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CNN Saturday Morning News

Bush Refuses Early Withdrawal, Begins Three-Day Visit to China; Physician Downplays Fears Over Tamiflu Safety

Aired November 19, 2005 - 08:00   ET

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

BETTY NGUYEN, CO-HOST: The next hour of CNN SATURDAY MORNING begins right now.
ROB MARCIANO, CO-HOST: President Bush has arrived in Beijing for a three-day visit to China. He's scheduled to hold meetings with his Chinese counterpart over there and other leaders. Among the issues on the agenda, human rights and democracy in China.

The president flew in from South Korea. Shortly before he left, he met with U.S. troops stationed there. The president used that occasion to reiterate there would be no early troop pullout from Iraq.

More headaches from the White House or for the White House. Former defense policymaker chief Douglas Feith is now under investigation. The Pentagon is looking into an office run by the former top defense official. At issue is whether the alleged -- the office engaged in illegal or inappropriate intelligence activities in urging an invasion of Iraq.

And the State Department warns against nonessential travel to Indonesia. It says that there's a continued serious security threat to western visitors in the Southeast Asian region. Indonesian police recently uncovered specific terrorist threats against Americans, Australians, Britons and Italians.

And donor nations are pledging more than $5 billion in quake aid to Pakistan. The pledges came at a conference in Islamabad. The U.S. tripled its pledge to more than half a billion, and the Asian Development Bank promised about a billion. More than 73,000 people in Pakistan died in the October 8 quake.

And from the CNN center here in Atlanta this is CNN SATURDAY MORNING. It's November 19, 8 a.m. here at the CNN headquarters in Atlanta, 9 p.m. in Beijing.

Good morning. I'm Rob Marciano. Tony Harris has the day off.

NGUYEN: And Rob with us today. Looking forward to it. Glad you're going to be here. And I'm Betty Nguyen. We want to thank you for being with us today, as well.

In the news this morning, the war in Iraq and the war over words tops the news this morning.

Two separate car bombs kill a dozen and wound more than 30. Now, one bomb detonates at a busy Baghdad marketplace. The second bomb targets a police patrol but gets mostly civilians.

Now to Washington. Late last night House Republicans presented a resolution calling for immediate troop withdrawal from Iraq. It was flatly rejected. GOP sponsors had no intention of seeing it pass, but they did want to get all representatives on record on the issue.

The White House will put this face on it. Quote, "For the second time this week, Congress, in strong, bipartisan fashion, rejected a call to cut and run. The best strategy to keep America safe is to continue taking the fight to the terrorists, not to retreat in the face of the despicable attacks of determined enemies."

Now Democrats denounced the resolution and the sudden vote as a political stunt. Republicans said it forced by -- it was forced by Democrat John Murtha, who earlier in the week demanded a U.S. pullout from Iraq. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. JOHN MURTHA (D), PENNSYLVANIA: I said over a year ago, now the military and the administration agree. Iraq cannot be won militarily. You can say it here in these air-conditioned offices. But let me tell you something. It can't be won militarily. It's got to be won politically, and we have to turn it to Iraqis to give them the incentive to take back their own country!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: Now, a little perspective here. Murtha is a decorated Vietnam veteran who actually called for Iraq troop withdrawal Iraq troop withdrawal at the earliest practical date, but not immediately.

So we want to know what you think about the House vote last night. It was -- or was it a show of support for the troops or just a political stunt? E-mail us your thoughts. Our address on the screen, right there: Weekends@CNN.com.

MARCIANO: And it seems wherever he goes, the Iraq war dogs President Bush. Each though he landed in China about two hours ago, while in South Korea he again rejected calls for an early troop withdrawal from Iraq.

CNN's Dana Bash filed this report a short while ago.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DANA BASH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The president stood before U.S. troops here at Osan Air Base in South Korea and focused not on the threat they're here to stand watch over, that's North Korea, but instead the ongoing war in Iraq.

(voice-over) Mr. Bush used his appearance in a sea of camouflage to engage in the debate raging back in Washington over the U.S. troop presence in the increasingly unpopular war in Iraq and the president's policy there. He said he will never accept anything less than a complete victory and quoted a U.S. military commander in Iraq, saying setting deadline for withdrawal would be a, quote, "recipe for disaster."

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: So long as I'm the commander in chief, our strategy in Iraq will be driven by the sober judgment of our military commanders on the ground. We will fight the terrorists in Iraq. We will stay in the fight until we have achieved the brave -- the victory that our brave troops have fought for.

BASH: That was added to Mr. Bush's speech in order to respond to a call from Congressman John Murtha, a hawkish and influential Democrat who says forces in Iraq should come home in six months.

Before coming here, Mr. Bush closed a two-day summit in Busan, South Korea, with 20 other world leaders, pledging initiatives to combat the bird flu, including building a region register of experts and promising to hold a simulation exercise to test preparedness of the epidemic.

Dana Bash, CNN, Osan Air Base, South Korea.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: As we said earlier, President Bush is now in China, the start of a three-day visit. He's scheduled to hold talks with his Chinese leaders -- or the Chinese leaders over there, and thorny issues like human rights, democracy and currency reform, are set to be on the table.

Now CNN international correspondent Stan Grant joins us live from Beijing.

Stan, how tense are these talks expected to be?

STAN GRANT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, look, very sensitive, these issues, aren't they? We know that President Bush has flagged his desire to talk about human rights in particular. The -- the Chinese bristle at what they see as any outside interference of what they call internal issues.

Still, President Bush calling for greater rule of law and greater religious freedom. He's going to attend a church service here in Beijing to try to underline that point, to call for a need for greater religious tolerance here in Beijing.

Interesting, in China, they outlaw many church services, only allowing those that they sanction as actual legal churches. And President Bush will be attending one of those legal churches.

That's ahead of a round of meetings throughout the day, sitting down with President Hu Jintao, the Chinese president. At the top of that agenda, apart from the human rights issues, trade.

We know that there's been long-running friction between the United States and China over trade issues. The Chinese economy has been growing so strongly now for such a long time, but many are seeing it as a potential rival to the United States. We know the U.S. and China hammered out a deal, for instance, over textiles a little bit earlier, just about a month ago.

But there was still this issue of the 160 billion U.S. dollar trade surplus that China enjoys over the United States. A lot of pressure on President Bush to try to reign that in to get some results. Many are saying that it's costing American jobs.

There's also the question of the continued military buildup here in China. Many observers saying that China is not just going to be a rival economic power to the United States in years to come, but perhaps a potential rival superpower, a rival military power, as well.

There are issues, though, that the United States and China work together on, namely North Korea. China has been heading those talks, hosting those talks between the United States, North Korea, Japan, South Korea and Russia, trying to get North Korea to give up its nuclear arsenal. No successes yet. But of course, the U.S. and China very interested, very keen to get a result out of those talks. That will also be on the agenda -- Betty.

NGUYEN: Stan, let me ask you this. In this four-nation tour, has the president made any solid progress with these other nations in dealing with bird flu?

GRANT: Yes. It's another issue that's very much on the president's mind, on the minds of leaders here in Asia, as well. Asia, of course is where bird flu has sprung from. In fact, it originated here in China, and the first human case was reported in Hong Kong in 1997.

It's been an issue that's been on the minds of leaders here for a very long time, but there is a concern now about a worldwide pandemic. And President Bush has already said in the past that the United States, at the moment, is not prepared to be able to deal with such a pandemic and the risks it would pose to the health of its citizens.

So looking to see get greater cooperation, looking to see it particularly out of the Chinese: more reporting of this, a greater openness. We know that China was criticized in the past for being closed-minded when it came to reporting the SARS outbreak. Similar criticism about bird flu, but China has now reported the first human cases of bird flu.

So, yes, that will very much be on the minds of President Bush and also President Hu Jintao when they sit down to talk about what they can do to better safeguard against a worldwide pandemic of bird flu.

NGUYEN: And definitely on the minds of many just worldwide.

Stan Grant, thank you.

MARCIANO: In news across America, a warm welcome in Salt Lake City for 80 soldiers returning from the war in Iraq. The members of the Utah National Guard have been in Iraq since June of 2004. The unit took part in security patrols and other missions in northern Iraq. And in California, first the Pledge, now money. The atheist who lost his battle to stop the Pledge of Allegiance from being recited in public schools now wants the phrase "in God we trust" removed from coins and bills. Michael Newdow is suing the federal government, claiming the motto is unconstitutional endorsement of religion.

And actor Robert Blake is ordered to pay 30 million -- $30 million to the children of his former wife, Bonny Lee Bakley. Blake was acquitted of murder in March but was found liable in a wrongful death civil suit files by Bakley's four children.

NGUYEN: And you know, Rob, we just talked about this with Stan Grant. Bird flu, it continues to make headlines all around the globe. This time it's up north. We'll have details on that and try to clear up a lot of the confusion on the risk of bird flu.

MARCIANO: And next hour, the politics of war of words about Iraq. Who are the winners and losers in this increasingly heated debate? We'll ask our senior political analyst, Bill Schneider -- Bonnie.

BONNIE SCHNEIDER, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Tropical Storm Gamma will bring heavy rain to Belize, the Yucatan and Cuba, but what about south Florida? I'll tell you where Gamma is headed, coming up next on CNN SATURDAY MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Later this morning, an FBI top 10 list you might not have heard of. We'll tell you about the international search for some of the world's greatest stolen art treasures. CNN SATURDAY MORNING continues in just a minute.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Look at that. What a beautiful morning over Detroit. Big blue sky there. Bonnie Schneider will have your complete weather forecast as well as the forecast for the rest of the nation coming up shortly.

MARCIANO: But before traveling to China this morning, President Bush used a speech to U.S. troops in South Korea to reject calls for an early pullout from Iraq. He repeated his vow to stay the course.

Developments in the bombings of the two Shiite mosques Friday. The Associated Press reports Iraqi police have arrested four people. One is an apparent suicide bomber who failed to carry out his mission. At least 55 people died in the mosque bombings.

And calmer winds are helping California firefighters in their battle against a 4,000-acre fire west of Los Angeles. The fire is about 50 percent contained. At one point it threatened hundreds of homes.

NGUYEN: I know another point, though, the winds were an issue there. MARCIANO: Yes.

NGUYEN: So let's check in with Bonnie Schneider this morning to see how winds are faring in California today for those firefighters.

SCHNEIDER: Well, as we check things out, Betty, actually a little bit better today. We still have that red flag warning right now for southern California. But as we take a closer look, you can see, the winds are a little lighter. It's still pretty early there at this hour. But we still have the red flag warning as I mentioned.

So strong winds, but possibly not as strong in terms of wind gusts that we saw pretty much the past couple of days. Amazing winds with those strong Santa Ana type that sweep down the mountain and bring all that warm, dry air and low humidity, too. Unfortunately, it's the perfect recipe for a high fire danger situation.

Switching gears now from fire weather to tropical weather. A lot going in the world of weather right now.

We have Tropical Storm Gamma just now to the east of the Yucatan. The storm is moving to the northwest near six miles per hour, quickly going to pass over western Cuba over the next 24 hours and then head toward south Florida, but the big question is how will south Florida be affected by the storm?

If you look at the skinny line here, it looks like it's just kind of striking south of the Florida Keys. However, we have our cone of uncertainty that stretches well into central Florida. That's where we'll be watching Tropical Storm Gamma very closely.

The good news is the National Hurricane Center keeps this storm as a tropical storm. We have strong winds that are kind of coming in from the west and sheering the storm, breaking it down a bit so it can't intensify to a hurricane. The water temperature is warm enough, though, to keep it as a tropical storm.

Elsewhere across the country today, the weather will be cold. We're looking at some very brisk conditions, for example, in Detroit. Right now the temperature is 36 degrees; the high will be 46. Look at that, a live shot there showing a nice, clear morning, but if you're headed out in Detroit today, make sure you bring the hat, scarf and the gloves. You'll need it. Highs today will feel like, with the wind chill, only in the 30s.

So Betty, Rob, much of the country getting that taste of winter early on.

NGUYEN: We're getting a little taste of it here, too, Bonnie.

SCHNEIDER: Sure.

MARCIANO: Thanks, Bonnie.

NGUYEN: There's an avian flu alert north of the border. Canadian authorities quarantined a poultry farm in British Columbia after a duck tested positive for avian flu-type virus, but they say there is no threat to human health. Officials have scheduled, though, more tests to confirm the strain of the virus.

Now, the World Health Organization has recommended a flu treatment called Tamiflu -- I know you've heard of it -- as the most effective treatment of the bird flu virus.

Meantime, the FDA says there's not enough evidence to link Tamiflu to dozens of Japanese children who died after taking the drug.

Dr. Marc Siegel is the author of "False Alarm: The Truth About the Epidemic of Fear."

Let's talk about this, because there is word that this could become a pandemic. Specifically, let's talk about the Japanese children who died after taking Tamiflu. Is there a connection? Is it linked?

DR. MARC SIEGEL, AUTHOR, "FALSE ALARM"; Well, Betty, good morning.

What we should know, the public should know, is that Tamiflu has been around since 1999. It's a drug that prevents the flu virus from jumping from one cell to the next, and it's very effective. And the main side effect is nausea and vomiting in about five percent of the cases.

In the United States we haven't seen very much of any other side effects, like irritability or any other change in behavior, though the Japanese have reported that before, but they have 24 million people that have taken Tamiflu since 1999.

I would consider it a very safe drug, and as far as these 12 deaths are concerned, what I would say is that it's cause for concern, but that a cause and effect has not been shown. In other words, we can't say at this point that it was directly related to the Tamiflu, but it's worth further study.

And it's also worth considering, well, you know, when would we use this drug?

NGUYEN: I want to ask you about that. Because the FDA, as we mentioned, says that the deaths are not linked to Tamiflu. But my question is should children even be taking this drug?

SIEGEL: Well, you know, the real need for Tamiflu is for influenza itself. If you're in part of the flu season and you get very sick suddenly. And the answer to that question is -- which is a very good question -- is that the flu itself, and I'm talking about regular human influenza now, not bird flu, is probably more of a risk to somebody that's very young or very old than Tamiflu is. So I can think of several situations where I would continue to use it for the flu.

NGUYEN: Is Tamiflu the only solution out there? SIEGEL: Well, there's three other antiviral drugs out there. The problem with them is Relenza is one, but you have to inhale that, so that's not great for asthmatics. And the older two, Rimantidine and Amantadine, actually have more side effects. So I think Tamiflu is still the first choice.

It's also really the one that's been shown to be effective against bird flu, but again, we don't know at what dose that would be. And we don't -- currently don't have an indication for it, because since bird flu hasn't mutated to a form which can pass human to human. I do not encourage people to stockpile this drug.

NGUYEN: All right. So don't stockpile it. All right.

We're looking at pictures now of chicken. Of course, Thanksgiving is right around the corner. People are thinking, and I've got to ask, should they be wary of eating that turkey dinner? Do they pose a risk to getting bird flu by simply eating turkey or chicken over the holidays?

SIEGEL: Well, I would say this. There's no birds in the United States that have gotten this. Even casual contact with birds in Asia is safe. Eating chicken is safe. Actually, chicken, turkey, if you cook those birds, it kills any viruses. So I would say that this is not a problem at all, and I would tell everybody enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner and not worry.

NGUYEN: Yes. Just don't have it medium rare.

SIEGEL: Right.

NGUYEN: OK. But also Americans, should they worry about the safety of the poultry system in general when it comes to food here in the U.S.?

SIEGEL: Not at this point. I mean, again, the good news is that scientists and public health officials are tracking this very closely, and we haven't had a single bird here that has gotten it yet.

Now, you know, if we did, we would have to isolate that bird and talk about vaccinating, you know, and cull birds, which means to kill them. That's what's going on in Asia.

The biggest thing to do right now is to get help over there and make it more effective to kill the birds over there that have it so that it doesn't spread over here.

NGUYEN: Yes, to prevent the spreading of it.

SIEGEL: But we need to remind people that, even if it does spread to birds here, that's not the same thing as people being at risk.

NGUYEN: Got you. Dr. Marc Siegel of the NYU Medical School there. We appreciate your time this morning, Doctor.

SIEGEL: My pleasure.

NGUYEN: And Dr. Siegel just mentioned, there is no risk of bird flu in our country's poultry supply, but as you prepare for our Thanksgiving turkey, here are a few tips to prevent other contamination.

The Agriculture Department says the main thing is to keep it clean, cooked, separate and chilled. Keep any raw meat and poultry away from cooked food to avoid contamination and follow the government's temperature guide to make sure your food is not undercooked. Remember, you don't want to eat it medium rare. For poultry, the internal temperature should be -- Rob, are you listening?

MARCIANO: I got it.

NGUYEN: A hundred and eighty degrees. So put that thermometer in there.

MARCIANO: All right. OK.

NGUYEN: Make sure it reaches that.

MARCIANO: I've never had a chicken that was medium rare.

NGUYEN: Yes. I don't think you'd want to.

MARCIANO: The steaks are medium rare. That's what you get.

You know, this morning we're talking about the war of words over the Iraq war between some of those in Congress and the Bush administration. And we want to know what you think about the House vote last night. E-mail us. Our address is Weekends@CNN.com.

NGUYEN: And later, the clock is ticking for many Hurricane Katrina evacuees. Listen to this. Thousand of people living in hotels are about to lose their temporary housing and FEMA assistance. What will become of them? We're going to find out.

CNN SATURDAY MORNING continues in just a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MARCIANO: We've been talking a lot this morning about the vote last night in the House rejecting a resolution for an early withdrawal in Iraq, and we wanted to know what you thought. You know, was it a political stunt or it was a show of support for our troops?

So e-mails are coming in. Let's get right to it.

This one from Dan in New York. He says, "What do you expect from this administration? They proved that to us during the past two elections! No platform, so sling crap at your opponent and hope it sticks. Karl Rove, Karen Hughes and Tricky Dick must go."

That's from Dan.

NGUYEN: That's from Dan. The guy who calls himself "Dan the man."

And this one from Ellen: "What a pity the Democrats couldn't put their money where their mouths are and support Murtha, for he is correct. Our troops should be supported by getting them out of there. The Iraqis will never have peace as long as we are there. You can't fight an enemy you can't see."

MARCIANO: And this one from Andres: "For the first time in years it seems Democrats got a backbone and set forward a very reasonable proposal that could be supported by many Americans. It seems the Republicans got nervous and felt they had to do something drastic to take the attention away."

NGUYEN: See, told you; people on both sides of this one. We want to know what you think. So here's the question again. We're going to be reading it all morning long. Friday's House vote on immediate troop withdrawal from Iraq: show of support for troops or just a political stunt? E-mail us, Weekends@CNN.com.

And the next hour our Bill Schneider joins us to talk about the politics of the House vote and who's winning in the war of words over the war in Iraq.

MARCIANO: And straight ahead on "HOUSE CALL," Dr. Sanjay Gupta takes a closer look at the latest breakthroughs in cardiac treatments.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MARCIANO: President Bush has landed in Beijing at the start of a three-day visit to China. He's scheduled to meet with his Chinese counterpart and other leaders. On the agenda: trade, currency reform, as well as human rights and democracy.

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