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CNN Saturday Morning News

Interview with NYC Police Commissioner Ray Kelly; A Look At Those Who Died in 2005

Aired December 31, 2005 - 10:00   ET

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

RANDI KAYE, CNN ANCHOR: Happy new year, mates, was the cry from down under in Australia this morning as the clock struck midnight there two hours ago.
And now you're looking live at Beijing, China where new year's hits in less than an hour. And you can also see Times Square, New York, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., all preparing for a massive celebration in the United States beginning in just 14 hours.

Good morning, everyone. I'm Randi Kaye in for Tony Harris.

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: And all different weather all across the world. We'll all be celebrating a little differently.

I'm Fredricka Whitfield in for Betty Nguyen this morning. We'll take you live to New York for a preview of tonight's festivities. Plus, it just turned midnight in Tokyo. We'll bring you pictures of that celebration as soon as we get them.

First, a quick look at some other stories happening right now in the news. Her name means light and a trip to the U.S. should keep Iraq's baby -- Baby Noor alive. A 3-month-old infant caught the attention of national guard troops during a routine search mission. The baby's parents want her to have the medical care she's been lacking to address a potentially fatal birth defect. More on her journey to the U.S. in about four minutes.

Hostages that were briefly held in Yemen and the Gaza territory are now free this morning. In Gaza, Britain's Kate Burton and her parents were abducted Wednesday then freed yesterday. In Yemen, German authorities confirmed the release of Jurgen Krobog (ph), his wife and three children. That family was abducted earlier this week while on a guided tour of the country. Mr. Krobog (ph) is Germany's former ambassador to the U.S.

And in Oklahoma, authorities say they've mostly contained the wildfires that charred 30,000 acres, burned 100 buildings and claimed the life of one man. A state of emergency was declared on Friday. Warm, dry weather with little chance of rain keeps the fire risks rather high. Also, still a danger, extinguished patches that could rekindle.

KAYE: The crystal ball is ready to drop, the balloons are blown up and the confetti loaded ahead of tonight's big New Year's Eve bash in New York City. Several blocks in Manhattan are shutting down this afternoon and security is tight for the event. CNN correspondent Jason Carroll joins us from the Big Apple with the very latest on the preparations and a little bit of snow.

JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes. Thank God for right now it's just a little bit. Let's hope it doesn't turn into a lot of snow. Anyone coming out for the festivities tonight definitely going to have to bundle up.

The latest estimate that we have three-quarters of a million people expected to show up tonight. A lot of people are going to be out here wanting to see the ball drop, wanting to ring in '06.

Obviously, the big question is about security, when you have so many people out here in an area like this, how do you secure it? We've got the man here to answer the question for us. New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly. Happy new year to you.

RAY KELLY, NEW YORK CITY POLICE COMMISSIONER: Happy new year to you, Jason.

CARROLL: So here's a first question, you have got a big city like New York, you've got a major event like Times Square. You've got three-quarters of a million people who are going be out here. How do you possibly secure an event like that?

KELLY: We have a lot of experience with major events. And we put in a counterterrorism overlay since September 11. One of the things we do, for instance, everyone who enters this area is going be maged. A magnetnotometer is going to be used.

CARROLL: That metal wand.

KELLY: Probably at least -- right -- metal detectors, probably at least three times before they get to the core area.

We'll have thousand of police officers in this area, and other areas of the city where there are events. We'll have our helicopters in the air. We'll have our harbor launchers afloat because there are many dinner cruises out there.

There are a lot of events going on, but we have a lot of experience in handling it. Cops have been doing a great job in the city.

CARROLL: Absolutely. I know you guys are used to doing these large-scale events. And you talked about some of the physical things that anyone can see, but also intelligence plays a role as well. That's something we in the public do not see. Can you give us an example of how the intelligence that you gathered, how that helps you as well?

KELLY: Well, we're attune to things going on throughout the world. We work closely with the federal partners, certainly FBI and the CIA. We actually have our own officers overseas in seven countries. So we have our ear to the ground. And we have no information that indicates any threat to New York City at this time.

CARROLL: Also tell us about anything that might be happening that's different this year as opposed to what you did last year or the year before? Anything new happening?

KELLY: You know, we always tweak it. We always adjust it somewhat.

CARROLL: How so?

KELLY: We have more detectors, for instance. We have certain radiological and chemical detectors that are in place. We have more observation posts, those sort of things that we do.

We learn from every year. We have debriefings that happened after a major event, and that's where the adjustments come from.

CARROLL: All right. Sounds very good.

Very quickly, in just a few seconds, what will you be doing when ringing in the new year. Where will you be?

KELLY: Well, I'll be right in the Times Square area. It's a command performance. I'll have to be there.

CARROLL: All right. Very good. Thank you very much. New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly will be right in Times Square watching the party, keeping an eye on things. If you happen to be able to be in Times Square, you can always tune in tonight, see Anderson Cooper who will be out here from 11:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. If you can't go to a party, always good to at least be able to watch one -- Randi.

KAYE: And we know you'll find yourself one, Jason.

CARROLL: Absolutely.

KAYE: All right. Jason Carroll, thanks for that.

And if you are looking to paint the town red, but want the fun to be family oriented, we have an alternative way to ring in 2006. First-night Celebrations are being held around the country. Fint out what they're all about in just a few minutes when we talk with executive director live.

Also, what events from 2005 will you remember most? E-mail us your thoughts. Our address is weekends@CNN.com. And we'll read some of your replies throughout the morning.

WHITFIELD: And this just in. I need someone to tell me what's just in. All right. Well, we continue to follow a medical story for you out of Atlanta, Georgia. Their they're waiting the arrival of an Iraqi baby in urgent need of medical attention.

These are brand new pictures just in showing Baby Noor enroute to America. She was born with spina bifida and not expected to live without surgery. These pictures come to us from a photographer from the "Atlanta Journal Constitution" newspaper who is traveling with Noor.

The 3-month-old has spina bifida, a birth disorder that must be treated. The National Guard unit that found Noor enlisted American friends and charities. A surgeon will perform the operation for free.

And all these pictures that you're seeing are from the reporter who is also a photojournalist with the "Atlanta Journal Constitution" has now provided these images. And you're seeing Baby Noor, everything from when the National Guard soldiers found and developed a relationship with this little girl and the family, to giving what medical attention and observation they could while in Baghdad before the baby was then boarded on on a flight and making her way now along with, we think, the father and grandmother with the baby.

Let's listen in on some thoughts made earlier.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Left untreated, I've seen a case or two in my life here in the states of untreated spina bifida. Most of the time the baby dies, actually from infection and from meningitis. It's a life-threatening situation both early on from infection and a life- threatening situation later if untreated from cancer.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Now Baby Noor first came to the attention of the U.S. troops when they were carrying out a routine search mission for enemy fighters. CNN's international correspondent, Jennifer Eccleston has that story from Iraq.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JENNIFER ECCLESTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Final preparations for a mission of mercy. Earplugs modified to protect Baby Noor's delicate ears. It's a short hop to Kuwait on an American military transport plane, but it's a noisy one, and the 3-month-old is already fidgety.

She has a new chance at life, says her grandmother. We want her to be cured as she is our first grandchild.

She and the baby's father, their identities concealed for their protection, any association with U.S. forces could spell death at the hands of insurgents. They say good-bye to their troubled homeland and to those who helped them get this far.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): We thank them for doing what Iraq couldn't do for us.

ECCLESTON: After Kuwait, it's a commercial flight to Atlanta, Georgia. There, the little girl with the infectious smile will have surgery for a spinal cord defect that left untreated would certainly take her life.

PFC. JUSTIN DONNELLY, U.S. ARMY MEDIC: I felt a burden to take care of this little girl because she was a 3-month-old baby that deserves a second chance at life.

ECCLESTON: The army medic initiated Baby Noor's incredible journey for survival. Three weeks ago his platoon entered her home looking for insurgents. Searching room by room, they discovered the little girl with a large tumor on her back. The georgia and New York- based soldiers were told she had just weeks to live. Moved by her predicament, they moved to get her out of Iraq where appropriate care was simply impossible.

UNIDNETIFIED MALE: It's really something to feel good about.

ECCLESTON: Noor means light in Arabic. no Wonder she's lightened the hearts of these war-weary soldiers and all those who are helping to save her life.

Jennifer Eccleston, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITIFELD: And again, the latest now as the baby, Baby Noor, is enroute to the U.S. You're looking at new images that have been sent us to from the "Atlanta Journal Constitution." One of the photographer journalists is on board this military flight along with Baby Noor, along with a number of military personnel as well as family members of Baby Noor. As they make their way to the states, and they should be by midday making their way to Atlanta where they will then meet up with the medical crews that will be able to offer some kind of medical attention, emergency medical attention, life-saving medical attention for this little baby.

And we'll continue to follow this story that we first brought to you here on CNN. Watch our live Baby Noor coverage beginning at noon eastern with her expected touchdown in Atlanta just a few hours away.

KAYE: I love those pictures. She's adorable.

WHITFIELD: Beautiful little baby.

KAYE: Everybody is routing that she makes it.

Well, the Red Cross finds itself on the wrong end of a fund- raising campaign, ripe with arrests and allegations of fraud. What, if anything, can the charity do to restore its reputation? We'll take a closer look.

WHITFIELD: And find out about the woman behind all of these boxes of letters and why they mean so much for American soldiers stationed in Iraq.

(WEATHER REPORT)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAYE: The Red Cross is vowing to change the way it makes grants to individuals in the wake of a huge Hurricane Katrina scam. Former Red Cross workers are among dozens of people accused of defrauding the organization of hundreds of thousands of dollars, money that was supposed to help hurricane victims. Can the Red Cross distance itself from the scam or is the organization's reputation now ruined? Joining me from Washington Is art Taylor, President of the Better Business Bureau's wise giving alliance. Good morning, Art. Thanks for being with us.

ART TAYLOR, BBB WISE GIVING ALLIANCE: Good morning, thanks for having me.

KAYE: Let's talk about this. The Red Cross, they have been around a very long time. Should not there have been better safeguards in place to prevent something like this?

TAYLOR: Well, certainly. We are finding that we had a very difficult time understanding where the Red Cross would not have had better relations with a contractor that they hired to do work for them out in Bakersfield.

However, I think there are larger questions than what simply happened in Bakersfield. The Red Cross has had a very difficult time maintaining leadership in its chief executive officer position. We've now seen three people in the last six years hold that position. And it makes us wonder whether there is a problem between the CEO and the Red Cross' board which is composed of nearly 50 people. And Senator Grassley recently asked the Red Cross to respond to this. And we're going have to pay close attention to the Senate's investigation.

KAYE: Sure.

TAYLOR: Of this problem.

KAYE: But a lot of people are play paying close attention, many of those who donated to the Red Cross. We're talking about maybe $200,000 in donations that went into the wrong hands.

How can you, when you're looking to make a donation, ensure that the money is going where it's supposed to be going?

TAYLOR: Well first of all, I think you should make sure you investigate the organization by going to the organization's Web site, by going to our site, Give.org where there is a volume of information that we put out on organizations.

Secondly, people should think ahead of time about where they want to make gifts and to the type of charities that they want to give to rather than simply responding to requests that come in the mail.

KAYE: And how do you think this scandal will affect the Red Cross? And may it even give other charities a bad name?

TAYLOR; Well, it could. But I think Americans understand the Red Cross occupies an enormously important position in our country regarding disasters. And so we will support the Red Cross, but we're also going stay on them to respond to us and give us the information we need to make sure they're doing the right things with our funds.

KAYE: And I know you want to make it very clear that people should be aware of one of your wise giving tips. I just want to note, beware of similar-sounding charity names. Why is that?

TAYLOR: Well, there are a lot of organizations that, for instance will have cancer if their names, or some other name that pulls on our heart springs to support. You have to be very careful to support the organization that you want to support and not one that just sounds like a charity that you want to support.

KAYE: All right.

Art Taylor, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance. Thank you for your insight today.

TAYLOR: Thank you for having me.

KAYE: And the folks down under started the new year off in grand fashion this morning. Shannon?

Absolutely, Fredricka. Aussies have been partying like it's 2006 for several hours now. And of course, it just wouldn't be New Year's Eve without the Sydney Harbor Bridge exploding with fireworks. We'll show you more of the fanfare when we go global.

KAYE: The television legend, a world leader and great comedian top the list of those we said good-bye to in 2005. An emotional look back next on CNN SATURDAY MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: And you think you're counting down for the new year? Well, you're not alone, of course. The folks in L.A. and New York, you're looking at all of the live pictures right now. Things as they stand right now. New York's Times Square getting ready for three- quarters of a million people. You have got Central Park, the folks enjoying a little ice skating and of course, Washington D.C., they'll be counting down the same time zone. And then in Zhou-hi, China (ph) which is just outside of Hong Kong, that's also a rather sizable port city. Well, just 40 minutes from now, they'll be counting down in the new year.

And we know a big tradition in China on new year's to bring in the new year is to paint the doors red. Red is a sign of good luck and prosperity for the year.

KAYE: That's a good tradition.

WHITFIELD: And happy new year to you.

KAYE: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: We didn't get a chance to really say, hello.

KAYE: We just rolled right into it.

WHITFIELD: Go right into it.

KAYE: We also want to check in with Bonnie Schneider, because everybody around the country are certainly wondering for their new year's plans what's it's going to be doing outside. Are they going to be able to get to their parties on time and maybe get home, too? What's the word, Bonnie?

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAYE: 2005 will be remembered as the year of natural disasters. But before we move on to 2006, let's take a moment to remember the passing of those whose lives gave us so many memories.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ED MCMAHON, TONIGHT SHOW: Here's Johnny! .

JOHNNY CARSON, TONIGHT SHOW HOST: I am one of the lucky people in the world. I found something I always wanted to do and I have enjoyed every single minute of it.

OSSIE: The devil is always at work.

BOB DENVER, ACTOR: Skipper, we're on land now. When we're on land, we both have equal rights.

DON ADAMS, ACTOR: Missed it by that much.

NIPSY RUSSELL, ACTOR: No problem! --

ARTHUR MILLER, PLAYWRITE: The art of play writing consists mainly of the manipulation of time.

SANDRA DEE, ACTRESS: Somebody must have taken seconds, here.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thanks, I'm not hungry.

DEE: Oh, but you've got to. It's delicious. Come on!

GEN. WILLIAM WESTMORELAND: We will prevail in Vietnam over the communist aggressor.

ROSA PARKS, CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST: I am expected to be a first- class citizen. I want to be one. I have struggled hard.

SHIRLEY CHRISHOLM, FRM. PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I stand before you today as a candidate for the Democratic nomination for the presidency of the United States of America.

JOHNNY COCHRAN, LAWYER: It makes no sense. It doesn't fit. If it doesn't fit, you must acquit.

PAT MORITA, ACTOR: Wax on, right hand. Wax of, left hand.

JAMES DOOHAN, ACTOR: The transporter power is down to minimal. You've got to bring you in one at a time.

RICHARD PYROR, COMEDIAN: I said Richard, smell the coffee. Enjoy the roses. MATTHEW MCGRORY, ACTOR: Did you ever think that maybe you're not too big, but maybe this town is just too small?

PETER JENNINGS, ANCHOR: Have a good evening, I'm Peter Jennings. Thanks and good night.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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