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CNN Saturday Morning News

Fatah Member Protest In West Bank; Remembering Challenger; U.S. Ready For Tsunami?; R.V. Trend On The Rise

Aired January 28, 2006 - 09:00   ET

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

TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Rejecting calls to disarm as angry protesters continue to march in the West Bank. What does the White House have to say about all the unrest in the Middle East?
We'll have a live report from the CNN Center in Atlanta; this is CNN SATURDAY MORNING, January 28, 9:00 a.m. here in Atlanta, 4:00 p.m. in the Gaza Strip. Good morning everyone I'm Tony Harris.

BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: I'm Betty Nguyen. We want to thank you for starting your day with us.

Our top story in just a moment, but first here's a look at what else is happening right now in the news. We have newly leased video in just this morning of four western humanitarian workers. They were abducted in Iraq back in November.

Now Al-Jazeera television aired the video and read what it says is the abductors latest message. They say they will provide one last chance for the U.S. and Iraq to free all Iraqi prisoners or else the four will be executed. The group includes American Tom Fox. CNN cannot confirm when the video was shot.

Three people have been killed in violence across Iraq this morning. In Baghdad gunmen opened fire in a bus station killing a civilian. About an hour later gunmen opened fire in a police station killing an Iraqi police commando and in Baquba an Iraqi intelligence worker was shot to death.

Twenty years ago today the space shuttle Challenger exploded killing all seven crewmembers on board. Among them was the first ever teacher to head into space, Christa McAuliffe. About an hour from now friends and family will take part in a ceremony at Florida's Kennedy's Space Center. Our John Zarrella was there on that fateful day some 20 years ago. He joins us in just a moment to talk about what is happening today and reflect on what happened back then.

HARRIS: Betty, an angry division among Palestinians this is morning in the fall-out of the Hamas election victory. Thousands of Fatah activists are marching in the streets of the West Bank today. They are demanding the resignation of party leaders. Meanwhile President Bush is making some stern promises. CNN's Elaine Quijano at the White House this morning with more. Good morning to you, Elaine.

ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you Tony. The White House is being very cautious in weighing in on the developments that are taking place in the Middle East. The unexpected election results of Hamas members rising to political power within the Palestinian government have presented a major dilemma for President Bush. It was, of course, a year ago that the president outlined one of his major foreign policy goals. That was to promote democracy around the world.

Now the question for the United States, how best to deal with a democratically elected government led by Hamas which the United States deems as terrorist organization. Now, the president has said that unless Hamas renounces violence and specifically its pledge to destroy Israel, the United States will not deal with the organization. And in an interview with CBS News, Mr. Bush said if Hamas does not take the steps economic aid to the Palestinians will stop.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The packages won't go forward. That's their decision to make. We won't be providing help to a government that wants to destroy our ally and friend. I don't see how you can be a partner in peace if you don't renounce violent aims.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

QUIJANO: Meantime as unrest continues in parts of the Middle East, officials are reiterating a call for a peaceful transition between governments, even behind the scenes, though; Tony, U.S. officials are not wanting to talk about this too much. They are essentially waiting for the dust to settle before deciding how next to proceed -- Tony.

HARRIS: What happens when groups and factions are elected that you don't much care for? Elaine Quijano at the White House for us. Elaine, thank you.

QUIJANO: You're welcome.

NGUYEN: Twenty years ago today a low point for NASA and a tragic one for the nation. The space shuttle Challenger exploded 73 seconds after takeoff. All seven crewmembers died including Christa McAuliffe who would have been the first teacher in space. CNN's John Zarrella was there for us and, John, you're there now. Your thoughts as you stand in the spot at the Florida's Kennedy Space Center as you did some 20 years ago.

JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Betty, I was reflecting upon that. I do that -- you don't have to close your eyes to visualize what happened that day 20 years ago and certainly was a low point in the history of the space program. And in many regards quite unexpected as we stood there and watched.

They had the Apollo I accident -- Grisham, Chafee and White. Those three astronauts had been killed. But the space shuttle was flying, it was flying regularly. In fact it became almost routine NASA hates that word and cringes at that word but for many people it seemed as if space flight was becoming routine. In fact CNN was one of the only news organizations that carried the launch that day. So when it exploded 73 seconds after liftoff it was a shock to the entire system and a shock to the nation and as we stood there we did not even believe ourselves what we were watching.

You know, the crew had come out on a very cold, cold morning. It was 36 degrees here at the Kennedy Space Center, colder than it had ever been at launch time. And then the liftoff of Challenger it seemed perfect in a blue sky. Not a cloud up there. An absolutely perfect cloud in the sky as Challenger lifted off.

And then 73 seconds in you know you know the words go for throttle up. And then within moments Challenger exploded and, of course, the lengthy investigation, the Roger's Commission finding that there had been a leak in what were called the o-ring seals in the solid rocket boosters that burned through and caused the accident killing the seven crew members. One of those Dick Scobee's wife June Scobee Rogers. Just a little while ago I had an opportunity to talk to her about how she and her husband often talked about the risks.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JUNE SCOBEE RODGERS, ASTRONAUT'S WIDOW: Dick Scobee was a pilot, a test pilot, and an astronaut. He most definitely talked about the risk. But he thought space flight was worth it. That what we could learn from our voyages into space was more than worth the risk of life. And he often would quote Wilbur Wright, one of the Wright bothers and said if you want perfect safety in a flight, you have to sit on the fence and watch the birds fly.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ZARRELLA: You're looking at the memorial mirror right there with the names of 24 astronauts on that in an hour, memorial service here, and wreath laying at the base of that monument to conclude that ceremony. Many NASA dignitaries here as well as Dick Scobee's wife and others here for this event -- Betty.

NGUYEN: John, no doubt it's going to highlight the tragedy, but hopefully today it will be more a celebration of life and we'll be checking with you all throughout the day. Thank you John.

HARRIS: And here are a few of the stories making news across America now. Police in Phoenix, Arizona, are investigating a series of shootings in the area, 16 of them to be exact. Detectives have evidence linking four of the shootings but say the timing and circumstances surrounding the others are too similar to be a coincidence. Three people have been killed. Several dogs and horses were also shot.

Ford says it will appeal a costly jury verdict against it. A Texas jury is ordering the carmaker to shell out more than $29 million. Attorneys say 22-year-old Rosa Munez was partially paralyzed in 2002 when the Firestone tire on her SUV came apart and the vehicle rolled over. Ford blames driver error. After one of a kind utero operation a Virginia mother and her new born are now home. The surgery was done when the fetus was seven months old. The baby was the first infant to have a heart stent implanted while in the uterus to fix a potentially deadly heart condition.

NGUYEN: That's just amazing to me.

HARRIS: Things the doctors can do now.

NGUYEN: While the baby was still in its mother's stomach. Goodness. Well wonderful little child there. Happy, healthy child.

Coming up, coastal communities at risk. Only one major city on the East Coast is tsunami ready. Can you believe it? Why aren't others preparing for the danger?

BONNIE SCHNEIDER, CNN METEOROLOGIST: We are looking at temperatures across the northeast. They are on the way up, currently in the 30s. But watch out it will warm up nicely into the 50s today. Your full forecast is straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: Good morning from bonnie Schneider. Is she on weather this morning? Big gadgets over here. A

NGUYEN: You got to see it is a buoy of sorts, I guess. They are going to tell us all about that.

It is really large. There it is.

(WEATHER REPORT)

SCHNEIDER: Well, are you in the city that you live in ready to face a wall of water? The devastation following the 2004 Asian tsunami was a wake-up call for many countries. Experts say tsunami training and warning signs could have saved thousands of lives.

Only one major city on the East Coast is tsunami ready and when seconds count Norfolk, Virginia, is prepared for the worst. Joining us now live is Jim Talbot, the director of Emergency Preparedness and Response. Jim thank you for joining us.

JIM TALBOT, DIRECTOR, EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE: Good morning. Thank you.

SCHNEIDER: Can you tell us how Norfolk becomes tsunami ready?

TALBOT: We looked at all of the potential hazards that could possibly affect the city of Norfolk. Basically weather has been a lot of our training over the years. But because we are a coastal city, potentially tsunamis could affect it.

We looked at the federal program; we observed what occurred in Asia. Basically got information and determined if that -- program could help our citizens. So we decided to apply for it. It took about a year to go through the process and we feel it's very, very beneficial to our citizens.

SCHNEIDER: What did the process involve? What kind of training has your emergency workers been conducting to be ready for a tsunami?

TALBOT: We incorporated tsunami awareness into our ongoing yearly training with city employees and lifeguards. We also incorporated a tsunami annex into our city's emergency plan. So that we know exactly what to look for and who to contact and have main numbers available. We observed that was one of the drawbacks in the Asian tsunami they really didn't know which agencies to contact and the signs to look for, that possibly a tsunami was going to affect them.

SCHNEIDER: Jim, I understand part of the process, of course, is just knowing that a tsunami is coming. Buoys like this one that we have in the studio is almost six feet tall, this is going to sit on top of the ocean and also at the -- the ocean floor to kind of monitor what is happening with waves. Can you explain how a buoy like this will work in your tsunami readiness program?

TALBOT: OK. Our understanding is there's actually three systems. There is one system that is placed on the floor of the ocean that sends a signal up to that floating buoy and that signal is determining the weight of water over it. So that would indicate the possibly a tsunami or some disturbance has occurred in the ocean floor.

And then the signal is sent to satellite and a satellite is monitored by the tsunami-warning center. Currently the one for the East Coast is the one out of Palmer, Alaska, in turn the alert would put out -- be put out through the weather services. The National Weather Service here we use Wakefield, Virginia, they would contact the emergency management that potentially something was developing.

SCHNEIDER: How far away from the shoreline will this buoy for example sit?

TALBOT: I believe this particular one off the East Coast is anticipated to be about 300 miles off the coast.

SCHNEIDER: So this will sit -- how many are you expecting to have in place?

TALBOT: Right now I think they have funded eight for the Atlantic basin, about three or four of them off the immediate Atlantic coastline. Again, it's a new system that is taking place in the Atlantic basin so these buoys are actually new to monitor the Atlantic Ocean.

SCHNEIDER: We're looking at some pictures of Norfolk right now. I understand that as early as next week signs will go up along the Chesapeake with instructions of what to do if a tsunami-warning signal is sounded. Can you talk about that? What kind of instructions will people get? Because a lot of people here especially on the East Coast would really have no idea what to do.

TALBOT: The signs are an informational sign, we are looking at where to best place them along our beachfront areas. And it's talking about water drawback because many times that is a phenomenon that occurs as a tsunami is approaching.

A water drawback -- if it's observed by our local employees or lifeguards immediately they are to contact the emergency operations center and close down the beaches and get people away from the beaches. We have identified buildings throughout the city that are four stories or taller that we could potentially use with vertical evacuation.

SCHNEIDER: Well it sounds like you are ready. Hopefully this is a mechanism that you won't have to use in the future. Tsunamis certainly are rare and remote. But when they happen they can be devastating.

Jim Talbot thank you so much for joining us. Thank you for sending us this buoy in our studio, we never had one of these in before so it is good to get a firsthand look at it. Thanks so much.

TALBOT: Thank you.

HARRIS: Hey Bonnie don't let Jim go just yet. Oh, Jim, pop Jim back up for a second. Can we do that?

NGUYEN: Big shot.

HARRIS: What Jim, what is the tie, who paid you to wear it?

NGUYEN: Tell us about the tie.

TALBOT: Actually the tie is sort of my call symbol. I collect neckties. I have got many, many more than I would like. But because of the seriousness of our business it's the ties are something that I try to relax many times when I'm talking to groups.

NGUYEN: We're digging the tie today. Tony wants one just like it. So you have to e-mail him and tell him where he got that.

HARRIS: Well that is interesting, so you collect those?

TALBOT: I have unfortunately I have over 17,000 neckties.

NGUYEN: Wow, so you have a few to spare. There you go, Tony there is the hook up.

HARRIS: Wow! All right Jim just wanted to know. Watching you, watching the interview couldn't help watching the tie.

NGUYEN: Nice tie, Jim. Take care.

HARRIS: Thank you.

TALBOT: Thank you. HARRIS: Michelle Kwan we like her a lot. Proves she still has what it takes to make the U.S. Olympic team. We will tell you how she did it and what she is shooting for. I think we know what she is shooting for. That's coming up.

NGUYEN: That would be gold.

Senator John McCain joins us live next hour to talk about the mid east, Washington and all points in between.

You're watching CNN SATURDAY MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: Time now to find out what people are watching this morning at CNN.com. Veronica De La Cruz from the Dot.com desk has the answers. Veronica good morning.

VERONICA DE LA CRUZ, DOT.COM DESK: Good morning Tony. We're going to start actually with a story that you first told us about. I almost feel like I should have you tell us again. Police in New York have arrested Savannah Johnson.

They believe she was setting fires to clothing stores in order to get away with stealing clothes from them. And Tony if you watch this video you see her stuff her bags full of clothes. Hold a cigarette lighter up to the rack. Then you see the flames. Savannah Johnson has been arrested 59 times on charges ranging from shoplifting to prostitution.

Take a look at this video, Tony, see that the explosion. While I don't actually think they planned it out this way, four stunt performers have been injured in a special effects accident. They were working on the set of ABC soap opera "All My Children." It said that all four are expected to make a recovery. So some good news.

Finally Tony there is some Kwan-troversy. Figure skater Michelle Kwan is getting another shot at the allusive Olympic gold medal. The U.S. Figure Skater Association has granted Kwan an injury waiver allowing her to compete in next months Olympic games. Kwan secured a spot on the U.S. team by proving to a panel that she has recovered from a groin injury. Now some are saying that it isn't fair because she didn't have to go through the normal channels to qualify.

HARRIS: Emily Hughes, 16-year-old, is probably one of the people who think ...

DE LA CRUZ: Sarah Hughes. She has gotten bumped. That is absolutely right, she has gotten bumped which is where the Kwan- troversy comes in, the so-called Kwan-troversy. But let me say this in Michelle's defense -- this is actually happened one time before and it happened to her. Do you guys remember Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan?

NGUYEN: Who could forget? DE LA CRUZ: Exactly, well she was supposed to be going to the Olympics that year but instead she got bumped because Nancy Kerrigan was injured. So Nancy Kerrigan went and Michelle Kwan stayed home. She was only 14 years old.

HARRIS: She has been doing this for so long.

NGUYEN: Going for the elusive gold. Maybe this time she will get it.

HARRIS: Emily will get her shot.

NGUYEN: She is very good.

HARRIS: OK Veronica, thank you. All morning long we've been asking for your thoughts in our e-mail question. Where were you 20 years ago hen the Challenger exploded?

NGUYEN: Barbara Marshal from North Carolina says, " I had just started a new job and had a small radio on my desk that announced suddenly the Challenger had blown up. I felt the same "sick to my stomach" and sadness I felt in 1963 when I was also at work and heard the news that John Kennedy had been assassinated."

we still want to know from you, where were you when the Challenger exploded 20 years ago today? Tell us your thoughts, weekends@cnn.com.

HARRIS: "Open House" is up next. Ever wonder what to do with your old computer or cell phone? Gerri Willis will show you how to dispose of those items without putting the personal information at risk.

NGUYEN: That is a good thing. Next hour the often-bizarre nature of reality television. What's changed in America? It's changed our viewing habits. Have producers now gone just too far? Sibila Vargas takes a look at 10:00 a.m. Eastern.

HARRIS: What first for many people vacations often include airline tickets, hotels, eating out. Here's a trend that is on the rise offering an alternative way to travel.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Tired of flight delays, lost luggage? Imagine this the flexibility to go where you want, when you want all with the comforts of home. An R.V., or recreational vehicle, just may be the answer and these days they come in all sizes, shapes and styles. In fact, some people make it a lifestyle.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The past two years we've been to 35 states, four Canadian provinces and it's a great way of life.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I love the freedom. Pick up and go.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The R.V. trend is on the rise. Nearly eight million U.S. households own at least one R.V. According to the newest study by the University of Michigan Survey Research Center. That's 15 percent higher than it was four years ago. If gas prices are a concern, here's one way to look at it.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You don't have to pay the hotel room and everything. You got your own place, campsites are beautiful.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Good news for some R.V. owners, the interest on a loan may be tax deductible as a second home. So just who is buying into the R.V. trend the most? According to the University of Michigan study, the baby boomer generation.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The nicest thing is you don't like the neighbors you pick up and move.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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