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CNN Saturday Morning News

Nasrallah: Hezbollah Shall Abide by U.N. Deal; Brits Release One Suspect in Terrorist Plot; Israel to Halt Fighting by Late Sunday/Early Monday

Aired August 12, 2006 - 11:00   ET

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

TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: "Now in the News," a possible brotherly connection in the alleged airline terror plot. One of the key suspects, Rashid Rauf, appeared in a Pakistani court today. Now there is word that his brother, Tayib Rauf, is also in custody in Britain. The latest in a live report straight ahead.
In his weekly radio address, President Bush says the alleged plot is proof that the dangers of terrorism have not passed and that America must remain vigilant. A live report from the president's Texas ranch with Suzanne Malveaux is just a few minutes away. And we plan on taking the Democratic response at six minutes after the hour.

The Israeli military strikes into southern Lebanon intensify as the Mideast crisis enters its 32nd day of fighting. The IDF says it has killed more than 40 Hezbollah militants in the past 24hours. A live report is just ahead.

Meanwhile, a diplomatic solution to the Middle East crisis has been unanimously approved by the U.N. The U.N. resolution calls for a cease-fire, a U.N.-backed peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon, and the release of two Israeli soldiers. Lebanon and Israel are considered to consider the plan this weekend.

And this just in, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah says he and his followers will abide by the proposed U.N. peace plan for southern Lebanon.

U.S. immigration agents are still searching for two students from Egypt who failed to show up for classes at Montana State University. Agents arrested three other Egyptian students last night in Iowa and six earlier.

Cuban-state-run media are reporting on the recovery of Fidel Castro. They say the 79-year-old leader is walking and even resuming some of his presidential duties after abdominal surgery last month. Tomorrow Castro was set to celebrate his 80th birthday.

A lot of news this morning.

BETTY NGUYEN, CNBC ANCHOR: That's a lot.

HARRIS: And still a lot to get to. It is Saturday, August 12th. Good morning, everyone, from the CNN Center in Atlanta. This is CNN SATURDAY MORNING. I'm Tony Harris. NGUYEN: And good morning, everybody. I'm Betty Nguyen. On this very busy Saturday morning, we're watching two major developing stories unfold. Take a look. We'll have the latest on the trans- Atlantic air terror investigation. And we are going to bring you up- to-date on the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, and the international effort to bring that fighting to an end.

So we begin with the alleged plot to bomb trans-Atlantic airliners. In his weekly radio address today, President Bush calls the plot a stark reminder that terrorists are still planning deadly attacks on the American people.

British authorities, well, they continue their investigation. One suspect has been released. But 23 remain in custody. Special security measures remain in effect at airports. Travelers, they are being cautioned to expect delays and to take liquids and gels out of their carry-on luggage.

CNN reporters are hard at work this morning on both sides of the Atlantic. In London, they're following the latest developments in this investigation. And here in the United States, stepped-up security and what it means for those of us who put our trust in the system every time we get on an airliner. So let's go first to Britain. CNN's John Vause is live at London's Heathrow Airport.

John, we learned that a suspect has been released. What do you know about this?

JOHN VAUSE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, we know that one person was released overnight. But few details about the other 23 who are still being held by British authorities. But we do know that this investigation is possibly moving on to Germany with officials at the interior ministry in Berlin telling CNN they're looking into a possible connection there, with one of the suspects still being held by the British police.

Also today, metropolitan police have raided a number of Internet cafes in towns just west of London. And there are new details as well about just how close this alleged terror plot may have been to actually being carried out. Information coming from the Department of Homeland Security says a telephone call made from Karachi, Pakistan, was intercepted by authorities. And the message was quite simple, "do your attack now."

Also, British police, after raiding a number of homes, say they allegedly found martyrdom videotapes. Now, often suicide bombers make these kinds of videotapes just days before carrying out an attack.

And there is also, according to U.S. authorities, evidence of a wire transfer of a large amount of money from Pakistan to Britain. Quite possibly to be used to buy airline tickets. Across Britain, the terror alert remains at critical with air travelers here at Heathrow Airport enduring unprecedented levels of security checks.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) TONY DOUGLAS, CEO, HEATHROW AIRPORT: This is the busiest international airport in the whole of the world. I'd be lucky normally if we had 4 percent additional capacity here. As a consequence of these unprecedented changes, security processing times are taking up to 400 percent longer. Individual hand searches, obviously, people have now got to come very well-prepared with no hand luggage, with personal belongings in a transparent plastic bag. And for all flights to the United States that process is repeated twice.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VAUSE: And airport officials say that this level of unprecedented security is just simply unsustainable in the long term. But for now, they say they have no other choice -- Betty.

NGUYEN: CNN's John Vause, joining us live from London's Heathrow Airport. John, thank you for that -- Tony.

HARRIS: And once again we are just moments away from the Democratic response to the president's Saturday morning radio address. In that address, the president said that the alleged plot, terror plot, that was disrupted in London on Thursday is proof that terrorists are still planning attacks on the United States, on the United States' infrastructure.

NGUYEN: On American people, yes.

HARRIS: And the American people. And that we must remain vigilant. We're going to be checking in with Suzanne Malveaux in just a few minutes to get more on not only the president's radio address, but also his reaction to the U.N. resolution that was passed last night to bring an end, this immediate cessation of the hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel.

But right now, let's get you to Arkansas. Senator Mark Pryor.

SEN. MARK PRYOR (D), ARKANSAS: The bombing plots uncovered in London last week were a stark reminder of the dangerous world in which we live. They served further notice that America is a country at war against terror. And that there are extremists in the world who are determined to strike at us whenever and however they can.

I commend British authorities for defusing the terror plot and apprehending the suspects. Their actions protected the lives of innocent civilians, including Americans. I also commend the men and women on the front lines of terror here at home. Airport screeners, Border Patrol agents, intelligence officers, police and firefighters. They're all doing their job to prepare for and prevent another terrorist attack.

While the war in Iraq has generated the most headlines, required the greatest sacrifice of our military, and consumed the most resources, we must not forget that terrorist groups like al Qaeda and rogue nations like Iran remain an ever-present threat to America's security. The fact is we know the world is a dangerous place. And terrorists are working hard to grow their network. This week's events should compel us to all rededicate ourselves to the war on terror.

My fellow Democrats and I believe our government must do more to protect Americans at home and around the world. We also understand there is no time to waste. Five years after 9/11, our country is not as safe as it needs to be or should be. More needs to be done.

Our first responders lack critical resources. For example, the administration has cut funding for a proven program in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, that has provided on-site training to over 70,000 first responders across the nation.

Our military, including our National Guard, has been stretched to the breaking point. Returning Guard units no longer have adequate equipment to train for their next mission. Our ports, borders and chemical plants remain unsecure.

The person responsible for the 9/11 attacks, Osama bin Laden, is still on the loose. And North Korea and Iran continue to pursue their nuclear ambitions. We need a new direction. It's time for Washington to be tough and smart about the threats we face.

Americans deserve real security, not just leaders who talk tough, but fail to deliver. Together, we must do more to protect our homeland and to make sure our military is prepared to address our growing threats. This begins by once and for all securing our borders, implementing the recommendations of the bipartisan 9/11 Commission, and making a commitment to screen 100 percent of the cargo in our aircraft and our ports.

My Democratic colleagues and I have supported these funding efforts. Five years after 9/11, there is no excuse why these steps have not already been taken. There's also no excuse for why, four years into the Iraq war, our country's political leaders have not matched the level of excellence our troops have displayed.

Our troops have performed heroically in Iraq. But the administration's poor management has created a rallying cry for international terrorists. The poor management of the war has diverted our focus, our military, and more than $300 billion from the war on terrorism. Our troops and people deserve better.

As a member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, I understand the challenge of protecting America in a post-9/11 world. The events in Britain are a reminder of the enormous difficulties we face, but working together, we can meet them and become stronger and a safer nation as a result.

I'm Senator Mark Pryor. Thanks for listening.

(INTERRUPTED FOR BREAKING NEWS)

HARRIS: The Lebanese government officials called a meeting today to discuss the U.N. peace resolution. CNN's Beirut bureau chief Brent Sadler joins us live.

And, Brent, we understand the meeting actually got under way in the last hour.

BRENT SADLER, CNN BEIRUT BUREAU CHIEF: That's right, Tony, a very important meeting of the Lebanese cabinet. Let's not forget that there are two Hezbollah cabinet ministers taking part in that session. According to political sources, it is expected that the Lebanese cabinet will formally agree to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 after the session which, we're told, will last two or three hours.

Now we'll have to get official confirmation. But the word is that there will be a positive response. However, we also understand, according to political sources on the ground here, that Hezbollah's MPs will express, quote, "reservations" about the way the draft resolution contains language conditions which Hezbollah believes gives Israel the edge in terms of how this cessation of hostilities will be implemented at the expense of Hezbollah.

And the fact that Hezbollah will be making its expected reservations, in fact, Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah's chief, alluded to those reservations in the statement he made a short time ago, that could have a negative knock-on effect, Tony, in capitals that are considering putting troops into south Lebanon, up to 15,000, in the coming weeks. That could have a very serious negative impact if countries believe that Hezbollah has problems with parts of this resolution.

Now Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah's chief, gave a televised statement, it was shown on television just a few moments ago. And at least Nasrallah spelled out in pretty clear terms that if Israel, quote, "stops its aggression," then Hezbollah will stop firing at Israel.

Here's what he said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NASSAN NASRALLAH, HEZBOLLAH LEADER (through translator): Therefore, whenever there's a timing to cease -- for the cessation of hostilities, the resistance will be obliged by it. Whenever there's a declaration before and after I assure you the resistance was a reaction. Therefore, when the Israeli aggression stops, then the reactions by the resistance will stop.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SADLER: I think the best that Lebanese and Israelis can expect from this, Tony, is that the heavy offensives, the kind of air strikes that have pummeled Lebanon for the last month and the rocket fire into Israel, at best should stop after that cessation of hostilities. The deadline is in place by the Security Council, Secretary General Kofi Annan.

However in terms of the fighting grounds itself in south Lebanon, where the forces are still very much in close contact, expect that battleground to be unstable and doubtless deadly -- Tony.

HARRIS: We are going to be watching to see how this all plays out over the next few days. That's for sure. CNN's Beirut bureau chief Brent Sadler for us. Brent, thank you.

Iran denies reports that it's been trying to re-supply Hezbollah with ammunition and rockets. U.S. officials say they've been tracking the supply lines with satellites. One intelligence officer told CNN Iran is using military and commercial aircraft to fly military supplies from Tehran to Syria.

Our source says supplies are transferred from the planes to trucks in Damascus and at least two of the shipments have made their way into Lebanon. Iran calls the report totally baseless.

NGUYEN: Still ahead, President Bush's reaction to the terror arrests in Britain and Pakistan and what they mean for Americans.

HARRIS: It sounds like something out of that television show "MacGyver." But it isn't as farfetched as it sounds. Just how easy is it to build a bomb out of carry-on toiletries? We'll talk with an expert coming up.

NGUYEN: And what is the fallout for air travelers with the ban on those items? We have a live report coming up. CNN, the most trusted name in news.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Want to update you on the alleged terrorist plot to bomb airliners. Here is what we know right now. U.S. officials say there's no evidence of terror activity inside the United States related to the plot. British officials say one of the 24 suspects arrested in London has been released. British investigators also say most of these suspects are men of Pakistani descent and most of them are in their 20s. U.S. and Pakistani officials say the suspects are British nationals, not citizens of Pakistan.

HARRIS: President Bush says the alleged plot is proof that America must remain vigilant in the war on terror. The president commented on his -- on the arrest in his weekly radio address today. And we just heard the Democratic response a short time ago from Arkansas Senator Mark Pryor. To help us sort through all of this, CNN's Suzanne Malveaux. She is live in Crawford, Texas, for us this morning.

Suzanne, let's start by recapping for everyone what the president had to say this morning in his weekly radio address.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know what you're hearing, Tony, is that Republicans and Democrats are both accusing the other of politicizing this foiled plot. You have both sides that are denying that that is happening. But what is very clear here is that obviously how this plays out to the American public and, of course, to voters come the midterm congressional elections in November is very important. So we, not surprisingly, heard the president make two points in his weekly radio address. First, saying that Americans are safer now since September 11th, five years ago, and secondly, he justified the broader war on terror. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Because of the measures we've taken to protect the American people, our nation is safer than it was prior to September 11th. Still, we must never make the mistake of thinking the danger of terrorism has passed. This week's experience reminds us of a hard fact. The terrorists have to succeed only once to achieve their goal of mass murder, while we have to succeed every time to stop them.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: So, Tony, don't be surprised to hear the White House and Republicans say over and over again that the Democrats are weak when it comes to national security in the war on terror. Do not be surprised to hear the Democrats say, look, you're politicizing this, we believe the administration has not done a good enough job, it is not conducting this war, particularly in Iraq, as it should be.

All of this, of course, coming right around the corner, those November congressional midterm elections. And Republicans have found it to be a successful strategy in the past, to make that the central issue, that is national security -- Tony.

HARRIS: And, Suzanne, then there was reaction a little earlier from the president on the U.N. resolution that was passed like last night, a resolution that, by the way, seems to be on the fast track now to acceptance by all parties involved.

MALVEAUX: Well, certainly if you take the word of Hezbollah and the Israelis at face value, then it certainly is good news. The administration, the president just putting out a statement earlier this morning encouraging both sides, the Israelis and the Lebanese, to sign off on that agreement from the U.N. Security Council.

Clearly, there was a lot of pressure to make this happen and a lot of criticism coming towards the Bush administration that it did not act quickly enough. So they are certainly hoping that that moves within the next 48 hours -- Tony.

HARRIS: CNN's Suzanne Malveaux with the president in Crawford, Texas. Suzanne, thank you.

NGUYEN: In the meantime, how are air travelers dealing with the new forbidden list of carry-on items? We're going to take you live to Washington Dulles Airport to see how they are faring.

HARRIS: And comments from cyberspace on the latest wrinkle in air travel. We'll check in with the blogs in the blogosphere and hear what people have to say about it all. This is CNN SATURDAY MORNING. We'll be right back. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Here is what is happening right "Now in the News." Airline security remains at its highest level in Britain following Thursday's terror arrests. And the U.S., meanwhile, remains on high alert, color code orange.

It is day 32 of the Mideast fighting. And the Israeli military strikes into southern Lebanon have intensified. The IDF says it has killed more than 40 Hezbollah militants in the past 24 hours.

HARRIS: President Bush says he welcomes the prospects of a lasting peace plan for the Mideast. Regarding U.N. Resolution 1701, Mr. Bush is urging the international community to, quote, "turn words into action."

U.S. immigrations agents are still searching for two students from Egypt who failed to show up for classes at Montana State University. Agents arrested three other Egyptian students last night in Iowa and six earlier.

Three bombs exploded in two Iraqi cities today. This is video from Basra where one bomb went off this morning in a market area killing at least two people. Near Baghdad, two roadside bombs apparently targeting Iraqi police patrols wounded nine more.

NGUYEN: U.S. Homeland Security officials are keeping the security alert at red, or severe, from flights from U.S. to Britain. The alert level is orange or high if you plan to fly inside the United States. Now Britain is keeping its terror alert at its highest level for the third straight day.

You know it will probably take longer than ever to get through airport security. And since you can't carry many items that you used to, Gary Nurenberg joins us from Dulles International Airport near Washington with more.

But, Gary, from what I understand, now that people are in the know, they're taking the precautions and the lines aren't as bad.

GARY NURENBERG, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You understand it pretty well, at least from what we're hearing -- seeing, rather, here at Dulles International Airport. We're into the fourth day now of these travel restrictions. Word seems to get out there. But as you can see from videotape we want to show you, some passengers didn't quite get it and found themselves packing their bags in the corridors of Dulles before they approached the security gates so that they could keep the gels and liquids that they weren't allowed to take on board. We saw a good number of people repacking their bags today.

Also, if you took a look at some garbage bins around, you would see that bottles of water and toothpaste were thrown in for those who couldn't repack and simply gave up and decided to throw it away rather than try to carry it on because they knew it would be confiscated.

We talked to people about how their packing habits changed. Mallory Abbot came to us after a 30-hour flight from South Africa.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MALLORY ABBOT, TRAVELER: We left an hour late from Johannesburg because they had to hand-search everyone on the way in. We had to repack all our bags there and do all the -- take out all the liquids and gels and deodorant. And I barely got out with my contact solution. I don't think I was supposed to.

So -- but -- so then we left an hour late and then we got here an hour late and it took an hour-and-a-half to get our bags through the carousel and go through customs. And then we found out that instead of taking our 10:00 a.m. flight to Atlanta, we have to wait until 4:30. And we can't check in yet because we can't check in until 1 or something. So now we're just hanging out by the check-in counter.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NURENBERG: Mallory said that she was going to offer to taste that contact solution but was told by security officials that she really didn't have to. She and her brother bought five rolls of bubble wrap when they were in South Africa so her 19-year-old brother could bring back liquor which he was not allowed to carry on. We are happy to report that the bottles they showed us made it safely.

NGUYEN: Yes. I saw that video. I was kind of wondering why are they bringing so much alcohol back. But, hey, you know, I guess you do what you gotta do and they got it through. The main key is that if it is liquid, put in your checked baggage. Gary Nurenberg, thank you for that.

HARRIS: Duty-free.

NGUYEN: Yes.

(WEATHER REPORT)

BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: We've got some breaking news to tell you about on the heels of a U.N. resolution to stop the fighting in the Mideast. We are learning, this just in to the Associated Press. An Israeli official says Israel expects to halt the fighting in Lebanon late tomorrow or Monday. Again, Israel plans to halt the fighting late tomorrow, Monday.

Now we heard just a few minutes earlier from Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who says that once Israel stops its strikes, Hezbollah will stop its strikes as well. So he is agreeing to the cessation of violence. Let's get straight to CNN's Matthew Chance at the Israeli/Lebanon border with the latest on this.

Matthew what are you learning?

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, certainly, we understand from Israeli media reports that Israeli officials are saying they believe the cease-fire will come Monday morning on 7:00, although that has not been, obviously, officially announced by anybody in the Israeli government. But certainly what has been announced that this U.N. resolution which has been adopted yesterday will be presented to the Israeli cabinet on Sunday, which is when they have their regular weekly cabinet meeting.

And the advice of the prime minister, we understand, Ehud Olmert, will be for his cabinet to approve that resolution. That would require a certain period for implementation. And so the expectation at this point is within 24 hours or so after the resolution is approved by the Israeli cabinet, then the end of military activities, or at least a cease-fire, will be implemented in southern Lebanon.

In the meantime, Israeli forces have really been flooding into southern Lebanon as the diplomatic clock ticks towards that cease-fire and taking up positions across that territory. We understand from the Israeli military that helicopters have been used in the biggest operation of its kind in Israeli military history to ferry hundreds of Israeli troops into positions in southern Lebanon, close to the Litani River and elsewhere.

And so they've been doing that. They've been coming into contact with Hezbollah fighters as well. There has also been Israeli tanks and artillery entering -- rather, tanks entering south Lebanon, artillery opening up as well, on Hezbollah positions. So there has been a good deal of fighting under way today. Even though that diplomatic process now appears to be reaching an end game -- Betty.

NGUYEN: Well, Matthew, just to be very clear. Say this does happen at 7:00 a.m. Monday morning, Israel says it will stop its strikes, Hezbollah agrees. It doesn't mean that the Israeli troops will depart Lebanon at that point, correct? They're going to stand their ground?

CHANCE: Yes, that certainly seems to be the case, although things are still being very carefully understood and hammered out between the various warring parties. But yes, the Israeli position is certainly -- sorry, there's machine-gun fire behind me.

But the Israeli position is certain that they will not leave any territory in southern Lebanon until such times as a robust force, possibly the multinational force, along with the Lebanese army, has been deployed in southern Lebanon to take their place. Because they want to make sure that when they leave Hezbollah doesn't use that as an opportunity to regroup and to rearm and then to be able to attack Israel at a later date.

And so there is the big potential in this whole resolution for further conflict because even though Hezbollah said a few minutes ago that they accept the terms of this resolution, they've also said that they will continue to fight Israel until any Israeli soldier -- the last Israeli soldier has left Lebanese soil.

NGUYEN: All right. CNN's Matthew Chance at the Israeli/Lebanon border. Matthew, thank you for that.

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