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The Situation Room

Bill Clinton Weighs in on Iraq War; Civilian Contractors Caught on Tape in Iraq

Aired December 01, 2005 - 19:00   ET

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

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: And congratulations from us as well, Lou Dobbs, well deserved.
To our viewers, you are 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 a.m. in Iraq.

The former president of the United States, Bill Clinton, weighs in on the war. You may be surprised how much he agrees with President Bush.

Do insurgents control the streets in this Iraqi town? Are civilian contractors shooting up the streets of this town? Do the pictures tell the story? We'll let you be the judge.

And it's 4:00 p.m. in California with the governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, is under heavy pressure from fellow Hollywood stars to make a life or death decision in a death row case.

I'm Wolf Blitzer, you are in THE SITUATION ROOM.

A U.S. military spokesman says insurgents escaping U.S. military sweeps have been drawn to the town of Ramadi in volatile Anbar Province. But are the insurgents able to move at will on the streets attacking U.S. or Iraqi forces? The military says that's an entire matter -- another matter entirely despite what you may see. Let's turn to CNN's Senior International Correspondent Nic Robertson; he's in Baghdad.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SR. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, operations continue in the west of Iraq. U.S. commanders say they are seeing the benefit of those raids and operations. They say they have seen a reduction in the number of car bombings; a reduction in the number of suicide bombings.

But over the day, a new piece of video tape has emerged from the town of Ramadi and it is proving very controversial.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ROBERTSON (voice over): This is video that has the U.S. military fighting mad. It supposedly shows insurgents roaming freely on Thursday in the city of Ramadi, in western Iraq. Cameramen filmed the event and sent different video tapes to two TV news agencies. It could be propaganda. And that's what angers coalition commanders. Abu Musab al Zarqawi, they say, is an expert propagandist.

MAJ. GEN. RICK LYNCH, COALITION SPOKESMAN: Conducting these kidnappings, these beheadings, these explosions, so that he gets international coverage to look like he has more capability than he truly has. He is lying to the Iraqi people.

ROBERTSON: And that's the point of the video tape from Ramadi. Is it real, or staged? It certainly is designed to show that the insurgents can move about at will in the town, but coalition says that's not the reality.

LYNCH: Over the course of the day we've had one attack. An RPG attack and it was ineffective. That shows you the disparity between the perception of security in Ramadi and what is happening on the ground.

ROBERTSON: On the streets of Ramadi, where CNN is not safely able to go alone, a man identified as an insurgent, claims to control the streets and vows to crack down on U.S. troops. Leaflets, distributed by the gunmen, claim Zarqawi, the head of al Qaeda in Iraq, is taking over Ramadi. That he may be close to the city is not disputed by U.S. officers, but they claim he is on the run.

LYNCH: No doubt that Zarqawi tried to gravitate him and his forces towards Ramadi. I know it to be true, our operations are focused on taking him out in Ramadi.

ROBERTSON (on camera): Propaganda has become a crucial part of the battle for both sides. General Lynch says U.S. commanders are empowered to impart information to Iraqis. The difference between them and the insurgents, he said, is that U.S. commanders always tell the truth -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Nic Robertson in Baghdad. Thank you very much.

He's been embedded with American troops in combat. He's watched the insurgents fight. And he's seen the new Iraqi army in action. Isn't there any light at the end of the tunnel? Coming up I'll speak with "TIME" magazine's Baghdad Bureau Chief Michael Ware. He has some amazing first-person observations to share with all of us.

It would seem insurgents are responsible for nearly all the unsolicited violence in Iraq. But some Iraqi civilians believe some of the brutality is being handed down by an unlikely suspect. Our senior Pentagon Correspondent Jamie McIntyre joining us with details -- Jamie?

JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN SR. PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, a British company that's one of the largest private security contractors in Iraq is investigating allegations that some of its employees may have fired indiscriminately on civilian vehicles. It's a charge that's been fueled by video clips that are circulating on the Internet.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MCINTYRE (voice over): The videos appear to show Iraqi civilian vehicles coming under fire from someone in what might or might not be a private contractor's car as it drives through an unknown part of Iraq.

In one of the clips, automatic gunfire is heard, and then a vehicle is seen crashing into another vehicle on the road. The occupants flee in fright. The edited video clips, with music added, were originally posted on a Web site that was purportedly operated by contracts working for AEGIS Defense Services Limited, a British contractor providing protection to civilian and military personnel traveling in Iraq.

SEAN MCCORMACK, SPOKESMAN, U.S. STATE DEPT.: These particular individuals were part of that contract at the U.S. mission. And it was found that their behavior deviated in some way from what was expected. And what the rules of engagement were. I would expect that people would take some action.

MCINTYRE: CNN contacted AEGIS Defense Services Limited at its headquarters in London, but a spokesperson declined comment beyond the statement posted on its Web site. It says a formal board of inquiry will investigate, along with the U.S. military, whether AEGIS employers were involved.

The statement says: "AEGIS personnel have substantial military and peacekeeping experience and all operate under strict and accountable Rules of Engagement ... which allow for a structured escalation of force to include to include opening fire on civilian vehicles under certain circumstances."

While the videos are labeled AEGIS TSV, there is no other information that indicates who is doing the shooting or gives any indication of when or where the incidents took place.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MCINTYRE: AEGIS says all the incidents involving the use of firearms are logged and investigated to ensure strict adherence to U.S. rules of engagement. And the company says if its investigation finds that any of its employees are connected to the acts depicted on the video, that will merit what they call, quote, "further scrutiny" -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Jamie McIntyre at the Pentagon. Thanks, Jamie, very much. Let's get some more on this extraordinary video online. Let's check in with our Internet Reporter Jacki Schechner.

Jacki?

JACKI SCHECHNER, CNN INTERNET REPORTER: Wolf, the video you just saw is also posted on this Web site. The AEGIS Iraq Web site is not associated in any way with the AEGIS Defense Company. The site is administered anonymously and it encourages AEGIS employees to post and comment videos. We are about to show you another video that we found on this site. It is labeled VBIED at Check Point. VBIED is vehicle born improvised explosive device. Now it is posted as a warning to AEGIS employees about crossing a common check point in Iraq. Take a look at the video. Now we want to make clear that we do not know that this is a U.S., Iraqi, or coalition soldier or that it is an AEGIS employee involved. It's an extraordinary piece of video, however.

First you watch as the guard walks towards cars as they approach the check point. You'll see a black car coming up momentarily. Now the next part of the video that we are going to show you, as it comes up, is going to be very disturbing -- and tragic. You want to watch as this one ends. You can see the soldier as he walks up to the black car there. Now as he approaches the car, the car is going to explode in a massive fireball.

We have chosen to edit that for content. So what we are going to show you now is the next part. This is the aftermath, not the actual explosion, of that soldier.

Now, of course, this is video that demonstrates the powerful and viral nature of the Internet. The disturbing video is popping up on many sites online. It is traveling around. We left messages with both the web master and AEGIS corporate asking for comment, and we did not hear back from the site, Wolf.

BLITZER: Very disturbing indeed. Jacki, thank you very much.

Meanwhile, we are learning new details about a Belgium citizen believed to be the first Western woman to carry out a suicide bombing in Iraq. CNN's Brian Todd is joining us from the newsroom with more.

Brian?

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, there is a genuine sense of shock and disbelief in Belgium where people woke this morning to find that story splashed across the country's newspapers.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TODD (voice over): The headline reads, "Fatal Destiny of Muriel". This is the Belgium kamikaze killed in Iraq. Thirty-eight year old Muriel Degauque, born and raised in working-class Charleroi.

Belgium terror investigators tell CNN they now believe she was responsible for a November 9th suicide attack on a U.S. military patrol north of Baghdad. One soldier was slightly wounded. The bomber was the only one killed.

Degauque's parents still live in Charleroi. Her mother told a newspaper Degauque became a Muslim to marry her first husband, who she divorced. Then she turned to more radical Islam after marrying a Moroccan man who her parents say brainwashed her. The couple were last known to live on this street in Brussels. They took a trip to Syria last summer, returned to Belgium, then left for Iraq.

The husband was reportedly killed in fighting a few days before Degauque's attack. As the news broke, Belgium authorities charged five men with involvement in a terrorist network that sent volunteers to Iraq, including Degauque and her husband. Three are Belgians of North African descent, another is Tunisian.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TODD: Beyond the discovery by Belgium authorities, that that group sent volunteers to Iraq, a Belgium prosecutor says that terror network has a larger structure in Belgium coordinating transportation, logistics, and recruitment -- Wolf?

BLITZER: All right. What a story. Thanks very much. Brian Todd reporting for us.

Our Zain Verjee is off today. Carol Lin is filling, she's joining us from the CNN Center in Atlanta, with a closer look at other stories making news.

CAROL LIN, CNN NEWS ANCHOR, THE SITUATION ROOM: Hi there, Wolf.

The Supreme Court has rejected a last appeal by death row inmate Kenneth Lee Boyd. His fate is now in the hands of North Carolina Governor Mike Easley. Now if the governor denies clemency, Boyd would become the 1,000th prisoner executed since capital punishment was reinstated in the United States almost 30 years ago.

Boyd is scheduled to be put to death early tomorrow for his killing of his wife and father-in-law.

Now the FBI wants your help to catch an elusive gang of jewelry robbers. It's released surveillance video and photos of the suspected thieves. Since 2003 the members of the so-called Gate Cutters Jewelry Crew have looted 56 jewelry stores including a New York store hit just yesterday. Now the thieves have made off with more than $5 million worth of gems.

Well, a screening test for the West Nile virus has gotten the OK from the FDA. The test screens blood, organ and tissue donors for the potentially fatal disease. FDA officials say it will help protect patients who receive blood and organ transplants from infection. West Nile virus was first discovered in the United States back in 1999. It's often transmitted by mosquitoes, and it has killed at least nine people here.

A holiday celebration in the nation's capital. President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush were on hand for tonight's lighting of the National Christmas Tree. And two little girls did the honors. Mr. Bush called on Americans to remember the U.S. military's men and women serving around the world, and especially in Iraq and Afghanistan.

That's it from here -- Wolf?

BLITZER: A nice story indeed to end it on. Carol, thanks very much.

Let's go back to New York. Jack Cafferty is standing by with "The Cafferty File."

Hi, Jack. JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR, THE SITUATION ROOM: Hi, Wolf. Next time you go online, beware. "The New York Times" reports today more and more therapists are treating people for something called Internet addiction disorder. The experts say 6 to 10 percent of 189 million Internet users in this country are hooked.

Some say it can be as addictive and destructive as alcoholism and drug addiction. And they are treating it with the same kind of 12 step program they use for chemical addictions. Critics say Internet addiction won't take the some toll on you as those other addictions will. But the shrinks report many of these users are already addicted to gambling or pornography and that the Internet just makes all of that worse.

Here's the question, do you think the Internet can be as addictive as drugs and alcohol? You can e-mail us your thoughts at Caffertyfile@cnn.com or cnn.com/caffertyfile. And we'll read some of your responses a bit later in the program.

BLITZER: Good question. Thanks, Jack, very much.

Coming up, Bill Clinton on the war in Iraq. We'll find out why he agrees with President Bush on the need to stay the course. Our Anderson Cooper will join us live to talk about his exclusive interview with the former president.

Also tonight, trouble for Arnold Schwarzenegger. The life and death decision putting him in a political tight spot.

And bedbugs that bit. A New York hotel gets hit with a lawsuit by angry tourists. You are in THE SITUATION ROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: They are important topics about battles with serious consequences. The war in Iraq, and the fight against AIDS. President Bush's predecessor is making some very candid comments about both. Our Anderson Cooper is here to tell us about his exclusive interview with the former President Bill Clinton.

Anderson?

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR, "360": Yeah, Wolf, tonight at 10 o'clock, I sat down today with former President Bill Clinton. We talked about a lot about what he's doing today; his efforts with tsunami recovery, and of course his thoughts on the war in Iraq.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BILL CLINTON, FMR. PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The question is what's now best for the American people. For the war on terror and for the people of Iraq; and the stability in the Middle East?

We don't want to set a fixed timetable if that led to chaos, the establishment of permanent terrorist operations in the Sunni section of Iraq. And long term greater instability in the Middle East. So whether you are for it or against it, seems to me that you should all be praying that it succeeds. I am.

And so -- and I didn't agree with what was done when it was done. But we are where we are. And it seems to be the best thing to do, is to heed the wishes of all the leaders of Iraq. The various sectors who say they want us to draw down our forces. But we don't want to set a timetable now before this election.

And when we draw down, we want to put them in safer areas and use them where they are most effective in battle with strike force capacity and in intelligence gathering, which means we need some more people who can do that work there.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COOPER: We also talked about AIDS. Mr. Clinton's foundation is working around the globe to fight AIDS on this World AIDS Day, the former president reflects on what's been done and what still needs to be done to save lives.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CLINTON: I think next year you are going to see a huge, huge increase in the number of people on medication. And at least the programs where I am working, in the 22 countries we'll be working in, everybody will also be subject to an intense education program and intense prevention message.

And if we couple that with more of the clean needles that can't be reused. And more of what Holbrooke says, more vigorous pushing of testing, I think we can turn this around. I still believe we can do it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COOPER: More from former President Bill Clinton tonight on "360" 10 o'clock Eastern -- Wolf.

BLITZER: All right, Anderson. Good work. We'll be watching tonight, 10:00 p.m. Eastern.

Still to come here in THE SITUATION ROOM, inside the insurgency in Iraq. You've heard what the politicians in Washington are saying. Tonight we'll get a very chilling assessment from the ground. You won't want to miss this. That's coming up.

And The Terminator, Arnold Schwarzenegger now facing a life and death decision. We'll find out why it's putting him in a political bind. Much more, coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Carol Lin is joining us once again from the CNN Center in Atlanta, with a closer look at other stories making news around the world.

Carol? LIN: Wolf, officials in Singapore now confirm that a 25-year-old Australian citizen has been executed. Van Nguyen was hanged over just two hours ago despite protests across Australia and pleas for clemency from the government, which condemned the killing as barbaric. Nguyen was convicted of trying to smuggle almost a pound of heroine through Singapore in 2002.

Well, the Pentagon says it has formed a tribunal to hear the case of a Canadian teenager held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The defendant, now 19 years old, is accused of killing a U.S. Army medic in 2002. A similar tribunal for another Guantanamo detainee was put on hold until the Supreme Court can decide whether such proceedings are legal.

And South Korea is opening its rice market to foreign competition. And the Korean farmers are highly upset about it. Today, protesters clashed with police in Seoul. The farmers are protesting the further opening of the Korean rice market. And tensions have been brewing for weeks after a Korean activist died in a police skirmish two weeks ago.

Today, is World AIDS Day. It was marked by events around the globe. An estimated 40 million people worldwide are infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Political leaders and activists and AIDS patients and children urged people worldwide to join the fight against the deadly disease. First detected here in the U.S., Wolf, 24 years ago.

BLITZER: All right. It's amazing what's going on. Thanks very much Carol Lin from the CNN Center.

Just ahead, in Iraq, the insurgents say they are fighting for their country. Yet, with their escalating acts of violence, coalition troops say they are working against Iraq. I asked a reporter who has been covering the insurgency for a long time. "Time" magazine's Michael Ware, what's going on. Stand by for that interview.

And will he or won't he? A pressure cooker situation for the California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to grant clemency to a death row inmate. We'll look at the options. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: President Bush launched the defensive yesterday aimed at trying to regain public support for the war in Iraq and urging Americans to be patient. Other political and military officials are following up on that same message. But the war of words over the war continues without let-up.

We'll hear about the fighting and the situation on the ground from "Time" magazines Baghdad Bureau Chief Michael Ware, momentarily. But first let's go over to the White House our correspondent there Suzanne Malveaux is standing by.

Suzanne?

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, of course, as we got closer to the Iraqi elections, certainly the war of words over the Iraq policy is heating up. And today the man who wanted to be president took on Mr. Bush's policies right here at his own home turf.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MALVEAUX (voice over): Together, they were all smiles. President Bush and his former presidential opponent John Kerry at White House event honoring civil rights icon the late Rosa Parks.

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA): The administration still is troubled.

MALVEAUX: Separately, just moments later, in front of cameras outside the West Wing, Kerry taking the gloves off to hit the president on Iraq.

KERRY: Eight percent of the Iraqi people have said they want the United States to leave. And 45 percent of the Iraqi people say it's all right to kill Americans. The Iraqi leadership said they think we ought to be setting a more concrete timetable.

MALVEAUX: The White House dismissed Kerry's comments regarding withdrawing American troops. Hearkening back to the image of Kerry as a flip-flopper.

SCOTT MCCLELLAN, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: I have found it very hard to reconcile Senator Kerry's views on Iraq.

MALVEAUX: Kerry who voted for the Iraq resolution acknowledged a split within his own party. That he, unlike Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, and decorated veteran Congressman John Murtha did not believe American troops should come home quickly. But Kerry glossed over that rift to strike at President Bush and the White House's renewed strategy to better explain its Iraq policy, specifically concerning training Iraqi troops.

KERRY: I'm glad the president made the speech yesterday. But remember we are two and a half years now down the road. This training really only began in May, in a serious way.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MALVEAUX: And today the White House put out Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Peter Pace to continue delivering the White House strategic message that the U.S. is making progress in training those Iraqi troops. Wolf, we also expect the vice president to echo that same message before New York troops on Tuesday -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Suzanne Malveaux at the White House. Suzanne, thank you very much.

And just a little while ago I spoke with "Time" magazine's Baghdad Bureau Chief Michael Ware. He's made it a point to watch Iraqi troops fight for their country.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) BLITZER: Michael Ware, thanks very much for joining us. We heard from the president yesterday suggesting significant progress is being made on the ground in the fight against the insurgency. What are you seeing from your vantage point, on the ground?

MICHAEL WARE, BAGHDAD BUREAU CHIEF, "TIME" MAGAZINE: Well, very little has changed, Wolf. We're seeing an insurgency here that will not go away. No matter how hard the military hits the insurgents, their ability to regenerate, to refill the ranks of their foot soldiers and their leaderships seems endless. The military has barely made a dent in the fight.

At the same time, they are trying to build Iraqi security forces who can take over, allowing American troops to go home. That progress is slow as well. It's very hard to see real, tangible advances being made. There's lots of numbers of troops on paper, but when you see them in the fight -- and I've been in combat with every kind of Iraqi force -- you really have to wonder just how long this is going to take.

In fact, I had a very senior U.S. commander tell me just this week that he doesn't see that these Iraqi forces will ever be able to crush this insurgency alone.

BLITZER: Why is that? The U.S. is spending an enormous amount of money training these troops. What's going on? It seems like they should be making progress every day.

WARE: There's a whole host of problems. It's almost difficult to know where to begin. I mean, firstly, there is no sense of unity. I mean, this whole country has had to see this division sown deep, sectarian division between religious sects, ethnic division between various groups. This is reflected in the security forces. Everyone is out for his own.

In fact, it's not hard to find top American commanders who will tell you that all they are doing is arming and equipping the various elements of what could well be a civil war if enough attention is not paid to the problems here in Iraq.

BLITZER: What would happen, Michael, if the U.S. were to withdraw over the next six to nine months shall we say?

WARE: It would be absolute disaster whether you supported this war or not. The problem is now that America is in for a penny, in for a pound. There is no backing out now. You've crossed the point of no return.

The irony is that the longer U.S. forces are here, the stronger the insurgency gets. It's the presence of U.S. occupying forces that is the greatest recruiting tool for Iraqi insurgents and for foreign fighters eager to come here and battle with American soldiers.

BLITZER: Well, Michael, if the U.S. presence seems to be a problem, why not reduce the U.S. presence, the visibility? What would happen if the U.S. were to simply say to the Iraqi military, the Iraqi government, it's your country, you take over. Take charge of the security.

WARE: There's a whole host of implications that would flow from an early withdrawal. For a start, this country would fracture into a variety of lines. That would play only into the hands of two of America's greatest enemies: al Qaeda who would flourish in the anarchy and whose training camps already exist here now that did not exist under Saddam would multiply; and the other winner would be Tehran.

The Iranians already have a massive foothold here in Iraq. In fact, their competition with American the military, with the American diplomatic core, and with American business is one of the greatest rivalries here in the country. Indeed, so far, al Qaeda and Iran have been the big winners of this war. If there's an early withdrawal, their victory will be complete. That will have international implications as the perception of American power is significantly eroded.

You would also see a regional conflict almost certainly spark if American troops pull out. Iran would be in this country pursuing its interests as would Turkey, as would Syria, as would Jordan and Saudi Arabia if not overtly, then certainly covertly.

And I can tell you now that these American allies, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, are already pumping money and other forms of assistance into the Sunni community here in Iraq.

BLITZER: Michael Ware offering a very, very depressing assessment, but one that he's seen on the ground, from our sister publication, "Time" magazine. Michael Ware, thanks very much for joining us.

WARE: Thank you, Wolf.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: President Bush has launched a spirited defense of his Iraq war policies vowing to stay the course and calling on the American people to show similar resolve. Here's what he said yesterday.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: As the Iraqi forces gain experience and the political process advances, we will be able to decrease our troop levels in Iraq without losing our capability to defeat the terrorists.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: The administration's pointman in Iraq is making some remarkable admissions which we didn't hear from the president.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad on the ground in Baghdad paints a much more somber picture of the situation in Iraq. I asked him earlier about charges from Iraq's former Interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi that there are abuse going on now as bad as in the days of Saddam Hussein.

ZALMAY KHALILZAD, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO IRAQ: Well, I think there is reason to be concerned. We did find in the bunker of the Ministry of Interior that over 170 prisoners were held and over 100 of them were abused.

BLITZER: And one of the reports of Shiite death squads, militias infiltrating the new Iraqi security forces and targeting the Sunni population.

KHALILZAD: I am worried about these reports. Militias are a source of concern, a source of insecurity, a source of threat to the people of Iraq.

BLITZER: Ambassador Khalilzad says the American people must understand these militias pose a threat to the new Iraq just like the terrorists and insurgents. Of immediate concern, the militia's loyal to Muqtada al-Sadr, the radical Shiite clerical who, until recently, was one of the most wanted men in Iraq.

KHALILZAD: There are some other Muqtada al-Sadr elements that have infiltrated or have become part of the police forces.

BLITZER: And he draws an ominous connection.

KHALILZAD: Some of these militias are getting help from Iran.

BLITZER: Could Iraq become the next Iran?

KHALILZAD: It's a legitimate concern. There are people here who would like to see Iraq turn into an Islamic republic.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Despite all these concerns, the ambassador insists that those pushing for an Islamic republic in Iraq do not represent the majority of Iraqis. I spoke with the ambassador earlier today.

This month, "Time" magazine will be announcing its person of the year. The magazine's editors give the title to the person who, for better or worse, they think had the greatest impact on the year's events. Here's a look at one potential candidate.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think the Pope Benedict partly because of the tremendous anticipation that surrounded his rise to the papacy and the fact that he is following someone who I think most people would call one of the real giants of the 20th century, makes him a great candidate for person of the year.

ROMESH RATNESAR, WORLD EDITOR, "TIME": I think there's a tremendous amount of interest in him and the direction in which he's taking the church at a time when the church is facing a lot of issues that are difficult for, I think, the Catholic Church to take on in the world.

And I think how this pope handles those challenges will be very central to not only the future of the Catholic Church and Catholics around the world, but also the way in which the world handles a lot of major problems.

And so, Pope Benedict, I think, is a very interesting character, an interesting thinker and represents an important voice in dealing with moral questions, and therefore I think would be a candidate for person of the year.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Up next, it takes an executive decision to stop an execution. As time runs out, the arguments to California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger are growing louder. Will he or won't he save a death row inmate scheduled for execution in less than two weeks?

It's a complaint literally bugging those accused. Two tourists visit New York City and say their hotel was infested with bedbugs. Now they are bringing it out in the open. We'll have details. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Pressure is mounting on the California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to grant clemency to a controversial death row inmate scheduled for execution in less than two weeks. Our senior political correspondent Candy Crowley is standing by for us with a closer look at what's at stake for the governor. Candy?

CANDY CROWLEY, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, this is a story about life, death, politics and California. It doesn't get more loaded than that.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CROWLEY (voice-over): The California governor has not granted clemency to either of the death row cases that have crossed his desk. He is under star-powered pressure to reverse course on the third.

JAMIE FOXX, ACTOR: I'm sure that once you learn everything about this unique case, you won't kill him on my birthday.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mr. Stanley Tookie...

FOXX: ... it's Tookie.

CROWLEY: Jamie Foxx played convicted murder Stanley "Tookie" Williams in the movie "Redemption," a word that frames the basis for those who want to stop Williams' execution later this month.

Co-founder of a notorious L.A. street gang, Williams was convicted of four murders in 1981. He still says he's innocent. Over time on death row, he began to write anti-gang, anti-violence children's books, using the funds to set up community centers. After almost 25 years on death row, his plea for clemency is now before the governor.

GOV. ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER (R), CALIFORNIA: What I want to do is, I want to make sure to make the right decision. Because we are dealing here with a person's life.

CROWLEY: If ever there is a time to set aside politics, it's in decisions like this. Still no decision by a governor is without political consequences. Having just tapped a Democratic activist to be his chief of staff, Schwarzenegger is already in the doghouse with conservatives, at least some of whom he needs for re-election next year.

Those who doubt there can be redemption without admitting guilt are watching. If he commutes this sentence, said one California Republican, there will be a primary challenge. Insiders also downplay the support for commuting Williams' sentence. One strategist called it the usual anti-death penalty crowd, with the extra juice of a celebrity drumbeat.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CROWLEY: In fact, California, despite its liberal rep has elected a series of tough law and order governors. Gray Davis, the Democrat Schwarzenegger replaced, denied all three clemency requests that came to him. Which leads many California politicos to say they would be very surprised if Schwarzenegger gave clemency to Williams. Wolf?

BLITZER: All right, we'll wait and watch and see. Thanks very much, Candy Crowley reporting for us.

And this note, just a short time ago, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a final appeal from a North Carolina death row inmate. Just about six hours from now, Kenneth Lee Boyd will be executed. That would be at 2:00 a.m. Eastern. If that goes forward as expected, he would become the 1,000th inmate to die since the death penalty was reinstated back in 1976.

Boyd was convicted of shooting his wife and father-in-law to death in front of two of his sons. Despite some controversy, Americans still favor the death penalty, almost two to one in specific circumstances. A Gallup poll last month showed 64 percent of those asked approved of the death penalty for murder, compared to just 30 percent opposed.

Up next, a horrifying sight in a downtown high-rise. A window washing rig flailing in the wind with two men trapped inside. You'll want to see this. We'll show you what's happened.

Plus, when the bedbugs bite, what do you do? Our Ali Velshi standing by with a follow-up to a story you saw here. New York's bed bug infestations. We'll be right back.

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BLITZER: We told you Monday about bedbugs making a comeback in New York City. Now one lawyer there says they're re moving into hotels. Our Ali Velshi is standing by with "The Bottom Line." This is an ugly story Ali, but tell us all about it.

ALI VELSHI, CNN ANCHOR: I never thought I'd know this much about bedbugs. Here's what I know. A lawsuit has now been filed in New York State after two plaintiffs say they were bitten by bedbugs in a New York hotel. Now be warmed, honestly, if you're squeamish of bug bites, there are some graphic pictures here.

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VELSHI (voice-over): It bills itself as the world's most popular hotel, 1700 rooms and according to one lawyer...

ADAM SATTLER, ATTORNEY: Bedbugs are what they call, obligate parasites. That the only thing they eat is human bloods.

VELSHI: Attorney Adam Sattler gave CNN pictures he says are of the wounds that his clients, two business women from Switzerland sustained in a bed bug attack while staying at New York's famous Hotel Pennsylvania.

SATTLER: They noticed that the bites, the marks were becoming very severe, red welts. Almost looking like someone was trying to eat their way out from the inside out.

VELSHI: The landmark hotel is across from New York's Penn Station. Its kept its phone number for so long, there's every a song written about it. The lawyer who has never met his clients say these pictures were taken in Switzerland after the women returned home. The bites themselves are painless, but the reactions can be similar to mosquito bites.

The Hotel Pennsylvania just wants the plaintiffs to bug off. Telling CNN, "we try very hard to ensure a good experience for all guests and regret that such was not the case for the plaintiffs. However, we believe their suit is without merit."

Sattler says the hotel knew what the problem was as soon as his clients went to the front desk.

SATTLER: Bedbugs, meaning the clerk said it to them. Which means to me, at least tells me, that the hotel had seen something like this before.

VELSHI: Adam Sattler's firm has seen this sort of case before, handling a recent bedbug suit against the New York Helmsley Hotel, which settled with the plaintiffs. In this case, Sattler says the Hotel Pennsylvania paid for his clients to visit the emergency room of the New York University Medical Center, and refunded them three nights hotel charge.

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VELSHI: All right, Sattler says that this kind of thing, he's had more reports of it since filing this lawsuit. And the bedbug fact of the day, in my research, Wolf? Under proper conditions, an adult bedbug can survive without a meal for a year or longer.

BLITZER: Totally grossing me out, Ali, thank you very much for that report.

High winds and high-rise window-washing can be very dangerous. It almost cost two men in Denver their lives. Let's bring in our Tom Foreman, he's watching this story for us. What happened, Tom?

TOM FOREMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Oh man, I'll tell you what happened. Having lived out in Denver, what happened is what happens out there sometimes. The wind comes sweeping in off the Rocky Mountains, it funnels between these buildings. We've talked about this effect before, and man, it can create havoc. In this case, a really unusual case of smash and grab.

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FOREMAN (voice-over): It ended with two window-washers thankful they're still alive. This is what the side of a building in Denver looks like now. Wednesday, two window-washers were on their scaffold when their platform's boom that anchored them to the building broke.

The men dangled for their lives, high in the sky, up to 40-mile- per hour winds relentlessly blowing their heavy platform to and fro.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I was expecting to see two people die. And that was -- that was the -- probably the scariest part.

FOREMAN: As the scaffolding smashed into the building, the men were in danger, but so were people on the ground.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We watched the glass fall down on to the cars and smash the tops of the cars and the windows of the cars. It was not a pretty sight to watch.

FOREMAN: These two women watched in horror.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The wires got tangled. And the guys were flying around, hitting the buildings. All the glass was flying. We are calling 911.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Finally, the firefighters were able to grab them.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes. And -- and before that, for, like, about five, 10 minutes, they were just, like, holding on for their life. And, then, what I saw that they were going with their fingers, doing 911.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So, at that time, I hurried up and got to my phone. And I called the police.

FOREMAN: Once the fire department came, crews waited for the platform to swing close to the building and used a hook to grab it. They saved both men. And they were not seriously hurt.

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FOREMAN: Talk about your "beam me down Scotty" moments. That had to be a big one for them.

BLITZER: They are lucky guys, I have to tell you. Very lucky indeed. Tom, thank you very much.

Let's check out what's going on "PAULA ZAHN NOW," that's starting right at the top of the hour. Miles O'Brien, one of my favorites, filling in for Paula tonight. Miles, tell us what you've got going.

MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Wolf, at the top of the hour, kids with high-powered rifles. And the people who say we need more of them. With the number of hunters in this country dwindling, we'll debate whether children and young teens should be taught how to shoot and hunt.

Plus an incredible story about the search for a bank robber. Three men looked at this picture, and they knew who exactly it was. It was their dad. The question, Wolf, what would you do in that situation? They will tell us what they did.

BLITZER: We will be watching, Miles. Thank you very much, our Miles O'Brien, coming up right at the top of the hour.

Still ahead, your answers to our question of the hour. Do you think the Internet can be as addictive as drugs and alcohol? Jack Cafferty standing by with your e-mail. We'll be right back.

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BLITZER: Let's check back with Jack Cafferty, he's in New York, he's been going through your e-mail. Jack?

CAFFERTY: All right, thanks, Wolf. "The New York Times" reporting today that more and more therapists are treating people for something called Internet Addiction Disorder. Six to ten percent of 189 million Internet users in this country are hooked, according to estimates.

The question is this, do you think the Internet can be as addictive as drugs and/or alcohol?

Robin writes: the screen levels the playing field. Everything, work, e-mail, porn, gambling, games, seems the same to those who can't distinguish the differences. People who would never buy porn in a store can buy it anonymously. You are merely on the computer, therefore it's much less obvious than smoking a joint or visiting a singles bar.

Harry in Edison, New Jersey: It's the state of mind. I don't think the Internet is up to the level of an addiction, yet. Complaints concerning Internet addiction due to pornography and gambling are because the individual is addicted to pornography and gambling to begin with. The Internet is just the medium.

Sharon in Caldwell, Ohio: Being a recovering alcoholic and user of drugs, I think the Internet can be addictive, but I can also tell you it's a whole lot easier to quit and stay away from.

Donna writes from Buffalo, New York: Hello, I'm Donna and I'm addicted to the Internet. I'm also addicted to reply to "Cafferty File" questions. I'm trying to quit. Give me Zain's number, I need a sponsor.

Jay in Sherman, New York: Jack, what I'm wondering is this. Does e-mailing the "Cafferty File" serve as a gateway to smoking reefer, or God forbid, becoming a crackhead?

Yes, Jay, it does.

Michael in Lynchburg, Virginia: I don't believe in Internet addiction, but I do wonder why I'm answering your 7:00 question at four o'clock in the afternoon.

BLITZER: Michael may have a problem there. How addicted are you to the Internet, Jack?

CAFFERTY: Not at all. I read this stuff as a part of my job. But I don't spend any time on it. I don't know how to run the computers. I'm not very computer literate.

BLITZER: You're with me. All right, Jack. Thanks. We'll see you tomorrow, right here in THE SITUATION ROOM .

CAFFERTY: You got it.

BLITZER: And to our viewer, don't forget we are in THE SITUATION ROOM every weekday from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Eastern as well as 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Eastern.

Tomorrow on THE SITUATION ROOM, our national security correspondent David Ensor has had an exclusive interview with John Negroponte, the man in charge of U.S. intelligence. This is his first television interview since he's taken over the job. That interview will be right here in THE SITUATION ROOM, David Ensor and John Negroponte. Until tomorrow, I'm Wolf Blitzer. And now here's Miles O'Brien, sitting in for Paula Zahn. Miles?

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