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CNN Wolf Blitzer Reports
Bush, World Leaders Plan Last-Minute Summit in Azores; Smart Suspect May Have Attempted to Kidnap Girl's Cousin
Aired March 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.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR (voice-over): Showdown: Iraq. Emergency summit. President Bush prepares to fly out this weekend.
CONDOLEEZZA RICE, NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: It is time to come to a conclusion that says to Saddam Hussein it is time for you to disarm or be disarmed.
BLITZER: We're with the troops from the front lines, but are those troops ready for a chemical or germ attack? Witness a race for survival as they suit up in front of our cameras.
Forgeries. Why did U.S. spy agencies use damaged goods to try to get the goods on Iraq?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's mystifying to me. I can't understand it.
BLITZER: And she's safe at home, but is she really safe? As we get more pictures of Elizabeth Smart's time in captivity, learn what may be her battle ahead.
CHIEF RICK DINSE, SALT LAKE CITY POLICE: She was psychologically affected by this abduction and by this imprisonment.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: It's Friday, March 14, 2002. I'm Wolf Blitzer in Washington.
Here are the latest developments we're following in the showdown with Iraq. Sources tell CNN the United States is considering a preemptive military strike in the southern no-fly zone of Iraq. The move would keep in check Iraqi forces which have been moving toward the Kuwaiti border. Sources say such an attack will be aimed at keeping Iraq from striking a first blow.
Joining a nationwide call for Jihad, a prominent Iraqi cleric today said U.S. interests everywhere should be set ablaze. The imam of Baghdad's mother of all battles mosque told the worshipers that any invading Americans will be chased out with knives and swords if necessary. Stymied at the United Nations, the leaders of the United States, Britain and Spain are preparing for an emergency summit on Sunday in the Azores in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
Their antagonist, the French President Jacques Chirac, today spoke by phone with Britain's prime minister, Tony Blair. He offered a compromised timeframe for weapons inspections, but stood very firm against any U.N. authority -- resolution authorizing war.
We'll get to all of those developments in the showdown with Iraq in just a moment, but first a developing story on the Elizabeth Smart kidnapping case.
Investigators now say the kidnappers might have tried to abduct Elizabeth's 18-year-old cousin, as well. The Salt Lake County, Utah sheriff's department has scheduled a news conference during this hour. We'll bring you that news conference live once it happens.
But first, CNN's Jeanne Meserve is joining us now live from Salt Lake City with all of the latest developments -- Jeanne.
JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, first a press conference that had been scheduled by the Salt Lake City police and the FBI for a couple of hours from now was suddenly canceled this afternoon.
No explanation, but we do know that investigators have been very worried about the possibility of saying something that might jeopardize the prosecution of the individuals who are suspected in this case.
But simultaneously, we did learn, as you said, that the Salt Lake City County -- excuse me, Salt Lake County Sheriff's Department will be holding a press conference. We know that they are investigating whether or not there was an attempted kidnapping of one of Elizabeth Smart's cousins. There was a break in there, attempted break-in back in July. The individual was scared off.
We learned from Chief Dinse last night that they are looking at Brian Mitchell as a possible suspect in that case. We expect to learn more at this press conference.
In addition, we understand that there was a hearing today in court here in Salt Lake City relative to some shoplifting charges that were filed against Mitchell in September. This is while Elizabeth Smart was in captivity. He appeared in a video hookup and pleaded innocent to those charges.
Also today, we now have videotape of a court appearance in San Diego. This took place back in February. This related to the story we mentioned yesterday where he had been picked up after breaking into a church, was held for six days and then eventually released because San Diego police had no idea he was being look for in connection with the Smart investigation.
Also some new photos today, these taken while Elizabeth Smart and her alleged captors were in San Diego, California. These taken at Balboa Park by someone who was visiting the city. Those taken on Christmas Day, we are told.
Also we have just obtained from the Associated Press the copy of some religious writings by Brian Mitchell. This is called the "Book of Emmanuel, David, Isaiah". This refers to polygamy in here. He mentions that polygamy had been taken away from the people as punishment by God and that God would restore polygamy to the people.
Last night Chief Dinse of the Salt Lake City Police Department said that Mitchell was a believer in polygamy. He did not however, venture into that territory when asked whether Elizabeth was viewed as one of his wives by Mitchell.
Wolf, back to you.
BLITZER: And on this second day of her freedom, effectively, Jeanne, what are we hearing? How is Elizabeth doing?
MESERVE: We have not heard anything today. The Smart family has not done anything publicly thus far. There is, however, going to be a rally tonight in downtown. We're told that Ed and Lois Smart will be present at that celebration, but young Elizabeth will not be.
Yesterday the family made it quite clear they wanted to give her time to readjust, have some privacy with her family. We imagine that's exactly what's happening today, Wolf.
BLITZER: All right. It's probably a good idea. Jeanne Meserve, thanks very much.
And remember, we're standing by awaiting that news conference on word of this possible second abduction. We'll go there live once it happens.
Also later this program I'll speak with a psychologist about Elizabeth's nine months in captivity, how it might have affected her actions and what she could be doing now to make sure she gets back to a relatively normal life.
Let's get back now to the showdown with Iraq. Dramatic developments today.
We'll go to CNN's Richard Roth at the United Nations shortly, but first to the White House, where preparations are now under way for a high-level huddle in the Atlantic on Sunday, even as the Bush administration looks ahead to future peace moves.
Let's go to Suzanne Malveaux, our White House correspondent, for that -- Suzanne.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, today President Bush made some critical calls to Arab allies, the leaders of Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, in his renewed effort to jumpstart the Middle East peace process. And at the same time the administration fully engaged in what White House aides are saying the last mile in diplomacy, the president to attend an emergency summit this weekend that could clear the way for a possible war with Iraq.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MALVEAUX (voice-over): First came early word of an emergency session on Iraq. Then a surprise Rose Garden announcement, in which President Bush renewed his pledge to help Israelis and Palestinians achieve Middle East peace.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: America's committed, and I am personally committed, to implementing our road map toward peace.
MALVEAUX: The White House says with the expected confirmation of a new Palestinian prime minister soon, now is the time to put the issue back on the table.
The Bush administration has been criticized by Arab and European leaders for largely ignoring the Israeli-Palestinian conflict while it focuses on Saddam Hussein.
The White House insists the timing of the announcement had nothing to do with the tough diplomacy on Iraq, but its chief ally, British prime minister Tony Blair, acknowledged it did.
TONY BLAIR, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: I think it's precisely now when we do have all this focus on the issue of weapons of mass destruction and Saddam and all of the things that he has done. It's precisely now that we say to the Arab and Muslim world, we accept the obligation of even handedness.
MALVEAUX: The White House also announced President Bush will travel to the Azores Islands to hold an emergency summit Sunday with Britain, Spain and host Portugal in an attempt to salvage a U.N. Security Council resolution on Iraq.
RICE: Sooner or later the United Nations Security Council has got to act or not act. And so it is time for the Security Council to resolve this. And the president and prime ministers will get together this weekend, and they'll talk about the way forward.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MALVEAUX: The president has a very serious challenge ahead, Wolf. So far it does not have those nine votes or no vetoes for a resolution to pass. Today Chile offered its own proposal, for three to four weeks for Saddam Hussein to disarm. That, for the Bush administration, is a non-starter -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Suzanne Malveaux at the White House. Thanks, Suzanne, very much. Sunday we'll be watching that news conference, the three leaders from the Azores, Sunday afternoon. There's still no indication when or even if the United Nations Security Council will vote again on a new Iraq resolution. Our senior U.N. correspondent, Richard Roth, is standing by.
Richard, first of all, with this meeting going on this weekend, where does it put the U.N. Security Council effectively?
RICHARD ROTH, CNN SENIOR U.N. CORRESPONDENT: Squarely on the sidelines for several days now. There was already a lot of deadlock in the council after last evening's consultations, and there wasn't much activity today.
The meeting of the uncommitted six at a lower level, the Angolan ambassador said, we're finished. There are no meetings planned at the moment. Even a scheduled meeting of those five permanent powerful members was abruptly canceled. The United States said it's being taken over by event. This meeting planned just a short time ago.
On those British benchmarks, however, there's always some optimism. The Pakistani ambassador said don't count it out just yet.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MUNIR AKRAM, PAKISTANI AMBASSADOR TO U.N.: I don't think it would be good to characterize any proposal as dead or alive. I think everything is alive until we all declare everything is dead.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROTH: I mean, the diplomats get some encouragement when the president of Chile comes out and makes a statement with a new proposal, Wolf, for three more weeks for Saddam Hussein, but immediately Ari Fleischer, the White House spokesman, said it's a non- starter.
So there are fits and starts here, but the mood is definitely very down deep if there's any hope for diplomacy left.
BLITZER: Richard Roth with the latest from the United Nations. He'll be standing by, waiting to see if there are any developments there in the coming hours. Richard, thanks very much.
U.N. inspectors say Iraq destroyed four more Al Samoud 2 missiles today, but on Iraqi television there were words of war.
Our senior international correspondent, Nic Robertson, reports from Baghdad.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice- over): On the war path, ranting to the waiting cameras, tough words from one of Iraq's leading Islamic scholars. A call for Jihad, such war talk at Friday prayers broadcast on Iraqi television.
ABDEL RAZZAO AL-SAADI, MOTHER OF ALL BATTLES MOSQUE (through translator): We shouldn't be defeatist and weakened and sit in our homes. We should resist our enemies.
ROBERTSON: A coming war, a familiar theme for the faithful. Political analysis woven into the sermon.
AL-SAADI (through translator): The signs of victory are coming. This dispute at the Security Council between all states and the American administration is an element of victory.
ROBERTSON: Across town, in a packed church, another shepherd preaching to his flock.
MAR INGNATIO POTROS, SYRIAC CATHOLIC COMMUNITY (through translator): The people of evil who want to shed blood as they did in other countries, they want to destroy this country. We are confident our shepherd is mighty and strong.
ROBERTSON: Guidance sought by this congregation: how best to brace for what many now expect to be an inevitable war.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The war is against the law, against God. God not permit for anybody, especially for Pakistani men, to use the war.
ROBERTSON: Transcending religion here, a hope God, in whatever house he is found, can deliver his people from evil.
Nic Robertson, CNN, Baghdad.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: And this just in from our senior Pentagon correspondent, Jamie McIntyre. He is now reporting that B-1 bombers, U.S. Air force B-1 heavy bombers, dropped satellite-guided bombs in the southern no-fly zone of Iraq earlier today.
The targets included what they called a flat face radar station like another one taken out earlier in the week by U.S. Air Force F-15. But B-1 heavy bombers now being used to pummel Iraqi positions in the southern no-fly zone.
The United States and Britain are facing roadblocks, of course, as we all know, in their push for military action, but they're already talking about a road map to Middle East peace. A weekend summit may decide a course of action, as far as Iraq is concerned.
I'm joined now by Ed Djerejian, a former U.S. ambassador to both Syria and Israel. He was also a top State Department official. He played a key role in the lead up to the first Gulf War, as well.
Ambassador Djerejian, thanks so much for joining us.
As you well know, a career diplomat as you once were, you don't go into a summit like this in the Azores, the leaders of the United States, Britain and Spain, without effectively knowing what the outcome is going to be.
Do you assume they already know what the outcome is? EDWARD DJEREJIAN, DIRECTOR, BAKER INSTITUTE, RICE UNIVERSITY: Well, I think at a minimum, Wolf, the outcome will be a show of solidarity among the three leaders as to proceeding, hopefully, with a new U.N. resolution which perhaps can gain some consensus and agreement within the United Nations Security Council, in order to give any move toward military action the imprimatur of the United Nations.
If they cannot achieve that, Wolf, I think the summit result will be a show of solidarity of three of the important leaders of the coalition of the willing that President Bush has spoken of.
BLITZER: Is it out of the question, you know the relationships involved, is it out of the question given the fact that the French president, Jacques Chirac, spoke by telephone today with Tony Blair, breaking a long-time silence between these two leaders, silence with President Bush, as well, that at some point they bring over Jacques Chirac and they say let's sit down and resolve this matter as good allies, traditional allies really should do?
DJEREJIAN: Well, Wolf, there is a possibility, as was related in one of the segments you just broadcast, that it's never over until it's over and there's intense diplomacy going on now.
It would seem to me that the only compromise that could be reached now that you can get the parties, especially the veto-bearing parties such as France and Russia, on board is a compromised U.N. Security Council resolution that has certain benchmarks for disarmament performance by Saddam Hussein's regime and perhaps a deadline and end date.
If they can come up by some magic moment and achieve consensus and bring on Chirac and prove to him on that basis, that would be quite an achievement. If not, if there's anything short of that, I think it would be a show of solidarity for the next world's leading world war.
BLITZER: And that would presumably be an address to the nation Monday night or Tuesday night or some time earlier in the week by President Bush, setting the stage, effectively, urging inspectors, humanitarian workers, journalists to get out of Iraq.
DJEREJIAN: That's correct. That would be part of the buildup.
BLITZER: Is it your sense that it's effectively a done deal? There's going to be a war?
DJEREJIAN: No. I think you cannot draw that conclusion, although the chances for war now are much higher than they were just a few days ago, but there is still the ability to -- for developments to reach a point where that can be averted, but it's getting slimmer every day. I think it was very important, Wolf, that the president came out today on the Arab-Israeli context, with the road map.
As you well know, having covered this extensively, the president of the United States making a personal commitment to Arab-Israeli peace is important because in the Middle East, despite what certain analysts may say, the Arab-Israeli conflict and prospects for peace is a context-forming issue amongst Arabs and Muslims. And it's important for the United States to be seen and to be acting, especially by the president, to move that forward.
BLITZER: Ambassador Ed Djerejian is now the director of the Baker Institute for Public Policy at Rice University. Ambassador Djerejian, as usual, thanks very much.
DJEREJIAN: Thank you, Wolf.
BLITZER: All day here on CNN we've been asking people around the country what they think is more patriotic, to support or oppose a war with Iraq. Here's what some of our people had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I say supporting our country no matter what.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Why is that?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are a part of the country. We're all kind of one unit, one family, and I think that if you belong to something, you need to support it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, in a point of patriotic sense. Yes, I'll support the president on what he wants to do. On a personal standpoint, I don't think it's the right time to do it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm a Christian. I don't believe in war. I wish that we could live without war, but if war is imminent, we should support our president.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think it's patriotic to support the war with Iraq, because the war with Iraq is about 9/11, about being attacked by terrorists. I think we have to deal with the issues which are there are biochemical stuff in Iraq which he will be willing to disperse however he can do it -- even if it means using al Qaeda. So I think we have to deal with Iraq.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's more patriotic to support it, because we need to stand behind our president and our government. Why? To do otherwise is just going to create such dissidence in this country. It's going to be a lot of fallout.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I can't really say that either one is either more or less patriotic. I'm a school teacher and my kids have been studying the issues.
And I think that the most important thing to do is to be able to see both sides and to really look for what's right because I -- I don't think it's fair to -- I think the thing that worries me the most is that there's so much opposition to the war in the world, and I can't either say that I'm for or against it.
But I'm very concerned that there is so much opposition and that we need to look at that. And I wish that we could slow down before we do something.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't think you're unpatriotic if you oppose the war. I don't think you're unpatriotic if you support the war.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's your country and if you don't support your country, then you're unpatriotic.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Patriotism has nothing to do with it. I'm opposed. And I'm a patriotic American, and I'm opposed to the war.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think it's not wise to support a war where you are under terms that we're supporting one now at all and I feel completely patriotic in opposing it.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think it's very patriotic if you're against the war to protest. Exercise your war to protest. I think as an American, that's truly patriotic. It's the definition of being a patriot.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: And here's your chance to weigh in on this story. "Our Web Question of the Day" is this, what's more patriotic, to support or to oppose a war with Iraq? We'll have the results later in this broadcast. Please vote at cnn.com/wolf.
While you're there I'd like to hear from you. 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, of course, where you can read my daily online column, cnn.com/wolf.
There are new developments unfolding right now in the Elizabeth Smart case. Authorities are expected to release information. That's coming up, a live news conference from Salt Lake City. We'll have live coverage once it happens.
And a chemical attack. Can U.S. forces protect themselves in time? Marines race as we clock them. It's a demonstration you'll see only here.
You're watching CNN, the most trusted name in news.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Remember we're standing by, awaiting a news conference from Salt Lake City in Utah. New developments in the Elizabeth Smart case. Was a cousin a target, as well, for a kidnapping? The local law enforcement authorities expected to emerge momentarily. We'll go there live once they do.
In the meantime, with the United States on the verge of going to war with Iraq, there's concern that gear designed to protect U.S. troops from a chemical or a biological attack won't necessarily work, or if they do, they're so cumbersome they'll be effective.
To try to get a better handle on these issues, we timed two Marines as they put on their protective equipment.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: Sergeant Darell Jones, thanks for joining us. Chief Officer James Myers, thanks to you, as well, for helping us better understand what you guys and your colleagues might have to go through.
When I say go, I'm going to simulate that there's an alarm. There's a potential chemical attack unfolding right now. I'd like to see you get your equipment on as quickly as possible. Go!
Thanks very much, Mr. Bryce, for joining us. In your expertise, are these protective suits. Go back for us and tell our viewers what we saw beginning with the first steps that they did.
DOUGLAS BRYCE, NBC DEFENSE SYSTEMS: The first step was to make sure that all their equipment was laid out. They are dressed in MOPP level zero, MOP being Mission Oriented Protective Posture. From that Mission Oriented Protective Posture, they move to one, which is putting their trousers on and then their jacket.
The next level of protection that we would go to is, two, and that would add the boots on. Then the next level would be three, where they add the mask and then the final level would be four, where they add the gloves, and that would provide them the total protection against chemical agents.
It seems like a long time, but there are procedures in place, indoctrinal procedures, that we follow that will allow the marines to put some of the clothing on in advance of the attack based on intel and other -- the threat -- and other things in the area that commanders would consider. They would normally allow these marines to start somewhat dressed before they move in.
BLITZER: But what if there's absolutely no advance warning and all of a sudden, the early warning detections show there is biological warfare or nerve agents or chemical warfare? They start from scratch. If it takes almost five minutes to put this equipment on, might they be dead within those five minutes?
BRYCE: No, doctrinally, we tell them they have eight minutes to put this -- the equipment on. So they have about eight minutes to get the equipment on.
BLITZER: And if they've already started breathing some of those nerve agents, that's going to affect them?
BRYCE: Well, the nerve agents again, would affect them, but we have sensors, we have detection devices. We have things out there that would alert us, an early warning device, so that they would have plenty of time to get these suits on.
BLITZER: The equipment that Sergeant Jones and Chief Myers put on, is that the state-of-the-art protective gear right now for the U.S. military? BRYCE: This is the state-of-the-art. This is the best in the world. This suit is -- has been developed to provide protection against all known chemical agents and it is the best.
BLITZER: How long can these guys remain in those suits and continue to fight?
BRYCE: It's a variation. Of course, every individual is different, but as long as they are trained. Marines are trained to -- in the putting on the suit, wearing the suit, training in their mission, how to do their mission. Hydrating properly, they can stay in the suit up to its contaminated life span of 24 hours.
BLITZER: They can actually go in there for 24 hours. What about the heat? We're told that in the desert out there it could get up to 100 degrees, maybe 110 degrees. Can they operate effectively inside those suits in that kind of temperature?
BRYCE: Yes, they can. With proper training, proper hydration, they can certainly stay in the suit for long periods of time.
Again, the key to this is training and hydration. As long as they can drink from their canteen and as long as they can stay buttoned up and a commander has an opportunity at some point to allow reduction in the MOPP level as you see these marines dressed out here, the commander has an opportunity to reduce that MOPP level based upon the threat of other things. So they can stay in that suit for long periods of time.
BLITZER: Can they respond effectively with weapons in those kind of protective suits?
BRYCE: Yes, they can. It would be great if you could hear from the marines themselves but they would tell you, that yes, they can operate in these suits and they can conduct their mission, no matter what that mission is.
Again it all is a matter of training and preparedness that -- in this suit.
BLITZER: Normally, 24 hours, if they have to stay in that suit for that long of a period of time, 24 hours is a long time to be contained in that. Have your marines actually tried it, to see what happens during the course of a 24-hour span inside a suit like that?
BRYCE: Yes, Marines are trained to operate in the suit for 24 hours. They have prepared and they are ready and able to stay in that suit.
BLITZER: And if they have to go to the bathroom, what do they do?
BRYCE: They go inside the suit.
BLITZER: And that's that. Simple as that.
BRYCE: It's as simple as that.
BLITZER: Mr. Bryce, as you well know, a lot of troops came home from the first Persian Gulf War suffering from what we call Gulf War Syndrome. They think maybe they took in some chemicals or whatever there may have been some environmental problems.
Do you think that enough has been done now to make sure that a quarter of a million U.S. military personnel who have been deployed to the region now won't be coming back this time around with those kinds of illnesses?
BRYCE: Well, we're pretty confident that the detector systems that we have and the protection that we offer to the soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines that are over there will protect them against all the agents. So I would not expect it to be like you saw during the Gulf War.
BLITZER: Did you have these two marines demonstrate for the viewers how they would drink without those suits on? And are you telling us they can drink, but they really can't eat food.
BRYCE: That is correct. They can drink, but they cannot eat food.
BLITZER: The temperature in Quantico where you are right now is not very hot. It's sort of chilly outside, but you look like you're sweating pretty profusely. Can you only imagine what you'd being going through in 100 degree temperature or higher in Iraq?
MASTER SGT. DARELL JONES, U.S. MARINES: Yes, sir. I've been in the desert with this uniform on and it does get a little warmer than it is right now. but again, the key is keeping yourself hydrated. and also the commander has at his call what we call MOPP analysis. He knows how much you can do in certain climates.
So again, I would take breaks or the war fighter would take breaks out there to help with the additional heat.
BLITZER: Chief Myers, let me bring you in and ask you a few questions. Do you think you could really effectively take a weapon and fight for -- after you've been in that suit for, let's say, 12 hours?
C.W.O. JAMES MYERS, U.S. MARINES: Yes, sir. And it all goes back to the -- to what Master Sergeant Jones was saying earlier about the training, hydration and using a MOPP analysis the commander has. We will not be in a total MOPP level four where we're totally encapsulated the entire time we're fighting.
As we're dressed right now is MOPP level two, which would be the way the majority would be over the time over there.
BLITZER: Do you have confidence, Chief, that this equipment that you have is enough to protect you, God forbid, in a real kind of situation? MYERS: Yes, sir. As I mentioned earlier, I've been in live chambers with this equipment. I personally have a nephew that is in the Marine Corps reserves over in the theater right now. And I fully trust this equipment with his life and all the other 50,000 brothers and sisters I have over there in the Marine Corps.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: And, as you saw, it took those two Marines, four minutes, 45 seconds to get all of that gear, including the gas masks, on.
Many of you may be wondering why the Marines put their gas masks on last in that kind of a situation. We are told it's because they have to have full visibility to get the rest of their equipment on. And with those gas masks on, they wouldn't be able to see clearly enough. So, as you just saw, the gas masks go on last. I want to thank the Marines for that demonstration.
New developments happening right now in the Elizabeth Smart case: authorities expected to release information. We are standing by. You are looking at this live picture from the sheriff's office in Salt Lake City. We'll go live for this news conference. That's coming up.
Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back to CNN. I'm Wolf Blitzer.
Coming up, we are standing by for a live news conference in the Elizabeth Smart case. Was her cousin also a target? There's new information.
(NEWS BREAK)
BLITZER: Let's go to that news conference in Salt Lake City now, which is about to begin.
(INTERRUPTED BY LIVE EVENT)
BLITZER: That was Sheriff Aaron Kennard of Salt Lake County in Utah, revealing details of an intriguing development.
As many of you remember, last June 5, Elizabeth Smart was kidnapped, taken in the middle of the night from her home in Salt Lake City. On July 24, her 18-year-old cousin, Jessica Wright, the window, the storm window, the screen window outside her bedroom was tampered with. There was there was a noise. The family heard it. They called 911, as you just heard.
The police came. And whatever happened then was over with. But there's a suspicion that there could have been a connection, obviously, with the Elizabeth Smart kidnapping, attempted kidnapping, now being on the agenda.
Let's bring in our Jeanne Meserve. She's in Salt Lake City. She's covering this story.
You've been covering it almost from the beginning. Jeanne, this is a strange twist in this very, very sad case.
MESERVE: It is, Wolf.
We talked to investigators at the time this break-in took place and they were very puzzled about what had happened. At that time, the principal subject in this case was Richard Ricci. And he was in prison. And I spoke to some law enforcement sources about this, about what might have happened.
One of the theories they put forward is the one you heard today, that there were some kids in the neighborhood who were doing some vandalism. They thought maybe they were responsible, pulling a prank. Maybe they had intentionally mimicked what had happened at the Smart home to sort of intimidate the family.
Another thing that was mentioned to me as a theory by investigators: that this might be some confederate of Richard Ricci's who had gone in and done something in order to distract attention from him. What the sheriff just said is that they have new evidence here. Something has come to light since Elizabeth Smart has been recovered. We don't know if it is physical evidence or is something that came to light as a result of interviews with Mitchell, Barzee, or Elizabeth herself -- Wolf.
BLITZER: But the suspicion, of course, Jeanne, is that perhaps -- perhaps -- we don't know this -- Brian Mitchell, the individual suspected of kidnapping Elizabeth Smart, may have made a similar attempt against her 18-year-old cousin.
MESERVE: Exactly. That's what the sheriff was saying, that they expect to decide within the next several days of whether to bring charges of attempted kidnapping against him -- Wolf.
BLITZER: All right, Jeanne Meserve, with the latest from Salt Lake -- thanks, Jeanne, very much.
She dressed to fit in with her alleged kidnappers, but now she's free. But is she mentally home free? The psychological battle for Elizabeth Smart -- we'll speak with an expert, what she can expect to endure.
Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back.
If you're just joining us, there's been a new development in the Elizabeth Smart case. Investigators now say the kidnappers may have tried to abduct Elizabeth's 18-year-old cousin as well. You just saw that news conference here on CNN. The screen on Jessica Wright's bedroom window was cut seven weeks after Elizabeth's was kidnapped. And in another development, the chief of police in Salt Lake City says there's no doubt in his mind that Elizabeth Smart was psychologically affected by her nine-month kidnapping ordeal.
According to psychologist Patricia Saunders, 15-year-old Elizabeth is now in what she calls the honeymoon phase, but that, of course, could change. Saunders, who is the director of New York's Manhattan Mental Health Center joining us now -- she is joining us now to talk about this case.
What do you mean by the honeymoon phase of this ordeal, Patricia?
PATRICIA SAUNDERS, MANHATTAN MENTAL HEALTH CENTER: There's a sequence of psychological events post-trauma. And what Elizabeth has suffered is a very special kind of psychological terrorism.
One of the defense mechanisms that we automatically use is denial and avoidance. And, in fact, some traumatic experiences are truly beyond words. Her silence may be because she doesn't have words to describe her feelings and her inner states. That's what we mean by a honeymoon. And it's not going to last that long.
BLITZER: I want to go ahead and talk a little bit about what she can expect.
But let's go back a little bit. These reports that, over the nine months of her captivity, she presumably could have escaped, made some sign, but stayed there. How do you interpret that kind of behavior, which apparently is not all that rare?
SAUNDERS: No. Unfortunately, it's quite common.
And we need to think about this as a fairly normal reaction to grotesquely abnormal circumstances. Patricia Hearst described it very clearly and eloquently the other night. This is what we call the Stockholm Syndrome. And that idea originated in a bank robbery in 1973 where five people were kept hostage for a bank in six days. Two of them became engaged to their holders, to their kidnappers and abductors, and vehemently supported them during their trial.
What happens is a kind of emotional attachment to the kidnapper or the captor, where the person feels that their life utterly depends on them and they must please them. It's a violation of a person's identity when their life depends on someone else and believe in what they believe in. The kidnapper may show acts of kindness or concern, which the victim then interprets as their being the good guy.
It's an assault on a person's sense of identity. And it becomes submerged in what the kidnapper wants them to be.
(CROSSTALK)
BLITZER: Because it's something, obviously, that's hard for all of us on the outside to fully absorb, but it's a concept that psychologists, obviously, are quite familiar with. What do you recommend now? Now that she's back in the loving arms of her parents and her siblings, what does she need to do to try to have as normal a life, teenage years, adult years, as possible?
SAUNDERS: Well, what we know from how her parents are handling it, they're doing a pretty good job with not pushing her, not asking her to talk, letting her be, and embracing her with their love and all of her contacts with her friends, normal routines, life as usual.
But I think that the family really needs to consult with trauma experts, people who have had experience working with adolescents, children who have been in hostage situations, who may have even had families who have been POWs. Elizabeth's recovery is going to take time. And she may not be able to talk about it for many, many months. She may not even be symptomatic, with some of the difficulties that we see, sleep problems, intrusive thoughts, nightmares, for a long time to come.
But her parents need to speak with trauma people now. And that it can be a family therapy will help her all the more.
BLITZER: And, in your experience, do kids who have gone through these kinds of ordeals manage to come through in relatively good shape?
SAUNDERS: Yes, they do. With the right kind of help and the parents' consistency and love, they do come out OK, and, in many ways, more resilient.
BLITZER: All right, we, unfortunately, have to leave it right there.
Thanks very much, Patricia Saunders. And good luck, not only to you, but, of course, good luck to Elizabeth Smart and her family as well.
SAUNDERS: To Elizabeth, yes.
BLITZER: Appreciate it very much.
I want to get to the results of our Web question. You've been voting on it. Remember, we've been asking you this question: What's more patriotic, to support or to oppose a war Iraq? Let's show you the results. Take a look at this right now: 35 percent of you say to support is more patriotic, but 65 percent of you say to oppose a war with Iraq is more patriotic. Remember, this is not -- repeat, not -- a scientific poll.
We're going to have to leave it right there. That's all the time we have today.
Please join me Sunday on CNN's "LATE EDITION," the last word in Sunday talk. Among my guests will be the secretary of state, Colin Powell.
Until then, thanks very much for watching. I'm Wolf Blitzer in Washington.
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Smart Suspect May Have Attempted to Kidnap Girl's Cousin>
Aired March 14, 2003 - 17:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR (voice-over): Showdown: Iraq. Emergency summit. President Bush prepares to fly out this weekend.
CONDOLEEZZA RICE, NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: It is time to come to a conclusion that says to Saddam Hussein it is time for you to disarm or be disarmed.
BLITZER: We're with the troops from the front lines, but are those troops ready for a chemical or germ attack? Witness a race for survival as they suit up in front of our cameras.
Forgeries. Why did U.S. spy agencies use damaged goods to try to get the goods on Iraq?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's mystifying to me. I can't understand it.
BLITZER: And she's safe at home, but is she really safe? As we get more pictures of Elizabeth Smart's time in captivity, learn what may be her battle ahead.
CHIEF RICK DINSE, SALT LAKE CITY POLICE: She was psychologically affected by this abduction and by this imprisonment.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: It's Friday, March 14, 2002. I'm Wolf Blitzer in Washington.
Here are the latest developments we're following in the showdown with Iraq. Sources tell CNN the United States is considering a preemptive military strike in the southern no-fly zone of Iraq. The move would keep in check Iraqi forces which have been moving toward the Kuwaiti border. Sources say such an attack will be aimed at keeping Iraq from striking a first blow.
Joining a nationwide call for Jihad, a prominent Iraqi cleric today said U.S. interests everywhere should be set ablaze. The imam of Baghdad's mother of all battles mosque told the worshipers that any invading Americans will be chased out with knives and swords if necessary. Stymied at the United Nations, the leaders of the United States, Britain and Spain are preparing for an emergency summit on Sunday in the Azores in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
Their antagonist, the French President Jacques Chirac, today spoke by phone with Britain's prime minister, Tony Blair. He offered a compromised timeframe for weapons inspections, but stood very firm against any U.N. authority -- resolution authorizing war.
We'll get to all of those developments in the showdown with Iraq in just a moment, but first a developing story on the Elizabeth Smart kidnapping case.
Investigators now say the kidnappers might have tried to abduct Elizabeth's 18-year-old cousin, as well. The Salt Lake County, Utah sheriff's department has scheduled a news conference during this hour. We'll bring you that news conference live once it happens.
But first, CNN's Jeanne Meserve is joining us now live from Salt Lake City with all of the latest developments -- Jeanne.
JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, first a press conference that had been scheduled by the Salt Lake City police and the FBI for a couple of hours from now was suddenly canceled this afternoon.
No explanation, but we do know that investigators have been very worried about the possibility of saying something that might jeopardize the prosecution of the individuals who are suspected in this case.
But simultaneously, we did learn, as you said, that the Salt Lake City County -- excuse me, Salt Lake County Sheriff's Department will be holding a press conference. We know that they are investigating whether or not there was an attempted kidnapping of one of Elizabeth Smart's cousins. There was a break in there, attempted break-in back in July. The individual was scared off.
We learned from Chief Dinse last night that they are looking at Brian Mitchell as a possible suspect in that case. We expect to learn more at this press conference.
In addition, we understand that there was a hearing today in court here in Salt Lake City relative to some shoplifting charges that were filed against Mitchell in September. This is while Elizabeth Smart was in captivity. He appeared in a video hookup and pleaded innocent to those charges.
Also today, we now have videotape of a court appearance in San Diego. This took place back in February. This related to the story we mentioned yesterday where he had been picked up after breaking into a church, was held for six days and then eventually released because San Diego police had no idea he was being look for in connection with the Smart investigation.
Also some new photos today, these taken while Elizabeth Smart and her alleged captors were in San Diego, California. These taken at Balboa Park by someone who was visiting the city. Those taken on Christmas Day, we are told.
Also we have just obtained from the Associated Press the copy of some religious writings by Brian Mitchell. This is called the "Book of Emmanuel, David, Isaiah". This refers to polygamy in here. He mentions that polygamy had been taken away from the people as punishment by God and that God would restore polygamy to the people.
Last night Chief Dinse of the Salt Lake City Police Department said that Mitchell was a believer in polygamy. He did not however, venture into that territory when asked whether Elizabeth was viewed as one of his wives by Mitchell.
Wolf, back to you.
BLITZER: And on this second day of her freedom, effectively, Jeanne, what are we hearing? How is Elizabeth doing?
MESERVE: We have not heard anything today. The Smart family has not done anything publicly thus far. There is, however, going to be a rally tonight in downtown. We're told that Ed and Lois Smart will be present at that celebration, but young Elizabeth will not be.
Yesterday the family made it quite clear they wanted to give her time to readjust, have some privacy with her family. We imagine that's exactly what's happening today, Wolf.
BLITZER: All right. It's probably a good idea. Jeanne Meserve, thanks very much.
And remember, we're standing by awaiting that news conference on word of this possible second abduction. We'll go there live once it happens.
Also later this program I'll speak with a psychologist about Elizabeth's nine months in captivity, how it might have affected her actions and what she could be doing now to make sure she gets back to a relatively normal life.
Let's get back now to the showdown with Iraq. Dramatic developments today.
We'll go to CNN's Richard Roth at the United Nations shortly, but first to the White House, where preparations are now under way for a high-level huddle in the Atlantic on Sunday, even as the Bush administration looks ahead to future peace moves.
Let's go to Suzanne Malveaux, our White House correspondent, for that -- Suzanne.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, today President Bush made some critical calls to Arab allies, the leaders of Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, in his renewed effort to jumpstart the Middle East peace process. And at the same time the administration fully engaged in what White House aides are saying the last mile in diplomacy, the president to attend an emergency summit this weekend that could clear the way for a possible war with Iraq.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MALVEAUX (voice-over): First came early word of an emergency session on Iraq. Then a surprise Rose Garden announcement, in which President Bush renewed his pledge to help Israelis and Palestinians achieve Middle East peace.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: America's committed, and I am personally committed, to implementing our road map toward peace.
MALVEAUX: The White House says with the expected confirmation of a new Palestinian prime minister soon, now is the time to put the issue back on the table.
The Bush administration has been criticized by Arab and European leaders for largely ignoring the Israeli-Palestinian conflict while it focuses on Saddam Hussein.
The White House insists the timing of the announcement had nothing to do with the tough diplomacy on Iraq, but its chief ally, British prime minister Tony Blair, acknowledged it did.
TONY BLAIR, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: I think it's precisely now when we do have all this focus on the issue of weapons of mass destruction and Saddam and all of the things that he has done. It's precisely now that we say to the Arab and Muslim world, we accept the obligation of even handedness.
MALVEAUX: The White House also announced President Bush will travel to the Azores Islands to hold an emergency summit Sunday with Britain, Spain and host Portugal in an attempt to salvage a U.N. Security Council resolution on Iraq.
RICE: Sooner or later the United Nations Security Council has got to act or not act. And so it is time for the Security Council to resolve this. And the president and prime ministers will get together this weekend, and they'll talk about the way forward.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MALVEAUX: The president has a very serious challenge ahead, Wolf. So far it does not have those nine votes or no vetoes for a resolution to pass. Today Chile offered its own proposal, for three to four weeks for Saddam Hussein to disarm. That, for the Bush administration, is a non-starter -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Suzanne Malveaux at the White House. Thanks, Suzanne, very much. Sunday we'll be watching that news conference, the three leaders from the Azores, Sunday afternoon. There's still no indication when or even if the United Nations Security Council will vote again on a new Iraq resolution. Our senior U.N. correspondent, Richard Roth, is standing by.
Richard, first of all, with this meeting going on this weekend, where does it put the U.N. Security Council effectively?
RICHARD ROTH, CNN SENIOR U.N. CORRESPONDENT: Squarely on the sidelines for several days now. There was already a lot of deadlock in the council after last evening's consultations, and there wasn't much activity today.
The meeting of the uncommitted six at a lower level, the Angolan ambassador said, we're finished. There are no meetings planned at the moment. Even a scheduled meeting of those five permanent powerful members was abruptly canceled. The United States said it's being taken over by event. This meeting planned just a short time ago.
On those British benchmarks, however, there's always some optimism. The Pakistani ambassador said don't count it out just yet.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MUNIR AKRAM, PAKISTANI AMBASSADOR TO U.N.: I don't think it would be good to characterize any proposal as dead or alive. I think everything is alive until we all declare everything is dead.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROTH: I mean, the diplomats get some encouragement when the president of Chile comes out and makes a statement with a new proposal, Wolf, for three more weeks for Saddam Hussein, but immediately Ari Fleischer, the White House spokesman, said it's a non- starter.
So there are fits and starts here, but the mood is definitely very down deep if there's any hope for diplomacy left.
BLITZER: Richard Roth with the latest from the United Nations. He'll be standing by, waiting to see if there are any developments there in the coming hours. Richard, thanks very much.
U.N. inspectors say Iraq destroyed four more Al Samoud 2 missiles today, but on Iraqi television there were words of war.
Our senior international correspondent, Nic Robertson, reports from Baghdad.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice- over): On the war path, ranting to the waiting cameras, tough words from one of Iraq's leading Islamic scholars. A call for Jihad, such war talk at Friday prayers broadcast on Iraqi television.
ABDEL RAZZAO AL-SAADI, MOTHER OF ALL BATTLES MOSQUE (through translator): We shouldn't be defeatist and weakened and sit in our homes. We should resist our enemies.
ROBERTSON: A coming war, a familiar theme for the faithful. Political analysis woven into the sermon.
AL-SAADI (through translator): The signs of victory are coming. This dispute at the Security Council between all states and the American administration is an element of victory.
ROBERTSON: Across town, in a packed church, another shepherd preaching to his flock.
MAR INGNATIO POTROS, SYRIAC CATHOLIC COMMUNITY (through translator): The people of evil who want to shed blood as they did in other countries, they want to destroy this country. We are confident our shepherd is mighty and strong.
ROBERTSON: Guidance sought by this congregation: how best to brace for what many now expect to be an inevitable war.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The war is against the law, against God. God not permit for anybody, especially for Pakistani men, to use the war.
ROBERTSON: Transcending religion here, a hope God, in whatever house he is found, can deliver his people from evil.
Nic Robertson, CNN, Baghdad.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: And this just in from our senior Pentagon correspondent, Jamie McIntyre. He is now reporting that B-1 bombers, U.S. Air force B-1 heavy bombers, dropped satellite-guided bombs in the southern no-fly zone of Iraq earlier today.
The targets included what they called a flat face radar station like another one taken out earlier in the week by U.S. Air Force F-15. But B-1 heavy bombers now being used to pummel Iraqi positions in the southern no-fly zone.
The United States and Britain are facing roadblocks, of course, as we all know, in their push for military action, but they're already talking about a road map to Middle East peace. A weekend summit may decide a course of action, as far as Iraq is concerned.
I'm joined now by Ed Djerejian, a former U.S. ambassador to both Syria and Israel. He was also a top State Department official. He played a key role in the lead up to the first Gulf War, as well.
Ambassador Djerejian, thanks so much for joining us.
As you well know, a career diplomat as you once were, you don't go into a summit like this in the Azores, the leaders of the United States, Britain and Spain, without effectively knowing what the outcome is going to be.
Do you assume they already know what the outcome is? EDWARD DJEREJIAN, DIRECTOR, BAKER INSTITUTE, RICE UNIVERSITY: Well, I think at a minimum, Wolf, the outcome will be a show of solidarity among the three leaders as to proceeding, hopefully, with a new U.N. resolution which perhaps can gain some consensus and agreement within the United Nations Security Council, in order to give any move toward military action the imprimatur of the United Nations.
If they cannot achieve that, Wolf, I think the summit result will be a show of solidarity of three of the important leaders of the coalition of the willing that President Bush has spoken of.
BLITZER: Is it out of the question, you know the relationships involved, is it out of the question given the fact that the French president, Jacques Chirac, spoke by telephone today with Tony Blair, breaking a long-time silence between these two leaders, silence with President Bush, as well, that at some point they bring over Jacques Chirac and they say let's sit down and resolve this matter as good allies, traditional allies really should do?
DJEREJIAN: Well, Wolf, there is a possibility, as was related in one of the segments you just broadcast, that it's never over until it's over and there's intense diplomacy going on now.
It would seem to me that the only compromise that could be reached now that you can get the parties, especially the veto-bearing parties such as France and Russia, on board is a compromised U.N. Security Council resolution that has certain benchmarks for disarmament performance by Saddam Hussein's regime and perhaps a deadline and end date.
If they can come up by some magic moment and achieve consensus and bring on Chirac and prove to him on that basis, that would be quite an achievement. If not, if there's anything short of that, I think it would be a show of solidarity for the next world's leading world war.
BLITZER: And that would presumably be an address to the nation Monday night or Tuesday night or some time earlier in the week by President Bush, setting the stage, effectively, urging inspectors, humanitarian workers, journalists to get out of Iraq.
DJEREJIAN: That's correct. That would be part of the buildup.
BLITZER: Is it your sense that it's effectively a done deal? There's going to be a war?
DJEREJIAN: No. I think you cannot draw that conclusion, although the chances for war now are much higher than they were just a few days ago, but there is still the ability to -- for developments to reach a point where that can be averted, but it's getting slimmer every day. I think it was very important, Wolf, that the president came out today on the Arab-Israeli context, with the road map.
As you well know, having covered this extensively, the president of the United States making a personal commitment to Arab-Israeli peace is important because in the Middle East, despite what certain analysts may say, the Arab-Israeli conflict and prospects for peace is a context-forming issue amongst Arabs and Muslims. And it's important for the United States to be seen and to be acting, especially by the president, to move that forward.
BLITZER: Ambassador Ed Djerejian is now the director of the Baker Institute for Public Policy at Rice University. Ambassador Djerejian, as usual, thanks very much.
DJEREJIAN: Thank you, Wolf.
BLITZER: All day here on CNN we've been asking people around the country what they think is more patriotic, to support or oppose a war with Iraq. Here's what some of our people had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I say supporting our country no matter what.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Why is that?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are a part of the country. We're all kind of one unit, one family, and I think that if you belong to something, you need to support it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, in a point of patriotic sense. Yes, I'll support the president on what he wants to do. On a personal standpoint, I don't think it's the right time to do it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm a Christian. I don't believe in war. I wish that we could live without war, but if war is imminent, we should support our president.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think it's patriotic to support the war with Iraq, because the war with Iraq is about 9/11, about being attacked by terrorists. I think we have to deal with the issues which are there are biochemical stuff in Iraq which he will be willing to disperse however he can do it -- even if it means using al Qaeda. So I think we have to deal with Iraq.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's more patriotic to support it, because we need to stand behind our president and our government. Why? To do otherwise is just going to create such dissidence in this country. It's going to be a lot of fallout.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I can't really say that either one is either more or less patriotic. I'm a school teacher and my kids have been studying the issues.
And I think that the most important thing to do is to be able to see both sides and to really look for what's right because I -- I don't think it's fair to -- I think the thing that worries me the most is that there's so much opposition to the war in the world, and I can't either say that I'm for or against it.
But I'm very concerned that there is so much opposition and that we need to look at that. And I wish that we could slow down before we do something.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't think you're unpatriotic if you oppose the war. I don't think you're unpatriotic if you support the war.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's your country and if you don't support your country, then you're unpatriotic.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Patriotism has nothing to do with it. I'm opposed. And I'm a patriotic American, and I'm opposed to the war.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think it's not wise to support a war where you are under terms that we're supporting one now at all and I feel completely patriotic in opposing it.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think it's very patriotic if you're against the war to protest. Exercise your war to protest. I think as an American, that's truly patriotic. It's the definition of being a patriot.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: And here's your chance to weigh in on this story. "Our Web Question of the Day" is this, what's more patriotic, to support or to oppose a war with Iraq? We'll have the results later in this broadcast. Please vote at cnn.com/wolf.
While you're there I'd like to hear from you. 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, of course, where you can read my daily online column, cnn.com/wolf.
There are new developments unfolding right now in the Elizabeth Smart case. Authorities are expected to release information. That's coming up, a live news conference from Salt Lake City. We'll have live coverage once it happens.
And a chemical attack. Can U.S. forces protect themselves in time? Marines race as we clock them. It's a demonstration you'll see only here.
You're watching CNN, the most trusted name in news.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Remember we're standing by, awaiting a news conference from Salt Lake City in Utah. New developments in the Elizabeth Smart case. Was a cousin a target, as well, for a kidnapping? The local law enforcement authorities expected to emerge momentarily. We'll go there live once they do.
In the meantime, with the United States on the verge of going to war with Iraq, there's concern that gear designed to protect U.S. troops from a chemical or a biological attack won't necessarily work, or if they do, they're so cumbersome they'll be effective.
To try to get a better handle on these issues, we timed two Marines as they put on their protective equipment.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: Sergeant Darell Jones, thanks for joining us. Chief Officer James Myers, thanks to you, as well, for helping us better understand what you guys and your colleagues might have to go through.
When I say go, I'm going to simulate that there's an alarm. There's a potential chemical attack unfolding right now. I'd like to see you get your equipment on as quickly as possible. Go!
Thanks very much, Mr. Bryce, for joining us. In your expertise, are these protective suits. Go back for us and tell our viewers what we saw beginning with the first steps that they did.
DOUGLAS BRYCE, NBC DEFENSE SYSTEMS: The first step was to make sure that all their equipment was laid out. They are dressed in MOPP level zero, MOP being Mission Oriented Protective Posture. From that Mission Oriented Protective Posture, they move to one, which is putting their trousers on and then their jacket.
The next level of protection that we would go to is, two, and that would add the boots on. Then the next level would be three, where they add the mask and then the final level would be four, where they add the gloves, and that would provide them the total protection against chemical agents.
It seems like a long time, but there are procedures in place, indoctrinal procedures, that we follow that will allow the marines to put some of the clothing on in advance of the attack based on intel and other -- the threat -- and other things in the area that commanders would consider. They would normally allow these marines to start somewhat dressed before they move in.
BLITZER: But what if there's absolutely no advance warning and all of a sudden, the early warning detections show there is biological warfare or nerve agents or chemical warfare? They start from scratch. If it takes almost five minutes to put this equipment on, might they be dead within those five minutes?
BRYCE: No, doctrinally, we tell them they have eight minutes to put this -- the equipment on. So they have about eight minutes to get the equipment on.
BLITZER: And if they've already started breathing some of those nerve agents, that's going to affect them?
BRYCE: Well, the nerve agents again, would affect them, but we have sensors, we have detection devices. We have things out there that would alert us, an early warning device, so that they would have plenty of time to get these suits on.
BLITZER: The equipment that Sergeant Jones and Chief Myers put on, is that the state-of-the-art protective gear right now for the U.S. military? BRYCE: This is the state-of-the-art. This is the best in the world. This suit is -- has been developed to provide protection against all known chemical agents and it is the best.
BLITZER: How long can these guys remain in those suits and continue to fight?
BRYCE: It's a variation. Of course, every individual is different, but as long as they are trained. Marines are trained to -- in the putting on the suit, wearing the suit, training in their mission, how to do their mission. Hydrating properly, they can stay in the suit up to its contaminated life span of 24 hours.
BLITZER: They can actually go in there for 24 hours. What about the heat? We're told that in the desert out there it could get up to 100 degrees, maybe 110 degrees. Can they operate effectively inside those suits in that kind of temperature?
BRYCE: Yes, they can. With proper training, proper hydration, they can certainly stay in the suit for long periods of time.
Again, the key to this is training and hydration. As long as they can drink from their canteen and as long as they can stay buttoned up and a commander has an opportunity at some point to allow reduction in the MOPP level as you see these marines dressed out here, the commander has an opportunity to reduce that MOPP level based upon the threat of other things. So they can stay in that suit for long periods of time.
BLITZER: Can they respond effectively with weapons in those kind of protective suits?
BRYCE: Yes, they can. It would be great if you could hear from the marines themselves but they would tell you, that yes, they can operate in these suits and they can conduct their mission, no matter what that mission is.
Again it all is a matter of training and preparedness that -- in this suit.
BLITZER: Normally, 24 hours, if they have to stay in that suit for that long of a period of time, 24 hours is a long time to be contained in that. Have your marines actually tried it, to see what happens during the course of a 24-hour span inside a suit like that?
BRYCE: Yes, Marines are trained to operate in the suit for 24 hours. They have prepared and they are ready and able to stay in that suit.
BLITZER: And if they have to go to the bathroom, what do they do?
BRYCE: They go inside the suit.
BLITZER: And that's that. Simple as that.
BRYCE: It's as simple as that.
BLITZER: Mr. Bryce, as you well know, a lot of troops came home from the first Persian Gulf War suffering from what we call Gulf War Syndrome. They think maybe they took in some chemicals or whatever there may have been some environmental problems.
Do you think that enough has been done now to make sure that a quarter of a million U.S. military personnel who have been deployed to the region now won't be coming back this time around with those kinds of illnesses?
BRYCE: Well, we're pretty confident that the detector systems that we have and the protection that we offer to the soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines that are over there will protect them against all the agents. So I would not expect it to be like you saw during the Gulf War.
BLITZER: Did you have these two marines demonstrate for the viewers how they would drink without those suits on? And are you telling us they can drink, but they really can't eat food.
BRYCE: That is correct. They can drink, but they cannot eat food.
BLITZER: The temperature in Quantico where you are right now is not very hot. It's sort of chilly outside, but you look like you're sweating pretty profusely. Can you only imagine what you'd being going through in 100 degree temperature or higher in Iraq?
MASTER SGT. DARELL JONES, U.S. MARINES: Yes, sir. I've been in the desert with this uniform on and it does get a little warmer than it is right now. but again, the key is keeping yourself hydrated. and also the commander has at his call what we call MOPP analysis. He knows how much you can do in certain climates.
So again, I would take breaks or the war fighter would take breaks out there to help with the additional heat.
BLITZER: Chief Myers, let me bring you in and ask you a few questions. Do you think you could really effectively take a weapon and fight for -- after you've been in that suit for, let's say, 12 hours?
C.W.O. JAMES MYERS, U.S. MARINES: Yes, sir. And it all goes back to the -- to what Master Sergeant Jones was saying earlier about the training, hydration and using a MOPP analysis the commander has. We will not be in a total MOPP level four where we're totally encapsulated the entire time we're fighting.
As we're dressed right now is MOPP level two, which would be the way the majority would be over the time over there.
BLITZER: Do you have confidence, Chief, that this equipment that you have is enough to protect you, God forbid, in a real kind of situation? MYERS: Yes, sir. As I mentioned earlier, I've been in live chambers with this equipment. I personally have a nephew that is in the Marine Corps reserves over in the theater right now. And I fully trust this equipment with his life and all the other 50,000 brothers and sisters I have over there in the Marine Corps.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: And, as you saw, it took those two Marines, four minutes, 45 seconds to get all of that gear, including the gas masks, on.
Many of you may be wondering why the Marines put their gas masks on last in that kind of a situation. We are told it's because they have to have full visibility to get the rest of their equipment on. And with those gas masks on, they wouldn't be able to see clearly enough. So, as you just saw, the gas masks go on last. I want to thank the Marines for that demonstration.
New developments happening right now in the Elizabeth Smart case: authorities expected to release information. We are standing by. You are looking at this live picture from the sheriff's office in Salt Lake City. We'll go live for this news conference. That's coming up.
Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back to CNN. I'm Wolf Blitzer.
Coming up, we are standing by for a live news conference in the Elizabeth Smart case. Was her cousin also a target? There's new information.
(NEWS BREAK)
BLITZER: Let's go to that news conference in Salt Lake City now, which is about to begin.
(INTERRUPTED BY LIVE EVENT)
BLITZER: That was Sheriff Aaron Kennard of Salt Lake County in Utah, revealing details of an intriguing development.
As many of you remember, last June 5, Elizabeth Smart was kidnapped, taken in the middle of the night from her home in Salt Lake City. On July 24, her 18-year-old cousin, Jessica Wright, the window, the storm window, the screen window outside her bedroom was tampered with. There was there was a noise. The family heard it. They called 911, as you just heard.
The police came. And whatever happened then was over with. But there's a suspicion that there could have been a connection, obviously, with the Elizabeth Smart kidnapping, attempted kidnapping, now being on the agenda.
Let's bring in our Jeanne Meserve. She's in Salt Lake City. She's covering this story.
You've been covering it almost from the beginning. Jeanne, this is a strange twist in this very, very sad case.
MESERVE: It is, Wolf.
We talked to investigators at the time this break-in took place and they were very puzzled about what had happened. At that time, the principal subject in this case was Richard Ricci. And he was in prison. And I spoke to some law enforcement sources about this, about what might have happened.
One of the theories they put forward is the one you heard today, that there were some kids in the neighborhood who were doing some vandalism. They thought maybe they were responsible, pulling a prank. Maybe they had intentionally mimicked what had happened at the Smart home to sort of intimidate the family.
Another thing that was mentioned to me as a theory by investigators: that this might be some confederate of Richard Ricci's who had gone in and done something in order to distract attention from him. What the sheriff just said is that they have new evidence here. Something has come to light since Elizabeth Smart has been recovered. We don't know if it is physical evidence or is something that came to light as a result of interviews with Mitchell, Barzee, or Elizabeth herself -- Wolf.
BLITZER: But the suspicion, of course, Jeanne, is that perhaps -- perhaps -- we don't know this -- Brian Mitchell, the individual suspected of kidnapping Elizabeth Smart, may have made a similar attempt against her 18-year-old cousin.
MESERVE: Exactly. That's what the sheriff was saying, that they expect to decide within the next several days of whether to bring charges of attempted kidnapping against him -- Wolf.
BLITZER: All right, Jeanne Meserve, with the latest from Salt Lake -- thanks, Jeanne, very much.
She dressed to fit in with her alleged kidnappers, but now she's free. But is she mentally home free? The psychological battle for Elizabeth Smart -- we'll speak with an expert, what she can expect to endure.
Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back.
If you're just joining us, there's been a new development in the Elizabeth Smart case. Investigators now say the kidnappers may have tried to abduct Elizabeth's 18-year-old cousin as well. You just saw that news conference here on CNN. The screen on Jessica Wright's bedroom window was cut seven weeks after Elizabeth's was kidnapped. And in another development, the chief of police in Salt Lake City says there's no doubt in his mind that Elizabeth Smart was psychologically affected by her nine-month kidnapping ordeal.
According to psychologist Patricia Saunders, 15-year-old Elizabeth is now in what she calls the honeymoon phase, but that, of course, could change. Saunders, who is the director of New York's Manhattan Mental Health Center joining us now -- she is joining us now to talk about this case.
What do you mean by the honeymoon phase of this ordeal, Patricia?
PATRICIA SAUNDERS, MANHATTAN MENTAL HEALTH CENTER: There's a sequence of psychological events post-trauma. And what Elizabeth has suffered is a very special kind of psychological terrorism.
One of the defense mechanisms that we automatically use is denial and avoidance. And, in fact, some traumatic experiences are truly beyond words. Her silence may be because she doesn't have words to describe her feelings and her inner states. That's what we mean by a honeymoon. And it's not going to last that long.
BLITZER: I want to go ahead and talk a little bit about what she can expect.
But let's go back a little bit. These reports that, over the nine months of her captivity, she presumably could have escaped, made some sign, but stayed there. How do you interpret that kind of behavior, which apparently is not all that rare?
SAUNDERS: No. Unfortunately, it's quite common.
And we need to think about this as a fairly normal reaction to grotesquely abnormal circumstances. Patricia Hearst described it very clearly and eloquently the other night. This is what we call the Stockholm Syndrome. And that idea originated in a bank robbery in 1973 where five people were kept hostage for a bank in six days. Two of them became engaged to their holders, to their kidnappers and abductors, and vehemently supported them during their trial.
What happens is a kind of emotional attachment to the kidnapper or the captor, where the person feels that their life utterly depends on them and they must please them. It's a violation of a person's identity when their life depends on someone else and believe in what they believe in. The kidnapper may show acts of kindness or concern, which the victim then interprets as their being the good guy.
It's an assault on a person's sense of identity. And it becomes submerged in what the kidnapper wants them to be.
(CROSSTALK)
BLITZER: Because it's something, obviously, that's hard for all of us on the outside to fully absorb, but it's a concept that psychologists, obviously, are quite familiar with. What do you recommend now? Now that she's back in the loving arms of her parents and her siblings, what does she need to do to try to have as normal a life, teenage years, adult years, as possible?
SAUNDERS: Well, what we know from how her parents are handling it, they're doing a pretty good job with not pushing her, not asking her to talk, letting her be, and embracing her with their love and all of her contacts with her friends, normal routines, life as usual.
But I think that the family really needs to consult with trauma experts, people who have had experience working with adolescents, children who have been in hostage situations, who may have even had families who have been POWs. Elizabeth's recovery is going to take time. And she may not be able to talk about it for many, many months. She may not even be symptomatic, with some of the difficulties that we see, sleep problems, intrusive thoughts, nightmares, for a long time to come.
But her parents need to speak with trauma people now. And that it can be a family therapy will help her all the more.
BLITZER: And, in your experience, do kids who have gone through these kinds of ordeals manage to come through in relatively good shape?
SAUNDERS: Yes, they do. With the right kind of help and the parents' consistency and love, they do come out OK, and, in many ways, more resilient.
BLITZER: All right, we, unfortunately, have to leave it right there.
Thanks very much, Patricia Saunders. And good luck, not only to you, but, of course, good luck to Elizabeth Smart and her family as well.
SAUNDERS: To Elizabeth, yes.
BLITZER: Appreciate it very much.
I want to get to the results of our Web question. You've been voting on it. Remember, we've been asking you this question: What's more patriotic, to support or to oppose a war Iraq? Let's show you the results. Take a look at this right now: 35 percent of you say to support is more patriotic, but 65 percent of you say to oppose a war with Iraq is more patriotic. Remember, this is not -- repeat, not -- a scientific poll.
We're going to have to leave it right there. That's all the time we have today.
Please join me Sunday on CNN's "LATE EDITION," the last word in Sunday talk. Among my guests will be the secretary of state, Colin Powell.
Until then, thanks very much for watching. I'm Wolf Blitzer in Washington.
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Smart Suspect May Have Attempted to Kidnap Girl's Cousin>
