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CNN Live Sunday

Eight Dead in Twin Suicide Bombings in Israeli Port of Ashdod

Aired March 14, 2004 - 11:00   ET

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

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


FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning. I'm Fredricka Whitfield at the CNN Global Headquarters in Atlanta. Welcome to CNN SUNDAY. Here's what's coming up -- a nation in mourning goes to the polls today. Spaniards are voting in elections following last week's deadly terror bombing on a commuter train. We'll take you there live. Meanwhile, much of Europe is asking the question, are we next and many nations are beefing up security.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, I'm 57 years old and I grew up in Augusta, Georgia, and I'm a lesbian woman. This is not the first time I have faced people not seeing my benefits.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: And a golf club says wives and husbands get in free. Gay partners have to pay, however. The story on CNN SUNDAY.

First our top stories, remembering the victims of a horrifying murder. A community in Fresno, California, held a vigil for nine children found dead in their home. Their father is accused of the murders. We'll have the latest in a live report coming up.

In the Middle East, four Palestinians detained in connection with a deadly U.S. convoy attack are scheduled to be released. Palestinian sources say the release order came from a judge in a secret military court. The attack last October in Gaza City killed three American members of a security detail and wounded another.

Russian President Vladimir Putin goes to the ballot box with hopes of a re-election. Voter turnout has already passed 50 percent, which makes the election legal. Mr. Putin is promising Russians more stability and a better economy. He is expected to win.

And this breaking story we're following for you, out of Israel, in the port city of Ashdod, three reported explosions. We want to go now to Paula Hancocks in Jerusalem with the latest -- Paula.

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fredricka, the latest we know -- this information just coming into CNN, is that a third explosion has been heard at the Israeli port of Ashdod, according to wires. We had two explosions a little earlier on. Police confirming to CNN that eight are dead, and 20 injured. They are not confirming definitively whether or not these are suicide attacks or terrorist attacks at the moment. The head of police that we spoke to a few moments ago said at the moment, it does seem as though it could be a terrorist attack.

Two focuses of explosions just a little while ago before that third one reported just a couple of minutes ago. One outside the port, a very busy port, just 40 kilometers south of the capital, Tel Aviv, and also one inside the port, which would be quite unusual. It's very well protected. There would be a lot of guards, a lot of security surrounding this port. So for potential terrorists to infiltrate that security would be quite significant. So the latest we do have is a total of eight people having died in these explosions and 20 injured.

Now, Ashdod, to give you a little bit of context, is a beach town city. It's one of Israel's largest ports. It would be extremely busy at the moment. The first two explosions came just over an hour ago and at first they were thought to be work-related accidents. Police said that two people they thought had died at that work, but it was a work related accident. But as time goes by, police saying they are moving further toward the opinion that it could be a terrorist attack --Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right. Paula Hancock, thank you very much.

Once again, in the port city of Ashdod, which is about 40 kilometers south of Tel Aviv, and it is considered Israel's -- one of Israel's largest port cities, two reported explosions about an hour ago, and then just momentarily ago a third reported explosion. It's unclear, however, according to Paula's sources as to whether, indeed, this is a terrorist attack. But, of course, the investigation is ongoing. This just happening just within the last hour.

Now, in the aftermath of Spain's deadliest terror attacks in its history, probes, protests and now politics. Mourning Spaniards are voting in general elections today. Spain's ruling Popular Party is favored to win but protesters have accused the party of withholding information from the public about the attacks on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Secretary of State Colin Powell gave American condolences today amid the tragedy and called on the world to rededicate itself to fighting terror.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: I hope that Europeans will now see that no one is immune and no system of transportation is immune, airplane, rail lines, and the like. And I hope this will cause Europeans to rededicate themselves to going after terrorist organizations. Terrorist organizations, whether it's ETA or whether it's al Qaeda, are a threat to all civilized nations.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: The world is grieving with Spain over the devastating attacks.

A musical tribute took place in London today. Royal guards at Buckingham Palace played the Spanish national anthem to honor the victims. The Spanish ambassador, the Marquee of Tameron attended the ceremony.

Meanwhile, at the Vatican, Pope John Paul II condemned the attacks as barbaric.

We'll get the latest from Madrid in a moment, but first the impact of the blast in Spain on other areas of the world. Many nations are vigilant and are on heightened alert. CNN's Robyn Curnow now reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ROBYN CURNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): As Spaniards bury their dead; other European countries look on, and ask the question, are we next? British authorities warning ever since 9/11 that a terrorist attack on British soil is not a question of if, but when.

TONY BLAIR, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: We will not defeat it by hoping it will leave us alone or by hiding away. We must be prepared for them to strike whenever and however they can.

CURNOW: Resigned to an ever-present threat, Tony Blair remains defiant.

BLAIR: We will match their determination with our own. We will be as resolute as they are fanatical, as strong in defense of good as they are hell-bent on doing evil.

CURNOW: After Madrid, many governments rethinking their security strategies, determined to protect their own citizens from similar horrors. France has raised its terror alert level and called in the military to provide extra protection for public transport. The Greeks are strengthening their security plan for the August Olympics in Athens, asking NATO to help out. And in Italy, police and local authorities also on high alert. The Germans, though, are not acting as concerned.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The situation in Germany hasn't change. It doesn't affect Germany.

CURNOW (on camera): The affects of the Madrid bombings continue to be felt throughout Europe. After terrorist threats in Kenya and Tanzania, New York and Washington, Bali and Istanbul, now the threat is closer to home for Europeans. After watching the horrors of the Madrid bombings unfold so near to them, many Europeans now starkly reminded that they, too, are vulnerable.

Robyn Curnow, CNN, London.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: And momentarily, we'll go live to Madrid for the latest on the investigation as well as the recent arrests.

Now, roadside bombings have killed six American soldiers in Iraq over the weekend. The latest casualty was a 1st Division soldier who was killed early Sunday morning in Baghdad. This week marks the one- year anniversary of the beginning of that conflict.

And tonight at 8:00 Eastern Time, watch "WAR STORIES FROM THE FRONT LINES." CNN's correspondents recount their experiences on the front lines on the one-year anniversary of the war in Iraq.

And be sure to join Wolf Blitzer on "LATE EDITION" today as he interviews U.S. Secretary of defense Donald Rumsfeld. That's today starting at noon Eastern Time.

Well, now, to the latest on those grizzly murders in Fresno, California. A father is charged with killing nine of his own children and also now, there are allegations of incest and polygamy. CNN's Miguel Marquez is covering the story and joins us live from Fresno -- Miguel.

MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: How are you there, Fredricka? The more we dig into this story, the more it just twists and turns in strange ways. We are learning more about 57-year-old Marcus Wesson, the man who is charged with these killings. He -- two of his sons spoke to reporters outside their Fresno home here yesterday afternoon. They gave us some context as to what may have kicked all of this off and what may have happened there yesterday. Now, police say that this thing began when two women went to that home in Fresno demanding their children back. They had given Wesson custody of those children over the last couple years, say police. One of Wesson's sons told reporters that Wesson considered those women to be runaways and into drugs and having a life-style that he did not agree with and he did not want the children to return with them, said he thought he would handle this through court but maybe he didn't. Another son says they were not in a cult, that they were Seventh Day Adventists, an established church and established religion. He also said that Wesson did believe in polygamy.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DORIAN WESSON, WESSON'S SON: He's not against having different wives. But I don't know if he believes -- but he is not against having different wives and to him -- actually, he's pro that and so am I.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MARQUEZ: Now, police also have information that Wesson may have fathered two grandchildren with two of his own daughters, and because of that incestuous sort of situation they may have on their hands, they believe identities of the dead will not come until they do DNA tests on all of them. They're also looking for the cause in manner of death of all nine people, saying that it was unique and consistent for each one of them. Mr. Wesson, Marcus Wesson, has been charged with nine counts of murder. Police say that there could be other counts -- other charges brought against him when he's arraigned early next week -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right, Miguel Marquez, thank you very much for that update from Fresno. Now, to other news across America -- investigators say a serial arsonist operating in Kansas may have started as many as a dozen blazes. The latest fire in Olathe injured a firefighter and did an estimated $8 million worth of damage.

In Detroit, Michigan, the FBI is investigating another claim that reports to answer the question of what ever happened to teamster boss, Jimmy Hoffa. A deathbed confession by a former Pennsylvania teamster's official said he helped dispose of Hoffa's body back in 1975. The confession has not been authenticated. The man's daughter, however, says the signature on the confession is a fake.

And a huge round of applause and honor and it was very heartfelt as one of opera's greatest called it quits last night. Tenor, Luciano Pavarotti, who began his American career at New York's metropolitan opera in 1968, decided to end his career there as well last night.

Gay couples claim discrimination at an Atlanta golf course. Plus, Richard Gephardt stands by his daughter and lashes out at the president's policy on gay marriages.

And let the madness begin. Your NCAA basketball tournament brackets are on the way.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: This breaking story we're following for you, in one of Israel's largest port cities of Ashdod just south of Tel Aviv, three reported explosions within the past hour. Eight are reported dead, but no blame is being placed on these explosives as of yet. It's still early in the investigation. More on that as we get it.

In Spain, however, arrests have been made in connection with last week's bombings on commuter trains. And today, thousands -- millions, in fact, are turning out for a national day of voting. Our Diana Muriel is in Madrid with the latest on all the moving parts taking place in Spain -- Diana.

DIANA MURIEL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Fredricka, yes, indeed, this is the national election -- general election taking place in Spain today against the back drop, of course, of this ongoing investigation into Thursday's atrocities.

We've had some more details from the interior minister at a press conference earlier today. He told us that three of the five detainees, the three Moroccans, all have previous police records, and one of them was investigated for a possible homicide, but was not viewed by the police during the course of that investigations as the killer.

Now, we don't have any details from the interior ministry about the names or further information about their identities, but a CNN source, reliable CNN source, has told us that one of them is Jamal Zugam (ph), a 30-year-old Moroccan-born Spanish resident, and indeed that name is appearing in the Al Quds newspaper, which is the newspaper with the largest circulation here in Spain. They also name Mohammed Baccali (ph), a 31-year-old, and Mohammed Kahui (ph), a 34- year-old, all of whom were Moroccan born and have legal residency in Spain, and they are believed to have operated a telephone store in a neighborhood of Madrid, which is heavily populated with immigrants.

Now, these details are not confirmed, but the government spoke -- the interior minister also told us that the videotape, this videotape which shows an Arab speaking male with a Moroccan accent, who calls himself Abu Dujan al Afgani, they say they're investigating this tape, the videotape that was recovered late on Saturday here in Madrid. They don't recognize this name. The authorities in Spain, in France, in Portugal and Britain don't recognize this name. They are still working on that -- on that tape.

Of course, the polling booths are open during the course of the rest of the day. Another four hours before they will close. And the government making these statements during the course of the day, giving us more details. A lot of people criticizing the government for using these as opportunities to grandstand on this, the Election Day. Opposition politicians and opposition supporters very angry about that here. Not clear how the vote is going to go, although the ruling party was leading the polls before the Thursday atrocity that took place here in Madrid. We won't get the results until early in the morning, but it does seem that voter turnout, Fredricka, is much higher than it was this time four years ago.

WHITFIELD: And certainly, Diana, people are crediting the fact that the investigation has revealed some information as well as it's taking place now three days after the explosion as to why voter turnout is up?

MURIEL: That's right. I mean what happened originally was the government pointed the finger of blame almost immediately at ETA, which the Basque Separatist Movement, which is -- have been labeled a terrorist organization for previous atrocities that have occurred here in Spain that they have been responsible for. They blamed them. But now, the subsequent information, particularly this videotape, is leading the inquiry in another direction towards Islamic extremists. And many here say that the government is manipulating the information. They wanted people to believe it was ETA because they've been very tough on ETA. And this is the government that's responsible for sending Spanish troops to Iraq, an unpopular decision here in Spain, whereas the opposition politicians say that if indeed it's Islamic militants then the bombs at Spain have dropped on Iraq are now dropping here in Madrid. And it's a consequence of the government's actions sending those troops to Iraq that brought the bombers here to Madrid.

Now, there is no proven line of inquiry at this stage. Both those lines of inquiry are open, but both opposition politicians and the government are very aware of the way in which this might be playing in voter's minds today, today the day of the general election -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: Diana Muriel from Madrid, thank you very much for that update. Now, an update on a breaking story taking place within the past hour now. Three reported explosions just south of Tel Aviv in the port city of Ashdod and now sources are telling CNN that these three explosions are the result of suicide bombings. Just moments ago, it was uncertain as to the source of the bombings taking place, and now CNN is confirming that sources say these are suicide bombings. Eight people reported dead, and several others injured. We'll have more on this as we get it. For now we're going to take a short break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: The latest now on the explosions happening this morning in Israel just south of Tel Aviv in one of Israel's largest port towns, which is also a popular beach community, that of Ashdod. Apparently now, sources are confirming to CNN there were two reported explosions taking place within the past hour, both being blamed on double suicide bombing attacks. Eight people reported killed, and at least 20 injured. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: We're continuing to follow a breaking story taking place in Israel. In one of the country's most popular and largest beach and port communities, that of Ashdod, just taking place south of Tel Aviv where two suicide bombing blasts were reported. Our sources are confirming to CNN that these blasts were caused by double suicide bombing attempts, successful attempts, resulting in eight deaths and at least 20 injuries. Our Paula Hancocks is in Jerusalem and she's checking with her sources there to find out just all of the circumstances that took place in this blast or series of blasts that took place within the last hour -- Paula.

HANCOCKS: Well, Fredricka, the latest information we do have into CNN is that we have a claim of responsibility for this double suicide attack. The militant group, Hamas and al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, an (UNINTELLIGIBLE) fatah, have claimed responsibility. They say that the two suicide bombers came from the Jabaliya refugee camp in central Gaza.

So the latest figures of causalities, we have eight dead and 20 injured, according to police on the scene at the moment.

There were two explosions just over an hour ago. One inside the port at Ashdod and one just outside the port of Ashdod. Now, Ashdod, about 40 kilometers south of Tel Aviv, a very important port city for Israel, one of the leading importing ports that the country has and also, a beach town city. But the interesting thing is the fact that this would have been a very heavily guarded port. The security would have been very tight, and the fact that one of these explosions was inside the port is significant.

Now, police have cordoned off the area at the moment and they're trying to find out exactly what did happen. Israeli media is reporting that there were a couple of suspect people seen entering the port just before these two explosions were heard. We have no confirmation of that. That is what Israeli media is reporting at the moment. We haven confirmation of that at all but that's what Israeli media is reporting at the moment. But we do have confirmation in at CNN that the claim of responsibility for this double suicide attack, the militant group Hamas and al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade. Back to you, Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: And Paula, so often when we hear about claim of responsibility involving Hamas and al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, it is separately. How unusual is this if there would be this claiming of joint responsibility?

HANCOCKS: Well, that's the latest we are getting into CNN, that they have actually jointly accepted responsibility. Recently, there have been some occasions where some of these factions have joined together and jointly claimed responsibility.

Now, we haven't had a suicide attack in Israel for about three weeks. There was a suicide attack in Jerusalem back on February the 22nd, about eight people died in that attack. So we do have this attack now in Ashdod, which is a very heavily guarded port, as I say, just 40 kilometers south of Tel Aviv, just northwest of Jerusalem where I am at the moment.

The latest we can say, eight dead, 20 injured. Police though keeping people away from the scene at the moment, cordoning off the scene. And I'll bring the latest details as they come into us here at Jerusalem -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: And Paula, were these simultaneous explosions or were they back-to-back?

HANCOCKS: Well, they happened just over an hour ago, and they were reported at the same time. At the time, that they were actually reported as happening, police thought that they were just an accident. They thought that they were not deliberate. They were maybe a Petrol tank exploding, so not much notice was taken from the police. But then they say as time went on, they started to lean further towards the fact that this could have been a terrorist attack. And then, of course, those claims of responsibility came in just about five, 10 minutes ago confirming that it was, in fact, a double suicide attack.

WHITFIELD: And you alluded to this just a moment ago, given that this was a very popular and very busy port city, security is paramount. But in this case now with an explosion taking place within the port and then the other one taking place right outside a gated area, certainly security is being re-examined there as police security is beefed up as a result of keeping the crime scene there sanitized.

HANCOCKS: Exactly. It is very unusual and it is very unusual and very surprising, the fact that if the terrorist was able to actually infiltrate this port, it is an extremely busy port. There would have ban lot of people working there, and so security is really tantamount to a port like this, where there are a lot of people coming and going. It's one of Israel's leading importing ports. So it would have been extremely busy and security would have been extremely tight. So the fact that there was one explosion outside and one explosion inside is significant because it means that security was infiltrated -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: And Paula, what more can you tell us about Ashdod, given the fact that it is a port city? Is this a place that is used to dealing with certain types of imports coming in on a regular basis and exports, or is it -- does it really run the gamut?

HANCOCKS: Well, it's -- the port itself is actually the heart of Ashdod, and it is one of Israel's busiest ports, so it is very significant to the importing, particularly, as opposed to the exporting, of goods into Israel, so it is very busy at all times. It's also -- it's a beach town city, and it's just, as I say, 40 kilometers south of Tel Aviv. So it would be very important to the business aspect of Israel, the fact that it would be importing goods into the state, which means that it is very important to the economic well being of the state and very important to the business aspects of Israel.

WHITFIELD: Paula, do we know much about the type of security that people would have to go through to get past the gated area in order to get into the port?

HANCOCKS: Well, Fredricka, I don't know too much about the security at the moment. I can only imagine that it would have been extremely tight, as it is really in the majority of Israel. At the moment, we have Chris Burns on his way up there right now, so as soon as he gets there he can give us more from the scene and tell us exactly what the security situation is like.

But inevitably, the situation would be that security would be extremely tight going into a busy port like this. There would be a lot of people coming and going. You can imagine that every single person, every single package would have to be checked, especially as Israel is on a state of high alert and has been for a long time, since really September 2000 when this intifadah started. There has been -- there's been a huge increase in security checks across the state.

So yes, there would have been significant security checks, which is why it is significant that a terrorist attack was actually able to infiltrate the port and why it's significant that one of these explosions, one of the two explosions, actually happened inside this port at Ashdod -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: And Paula, you describe it being a popular beach town community as well. So a terrorist attack such as this certainly wouldn't put Ashdod in the place of it being a regular targeted area, would it?

HANCOCKS: Well, I think it's the fact that Ashdod is well-known for the port, which is the most significant part of the town, a very important business factor to the state of Israel, the fact that it does import a tremendous amount of goods. So the terrorist attack really hitting at the heart of the economics and of the business aspect of Israel, the fact that this will have to be closed off now and the fact that there is a lot of security, there are police around about the port at the moment, cordoning the area off, so business-wise it is very important -- Fredricka. WHITFIELD: All right. So once again, let me just recap real quick. There are two groups now claiming responsibility for two explosions taking place just south of Tel Aviv in this port city of Ashdod. The groups of Hamas and Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade. There were two explosions taking place within the past hour. Eight people so far reported dead, 20 injured.

This taking place in a very busy port city. Also, as Paula was describing to us, a place of leisure. It is a popular beach town. And what makes this particularly perplexing as well is because one of the explosions took place within a secure area, the other one taking place outside of the gated area.

Now, Paula, I imagine, because it's already a significant large port town, they have significant police and emergency personnel in the area, but because of the scale of this investigation, early on now, I imagine there are emergency crews coming from all parts of that region to try to offer some help in this investigation? Correct?

HANCOCKS: I should imagine so, yes. There are the certain emergency services that always go immediately to these suicide bombs to do the investigation and to help in the aftermath of a suicide attack like this.

Now, the latest we do have is that eight have died and 20 have been injured, so there would be a numerous amount of emergency services on call to help those injured and to clear the area as well. Police have cordoned off the area just outside the port of Ashdod. And also, Tel Aviv being just 40 kilometers north of Ashdod, I should imagine there could be emergency service coming from that area as well. But we did speak to the head of police of the area itself, and he did confirm to us eight dead, 20 injured in this double suicide attack.

WHITFIELD: Now, how significant is the time of day? How does that factor into perhaps shift changes, et cetera at that seaport?

HANCOCKS: Well, it came just over an hour ago, maybe about an hour and a half ago, which would have been around about 6:00-ish, perhaps 5:00 local time in the evening here, so it would have been busy. We're still looking into what the schedules are like there and what would have been coming in and out at that time. And as soon as we get that information, we will bring it to you.

But it is Sunday, it is a very busy day. It's the start of the week here in Israel, so it would have been particularly busy, and early evening, maybe there could have been people coming in and out or leaving after a day's work, but that's something we're hitting the phones on at the moment and trying to find exactly what the situation would have been at the time of these two explosions and what sort of things would have been coming into this port. It is one of Israel's leading import ports, but what exactly they would have been accepting at that time -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD:: And I'm just seeing some recent wire copy, Paula, just convey to you, that apparently this is the first suicide attack in this Israeli seaport in more than three years now. Given the fact that there had been at least one explosion three years ago, security had been stepped up, so it's particularly disconcerting to security there that there are some soft spots, some true vulnerable spots still now in this very large port city?

HANCOCKS: Well, yes, that's something that further along the line will certainly be looked into and exactly how this terrorist was able to infiltrate the tight security that would have been surrounding the Ashdod port. Now, just get something new information from the police, confirming that seven people died at this -- at the two explosions at the port, plus the two suicide bombers, so nine in all. But seven, excluding the two suicide bombers. So confirmation that it is a double suicide attack, seven have been killed, and at the moment we do have around 20 injured -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: OK. And do we know much about the extent of the injuries of the 20 and whether there is a fear that that death toll just might be rising?

HANCOCKS: At the moment we don't have that information, unfortunately. As I say, Chris Burns is on his way up to Ashdod at the moment from Tel Aviv, so he will be arriving there very soon and hopefully be able to give us a little bit more of the feel on the ground and what exactly he can see and what exactly these injuries are like. But at the moment, we only know around 20 injured. We're not getting any details from the police as yet, as to how serious or how threatening those injuries are. The details still fairly sketchy coming out of Ashdod, but as we get more details we'll bring them to you.

WHITFIELD: All right, so a quick recap again, Paula, there are nine reported dead, that including two of the suicide bombers. The other seven innocent bystanders. And being confirmed now with CNN is that two groups are claiming responsibility, that of Hamas and Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, this taking place in Ashdod, which is just south of Tel Aviv. It's a very popular port city, one of Israel's largest. Within the past few years, they have beefed up security there to try to avert something like this from happening, but now what's particularly disturbing is the fact that one of the explosion took place within a gated area in the seaport, another taking place just outside. And so now several forces of security are now on the scene there trying to attend to the at least 20 injured and trying to help piece together what happened and where the real vulnerabilities are here at this seaport town.

Now, Paula, you mentioned our Chris Burns is on his way to that location. You're reporting to us from Jerusalem, and your sources are telling you that, you know, this is something that came very unexpectedly, there were no real warning signs, were there?

HANCOCKS: That's right. Although, to be honest in this sort of situation, there never really are any warning signs. And the fact is, that when it first happened, the police did think that it was a work accident, and then it was only as they investigated deeper that they realized that it was a terrorist attack, a double suicide bombing. As I say, seven dead, two bombers also dead, the suicide bombers. Hamas and Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, an offshoot of Fatah, have accepted responsibility for this, saying the two bombers came from the Jabaliyat (ph) refugee camp in central Gaza -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: Paula, what's interesting as well is apparently, and CNN wires is reporting this, of 111 previous suicide bombing attacks involving Palestinian attackers, busses, cafes, shopping malls have all been the targeted locations, where up to 450 people have been killed. This being a particularly unusual target. This certainly speaks to perhaps the change of strategy that some of these groups, including Hamas and Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, which are claiming responsibility for these two attacks, are altering their strategy, making it a lot more difficult for sources and forces on the ground, as well as citizens, to try to anticipate where are the safe places to go.

HANCOCKS: Well, Fredricka, ultimately these suicide bombers want to cause the optimum amount of casualties that they can. So they are going to target busy areas. This is why we have seen many suicide bombs on busses, in cafes, where a lot of people are jammed in together, and this is what the port could have been like. It could have been extremely busy on the first day of the week. So in that respect, it's quite similar to what they have tried before, the fact that they do want to cause the ultimate amount of damage that they can, so that's exactly what they've done in this situation.

The fact that they have infiltrated security is something a little bit different. Usually they go for softer targets, so that's slightly different from what they usually do.

And Fredricka, I can now say that I'm being joined by the chief adviser to Israel's Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Ra'anan Gissin.

Thank you for joining us. First of all, can I ask for your initial reaction to the news that's coming in?

RA'ANAN GISSIN, CHIEF ADVISER TO ISRAELI PM ARIEL SHARON: Well, I think our initial reaction is similar to the one that we made after the Madrid bombing. The world is at war. We're in the midst, at the forefront of it. And we've been there for the past three years. We've suffered heavy casualties from terrorism, but we were not driven to our knees. We know that democracy, if it wants to survive, has to fight back.

Today's attack is another indication that terrorism is not only indiscriminate, it's contagious, and when there's a successful, big terrorist attack in one place of the world it increases the motivation of other terrorism groups in other places in the world, and this is what happened today. We've seen from initial investigation that Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Tanzim all joined together -- and the announcement, by the way, came on Al-Manar Television, which is the Hezbollah television, and that should not be surprising because Hezbollah has been very active in supporting terrorist activity inside Israel.

HANCOCKS: Can I ask you, what is the latest of what you know of what has happened to Ashdod and explain a little bit about the area itself.

GISSIN: Well, there's no doubt that the choice of targets today among terrorist organizations around the world as well as in Israel are those targets that can create a mega-terrorist effect. Harbors, trains, as we've seen in Spain, no doubt these have become the more lucrative targets for a terrorist organization, and what we have today from initial investigation -- I must caution you, we don't have yet the full result -- two suicide bombers, one outside of the port, one inside the port. Of course we will have to find and investigate how come they were able to get into these sensitive areas.

And the -- I would say the reason that they chose this target is to create a maximum effect, maximum casualties, maximum damage, and this doesn't come as a surprise to us. We have over 50 alerts of pending terrorist attacks coming -- emanating from Gaza as well as from (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

I think another important thing that should be emphasized is that at this stage, you know, when the world is facing these terrorist organizations, and the axis of evil of countries supporting terrorist groups, one cannot exonerate those who do nothing to stop terrorist activity. And while we are seeking peace and we are seeking to implement the road map to peace, it seems that the Palestinian Authority is doing nothing to stop terrorist activity emanating from their territories, which is under their responsibility, and it's their responsibility to stop terrorism. And that's one of the reasons why we can't move forward in the peace process.

HANCOCKS: So after what's happened today, there was -- supposed to be a meeting between Ariel Sharon and Ahmed Qorei, penciled in for Tuesday of this week. How is this going to affect that meeting? Will that meeting go ahead?

GISSIN: Well, we had a meeting today, you know, which was intended really to discuss that first phase of implementing the road map to peace, stopping terrorist activity, dismantling the terrorist organizations and instituting the reform that the Palestinian Authority promised to do. It was a good meeting, and we scheduled another meeting for tomorrow. Whether that meeting will take place, it's still too early to say. I think later on during the evening, a decision will be made. Of course as the investigation of this horrendous suicide attack continues.

HANCOCKS: Now, Mr. Gissin, it might be too early on to answer this question, but will this affect the disengagement plan of Sharon in any way? The disengagement plan from Gaza?

GISSIN: Well, I want -- I want to make it very clear that the disengagement plan comes exactly because the Palestinian Authority fails to fight terrorism, exactly because there is no action on the part of the Palestinian Authority to dismantle the terrorist organization, and institute the necessary reform, the security services. That leaves the onus of everything that has to be done to stop terrorism on us.

And our prime responsibility, like any government, like any democracy in the world today, is first and foremost to protect its citizens, and that's exactly what we're going to do. We would like to do it in cooperation with the Palestinians, but if we don't do it in cooperation with the Palestinians, we're going to do it unilaterally by the disengagement plan.

HANCOCKS: Now, security at the Ashdod port had been upgraded over the past three years or so. Does it surprise you that an attack was actually -- actually happened inside the port? What does this say about security? Does that concern you?

GISSIN: Well, you know, this is an ongoing battle, and, of course, the terrorists are always looking for vulnerable spots in the fabric of our society. And you can't put a guard on every port, on every road, on every railroad, and therefore we will have to investigate and find out if there was a breach of security and where we can improve on that.

But as I stated before, this is a war, a world war, and the theater is not some specific places where the terrorists attack. They will attack any place where they can cause maximum damage and casualties, indiscriminate, to the people of Israel, and to other people in the world, and therefore, it's our requirement to take all the necessary steps to stop them before they can reach our homes, before they can reach our ports. And I think this also explains why we need to use this strategy of bringing the war to their doorstep. In a similar way the United States has done in Afghanistan and in Iraq, you have to keep the terrorists at bay if you want to protect your democracy.

HANCOCKS: And once again, if I can bring it closer to home, how will this attack this evening affect talks that were going to go ahead possibly between Ariel Sharon and Ahmed Qorei, the Palestinian prime minister? Does this stall the peace process even further, or does this make you more determined to go ahead with talks?

GISSIN: I just want to remind you that the talks that were supposed to take place were not talks that were going to take place on the disengagement, on the unilateral disengagement. The talks that we scheduled to have with the Palestinians had to deal with one specific item, and that is the first step of the road map to peace, which is reigning in terrorism, dismantling the terrorist organization and instituting the necessary reform, the security services, so that the Palestinians take the necessary action against terrorism. There is no other issues that has to be discussed except that issue.

And today's attack drives this issue to home. The Palestinians want to share and to move forward on the road map to peace and to bring about the implementation of President Bush's vision, and the first thing they have to do is fight terrorism. And today they failed to do it because they haven't done it from day one, since the acceptance of the road map to peace.

HANCOCKS: Now, I'm just hearing, Mr. Gissin, that the meeting that was penciled in for Tuesday between Ariel Sharon and Ahmed Qorei has actually been canceled? What's your immediate reaction to that? GISSIN: It hasn't been canceled yet. I think throughout the night there will be assessment of the current situation, more information will come about the suicide bombing and who was involved, and what does the responsibility of the Palestinian Authority -- based on that information a decision will be made later on tonight whether to keep the scheduled meeting for tomorrow or to postpone it.

HANCOCKS: Now, the prime minister's office is actually telling us now that it has definitely been canceled. Do you think that it could be held at a later date, or does this really stall the peace process and the talks that would have happened between Ariel Sharon and Ahmed Qorei?

GISSIN: It really depends on the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian prime minister. We are ready, we were ready to conduct those talks long ago, and we said there is a very clear schedule and there is a very clear agenda of what the talks should deal with. And one cannot escape it, one cannot bypass the need to fight terrorism as the first steps to political negotiations.

Once the Palestinians realize it, we can start or restart the talks on the road map to peace and on realizing President Bush's vision at no time. If they don't take those actions, than any meeting today, tomorrow or the next day will be of no avail. The Palestinians must understand, and I think that there is no escaping from the need to reign in terrorism, to exorcise terrorism from the body of their society. Not just for the sake of Israel, they're not policemen of Israel, but if they want to be policemen of their own society, if they want to maintain their own society, this is the first step they have to take.

HANCOCKS: And briefly, Mr. Gissin, is there going to be an Israeli reaction to this? Will there be raids on Gaza after this?

GISSIN: Well, we never react to any specific terrorist attack. We have a sustained, targeted effort against the terrorists. Once we get the intelligence information, we try to stop them. If we can't stop them, we try to bring them to justice. If we can't bring them to justice, we bring justice to them and we're going to follow the same pattern in this event as well.

HANCOCKS: Ra'anan Gissin, thank you for joining us. Ra'anan Gissin, the chief adviser to the Israeli prime minister, Ariel Sharon.

So, Fredricka, the latest we do have, the double suicide attack in Ashdod, the Israeli port just 40 kilometers south of Tel Aviv. Seven people confirmed dead. Two suicide bombers also, and more than 20 injured, we are hearing, the latest figures we have from here. Back to you.

WHITFIELD: And Paula, now an update, too, on what you were talking to Ra'anan Gissin about, is that Israeli/Palestinian summit talks were expected to begin in the week upcoming, but now they have officially been canceled. Well, Paula, how highly anticipated were these talks that were to take place between the Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qorei, as well as Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon? HANCOCKS: Well, it was well-known that there were always tentative talks. They hadn't been officially confirmed, but it had been thought that they could go ahead as early as Tuesday. Earlier on today, we had the heads of the offices for the two prime ministers meeting together to hammer out the logistics for this meeting. So it was hoped that this would go ahead. If it had gone ahead, it would have been significant, because Ariel Sharon and Ahmed Qorei haven't actually joined together to have a face-to-face meeting since Ahmed Qorei became prime minister back in October of last year.

So there was some tentative hope that these talks could go ahead this Tuesday. Of course, the prime minister's office now confirming that those talks will not go ahead, and they have been canceled.

But there have been over the last week or so some increased diplomatic activity, which gave some people hope that the amount that people were talking to each other, the fact that Sharon and Qorei could meet, gave them hope, but that now is canceled. Back to you.

WHITFIELD: All right, Paula Hancock, let me just ask you to hold on for a moment, because, of course, another big story that's being followed involving the investigation of the commuter train bombings. That coming out of Madrid, Spain. Well, out of Washington now, U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is commenting about his thoughts on that investigation.

(INTERRUPTED FOR LIVE EVENT)

WHITFIELD: All right. You're seeing U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld making some live comments out of Washington, really responding to a number of questions about the various uprisings taking place in different parts of the world, from Iraq to Afghanistan and even Spain, and now Israel. And interesting enough, Ariel Sharon's adviser, Ra'anan Gissin, just said on our air less than 10 minutes ago that the world is at war and the latest series of explosions involving two explosions in Ashdod, just south of Tel Aviv, exemplifies that.

All this taking place just a couple of days before an expected Israeli/Palestinian summit talk that was to take place involving the prime minister of -- Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qorei, as well as Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Well, now, officially that has been canceled, as a result of the explosion taking place within the past hour in Ashdod.

Now, joining us on the telephone now is Hanan Ashrawi, to get another perspective of exactly what's taking place there in this now largest port city of Israel, now seemingly a soft target. Ms. Ashwari, thanks very much for joining us on the telephone. This is a place that is atypical of some of the targets of a group such as Hamas and Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, which are now claiming responsibility for this double suicide bombing?

HANAN ASHRAWI, PALESTINIAN CABINET MEMBER: Certainly. It is atypical. But let me first of all set the record straight. This has nothing to do with al Qaeda -- or the Palestinian cause has nothing to do with any of these bombings that you are talking about. Even Hamas and Jihad have limited their operations in relation to the Israeli occupation of Palestine. Nothing do with the global or pan-Islamic agenda.

WHITFIELD: So you disagree with Ra'anan Gissin who said that he believes that they all are connected?

ASHRAWI: No, no, no. They're trying very hard to sort of avoid or evade any mention of the occupation, by presenting themselves as victims of global terror, when what's happening here is, of course, situations of violence and violent acts, but they're only in relation to the Israeli occupation and the fact that Israel has been engaged in violence against the Palestinians systematically. In this last week, over 30 Palestinians were killed by the Israeli army, and now there are acts of retaliation by the military wings of Hamas and Fatah, and this is an unusual operation because it is telling Israel that the fence that it has the Gaza in is a failed policy, that violence is a failed policy, and doing more of the same will not succeed. The only way out is serious, credible, substantive negotiations to affect a peaceful solution and to end the occupation.

WHITFIELD: Let me ask you something else about any potential connections. This in any way, these double explosions in any way being connected to what was a planned Israeli/Palestinian summit talk that is now consequently been canceled?

ASHRAWI: It could be. I really cannot say for sure, but certainly the timing would make one think that this would subvert or scuttle any attempts at finding a political course of action. But at the same time, it has been very difficult to get this kind of alternative, a political alternative, a peaceful course of action, that would undermine violence on both sides.

WHITFIELD: How much -- I'm sorry. Go ahead.

ASHRAWI: I'm saying, it would be part of the motivation or it (UNINTELLIGIBLE) we're not sure.

WHITFIELD: In your view, how much of a setback is this latest explosion explosion? It had been fairly quiet in recent weeks in terms of the, you know, ongoing conflicts that we've seen. How much of a setback do you believe this particular explosion is, given that there is now a joint cooperation between Hamas and Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade?

ASHRAWI: It is an ongoing spiral of violence that threatens to spin out of control. Things haven't been quiet, it's just that you haven't been hearing about them, because Palestinians are being killed. And when you have between five, 10, 15 Palestinians daily killed by the Israeli army including children, the natural response you would expect to see from the Palestinians, from the Palestinian military wings.

Obviously, this certainly would set back any attempt at negotiations or at finding a political course of action, would sour the atmosphere even further. But I would call also on Israel to cease and desist from its policy of siege, of killing Palestinians, of shelling bombing and assassinations, so that both sides can have a breather and can start negotiations seriously.

WHITFIELD: And quickly...

ASHRAWI: Ultimately...

WHITFIELD: I'm sorry, and quickly, how does either side move forward after something like this?

ASHRAWI: I think we need third party intervention. This is what I was trying to say. There has been revival of interest by the U.S. administration in starting some sort of peace negotiations, and in relaunching the road map. I think that quarter has -- I think the Arab world is concerned and is serious about (UNINTELLIGIBLE). We do need this kind of intervention in order finally to break this deadlock of violence.

WHITFIELD: All right. Palestinian cabinet member Hanan Ashrawi, thank you very much for joining us on the telephone.

Let me just try to recap one more time as to what's taking place in Ashdod, which is south of Tel Aviv. Nine people, including two suicide bombers, have been killed in a double suicide bombing in that port city. One of the explosions taking place within a gated area, and the other taking place just outside. Ashdod is known to be a very popular beach town community, as well as the largest seaport community. Something like this hasn't happened in at least three years there, so certainly this had become suddenly now a soft spot and now investigators want to figure out why.

"RELIABLE SOURCES" with Jayson Blair, the focus of that program with Howard Kurtz, will now be seen next week because we had to preempt it for this breaking news. Now on to "LATE EDITION WITH WOLF BLITZER." I'm Fredricka Whitfield.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com





Ashdod>


Aired March 14, 2004 - 11:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning. I'm Fredricka Whitfield at the CNN Global Headquarters in Atlanta. Welcome to CNN SUNDAY. Here's what's coming up -- a nation in mourning goes to the polls today. Spaniards are voting in elections following last week's deadly terror bombing on a commuter train. We'll take you there live. Meanwhile, much of Europe is asking the question, are we next and many nations are beefing up security.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, I'm 57 years old and I grew up in Augusta, Georgia, and I'm a lesbian woman. This is not the first time I have faced people not seeing my benefits.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: And a golf club says wives and husbands get in free. Gay partners have to pay, however. The story on CNN SUNDAY.

First our top stories, remembering the victims of a horrifying murder. A community in Fresno, California, held a vigil for nine children found dead in their home. Their father is accused of the murders. We'll have the latest in a live report coming up.

In the Middle East, four Palestinians detained in connection with a deadly U.S. convoy attack are scheduled to be released. Palestinian sources say the release order came from a judge in a secret military court. The attack last October in Gaza City killed three American members of a security detail and wounded another.

Russian President Vladimir Putin goes to the ballot box with hopes of a re-election. Voter turnout has already passed 50 percent, which makes the election legal. Mr. Putin is promising Russians more stability and a better economy. He is expected to win.

And this breaking story we're following for you, out of Israel, in the port city of Ashdod, three reported explosions. We want to go now to Paula Hancocks in Jerusalem with the latest -- Paula.

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fredricka, the latest we know -- this information just coming into CNN, is that a third explosion has been heard at the Israeli port of Ashdod, according to wires. We had two explosions a little earlier on. Police confirming to CNN that eight are dead, and 20 injured. They are not confirming definitively whether or not these are suicide attacks or terrorist attacks at the moment. The head of police that we spoke to a few moments ago said at the moment, it does seem as though it could be a terrorist attack.

Two focuses of explosions just a little while ago before that third one reported just a couple of minutes ago. One outside the port, a very busy port, just 40 kilometers south of the capital, Tel Aviv, and also one inside the port, which would be quite unusual. It's very well protected. There would be a lot of guards, a lot of security surrounding this port. So for potential terrorists to infiltrate that security would be quite significant. So the latest we do have is a total of eight people having died in these explosions and 20 injured.

Now, Ashdod, to give you a little bit of context, is a beach town city. It's one of Israel's largest ports. It would be extremely busy at the moment. The first two explosions came just over an hour ago and at first they were thought to be work-related accidents. Police said that two people they thought had died at that work, but it was a work related accident. But as time goes by, police saying they are moving further toward the opinion that it could be a terrorist attack --Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right. Paula Hancock, thank you very much.

Once again, in the port city of Ashdod, which is about 40 kilometers south of Tel Aviv, and it is considered Israel's -- one of Israel's largest port cities, two reported explosions about an hour ago, and then just momentarily ago a third reported explosion. It's unclear, however, according to Paula's sources as to whether, indeed, this is a terrorist attack. But, of course, the investigation is ongoing. This just happening just within the last hour.

Now, in the aftermath of Spain's deadliest terror attacks in its history, probes, protests and now politics. Mourning Spaniards are voting in general elections today. Spain's ruling Popular Party is favored to win but protesters have accused the party of withholding information from the public about the attacks on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Secretary of State Colin Powell gave American condolences today amid the tragedy and called on the world to rededicate itself to fighting terror.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: I hope that Europeans will now see that no one is immune and no system of transportation is immune, airplane, rail lines, and the like. And I hope this will cause Europeans to rededicate themselves to going after terrorist organizations. Terrorist organizations, whether it's ETA or whether it's al Qaeda, are a threat to all civilized nations.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: The world is grieving with Spain over the devastating attacks.

A musical tribute took place in London today. Royal guards at Buckingham Palace played the Spanish national anthem to honor the victims. The Spanish ambassador, the Marquee of Tameron attended the ceremony.

Meanwhile, at the Vatican, Pope John Paul II condemned the attacks as barbaric.

We'll get the latest from Madrid in a moment, but first the impact of the blast in Spain on other areas of the world. Many nations are vigilant and are on heightened alert. CNN's Robyn Curnow now reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ROBYN CURNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): As Spaniards bury their dead; other European countries look on, and ask the question, are we next? British authorities warning ever since 9/11 that a terrorist attack on British soil is not a question of if, but when.

TONY BLAIR, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: We will not defeat it by hoping it will leave us alone or by hiding away. We must be prepared for them to strike whenever and however they can.

CURNOW: Resigned to an ever-present threat, Tony Blair remains defiant.

BLAIR: We will match their determination with our own. We will be as resolute as they are fanatical, as strong in defense of good as they are hell-bent on doing evil.

CURNOW: After Madrid, many governments rethinking their security strategies, determined to protect their own citizens from similar horrors. France has raised its terror alert level and called in the military to provide extra protection for public transport. The Greeks are strengthening their security plan for the August Olympics in Athens, asking NATO to help out. And in Italy, police and local authorities also on high alert. The Germans, though, are not acting as concerned.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The situation in Germany hasn't change. It doesn't affect Germany.

CURNOW (on camera): The affects of the Madrid bombings continue to be felt throughout Europe. After terrorist threats in Kenya and Tanzania, New York and Washington, Bali and Istanbul, now the threat is closer to home for Europeans. After watching the horrors of the Madrid bombings unfold so near to them, many Europeans now starkly reminded that they, too, are vulnerable.

Robyn Curnow, CNN, London.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: And momentarily, we'll go live to Madrid for the latest on the investigation as well as the recent arrests.

Now, roadside bombings have killed six American soldiers in Iraq over the weekend. The latest casualty was a 1st Division soldier who was killed early Sunday morning in Baghdad. This week marks the one- year anniversary of the beginning of that conflict.

And tonight at 8:00 Eastern Time, watch "WAR STORIES FROM THE FRONT LINES." CNN's correspondents recount their experiences on the front lines on the one-year anniversary of the war in Iraq.

And be sure to join Wolf Blitzer on "LATE EDITION" today as he interviews U.S. Secretary of defense Donald Rumsfeld. That's today starting at noon Eastern Time.

Well, now, to the latest on those grizzly murders in Fresno, California. A father is charged with killing nine of his own children and also now, there are allegations of incest and polygamy. CNN's Miguel Marquez is covering the story and joins us live from Fresno -- Miguel.

MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: How are you there, Fredricka? The more we dig into this story, the more it just twists and turns in strange ways. We are learning more about 57-year-old Marcus Wesson, the man who is charged with these killings. He -- two of his sons spoke to reporters outside their Fresno home here yesterday afternoon. They gave us some context as to what may have kicked all of this off and what may have happened there yesterday. Now, police say that this thing began when two women went to that home in Fresno demanding their children back. They had given Wesson custody of those children over the last couple years, say police. One of Wesson's sons told reporters that Wesson considered those women to be runaways and into drugs and having a life-style that he did not agree with and he did not want the children to return with them, said he thought he would handle this through court but maybe he didn't. Another son says they were not in a cult, that they were Seventh Day Adventists, an established church and established religion. He also said that Wesson did believe in polygamy.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DORIAN WESSON, WESSON'S SON: He's not against having different wives. But I don't know if he believes -- but he is not against having different wives and to him -- actually, he's pro that and so am I.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MARQUEZ: Now, police also have information that Wesson may have fathered two grandchildren with two of his own daughters, and because of that incestuous sort of situation they may have on their hands, they believe identities of the dead will not come until they do DNA tests on all of them. They're also looking for the cause in manner of death of all nine people, saying that it was unique and consistent for each one of them. Mr. Wesson, Marcus Wesson, has been charged with nine counts of murder. Police say that there could be other counts -- other charges brought against him when he's arraigned early next week -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right, Miguel Marquez, thank you very much for that update from Fresno. Now, to other news across America -- investigators say a serial arsonist operating in Kansas may have started as many as a dozen blazes. The latest fire in Olathe injured a firefighter and did an estimated $8 million worth of damage.

In Detroit, Michigan, the FBI is investigating another claim that reports to answer the question of what ever happened to teamster boss, Jimmy Hoffa. A deathbed confession by a former Pennsylvania teamster's official said he helped dispose of Hoffa's body back in 1975. The confession has not been authenticated. The man's daughter, however, says the signature on the confession is a fake.

And a huge round of applause and honor and it was very heartfelt as one of opera's greatest called it quits last night. Tenor, Luciano Pavarotti, who began his American career at New York's metropolitan opera in 1968, decided to end his career there as well last night.

Gay couples claim discrimination at an Atlanta golf course. Plus, Richard Gephardt stands by his daughter and lashes out at the president's policy on gay marriages.

And let the madness begin. Your NCAA basketball tournament brackets are on the way.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: This breaking story we're following for you, in one of Israel's largest port cities of Ashdod just south of Tel Aviv, three reported explosions within the past hour. Eight are reported dead, but no blame is being placed on these explosives as of yet. It's still early in the investigation. More on that as we get it.

In Spain, however, arrests have been made in connection with last week's bombings on commuter trains. And today, thousands -- millions, in fact, are turning out for a national day of voting. Our Diana Muriel is in Madrid with the latest on all the moving parts taking place in Spain -- Diana.

DIANA MURIEL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Fredricka, yes, indeed, this is the national election -- general election taking place in Spain today against the back drop, of course, of this ongoing investigation into Thursday's atrocities.

We've had some more details from the interior minister at a press conference earlier today. He told us that three of the five detainees, the three Moroccans, all have previous police records, and one of them was investigated for a possible homicide, but was not viewed by the police during the course of that investigations as the killer.

Now, we don't have any details from the interior ministry about the names or further information about their identities, but a CNN source, reliable CNN source, has told us that one of them is Jamal Zugam (ph), a 30-year-old Moroccan-born Spanish resident, and indeed that name is appearing in the Al Quds newspaper, which is the newspaper with the largest circulation here in Spain. They also name Mohammed Baccali (ph), a 31-year-old, and Mohammed Kahui (ph), a 34- year-old, all of whom were Moroccan born and have legal residency in Spain, and they are believed to have operated a telephone store in a neighborhood of Madrid, which is heavily populated with immigrants.

Now, these details are not confirmed, but the government spoke -- the interior minister also told us that the videotape, this videotape which shows an Arab speaking male with a Moroccan accent, who calls himself Abu Dujan al Afgani, they say they're investigating this tape, the videotape that was recovered late on Saturday here in Madrid. They don't recognize this name. The authorities in Spain, in France, in Portugal and Britain don't recognize this name. They are still working on that -- on that tape.

Of course, the polling booths are open during the course of the rest of the day. Another four hours before they will close. And the government making these statements during the course of the day, giving us more details. A lot of people criticizing the government for using these as opportunities to grandstand on this, the Election Day. Opposition politicians and opposition supporters very angry about that here. Not clear how the vote is going to go, although the ruling party was leading the polls before the Thursday atrocity that took place here in Madrid. We won't get the results until early in the morning, but it does seem that voter turnout, Fredricka, is much higher than it was this time four years ago.

WHITFIELD: And certainly, Diana, people are crediting the fact that the investigation has revealed some information as well as it's taking place now three days after the explosion as to why voter turnout is up?

MURIEL: That's right. I mean what happened originally was the government pointed the finger of blame almost immediately at ETA, which the Basque Separatist Movement, which is -- have been labeled a terrorist organization for previous atrocities that have occurred here in Spain that they have been responsible for. They blamed them. But now, the subsequent information, particularly this videotape, is leading the inquiry in another direction towards Islamic extremists. And many here say that the government is manipulating the information. They wanted people to believe it was ETA because they've been very tough on ETA. And this is the government that's responsible for sending Spanish troops to Iraq, an unpopular decision here in Spain, whereas the opposition politicians say that if indeed it's Islamic militants then the bombs at Spain have dropped on Iraq are now dropping here in Madrid. And it's a consequence of the government's actions sending those troops to Iraq that brought the bombers here to Madrid.

Now, there is no proven line of inquiry at this stage. Both those lines of inquiry are open, but both opposition politicians and the government are very aware of the way in which this might be playing in voter's minds today, today the day of the general election -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: Diana Muriel from Madrid, thank you very much for that update. Now, an update on a breaking story taking place within the past hour now. Three reported explosions just south of Tel Aviv in the port city of Ashdod and now sources are telling CNN that these three explosions are the result of suicide bombings. Just moments ago, it was uncertain as to the source of the bombings taking place, and now CNN is confirming that sources say these are suicide bombings. Eight people reported dead, and several others injured. We'll have more on this as we get it. For now we're going to take a short break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: The latest now on the explosions happening this morning in Israel just south of Tel Aviv in one of Israel's largest port towns, which is also a popular beach community, that of Ashdod. Apparently now, sources are confirming to CNN there were two reported explosions taking place within the past hour, both being blamed on double suicide bombing attacks. Eight people reported killed, and at least 20 injured. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: We're continuing to follow a breaking story taking place in Israel. In one of the country's most popular and largest beach and port communities, that of Ashdod, just taking place south of Tel Aviv where two suicide bombing blasts were reported. Our sources are confirming to CNN that these blasts were caused by double suicide bombing attempts, successful attempts, resulting in eight deaths and at least 20 injuries. Our Paula Hancocks is in Jerusalem and she's checking with her sources there to find out just all of the circumstances that took place in this blast or series of blasts that took place within the last hour -- Paula.

HANCOCKS: Well, Fredricka, the latest information we do have into CNN is that we have a claim of responsibility for this double suicide attack. The militant group, Hamas and al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, an (UNINTELLIGIBLE) fatah, have claimed responsibility. They say that the two suicide bombers came from the Jabaliya refugee camp in central Gaza.

So the latest figures of causalities, we have eight dead and 20 injured, according to police on the scene at the moment.

There were two explosions just over an hour ago. One inside the port at Ashdod and one just outside the port of Ashdod. Now, Ashdod, about 40 kilometers south of Tel Aviv, a very important port city for Israel, one of the leading importing ports that the country has and also, a beach town city. But the interesting thing is the fact that this would have been a very heavily guarded port. The security would have been very tight, and the fact that one of these explosions was inside the port is significant.

Now, police have cordoned off the area at the moment and they're trying to find out exactly what did happen. Israeli media is reporting that there were a couple of suspect people seen entering the port just before these two explosions were heard. We have no confirmation of that. That is what Israeli media is reporting at the moment. We haven confirmation of that at all but that's what Israeli media is reporting at the moment. But we do have confirmation in at CNN that the claim of responsibility for this double suicide attack, the militant group Hamas and al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade. Back to you, Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: And Paula, so often when we hear about claim of responsibility involving Hamas and al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, it is separately. How unusual is this if there would be this claiming of joint responsibility?

HANCOCKS: Well, that's the latest we are getting into CNN, that they have actually jointly accepted responsibility. Recently, there have been some occasions where some of these factions have joined together and jointly claimed responsibility.

Now, we haven't had a suicide attack in Israel for about three weeks. There was a suicide attack in Jerusalem back on February the 22nd, about eight people died in that attack. So we do have this attack now in Ashdod, which is a very heavily guarded port, as I say, just 40 kilometers south of Tel Aviv, just northwest of Jerusalem where I am at the moment.

The latest we can say, eight dead, 20 injured. Police though keeping people away from the scene at the moment, cordoning off the scene. And I'll bring the latest details as they come into us here at Jerusalem -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: And Paula, were these simultaneous explosions or were they back-to-back?

HANCOCKS: Well, they happened just over an hour ago, and they were reported at the same time. At the time, that they were actually reported as happening, police thought that they were just an accident. They thought that they were not deliberate. They were maybe a Petrol tank exploding, so not much notice was taken from the police. But then they say as time went on, they started to lean further towards the fact that this could have been a terrorist attack. And then, of course, those claims of responsibility came in just about five, 10 minutes ago confirming that it was, in fact, a double suicide attack.

WHITFIELD: And you alluded to this just a moment ago, given that this was a very popular and very busy port city, security is paramount. But in this case now with an explosion taking place within the port and then the other one taking place right outside a gated area, certainly security is being re-examined there as police security is beefed up as a result of keeping the crime scene there sanitized.

HANCOCKS: Exactly. It is very unusual and it is very unusual and very surprising, the fact that if the terrorist was able to actually infiltrate this port, it is an extremely busy port. There would have ban lot of people working there, and so security is really tantamount to a port like this, where there are a lot of people coming and going. It's one of Israel's leading importing ports. So it would have been extremely busy and security would have been extremely tight. So the fact that there was one explosion outside and one explosion inside is significant because it means that security was infiltrated -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: And Paula, what more can you tell us about Ashdod, given the fact that it is a port city? Is this a place that is used to dealing with certain types of imports coming in on a regular basis and exports, or is it -- does it really run the gamut?

HANCOCKS: Well, it's -- the port itself is actually the heart of Ashdod, and it is one of Israel's busiest ports, so it is very significant to the importing, particularly, as opposed to the exporting, of goods into Israel, so it is very busy at all times. It's also -- it's a beach town city, and it's just, as I say, 40 kilometers south of Tel Aviv. So it would be very important to the business aspect of Israel, the fact that it would be importing goods into the state, which means that it is very important to the economic well being of the state and very important to the business aspects of Israel.

WHITFIELD: Paula, do we know much about the type of security that people would have to go through to get past the gated area in order to get into the port?

HANCOCKS: Well, Fredricka, I don't know too much about the security at the moment. I can only imagine that it would have been extremely tight, as it is really in the majority of Israel. At the moment, we have Chris Burns on his way up there right now, so as soon as he gets there he can give us more from the scene and tell us exactly what the security situation is like.

But inevitably, the situation would be that security would be extremely tight going into a busy port like this. There would be a lot of people coming and going. You can imagine that every single person, every single package would have to be checked, especially as Israel is on a state of high alert and has been for a long time, since really September 2000 when this intifadah started. There has been -- there's been a huge increase in security checks across the state.

So yes, there would have been significant security checks, which is why it is significant that a terrorist attack was actually able to infiltrate the port and why it's significant that one of these explosions, one of the two explosions, actually happened inside this port at Ashdod -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: And Paula, you describe it being a popular beach town community as well. So a terrorist attack such as this certainly wouldn't put Ashdod in the place of it being a regular targeted area, would it?

HANCOCKS: Well, I think it's the fact that Ashdod is well-known for the port, which is the most significant part of the town, a very important business factor to the state of Israel, the fact that it does import a tremendous amount of goods. So the terrorist attack really hitting at the heart of the economics and of the business aspect of Israel, the fact that this will have to be closed off now and the fact that there is a lot of security, there are police around about the port at the moment, cordoning the area off, so business-wise it is very important -- Fredricka. WHITFIELD: All right. So once again, let me just recap real quick. There are two groups now claiming responsibility for two explosions taking place just south of Tel Aviv in this port city of Ashdod. The groups of Hamas and Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade. There were two explosions taking place within the past hour. Eight people so far reported dead, 20 injured.

This taking place in a very busy port city. Also, as Paula was describing to us, a place of leisure. It is a popular beach town. And what makes this particularly perplexing as well is because one of the explosions took place within a secure area, the other one taking place outside of the gated area.

Now, Paula, I imagine, because it's already a significant large port town, they have significant police and emergency personnel in the area, but because of the scale of this investigation, early on now, I imagine there are emergency crews coming from all parts of that region to try to offer some help in this investigation? Correct?

HANCOCKS: I should imagine so, yes. There are the certain emergency services that always go immediately to these suicide bombs to do the investigation and to help in the aftermath of a suicide attack like this.

Now, the latest we do have is that eight have died and 20 have been injured, so there would be a numerous amount of emergency services on call to help those injured and to clear the area as well. Police have cordoned off the area just outside the port of Ashdod. And also, Tel Aviv being just 40 kilometers north of Ashdod, I should imagine there could be emergency service coming from that area as well. But we did speak to the head of police of the area itself, and he did confirm to us eight dead, 20 injured in this double suicide attack.

WHITFIELD: Now, how significant is the time of day? How does that factor into perhaps shift changes, et cetera at that seaport?

HANCOCKS: Well, it came just over an hour ago, maybe about an hour and a half ago, which would have been around about 6:00-ish, perhaps 5:00 local time in the evening here, so it would have been busy. We're still looking into what the schedules are like there and what would have been coming in and out at that time. And as soon as we get that information, we will bring it to you.

But it is Sunday, it is a very busy day. It's the start of the week here in Israel, so it would have been particularly busy, and early evening, maybe there could have been people coming in and out or leaving after a day's work, but that's something we're hitting the phones on at the moment and trying to find exactly what the situation would have been at the time of these two explosions and what sort of things would have been coming into this port. It is one of Israel's leading import ports, but what exactly they would have been accepting at that time -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD:: And I'm just seeing some recent wire copy, Paula, just convey to you, that apparently this is the first suicide attack in this Israeli seaport in more than three years now. Given the fact that there had been at least one explosion three years ago, security had been stepped up, so it's particularly disconcerting to security there that there are some soft spots, some true vulnerable spots still now in this very large port city?

HANCOCKS: Well, yes, that's something that further along the line will certainly be looked into and exactly how this terrorist was able to infiltrate the tight security that would have been surrounding the Ashdod port. Now, just get something new information from the police, confirming that seven people died at this -- at the two explosions at the port, plus the two suicide bombers, so nine in all. But seven, excluding the two suicide bombers. So confirmation that it is a double suicide attack, seven have been killed, and at the moment we do have around 20 injured -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: OK. And do we know much about the extent of the injuries of the 20 and whether there is a fear that that death toll just might be rising?

HANCOCKS: At the moment we don't have that information, unfortunately. As I say, Chris Burns is on his way up to Ashdod at the moment from Tel Aviv, so he will be arriving there very soon and hopefully be able to give us a little bit more of the feel on the ground and what exactly he can see and what exactly these injuries are like. But at the moment, we only know around 20 injured. We're not getting any details from the police as yet, as to how serious or how threatening those injuries are. The details still fairly sketchy coming out of Ashdod, but as we get more details we'll bring them to you.

WHITFIELD: All right, so a quick recap again, Paula, there are nine reported dead, that including two of the suicide bombers. The other seven innocent bystanders. And being confirmed now with CNN is that two groups are claiming responsibility, that of Hamas and Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, this taking place in Ashdod, which is just south of Tel Aviv. It's a very popular port city, one of Israel's largest. Within the past few years, they have beefed up security there to try to avert something like this from happening, but now what's particularly disturbing is the fact that one of the explosion took place within a gated area in the seaport, another taking place just outside. And so now several forces of security are now on the scene there trying to attend to the at least 20 injured and trying to help piece together what happened and where the real vulnerabilities are here at this seaport town.

Now, Paula, you mentioned our Chris Burns is on his way to that location. You're reporting to us from Jerusalem, and your sources are telling you that, you know, this is something that came very unexpectedly, there were no real warning signs, were there?

HANCOCKS: That's right. Although, to be honest in this sort of situation, there never really are any warning signs. And the fact is, that when it first happened, the police did think that it was a work accident, and then it was only as they investigated deeper that they realized that it was a terrorist attack, a double suicide bombing. As I say, seven dead, two bombers also dead, the suicide bombers. Hamas and Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, an offshoot of Fatah, have accepted responsibility for this, saying the two bombers came from the Jabaliyat (ph) refugee camp in central Gaza -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: Paula, what's interesting as well is apparently, and CNN wires is reporting this, of 111 previous suicide bombing attacks involving Palestinian attackers, busses, cafes, shopping malls have all been the targeted locations, where up to 450 people have been killed. This being a particularly unusual target. This certainly speaks to perhaps the change of strategy that some of these groups, including Hamas and Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, which are claiming responsibility for these two attacks, are altering their strategy, making it a lot more difficult for sources and forces on the ground, as well as citizens, to try to anticipate where are the safe places to go.

HANCOCKS: Well, Fredricka, ultimately these suicide bombers want to cause the optimum amount of casualties that they can. So they are going to target busy areas. This is why we have seen many suicide bombs on busses, in cafes, where a lot of people are jammed in together, and this is what the port could have been like. It could have been extremely busy on the first day of the week. So in that respect, it's quite similar to what they have tried before, the fact that they do want to cause the ultimate amount of damage that they can, so that's exactly what they've done in this situation.

The fact that they have infiltrated security is something a little bit different. Usually they go for softer targets, so that's slightly different from what they usually do.

And Fredricka, I can now say that I'm being joined by the chief adviser to Israel's Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Ra'anan Gissin.

Thank you for joining us. First of all, can I ask for your initial reaction to the news that's coming in?

RA'ANAN GISSIN, CHIEF ADVISER TO ISRAELI PM ARIEL SHARON: Well, I think our initial reaction is similar to the one that we made after the Madrid bombing. The world is at war. We're in the midst, at the forefront of it. And we've been there for the past three years. We've suffered heavy casualties from terrorism, but we were not driven to our knees. We know that democracy, if it wants to survive, has to fight back.

Today's attack is another indication that terrorism is not only indiscriminate, it's contagious, and when there's a successful, big terrorist attack in one place of the world it increases the motivation of other terrorism groups in other places in the world, and this is what happened today. We've seen from initial investigation that Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Tanzim all joined together -- and the announcement, by the way, came on Al-Manar Television, which is the Hezbollah television, and that should not be surprising because Hezbollah has been very active in supporting terrorist activity inside Israel.

HANCOCKS: Can I ask you, what is the latest of what you know of what has happened to Ashdod and explain a little bit about the area itself.

GISSIN: Well, there's no doubt that the choice of targets today among terrorist organizations around the world as well as in Israel are those targets that can create a mega-terrorist effect. Harbors, trains, as we've seen in Spain, no doubt these have become the more lucrative targets for a terrorist organization, and what we have today from initial investigation -- I must caution you, we don't have yet the full result -- two suicide bombers, one outside of the port, one inside the port. Of course we will have to find and investigate how come they were able to get into these sensitive areas.

And the -- I would say the reason that they chose this target is to create a maximum effect, maximum casualties, maximum damage, and this doesn't come as a surprise to us. We have over 50 alerts of pending terrorist attacks coming -- emanating from Gaza as well as from (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

I think another important thing that should be emphasized is that at this stage, you know, when the world is facing these terrorist organizations, and the axis of evil of countries supporting terrorist groups, one cannot exonerate those who do nothing to stop terrorist activity. And while we are seeking peace and we are seeking to implement the road map to peace, it seems that the Palestinian Authority is doing nothing to stop terrorist activity emanating from their territories, which is under their responsibility, and it's their responsibility to stop terrorism. And that's one of the reasons why we can't move forward in the peace process.

HANCOCKS: So after what's happened today, there was -- supposed to be a meeting between Ariel Sharon and Ahmed Qorei, penciled in for Tuesday of this week. How is this going to affect that meeting? Will that meeting go ahead?

GISSIN: Well, we had a meeting today, you know, which was intended really to discuss that first phase of implementing the road map to peace, stopping terrorist activity, dismantling the terrorist organizations and instituting the reform that the Palestinian Authority promised to do. It was a good meeting, and we scheduled another meeting for tomorrow. Whether that meeting will take place, it's still too early to say. I think later on during the evening, a decision will be made. Of course as the investigation of this horrendous suicide attack continues.

HANCOCKS: Now, Mr. Gissin, it might be too early on to answer this question, but will this affect the disengagement plan of Sharon in any way? The disengagement plan from Gaza?

GISSIN: Well, I want -- I want to make it very clear that the disengagement plan comes exactly because the Palestinian Authority fails to fight terrorism, exactly because there is no action on the part of the Palestinian Authority to dismantle the terrorist organization, and institute the necessary reform, the security services. That leaves the onus of everything that has to be done to stop terrorism on us.

And our prime responsibility, like any government, like any democracy in the world today, is first and foremost to protect its citizens, and that's exactly what we're going to do. We would like to do it in cooperation with the Palestinians, but if we don't do it in cooperation with the Palestinians, we're going to do it unilaterally by the disengagement plan.

HANCOCKS: Now, security at the Ashdod port had been upgraded over the past three years or so. Does it surprise you that an attack was actually -- actually happened inside the port? What does this say about security? Does that concern you?

GISSIN: Well, you know, this is an ongoing battle, and, of course, the terrorists are always looking for vulnerable spots in the fabric of our society. And you can't put a guard on every port, on every road, on every railroad, and therefore we will have to investigate and find out if there was a breach of security and where we can improve on that.

But as I stated before, this is a war, a world war, and the theater is not some specific places where the terrorists attack. They will attack any place where they can cause maximum damage and casualties, indiscriminate, to the people of Israel, and to other people in the world, and therefore, it's our requirement to take all the necessary steps to stop them before they can reach our homes, before they can reach our ports. And I think this also explains why we need to use this strategy of bringing the war to their doorstep. In a similar way the United States has done in Afghanistan and in Iraq, you have to keep the terrorists at bay if you want to protect your democracy.

HANCOCKS: And once again, if I can bring it closer to home, how will this attack this evening affect talks that were going to go ahead possibly between Ariel Sharon and Ahmed Qorei, the Palestinian prime minister? Does this stall the peace process even further, or does this make you more determined to go ahead with talks?

GISSIN: I just want to remind you that the talks that were supposed to take place were not talks that were going to take place on the disengagement, on the unilateral disengagement. The talks that we scheduled to have with the Palestinians had to deal with one specific item, and that is the first step of the road map to peace, which is reigning in terrorism, dismantling the terrorist organization and instituting the necessary reform, the security services, so that the Palestinians take the necessary action against terrorism. There is no other issues that has to be discussed except that issue.

And today's attack drives this issue to home. The Palestinians want to share and to move forward on the road map to peace and to bring about the implementation of President Bush's vision, and the first thing they have to do is fight terrorism. And today they failed to do it because they haven't done it from day one, since the acceptance of the road map to peace.

HANCOCKS: Now, I'm just hearing, Mr. Gissin, that the meeting that was penciled in for Tuesday between Ariel Sharon and Ahmed Qorei has actually been canceled? What's your immediate reaction to that? GISSIN: It hasn't been canceled yet. I think throughout the night there will be assessment of the current situation, more information will come about the suicide bombing and who was involved, and what does the responsibility of the Palestinian Authority -- based on that information a decision will be made later on tonight whether to keep the scheduled meeting for tomorrow or to postpone it.

HANCOCKS: Now, the prime minister's office is actually telling us now that it has definitely been canceled. Do you think that it could be held at a later date, or does this really stall the peace process and the talks that would have happened between Ariel Sharon and Ahmed Qorei?

GISSIN: It really depends on the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian prime minister. We are ready, we were ready to conduct those talks long ago, and we said there is a very clear schedule and there is a very clear agenda of what the talks should deal with. And one cannot escape it, one cannot bypass the need to fight terrorism as the first steps to political negotiations.

Once the Palestinians realize it, we can start or restart the talks on the road map to peace and on realizing President Bush's vision at no time. If they don't take those actions, than any meeting today, tomorrow or the next day will be of no avail. The Palestinians must understand, and I think that there is no escaping from the need to reign in terrorism, to exorcise terrorism from the body of their society. Not just for the sake of Israel, they're not policemen of Israel, but if they want to be policemen of their own society, if they want to maintain their own society, this is the first step they have to take.

HANCOCKS: And briefly, Mr. Gissin, is there going to be an Israeli reaction to this? Will there be raids on Gaza after this?

GISSIN: Well, we never react to any specific terrorist attack. We have a sustained, targeted effort against the terrorists. Once we get the intelligence information, we try to stop them. If we can't stop them, we try to bring them to justice. If we can't bring them to justice, we bring justice to them and we're going to follow the same pattern in this event as well.

HANCOCKS: Ra'anan Gissin, thank you for joining us. Ra'anan Gissin, the chief adviser to the Israeli prime minister, Ariel Sharon.

So, Fredricka, the latest we do have, the double suicide attack in Ashdod, the Israeli port just 40 kilometers south of Tel Aviv. Seven people confirmed dead. Two suicide bombers also, and more than 20 injured, we are hearing, the latest figures we have from here. Back to you.

WHITFIELD: And Paula, now an update, too, on what you were talking to Ra'anan Gissin about, is that Israeli/Palestinian summit talks were expected to begin in the week upcoming, but now they have officially been canceled. Well, Paula, how highly anticipated were these talks that were to take place between the Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qorei, as well as Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon? HANCOCKS: Well, it was well-known that there were always tentative talks. They hadn't been officially confirmed, but it had been thought that they could go ahead as early as Tuesday. Earlier on today, we had the heads of the offices for the two prime ministers meeting together to hammer out the logistics for this meeting. So it was hoped that this would go ahead. If it had gone ahead, it would have been significant, because Ariel Sharon and Ahmed Qorei haven't actually joined together to have a face-to-face meeting since Ahmed Qorei became prime minister back in October of last year.

So there was some tentative hope that these talks could go ahead this Tuesday. Of course, the prime minister's office now confirming that those talks will not go ahead, and they have been canceled.

But there have been over the last week or so some increased diplomatic activity, which gave some people hope that the amount that people were talking to each other, the fact that Sharon and Qorei could meet, gave them hope, but that now is canceled. Back to you.

WHITFIELD: All right, Paula Hancock, let me just ask you to hold on for a moment, because, of course, another big story that's being followed involving the investigation of the commuter train bombings. That coming out of Madrid, Spain. Well, out of Washington now, U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is commenting about his thoughts on that investigation.

(INTERRUPTED FOR LIVE EVENT)

WHITFIELD: All right. You're seeing U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld making some live comments out of Washington, really responding to a number of questions about the various uprisings taking place in different parts of the world, from Iraq to Afghanistan and even Spain, and now Israel. And interesting enough, Ariel Sharon's adviser, Ra'anan Gissin, just said on our air less than 10 minutes ago that the world is at war and the latest series of explosions involving two explosions in Ashdod, just south of Tel Aviv, exemplifies that.

All this taking place just a couple of days before an expected Israeli/Palestinian summit talk that was to take place involving the prime minister of -- Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qorei, as well as Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Well, now, officially that has been canceled, as a result of the explosion taking place within the past hour in Ashdod.

Now, joining us on the telephone now is Hanan Ashrawi, to get another perspective of exactly what's taking place there in this now largest port city of Israel, now seemingly a soft target. Ms. Ashwari, thanks very much for joining us on the telephone. This is a place that is atypical of some of the targets of a group such as Hamas and Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, which are now claiming responsibility for this double suicide bombing?

HANAN ASHRAWI, PALESTINIAN CABINET MEMBER: Certainly. It is atypical. But let me first of all set the record straight. This has nothing to do with al Qaeda -- or the Palestinian cause has nothing to do with any of these bombings that you are talking about. Even Hamas and Jihad have limited their operations in relation to the Israeli occupation of Palestine. Nothing do with the global or pan-Islamic agenda.

WHITFIELD: So you disagree with Ra'anan Gissin who said that he believes that they all are connected?

ASHRAWI: No, no, no. They're trying very hard to sort of avoid or evade any mention of the occupation, by presenting themselves as victims of global terror, when what's happening here is, of course, situations of violence and violent acts, but they're only in relation to the Israeli occupation and the fact that Israel has been engaged in violence against the Palestinians systematically. In this last week, over 30 Palestinians were killed by the Israeli army, and now there are acts of retaliation by the military wings of Hamas and Fatah, and this is an unusual operation because it is telling Israel that the fence that it has the Gaza in is a failed policy, that violence is a failed policy, and doing more of the same will not succeed. The only way out is serious, credible, substantive negotiations to affect a peaceful solution and to end the occupation.

WHITFIELD: Let me ask you something else about any potential connections. This in any way, these double explosions in any way being connected to what was a planned Israeli/Palestinian summit talk that is now consequently been canceled?

ASHRAWI: It could be. I really cannot say for sure, but certainly the timing would make one think that this would subvert or scuttle any attempts at finding a political course of action. But at the same time, it has been very difficult to get this kind of alternative, a political alternative, a peaceful course of action, that would undermine violence on both sides.

WHITFIELD: How much -- I'm sorry. Go ahead.

ASHRAWI: I'm saying, it would be part of the motivation or it (UNINTELLIGIBLE) we're not sure.

WHITFIELD: In your view, how much of a setback is this latest explosion explosion? It had been fairly quiet in recent weeks in terms of the, you know, ongoing conflicts that we've seen. How much of a setback do you believe this particular explosion is, given that there is now a joint cooperation between Hamas and Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade?

ASHRAWI: It is an ongoing spiral of violence that threatens to spin out of control. Things haven't been quiet, it's just that you haven't been hearing about them, because Palestinians are being killed. And when you have between five, 10, 15 Palestinians daily killed by the Israeli army including children, the natural response you would expect to see from the Palestinians, from the Palestinian military wings.

Obviously, this certainly would set back any attempt at negotiations or at finding a political course of action, would sour the atmosphere even further. But I would call also on Israel to cease and desist from its policy of siege, of killing Palestinians, of shelling bombing and assassinations, so that both sides can have a breather and can start negotiations seriously.

WHITFIELD: And quickly...

ASHRAWI: Ultimately...

WHITFIELD: I'm sorry, and quickly, how does either side move forward after something like this?

ASHRAWI: I think we need third party intervention. This is what I was trying to say. There has been revival of interest by the U.S. administration in starting some sort of peace negotiations, and in relaunching the road map. I think that quarter has -- I think the Arab world is concerned and is serious about (UNINTELLIGIBLE). We do need this kind of intervention in order finally to break this deadlock of violence.

WHITFIELD: All right. Palestinian cabinet member Hanan Ashrawi, thank you very much for joining us on the telephone.

Let me just try to recap one more time as to what's taking place in Ashdod, which is south of Tel Aviv. Nine people, including two suicide bombers, have been killed in a double suicide bombing in that port city. One of the explosions taking place within a gated area, and the other taking place just outside. Ashdod is known to be a very popular beach town community, as well as the largest seaport community. Something like this hasn't happened in at least three years there, so certainly this had become suddenly now a soft spot and now investigators want to figure out why.

"RELIABLE SOURCES" with Jayson Blair, the focus of that program with Howard Kurtz, will now be seen next week because we had to preempt it for this breaking news. Now on to "LATE EDITION WITH WOLF BLITZER." I'm Fredricka Whitfield.

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