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CNN Wolf Blitzer Reports

Chief U.N. Weapons Inspectors Brief Security Council; Clara Harris Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison, $10,000 Fine

Aired February 14, 2003 - 17:00   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: If President Bush and his top aides hope for more support in their showdown with Iraq, they didn't get it today.
Watching the showdown at the United Nations, Secretary of State Colin Powell, who showed frustration with the two chief inspectors after they stressed the Iraqi positives and asked for more time.

Secretary Powell also showed more frustration with key U.S. allies, who directly questioned his evidence against the Iraqis.

And watching all this from Baghdad, members of Saddam Hussein's regime, who may think they bought themselves precious time, but U.S. officials promised time is running out, as President Bush once again vowed today to disarm the Iraqis one way or another.

We have reports from the United Nations, the White House and Baghdad. Let's begin with our senior U.N. correspondent, Richard Roth -- Richard.

RICHARD ROTH, CNN SR. U.N. CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, a diplomatic shootout between veto-packing giants inside the Security Council. All of this after the latest briefing by U.N. weapons inspectors.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ROTH (voice-over): From the top U.N. inspectors, a report of Iraqi weapons not seen.

HANS BLIX, U.N. CHIEF WEAPONS INSPECTOR: (no audio)

ROTH: But also, says chief inspector Hans Blix, there are problems.

BLIX: (no audio)

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROTH: Well, I can't imitate the inspectors and we've seen this before, but basically chief weapons inspector Hans Blix and Mohamed ElBaradei, the two key weapons inspectors, in a way a mixed report.

But also, in a more significant direction, they said they could use the time because they have not disarmed Iraq and because they're getting a little bit more cooperation from Iraq on several fronts. There have been interviews with Iraqi scientists. Yes, they've not been conducted outside of Iraq, but now they're up to at least five.

They've also received clearance for U-2 surveillance flights, though there are still conditions from Iraq.

And there are still a lot of areas they don't know about: VX, anthrax, mustard gas shells. All of this, we've heard it before, inside the Security Council.

What was most interesting, which we apparently will not hear, are the comments from France's foreign minister and U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell.

These two friends, they say, over 200 years of friendship between France and the United States, well, they still went at it inside the council chamber. Not directly. They were separated by about 40 minutes to an hour in their remarks. But the two disagree completely on what to do with Iraq.

Secretary of State Powell almost exasperated in a tone we rarely hear from a U.S. official, at the council table, telling his fellow council, foreign ministers and ambassadors, Iraq is tricking you. Iraq is doing everything possible to delay, to make sure the council loses the attention span.

France disagreeing, saying anything but war -- Wolf.

BLITZER: It's the French foreign minister, in fact, later emerging from the Security Council, saying give peace a chance.

The way I tallied up the scorecard, somewhat listening to the 15 representatives at the Security Council, the U.S. And Britain, of course, on one side. They seem to get pretty good support from Spain, as well as Bulgaria.

The French, the Germans, the Russians, the Chinese, the Syrians pretty much on the other side. The other counsel members sort of somewhere in the middle.

Is that how you saw it, as well?

ROTH: Yes, I mean, you could say that some of those in the middle countries were testing the political winds inside the chamber and a big moment was a huge amount of applause by the other countries, not on the council, when the French ambassador finished.

There was applause, also, for the Russian foreign minister, Ivanov.

There was no sound at all when Powell spoke and when Jack Straw, the British foreign secretary.

This moment does not happen often in the U.N., Wolf. I haven't heard it in ten years. People cheering other countries after their remarks.

In fact, Germany, the president of the counsel said this is Valentine's Day and you're not supposed to applaud anyway in the council chamber -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Richard Roth, covering this important story on this historic day for us at the United Nations.

Richard, thanks very much.

Here in Washington, the Bush Administration is continuing to take a very hard line when it comes to Iraq.

Let's go to our White House correspondent, Suzanne Malveaux -- Suzanne.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, President Bush didn't respond directly to Blix's comments. We are told he wasn't able to actually watch the presentation or Secretary Powell's rebuttal. But he was having lunch with Cheney at the time.

But the president did say in broad terms before a counter- terrorism event, before the FBI saying that Saddam Hussein is a danger, that he must be disarmed.

A senior administration official that I spoke with said despite these calls, these reservations from France, China and Russia and other members, that the strategy for the White House has not changed.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: When I speak about the war on terror, I not only talk about al Qaeda, I talk about Iraq. Because after all, Saddam Hussein has got weapons of mass destruction and he's used them.

Saddam Hussein is used to deceiving the world and continues to do so. Saddam Hussein has got ties to terrorist networks. Saddam Hussein is a danger and that's why he will be disarmed, one way or the other.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: And, Wolf, looking forward administration officials say that yes, they continue to work on that language for a second U.N. Security Council resolution. That that will be introduced some time next week. It will be language saying that Iraq is in material breach of previous resolutions.

Also look to tomorrow, very important day for NATO. Administration officials telling us they've gotten reassurances that that roadblock to defend Turkey will actually be cleared. That that's what they'll be expecting.

And make no mistake, Wolf. War planning continues here, intensified at the White House. We saw, again, the administration's top guns meeting, making war plans. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld as well as General Tommy Franks and others going over those battle plans in the event of a war -- Wolf.

BLITZER: And as far as you know, Suzanne, after his meeting with the president today General Tommy Franks, the central commander, now off to the Middle East and the Persian Gulf.

He'll be at his temporary headquarters in Qatar for -- presumably getting ready for the military action if the commander in chief orders him.

MALVEAUX: Absolutely. And despite the fact, the administration says that no, the president has not made that decision. A lot of planning gone into this. And yes, they are saying that everything is in place. They are looking at weeks, not months, before this all comes to a head.

BLITZER: Suzanne Malveaux at the White House. Thanks, Suzanne, very much.

Let's get some Iraqi reaction right now, and for that let's turn to our senior international correspondent, Nic Robertson. Of course, he's in Baghdad -- Nic.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SR. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, the fear among Iraqi officials this morning was that Hans Blix would focus on the negative.

If we just look at just one example of where he didn't do that. He talked about the number of minders going out with the weapons inspectors. He said earlier in the year, the ratio had been five Iraqi minders to one weapons inspector. He said he'd asked the Iraq to bring that to a ratio of one to one.

He didn't say that hadn't happen; he said the situation had improved.

Now the Iraqi officials we've heard from here so far have said that they think Hans Blix's report shows that Iraq is in compliance. They think that it shows that more time should be given to the weapons inspectors.

Iraq's deputy prime minister is in Rome at the moment, meeting with the pope, Tariq Aziz. He said that -- in fact, he appeared to warn European nations away from backing the United States at this time.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TARIQ AZIZ, IRAQI DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER: When anything happens in Europe, it affects us in the Middle East and the Arab world and vice versa. Therefore, the Europeans should be very careful when they say we support George Bush, because they encourage him to do mischief, to make aggression. They should not.

And they should keep the friendship and the understanding between them and the Arab -- and the Islamic world.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROBERTSON: Now the issue of al Qaeda: Aziz went on to say, apparently appearing to paraphrase President Bush, saying that any links between al Qaeda and Iraq were just not true. He said that was like a bad American movie -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Just before the U.N. Security Council convened, Nic, as you well know, Saddam Hussein issued a presidential decree. What was that all about?

ROBERTSON: The timing, very interesting, coming just before Hans Blix's address, the words very interesting, as well. It said that no private -- no individual or private or mixed company should import, manufacture or produce chemical, biological or nuclear weapons of mass destruction.

Interesting, because the wording didn't appear to include state- run companies, only mixed and private companies.

However, the timing critical, and this was just what Hans Blix had been calling for, for Iraq to pass this legislation, outlawing weapons of mass destruction, Wolf.

BLITZER: Nic Robertson in Baghdad. Thanks, Nic, very much.

The Secretary of State, Colin Powell, did little today to mask his disappointment over the weapons inspectors' report to the Security Council.

When it came to his turn to speak, Powell pressed reluctant allies to threaten force if Iraq does not disarm. This afternoon the secretary spoke about these events in an exclusive interview with CNN's State Department correspondent Andrea Koppel.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN STATE DEPARTMENT CORRESPONDENT: We heard all of the statements made by the foreign ministers in public -- the French, the Germans, the Russians, the Chinese -- all in opposition to moving ahead with the second resolution or war.

Did they match those words privately or did you hear something different?

COLIN POWELL, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: We had a number of conversations over a brief lunch period. And in the private session we had with all of the same ministers, lots of questions were directed to Dr. Blix and to Dr. ElBaradei, and we had a good, healthy discussion that expanded on the morning's discussion.

I also heard Bulgaria, Spain and the United Kingdom speak strongly in support of the need for Iraq to comply.

And so even though there were a lot of different opinions expressed and they were strong opinions, it comes down to what judgment do you make with respect to Iraq's understanding of the nature of 1441? Are they complying? Are they disarming?

And I think in my judgment, anyway, the answer to that question still remains, no. They don't understand. They are not taking it seriously.

KOPPEL: So how much more time? The president has said weeks. Are we still talking weeks or are we talking days?

POWELL: We are talking weeks. The United States has one terrific record over the last almost 100 years of leaving places better off after we have conducted a military operation.

I could make that case with respect, in just the last 10 or 12 years, to Kuwait, to Kosovo and to Afghanistan.

People are worried about consequences, and I understand that anxiety, but there are also going to be positive consequences. This regime, if we have to go in and use military force, will no longer be there threatening the world. Those weapons of mass destruction will be gone. The neighbors will not have to worry about Hussein, nor will the rest of the world.

KOPPEL: Is it your sense, as a former military man, that war with Iraq is more inevitable than it was going into today's session?

POWELL: No, I wouldn't say that. I would say there's still a chance of peace, but you know, we will not -- we will not realize that peace if we ever back off on the pressure. If we ever make it look like we do not have the will to take this to conflict if necessary to disarm Iraq.

But the question of war and peace is up to Saddam Hussein and the Iraqi regime.

The counsel has spoken. The counsel spoke clearly in 1441. We had a good, spirited debate today after hearing from the two chief inspectors.

The burden now is on Saddam Hussein with respect to the question of whether there will be war or peace.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Secretary of State Colin Powell, speaking with our own Andrea Koppel just a couple of hours ago.

Here's your chance to weigh in on this story. Our web question of the day is this, should the U.S. strike Iraq now or allow weapons inspections to continue? We'll have the results later in this broadcast. Vote at CNN.com/Wolf.

You can also find the U.N. inspectors' report on my web page. While you're there, please send me your comments. I'll try to read some of them on the air each day at the end of this program. That's also where you can read my daily online column: CNN.com/Wolf.

No need to panic over terror. That's from the Homeland Security secretary. And no need to seal your doors with duct tape. The government tries to calm the nerves of a jittery America.

Plus, voices of dissent, massive anti-war protests planned around the world tomorrow.

And inside mission control: The day the shuttle exploded. Our Miles O'Brien with new pictures.

You're watching CNN, the most trusted source for news.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: The terror threat facing America. Now the Homeland Security secretary issues advice you may want to hear.

Also, he says he hasn't found any nuclear weapons yet. How much more time do inspectors need? I'll ask the chief International Atomic Energy Agency, inspector Mohamed ElBaradei in an exclusive interview.

That's coming up on Wolf Blitzer reports. We're back in one minute.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: This time last Friday, the Department of Homeland Security, the Bush Administration, raised the threat level to orange or a high level of concern.

CNN's Jeanne Meserve and our justice correspondent Kelli Arena have both been following all of these developments all week long, moves to strengthen intelligence gathering, as well as moves to protect all of us. Both are here in Washington.

Let's go to Kelli first -- Kelli.

KELLI ARENA, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, the level of concern about a possible terror threat is still very high.

Now even if there is not an attack in the near future, counter- terrorism officials say that Americans should not let their guard down. They say intelligence still suggests attacks are being planned to strike both in the United States and in the Arabian Peninsula where U.S. troops have been sent to prepare for a possible war with Iraq.

The president spoke at the FBI today about the terror threat and the war the U.S. is waging against al Qaeda.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BUSH: There is no such thing as perfect security against a hidden network of cold-blooded killers. Yet abroad and at home, we're not going to wait until the worst dangers are upon us. We continue to be in a state of war, but we're making progress.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ARENA: The FBI continues to keep as many as 1,000 people in as many as 30 U.S. cities under surveillance. Now among those being watched are some who trained at terror camps in Afghanistan.

Agents also continue to look for clues to identify any terror cells within the United States. They say that it is the individuals who have managed to stay below the radar screen that pose the biggest threat -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Kelli Arena, thanks very much.

Let's continue to get some more assessment. What's happening here on the home front?

And an appeal from the man charged with watching the security within U.S. borders. His appeal, don't panic.

CNN's Jeanne Meserve is joining us now live with more on that -- Jeanne.

JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, it's Valentine's Day, a day for the color red and also the color orange.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MESERVE (voice-over): One week on threat level orange and holding.

TOM RIDGE, U.S. SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY: We have not received any additional intelligence that would lead us to either raise or lower the threat level at this time.

MESERVE: Ridge did try to lower public anxiety. Plastic sheeting and duct tape have become synonymous with the current terror alert. Ridge said you should have them, but don't use them.

RIDGE: God forbid there may come a time when the local authorities or national authorities will tell you that you've got to use them, but for the time being we just don't want folks sealing up their doors or sealing up their windows.

MESERVE: Next Wednesday, Ridge will launch a public preparedness campaign to better educate Americans about what to do before, during and after any terrorist attack, in hopes of avoiding a duct tape redux.

Maintaining threat level orange has a big price tag and state and local governments, aided by congressional Democrats, continue to press for help paying it. REP. NANCY PELOSI (D-CA), MINORITY LEADER: It is indefensible that the administration has not made funding for our first responders the top priority.

MESERVE: Ridge criticized Congress for putting previsions on much of the $3.5 million in first responder money it just approved. He promised to expedite its delivery, but warned federal assistance could have would have limits.

RIDGE: The commitment that the president made and continues to make is a substantial sum of money. Unfortunately, as we combat further international terrorism there may be shared responsibility, and part of that is also financial.

MESERVE: Coast Guard fast rope teams that can board suspicious ships offshore are being used in greater numbers. Just one of thousands of examples of how the nation has ramped up protection.

But 85 percent of the critical infrastructure is privately owned, and officials acknowledged they have had only mixed success in getting private industry to assess and address threats and vulnerabilities.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

Officials say they're exploring a number of incentives, like tax breaks, insurance breaks and grants, as well as regulation, to make sure what needs to be protected is protected -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Jeanne Meserve. Thanks very much, Jeanne, for that report.

And Tom Ridge will be among my guests Sunday on LATE EDITION, Sunday at noon eastern.

Voices of dissent: find out why millions of people around the world plan to hit the streets in protest this weekend.

Also, super spy power in a tiny plane. The Pentagon rolls out some high tech help. You'll want to see this.

And death of a clone. Found out what killed Dolly.

But first, a look at some other news making headlines around the world.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): Sharing power, Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat has agreed to share power with a prime minister. Bowing to pressure from Europe and the United States, Arafat says he'll nominate a prime minister shortly and seek approval from the Palestinian legislative council.

Colombia blast: at least nine police officers and six other people were killed in an explosion. The blast took place as police were raiding a house allegedly used by leftist rebels for weapons storage.

No peace in La Paz: Bolivia's president is pleading for calm following a second day of deadly violence, blamed on economic turmoil. Government troops fired rubber bullets at looters. At least 22 people have died over the two-day span.

A new link: despite continuing tension or North Korea's nuclear program, efforts to improve relations between North and South Korea continue. A ribbon cutting ceremony, fireworks and balloons mark the official opening of a new road, the first overland route between the two Koreas in more than half a century.

Indonesian inundation: flash floods in Jakarta visit have left at least three people dead, including a 4-year-old boy. Hundreds of homes have been evacuated.

Mother Marcos: former Philippine first lady Imelda Marcos may be trying to make a comeback. Even though she's accused of helping her late husband loot the national treasury, Marcos made a Valentine's Day in Manila to launch her so-called "love one another" campaign. She told a cheering crowd that she's their mother and added, quote, "I want to take care of you and say I love you."

And that's our look around the world.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: From Australia to Great Britain to the United States, anti-war activists are mobilizing for a weekend of protests against a possible war with Iraq. They're mobilizing around the world.

Hundreds of thousands are expected to turn out for demonstrations that begin today and tomorrow. New York, of course, is no exception. That's where we find CNN's Maria Hinojosa -- Maria.

MARIA HINOJOSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Wolf, well, we've been here since 8 in the morning, and I'm telling you the energy level here at the headquarters of the New York demonstration has just continued to increase by every hour.

And this is a union headquarters that has lent the anti-war movement this spot, because they are supporting this. They're expecting many of the people here, saying that they expect a large presence of the labor unions tomorrow, as well.

Just to get a sense of the cities we're talking about: Jasper, Texas; Lansing, Mich., all of the way to Havana to Munich to Johannesburg. The people here saying over 603 cities are going to be taking part in this demonstration.

And here in the city, there has been a real effort to get the anti-war voice out all across the city.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) HINOJOSA (voice-over): In the heart of the Bronx...

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: United Nations this Saturday at noon.

HINOJOSA: They're out on force, the young and the old who have done this work before.

And then there are people like Lily Garza, an anti-war neophyte.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I've never done this before in my whole life. I've never done this. But my son is in the marines, why? Because he needed an education and now he's supposed to die for it? No. I don't want war.

HINOJOSA: On 42nd Street, more leaflets, some takers.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Would you like a button?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm going to be there.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Wear it.

HINOJOSA: But a lot of anxious New Yorkers, too busy for any handout.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Sometimes I get a little discouraged if there's a bunch of people that aren't taking them, but then somebody weaves their way through the crowd to come and pick up a leaflet, and that happens so often that it really lifts my spirits.

HINOJOSA: Leslie Kielson (ph), a school admissions officer, hasn't been an activist for years.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It gives me such a tremendous amount to feel like I'm doing something to make a change.

HINOJOSA: At the rally headquarters inside a union hall, the tedium of preparations, some singing and Larry Carpal (ph), a school teacher who came all of the way from Los Angeles for the New York protest.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's so good to see the city again, and it's so good to see this energy again and the young people that are involved now. You know, it's not just the old timers who went through it before.

HINOJOSA: Gina Feldman is a fourth year medical student who has never been in protest rallies. Now she's helping organize one.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I couldn't sit there and watch the news anymore and just, you know, go like this every night. I had to actually do something about it. So that's why I got involved.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HINOJOSA: Now the organizers have gotten a permit for 100,000 people, not in front of the United Nations, but just a few blocks north of that.

Tomorrow is going to be a very cold, snowy day, so everybody's going to be on the look-out to see just what the turnout is.

Back to you, Wolf.

BLITZER: Thank you very much, Maria. CNN, of course, will have complete coverage of all of that. Maria Hinojosa in New York City for us.

When we come back, the man behind the nuclear weapons hunt, Mohamed ElBaradei. Hear what he has to say about the conflicts that are dividing the world. He'll join me live when we return.

Also, the price of oil through the roof. The threat of war looms heavy over the markets.

And tragedy on tape, a first look at mission control the day the shuttle exploded. Our Miles O'Brien with the latest.

You're watching CNN, the most trusted name in news.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back to CNN. I'm Wolf Blitzer. Coming up, the man in charge of finding Iraqi nuclear weapons capabilities. Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei will join me live. Hear what he has to say about the current situation in Iraq.

But first, let's take a look at other stories making news now at our CNN "News Alert."

(NEWSBREAK)

BLITZER: Back now to the with showdown with Iraq. As we reported, the U.N. Security Council heard new reports today on the Iraqi weapons inspections. Once again, here's our Senior U.N. Correspondent Richard Roth.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ROTH (voice-over): From the top U.N. inspectors, a report of Iraqi weapons not seen.

HANS BLIX, CHIEF U.N. WEAPONS INSPECTOR: How much if any is left of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and related items and programs? So far, UNMOVIC have want found any such weapons.

ROTH: But also says Chief Inspector Hans Blix, there are problems.

BLIX: The document which Iraq provided suggested to us that some 1,000 tons of chemical agent were unaccounted for.

ROTH: Also not accounted for, says Blix, scores of anthrax, deadly VX nerve agent and long range missiles Iraq was known to have. On Saddam Hussein's alleged nuclear program, Mohamed ElBaradei.

MOHAMED ELBARADEI, DIR. GEN., INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY: We have to date found no evidence of ongoing prohibited nuclear or nuclear related activities in Iraq. However, as I have just indicated, a number of issues are still under investigation and we are not yet in a position to reach a conclusion about them.

ROTH: Blix, threw a jab across the room to Secretary of State Colin Powell referring to satellite images Powell displayed showing Iraqis removing items from a site, reputedly before the inspectors arrived.

BLIX: The reported movement could just as easily have been a routine activity.

ROTH: What is working? Private interviews with Iraqi scientists. But Blix and ElBaradei say they need more times with the scientists away from the eyes of Iraqi officials. It all seemed to widen the gulf between Security Council members who want to disarm by force and those who seek more time for inspections.

FAROOK AL-SHARA, SYRIAN FOREIGN MINISTER (through translator): The war will lead to total anarchy, benefiting solely those who take it upon themselves to spread fear and destruction everywhere.

ROTH: From the lead British and American diplomats, a firm rebuke. Iraq has not done enough and has only respond with its back to the wall.

COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: They did it because of pressure. They did it because this council stood firm. They did it because the international community said enough, we will not tolerate Iraq continuing to have weapons of mass destruction to be used against it is own people, to be used against its neighbors or worse.

ROTH: The final word before the counsel came from Iraq's representative Mohammed Aldouri.

MOHAMMED ALDOURI, IRAQI AMBASSADOR TO U.N. (through translator): An empty hand has nothing to give. You cannot give what you don't have. If we do not possess such weapons how can we disarm ourselves of such weapons?

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: That report from our Senior U.N. Correspondent Richard Roth and the message from the chief U.N. inspectors was very clear, no Iraqi weapons of mass destruction have been found so far, but Iraq still needs to be more forthcoming. Those words from both Dr. Hans Blix and Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei.

Dr. ElBaradei, the chief nuclear inspector, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, he is joining me life from the United Nations. Dr. ElBaradei, thanks so much for joining us.

ELBARADEI: Thank you very much for having me, Wolf. BLITZER: The last time you made your presentation to the U.N. Security Council, and correct me if I'm wrong, we specifically heard the words "months" from you. You said you need more months to get the job done. Today, I don't remember hearing you say that. Is there a shift that maybe I misunderstood?

ELBARADEI: No, Wolf, there is no shift. I think we are still talking about months. We are still making steady progress in the nuclear (UNINTELLIGIBLE). We are still investigating a number of issues -- aluminum tubes that have to do with possible programs with enriching uranium. We are still investigating that Iraq, in fact, tried to import uranium from an African country.

So we are moving forward. So we are interviewing scientists. We are doing satellite monitoring. We are doing environmental sampling. And what I will try to tell the Council today, that even with the 100 percent Iraqi cooperation, in the nuclear (UNINTELLIGIBLE), we are blessed with having techniques that enable us to look for fingerprints of any nuclear activities.

And we are getting some reasonable cooperation on the part of Iraq.

So it is still a question of months. It could be less if Iraq becomes more transparent, if Iraq comes up with additional evidence. But even though we are still moving forward -- and my argument today, Wolf, is we are in mid-course, give me the time to complete my task before we think of other alternatives.

BLITZER: So are we talking, Dr. ElBaradei, three months, six months, eight months? If the Iraqis continue as they are right now, how many more month do you as the nuclear inspector really need?

ELBARADEI: It's difficult for me, Wolf, to put a number. But I would say probably around six months -- and again, this is a guesstimate -- but the big ticket item, Wolf, of evidence is the area of chemical and biological. I think, as you have heard today, we are moving well on process. We are getting the ability to run the U-2 and other surveillance aircraft. The Iraqis committed themselves to help us with interviews, Iraqi scientists inside and outside Iraq.

But the remaining issue, the more important issue, is whether they can come with evidence to exonerate themselves that they do not have any longer chemical and biological weapon. Hans Blix is saying, I have no evidence that they have them, but I cannot also exclude that possibility, and that's not good enough for the security council, given the pattern of Iraqi behavior and cooperation in the past, given the fact that Iraq had the full range of weapons of mass destruction in the past, the Security Council needs a high level of assurance that they have none of these weapons any longer.

And that is really what's going to decide the Iraqi (UNINTELLIGIBLE) in the next few weeks: whether Iraq would be able to come with the evidence, and if we do not have documents, as we tried to impress on them today during the private meeting, then interviews with scientists outside of Iraq, three interviews would be the next best thing to bring to the Council that Iraq is free from chemical and biological weapons.

BLITZER: There is a proposal -- the French have put it forward, among other -- to provide additional inspectors. Do you need more nuclear inspectors right now, Dr. ElBaradei?

ELBARADEI: Yes. We need to build capacity, Wolf, and I mentioned that in the Council. We need to build capacity in many areas. We probably need people to freeze a site when we do an inspection. We probably need more inspectors to do simultaneous inspection at different sites at the same time. We probably need some customs and expert to control any import from outside.

But that is no substitute for full and active Iraqi cooperation. I think what I tried to explain to the Security Council, again, in the private meeting, that through -- an inspection is no substitute for full and active Iraqi cooperation. They are complementary. We need an intrusive system, but we need also an active Iraqi cooperation because without that, the process is very slow and assurances are very low.

BLITZER: Before I let you go, Dr. ElBaradei, the whole issue of these aluminum tubes, you heard the president of the United States, and the secretary of state say flatly there is no other purpose these tubes could be used for other than to try to build a nuclear bomb. You are much more cautious. You say there might be some other purposes. How sure are you that there could be some other purpose beyond a nuclear purpose?

ELBARADEI: I still am cautious, Wolf. I still believe that they could have been -- the effort to import them was for the purpose of conventional rockets. They fit the conventional rocket program in Iraq. However, as we said, they could also be adjusted for a centrifuge program. We are still investigating the issue. We got new files from Iraq; they promised us to give us samples of tubes that they got from prospective suppliers.

So we are moving very well on that issue, and that's a very important issue, but I still think we can't come to a closure on that issue. It could very well be that they were meant for conventional rockets. If they were not, then we also would like to know that.

BLITZER: And finally, if the U.S. and the its allies were to use military force, I would assume you would expect a word in advance to get your inspectors out of Iraq before any bombs dropped?

ELBARADEI: Think that's understood, Wolf. I, obviously, I do not see and I don't think anybody would go for a military action and put our people in harm's way. I think that's understood and we are in close consultation with all members of the Security Council. And we made it clear that in case any -- any country decides to go for war, we need to get our people out of Iraq before any such thing were to take place.

BLITZER: Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei, good luck to you. Thanks very much for joining us.

ELBARADEI: Thank you very much, Wolf.

BLITZER: And once again, here's your chance to weigh in on this very important story. Our "Web Question of the Day is this -- we've been asking -- "Should the United States strike Iraq now or allow weapons inspections to continue?" We'll have the results later in this broadcast. Vote right now at cnn.com/wolf.

Coming up, we're standing by. We're awaiting the verdict, the sentence of Clara Harris in that murder trial in Houston. We'll bring it to you live once it happens.

Also, the U.S. spy arsenal looks like a toy, but don't be fooled. Shadow may be small, but it can see a lot. Here it is. That's the shadow and that's a powerful weapon.

And later, inside mission control on NASA's dark day. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: We're standing by. We're awaiting the sentencing of Clara Harris in that murder trial in Houston, Texas. You are looking at her attorney right now. She should be walking in pretty soon. She's convicted, guilty of murdering her husband with her Mercedes- Benz, driving over him several times. We're going to get the final decision on what her sentence will be. That is coming up. We'll go there live once it happens.

Also, a new weapon that could be used against Iraq. Our Barbara Starr will unveil it for us next.

Then, mission control in mourning. An up close look at the men and women of NASA as the shuttle tragedy unfolds.

All coming up on WOLF BLITZER REPORTS. We're back in one minute.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back.

Remember, we're standing by for the sentencing of Clara Harris, the woman convicted of murdering her husband in that parking lot as she drove over his body multiple times. We're expecting her to come into this courtroom momentarily. Once she does, we'll go to the judge. We'll get the verdict on how long she will be serving some sort of sentence in prison. She's eligible, of course, for life. We'll be watching this as it happens in the next few minutes.

In the meantime, more on showdown Iraq. If the United States goes to war against Iraq, American forces on the battlefield will have some new high tech weapons in their arsenal.

Our Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr is live now at the Pentagon and she has incredible details -- Barbara.

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, you know, every time U.S. troops go into the field they seem to take some new equipment with them and CNN has had a look at a new army spy plane.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

STARR (voice-over): At first glance, it looks like a radio- controlled model airplane. In fact, it's the army's newest mini spy plane, a 13-foot long unmanned reconnaissance drone called Shadow. And it's about to possibly see combat for the first time.

Eight shadow drones are now on their way to the Persian Gulf with the fourth infantry division, the division, now earmarked for action in the mountainous terrain of northern Iraq. Perfect territory for the Shadow unmanned aerial vehicle, UAV, to spy on Saddam Hussein's military forces.

COL. JOHN BURKE, U.S. ARMY: If you think about the UAV as a flying video camera, very similar to what you might have at home, a mile to a mile and a half high, flying along and giving you back the real time video. It's transmitting back right then into the ground control station, the picture that it sees.

STARR: Cameras on the plane can operate day or night. Flying about a mile up, controllers can peek at enemy forces without risking U.S. troops.

BURKE: Say a soldier was carrying a surface-to-air missile and you had a good clear day, you should be able to -- with the right altitude, low humidity, pick up a surface to -- if he was carrying a surface to air...

STARR: And once the Shadow locks on, its ground controller can then call in artillery or helicopter attack. The Shadow gives ground troops an immediate capability to conduct their own reconnaissance, quite different than the larger, well known Air Force predator -- are you going to come back to me? -- which (UNINTELLIGIBLE) has seen action over Afghanistan and Iraq.

The $3.5 million Predator operates high in the sky, at 25,000 feet. The $500,000 shadow more like a TV news chopper at less than 10,000 feet. Shadow ranges over 30 miles, Predator 450 miles. Shadow, 330 pound, predator, 1,100 pounds.

(on camera): For soldiers on the battlefield, finding out what's over the top of the next ridgeline has always been vital. The Shadow now gives them the capability to do just that without risking soldiers' lives.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: That report from our Barbara Starr at the Pentagon.

I want to go to Houston now. That sentencing hearing about to get under way in the courtroom.

Clara Harris. convicted of murdering her husband. We are watching the court now. The judge -- Jeffrey Toobin is joining us as well. Jeffrey, you've been covering this case. We know that she's eligible for up to life if she was convicted of murder, manslaughter, it would be 20 years, criminally negligent homicide up to two years. What's your assessment?

JEFFREY TOOBIN, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: .....Texas has on two levels.

One, usually, in most states, the judge does the sentencing. Here in Texas, the jury plays the lead role -- and also, in a murder convict, usually there's a narrow range of sentences, 10 or up. Here, even though she's been convicted of murder, she faces a possibility of this enormous range of probation to life in prison -- although interestingly, in her summation, the prosecutor said life in prison was too much. We're not asking for that. So I think we can pretty much write that possibility off.

BLITZER: Let me get this straight. She was convicted of murder. She could get life in prison for that, but it's possible, given other circumstances, as a result of the sentencing proceedings that have just gone on, she could only get two years of jail? Is that what you're saying?

TOOBIN: She could get less than two years in jail, Wolf. It's really extraordinary. She can get simple probation, which is just an extraordinary quirk in the law. Frankly, given how quickly the jury came back, I doubt that they will give her that, but under the law, it is possible, as some lawyers say, she could walk down the elevator with the same jurors who convicted her for murder.

BLITZER: We see her sitting there in the middle of the screen, next to her attorney, George Parnham, with the white hair and the beard. She didn't show much emotion when she was convicted of murdering her husband. She's obviously not showing a whole lot of emotion right now, but momentarily, she'll learn what her sentence will be. This has been a strange case from A to Z, hasn't it been?

TOOBIN: Very strange. You know, she didn't show much emotion during the actual decision on guilt, but later, when her stepdaughter testified, who was present in the car when Clara Harris killed her husband, the step daughter, Lindsey, said that she was so depressed by this, that she tried to commit suicide, and at that point, after the jury left the room, the -- Clara Harris yelled out at her stepdaughter, "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry." So at times she has been highly emotional, even though she wasn't emotional at the precise moment of the verdict.

BLITZER: We saw George Parnham put his head down and put his arm around her at the time of the verdict. He seemed to be more emotional than she was at the time. And we are looking at him right now sitting next to Clara Harris, right there on the screen.

This sentencing is going to come down of -- let's just listen in briefly to hear what's going on in the courtroom right now.

JUDGE CAROLYN DAVIES, STATE DISTRICT COURT: Please bring in the jury. BLITZER: Jury is now coming into the courtroom. They'll be questioned. The judge will then read the sentencing. Everyone is standing, awaiting word, what kind of sentence she will get. As we await word, the stepdaughter was in the Mercedes, Jeffrey, as she was driving over her husband who she discovered was having an affair.

TOOBIN: An awful situation, when you think about it. The stepdaughter was the closest eyewitness to her father's murder, and, you know, that undoubtedly had a big impact on the jury. At one level, she's very sympathetic defendant.

BLITZER: Hold on, Jeffrey. Let's go to the courtroom.

DAVIES: Would you please give the paperwork to the deputy for me? Thank you.

As to the special issue, the jury's answer. Do you, the jury, find by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant caused the death of David Harris under the immediate influence of sudden passion arising from an adequate cause? The jury's answer? We do. We, the jury, having found the defendant guilty of murder and having made an affirmative finding to the special issue, assess her punishment at confinement in an institutional division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for 20 years and assess a fine in the amount of $10,000. The verdict is signed by the presiding juror and appears to be in proper form.

Does either side wish to have the jury polled?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No, your honor.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, your honor.

DAVIES: All right. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, again, we are going to go through a similar process that we did in the first stage of trial. My question for each of you is twofold. Is the verdict that I just read, yes, is affirmative as to the special issue, and is the sentence arrived at, 20 years imprisonment and a fine of $10,000 your individual verdict? Again, we'll start on the back row, far left.

The jury, the all 12 jurors have spoken and have confirmed, affirmed their verdict. It is in proper form and will be received.

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I know that you have devoted many days of your lives and your close attention to this matter and have taken it very seriously and conscientiously, and I thank you for your time.

I am discharging you from your jury service. This concludes your jury service. I am going to ask you to go back to the jury room briefly to visit with me so that I can thank you personally and provide you paperwork that you will need for the conclusion of this trial.

Now, let me say the instructions I've been giving you in the past are now lifted. You are free to talk to anyone you choose about the case. By the same token, understand that is your choice. You are not required to answer questions of anyone or talk about this if it is your preference not to. So, thank you and, and please go with the bailiff. Go back to the jury room and we'll get you out of here.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All rise.

BLITZER: And so there you have it. Clara Harris, she's collapsed as a result of a 20-year sentence imposed on this 45-year- old dentist convicted of murdering her husband in a parking lot in her Mercedes-Benz. Jeffrey Toobin, our legal analyst is still with us. This whole issue of sudden passion, a special consideration. She could have received life in prison. She is getting 20 years in prison because of this sudden passion, the special consideration that the jury decided to give her. Explain that to our viewers.

TOOBIN: Well, in simple terms, sudden passion reduces the maximum eligible penalty. So the defense argued that she wanted -- that she did commit the crime in sudden passion, so she thought -- they thought it was a good thing to be found -- that the crime was committed in sudden passion.

As it turned out, however, she still got a very stiff sentence. Twenty years was the maximum of a sudden passion murder. Harris County is one tough place, and you can see by the reaction of Clara Harris and her lawyer, they were hoping for a lot better result than this.

BLITZER: Art Harris, our correspondent, is in Houston. He's been covering this trial. Art, give us your thoughts as we watch this dramatic moment.

ART HARRIS, CNN INVESTIGATIVE CORRESPONDENT: It's a very -- it's a stunning victory for the prosecution, Wolf. This was a case where the jury was told the most poignant details of this woman's heartbreak and heartache, and that was used as the thrust of her defense, and culminating in that moment in a parking lot when she, in their words, lost it in a moment of sudden passion. As Jeffrey Toobin said, the defense was accepted, but in the upper limit of a sudden passion sentence.

So she -- I understand would be eligible for parole in half that time, about 10 years, and that is a very serious consequence. Prosecutor Mia Magnus arguing for a serious consequence, and she got what she asked for.

BLITZER: Twenty years, but she'll be eligible for parole in less than that. Art Harris, thanks very much. Jeffrey Toobin, thanks very much. Clara Harris, sentenced to 20 years in prison. We'll continue to cover this story. Much more coming up later.

Here's your -- how you're weighing in on our Web question of the day. Remember, we've been asking you this, should the United States strike Iraq now or allow weapons inspections to continue? Thirty- eight percent of you say now; 62 percent of you say, let the inspections continue. Remember, this is not a scientific poll. That's all the time we have today. "LOU DOBBS MONEYLINE" is coming up now.

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Clara Harris Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison, $10,000 Fine>


Aired February 14, 2003 - 17:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
WOLF BLITZER, HOST: If President Bush and his top aides hope for more support in their showdown with Iraq, they didn't get it today.
Watching the showdown at the United Nations, Secretary of State Colin Powell, who showed frustration with the two chief inspectors after they stressed the Iraqi positives and asked for more time.

Secretary Powell also showed more frustration with key U.S. allies, who directly questioned his evidence against the Iraqis.

And watching all this from Baghdad, members of Saddam Hussein's regime, who may think they bought themselves precious time, but U.S. officials promised time is running out, as President Bush once again vowed today to disarm the Iraqis one way or another.

We have reports from the United Nations, the White House and Baghdad. Let's begin with our senior U.N. correspondent, Richard Roth -- Richard.

RICHARD ROTH, CNN SR. U.N. CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, a diplomatic shootout between veto-packing giants inside the Security Council. All of this after the latest briefing by U.N. weapons inspectors.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ROTH (voice-over): From the top U.N. inspectors, a report of Iraqi weapons not seen.

HANS BLIX, U.N. CHIEF WEAPONS INSPECTOR: (no audio)

ROTH: But also, says chief inspector Hans Blix, there are problems.

BLIX: (no audio)

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROTH: Well, I can't imitate the inspectors and we've seen this before, but basically chief weapons inspector Hans Blix and Mohamed ElBaradei, the two key weapons inspectors, in a way a mixed report.

But also, in a more significant direction, they said they could use the time because they have not disarmed Iraq and because they're getting a little bit more cooperation from Iraq on several fronts. There have been interviews with Iraqi scientists. Yes, they've not been conducted outside of Iraq, but now they're up to at least five.

They've also received clearance for U-2 surveillance flights, though there are still conditions from Iraq.

And there are still a lot of areas they don't know about: VX, anthrax, mustard gas shells. All of this, we've heard it before, inside the Security Council.

What was most interesting, which we apparently will not hear, are the comments from France's foreign minister and U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell.

These two friends, they say, over 200 years of friendship between France and the United States, well, they still went at it inside the council chamber. Not directly. They were separated by about 40 minutes to an hour in their remarks. But the two disagree completely on what to do with Iraq.

Secretary of State Powell almost exasperated in a tone we rarely hear from a U.S. official, at the council table, telling his fellow council, foreign ministers and ambassadors, Iraq is tricking you. Iraq is doing everything possible to delay, to make sure the council loses the attention span.

France disagreeing, saying anything but war -- Wolf.

BLITZER: It's the French foreign minister, in fact, later emerging from the Security Council, saying give peace a chance.

The way I tallied up the scorecard, somewhat listening to the 15 representatives at the Security Council, the U.S. And Britain, of course, on one side. They seem to get pretty good support from Spain, as well as Bulgaria.

The French, the Germans, the Russians, the Chinese, the Syrians pretty much on the other side. The other counsel members sort of somewhere in the middle.

Is that how you saw it, as well?

ROTH: Yes, I mean, you could say that some of those in the middle countries were testing the political winds inside the chamber and a big moment was a huge amount of applause by the other countries, not on the council, when the French ambassador finished.

There was applause, also, for the Russian foreign minister, Ivanov.

There was no sound at all when Powell spoke and when Jack Straw, the British foreign secretary.

This moment does not happen often in the U.N., Wolf. I haven't heard it in ten years. People cheering other countries after their remarks.

In fact, Germany, the president of the counsel said this is Valentine's Day and you're not supposed to applaud anyway in the council chamber -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Richard Roth, covering this important story on this historic day for us at the United Nations.

Richard, thanks very much.

Here in Washington, the Bush Administration is continuing to take a very hard line when it comes to Iraq.

Let's go to our White House correspondent, Suzanne Malveaux -- Suzanne.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, President Bush didn't respond directly to Blix's comments. We are told he wasn't able to actually watch the presentation or Secretary Powell's rebuttal. But he was having lunch with Cheney at the time.

But the president did say in broad terms before a counter- terrorism event, before the FBI saying that Saddam Hussein is a danger, that he must be disarmed.

A senior administration official that I spoke with said despite these calls, these reservations from France, China and Russia and other members, that the strategy for the White House has not changed.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: When I speak about the war on terror, I not only talk about al Qaeda, I talk about Iraq. Because after all, Saddam Hussein has got weapons of mass destruction and he's used them.

Saddam Hussein is used to deceiving the world and continues to do so. Saddam Hussein has got ties to terrorist networks. Saddam Hussein is a danger and that's why he will be disarmed, one way or the other.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: And, Wolf, looking forward administration officials say that yes, they continue to work on that language for a second U.N. Security Council resolution. That that will be introduced some time next week. It will be language saying that Iraq is in material breach of previous resolutions.

Also look to tomorrow, very important day for NATO. Administration officials telling us they've gotten reassurances that that roadblock to defend Turkey will actually be cleared. That that's what they'll be expecting.

And make no mistake, Wolf. War planning continues here, intensified at the White House. We saw, again, the administration's top guns meeting, making war plans. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld as well as General Tommy Franks and others going over those battle plans in the event of a war -- Wolf.

BLITZER: And as far as you know, Suzanne, after his meeting with the president today General Tommy Franks, the central commander, now off to the Middle East and the Persian Gulf.

He'll be at his temporary headquarters in Qatar for -- presumably getting ready for the military action if the commander in chief orders him.

MALVEAUX: Absolutely. And despite the fact, the administration says that no, the president has not made that decision. A lot of planning gone into this. And yes, they are saying that everything is in place. They are looking at weeks, not months, before this all comes to a head.

BLITZER: Suzanne Malveaux at the White House. Thanks, Suzanne, very much.

Let's get some Iraqi reaction right now, and for that let's turn to our senior international correspondent, Nic Robertson. Of course, he's in Baghdad -- Nic.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SR. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, the fear among Iraqi officials this morning was that Hans Blix would focus on the negative.

If we just look at just one example of where he didn't do that. He talked about the number of minders going out with the weapons inspectors. He said earlier in the year, the ratio had been five Iraqi minders to one weapons inspector. He said he'd asked the Iraq to bring that to a ratio of one to one.

He didn't say that hadn't happen; he said the situation had improved.

Now the Iraqi officials we've heard from here so far have said that they think Hans Blix's report shows that Iraq is in compliance. They think that it shows that more time should be given to the weapons inspectors.

Iraq's deputy prime minister is in Rome at the moment, meeting with the pope, Tariq Aziz. He said that -- in fact, he appeared to warn European nations away from backing the United States at this time.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TARIQ AZIZ, IRAQI DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER: When anything happens in Europe, it affects us in the Middle East and the Arab world and vice versa. Therefore, the Europeans should be very careful when they say we support George Bush, because they encourage him to do mischief, to make aggression. They should not.

And they should keep the friendship and the understanding between them and the Arab -- and the Islamic world.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROBERTSON: Now the issue of al Qaeda: Aziz went on to say, apparently appearing to paraphrase President Bush, saying that any links between al Qaeda and Iraq were just not true. He said that was like a bad American movie -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Just before the U.N. Security Council convened, Nic, as you well know, Saddam Hussein issued a presidential decree. What was that all about?

ROBERTSON: The timing, very interesting, coming just before Hans Blix's address, the words very interesting, as well. It said that no private -- no individual or private or mixed company should import, manufacture or produce chemical, biological or nuclear weapons of mass destruction.

Interesting, because the wording didn't appear to include state- run companies, only mixed and private companies.

However, the timing critical, and this was just what Hans Blix had been calling for, for Iraq to pass this legislation, outlawing weapons of mass destruction, Wolf.

BLITZER: Nic Robertson in Baghdad. Thanks, Nic, very much.

The Secretary of State, Colin Powell, did little today to mask his disappointment over the weapons inspectors' report to the Security Council.

When it came to his turn to speak, Powell pressed reluctant allies to threaten force if Iraq does not disarm. This afternoon the secretary spoke about these events in an exclusive interview with CNN's State Department correspondent Andrea Koppel.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN STATE DEPARTMENT CORRESPONDENT: We heard all of the statements made by the foreign ministers in public -- the French, the Germans, the Russians, the Chinese -- all in opposition to moving ahead with the second resolution or war.

Did they match those words privately or did you hear something different?

COLIN POWELL, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: We had a number of conversations over a brief lunch period. And in the private session we had with all of the same ministers, lots of questions were directed to Dr. Blix and to Dr. ElBaradei, and we had a good, healthy discussion that expanded on the morning's discussion.

I also heard Bulgaria, Spain and the United Kingdom speak strongly in support of the need for Iraq to comply.

And so even though there were a lot of different opinions expressed and they were strong opinions, it comes down to what judgment do you make with respect to Iraq's understanding of the nature of 1441? Are they complying? Are they disarming?

And I think in my judgment, anyway, the answer to that question still remains, no. They don't understand. They are not taking it seriously.

KOPPEL: So how much more time? The president has said weeks. Are we still talking weeks or are we talking days?

POWELL: We are talking weeks. The United States has one terrific record over the last almost 100 years of leaving places better off after we have conducted a military operation.

I could make that case with respect, in just the last 10 or 12 years, to Kuwait, to Kosovo and to Afghanistan.

People are worried about consequences, and I understand that anxiety, but there are also going to be positive consequences. This regime, if we have to go in and use military force, will no longer be there threatening the world. Those weapons of mass destruction will be gone. The neighbors will not have to worry about Hussein, nor will the rest of the world.

KOPPEL: Is it your sense, as a former military man, that war with Iraq is more inevitable than it was going into today's session?

POWELL: No, I wouldn't say that. I would say there's still a chance of peace, but you know, we will not -- we will not realize that peace if we ever back off on the pressure. If we ever make it look like we do not have the will to take this to conflict if necessary to disarm Iraq.

But the question of war and peace is up to Saddam Hussein and the Iraqi regime.

The counsel has spoken. The counsel spoke clearly in 1441. We had a good, spirited debate today after hearing from the two chief inspectors.

The burden now is on Saddam Hussein with respect to the question of whether there will be war or peace.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Secretary of State Colin Powell, speaking with our own Andrea Koppel just a couple of hours ago.

Here's your chance to weigh in on this story. Our web question of the day is this, should the U.S. strike Iraq now or allow weapons inspections to continue? We'll have the results later in this broadcast. Vote at CNN.com/Wolf.

You can also find the U.N. inspectors' report on my web page. While you're there, please send me your comments. I'll try to read some of them on the air each day at the end of this program. That's also where you can read my daily online column: CNN.com/Wolf.

No need to panic over terror. That's from the Homeland Security secretary. And no need to seal your doors with duct tape. The government tries to calm the nerves of a jittery America.

Plus, voices of dissent, massive anti-war protests planned around the world tomorrow.

And inside mission control: The day the shuttle exploded. Our Miles O'Brien with new pictures.

You're watching CNN, the most trusted source for news.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: The terror threat facing America. Now the Homeland Security secretary issues advice you may want to hear.

Also, he says he hasn't found any nuclear weapons yet. How much more time do inspectors need? I'll ask the chief International Atomic Energy Agency, inspector Mohamed ElBaradei in an exclusive interview.

That's coming up on Wolf Blitzer reports. We're back in one minute.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: This time last Friday, the Department of Homeland Security, the Bush Administration, raised the threat level to orange or a high level of concern.

CNN's Jeanne Meserve and our justice correspondent Kelli Arena have both been following all of these developments all week long, moves to strengthen intelligence gathering, as well as moves to protect all of us. Both are here in Washington.

Let's go to Kelli first -- Kelli.

KELLI ARENA, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, the level of concern about a possible terror threat is still very high.

Now even if there is not an attack in the near future, counter- terrorism officials say that Americans should not let their guard down. They say intelligence still suggests attacks are being planned to strike both in the United States and in the Arabian Peninsula where U.S. troops have been sent to prepare for a possible war with Iraq.

The president spoke at the FBI today about the terror threat and the war the U.S. is waging against al Qaeda.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BUSH: There is no such thing as perfect security against a hidden network of cold-blooded killers. Yet abroad and at home, we're not going to wait until the worst dangers are upon us. We continue to be in a state of war, but we're making progress.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ARENA: The FBI continues to keep as many as 1,000 people in as many as 30 U.S. cities under surveillance. Now among those being watched are some who trained at terror camps in Afghanistan.

Agents also continue to look for clues to identify any terror cells within the United States. They say that it is the individuals who have managed to stay below the radar screen that pose the biggest threat -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Kelli Arena, thanks very much.

Let's continue to get some more assessment. What's happening here on the home front?

And an appeal from the man charged with watching the security within U.S. borders. His appeal, don't panic.

CNN's Jeanne Meserve is joining us now live with more on that -- Jeanne.

JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, it's Valentine's Day, a day for the color red and also the color orange.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MESERVE (voice-over): One week on threat level orange and holding.

TOM RIDGE, U.S. SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY: We have not received any additional intelligence that would lead us to either raise or lower the threat level at this time.

MESERVE: Ridge did try to lower public anxiety. Plastic sheeting and duct tape have become synonymous with the current terror alert. Ridge said you should have them, but don't use them.

RIDGE: God forbid there may come a time when the local authorities or national authorities will tell you that you've got to use them, but for the time being we just don't want folks sealing up their doors or sealing up their windows.

MESERVE: Next Wednesday, Ridge will launch a public preparedness campaign to better educate Americans about what to do before, during and after any terrorist attack, in hopes of avoiding a duct tape redux.

Maintaining threat level orange has a big price tag and state and local governments, aided by congressional Democrats, continue to press for help paying it. REP. NANCY PELOSI (D-CA), MINORITY LEADER: It is indefensible that the administration has not made funding for our first responders the top priority.

MESERVE: Ridge criticized Congress for putting previsions on much of the $3.5 million in first responder money it just approved. He promised to expedite its delivery, but warned federal assistance could have would have limits.

RIDGE: The commitment that the president made and continues to make is a substantial sum of money. Unfortunately, as we combat further international terrorism there may be shared responsibility, and part of that is also financial.

MESERVE: Coast Guard fast rope teams that can board suspicious ships offshore are being used in greater numbers. Just one of thousands of examples of how the nation has ramped up protection.

But 85 percent of the critical infrastructure is privately owned, and officials acknowledged they have had only mixed success in getting private industry to assess and address threats and vulnerabilities.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

Officials say they're exploring a number of incentives, like tax breaks, insurance breaks and grants, as well as regulation, to make sure what needs to be protected is protected -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Jeanne Meserve. Thanks very much, Jeanne, for that report.

And Tom Ridge will be among my guests Sunday on LATE EDITION, Sunday at noon eastern.

Voices of dissent: find out why millions of people around the world plan to hit the streets in protest this weekend.

Also, super spy power in a tiny plane. The Pentagon rolls out some high tech help. You'll want to see this.

And death of a clone. Found out what killed Dolly.

But first, a look at some other news making headlines around the world.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): Sharing power, Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat has agreed to share power with a prime minister. Bowing to pressure from Europe and the United States, Arafat says he'll nominate a prime minister shortly and seek approval from the Palestinian legislative council.

Colombia blast: at least nine police officers and six other people were killed in an explosion. The blast took place as police were raiding a house allegedly used by leftist rebels for weapons storage.

No peace in La Paz: Bolivia's president is pleading for calm following a second day of deadly violence, blamed on economic turmoil. Government troops fired rubber bullets at looters. At least 22 people have died over the two-day span.

A new link: despite continuing tension or North Korea's nuclear program, efforts to improve relations between North and South Korea continue. A ribbon cutting ceremony, fireworks and balloons mark the official opening of a new road, the first overland route between the two Koreas in more than half a century.

Indonesian inundation: flash floods in Jakarta visit have left at least three people dead, including a 4-year-old boy. Hundreds of homes have been evacuated.

Mother Marcos: former Philippine first lady Imelda Marcos may be trying to make a comeback. Even though she's accused of helping her late husband loot the national treasury, Marcos made a Valentine's Day in Manila to launch her so-called "love one another" campaign. She told a cheering crowd that she's their mother and added, quote, "I want to take care of you and say I love you."

And that's our look around the world.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: From Australia to Great Britain to the United States, anti-war activists are mobilizing for a weekend of protests against a possible war with Iraq. They're mobilizing around the world.

Hundreds of thousands are expected to turn out for demonstrations that begin today and tomorrow. New York, of course, is no exception. That's where we find CNN's Maria Hinojosa -- Maria.

MARIA HINOJOSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Wolf, well, we've been here since 8 in the morning, and I'm telling you the energy level here at the headquarters of the New York demonstration has just continued to increase by every hour.

And this is a union headquarters that has lent the anti-war movement this spot, because they are supporting this. They're expecting many of the people here, saying that they expect a large presence of the labor unions tomorrow, as well.

Just to get a sense of the cities we're talking about: Jasper, Texas; Lansing, Mich., all of the way to Havana to Munich to Johannesburg. The people here saying over 603 cities are going to be taking part in this demonstration.

And here in the city, there has been a real effort to get the anti-war voice out all across the city.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) HINOJOSA (voice-over): In the heart of the Bronx...

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: United Nations this Saturday at noon.

HINOJOSA: They're out on force, the young and the old who have done this work before.

And then there are people like Lily Garza, an anti-war neophyte.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I've never done this before in my whole life. I've never done this. But my son is in the marines, why? Because he needed an education and now he's supposed to die for it? No. I don't want war.

HINOJOSA: On 42nd Street, more leaflets, some takers.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Would you like a button?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm going to be there.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Wear it.

HINOJOSA: But a lot of anxious New Yorkers, too busy for any handout.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Sometimes I get a little discouraged if there's a bunch of people that aren't taking them, but then somebody weaves their way through the crowd to come and pick up a leaflet, and that happens so often that it really lifts my spirits.

HINOJOSA: Leslie Kielson (ph), a school admissions officer, hasn't been an activist for years.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It gives me such a tremendous amount to feel like I'm doing something to make a change.

HINOJOSA: At the rally headquarters inside a union hall, the tedium of preparations, some singing and Larry Carpal (ph), a school teacher who came all of the way from Los Angeles for the New York protest.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's so good to see the city again, and it's so good to see this energy again and the young people that are involved now. You know, it's not just the old timers who went through it before.

HINOJOSA: Gina Feldman is a fourth year medical student who has never been in protest rallies. Now she's helping organize one.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I couldn't sit there and watch the news anymore and just, you know, go like this every night. I had to actually do something about it. So that's why I got involved.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HINOJOSA: Now the organizers have gotten a permit for 100,000 people, not in front of the United Nations, but just a few blocks north of that.

Tomorrow is going to be a very cold, snowy day, so everybody's going to be on the look-out to see just what the turnout is.

Back to you, Wolf.

BLITZER: Thank you very much, Maria. CNN, of course, will have complete coverage of all of that. Maria Hinojosa in New York City for us.

When we come back, the man behind the nuclear weapons hunt, Mohamed ElBaradei. Hear what he has to say about the conflicts that are dividing the world. He'll join me live when we return.

Also, the price of oil through the roof. The threat of war looms heavy over the markets.

And tragedy on tape, a first look at mission control the day the shuttle exploded. Our Miles O'Brien with the latest.

You're watching CNN, the most trusted name in news.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back to CNN. I'm Wolf Blitzer. Coming up, the man in charge of finding Iraqi nuclear weapons capabilities. Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei will join me live. Hear what he has to say about the current situation in Iraq.

But first, let's take a look at other stories making news now at our CNN "News Alert."

(NEWSBREAK)

BLITZER: Back now to the with showdown with Iraq. As we reported, the U.N. Security Council heard new reports today on the Iraqi weapons inspections. Once again, here's our Senior U.N. Correspondent Richard Roth.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ROTH (voice-over): From the top U.N. inspectors, a report of Iraqi weapons not seen.

HANS BLIX, CHIEF U.N. WEAPONS INSPECTOR: How much if any is left of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and related items and programs? So far, UNMOVIC have want found any such weapons.

ROTH: But also says Chief Inspector Hans Blix, there are problems.

BLIX: The document which Iraq provided suggested to us that some 1,000 tons of chemical agent were unaccounted for.

ROTH: Also not accounted for, says Blix, scores of anthrax, deadly VX nerve agent and long range missiles Iraq was known to have. On Saddam Hussein's alleged nuclear program, Mohamed ElBaradei.

MOHAMED ELBARADEI, DIR. GEN., INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY: We have to date found no evidence of ongoing prohibited nuclear or nuclear related activities in Iraq. However, as I have just indicated, a number of issues are still under investigation and we are not yet in a position to reach a conclusion about them.

ROTH: Blix, threw a jab across the room to Secretary of State Colin Powell referring to satellite images Powell displayed showing Iraqis removing items from a site, reputedly before the inspectors arrived.

BLIX: The reported movement could just as easily have been a routine activity.

ROTH: What is working? Private interviews with Iraqi scientists. But Blix and ElBaradei say they need more times with the scientists away from the eyes of Iraqi officials. It all seemed to widen the gulf between Security Council members who want to disarm by force and those who seek more time for inspections.

FAROOK AL-SHARA, SYRIAN FOREIGN MINISTER (through translator): The war will lead to total anarchy, benefiting solely those who take it upon themselves to spread fear and destruction everywhere.

ROTH: From the lead British and American diplomats, a firm rebuke. Iraq has not done enough and has only respond with its back to the wall.

COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: They did it because of pressure. They did it because this council stood firm. They did it because the international community said enough, we will not tolerate Iraq continuing to have weapons of mass destruction to be used against it is own people, to be used against its neighbors or worse.

ROTH: The final word before the counsel came from Iraq's representative Mohammed Aldouri.

MOHAMMED ALDOURI, IRAQI AMBASSADOR TO U.N. (through translator): An empty hand has nothing to give. You cannot give what you don't have. If we do not possess such weapons how can we disarm ourselves of such weapons?

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: That report from our Senior U.N. Correspondent Richard Roth and the message from the chief U.N. inspectors was very clear, no Iraqi weapons of mass destruction have been found so far, but Iraq still needs to be more forthcoming. Those words from both Dr. Hans Blix and Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei.

Dr. ElBaradei, the chief nuclear inspector, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, he is joining me life from the United Nations. Dr. ElBaradei, thanks so much for joining us.

ELBARADEI: Thank you very much for having me, Wolf. BLITZER: The last time you made your presentation to the U.N. Security Council, and correct me if I'm wrong, we specifically heard the words "months" from you. You said you need more months to get the job done. Today, I don't remember hearing you say that. Is there a shift that maybe I misunderstood?

ELBARADEI: No, Wolf, there is no shift. I think we are still talking about months. We are still making steady progress in the nuclear (UNINTELLIGIBLE). We are still investigating a number of issues -- aluminum tubes that have to do with possible programs with enriching uranium. We are still investigating that Iraq, in fact, tried to import uranium from an African country.

So we are moving forward. So we are interviewing scientists. We are doing satellite monitoring. We are doing environmental sampling. And what I will try to tell the Council today, that even with the 100 percent Iraqi cooperation, in the nuclear (UNINTELLIGIBLE), we are blessed with having techniques that enable us to look for fingerprints of any nuclear activities.

And we are getting some reasonable cooperation on the part of Iraq.

So it is still a question of months. It could be less if Iraq becomes more transparent, if Iraq comes up with additional evidence. But even though we are still moving forward -- and my argument today, Wolf, is we are in mid-course, give me the time to complete my task before we think of other alternatives.

BLITZER: So are we talking, Dr. ElBaradei, three months, six months, eight months? If the Iraqis continue as they are right now, how many more month do you as the nuclear inspector really need?

ELBARADEI: It's difficult for me, Wolf, to put a number. But I would say probably around six months -- and again, this is a guesstimate -- but the big ticket item, Wolf, of evidence is the area of chemical and biological. I think, as you have heard today, we are moving well on process. We are getting the ability to run the U-2 and other surveillance aircraft. The Iraqis committed themselves to help us with interviews, Iraqi scientists inside and outside Iraq.

But the remaining issue, the more important issue, is whether they can come with evidence to exonerate themselves that they do not have any longer chemical and biological weapon. Hans Blix is saying, I have no evidence that they have them, but I cannot also exclude that possibility, and that's not good enough for the security council, given the pattern of Iraqi behavior and cooperation in the past, given the fact that Iraq had the full range of weapons of mass destruction in the past, the Security Council needs a high level of assurance that they have none of these weapons any longer.

And that is really what's going to decide the Iraqi (UNINTELLIGIBLE) in the next few weeks: whether Iraq would be able to come with the evidence, and if we do not have documents, as we tried to impress on them today during the private meeting, then interviews with scientists outside of Iraq, three interviews would be the next best thing to bring to the Council that Iraq is free from chemical and biological weapons.

BLITZER: There is a proposal -- the French have put it forward, among other -- to provide additional inspectors. Do you need more nuclear inspectors right now, Dr. ElBaradei?

ELBARADEI: Yes. We need to build capacity, Wolf, and I mentioned that in the Council. We need to build capacity in many areas. We probably need people to freeze a site when we do an inspection. We probably need more inspectors to do simultaneous inspection at different sites at the same time. We probably need some customs and expert to control any import from outside.

But that is no substitute for full and active Iraqi cooperation. I think what I tried to explain to the Security Council, again, in the private meeting, that through -- an inspection is no substitute for full and active Iraqi cooperation. They are complementary. We need an intrusive system, but we need also an active Iraqi cooperation because without that, the process is very slow and assurances are very low.

BLITZER: Before I let you go, Dr. ElBaradei, the whole issue of these aluminum tubes, you heard the president of the United States, and the secretary of state say flatly there is no other purpose these tubes could be used for other than to try to build a nuclear bomb. You are much more cautious. You say there might be some other purposes. How sure are you that there could be some other purpose beyond a nuclear purpose?

ELBARADEI: I still am cautious, Wolf. I still believe that they could have been -- the effort to import them was for the purpose of conventional rockets. They fit the conventional rocket program in Iraq. However, as we said, they could also be adjusted for a centrifuge program. We are still investigating the issue. We got new files from Iraq; they promised us to give us samples of tubes that they got from prospective suppliers.

So we are moving very well on that issue, and that's a very important issue, but I still think we can't come to a closure on that issue. It could very well be that they were meant for conventional rockets. If they were not, then we also would like to know that.

BLITZER: And finally, if the U.S. and the its allies were to use military force, I would assume you would expect a word in advance to get your inspectors out of Iraq before any bombs dropped?

ELBARADEI: Think that's understood, Wolf. I, obviously, I do not see and I don't think anybody would go for a military action and put our people in harm's way. I think that's understood and we are in close consultation with all members of the Security Council. And we made it clear that in case any -- any country decides to go for war, we need to get our people out of Iraq before any such thing were to take place.

BLITZER: Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei, good luck to you. Thanks very much for joining us.

ELBARADEI: Thank you very much, Wolf.

BLITZER: And once again, here's your chance to weigh in on this very important story. Our "Web Question of the Day is this -- we've been asking -- "Should the United States strike Iraq now or allow weapons inspections to continue?" We'll have the results later in this broadcast. Vote right now at cnn.com/wolf.

Coming up, we're standing by. We're awaiting the verdict, the sentence of Clara Harris in that murder trial in Houston. We'll bring it to you live once it happens.

Also, the U.S. spy arsenal looks like a toy, but don't be fooled. Shadow may be small, but it can see a lot. Here it is. That's the shadow and that's a powerful weapon.

And later, inside mission control on NASA's dark day. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: We're standing by. We're awaiting the sentencing of Clara Harris in that murder trial in Houston, Texas. You are looking at her attorney right now. She should be walking in pretty soon. She's convicted, guilty of murdering her husband with her Mercedes- Benz, driving over him several times. We're going to get the final decision on what her sentence will be. That is coming up. We'll go there live once it happens.

Also, a new weapon that could be used against Iraq. Our Barbara Starr will unveil it for us next.

Then, mission control in mourning. An up close look at the men and women of NASA as the shuttle tragedy unfolds.

All coming up on WOLF BLITZER REPORTS. We're back in one minute.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back.

Remember, we're standing by for the sentencing of Clara Harris, the woman convicted of murdering her husband in that parking lot as she drove over his body multiple times. We're expecting her to come into this courtroom momentarily. Once she does, we'll go to the judge. We'll get the verdict on how long she will be serving some sort of sentence in prison. She's eligible, of course, for life. We'll be watching this as it happens in the next few minutes.

In the meantime, more on showdown Iraq. If the United States goes to war against Iraq, American forces on the battlefield will have some new high tech weapons in their arsenal.

Our Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr is live now at the Pentagon and she has incredible details -- Barbara.

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, you know, every time U.S. troops go into the field they seem to take some new equipment with them and CNN has had a look at a new army spy plane.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

STARR (voice-over): At first glance, it looks like a radio- controlled model airplane. In fact, it's the army's newest mini spy plane, a 13-foot long unmanned reconnaissance drone called Shadow. And it's about to possibly see combat for the first time.

Eight shadow drones are now on their way to the Persian Gulf with the fourth infantry division, the division, now earmarked for action in the mountainous terrain of northern Iraq. Perfect territory for the Shadow unmanned aerial vehicle, UAV, to spy on Saddam Hussein's military forces.

COL. JOHN BURKE, U.S. ARMY: If you think about the UAV as a flying video camera, very similar to what you might have at home, a mile to a mile and a half high, flying along and giving you back the real time video. It's transmitting back right then into the ground control station, the picture that it sees.

STARR: Cameras on the plane can operate day or night. Flying about a mile up, controllers can peek at enemy forces without risking U.S. troops.

BURKE: Say a soldier was carrying a surface-to-air missile and you had a good clear day, you should be able to -- with the right altitude, low humidity, pick up a surface to -- if he was carrying a surface to air...

STARR: And once the Shadow locks on, its ground controller can then call in artillery or helicopter attack. The Shadow gives ground troops an immediate capability to conduct their own reconnaissance, quite different than the larger, well known Air Force predator -- are you going to come back to me? -- which (UNINTELLIGIBLE) has seen action over Afghanistan and Iraq.

The $3.5 million Predator operates high in the sky, at 25,000 feet. The $500,000 shadow more like a TV news chopper at less than 10,000 feet. Shadow ranges over 30 miles, Predator 450 miles. Shadow, 330 pound, predator, 1,100 pounds.

(on camera): For soldiers on the battlefield, finding out what's over the top of the next ridgeline has always been vital. The Shadow now gives them the capability to do just that without risking soldiers' lives.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: That report from our Barbara Starr at the Pentagon.

I want to go to Houston now. That sentencing hearing about to get under way in the courtroom.

Clara Harris. convicted of murdering her husband. We are watching the court now. The judge -- Jeffrey Toobin is joining us as well. Jeffrey, you've been covering this case. We know that she's eligible for up to life if she was convicted of murder, manslaughter, it would be 20 years, criminally negligent homicide up to two years. What's your assessment?

JEFFREY TOOBIN, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: .....Texas has on two levels.

One, usually, in most states, the judge does the sentencing. Here in Texas, the jury plays the lead role -- and also, in a murder convict, usually there's a narrow range of sentences, 10 or up. Here, even though she's been convicted of murder, she faces a possibility of this enormous range of probation to life in prison -- although interestingly, in her summation, the prosecutor said life in prison was too much. We're not asking for that. So I think we can pretty much write that possibility off.

BLITZER: Let me get this straight. She was convicted of murder. She could get life in prison for that, but it's possible, given other circumstances, as a result of the sentencing proceedings that have just gone on, she could only get two years of jail? Is that what you're saying?

TOOBIN: She could get less than two years in jail, Wolf. It's really extraordinary. She can get simple probation, which is just an extraordinary quirk in the law. Frankly, given how quickly the jury came back, I doubt that they will give her that, but under the law, it is possible, as some lawyers say, she could walk down the elevator with the same jurors who convicted her for murder.

BLITZER: We see her sitting there in the middle of the screen, next to her attorney, George Parnham, with the white hair and the beard. She didn't show much emotion when she was convicted of murdering her husband. She's obviously not showing a whole lot of emotion right now, but momentarily, she'll learn what her sentence will be. This has been a strange case from A to Z, hasn't it been?

TOOBIN: Very strange. You know, she didn't show much emotion during the actual decision on guilt, but later, when her stepdaughter testified, who was present in the car when Clara Harris killed her husband, the step daughter, Lindsey, said that she was so depressed by this, that she tried to commit suicide, and at that point, after the jury left the room, the -- Clara Harris yelled out at her stepdaughter, "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry." So at times she has been highly emotional, even though she wasn't emotional at the precise moment of the verdict.

BLITZER: We saw George Parnham put his head down and put his arm around her at the time of the verdict. He seemed to be more emotional than she was at the time. And we are looking at him right now sitting next to Clara Harris, right there on the screen.

This sentencing is going to come down of -- let's just listen in briefly to hear what's going on in the courtroom right now.

JUDGE CAROLYN DAVIES, STATE DISTRICT COURT: Please bring in the jury. BLITZER: Jury is now coming into the courtroom. They'll be questioned. The judge will then read the sentencing. Everyone is standing, awaiting word, what kind of sentence she will get. As we await word, the stepdaughter was in the Mercedes, Jeffrey, as she was driving over her husband who she discovered was having an affair.

TOOBIN: An awful situation, when you think about it. The stepdaughter was the closest eyewitness to her father's murder, and, you know, that undoubtedly had a big impact on the jury. At one level, she's very sympathetic defendant.

BLITZER: Hold on, Jeffrey. Let's go to the courtroom.

DAVIES: Would you please give the paperwork to the deputy for me? Thank you.

As to the special issue, the jury's answer. Do you, the jury, find by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant caused the death of David Harris under the immediate influence of sudden passion arising from an adequate cause? The jury's answer? We do. We, the jury, having found the defendant guilty of murder and having made an affirmative finding to the special issue, assess her punishment at confinement in an institutional division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for 20 years and assess a fine in the amount of $10,000. The verdict is signed by the presiding juror and appears to be in proper form.

Does either side wish to have the jury polled?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No, your honor.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, your honor.

DAVIES: All right. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, again, we are going to go through a similar process that we did in the first stage of trial. My question for each of you is twofold. Is the verdict that I just read, yes, is affirmative as to the special issue, and is the sentence arrived at, 20 years imprisonment and a fine of $10,000 your individual verdict? Again, we'll start on the back row, far left.

The jury, the all 12 jurors have spoken and have confirmed, affirmed their verdict. It is in proper form and will be received.

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I know that you have devoted many days of your lives and your close attention to this matter and have taken it very seriously and conscientiously, and I thank you for your time.

I am discharging you from your jury service. This concludes your jury service. I am going to ask you to go back to the jury room briefly to visit with me so that I can thank you personally and provide you paperwork that you will need for the conclusion of this trial.

Now, let me say the instructions I've been giving you in the past are now lifted. You are free to talk to anyone you choose about the case. By the same token, understand that is your choice. You are not required to answer questions of anyone or talk about this if it is your preference not to. So, thank you and, and please go with the bailiff. Go back to the jury room and we'll get you out of here.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All rise.

BLITZER: And so there you have it. Clara Harris, she's collapsed as a result of a 20-year sentence imposed on this 45-year- old dentist convicted of murdering her husband in a parking lot in her Mercedes-Benz. Jeffrey Toobin, our legal analyst is still with us. This whole issue of sudden passion, a special consideration. She could have received life in prison. She is getting 20 years in prison because of this sudden passion, the special consideration that the jury decided to give her. Explain that to our viewers.

TOOBIN: Well, in simple terms, sudden passion reduces the maximum eligible penalty. So the defense argued that she wanted -- that she did commit the crime in sudden passion, so she thought -- they thought it was a good thing to be found -- that the crime was committed in sudden passion.

As it turned out, however, she still got a very stiff sentence. Twenty years was the maximum of a sudden passion murder. Harris County is one tough place, and you can see by the reaction of Clara Harris and her lawyer, they were hoping for a lot better result than this.

BLITZER: Art Harris, our correspondent, is in Houston. He's been covering this trial. Art, give us your thoughts as we watch this dramatic moment.

ART HARRIS, CNN INVESTIGATIVE CORRESPONDENT: It's a very -- it's a stunning victory for the prosecution, Wolf. This was a case where the jury was told the most poignant details of this woman's heartbreak and heartache, and that was used as the thrust of her defense, and culminating in that moment in a parking lot when she, in their words, lost it in a moment of sudden passion. As Jeffrey Toobin said, the defense was accepted, but in the upper limit of a sudden passion sentence.

So she -- I understand would be eligible for parole in half that time, about 10 years, and that is a very serious consequence. Prosecutor Mia Magnus arguing for a serious consequence, and she got what she asked for.

BLITZER: Twenty years, but she'll be eligible for parole in less than that. Art Harris, thanks very much. Jeffrey Toobin, thanks very much. Clara Harris, sentenced to 20 years in prison. We'll continue to cover this story. Much more coming up later.

Here's your -- how you're weighing in on our Web question of the day. Remember, we've been asking you this, should the United States strike Iraq now or allow weapons inspections to continue? Thirty- eight percent of you say now; 62 percent of you say, let the inspections continue. Remember, this is not a scientific poll. That's all the time we have today. "LOU DOBBS MONEYLINE" is coming up now.

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Clara Harris Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison, $10,000 Fine>