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On the Story

Will Silicone Breast Implants Make A Come Back? President Bush Meets with APEC Leaders

Aired October 18, 2003 - 10:00   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.


ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Welcome to CNN's ON THE STORY, where our journalists have the inside word on the stories we covered this week. I'm Elizabeth Cohen in Atlanta, on the story of a step closer to bringing silicone breast implants back on the market.
MARIA RESSA, CNN MANILA BUREAU CHIEF: I'm Maria Ressa in Manila, on the story of President Bush's just completed visit to the Philippines. His message here, as it will be to the APEC leaders, is that the war on terror continues.

JOSIE BURKE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Josie Burke in New York, on the story of a wild week in baseball that broke ratings and hearts, but ultimately not curses.

GERRI WILLIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Jerry Willis, on the story of a 16-month high on Wall Street, while Main Street is worried about how to pay those health insurance bills.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: And I'm Suzanne Malveaux in Atlanta, on the story of how the Bush administration finally won at the United Nations with the latest plan for Iraq. We'll be talking about all these stories.

We'll go to Colorado to talk to CNN affiliate reporter Heidi Hemmat about the Kobe Bryant hearing this week, and we'll listen to the president's weekly radio address at the end of the hour. Send us your questions and comments at onthestory@cnn.com.

Now straight to Maria Ressa and President Bush and the Philippines.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We're hunting down the al Qaeda wherever they hide, whether it be from Pakistan or Iraq or the Philippines or the Horn of Africa.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

RESSA: That's really President Bush's message here, the war on terror. He didn't have to do much to convince Philippine President Arroyo, who he called the role model for how governments and leaders should respond to the terrorist threat. It was a whirlwind eight-hour visit. He just left a short while ago for Thailand. The last thing he did right beforehand is a state dinner at Malacañang Palace. To show you the kind of relationship the Philippines and the United States have, this love-hate relationship, the dessert was chocolate mousse carved in the shape of cowboy boots, with white chocolate stars.

MALVEAUX: Maria, I have to ask you, it seems as if the Bush trip got off to kind of a rocky start when National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice referred to Japan as a layover and the leader, Koizumi, quite offended by that. And then on to Australia, which is going to be a later stop, when he referred to the leader John Howard as his deputy sheriff when it comes to the war on terror.

How is President Bush really kind of patching things up? And has he moved beyond that now?

RESSA: Well, in terms of the Philippines, he didn't really have that much to do. I mean, there was a lot of controversy here before his visit in terms of how much money the Philippine government would spend, why is he coming now at this point in time, was this really just giving points to Philippine President Arroyo, who herself is seeking re-election next year? But in terms of the U.S. message, he came right in.

Again, he was warmly welcomed by the Filipino people. Keep in mind the Philippines (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Now President Bush was, again -- addressed -- the first president addressed the Joint House of the Philippine Congress since Dwight Eisenhower in 1960. And his message was something that the Filipinos wanted to hear, that the United States would stand behind the Philippines in its war on terror, that there would be more funding and terrorism training for Philippine troops.

COHEN: Maria, this week you also attended the Islamic conference, where the prime minister of Malaysia made big news by saying very bigoted, racist things against Jews. He said that they ruled the world and that Jews get people to fight and die for them. In the past, this man has called Jews monsters. He says that Jews are responsible for his country's economy being in shambles.

There are basically no Jews in Malaysia. What does this man have against Jews?

RESSA: Well, it's funny. I mean, attending the Organization of Islamic Conference every year always makes me understand how wide the gap is between the West and Muslim Nations. It's not so much that Mahathir has something personally against Jews, although his rhetoric is that way. But there is a deep-seated anger in the Muslim world, and that's expressed by Mahathir's statements. But, in effect, he was addressing an audience that had different sensitivities.

What he was trying to do for the Muslim leaders and the Arab leaders there was to tell them to basically stop Palestinian suicide bombers. It's a very revolutionary idea. When Mahathir first said this last year at the Organization of Islamic Conference meeting, he was roundly denounced by the Muslim leaders. When he said it this year, he wrapped that message of moderation in very incendiary language against Israel. The Jews, as he said -- he made references to the Holocaust. And part of the reason, perhaps, he did that, was because he had to get his message of moderation accepted by the audience he was speaking with.

Of course, he was roundly criticized by the West. But the feeling by many of the analysts who were there is that, if he's criticized by both sides, he must be saying something right.

BURKE: Maria, getting back to President Bush and the Philippines, can you talk -- if you could boil it down to one or two things, what message he wanted to get across in his brief, brief visit there?

RESSA: It was an important message that the United States stands behind the Philippines, that the Philippines is important to the United States. I mean, keep in mind, the Philippines was a former colony, but no U.S. president has been there and addressed the House of Congress since 1960. That's a very, very strong message for President Bush to actually come here.

Even though it's only for eight hours, it lets Filipinos know that it's important enough for him to come out of his way. It's his first state visit ear. It also returns President Arroyo's visit to him in the United States. She's been there twice; she was a very staunch ally both for 9/11 -- and this country actually sent a token number of troops to Iraq, medical personnel, at the time when he called for it. So it was a reaffirmation of the strong historical ties between the two countries in very new times.

WILLIS: Maria, I want to ask you a little bit about the travel schedule, and particularly security. The president going to Bali, Indonesia, where there was that nightclub bombing in 2002. You know, what is the situation with security? Are there big precautions being taken here?

RESSA: Well, first of all, the threat in Southeast Asia is very real. The terrorist network here is not just linked to al Qaeda, it is, in many ways, a proxy of al Qaeda. The Abu Sayyaf in the Philippines was formed with the help of al Qaeda.

What you mentioned in Bali, the bomb attack there that happened and killed more than 200 people, funded by al Qaeda, carried out by al Qaeda operatives and (UNINTELLIGIBLE) operatives here. So the threat is very, very real.

The fact that he's chosen to stop in many of these countries shows President Bush's determination to show that the United States and other nations are not afraid of terrorists. But the fact that he did not stay the night in the Philippines also shows you the caution that's there. He's only staying three or four hours in Indonesia.

Again, very real concerns about security in light of a terror network that has shown it can strike, the worst terrorist strike since 9/11 occurring in this region. But at the same time, the fact that he can stop there shows a little bit of a nudge back at the terrorists.

COHEN: Maria Ressa, our thanks to you. Tell us, what's on the story for you in the coming days? What will you be working on?

RESSA: Well, we're certainly going to be following President Bush as he goes around. One of the other things he is going to have to do is to deal with the rising anti-American sentiment in Southeast Asia, much of that linked to Iraq. This is not something he had to deal with here.

But near the end of the month, I'll be returning to Malaysia and to Prime Minister Mahathir, who is going to be stepping down after 22 years in power. He's going to be replaced by a man who is largely known as a bureaucrat. But Abdullah Badawi (ph) will help shape what the region looks like, a region that has become increasingly important in the global war on terror.

COHEN: Well, thank you, Maria. And from Manila, we're going to go to Colorado and the preliminary hearing this week on basketball superstar Kobe Bryant, charged with sexual assault. We're back ON THE STORY after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MARK HURLBERT, EAGLE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY: I am confident in the people's case versus Kobe Bryant.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COHEN: Eagle County, Colorado District Attorney Mark Hurlbert predicting the sexual assault case he is leading against Kobe Bryant will go to trial. This week saw a continuation of the preliminary hearing. One of the reporters covering that story is Heidi Hemmat of CNN affiliate KDVR TV in Denver.

Heidi, tell us what you did this week.

HEIDI HEMMAT, KDVR TV: Well, what a week it was. We did do part two of the preliminary hearing for Kobe Bryant, watched his attorneys drop several bombshells in court, and watched as people are now disseminating information that we've received over the past two preliminary hearings. And really, watched how she has really gotten the victim's past sexual history part of this case.

She has really made what this victim has done up until this point, as far as her sexual history, a very relevant part of this case. And now people are reacting for that and waiting for what's next.

BURKE: Heidi, it's relevant now. But from the people that you've talked to, is this something, if this goes to trial, that will be admissible at that point?

HEMMAT: You know, that is a good question, because I think there is a -- what I have heard is that Pamela Mackey, Kobe Bryant's attorney, basically has made it relevant, because she has pointed out different parts of evidence that point to this victim potentially having different sexual part -- at least one, a second, or a third sexual partner after she says that Kobe Bryant raped her. But we have rape shield laws here in Colorado, and part of the reason for those laws is because we do not want to make a victim's sexual history relevant in a rape case.

Well, from what I understand, the prosecution in this case really opened that door, because they put somebody on the stand who testified that the victim's injuries were consistent with someone who had non- consensual sex. And when this did that, that opened the door for Pamela Mackey.

They're going to have to have closed-door hearings about this victim's sexual history, recent sexual history, and how that plays a part in this case. But, yes, it is not supposed to be a part of a trial. But unfortunately, or fortunately, for Pamela Mackey, that information is now out there and people are already forming opinions about that information.

WILLIS: Heidi, you know there's almost more attention on Kobe Bryant's attorney than Kobe himself. How did Kobe appear during this whole thing?

HEMMAT: He was very stoic, very serious. He never made any sort of expression at all on his face. Would walk into court very -- you know, a big, large person that he is, large presence that he has. Didn't look at anybody in the eye, doesn't make any sort of reaction at all no matter what is going on in court.

You know, looks like an unhappy man right now. And somebody who is facing very serious charges. And I think that people have told him, hey, you know, you're not on the basketball court. This is a very serious thing. And of course he could be facing life in prison if convicted of this.

MALVEAUX: Heidi, this information about her previous sexual partners, have they talked about, at all, what that means for this case, whether or not it was voluntary or involuntary, the sexual relations that she had with Kobe Bryant? I mean, does it really make a difference?

HEMMAT: Well, I guess that depends on who you ask. I think that you can have 100 consensual sexual experiences before being raped and still be raped. And it doesn't matter if you've had sex before or even after. If you said no, and then were raped, that is rape.

But I have to tell you that a lot of people are talking to me about, oh this girl is promiscuous, she asked for this. That is kind of out there. So, unfortunately, people are forming opinions about her promiscuity and how that impacts this case.

She is been painting as someone, a flirtatious girl who went to Kobe Bryant's room, knew that he wanted to hook up with her, knew that there would be some sort of interaction between the two, that she was excited about that. But if there was a point where this was no longer consensual, then it is rape. But I think that there's a 50-50 percentage out there.

Some people thinking, you know, we still have to listen to this girl's story. And some people thinking, oh, this is completely done. Kobe Bryant is innocent and this case isn't even worth going to trial.

COHEN: Heidi, you mentioned that several bombshells were dropped in the courtroom this week. On the whole, which side won points and which side lost points with these bombshells?

HEMMAT: Well, I think that these -- well, I think the second preliminary hearing was definitely Pamela Mackey's show, Kobe Bryant's attorney's show. One after the other, just one after the other. She was able to really poke holes in the prosecution's case so far, especially -- they put a detective on the stand who is really serving the role of telling the victim's story, and truthfully he really doesn't know what happened in that room.

He doesn't know everything that happened in that room. And they've been able to poke some serious holes in his account of what has happened.

I think people left the first preliminary hearing thinking, OK, there may be a whole lot more to hear here, that Pamela Mackey may have dealt a low blow to this victim by bringing up this possibility of her having sex with three different people in three days. But I can tell you that I'm not sure we've really heard evidence that this victim has had sex with three different people in three days.

We've heard that she had some panties on when she went to her sexual assault examination and that those panties had semen and sperm on them. Well, semen and sperm can be found on an article of clothing for several months after a sexual encounter. We all remember Monica Lewinsky's dress. So I just think that there are still a lot of things out there that we do not know, and we should not rush to judgment about this victim.

BURKE: Heidi, we'll certainly be all waiting to see what happens on Monday and beyond in this case. But we want to thank you for joining us.

Now we're going to turn our attention away from a basketball player in trouble to baseball in heaven, almost. The World Series starts tonight. And, boy, does it have a lot to live up to. I'm back on that story in just a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANNOUNCER: ... hits it to deep left! That might send the Yankees to the World Series!

(END VIDEO CLIP) BURKE: That's Aaron Boone, at least that's what he's called in New York. He's Aaron "bleeping" Boone in Boston and everywhere else where that homerun broke people's hearts.

You see the New York fans celebrating. They're used to that. Red Sox fans across the world, crying.

Again, in 1918, that was last year the Red Sox won a World Series. They say they haven't won because of the curse of the bambino. Who believes in curses? Well, you saw those fans celebrating. I'm going to tell you how Roger Clemens and David Wells and the pitching coach, Mel Stottlemyre, of the New York Yankees, celebrated.

They took a bottle of champagne out to Monument Park, which is in the outfield in Yankee Stadium where they have busts of all the great Yankees players. They popped that cork and they toasted to the Babe. They know there was something else, just maybe, at work on Thursday night. An incredible, incredible game.

WILLIS: Josie, I've just got ask you about this incredible end to the Cubs' effort, the fan leaning over that left-field line and making a dive for that ball. You know, it shocked a lot of people. I sort of felt sorry for him. What's the reaction that you're hearing?

BURKE: Well, you had to feel sorry for him. We spend a lot of time killing time as we cover these events. I was in New York and Boston covering the ALCS, surrounded by sports writers, talked to them over and over again. And only one person I spoke to really seemed to think like this young man, this 26-year-old lifelong Cubs' fan, was to blame.

And Gerri, you mentioned, talking to me, that that was the end of it. It really wasn't the end of it, but it might as well have been for the Cubs. One thing that you noticed listening to all of the talk right afterward, there was a real danger that this could have been a dangerous situation.

Now we're hearing they want to make a movie about this kid. It could turn out to be all right in the long run. But it was certainly something that, at first, you didn't know how it would turn out. Unless you were a Cubs' fan; you knew it was the end then.

MALVEAUX: Well, Josie, I used to live in Chicago. And the friends that I talk to, they're still trying to get over that. Boy, I tell you.

But this was just a crazy, crazy week. I mean, you had the Yankees and that big brawl that erupted. I mean, what was that about?

BURKE: You know, it's interesting. I talked to ON THE STORY last week, right before that game, and there was so much focus about the starting pitchers, Roger Clemens and Pedro Martinez. And then the lasting image from that game is of Martinez throwing down the 72-year- old coach of the New York Yankees, Don Zimmer, during this brawl in the fourth inning. Later in the game, there was an actual brawl in the bullpen involving a Red Sox employee. And at that time, it really looked like this could get very ugly, and that this would be a series to remember for all of the wrong reasons. It might be something that baseball would be ashamed of.

But now, here we are a week later. And that story has really moved to the background because of the incredible things that unfolded, particularly in game seven at Yankee Stadium. It's a house of horrors for Boston.

They were so close. And we talked about the curse. You cannot talk enough about this.

In Chicago, they believe in it. In Boston, they believe in it. These two teams each won this week five outs away from going to the World Series.

They had their ace on the mound and it all fell apart. It fell apart for the Cubs in game six and for the Red Sox in game seven.

COHEN: Josie, after all of these -- all of this drama this week, how in the world is the World Series going to live up?

BURKE: It's going to have a very, very difficult time. We were talking to Jason Giambi (ph) of the Yankees yesterday. And it sounded like he was working for Fox or as a pitchman, because he was trying to convince everyone that New York Yankees versus Florida Marlins is a compelling match-up.

And anyone who does know baseball knows that it is. It's not Cubs-Red Sox. And so many people who love the charm and the history were really pulling for that because that was a story that anyone -- even if you didn't like baseball -- could have gotten into.

This one, you have to appreciate baseball a little bit more. But it's like David and Goliath, because the Yankees are this (UNINTELLIGIBLE). They have a huge payroll; it's more than three times what the Marlins have. The Marlins had $50 million to work with this year. They came out of nowhere.

They were 19 in 29 at one point this season. They bring in a 72- year-old manager, who was sitting on his couch in North Carolina watching his grandkids play wiffle ball, to be the manager, and he turned the thing around. And so there are some really, really great stories in this. But I think there are people across the country who like the Red Sox and who like the Cubs, who would rather watch leaves fall off trees than watch baseball this week.

WILLIS: Josie, there's one other story I want to hear you talk about. And that's the story about new steroids that we've never heard about. How serious is this?

BURKE: This is another one that reads like some sort of thriller that Stephen King could have come up with. There was a conference call this week with the leader of USADA, the Anti-Doping Agency in the United States. He revealed that there's a new designer steroid that some Olympic athletes have tested positive for.

And how did they get wind of it? Well, an anonymous big name, they say, track and field coach tipped off USADA, then sent them a vial of this stuff. They had it tested it in their lab, it took months, they were able to identify it.

Then they went back and they actually tested all of the samples from the U.S. track and field championships that they had taken this summer, and a number of athletes have tested positive. And not only that. They're fingering a lab in northern California for developing this.

And this lab is associated not just with Olympic athletes, but with athletes across the board. You're hearing names like Marion Jones, Barry Bonds, people who don't necessarily have something to do with track and field. This is going to get bigger and bigger and it's something that we won't know the scope of, possibly, for months.

COHEN: From baseball and the world of sports to the medical front, women saw a new step this week toward returning one kind of breast implants back to the market. I'm on the story after a break and a check of what's making headlines right now.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Like thousands of breast implant women, I live in pain every day. And I pray that my grandchildren and my nieces do not go through the pain that I've gone through.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP):

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I believe firmly that women should have the option to choose saline or silicone and that they should have the risks and benefits outlined for each.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COHEN: Passionate and directly opposed testimony this week about the safety of silicone gel breast implants and whether they're safe enough to regain government approval. Welcome back. We're on that story.

I covered that story this week, and I have to say, what a comeback. Who would have thought that after 11 years silicone breast implants might be put back on the market? I say might, because what happened this week was that an FDA advisory committee voted by a slim margin, 9-6, that these implants should be allowed back on the market.

It still has to go to the full FDA. And although the full FDA usually accepts recommendations, this is such a controversial topic. Of course there's no telling what they'll do. And what really struck me that there was sort of two groups of testimony. Some women saying, don't put these back on the market, I got Lupus, I got Cancer, I got all these horrible diseases. How could you do this?

And other women saying, hey, if I want this, why can't I have it? Tell me about the risks. I'm a grown woman. I can make my own decisions.

BURKE: Elizabeth, if the FDA does go ahead and approve them, is there going to be anything different about this silicone implant? Are they going to continue to track it and monitor just what the reaction of the body is to it?

COHEN: Right. It's that second part that's going to be different. If the advisory committee's recommendation goes through, women will have to have annual checkups so that they can see if they've been ruptured or not.

There will be a patient registry. You will have to join this registry if you get these implants so that you can be followed up on later. And, in addition, there's going to be strong wording about what women need to be told, how they need to be told about the risks.

So that will be the big difference. And for women who think that these implants made them ill, say, well, all you're really doing is just another big experiment.

WILLIS: Elizabeth, tell us a little bit about these silicone implants. There are other options out there for people. Why do some women prefer the silicone implants?

COHEN: There are other options. For example, there are saline implants that some people say are safer. So you might think, well, jeez, why not get the saline implants if perhaps they have a better safety profile?

And the reason is that women say the silicone implants look and feel more natural. Remember, this is a cosmetic procedure. You get this because you want to look better and you want them to feel more natural. And people say that silicone does the best job of that.

MALVEAUX: Elizabeth, I find this a very odd story. Because, on the one hand, we heard so many women testifying before, saying they were having numerous health problems, as serious as Cancer. I mean, are they saying now that they are safe to use, that those problems were not associated with these breast implants? Is that what they're saying?

COHEN: That's what many of the study studies are saying. It's very similar, actually, to Gulf War Syndrome. You had all of these veterans saying, I have this disease and that disease, and I think it's because of what I was exposed to during the war. And then many studies saying, well, we understand that you're ill, but we can't find the connection to the war. So what many of these studies after studies actually showed was, we understand that you're ill, but there's no proof that it's from the implants. So maybe we should put them back on the market.

BURKE: Elizabeth, I know that you monitored all that testimony so closely. I'm wondering, even if you didn't hear from any men, did you get the feeling that there were men who were driving this?

COHEN: Well, you especially heard that from some of the women. I remember one in particular who said, "I decided to get these because my husband said after two children and shrinkage and droppage and all that stuff, I want you to have bigger breasts." I mean, it was that clear.

So men are definitely often the reason why women get these. Of course, some women get it just because they want bigger breasts themselves. But of course, it's -- you know, you'd have to be an idiot not to say, well, often, it's because the men want the women to have the bigger breasts.

WILLIS: Let's turn to this stomach pacemaker for just a minute. I'm amazed by this story. So astonishing that you can have some kind of implant that will make you feel full. Elizabeth, does this really work?

COHEN: Well, according to the study that was just released this week, it did work. They put 30 people on this pacemaker. You can see it, that's the device right there.

What the pacemaker does it is sends out an electrical impulse that, for reasons that aren't completely understood, makes the person feel that they're full. And so on this study, for example, people were on average 260 pounds and over the course of a few months got down to 213 pounds. That is a very, very significant weight loss.

Diets usually don't work as well as that. And so some people are heralding this as the next big thing in weight loss. And, again, they're not completely sure how it works, but you feel full.

MALVEAUX: Is it considered safe, Elizabeth?

COHEN: They had very few side effects in this study, and this has been used for years in Italy. Some people in Italy have had them in their stomachs for as long as five years, and they say that the safety profile is very good. Of course, five years isn't 20 years or 30 years.

And once you have this in, the doctor who did the study in this country said, you have to keep it in. Because if that's what keeping you from being obese, you need to keep it in. You shouldn't be taking it out.

WILLIS: A checkup of the U.S. economy this week showed new signs of recovery and some nagging concerns about health insurance. I'm back on that story in a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BUSH: First and foremost, we've got to do a better job of controlling the high cost of health care.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WILLIS: That's President Bush speaking in California on Wednesday, noting the importance of health care costs. Welcome back. We're ON THE STORY.

A big story I was following this week is kind of the contrast between the public statements from Wall Street and economists on the one hand, and on the other hand, the experience of the economy that so many people have out there, day to day.

First off, those professional economists on Wall Street, the Federal Reserve coming out in its beige book this week, saying that the economic recovery is broader than anticipated. It's really going very well, in fact, they say.

The Dow, of course, now flirting with 10,000. It hasn't been there in -- first crossed that mark four and a half years ago. It portends great things for the stock market in coming weeks. Expected to go right through that level this weekend.

And also up, earnings. Third quarter earnings expected to be 20 percent above last year's levels. Now, that seems to say, hey, the economy's doing great. But one of the big things people are facing, particularly this fall, as they pursue open enrollment at work and sign up for those health care plans, is that they're more expensive.

This is a big drag on consumers, I think, right now. What we're seeing is that, overall, uninsured Americans, 15 percent, 43 million Americans -- that's the biggest number in 10 years, a decade. And if you do have a job, you're paying more for that insurance. Fifteen percent increase for families out there. Just a kind of discomforting thing for people who are either employed or even unemployed.

MALVEAUX: And Gerri, we hear all the time from the president, saying that Americans just have to be patient, they just have to wait for these tax cuts to work, that this is all a part of the big plan that ultimately our economy is going to turn around. You look at the indicators, you look at the stock market. Does it look like that is happening now?

WILLIS: Well, I think the big problem we have is that this has been a jobless recovery. So from the consumer's point of view, they're not seeing it yet in many cases. Now, having said that, we have seen some improved numbers in terms of economic sentiment.

Consumer sentiment, University of Michigan, just this past week pretty upbeat. But I think consumers are really worried out there this could drag on. This has been one of the longest post-recession periods with slow job growth ever. And just for a second, back to the health care issue, you know companies who have been mired in this slow growth recovery, you know, taking it out of consumers now, they're implementing something called consumer-driven health care, which you're going to be paying a lot more for.

COHEN: But, Gerri, consumer-driven health care sound goods. It sounds like something that we would want. Why is it maybe not so good?

WILLIS: Well, it's more, I think, a marketing name than it is really representing what it mean. Look, your employer will give you maybe $1,000, open an account for you to spend on your health care, but your deductible goes way up, maybe $2,000 to $5,000 a year.

So while people who are really healthy may like these plans because they don't spend anymore than $1,000 a year, if you have a chronic condition, this could be a real problem because you'll blow through that $1,000 really quickly. Remember, that first night in the hospital bed can cost you as much as $2,000. So I think what we're seeing is really cost-shifting with these companies, forcing the bulk of this bill back on to consumers.

BURKE: Gerri, with the Dow on the brink of 10,000, again, if it does get there, what would it mean?

WILLIS: Well, I think it's an important psychological barrier, really, for the markets, for professionals, as well as for individuals. I think you'll see a whole new attitude towards the market more broadly if we go through this level and hold it. That's the key. Can we hold it, or is it more just back and forth like we've seen here?

MALVEAUX: Gerri, is there any sense that perhaps the president's plan to reform Medicare and Medicaid, that this might have some sort of impact on what you talked about before, this insurance, people have medical insurance, or are they just taking up a bigger portion of it, a bigger burden?

WILLIS: Well, I think it's really an important conversation. And one take-away here that I think is really important, especially with the prescription drug plan for the elderly, you know, they've got a really outspoken advocate in Washington, the AARP, really putting pedal to the metal, trying to get these benefits in place.

If you don't have that kind of lobbyist, you're not going to get that kind of representation or the goodies. The big unanswered question here, I think, from a policy perspective, what do we do with the uninsured? It's a big problem.

Remember that consumer bankruptcies, the majority of people who file bankruptcy, they've just experienced some kind of devastating health impairment. So the two things are linked: consumer health and financial health, as well as these benefit benefits and policies.

MALVEAUX: Well, from the business world to the world where President Bush scored a major diplomatic victory this week over Iraq, I'm back on that story after this. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BUSH: I want to thank the United Nations Security Council for unanimously passing a resolution supporting our efforts to build a peaceful and free Iraq.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: President Bush on Thursday, saluting the United Nations after a rare win on the world stage as the Security Council approved the plan for reconstruction of Iraq. We are back ON THE STORY.

It was an incredible victory for the administration, a unanimous vote, 15-0, to get everybody on board. And what was the sticking point, in the final 24 hours, you had Russia that was pushing France, as well as Germany. Essentially, what it all came down to was that nobody wanted to be left out of the picture. And of course France did not want to be the only one abstaining when it came to Syria.

Syria was going to do that. And then a couple of people changing their minds at the last minute.

What it was is all about timetables. The administration gave up just a little bit on this resolution. We're talking about, really, just fine-tuning the language. But essentially, they said, December 15th, the Iraqi Governing Council has to go ahead and come up with its own timetable about the constitution, about elections, and eventually turning power back over to the Iraqi people.

It gave the U.N. a little bit more of an expanded role, but not that much. Essentially, it creates this multinational force that it has on board. But, again, this was really a lot of negotiating, some arm twisting, but a big win for the Bush administration.

COHEN: Well, Suzanne, a victory with other countries this week, but what about in this country? How did the president do in convincing legislatures that they need to spend the money to reconstruct Iraq?

MALVEAUX: Well, it's certainly mixed results. I mean, the president got everything he wanted out of the House, the $87 billion. Really mixed results on the Senate side, because you had Republicans who sided with Democrats, who said, OK, we'll give you almost your $87 billion, but the big issue here is that we are not going to give the full amount for Iraqi reconstruction, that $20 billion, all in the form of a gift, of grants.

We want part of that, half of that, to be loans. The Iraqi people eventually will be able to pay back this because they are sitting on such huge oil reserve. So that is something where the president -- he had people at the White House, he was trying to twist their arms. You had the vice president, Secretary Powell, everybody involved in trying to convince these Republican senators not to go in that direction.

I spoke with him after that meeting, and they said the president was not convincing. Some were quite upset. They said he was arrogant and condescending and that he would not negotiate, that he would not debate this issue. Ultimately, those Republicans sided with the Democrats. We'll have to wait and see what happens next week when they conference.

BURKE: Suzanne, it seems like it's an even busier week than normal for the president. One place we saw him was out in California with Arnold Schwarzenegger. Was this a substantive visit, and are we going to see a lot more of these two together?

MALVEAUX: Well, it was certainly worth the picture when you see the two of them together. Very interesting, because both of these men need each other, essentially. That is a very important picture for both of them.

President Bush, certainly hoping perhaps that California will be in play for his re-election bid. He lost badly to Gore the last time around. He would like to see some of that Arnold shine and luster and can-do rub off on him.

At the same time, Arnold Schwarzenegger looking for big bucks from the federal government. He did not get any promises that that was happening. And so he has to bail out California's economy. Both of them turning to each other, but not really clear if they're -- either one of them are going to get what they need from the other person.

WILLIS: Suzanne, what about these attacks against Americans in Gaza? Dramatic story this week. What's the reaction there?

MALVEAUX: Well, certainly, one of the things that happened was that we heard very forcibly -- President Bush came out and he did not point necessarily to the terrorist organizations. He didn't even point to Israel.

He pointed directly to the Palestinian Authority, saying, you guys are the ones that are going to have to really enhance the security. You're the ones who will have to deal with the situation. Of course, a lot of frustration on that.

COHEN: Suzanne, as if your life weren't busy enough covering the White House, you're also going to be running the Marine marathon. You're training for it. How is it going?

MALVEAUX: I'm going to be running and walking, you could say, a run-walk marathon. You're right; it's less than a week away. And it's been exciting.

It's been difficult. I'm really glad that it's only seven days away. And don't be surprised if the next time, next week, that I'm not able to sit down in this seat after that run. I'm going to be a hurting person. But thanks for asking. It's been a lot of fun.

WILLIS: Well, we'll keep running. More ON THE STORY ahead, and President Bush's weekly radio address.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANNOUNCER: Nashala Hearn returned to her sixth grade classroom Wednesday after an eight-day suspension from her eastern Oklahoma school for wearing a religious headscarf. She'll be allowed to wear it while school officials evaluate their dress code, which forbids any kind of head covering.

School officials said the code was to prevent gang activity. Her father contends she was singled out because of her religious beliefs.

COHEN: Wow. Well, good luck to her. And thanks to my colleagues, and thank you for watching ON THE STORY. We'll be back next week.

Still ahead, "PEOPLE IN THE NEWS" focusing this week on Pope John Paul II. At 12:00 noon Eastern, 9:00 a.m. Pacific, "CNN LIVE SATURDAY." And at 1:00 p.m. Eastern, 10:00 a.m. Pacific, CNN's "IN THE MONEY."

Coming up at the top of the hour, a check of the top stories. But first, the president's weekly radio address.

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Bush Meets with APEC Leaders>


Aired October 18, 2003 - 10:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Welcome to CNN's ON THE STORY, where our journalists have the inside word on the stories we covered this week. I'm Elizabeth Cohen in Atlanta, on the story of a step closer to bringing silicone breast implants back on the market.
MARIA RESSA, CNN MANILA BUREAU CHIEF: I'm Maria Ressa in Manila, on the story of President Bush's just completed visit to the Philippines. His message here, as it will be to the APEC leaders, is that the war on terror continues.

JOSIE BURKE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Josie Burke in New York, on the story of a wild week in baseball that broke ratings and hearts, but ultimately not curses.

GERRI WILLIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Jerry Willis, on the story of a 16-month high on Wall Street, while Main Street is worried about how to pay those health insurance bills.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: And I'm Suzanne Malveaux in Atlanta, on the story of how the Bush administration finally won at the United Nations with the latest plan for Iraq. We'll be talking about all these stories.

We'll go to Colorado to talk to CNN affiliate reporter Heidi Hemmat about the Kobe Bryant hearing this week, and we'll listen to the president's weekly radio address at the end of the hour. Send us your questions and comments at onthestory@cnn.com.

Now straight to Maria Ressa and President Bush and the Philippines.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We're hunting down the al Qaeda wherever they hide, whether it be from Pakistan or Iraq or the Philippines or the Horn of Africa.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

RESSA: That's really President Bush's message here, the war on terror. He didn't have to do much to convince Philippine President Arroyo, who he called the role model for how governments and leaders should respond to the terrorist threat. It was a whirlwind eight-hour visit. He just left a short while ago for Thailand. The last thing he did right beforehand is a state dinner at Malacañang Palace. To show you the kind of relationship the Philippines and the United States have, this love-hate relationship, the dessert was chocolate mousse carved in the shape of cowboy boots, with white chocolate stars.

MALVEAUX: Maria, I have to ask you, it seems as if the Bush trip got off to kind of a rocky start when National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice referred to Japan as a layover and the leader, Koizumi, quite offended by that. And then on to Australia, which is going to be a later stop, when he referred to the leader John Howard as his deputy sheriff when it comes to the war on terror.

How is President Bush really kind of patching things up? And has he moved beyond that now?

RESSA: Well, in terms of the Philippines, he didn't really have that much to do. I mean, there was a lot of controversy here before his visit in terms of how much money the Philippine government would spend, why is he coming now at this point in time, was this really just giving points to Philippine President Arroyo, who herself is seeking re-election next year? But in terms of the U.S. message, he came right in.

Again, he was warmly welcomed by the Filipino people. Keep in mind the Philippines (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Now President Bush was, again -- addressed -- the first president addressed the Joint House of the Philippine Congress since Dwight Eisenhower in 1960. And his message was something that the Filipinos wanted to hear, that the United States would stand behind the Philippines in its war on terror, that there would be more funding and terrorism training for Philippine troops.

COHEN: Maria, this week you also attended the Islamic conference, where the prime minister of Malaysia made big news by saying very bigoted, racist things against Jews. He said that they ruled the world and that Jews get people to fight and die for them. In the past, this man has called Jews monsters. He says that Jews are responsible for his country's economy being in shambles.

There are basically no Jews in Malaysia. What does this man have against Jews?

RESSA: Well, it's funny. I mean, attending the Organization of Islamic Conference every year always makes me understand how wide the gap is between the West and Muslim Nations. It's not so much that Mahathir has something personally against Jews, although his rhetoric is that way. But there is a deep-seated anger in the Muslim world, and that's expressed by Mahathir's statements. But, in effect, he was addressing an audience that had different sensitivities.

What he was trying to do for the Muslim leaders and the Arab leaders there was to tell them to basically stop Palestinian suicide bombers. It's a very revolutionary idea. When Mahathir first said this last year at the Organization of Islamic Conference meeting, he was roundly denounced by the Muslim leaders. When he said it this year, he wrapped that message of moderation in very incendiary language against Israel. The Jews, as he said -- he made references to the Holocaust. And part of the reason, perhaps, he did that, was because he had to get his message of moderation accepted by the audience he was speaking with.

Of course, he was roundly criticized by the West. But the feeling by many of the analysts who were there is that, if he's criticized by both sides, he must be saying something right.

BURKE: Maria, getting back to President Bush and the Philippines, can you talk -- if you could boil it down to one or two things, what message he wanted to get across in his brief, brief visit there?

RESSA: It was an important message that the United States stands behind the Philippines, that the Philippines is important to the United States. I mean, keep in mind, the Philippines was a former colony, but no U.S. president has been there and addressed the House of Congress since 1960. That's a very, very strong message for President Bush to actually come here.

Even though it's only for eight hours, it lets Filipinos know that it's important enough for him to come out of his way. It's his first state visit ear. It also returns President Arroyo's visit to him in the United States. She's been there twice; she was a very staunch ally both for 9/11 -- and this country actually sent a token number of troops to Iraq, medical personnel, at the time when he called for it. So it was a reaffirmation of the strong historical ties between the two countries in very new times.

WILLIS: Maria, I want to ask you a little bit about the travel schedule, and particularly security. The president going to Bali, Indonesia, where there was that nightclub bombing in 2002. You know, what is the situation with security? Are there big precautions being taken here?

RESSA: Well, first of all, the threat in Southeast Asia is very real. The terrorist network here is not just linked to al Qaeda, it is, in many ways, a proxy of al Qaeda. The Abu Sayyaf in the Philippines was formed with the help of al Qaeda.

What you mentioned in Bali, the bomb attack there that happened and killed more than 200 people, funded by al Qaeda, carried out by al Qaeda operatives and (UNINTELLIGIBLE) operatives here. So the threat is very, very real.

The fact that he's chosen to stop in many of these countries shows President Bush's determination to show that the United States and other nations are not afraid of terrorists. But the fact that he did not stay the night in the Philippines also shows you the caution that's there. He's only staying three or four hours in Indonesia.

Again, very real concerns about security in light of a terror network that has shown it can strike, the worst terrorist strike since 9/11 occurring in this region. But at the same time, the fact that he can stop there shows a little bit of a nudge back at the terrorists.

COHEN: Maria Ressa, our thanks to you. Tell us, what's on the story for you in the coming days? What will you be working on?

RESSA: Well, we're certainly going to be following President Bush as he goes around. One of the other things he is going to have to do is to deal with the rising anti-American sentiment in Southeast Asia, much of that linked to Iraq. This is not something he had to deal with here.

But near the end of the month, I'll be returning to Malaysia and to Prime Minister Mahathir, who is going to be stepping down after 22 years in power. He's going to be replaced by a man who is largely known as a bureaucrat. But Abdullah Badawi (ph) will help shape what the region looks like, a region that has become increasingly important in the global war on terror.

COHEN: Well, thank you, Maria. And from Manila, we're going to go to Colorado and the preliminary hearing this week on basketball superstar Kobe Bryant, charged with sexual assault. We're back ON THE STORY after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MARK HURLBERT, EAGLE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY: I am confident in the people's case versus Kobe Bryant.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COHEN: Eagle County, Colorado District Attorney Mark Hurlbert predicting the sexual assault case he is leading against Kobe Bryant will go to trial. This week saw a continuation of the preliminary hearing. One of the reporters covering that story is Heidi Hemmat of CNN affiliate KDVR TV in Denver.

Heidi, tell us what you did this week.

HEIDI HEMMAT, KDVR TV: Well, what a week it was. We did do part two of the preliminary hearing for Kobe Bryant, watched his attorneys drop several bombshells in court, and watched as people are now disseminating information that we've received over the past two preliminary hearings. And really, watched how she has really gotten the victim's past sexual history part of this case.

She has really made what this victim has done up until this point, as far as her sexual history, a very relevant part of this case. And now people are reacting for that and waiting for what's next.

BURKE: Heidi, it's relevant now. But from the people that you've talked to, is this something, if this goes to trial, that will be admissible at that point?

HEMMAT: You know, that is a good question, because I think there is a -- what I have heard is that Pamela Mackey, Kobe Bryant's attorney, basically has made it relevant, because she has pointed out different parts of evidence that point to this victim potentially having different sexual part -- at least one, a second, or a third sexual partner after she says that Kobe Bryant raped her. But we have rape shield laws here in Colorado, and part of the reason for those laws is because we do not want to make a victim's sexual history relevant in a rape case.

Well, from what I understand, the prosecution in this case really opened that door, because they put somebody on the stand who testified that the victim's injuries were consistent with someone who had non- consensual sex. And when this did that, that opened the door for Pamela Mackey.

They're going to have to have closed-door hearings about this victim's sexual history, recent sexual history, and how that plays a part in this case. But, yes, it is not supposed to be a part of a trial. But unfortunately, or fortunately, for Pamela Mackey, that information is now out there and people are already forming opinions about that information.

WILLIS: Heidi, you know there's almost more attention on Kobe Bryant's attorney than Kobe himself. How did Kobe appear during this whole thing?

HEMMAT: He was very stoic, very serious. He never made any sort of expression at all on his face. Would walk into court very -- you know, a big, large person that he is, large presence that he has. Didn't look at anybody in the eye, doesn't make any sort of reaction at all no matter what is going on in court.

You know, looks like an unhappy man right now. And somebody who is facing very serious charges. And I think that people have told him, hey, you know, you're not on the basketball court. This is a very serious thing. And of course he could be facing life in prison if convicted of this.

MALVEAUX: Heidi, this information about her previous sexual partners, have they talked about, at all, what that means for this case, whether or not it was voluntary or involuntary, the sexual relations that she had with Kobe Bryant? I mean, does it really make a difference?

HEMMAT: Well, I guess that depends on who you ask. I think that you can have 100 consensual sexual experiences before being raped and still be raped. And it doesn't matter if you've had sex before or even after. If you said no, and then were raped, that is rape.

But I have to tell you that a lot of people are talking to me about, oh this girl is promiscuous, she asked for this. That is kind of out there. So, unfortunately, people are forming opinions about her promiscuity and how that impacts this case.

She is been painting as someone, a flirtatious girl who went to Kobe Bryant's room, knew that he wanted to hook up with her, knew that there would be some sort of interaction between the two, that she was excited about that. But if there was a point where this was no longer consensual, then it is rape. But I think that there's a 50-50 percentage out there.

Some people thinking, you know, we still have to listen to this girl's story. And some people thinking, oh, this is completely done. Kobe Bryant is innocent and this case isn't even worth going to trial.

COHEN: Heidi, you mentioned that several bombshells were dropped in the courtroom this week. On the whole, which side won points and which side lost points with these bombshells?

HEMMAT: Well, I think that these -- well, I think the second preliminary hearing was definitely Pamela Mackey's show, Kobe Bryant's attorney's show. One after the other, just one after the other. She was able to really poke holes in the prosecution's case so far, especially -- they put a detective on the stand who is really serving the role of telling the victim's story, and truthfully he really doesn't know what happened in that room.

He doesn't know everything that happened in that room. And they've been able to poke some serious holes in his account of what has happened.

I think people left the first preliminary hearing thinking, OK, there may be a whole lot more to hear here, that Pamela Mackey may have dealt a low blow to this victim by bringing up this possibility of her having sex with three different people in three days. But I can tell you that I'm not sure we've really heard evidence that this victim has had sex with three different people in three days.

We've heard that she had some panties on when she went to her sexual assault examination and that those panties had semen and sperm on them. Well, semen and sperm can be found on an article of clothing for several months after a sexual encounter. We all remember Monica Lewinsky's dress. So I just think that there are still a lot of things out there that we do not know, and we should not rush to judgment about this victim.

BURKE: Heidi, we'll certainly be all waiting to see what happens on Monday and beyond in this case. But we want to thank you for joining us.

Now we're going to turn our attention away from a basketball player in trouble to baseball in heaven, almost. The World Series starts tonight. And, boy, does it have a lot to live up to. I'm back on that story in just a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANNOUNCER: ... hits it to deep left! That might send the Yankees to the World Series!

(END VIDEO CLIP) BURKE: That's Aaron Boone, at least that's what he's called in New York. He's Aaron "bleeping" Boone in Boston and everywhere else where that homerun broke people's hearts.

You see the New York fans celebrating. They're used to that. Red Sox fans across the world, crying.

Again, in 1918, that was last year the Red Sox won a World Series. They say they haven't won because of the curse of the bambino. Who believes in curses? Well, you saw those fans celebrating. I'm going to tell you how Roger Clemens and David Wells and the pitching coach, Mel Stottlemyre, of the New York Yankees, celebrated.

They took a bottle of champagne out to Monument Park, which is in the outfield in Yankee Stadium where they have busts of all the great Yankees players. They popped that cork and they toasted to the Babe. They know there was something else, just maybe, at work on Thursday night. An incredible, incredible game.

WILLIS: Josie, I've just got ask you about this incredible end to the Cubs' effort, the fan leaning over that left-field line and making a dive for that ball. You know, it shocked a lot of people. I sort of felt sorry for him. What's the reaction that you're hearing?

BURKE: Well, you had to feel sorry for him. We spend a lot of time killing time as we cover these events. I was in New York and Boston covering the ALCS, surrounded by sports writers, talked to them over and over again. And only one person I spoke to really seemed to think like this young man, this 26-year-old lifelong Cubs' fan, was to blame.

And Gerri, you mentioned, talking to me, that that was the end of it. It really wasn't the end of it, but it might as well have been for the Cubs. One thing that you noticed listening to all of the talk right afterward, there was a real danger that this could have been a dangerous situation.

Now we're hearing they want to make a movie about this kid. It could turn out to be all right in the long run. But it was certainly something that, at first, you didn't know how it would turn out. Unless you were a Cubs' fan; you knew it was the end then.

MALVEAUX: Well, Josie, I used to live in Chicago. And the friends that I talk to, they're still trying to get over that. Boy, I tell you.

But this was just a crazy, crazy week. I mean, you had the Yankees and that big brawl that erupted. I mean, what was that about?

BURKE: You know, it's interesting. I talked to ON THE STORY last week, right before that game, and there was so much focus about the starting pitchers, Roger Clemens and Pedro Martinez. And then the lasting image from that game is of Martinez throwing down the 72-year- old coach of the New York Yankees, Don Zimmer, during this brawl in the fourth inning. Later in the game, there was an actual brawl in the bullpen involving a Red Sox employee. And at that time, it really looked like this could get very ugly, and that this would be a series to remember for all of the wrong reasons. It might be something that baseball would be ashamed of.

But now, here we are a week later. And that story has really moved to the background because of the incredible things that unfolded, particularly in game seven at Yankee Stadium. It's a house of horrors for Boston.

They were so close. And we talked about the curse. You cannot talk enough about this.

In Chicago, they believe in it. In Boston, they believe in it. These two teams each won this week five outs away from going to the World Series.

They had their ace on the mound and it all fell apart. It fell apart for the Cubs in game six and for the Red Sox in game seven.

COHEN: Josie, after all of these -- all of this drama this week, how in the world is the World Series going to live up?

BURKE: It's going to have a very, very difficult time. We were talking to Jason Giambi (ph) of the Yankees yesterday. And it sounded like he was working for Fox or as a pitchman, because he was trying to convince everyone that New York Yankees versus Florida Marlins is a compelling match-up.

And anyone who does know baseball knows that it is. It's not Cubs-Red Sox. And so many people who love the charm and the history were really pulling for that because that was a story that anyone -- even if you didn't like baseball -- could have gotten into.

This one, you have to appreciate baseball a little bit more. But it's like David and Goliath, because the Yankees are this (UNINTELLIGIBLE). They have a huge payroll; it's more than three times what the Marlins have. The Marlins had $50 million to work with this year. They came out of nowhere.

They were 19 in 29 at one point this season. They bring in a 72- year-old manager, who was sitting on his couch in North Carolina watching his grandkids play wiffle ball, to be the manager, and he turned the thing around. And so there are some really, really great stories in this. But I think there are people across the country who like the Red Sox and who like the Cubs, who would rather watch leaves fall off trees than watch baseball this week.

WILLIS: Josie, there's one other story I want to hear you talk about. And that's the story about new steroids that we've never heard about. How serious is this?

BURKE: This is another one that reads like some sort of thriller that Stephen King could have come up with. There was a conference call this week with the leader of USADA, the Anti-Doping Agency in the United States. He revealed that there's a new designer steroid that some Olympic athletes have tested positive for.

And how did they get wind of it? Well, an anonymous big name, they say, track and field coach tipped off USADA, then sent them a vial of this stuff. They had it tested it in their lab, it took months, they were able to identify it.

Then they went back and they actually tested all of the samples from the U.S. track and field championships that they had taken this summer, and a number of athletes have tested positive. And not only that. They're fingering a lab in northern California for developing this.

And this lab is associated not just with Olympic athletes, but with athletes across the board. You're hearing names like Marion Jones, Barry Bonds, people who don't necessarily have something to do with track and field. This is going to get bigger and bigger and it's something that we won't know the scope of, possibly, for months.

COHEN: From baseball and the world of sports to the medical front, women saw a new step this week toward returning one kind of breast implants back to the market. I'm on the story after a break and a check of what's making headlines right now.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Like thousands of breast implant women, I live in pain every day. And I pray that my grandchildren and my nieces do not go through the pain that I've gone through.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP):

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I believe firmly that women should have the option to choose saline or silicone and that they should have the risks and benefits outlined for each.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COHEN: Passionate and directly opposed testimony this week about the safety of silicone gel breast implants and whether they're safe enough to regain government approval. Welcome back. We're on that story.

I covered that story this week, and I have to say, what a comeback. Who would have thought that after 11 years silicone breast implants might be put back on the market? I say might, because what happened this week was that an FDA advisory committee voted by a slim margin, 9-6, that these implants should be allowed back on the market.

It still has to go to the full FDA. And although the full FDA usually accepts recommendations, this is such a controversial topic. Of course there's no telling what they'll do. And what really struck me that there was sort of two groups of testimony. Some women saying, don't put these back on the market, I got Lupus, I got Cancer, I got all these horrible diseases. How could you do this?

And other women saying, hey, if I want this, why can't I have it? Tell me about the risks. I'm a grown woman. I can make my own decisions.

BURKE: Elizabeth, if the FDA does go ahead and approve them, is there going to be anything different about this silicone implant? Are they going to continue to track it and monitor just what the reaction of the body is to it?

COHEN: Right. It's that second part that's going to be different. If the advisory committee's recommendation goes through, women will have to have annual checkups so that they can see if they've been ruptured or not.

There will be a patient registry. You will have to join this registry if you get these implants so that you can be followed up on later. And, in addition, there's going to be strong wording about what women need to be told, how they need to be told about the risks.

So that will be the big difference. And for women who think that these implants made them ill, say, well, all you're really doing is just another big experiment.

WILLIS: Elizabeth, tell us a little bit about these silicone implants. There are other options out there for people. Why do some women prefer the silicone implants?

COHEN: There are other options. For example, there are saline implants that some people say are safer. So you might think, well, jeez, why not get the saline implants if perhaps they have a better safety profile?

And the reason is that women say the silicone implants look and feel more natural. Remember, this is a cosmetic procedure. You get this because you want to look better and you want them to feel more natural. And people say that silicone does the best job of that.

MALVEAUX: Elizabeth, I find this a very odd story. Because, on the one hand, we heard so many women testifying before, saying they were having numerous health problems, as serious as Cancer. I mean, are they saying now that they are safe to use, that those problems were not associated with these breast implants? Is that what they're saying?

COHEN: That's what many of the study studies are saying. It's very similar, actually, to Gulf War Syndrome. You had all of these veterans saying, I have this disease and that disease, and I think it's because of what I was exposed to during the war. And then many studies saying, well, we understand that you're ill, but we can't find the connection to the war. So what many of these studies after studies actually showed was, we understand that you're ill, but there's no proof that it's from the implants. So maybe we should put them back on the market.

BURKE: Elizabeth, I know that you monitored all that testimony so closely. I'm wondering, even if you didn't hear from any men, did you get the feeling that there were men who were driving this?

COHEN: Well, you especially heard that from some of the women. I remember one in particular who said, "I decided to get these because my husband said after two children and shrinkage and droppage and all that stuff, I want you to have bigger breasts." I mean, it was that clear.

So men are definitely often the reason why women get these. Of course, some women get it just because they want bigger breasts themselves. But of course, it's -- you know, you'd have to be an idiot not to say, well, often, it's because the men want the women to have the bigger breasts.

WILLIS: Let's turn to this stomach pacemaker for just a minute. I'm amazed by this story. So astonishing that you can have some kind of implant that will make you feel full. Elizabeth, does this really work?

COHEN: Well, according to the study that was just released this week, it did work. They put 30 people on this pacemaker. You can see it, that's the device right there.

What the pacemaker does it is sends out an electrical impulse that, for reasons that aren't completely understood, makes the person feel that they're full. And so on this study, for example, people were on average 260 pounds and over the course of a few months got down to 213 pounds. That is a very, very significant weight loss.

Diets usually don't work as well as that. And so some people are heralding this as the next big thing in weight loss. And, again, they're not completely sure how it works, but you feel full.

MALVEAUX: Is it considered safe, Elizabeth?

COHEN: They had very few side effects in this study, and this has been used for years in Italy. Some people in Italy have had them in their stomachs for as long as five years, and they say that the safety profile is very good. Of course, five years isn't 20 years or 30 years.

And once you have this in, the doctor who did the study in this country said, you have to keep it in. Because if that's what keeping you from being obese, you need to keep it in. You shouldn't be taking it out.

WILLIS: A checkup of the U.S. economy this week showed new signs of recovery and some nagging concerns about health insurance. I'm back on that story in a moment.

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BUSH: First and foremost, we've got to do a better job of controlling the high cost of health care.

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WILLIS: That's President Bush speaking in California on Wednesday, noting the importance of health care costs. Welcome back. We're ON THE STORY.

A big story I was following this week is kind of the contrast between the public statements from Wall Street and economists on the one hand, and on the other hand, the experience of the economy that so many people have out there, day to day.

First off, those professional economists on Wall Street, the Federal Reserve coming out in its beige book this week, saying that the economic recovery is broader than anticipated. It's really going very well, in fact, they say.

The Dow, of course, now flirting with 10,000. It hasn't been there in -- first crossed that mark four and a half years ago. It portends great things for the stock market in coming weeks. Expected to go right through that level this weekend.

And also up, earnings. Third quarter earnings expected to be 20 percent above last year's levels. Now, that seems to say, hey, the economy's doing great. But one of the big things people are facing, particularly this fall, as they pursue open enrollment at work and sign up for those health care plans, is that they're more expensive.

This is a big drag on consumers, I think, right now. What we're seeing is that, overall, uninsured Americans, 15 percent, 43 million Americans -- that's the biggest number in 10 years, a decade. And if you do have a job, you're paying more for that insurance. Fifteen percent increase for families out there. Just a kind of discomforting thing for people who are either employed or even unemployed.

MALVEAUX: And Gerri, we hear all the time from the president, saying that Americans just have to be patient, they just have to wait for these tax cuts to work, that this is all a part of the big plan that ultimately our economy is going to turn around. You look at the indicators, you look at the stock market. Does it look like that is happening now?

WILLIS: Well, I think the big problem we have is that this has been a jobless recovery. So from the consumer's point of view, they're not seeing it yet in many cases. Now, having said that, we have seen some improved numbers in terms of economic sentiment.

Consumer sentiment, University of Michigan, just this past week pretty upbeat. But I think consumers are really worried out there this could drag on. This has been one of the longest post-recession periods with slow job growth ever. And just for a second, back to the health care issue, you know companies who have been mired in this slow growth recovery, you know, taking it out of consumers now, they're implementing something called consumer-driven health care, which you're going to be paying a lot more for.

COHEN: But, Gerri, consumer-driven health care sound goods. It sounds like something that we would want. Why is it maybe not so good?

WILLIS: Well, it's more, I think, a marketing name than it is really representing what it mean. Look, your employer will give you maybe $1,000, open an account for you to spend on your health care, but your deductible goes way up, maybe $2,000 to $5,000 a year.

So while people who are really healthy may like these plans because they don't spend anymore than $1,000 a year, if you have a chronic condition, this could be a real problem because you'll blow through that $1,000 really quickly. Remember, that first night in the hospital bed can cost you as much as $2,000. So I think what we're seeing is really cost-shifting with these companies, forcing the bulk of this bill back on to consumers.

BURKE: Gerri, with the Dow on the brink of 10,000, again, if it does get there, what would it mean?

WILLIS: Well, I think it's an important psychological barrier, really, for the markets, for professionals, as well as for individuals. I think you'll see a whole new attitude towards the market more broadly if we go through this level and hold it. That's the key. Can we hold it, or is it more just back and forth like we've seen here?

MALVEAUX: Gerri, is there any sense that perhaps the president's plan to reform Medicare and Medicaid, that this might have some sort of impact on what you talked about before, this insurance, people have medical insurance, or are they just taking up a bigger portion of it, a bigger burden?

WILLIS: Well, I think it's really an important conversation. And one take-away here that I think is really important, especially with the prescription drug plan for the elderly, you know, they've got a really outspoken advocate in Washington, the AARP, really putting pedal to the metal, trying to get these benefits in place.

If you don't have that kind of lobbyist, you're not going to get that kind of representation or the goodies. The big unanswered question here, I think, from a policy perspective, what do we do with the uninsured? It's a big problem.

Remember that consumer bankruptcies, the majority of people who file bankruptcy, they've just experienced some kind of devastating health impairment. So the two things are linked: consumer health and financial health, as well as these benefit benefits and policies.

MALVEAUX: Well, from the business world to the world where President Bush scored a major diplomatic victory this week over Iraq, I'm back on that story after this. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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BUSH: I want to thank the United Nations Security Council for unanimously passing a resolution supporting our efforts to build a peaceful and free Iraq.

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MALVEAUX: President Bush on Thursday, saluting the United Nations after a rare win on the world stage as the Security Council approved the plan for reconstruction of Iraq. We are back ON THE STORY.

It was an incredible victory for the administration, a unanimous vote, 15-0, to get everybody on board. And what was the sticking point, in the final 24 hours, you had Russia that was pushing France, as well as Germany. Essentially, what it all came down to was that nobody wanted to be left out of the picture. And of course France did not want to be the only one abstaining when it came to Syria.

Syria was going to do that. And then a couple of people changing their minds at the last minute.

What it was is all about timetables. The administration gave up just a little bit on this resolution. We're talking about, really, just fine-tuning the language. But essentially, they said, December 15th, the Iraqi Governing Council has to go ahead and come up with its own timetable about the constitution, about elections, and eventually turning power back over to the Iraqi people.

It gave the U.N. a little bit more of an expanded role, but not that much. Essentially, it creates this multinational force that it has on board. But, again, this was really a lot of negotiating, some arm twisting, but a big win for the Bush administration.

COHEN: Well, Suzanne, a victory with other countries this week, but what about in this country? How did the president do in convincing legislatures that they need to spend the money to reconstruct Iraq?

MALVEAUX: Well, it's certainly mixed results. I mean, the president got everything he wanted out of the House, the $87 billion. Really mixed results on the Senate side, because you had Republicans who sided with Democrats, who said, OK, we'll give you almost your $87 billion, but the big issue here is that we are not going to give the full amount for Iraqi reconstruction, that $20 billion, all in the form of a gift, of grants.

We want part of that, half of that, to be loans. The Iraqi people eventually will be able to pay back this because they are sitting on such huge oil reserve. So that is something where the president -- he had people at the White House, he was trying to twist their arms. You had the vice president, Secretary Powell, everybody involved in trying to convince these Republican senators not to go in that direction.

I spoke with him after that meeting, and they said the president was not convincing. Some were quite upset. They said he was arrogant and condescending and that he would not negotiate, that he would not debate this issue. Ultimately, those Republicans sided with the Democrats. We'll have to wait and see what happens next week when they conference.

BURKE: Suzanne, it seems like it's an even busier week than normal for the president. One place we saw him was out in California with Arnold Schwarzenegger. Was this a substantive visit, and are we going to see a lot more of these two together?

MALVEAUX: Well, it was certainly worth the picture when you see the two of them together. Very interesting, because both of these men need each other, essentially. That is a very important picture for both of them.

President Bush, certainly hoping perhaps that California will be in play for his re-election bid. He lost badly to Gore the last time around. He would like to see some of that Arnold shine and luster and can-do rub off on him.

At the same time, Arnold Schwarzenegger looking for big bucks from the federal government. He did not get any promises that that was happening. And so he has to bail out California's economy. Both of them turning to each other, but not really clear if they're -- either one of them are going to get what they need from the other person.

WILLIS: Suzanne, what about these attacks against Americans in Gaza? Dramatic story this week. What's the reaction there?

MALVEAUX: Well, certainly, one of the things that happened was that we heard very forcibly -- President Bush came out and he did not point necessarily to the terrorist organizations. He didn't even point to Israel.

He pointed directly to the Palestinian Authority, saying, you guys are the ones that are going to have to really enhance the security. You're the ones who will have to deal with the situation. Of course, a lot of frustration on that.

COHEN: Suzanne, as if your life weren't busy enough covering the White House, you're also going to be running the Marine marathon. You're training for it. How is it going?

MALVEAUX: I'm going to be running and walking, you could say, a run-walk marathon. You're right; it's less than a week away. And it's been exciting.

It's been difficult. I'm really glad that it's only seven days away. And don't be surprised if the next time, next week, that I'm not able to sit down in this seat after that run. I'm going to be a hurting person. But thanks for asking. It's been a lot of fun.

WILLIS: Well, we'll keep running. More ON THE STORY ahead, and President Bush's weekly radio address.

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ANNOUNCER: Nashala Hearn returned to her sixth grade classroom Wednesday after an eight-day suspension from her eastern Oklahoma school for wearing a religious headscarf. She'll be allowed to wear it while school officials evaluate their dress code, which forbids any kind of head covering.

School officials said the code was to prevent gang activity. Her father contends she was singled out because of her religious beliefs.

COHEN: Wow. Well, good luck to her. And thanks to my colleagues, and thank you for watching ON THE STORY. We'll be back next week.

Still ahead, "PEOPLE IN THE NEWS" focusing this week on Pope John Paul II. At 12:00 noon Eastern, 9:00 a.m. Pacific, "CNN LIVE SATURDAY." And at 1:00 p.m. Eastern, 10:00 a.m. Pacific, CNN's "IN THE MONEY."

Coming up at the top of the hour, a check of the top stories. But first, the president's weekly radio address.

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Bush Meets with APEC Leaders>