Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Wolf Blitzer Reports
FAA's Inspector General Says Agency Should Do More to Prevent Runway Collisions
Aired June 26, 2001 - 20:00 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.
WOLF BLITZER, HOST: Tonight: danger on the nation's runways. Top airline safety watchdogs turn up the heat on the FAA to cut down the risk of collisions. Publishers Clearing House agrees to pay millions -- not in prize money, but in a multimillion-dollar settlement over charges of deceptive advertising.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They acknowledged that their mailings were confusing, that some consumers were deceived.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: New York lawmakers tell drivers to hang up, passing a new bill banning handheld cell phones.
We'll talk live with New York Governor George Pataki who says he'll sign the bill into law.
Good evening. I'm Wolf Blitzer reporting tonight from Washington.
If you're planning on flying soon, you'll be interested in knowing this: The Federal Aviation Administration says the risks of runway collisions are on the rise. It points to an alarming increase in the number of dangerous near collisions, 431 last year, up from 321 in 1999. Only last month, there was a near disaster at Washington's Reagan National Airport when a small twin jet plane almost collided on the runway with a U.S. Airways 737. But the Transportation Department's inspector general says the FAA is not doing enough to prevent runway collisions.
CNN's Patty Davis has our top story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PATTY DAVIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The runway at Chicago's O'Hare Airport, April 1, 1999.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Stop!
DAVIS: An air traffic controller tries to prevent a collision between two 747 jumbo jets after one mistakenly taxis onto an active runway.
A Korean Air 747, speeds toward takeoff, forced to lift off early and banks to the left to avoid a collision. The FAA says incursions, or close calls on runways, are on the rise nationwide, now averaging more than one a day. The FAA's answer, a software system called AMASS, or Airport Movement Area Safety System. It uses radar to alert controllers to potential collisions and has just gone on-line at San Francisco International Airport.
SCOTT SPEER, ASSISTANT AIR TRAFFIC MANAGER, SAN FRANCISCO: It's the first surface detection equipment that really gives an alert to the controller and allows the controller to prevent a collision.
DAVIS: Only San Francisco and Detroit have the technology so far. Thirty-two of the nation's biggest airports are next. But a federal transportation watchdog told a House panel AMASS is too little, too late.
REP. WILLIAM LIPINSKI (D), ILLINOIS: Mr. Mead, do you have confidence that the AMASS will work and that controllers will use the system?
KENNETH MEAD, INSPECTOR GENERAL, TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT: No.
DAVIS: Six years overdue and tens of millions of dollars over budget, the system has been plagued by false alerts. While the FAA is focusing on helping controllers prevent accidents, the Transportation Department's inspector general and the National Transportation Safety Board say more needs to be done to prevent pilot error, which accounts for 60 percent of runway incidents.
CAROL CARMODY, NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION AND SAFETY BOARD: Unless much is done, more is done soon to prevent runway incursions, it's just a matter of time before we have a disastrous runway collision.
DAVIS: Even the FAA agrees the AMASS system isn't the complete answer.
(on camera): Some of its fixes include improved marking and lighting for runways and more training for airport workers as the government tries to reverse the troubling rise in runway incursions.
Patty Davis, CNN, at Reagan National Airport.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: Overseas, some tense moments for 81 U.S. peacekeeping troops helping besieged ethnic Albanians in Macedonia. That country's president asked for NATO's help in getting Albanian rebel fighters and civilians out of a village near the capital. The U.S. troops moved them in a convoy of buses and Humvees. On the way back to their base, the troops were met by Macedonian security forces who refused to let them pass. Area residents gathered, many angry the ethnic Albanians had been allowed to keep their weapons. The U.S. troops finally took another route to diffuse the situation. A Pentagon official says the troops performed well under potentially dangerous conditions. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REAR ADM. CRAIG QUIGLEY, PENTAGON SPOKESMAN: Speed was an important element of this operation. Because of the rising tensions and the desire to defuse it as quickly as possible. So, as soon as the logistical details on routes to take, and times and things of that sort were worked out, we had the forces available and the buses, and the drivers for those buses to take immediate action. And that was important.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: France, Italy, and Great Britain had agreed to provide troops for the mission, but none of their troops ever arrived.
Here in Washington, President Bush met today with Israel's Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. The administration wants Israel and the Palestinians to move into a cooling off period. CNN senior white house correspondent John King has our report.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOHN KING, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A friendly Oval Office meeting, but two very different views on the state of play in the Middle East.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We're gaining by inches. I recognize progress is in inches not in miles, but nevertheless an inch is better than nothing.
KING: The administration wants to build on the fragile U.S. brokered cease-fire the Israelis and Palestinians agreed to two weeks ago. But the bloodshed continues, and Prime Minister Sharon says there can be no new steps until all violence stops for a period of at least 10 days.
ARIEL SHARON, ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER: Israel will not negotiate under fire and under terror. Because if we will do that, we will never reach peace.
KING: This meeting marked the beginning of a more intense White House intervention. Secretary of State Colin Powell is off to the region looking to push the parties to take steps beyond the cease- fire. The first would be an official cooling off period, perhaps five or six weeks, then what the diplomats call confidence building measures. In this case, a commitment by the Palestinians to arrest militants involved in attacks on Israel and a pledge by Israel to stop expanding Jewish settlements in the West Bank and Gaza.
But optimism is in short supply. These protesters outside the White House blame Israel and Mr. Sharon for the bloodshed. The prime minister says Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat is to blame. Just keeping the cease-fire in place could prove a major challenge.
DENNIS ROSS, FORMER U.S. SPECIAL ENVOY TO THE MIDDLE EAST: We are out of the solution business. That is not possible right now because there has been a complete loss of faith in each side on whether or not the other is prepared to make peace. We have to reestablish a belief in peacemaking.
KING: Adding to the administration's diplomatic challenge are mounting complaints from the Palestinian side of a pro-Israel bias.
(on camera): This was Prime Minister Sharon's second visit to the Bush White House. And Mr. Arafat has yet to be invited. Administration officials say there is no bias, but also make clear there will be no invitation for a visit until, in their view, they see more evidence the Palestinian leader is committed to ending the violence. John King, CNN, the White House.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: The president of South Africa was also at the White House today. Thabo Mbeki met with President Bush. Trade and bilateral ties were on the agenda, as was the AIDS epidemic in Africa.
The nation's biggest sweepstakes publisher will pay $34 million to 26 states to settle lawsuits over deceptive advertising. CNN's Gina London joins us now from Denver with more on the deal -- Gina.
GINA LONDON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, this is the second time in two years that Publishers Clearing House has settled a multistate lawsuit against it. But this time around more states are involved. Colorado in fact, ready to go to trial in August, in this case. But, today, Publishers Clearing House agreed to make sweeping changes, in including a stop to some of its target mailing.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): Ethel Stroh (ph) was the type person Publishers Clearing House targeted -- a senior citizen.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I would think, oh, my goodness, this sounds like it might be the time -- the chance, my big chance to win.
LONDON: Over a year ago, 26 states filed suit against Publishers Clearing House calling for a ban on so-called deceptive promotions. Tuesday the nations largest sweepstakes company agreed to change some of its practices and pay consumers restitution as part of a $34 million settlement. Colorado took a lead role in the suit, discovering Publishers Clearing House did not send out mailings at random.
KEN SALAZAR, COLORADO ATTORNEY GENERAL: Companies, essentially, look at those who are most vulnerable and they targeted senior citizens.
LONDON: Publishers Clearing House will now remove what are being called vulnerable customers from its lists. It must also better inform entrants that buying something will not enhance the odds. The company issued a statement saying, in part, "We listened to the states concerns and have agreed to responsive and significant changes that will make our promotions the clearest, most reliable and trustworthy in the industry."
This ban on deceptive practices does not go into effect immediately. In fact it will take at least 90 days. In the meantime Publishers Clearing House may have already printed up its next batch of promotions saying you are a winner, when you are not.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LONDON: And now the next million dollar prize is set to go out as scheduled, August 23, Wolf, and the attorney general's office here in Colorado says that Publishers Clearing House has printed up its next batch of mailers to go out in December, also as planned. So expect to see some changes after that -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Gina, how are they going to divide up the money? Who is going to get those millions of dollars?
LONDON: Well, it is interesting. First all of $34 million, part of that settlement is going to go into attorneys' fees and civil penalties. But $19 million are actually going to go toward consumer restitution. Publishers Clearing House is going to send out a list of people who played and how much they paid to the states, and then it is expected that the states will divvy up that money then, according to who spent the most.
Now interestingly, Mrs. Stroh, she actually says she spent more than $10,000 over the years, so it is expected she will be on that list -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Gina London in Denver. Thank you very much.
New York state wants drivers to do one less thing behind the wheel, enacting a ban on drivers using handheld cell phones. We'll talk live to New York Governor George Pataki about signing that bill into law.
And later: saying goodbye to the actor who brought a new realism to television comedy.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back. New York lawmakers want drivers to pay attention to the road, not their cell phones. The state's assembly passed a bill last night that would make New York the first state to ban drivers from using handheld cell phones. The New York Senate has already passed the bill. Once law, drivers would get a warning if caught on the phone after November 1st. Drivers on the phone would be fined $100 after December 1st. There is an exception for making emergency 911 calls.
And New York is not alone in wanting to limit the use of cell phones. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, cell phone restrictions have been proposed in 39 states.
New York's governor says he'll sign the bill into law, and Governor George Pataki joins us now live from New York to explain why. Governor, first of all, thanks for joining us. But is there any hard scientific evidence that talking on a handheld cell phone is more distracting than drinking a cup of coffee or putting a CD into your car system?
GOV. GEORGE PATAKI (R), NEW YORK: Well, Wolf, it's good being on with you again, and let me tell you, it's just common sense. We've seen an explosion in the use of handheld cell phones, and if you look in the owners' manual, it says right there: "Do not use this while operating a vehicle," by driving your car.
And we have story after story, tragedy after tragedy, of people who have been injured, killed, by people who just didn't pay attention because they were holding on to the wheel with one hand, holding onto the cell phone with the other. And there's no question in my mind that this is going to result in safer streets, safer highways. It will save lives and it's the right thing for New York, and I believe it's the right thing for other states, as well.
BLITZER: But you say there's been an explosion in the use of handheld cell phones, but has there been a corresponding explosion in the number of traffic accidents over these past two or three years?
PATAKI: Well, Wolf, we're very proud of the fact that in New York state last year, 2000, we had our safest year on our highways ever in history of the state. We had a lower number of fatalities than we did in the mid-1920s, when were far fewer vehicles on the road. That's in spite of the fact that we have seen this dramatic increase in drivers being distracted because of handheld cell phones.
We've done other things like enforced the seat belt law, and we have record compliance now with our seat belt law that is saving lives. And we've done things like allow 65-mile-an-hour driving on parts of the interstate, so you get people off the local roads going 55, and on to the safer interstate roads. So our streets are safer, but it's in spite of expanded cell phone use.
There's just no question in my mind, Wolf, that it is inherently dangerous. People have to have the common sense to understand that when you're talking with one hand and trying to drive with the other, you're not going to be devoting your attention to driving a car, and the potential for disaster exists. And now we're going to also make it a violation if you do that.
BLITZER: Governor, there was a spokesman for AAA on CNN earlier today. He has a different view than you do. I want you to listen to what he had to say earlier today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MANTILL WILLIAMS, AAA: We've seen these laws go into effect, but they've had almost zero affect on someone's behavior. They've had zero affect on someone's safety. No. 1, it's an unenforceable law, and we know from research and experience, any time you have an unenforceable law, you definitely won't have any affect on safety. And all this law will do is put the phone out of sight, so you don't see it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Governor, on that issue of being an unenforceable law, doing the research, what you had to say over the past couple years, at one point, you also thought it was an unenforceable law.
PATAKI: Well, Wolf, let me tell you two things. First of all, New Yorkers obey the laws, so that when we pass a law saying that it's illegal, it's a violation to use a handheld cell phone while you're driving, the overwhelming majority of New Yorkers are going to comply with that law, simply because they have respect for and obey our laws. So that we will immediately have dramatic compliance.
Second of all, the question of enforcement is precisely what was raised back when the seat belt law was passed initially. People said: "How are you going to enforce it?"
Well, the fact is we have been able to enforce the seat belt law. We have a very high rate of compliance in New York state, one of the highest in the country, and it's one of the reasons our highways are so safe. It's far easier to enforce a ban on driving with handheld cell phone, where you see the person holding the phone, than it is to enforce a seat belt law where it's very difficult to see from another car whether or not the person is wearing the seat belt.
New Yorkers will obey this law. It will result in safer streets, it will result in fewer fatalities, and I'm just pleased that the legislature has had the courage in the face of opposition to go ahead and pass the first statewide ban in America.
BLITZER: Are you convinced that the headsets, or the speaker phones -- people won't be distracted by talking on cell phones, other than handheld cell phones?
PATAKI: Wolf, sure they'll be distracted. They'll be distracted with headsets and with speaker phones, but you have -- those are a dramatic improvement. At least you're going to have someone with two hands on the wheel. And clearly, it's far better if people don't use a phone at all while they're in the car, but this is one that is enforceable and that will work, and that does provide the alternatives. There are those who engage in business activity, have to engage in business while they're driving their cars, and they can go out and buy a headset so that they have their hands free to operate the vehicle.
The vast majority of people, though, will obey this law. It's now in the millions, the people who have handheld cell phones, and they're going to respect the fact that it is inherently dangerous to try to drive while you're holding on to it and using it. And I think it will result in safer streets.
BLITZER: Well, let's hope it does, Governor Pataki. Everybody wants safer streets. I appreciate it very much. Thanks for joining us.
PATAKI: Good being on with you, Wolf.
BLITZER: Thank you, Governor Pataki.
Meanwhile, Houston prepares to mourn five slain children. We'll have a live report on the latest funeral preparations and the legal wrangling in this emotional case.
And there's a verdict in the case of a U.S. man accused of spying for the Russians. Stay with us
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back. Updating the case of the Texas woman charged with killing her five children. The judge in the case has issued a wide-ranging gag order over concerns over influencing potential jurors. For the latest details, we do to CNN's Ed Lavandera. He's live in Houston.
Ed, one of the casualties of that gag order, we were supposed to have Joe Owmby, the prosecutor in the case on our program tonight, but of course he is barred from speaking out. Tell us why the judge issued that order.
ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, as you can imagine, Wolf, the media scrutiny in this story has been pretty intense since last Wednesday, when the first -- when the murders happened. The judge saying that, of course, when this -- if this case goes to trial, the jurors will be picked here in Houston from the Harris county, and the judge is starting to worry that as more information trickles out, that they don't want in any way to contaminate the potential jury pool if the case goes that far.
BLITZER: There's going to be a funeral tomorrow morning in Houston. Set the stage, tell us what we can expect at that sad event.
LAVANDERA: Well, right now, at the Clear Lake Church of Christ, which is in the suburb just right down the street from the Yates home, right now the viewing is going on, we understand the turnout for that has been very good, a lot of family and friends showing up for the Yates family.
Tomorrow morning at 10:30 is the actual funeral service, and Russell Yates will be there. It is, of course, will be a private service. It is being limited to family and friends only. And this church is just a few blocks away from the Yates family home.
Where we are standing now, this is the Harris county jail, and behind us on the second floor is where Andrea Yates is on 24-hour suicide watch, and she will not be there. Sheriff's spokesman telling us today that that is not even an option, there is no way Andrea Yates was going to be let out for this -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Ed Lavandera in Houston, thank you very much.
In other news -- in other news tonight, a retired Army intelligence officer was convicted of giving crucial military documents to the Soviet Union. The FBI says the Soviets paid George Trofimoff $250,000 for two decades of work. When arrested, the 74- year-old Trofimoff was working part-time as a grocery bagger in Florida. He could spend the rest of his life behind bars.
At Carroll O'Connor's funeral today in Los Angeles, 76 doves were released, one for each year of his life. He died Thursday following a heart attack. A thousand of his friends and relatives gathered today to bid farewell to the beloved actor, known to millions as Archie Bunker. Among those on hand, fellow cast members from "All in the Family."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SALLY STRUTHERS, ACTRESS: I knew that -- I feel the big hole in my heart, you know. And I know that people all over the world will be missing him too, because he gave them so many years to laugh and to take a look at themselves. And people love it when you make them laugh, and he was brilliant at that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Carroll O'Connor is survived by his wife of almost 50 years, Nancy O'Connor.
Up next, I'll open our mailbag. The drowning of those five little children in Houston continues to generate lots of passionate reaction. I'll share some of it with you. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back. Time now to open our mailbag. My interview last night with Andrea Yates' attorney George Parnham generated lots of reaction.
Jean from Dudley, Pennsylvania, writes this: "When my first son was born, I went through postpartum depression. This is a terrible state to find oneself in. For anyone who has never experienced this illness, there is no way to describe it. I was in a complete black."
This from Karen in Pasadena, California: "Andrea Yates may try to plead insanity, but she knew exactly what she did. There is no way she could have killed five innocent children without knowing precisely what was happening.
This from Kathi in Port Townsend, Washington: "I am really bothered by the unfettered glee with which the vultures have descended upon Andrea Yates, as they yammer for her head on the platter. This concern is only second to the willingness of so many to wallow in their abysmal ignorance of the ravages of mental illness on its victims and their families."
Remember, I want to hear from you. Please e-mail me at wolf@cnn.com. And you can read my daily online column and sign up for my e-mail previewing our nightly programs by going to my Web site, cnn.com/wolf. That's all the time we have tonight. Thanks very much for watching. I'm Wolf Blitzer in Washington. "THE POINT WITH GRETA VAN SUSTEREN" begins right now.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
