Shia or Kurd, having the opportunity to decide a road map for the future of Iraq, having -- making the draft by voting for it, a national compact which Iraq needs in order for Iraq to succeed.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: And we'll have more of my conversation with the ambassador, that's coming up during our 5:00 Eastern hour here in THE SITUATION ROOM. I asked him when he thinks U.S. troops will start coming back from Iraq. You might be surprised to hear what he has to say.
Up next, the darker side of the people trade. A smuggler's boat loaded with Cubans goes down. A small boy pays the ultimate price. We'll have details.
And later, a new actor and a new look for 007. So who is the new James Bond, after all?
Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: An investigation is under way into the drowning of a 6- year-old Cuban boy who died during an apparent smuggling operation in the Straits of Florida. Our national correspondent, Susan Candiotti, is joining us now live from Miami with the sad details. What happened, Susan?
SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Wolf. Well, a 6- year-old boy allegedly boards a boat with his parents and many others, and heads to Florida. But the suspected smuggling operation falls short of its mark when the boat capsizes and the boy dies.
This happened only yesterday, and it happened as U.S. Coast Guard cameras were rolling in the dead of night. Almost 30 Cuban migrants are described as grossly overloaded into a so-called go-fast boat caught on radar by the Coast Guard. Then the boat gets away, but about 20 minutes later the Coast Guard catches up, gets close enough to tell the driver of the boat to stop. He does not. He's described as driving erratically to try to get away. Then the boat stops, starts to take on water, and people spill into the Florida Straits. Thirty people are rescued, but then it's learned that the 6-year-old boy is missing. He's found under the capsized boat.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHRIS O'NEIL, U.S. COAST GUARD: The boy's parents were aboard the suspected smuggling vessel. They are currently aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Dauntless as are the other people involved in this incident. We flew a chaplain out to the vessel to comfort the parents. That chaplain has escorted the boy's body back to Monroe County where the body was turned over to the Monroe County Coroner's Office.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CANDIOTTI: Now, that's Monroe County in Key West. Already investigators with Immigration and Customs Enforcement have interviewed all of the people aboard the boat. They remain aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Dauntless somewhere in the Florida Straits while prosecutors decide whether to press charges.
Sources say, it's likely with the death involved, but it's often difficult to prosecute these smuggling cases we are told because it depends on what kind of testimony you get from the migrants aboard. So we'll have to see how this all plays out. Meantime, those people will remain at sea until there is a decision about what to do next.
BLITZER: Susan, thanks very much. Very, very sad story. Susan Candiotti reporting from Miami.
Up next, an elderly hurricane survivor returns to New Orleans and a home that's still underwater. Is he shell-shocked?
And he's no Sean Connery, but maybe that's the point. Check out the new and blonder James Bond for yourself. We'll have some specific details. And Richard Quest will join us to discuss James Bond.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Let's take a look at some of the "Hot Shots" coming in from our friends over at the Associated Press, pictures likely to be in your newspapers tomorrow.
In Romania, bird flu burned. Plastic bags filled with dead chickens are thrown into a fire to ward off the spread of the disease. Ducks from Romania tested positive for a subtype of the virus this week.
In Nalchik, Russia, city under siege, special forces throw a smoke grenade outside a store where hostages are being held. More than 108 people have been killed since authorities said Islamic militants stormed the city yesterday.
In Baghdad, life through a child's eyes. This little girl looks at an Iraqi special forces unit. They're beefing up security ahead of tomorrow's vote on the new draft constitution.
And in Kansas City, check this out. A mother and her 3-month-old cub show off for the crowds. Very cute.
That's a look at some of the "Hot Shots", pictures worth a thousand words coming from the A.P.
Fredricka Whitfield's joining us now from the CNN Center in Atlanta with a closer look at some other stories making news. Hi, Fred.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNNHN ANCHOR: Hello to you, Wolf. U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld plans to visit China next week. The trip comes amid U.S. concerns over China's increased military spending. And both nations are trying to deal with North Korea's nuclear program. The trip will be Rumsfeld's first to China since he took office back in 2001.
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is in Russia for meetings with President Vladimir Putin and the Russian foreign minister. Among the topics, Iran's nuclear ambitions. Earlier in Paris, Rice and French officials put pressure on Iran to return to negotiations over what the U.S. suspects is a nuclear weapons program. They say if Tehran won't negotiate, the issue could be referred to the U.N. Security Council.
In Afghanistan, a bomb destroyed eight fuel trucks parked outside a U.S. base in Kandahar. Two drivers were wounded. No one has claimed responsibility, but Taliban rebels are suspected. The rebels have many supporters in the region. Rebel attacks have left more than 1,400 people dead in the past six months.
And at the United Nations, concerns about leaks, but not news leaks. The U.N. General Assembly building needs major repairs. The roof was patched years ago but days of heavy rain have caused leaks in the General Assembly chamber.
Wolf.
BLITZER: Thanks very much, Fred. We'll get back with you soon.
There's something different about the new James Bond. One thing specifically, he's blond.
CNN's Richard Quest is joining us now live in London to introduce us to the new 007, a blond version. Richard, tell us all about it.
RICHARD QUEST, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, how appropriate, Wolf, that we're in THE SITUATION ROOM and we're talking about spies. But I'm sorry to say the new Bond, Daniel Craig, is blond. He's short. He's not suave and sophisticated. In the spy world, Wolf, he's shaken, and stirred.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
QUEST (voice-over): The new Bond arrived in suitable style. Up the River Thames, delivered by the Royal Marines. But hang on. Is James Bond wearing a life jacket?
DANIEL CRAIG, ACTOR, NEW "JAMES BOND": I'd like to thank the Royal Marines for bringing me in like that and scaring the (EXPLETIVE DELETED) out of me.
QUEST: Delivered up for a grilling by the media, Daniel Craig kept most of his secrets, well, secret.
CRAIG: It's a tricky question to answer. I don't know if I know the answer to that. I don't know, and I wouldn't want to go into that anyway.
QUEST: We did torture some facts from him. His favorite previous Bond, Sean Connery. His favorite Bond girl, Diana Rigg. In fact, Craig and Bond have one thing in common: reputations as womanizers. Craig's been linked to the actress Sienna Miller, and the model Kate Moss.
CRAIG: I'm not going to get into that.
QUEST: Being Bond is a rare honor. There have only been five before. They fight hard against impostors. Daniel Craig's Bond will be less gadgets, more character -- very different from his predecessors.
"Casino Royal" will cost $100 million to make. It better be a box office draw or Mr. Craig may find his Bond career cut rather short.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He died rather suddenly, poor chap.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
QUEST: How -- what is interesting here is that they are determined to explore the darker side, the alcoholic side, of James Bond. Wolf, this is going to be a very edgy, racy, tougher, grittier James Bond, not so many gadgets, a lot more character. And I'm not sure, Wolf, at the end of the day whether it's going to fly.
BLITZER: Quest, Richard Quest. Thank you very much. Richard Quest, only Richard Quest, reporting on James Bond from London. James Bond fans, by the way, are going online to learn more about the newest 007.
Our Internet Reporter Abbi Tatton is checking the situation. Abbi, what are you finding out?
ABBI TATTON, CNN INTERNET CORRESPONDENT: Well, if you want to find out more about Daniel Craig, you can go online. Lots of people are talking about him. There's been a lot of buzz about him, especially in England about the new Bond and who it's going to be.
If you want more information go to the Internet Movie Database where you can find out about Daniel Craig, but the blogs have been talking about him all week.
Three days ago the Londonist was speculating that it was going to be Daniel Craig in this new role. And the unofficial fan sites and the official fan sites are full of messages, message boards, about how appropriate he's going to be.
The "Guardian Newspaper" online even has a poll today where you can find out what kind of Bond are you? Answer the questions in this quiz and find out which of the Bonds more suit your personality. I was, unfortunately, Timothy Dalton. But, you can go on and find out for yourself.
But on the same week that this vacancy is filled for the most famous British spy, we wanted to show you one other Web site that's just cropped up this week from MI6, that's the secret intelligence service in Britain. They are now recruiting online for spies, for intelligent officers at their Web site in the UK. This is a formally -- it's a clandestine service that was once so secretive that the British government didn't even acknowledge its existence. Now a Web site looking for a few good men to fill those positions -- and women, of course.
Wolf.
BLITZER: Of course, women as well. Thanks, Abbi, very much.
From James Bond we're going to move on to a very serious developing story we're following here in THE SITUATION ROOM, a plane collision. Two small planes going down in northeast Ohio in Portage County, that is east of Akron, not far away from Cleveland.
Joining us on the phone, Lieutenant Rick Zwayer, spokesman for the Ohio Highway Patrol. Lieutenant, what's going on?
LT. RICH ZWAYER, OHIO HIGHWAY PATROL: Well, our troopers are currently investigating a crash that occurred about 20 miles east of the Akron Canton airport. And it appears that possibly two small fixed wing aircraft crashed or collided in that area of Rochestown, Township and Portage County.
BLITZER: Do we know -- did they collide on takeoff, landing, just flying around? Do we know specifics?
ZWAYER: None of that's been confirmed yet. Of course, our troopers and the FAA will continue to report on this and investigate it fully until we can find out all of the facts.
BLITZER: Do we know how many people were aboard these two small planes?
ZWAYER: It is reported that we do have four confirmed dead from these injuries sustained in the crash, we believe. And also that would mean that there were two on each aircraft, are the reports that we're getting right now.
BLITZER: So, no survivors as far as you can tell?
ZWAYER: No survivors as we can tell right now. Of course, we're continuing to investigate that area and survey the area for any survivors.
BLITZER: Lieutenant, thanks very much. We'll check back with you, Lieutenant Zwayer, a spokesman for the Ohio Highway Patrol.
Still ahead, Americans busted. Ali Velshi is keeping track of the new race to file for -- to file for bankruptcy. We'll tell you what's go on that front.
And the White House sounding upbeat about Harriet Miers' nomination, at least in public. But, is there nail biting behind the scenes? We'll get the inside story, that's coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: It's almost time for the markets to close, the closing bell. Let's check in with Ali Velshi, he's here to update us on that and more.
VELSHI: The more is this massive story. On Monday the new bankruptcy law comes into effect. We have seen a massive surge in the number of individuals claiming and filing for Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy, up 20 percent over the same time last year. We're talking about almost 2 million Americans.
And on the screen you can see that's the peak. Part of the reason for this is that as of Monday or after Monday, it will become harder to file for personal bankruptcy. The threshold will be higher and one of the massive changes in this law, one of the massive changes that the credit, the lenders argued for was the idea that it's harder to wipe out your debt.
There will be -- you will be able to file the sort of bankruptcy, the Chapter 13 bankruptcy which means that the court will assign you a schedule to repay the companies. The Chapter 7 where you wipe out your debt, everybody can't do that now.
One of the main features around this is in order to file for bankruptcy, you may be mandated an amount of time to spend with a credit counseling agency. Now, we've all seen these...
BLITZER: Under the new law.
VELSHI: ...under the new law. Some of them are fantastic. We know that some of them do great work. Some of them, it's unclear what they do. And one of the problems is that in many case they are funded, in some fashion, by the creditors, by the lenders. Partially because let's say you've got too much debt, you come to them and you want to declare bankruptcy they say look, you know, we can manage this, we can give you a smaller monthly payment, you cut one check to us, we will make a deal on behalf -- on your behalf with the creditors and we'll manage it that way. So you end up with a smaller one payment and it sounds appealing. They get a cut from the lenders for doing that and that's how they stay in business and that's how they stay alive.
But as you can see, that there is a bit of a -- there might be a perceived conflict of interest here if the very people advising you on whether or not to file for bankruptcy have something to gain by you not filing for bankruptcy and not getting free of all your debt.
A lot of critics say you could end up paying, Wolf, for the rest of your life because of this new law. So, there are a lot of criticisms about the new law and how it may affect those who can least afford it.
That, of course is not a big market driver today. Right now, we're watching the markets get ready to close.
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