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Fresh Reports Regarding What Iraq Study Group Will Recommend; U.S. Central Command Staying Focused On Military Mission In Iraq; Dina Powell Interview; Wife Of Dead Russian Ex-Spy Tests Positive For Polonium; John Cornyn Interview; Venezuelans Head To The Polls This Sunday
Aired December 01, 2006 - 17:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: To our viewers, 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 today's top stories.
Happening now, might thousands of U.S. troops be home from Iraq by 2008?
Fresh reports suggest that will be among the goals pressed by the group studying ways to fix the situation in Iraq.
Also, radioactive fears -- sources say two more people are testing positive for a radioactive substance, and they both knew that former Russian spy who died before being poisoned. Now, there's heightened fears of wider radiation contamination in Britain. We'll have the latest.
And the U.S. government wants to know might you be a terrorist?
We'll tell you how the government is assessing that virtually every time you travel internationally.
I'm Wolf Blitzer.
You're in THE SITUATION ROOM.
Right now pondering the path toward peace, as many debate the best ways to put Iraq's worst days behind it. There are fresh reports regarding what the Iraq Study Group will recommend next week. It involves a goal of bringing thousands of U.S. troops from Iraq home.
Our senior Pentagon correspondent, Jamie McIntyre is standing by with the latest details -- Jamie.
JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN SENIOR PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, the reaction from Pentagon officials, Wolf, is that a plan to gradually withdrawal U.S. troops based on conditions on the ground sounds a lot like what the Pentagon is doing now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MCINTYRE (voice-over): The Iraq Study Group reportedly will advocate an ambitious goal of bringing as many as 70,000 U.S. troops home by early 2008, by shifting American forces out of combat and into support roles and redoubling efforts to train Iraqi troops to take their place.
MAJ. GEN. BENJAMIN MIXON, COMMANDER, MULTINATIONAL DIVISION- NORTH: I think it certainly reflects what we're going now.
MCINTYRE: Major General Benjamin Mixon commands troops in northern Iraq and he's using the proposed strategy already, increasing the number of U.S. trainers in his area of Iraq from 2,000 to 4,000 and forecasting that in the next three to six months, Iraqi forces will take complete control in six northern provinces, which, in turn, will allow for substantial U.S. troop readiness.
MIXON: I can certainly see a great opportunity to reduce the amount of combat forces on the ground in Multinational Division-North.
MCINTYRE: The Pentagon has no problem with the call for quickly cutting the size of the U.S. force in Iraq by half in as little as 16 months, so long as it's at the discretion of military commanders. The incoming chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee thinks the Study Group recommendations will go much farther, calling for a partial U.S. pullout whether or not Iraqi troops are ready for the Americans to go.
SEN. CARL LEVIN (D-MI), ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE: And this would represent some significant pressure, finally, on the Iraqis, to face the reality, which is that they must achieve a political settlement and that there is no military solution that can work unless they achieve a political settlement.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MCINTYRE: Pentagon officials say there's nothing wrong with calling for deep troop cuts, so long as it's based on reality and not just wishful thinking. And they say it's unlikely that President Bush would approve any plan if U.S. commanders believe it will lead to more chaos in Iraq -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Jamie McIntyre.
What a story this has become.
Thank you for that.
And many are anxious for anything that may speed Iraq toward more stability and less slaughter on the streets. Yet whatever the Iraq Study Group may recommend, some feel the time to fix what's happening there may have long since passed.
Joining us now, our correspondent in Baghdad, Nic Robertson -- Nic, you're there. You're on the ground. You're meeting with top Iraqi leaders right now.
Give us a sense how desperate their mood might be.
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SR. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Right now, there's real concern, Wolf.
They were hoping that Prime Minister Maliki's visit with President Bush in Jordan would produce, perhaps, some changes, something new.
That hasn't happened. Clearly, a lot of politicians here now see the pressure being on Prime Minister Maliki to deal with Muqtada al- Sadr, the firebrand Shia cleric, deal with his large, unruly Mahdi Militia, who are accused, in some cases, of being part of the death squads killing people here in Iraq.
He is under pressure to deal with them, to disarm them. And a lot of the politicians here say that is impossible for Prime Minister Maliki to do. His power base is built on Muqtada al-Sadr, built on these people. Some people very senior in the government here now believe it is time for a change of -- in the government at this time. They don't believe that Prime Minister Maliki can last a lot longer.
There is, of course, support for the prime minister, support for him if he's going to push ahead with this. Certainly, that is what we've been hearing from the United States side, President Bush saying he will give Prime Minister Maliki all the support he can have. We've heard about additional troops being moved to Baghdad to help support the Iraqi government, to help support Prime Minister Maliki.
But the wide and broad assessment here among the leadership of politicians is that this is a very challenging job and one perhaps, perhaps, that Mr. Maliki can't achieve -- Wolf.
BLITZER: And there are some analysts here in Washington who are telling me, Nic, that events on the ground seem to be spiraling out of control and irrespective of whatever recommendations the Iraq Study Group comes up with, any specific military steps the U.S. may make, it might be a case of too little too late.
ROBERTSON: The rationale here is that that is very possibly the case, that whatever the Study Group has envisioned for Iraq may be coming too late, maybe because they began their study earlier this year, that events have changed so much over the last six or seven months.
But the real -- the real concern is, is that the pressure that's being put on this government is a load that it can't bear. That Muqtada al-Sadr's militia -- to go back to that issue -- has grown so large in the past year, since the time when the Study Group began its study, that it's too hard to disarm and disable, despite everyone's best efforts.
Politically they can be -- the radical elements in it can be isolated, that perhaps Muqtada al-Sadr can still be brought on board. But you still have to deal with all those armed militants with the weapons -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Nic, be careful over there.
Nic Robertson in Baghdad. Thank you.
And amid all of this, the head of the U.S. military's Central Command is staying focused on the military mission in Iraq.
CNN Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr is traveling with General John Abizaid and has this exclusive report.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, we're traveling with General John Abizaid in Iraq, but tonight, due to security concerns, we cannot say our exact location.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
STARR (voice-over): On his way into Iraq, General John Abizaid huddles with his advisers, reviewing the latest information about the sectarian violence that is tearing this country apart. He strongly believes that the violence in Iraq cannot be dealt with in isolation, that Hezbollah in Lebanon and Iran's growing backing of insurgent groups both pose threats the U.S. must deal with, while it continues to fight in Iraq.
And Abizaid dismisses any talk that the U.S. military is ready to abandon its efforts in the most violent areas of western Iraq's Al Anbar Province.
GEN. JOHN ABIZAID, COMMANDER, U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND: We have to put our priorities on where our operations need to be, just like any military force. But the only people that are writing this country off seem to be people that are uniformed and really haven't studied the situation.
STARR: Abizaid arrives here just days before the Iraq Study Group is scheduled to make its recommendations. Here on the ground, there is growing anticipation that President Bush will now order an accelerated turn over of security to the Iraqis.
But there is no that turn over in Al Anbar and in Baghdad is months away. Baghdad, for now, remains the central front in this war. More U.S. troops may be headed to the capital in the days ahead.
Abizaid is taking a long-term view.
ABIZAID: You can't do all things at all times, but you can have an effort. You can stabilize the country. You can improve the Iraqi security forces over time.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
STARR: General Abizaid is determined to stay out of the political fray and continue to focus on the military strategy for Iraq -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Barbara Starr doing some exclusive reporting for us. Thank you.
Jack Cafferty is joining us now from New York with "The Cafferty File" -- Jack.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: All right, a quiz, Wolf.
Guess who this is?
BLITZER: Don't know.
CAFFERTY: Sure you do. You -- everybody recognizes Susan Hallowell. She's the director of the Transportation Security Administration's security laboratory, seen here showing off some experimental technology in 2003. The technology Miss. Hallowell is demonstrating in this picture is called Back Scatter. It's made it through the test phase and it's now going to debut at Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix by Christmas.
The Back Scatter machine x-rays travelers' bodies so that screeners can find concealed weapons or explosives or birthmarks or scars or moles or whatever. Actually, that, too.
Several other U.S. airports will have the new screeners in place by early 2007. Privacy advocates are, as you might expect, up in arms. The technology is already being used by prison officials and drug enforcement agents.
Here's our question, then -- are you willing to pass through an x-ray machine at an airport that will leave virtually nothing to the imagination?
E-mail us at CaffertyFile@CNN.com or go to CNN.com/CaffertyFile.
Would you go through one of those, Wolf?
(LAUGHTER)
BLITZER: If I have to, to get into Phoenix.
CAFFERTY: That's the only way to get on the plane, right?
BLITZER: Phoenix is a lovely city. If that's the only way I can get in, I might have to do it.
CAFFERTY: All right.
BLITZER: Jack, thanks very much.
Up ahead, disturbing new developments in the death of former Russian spy killed with radioactive poison. We're learning that at least two people are now testing positive for the same deadly substance.
And Senator John McCain stealing the spotlight from Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. It's a political party crashing with implications for the next race for the White House.
Plus, millions of American travelers getting a secret rating from the government. We're going to show you what you don't necessarily know and how that could impact your life.
Stay with us. You're in THE SITUATION ROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back.
Top level U.S. officials are trying to encourage foreign students to come to U.S. colleges and universities.
How does the U.S. image in the Middle East, though, play into all of this?
Dina Powell is joining us.
She's the Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs.
Dina, thanks very much for coming in.
DINA POWELL, ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE: Thank you.
BLITZER: You've got a touch mission, because after 9/11, it became increasingly more difficult for even top notch foreign students to get visas to study at top level U.S. universities and they're going elsewhere. They're going to Europe. They're going around the world, but they're not necessarily coming here.
What are you doing to try to change that?
POWELL: Well, Wolf, we have really worked hard on this issue. And you're right, there was a decline in the issue -- visa issuance after 9/11, as the United States was trying to balance security and openness.
And I'm so pleased to report that the new data that came out just a couple of weeks ago when we were in Asia on the delegation reported that the State Department just issued a record number of visas for students and exchange participants.
BLITZER: Including from Muslim and Arab countries?
Because I was recently in the Arab world, in Saudi Arabia or Dubai, and a lot of those young students, they don't find that this country necessarily wants Arabs or Muslims to come get an education, even though their fathers and grandfathers may have studied here.
POWELL: Well, and you -- first of all, yes, including them. And the number of Arab students who are studying in the United States has increased dramatically. And this is not by accident. This was a coordinated effort pushed by President Bush, coordinated by Secretary Chertoff and Secretary Rice in an attempt to balance these important issues.
In fact, "The Financial Times" noted just a couple of weeks ago that the United States is striking the right balance, that we've worked and streamlined the visa process and in doing so, we really are creating the next generation of world leaders.
BLITZER: How long does it take now to get a student visa?
Because when I was recently speaking to some excellent potential students who wanted to come study at major American universities, they said it could take six months, it could take a year, it could take two years to go through this really difficult process.
POWELL: Well, you know, we've all heard stories like that and I'm so pleased you asked, because over 90 percent of visas, student visas, are now issued in under a week. And that is in the Middle East and in Asia...
BLITZER: So, in other words, if a young kid is a senior in high school, wants to come study at the University of Arizona or some place, they can get a student visa in a week?
POWELL: They can act -- they can, in most cases, qualified applicants...
BLITZER: If they're from Saudi Arabia?
If they're from Saudi Arabia?
POWELL: Absolutely. Qualified applicants, over 90 percent of them are issued visas that quickly. But there is another side to the coin, and you touched on it.
You know, Secretary Spellings and I just led a delegation of university presidents, including President Brody (ph) of your alma mater, Johns Hopkins University. And part of the reason we formed this public-private partnership was that other countries are marketing for these students. They want these students to study.
And so we've made it an imperative for our university leaders to go out with us and say we want you, as well, and we're making the visa process as effective as possible and as easy as possible. The welcome mat is out for foreign students.
BLITZER: Here's a suggestion from Fareed Zakaria. He's editor of "Newsweek International."
He writes this: "What if President Bush publicly offered to begin student exchanges with young Iranians? In a country that is yearning for contact with the outside world, it might put the mullahs on the defensive."
POWELL: Well, we need to communicate more with Fareed, because this week is the first time that we have restarted our exchange programs with Iran.
BLITZER: So we're letting Iranian students come here?
POWELL: We are letting Iranians in. There is a group of medical officials that are participating in an exchange program, the first time since 1979 that we've resumed exchanges with the Iranian people.
BLITZER: How many are involved?
POWELL: We have over a dozen involved in we have many more planned over the coming months. And, in fact, this is part of President Bush's desire to show that we really do want to learn more about the rich history and tradition and culture of the Iranian people. And so we are so pleased that these participants came.
And I'll tell you something. The medical professionals on our side that have met with them keep talking about what they're learning about the medical advances in Iran. You know well of the talent in Iran.
BLITZER: Because it sounds potentially like it's an early exchange, an exchange of students, journalists, athletes, whatever. Remember, ping pong diplomacy as practiced in the early days...
POWELL: That's right.
BLITZER: ... in the thaw between the United States and China.
Is that what's happening with the U.S. and Iran right now?
POWELL: It is. We are working hard. And you know there's a two track -- two tracks going on. And there is the clear policy issues that we're working on with the nuclear issue. And the international community is speaking quite loudly that Iran ought to take the offer on the table that you know well on.
But on this other side, yes, we want to reach out to the Iranian people. We want to engage them in a mutual dialogue and this is a way to show how much we want to do it. And we're so thrilled they have agreed to participate. And we hope that we'll continue these programs.
BLITZER: You, arguably, together with Karen Hughes at the State Department, have an incredibly difficult job right now -- improving America's image in the Arab and Muslim world, indeed, in the Third World, around the world right now.
We hear all these horror stories how unpopular the United States is as a result of the war in Iraq.
What is your sense -- you just came back from an international tour?
POWELL: Well, first of all, I think that our public diplomacy efforts are a long-term effort, you know, much like what they did in the cold war when they were fighting a similar ideological battle. And I must tell you that we've made these short-term goals and we're pleased with them -- streamlining the visa process; correcting misinformation about the United States; engaging with people, even Iranians, on exchange programs.
But that one of the things that I've realized is that history is going to judge how our efforts worked. But where there is no debate, Wolf, when I travel around the world, even with people who question some of America's policies, there is no debate that enemies -- we have a new ideological struggle on our hands and enemies are trying to attack our very way of life, and that we must work together to ensure that our values are preserved, our values of the free societies that we believe in.
And so there really is more unity than you would think out there in trying to work together on these issues.
BLITZER: Well, let's hope that you make some more progress. It's a critically important subject and I know it's one that you're working very hard on.
Dina Powell, thanks very much for coming in.
POWELL: Thanks for having me.
BLITZER: And coming up, it killed a former Russian spy. Now the same radioactive poison is showing up in some of the people who actually knew him.
We're going to take you live to London for the latest. A very disturbing story.
Plus, he called President Bush the devil on the floor of the United Nations.
What was Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez thinking?
He's now explaining in his own words. We have that for you.
Stay with us. You're in THE SITUATION ROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: In Britain, new developments right now in the investigation into the death of that former Russian spy killed with a radioactive poison. Sources now say his widow is testing positive for traces of the same substance, Polonium 210.
CNN's Paula Newton is following these very disturbing developments for us in London -- Paula.
PAULA NEWTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, there have been new dramatic developments on this story all week long and it does continue. CNN has confirmed that, in fact, Marina, Alexander Litvinenko's wife, has tested positive.
It is very, very low doses, low amounts of radiation. Nonetheless, of course, the family does have cause for concern.
On top of that, Wolf, we also learned that someone very central to this case who met with Litvinenko on November 1st in that now infamous Japanese restaurant has also tested positive for radiation.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DR. KEITH PATTERSON, HEMATOLOGIST: The patient in question is Mario Scaramella, who met with Mr. Litvinenko on November the 1st, before Mr. Litvinenko was admitted to this hospital. Tests have detected Polonium 210 in Mr. Scaramella's body, but at a considerably lower level than Mr. Litvinenko's.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NEWTON: Now, what that means, Wolf, is that he is not gravely ill. In fact, he says he's feeling fine. They will continue to carry out those tests.
At those low levels it should not give him any kind of organ failure or anything like that. And, in fact, the scientists I've spoken to said that after three months, it should be completely out of his body.
Nonetheless, Wolf, the public scare around here continues. The police have been trying to determine where Mr. Litvinenko was and possibly his association (ph). Keep in mind, he was traveling all over this city for more than a week, shedding radiation, appeal, wherever he went. More than a dozen spots now with traces of radioactive poison, including those two British Airways planes that they're now still investigating.
And then, of course, early this evening, a hotel, a luxury country hotel in southern England evacuated, again, with traces of radiation. They don't know exactly what kind. But, Wolf, this story will continue, I'm sure, for the next several days. A huge mystery.
BLITZER: So are people very, very scared? Are they walking around going to doctors, wanting to be tested for possible radiation poison?
NEWTON: Certainly, there were thousands of passengers who were on those British Airways jets. They're quite fearful right now. But you can imagine the panic here. And I don't want to overstate it. People have been told that, look, low levels of radiation won't hurt you.
But when they continue to do things like evacuate hotels, you have to wonder. And this man did spend a lot of time in central London not knowing that he was so sick.
As we pointed out before this week, Wolf, this Polonium was not just a murder weapon. It has now become a weapon of terror. Whether or not that was the intended motive of the assn, it doesn't really matter right now. This city is on edge and almost every day it hears of more places that are contaminated with Polonium.
BLITZER: All right, Paula, we'll stay in touch with you.
Thank you very much. What a story going on.
Coming up, Senator John McCain as a party crasher?
He stole the spotlight from one person he might eventually need to upstage in 2008.
And will the guest of honor show up for the party?
The Cuban president, Fidel Castro -- his nation is celebrating his birthday, but it's anyone's guess if he'll be a no show.
Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: To our viewers, you're in the SITUATION ROOM, where new pictures and information are arriving all the time.
Happening now, hundreds of thousands of people take to the streets of Beirut, calling for Prime Minister Fuad Siniora to step down. A top Christian opposition leader uniting with Hezbollah in a battle for control of Lebanon. But Siniora is standing firm, saying only a no confidence vote in the parliament will bring down his government.
In Mexico, chaos overshadows the swearing in of the new president, Felipe Calderon. There was violence in the congressional chamber, as his supporters and opponents faced off, some throwing punches and chairs. Calderon narrowly defeated Andres Lopez Obrador in an election many still stay was unfair.
And severe winter like weather stretching from the Plains through the upper Midwest this afternoon. It's blamed for at least five deaths and it's left hundreds of thousands of people without power. Those of you in the Northeast, brace yourselves -- you're next in line.
I'm Wolf Blitzer, you're in THE SITUATION ROOM.
It appears the battle for the White House in 2008 has begun. There may be several smaller battles, but who will win the wider tug of war? We're learning that two presidential prospects were involved in a bit of a political wrestle. Let's turn to CNN's Carol Costello, she's watching this story -- Carol.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: You know, Wolf, this was sort of like when you were in high school and you were reveling and being the cool person, hosting a cool party to increase your rep, and then the captain of the football team showed up and you became the kid at the back of the room again.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO (voice-over): War hero, esteemed senator, creator of the straight talk express, and now party crasher. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is an honor to be able to introduce him to you, Senator John McCain.
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: Thank you, thank you very much.
COSTELLO: A lovely introduction, but the spotlight was supposed to shine on Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. It was his event. After all, it was the Republican Governors' Association meeting and he's the chairman. Last time we checked, John McCain was not a governor and never was. But there he was, charming his fellow Republicans with his signature folksy style.
MCCAIN: Ronald Reagan wasn't and I'd like for you to meet my 94- year-old mother that just came back from driving herself around France.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So age is not an issue?
MCCAIN: I am older than dirt, more scars than Frankenstein but I've learned a few things along the way.
COSTELLO: And where was Governor Romney? He was standing at a podium at Miami's posh Doral Golf Resort, talking to about half his invited guests. And getting absolutely no TV coverage. All the cameras were on McCain, who commandeered a room at the same resort to host almost a dozen Republican governors, including Florida's new governor, Governor-elect Charlie Crist. Welcome to the first volley in the 2008 Republican primary.
DAVID WINSTON, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: I think it was a smart political move. There was a significant gathering of important Republicans, it was a chance to show his political strength and he clearly was able to do that and also do it in a way to contrast himself to a potential opponent, Mitt Romney.
COSTELLO: And indeed, John Weaver, Senator McCain's senior political adviser told us, "A number of governors have committed to John, but we are not ready to announce them yet." Governor Romney wasn't playing the potential presidential nominee game. His office telling us today, "We have no comment." But some experts say he should have been playing the game and they say, the fact of the matter is, all Republicans who want to be the presidential nominee should have been there.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: This is just an illustration of how aggressive John McCain is seeking his fellow Republicans' support. And Mitt Romney who hasn't announced he's running, well, that's perhaps an example of what he'll face in 2008 -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Let the political games begin. Thanks Carol for that. A lot more politics coming up here in THE SITUATION ROOM.
But let's get back to the future of the U.S. mission in Iraq. Amid all of the talk about an exit strategy, one key Republican senator is pushing for more U.S. boots on the ground. Joining us now from Dallas, Texas, Republican Senator John Cornyn, he's a key member of the armed services committee. Senator, thanks very much for coming in.
SEN. JOHN CORNYN (R), TEXAS: Thanks Wolf.
BLITZER: You want more troops deployed to Iraq, perhaps as many as 50,000 additional U.S. troops going over there. This at a time when the American public seemed to vote against that notion. Make your case.
CORNYN: Well Wolf, I think what the American people voted against was failure in Iraq. They didn't see any opportunity for success. And they thought that perhaps there weren't any other options. I think the Pentagon is going to make clear that they think we have three options, go big, go long, or go home.
And I think the only one that has a reasonable chance of success is growing the size of our troop level in Baghdad so we can not only clear dangerous areas, we can actually hold them with our troops embedded with Iraqi forces. So that we can give the political institutions the opportunity they need, the security environment, to actually sit down and have the hard talks and make the tough decisions.
BLITZER: But you heard General Abizaid testify before your own committee that that might not necessarily work. It would not be a good idea to send more troops into that situation.
CORNYN: Well, there's no guarantees, that's for sure, Wolf. But what General Abizaid said is we need more forces. He was advocating, though, for more Iraqi forces. Unfortunately, we don't have enough time, I believe, to train enough Iraqi forces to fill the void that would be left by an American withdrawal. So I think that's why we need a temporary surge to provide additional forces so we can not only clear but hold the areas in Baghdad. So we can demonstrate our seriousness about giving the Iraqis a chance to be successful.
BLITZER: Some analysts have suggested, though, that if you were to send more American troops there, the U.S. military footprint would become bigger and there would be a lot more American targets for the insurgents and for the sectarian violence. And as a result, more Americans would come home dead.
CORNYN: Well, we've heard the argument both ways. We've heard we've got to stay small with the footprint, small so we don't antagonize the folks in Iraq who are resentful of any foreign intervention. And then there are others that say, no, we've got much too small a force, we need a much bigger force.
I've come to the conclusion after all this time that our only reasonable chance of success is to surge American and coalition forces in there to support the Iraqi troops on a temporary, not an open-ended basis to provide basic security. Because I think frankly, the one area I disagree with General Abizaid on is that time is our friend. Time is not our friend. Because I think the American people are not going to support any long-term or open-ended effort in Iraq. And I think this is our -- literally one of our last chances.
BLITZER: It would seem to me, Senator, that given your current view, you probably believe that going into Iraq initially, with the limited number of U.S. forces, was a mistake, the criticism of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, the outgoing Defense Secretary was he tried to do it on the cheap. And it was always necessary to have a much more robust force. Is that criticism justified?
CORNYN: Well I think interestingly enough, you need force levels to be considered on two considerations. In other words, we needed a certain level of force to topple Saddam, and I think that the force that Tommy Franks and Donald Rumsfeld prescribed was adequate for that.
Where it was inadequate was after the math, we expected based on faulty intelligence, a greater stability there created by the Iraqis themselves. But it's clear now, at least in retrospect and hindsight is always 20/20, that we need a greater footprint there to be able to hold areas that we clear so that the insurgents just can't come back in and take over and we've really accomplished nothing in the long run.
BLITZER: Senator Cornyn, we'll be watching the hearings Tuesday when Robert Gates comes before your panel to testify, the nominee to become the next secretary of defense. Thanks very much for joining us.
CORNYN: Thanks, Wolf.
BLITZER: And still to come, the devil is in the details. Weeks after the Venezuelan president used an unflattering word to describe President Bush, Hugo Chavez now detailing just what he meant. Zain Verjee standing by with the story.
And the government wants to know, what's the probability that you are a terrorist? To tell you how they hope to assess that virtually every time you travel in and out of the United States. Stay with us, you're in THE SITUATION ROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Venezuelans head to the polls this Sunday. President Hugo Chavez, by almost all accounts, going to get re-elected. He's as popular at home as he is unpopular with so many here in the United States. Here to show us why our State Department correspondent Zain Verjee. Zain?
ZAIN VERJEE, CNN STATE DEPARTMENT CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, Hugo Chavez is a thorn in the U.S.'s side. Polls in Venezuela show that that's going to continue.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
VERJEE (voice-over): He made headlines when he stood before the United Nations and called President Bush the devil.
PRES. HUGO CHAVEZ, VENEZUELA: It still smells like sulfur.
VERJEE: Hugo Chavez now says he was speaking off the cuff.
CHAVEZ: I didn't plan to call him a devil, but it came from my heart. And if it comes from my heart, then that's because for me, it's true.
VERJEE: Chavez' comments annoyed the U.S., but they went over well in Venezuela where many believe their president is standing up to what they see as American imperialism. A recent AP-Ipsos poll of both registered and likely voters, finds 59 percent approve of the way their president handles foreign policy. And 63 percent say they have a negative view of President Bush. But Venezuela's ambassador says there's more to the Chavez revolution than just anti-American rhetoric.
BERNARDO ALVAREZ HERRERA, VENEZUELAN AMB. TO U.S.: That Venezuela is presenting an alternative model to the Washington consensus.
VERJEE: Herrera says only the elite are represented in U.S. democracy and that free trade will not solve the problems of the poor in Latin America.
HERRERA: We have a different view of many things in the world, but we are not enemies of the U.S.
VERJEE: The U.S. says it's Chavez who is out of touch.
TOM CASEY, STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN: We have a view of the hemisphere that we believe is shared by the people of the hemisphere and by the vast majority of countries out there.
VERJEE: Despite all the tough talk, the U.S. is Venezuela's biggest oil customer, and that plays right into Chavez's hand.
DANIEL RESTREPO, CENTER FOR AMERICAN PROGRESS: We should understand him I think for what he is. And that is a populous showman who has the advantage of having an enormous amount of oil and is able to play the populous card and command intention on the international stage.
VERJEE: But Chavez, set to win Sunday's election, is likely to continue confronting the U.S. Experts say, the U.S. shouldn't take the bait.
RESTREPO: But we need to deescalate the rhetoric and essentially constructively ignore Hugo Chavez and get about the business of dealing with the real issues that are affecting U.S. policy and the Americans.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VERJEE: Other experts say that the U.S. really needs to reach out and communicate with Hugo Chavez and in Venezuela. Saying that you really don't have any influence if you don't talk -- Wolf. BLITZER: Zain Verjee is reporting for us from the State Department. Thanks, Zain. Zain's going to be all over this story.
And one of Hugo Chavez's closest allies will be celebrating a major milestone. But will the Cuban President Fidel Castro show up for any of the events to honor him. CNN's Morgan Neill is joining us now live from Havana with more. Morgan, what's the latest?
MORGAN NEILL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, the latest arrivals here for those celebrations, Nicaraguan President-elect Daniel Ortega and Bolivian President Evo Morales. But come tomorrow morning, there's just one man people here are hoping to see.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NEILL (voice-over): For decades Cubans rarely lost sight of their leader. President Fidel Castro was at the front, personally leading protests, walking among the people, and thundering his defiance of the United States. But since surgery forced him to transfer power to his brother four months ago, all that's been seen of the man followers call "El Commandante" are pictures and video, showing a much thinner man, struggling against illness.
On Saturday, many are expecting more. We're almost certain that he's going to be there says Tatiana, a waitress. For days, there have been preparations in the streets, music, they're getting everything ready. Her boyfriend Ordet says he's hoping to see the president in person. But retired teacher Norma isn't so sure. We don't know yet whether or not he'll be able to show, she says, because we really don't have any information about his condition. But we hope he'll show up.
Saturday marks 50 years since Castro and his band of rebels landed on Cuba's southeastern coast and launched the revolution. In Havana's revolutionary plaza, streets are sealed off as troops rehearse a military parade that will celebrate the founding of the revolutionary armed forces. And in belated fashion, the president's 80th birthday. But no one knows if he'll be there.
As five days of birthday celebrations kicked off Tuesday, an announcer read a letter said to be from the president apologizing for his absence. His doctors said he wasn't ready for such a crowd, it said. But Saturday is the day the president himself set for the birthday party, when his recovery didn't allow him to participate on his actual birthday, August 13th.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NEILL: It's a very real sense of suspense here. About nearly everyone can make an argument as to why the president will or will not show up. Come tomorrow morning, all eyes are going to be on the plaza -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Morgan, the significance of not showing up, politically, domestically within Cuba, you've been there for a while. How's that going to play out? NEILL: Well if he's not here, a lot of analysts say we may just be more clearly be in the transition. The transition may have already happened, is what they're saying. Nevertheless, Cubans themselves would really like to get a view of their leader, even though we have been under a government of Raul Castro for the last four months, just the sight of Fidel Castro would do these Cubans a lot of good from what they're saying.
BLITZER: Morgan Neill on the scene for us on the streets of Havana. Morgan we'll watch this story with you. Thank you.
Up ahead, the government rating millions of travelers as part of the search for terrorists. So what's your rating? We're going to show you why you may never know. And Jack Cafferty wants to know, are you willing to pass through an x-ray machine at airports that will leave virtually nothing to the imagination. Jack is standing by with The Cafferty File. And you're in THE SITUATION ROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: It's the secret government rating possibly about you? In fact, you can't even find out what your rating is, and that has privacy advocates outraged.
Let's turn to our Justice correspondent Kelli Arena -- Kelli.
KELLI ARENA, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, it's called the automated targeting system. The Department of Homeland Security says it's been in use in some form for several years, but civil liberty and privacy advocates say that is news to them.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ARENA (voice-over): Whenever you leave or enter the United States by air, land or sea, you are being rated by the government to see how likely it is that you're a terrorist or a criminal. Computers are assessing everything from how you paid for your tickets to what type of meal you ordered.
CLARK KENT ERVIN, CNN SECURITY ANALYST: If somebody is, for example, sitting in a window seat, it's less likely that person intends to hijack a plane because it's harder for that person to get out to do so.
ARENA: DHS says the program is critical for national security.
MICHAEL CHERTOFF, HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: Job one for me is to keep bad people out of the United States. That is what the people of this country expect.
ARENA: But privacy advocates are absolutely incensed, angry, because you're not even allowed to see your own rating.
MARC ROTENBERG, ELECTRONIC PRIVACY INFORMATION CENTER: People should have the right to find out what this number is, find out how it's being used. And if they aren't given those rights, then I think this program needs to be shut down.
ARENA: What's more, your rating can be kept for up to 40 years and shared with state and local governments if you apply for a job for example, or need a security clearance.
ROTENBERG: It should not be used for job clearance, it shouldn't be used for employment decisions, it shouldn't be used for any other decision that the federal government might make other than whether a person can enter the United States.
ARENA: And if there's been a mistake made, good luck in trying to correct it.
ERVIN: Even if someone somehow found out that he or she was on this list, there's no means of getting off the list.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ARENA: DHS says that there is a way to correct data in its systems but you would have to file a freedom of information act request. And even then, Wolf, you wouldn't get all of the information that the government has on you because officials say that they don't want to tip off terrorists to what they're looking for. Very complicated.
BLITZER: Great job there, thanks very much, Kelli, for that.
We turn to CNN's Carol Costello, she's watching another developing story involving big time politics -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Yes, the "Associated Press" is reporting Wolf that Evan Bayh, a Democratic senator from Indiana is moving toward an official, the first steps towards a run for the White House, I guess I should put it. The first step usually means they can create a committee. That committee will raise money and then the candidate gets to travel the country to see -- an exploratory committee is the correct terminology.
That exploratory committee can then travel the country to see if this is a real possibility for Evan Bayh. I remember you talked to Evan Bayh a few weeks ago and asked him repeatedly if he was thinking about running for the presidency. He was being coy at that time. But of course everybody pretty much expected that Evan Bayh was going to make a run for president. And now, he's made that first step towards a run for the White House in creating this exploratory committee -- Wolf.
BLITZER: That exploratory committee will allow him to raise money so that he can travel especially to places like Iowa and New Hampshire. And not a great surprise, Carol. He's been there a lot over these past several months already. Evan Bayh, a former two-term governor of Indiana getting ready to create those presidential exploratory committees. Jack Cafferty standing by in New York. Jack?
CAFFERTY: Are you bored with the 2008 election yet?
BLITZER: No, I love politics.
CAFFERTY: I am. The question this hour, are you willing to pass through an x-ray machine at an airport that will leave virtually nothing to the imagination? They're going to start using one at Sky Harbor Airport out in Phoenix.
Andy writes, "Yes, I'd be happy to go through a machine that showed all, if it let me keep my shoes on. People should have no fear that the viewers will take a prurient interest in what they see. I can't think of anything that would move from fascination to boredom faster than viewing a few hundred naked bodies daily."
Bob in Kentucky, "The use of such x-ray machines would create a perverts paradise and may subject air travelers to harmful consequences of radiation exposure that might not even be realized for several years."
Rosemary, in Groton, Connecticut, "As a fat little old lady, I feel sorry for anyone who would have to view the screen. But if it provides detection and protection then why not. But I would hope the screeners would keep a straight face."
B.D. in Saugerties, New York, "I'm more than willing to pass through an x-ray machine that leaves nothing to the imagination. It's the only way I know to convince them that's not a gun in my pocket and I really am happy to see them!"
Dan writes, "I'm not worried about walking through it, I'm trying to figure out how to get a job doing the screening."
And Diane in Pennsylvania writes, "Sure Jack, I'll walk through that x-ray machine but I want applause when I come out the other side. No snickering. No pointing. No screaming in fright. Just loud obnoxious applause. I'm in!"
BLITZER: You let the women -- only the women screeners watch the women, the men screeners watch the men. And never the two shall mix.
CAFFERTY: You're taking this entirely too seriously, Wolf. If you didn't see your e-mail here go to CNN.com/CaffertyFile. On a serious note, I was listening to Kelli Arena's piece, we talked a little about in the last hour about the scores they give people who enter and leave the country presumably legally. Now, we've got these x-ray machines, you have the secretary of homeland security in Kelli's piece saying, my job is to keep bad people out of the country. Why don't you close the borders? You know, just close the borders?
BLITZER: Then a lot of people wouldn't be able to get in.
CAFFERTY: That's the idea.
BLITZER: Ok, Jack. See you back here in an hour. We've got more to talk about.
Up next, severe winter like weather. It is winter weather, blasting large portions of the country, impacting hundreds of airline flights. We're going to show you the situation online. Stay with us. We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Hundreds of flights at numerous U.S. airports across the country are cancelled or delayed because of that severe winter like weather in the Midwest. Let's get some details from Abbi Tatton. Abbi?
ABBI TATTON, CNN INTERNET REPORTER: Wolf, this is the FAA Web site, the Federal Aviation Administration, where they're tracking real time information of those flight delays across the country. In the Midwest, looking at Chicago there, the two airports in Chicago. The delays of incoming flights, some of them over an hour but it's not just in that area.
Look across the country and those orange spots show you where some of the delays in the northeast, going to New York's JFK Airport there. Some of those incoming flights to JFK delayed up to four hours. So this you may want to check before you go to the airport and pick up friends and family this weekend -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Abbi, thanks very much. We'll be back here in one hour, 7:00 p.m. eastern. More of THE SITUATION ROOM, let's go to "LOU DOBBS TONIGHT," Kitty Pilgrim sitting in for Lou. Kitty?
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