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CNN Wolf Blitzer Reports
U.S. Strikes Back at Hussein's Fiercest Fighters; Suspected Terrorist Arrested in Minneapolis; Six More Afghan Children Dead After U.S. Raid
Aired December 10, 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: Happening now, a CNN exclusive, these pictures, exclusive pictures, the U.S. striking back at Saddam Hussein's fiercest fighters. We'll go live to Baghdad for details.
Also happening right now targeting al Qaeda and those who attend training camps. There's word of an arrest right here in the United States.
Stand by for hard news on WOLF BLITZER REPORTS.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER (voice-over): Casualties of war, Afghan children found dead after a U.S. raid for the second time in a week.
Shut out and outraged.
PAUL MARTIN, CANADIAN PRIME MIN-ELECT: I find it very difficult to understand the statement that was made.
BLITZER: Key U.S. allies barred from helping rebuild Iraq.
The flu epidemic claiming the lives of even more children.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And in a half hour she was gone.
BLITZER: Why the smallest victims are also among the most vulnerable.
And the band played on, the Iraqi National Orchestra back in the spotlight.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANNOUNCER: This is WOLF BLITZER REPORTS for Wednesday, December 10, 2003.
BLITZER: We begin with exclusive pictures just in late today of a dramatic U.S.-led raid, one of more than 50 around Iraq targeting some of Saddam Hussein's most ardent supporters.
Military officials report the capture of dozens, dozen of Iraqi insurgents including those believed to be responsible for the deadly attack last month that killed seven Spanish intelligence officers. CNN Senior International Correspondent Nic Robertson is standing by in Baghdad with more on these developments -- Nic.
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SR. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, this operation began in the early hours of this morning. Members of the 82nd Airborne swarmed through an area about 20 miles south of Baghdad, about 400 to 500 men involved in the operation.
They detained some 41 Iraqis believed to be responsible for that attack on the Spanish intelligence agents about two weeks ago. That was a complex ambush operation.
What we are told took place in the early hours of this morning the key members of the group, the 82nd Airborne were targeting there were arrested, were apprehended. We are told by the coalition that this operation went ahead without a shot being fired.
And, on the videotape that CNN has exclusively you can see somebody walking out of a compound with his hands above his head. We are told that three people came out of that compound one of them, one of the key people the 82nd Airborne were after.
Shots were fired, however, in Mosul in the north of Iraq, fired at U.S. troops, one soldier killed as he guarded a fuel line and another soldier killed a little later, three wounded, when a roadside bomb went off next to their patrol -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Nic, we also understand there are new developments in Iraq involving the creation of a war crimes tribunal that would be available in Iraq to try Saddam Hussein for war crimes and other of his supporters potentially.
ROBERTSON: That's right. This is a new creation. Five Iraqi judges would preside. Saddam Hussein they have told us today could be tried in absentia. That means they will just go ahead regardless of whether or not he's captured.
There are people in coalition captivity; Ali Hassan al-Majid, known as Chemical Ali, who is believed to be responsible for gassing and killed about 5,000 Kurds in 1988 in a chemical attack; the former foreign minister Tariq Aziz he is in coalition captivity. He could stand trial as well.
One thing this new war crimes tribunal is considering, along with the Governing Council is whether or not to reintroduce the death penalty that was suspended shortly after Saddam Hussein fell from power -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Nic Robertson with the latest in Baghdad. Thanks very much, Nic, for that.
Also happening in Iraq today a military investigator recommended administrative action but no court martial against a controversial United States Army officer. Lieutenant Colonel Allen West watched four of the soldiers beat an Iraqi while they interrogated him about an alleged plot to attack western troops and other troops, West also threatened to kill the Iraqi himself. Critics accuse West and his men of torture. Supporters say West was simply acting to try to save American lives.
And this other note, the Iraqi Health Ministry appears to have halted a study aimed at compiling an accurate count of civilian war deaths. The head of the ministry statistics department says the U.S.- led coalition running Iraq disapproves of the count and the Iraqi health minister issued an order telling everyone to stop the count. The health minister disputes that saying he knows nothing about any death count and never issued any order to stop it.
The Bush administration is defending a new move which critics say is aimed at punishing opponents of the Iraq war. It's all about who gets a piece of the pie in reconstructing Iraq and today there are harsh words flying around the halls of power in several major capitals.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER (voice-over): The message posted on a Pentagon Web site, the fallout predictable. More evidence for traditional allies who believe the Bush White House is going its own way in Iraq.
JOSCHKA FISCHER, GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER: We noted the reports today with astonishment and we will be speaking about it with the American side.
BLITZER: An electronic memo posted Tuesday night from Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz restricting the number of countries eligible to bid for prime reconstruction contracts in Iraq, contracts that could total about $18.5 billion.
"It is necessary for the protection of the essential security interests of the United States to limit competition for the prime contracts of these procurements to companies from the United States, Iraq, coalition partners and force contributing nations."
Translation, France, Germany, Russia, China, Canada all who opposed the Iraq war are shut out. Reaction is swift. France and the European Union say they're trying to determine whether the U.S. is violating trade rules or international law.
From Russia...
SERGEI IVANOV, RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTER: Iraq's debt to the Russian Federation comes to $8 billion U.S. and as far as the Russian government's position on this it is not planning any kind of write off of that debt.
BLITZER: At the White House a press secretary put on the defensive holds his ground on the issue of who contributed to the overthrow of Saddam Hussein and who should benefit.
SCOTT MCCLELLAN, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: I think it's perfectly appropriate and reasonable to expect that the prime contracts for reconstruction funded by U.S. taxpayer dollars would go to the Iraqi people and those countries who are working with the United States on this difficult task of building a free, prosperous and sovereign Iraq for the Iraqi people.
BLITZER: Scott McClellan added subcontracts and other deals earmarked from international donors are not covered by this directive and some of the nations complaining loudest do have companies taking a slice of the pie.
MCCLELLAN: You have a German company, Siemens (ph), who has been in Iraq working on the ground. You have a French company that has been working on diesel generators. You have a Russian company that has been refurbishing a power plant.
BLITZER: But some close U.S. allies also feel bruised, including a next door neighbor not on the list of 63 countries who can bid on prime contracts.
MARTIN: First of all, Canada is putting close to $300 million in terms of the reconstruction of Iraq. We have troops in Afghanistan and are carrying a very, very heavy load in that country.
BLITZER: From the White House, one carrot, discussions with traditional allies will continue and the situation could change.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: And here's your turn to weigh in on this important story. Our web question of the day is this. "Do you agree with U.S. policy to ban countries that opposed the Iraq war from competing on reconstruction contracts"?
You can vote right now. Go to cnn.com/wolf. We'll have the results later in this broadcast. While you're there I'd love to hear directly from you. Send me your comments anytime. 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.
In the war on terror, law enforcement sources tell CNN a man with alleged ties to al Qaeda is under arrest in Minnesota.
Our Justice Correspondent Kelli Arena is in Washington. She has details -- Kelli.
KELLI ARENA, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Wolf.
A man who allegedly has ties to the terror network has been taken into custody in Minneapolis by federal authorities. That's according to law enforcement sources.
Now those sources say that the man allegedly trained in al Qaeda camps. He is not a U.S. citizen and he is being held as a material witness so details of his case are under seal.
Now according to one source the man has provided some information about Zacarias Moussaoui. He is the self confessed al Qaeda operative who was also taken into custody in Minnesota in August of 2001 just before the September 11 attacks. It is unclear whether the two had any relationship.
Sources also tell CNN that the man in custody has been in the United States for some time but they would not provide specifics -- back to you.
BLITZER: All right we'll get some more details obviously as they're made available.
ARENA: Sure will.
BLITZER: Kelli Arena with that from Washington. Kelli thanks very much.
Strange and not pleasant to be around, which former president of the United States said that about Ronald Reagan? We'll give you a clue. We're not talking about a Republican -- actually we are talking about a Republican. We're not talking about a Democrat.
Also this...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The hope will not be given up on my part until I have Dru back.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: The father of a missing college student refuses to give up the search for his daughter. See how Dru Sjodin's dad and a key player in the case settling their differences right now.
Plus, this...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You know we were concerned the flu was going around but we never imagined it would even lead to anything like this.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: A mother mourns of the loss of her young daughter. We have some vital information about the flu that you need to know right now.
Plus, let freedom ring, Iraqi musicians orchestrate an emotional performance in Washington. Hear why one musician was brought to tears. We'll get to all of that but first today's News Quiz.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER (voice-over): Which U.S. city is home to the oldest symphony orchestra in the nation, Erie, Pennsylvania; Cincinnati, Ohio, New York; St. Louis, Missouri, the answer later in the show?
(END VIDEO CLIP) (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And I walked in the hallway and this cop pointed a gun at me and told me to get down on the ground.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Scared students, angry parents, and several attorneys on the case, new videotape of a police raid some say went too far.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back.
Now another controversy involving Iraq, "The New York Times" reports the United States government is paying the Halliburton Company more than twice the going rate to truck gas and other fuel to Iraq from Kuwait. Two congressional Democrats are accusing the Houston- based Halliburton of inflating those prices at a great cost to American taxpayers.
CNN's Chris Huntington is following the story. He's joining us live from New York -- Chris.
CHRIS HUNTINGTON, CNN FINANCIAL CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, this is the latest chapter in what has been an ongoing stream of controversies for Halliburton and its subsidiary Kellogg, Brown & Root that are handling oil field repairs there in Iraq.
First we had the whole issue of how Kellogg, Brown & Root got the contract in the first place. Now there's the whole issue about how much they're charging the U.S. government, particularly the Army Corps of Engineers, for trucking gasoline into the war-torn region.
Let's take a look at comparative pricing of gas that Kellogg, Brown & Root is buying first from Turkey then from Kuwait. Now in Turkey they're getting gas for basically $1.24 a gallon, a raw cost of $.89, trucking costs of $.22 and then other fees and overhead of about $.13 a gallon.
But look at the price they're paying out of Kuwait. It's a total of $2.64 a gallon and these figures obtained by CNN today only just came to light in the last couple of days. You can see the raw cost for fuel there $1.17. The transport fee is $1.21.
Henry Waxman who has been one of the lead members of Congress calling into question how Halliburton has been getting contracts, spoke to him today, he's outraged at these kind of prices that are falling on the heads and on the pocketbooks of U.S. taxpayers.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
REP. HENRY WAXMAN (D), CALIFORNIA: We're talking about government mismanagement but under any case we're talking about the taxpayers in this country overpaying for Halliburton to bring in gasoline from Kuwait to Iraq where they're paying $2.64 a gallon and then selling it for around a nickel and why should the American taxpayers be overpaying for gasoline which others have estimated should be no more than $1 a gallon for that same gasoline?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HUNTINGTON: Now, Waxman denies that he is aiming any kind of allegation at the administration, of political string-pulling, particularly the pointed allegation possible that Dick Cheney may have made some phone calls whatever.
Waxman absolutely shies away from that accusation but it's clear that that sort of innuendo is hanging in the air with the mention of Halliburton. I also spoke to a man who ran government procurement under the Clinton administration and he says that kind of political string-pulling just does not work when it comes to federal contracts.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PROF. STEVEN KELMAN, HARVARD: In the years I've spent in and around federal contracting talking to a lot of folks at, you know, conferences and gossip and things like that the idea of political interference in awarding contracts is just, it is taboo in the system.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HUNTINGTON: Now Halliburton's explanation for those lofty prices from Kuwait quite simple. Halliburton says there were virtually no trucks available, capable of making the dangerous run so they had to import trucks and drivers from overseas.
Also the security issue and, of course, anybody who's been following the news about Iraq in the last months knows the security issues have been severe and Halliburton says that those are the extra costs that you're seeing in gas being trucked in from Kuwait -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Chris Huntington with the latest on another sensitive story. Thanks Chris very much for that report.
Target children, what the Pentagon has to say about why children are dying right now in Afghanistan. We'll have details.
Also, the deadly flu, why some children are dying from the flu and the warning signs, what you need to know right now to help protect your children.
New recordings of President Nixon reveal how he really felt about a certain former president. You won't want to miss this.
And Bobby Brown has he been a bad boy again? We'll tell you what his wife Whitney Houston has to say about that. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Despite troubling evidence to the contrary the family of Dru Sjodin say they're not giving up hope the missing University of North Dakota student will be found alive.
CNN's Jeff Flock is in Grand Forks, North Dakota. He's following the latest developments -- Jeff.
JEFF FLOCK, CNN CHICAGO BUREAU CHIEF: Wolf, regardless of whether anyone thinks Dru Sjodin is dead or alive they do intend to keep on searching for her though a lot of people think there isn't much hope of finding her without help from the suspect in the case.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
FLOCK (voice-over): To Alfonso Rodriguez a personal appeal from the aunt of the young woman he is accused of kidnapping.
CAROL SULFIN, DRU SJODIN'S AUNT: We would just ask him to please find one shred of goodness in his heart and let us know where she is.
FLOCK: Rodriguez still refuses to cooperate with investigators. The family of Dru Sjodin has also directed their anger at Grand Forks County Sheriff Dan Hill.
SHERIFF DAN HILL, GRAND FORKS COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT: I can't see that she could be alive now.
FLOCK: Who repeated today he believes Sjodin is probably dead. The bleak words don't help Sjodin's father Allan told us but he later met and embraced Hill after the sheriff said he would do everything he can to find Sjodin despite evidence, like her blood in Rodriguez' car that paints such a pessimistic picture.
What makes you think based on even seeing that evidence that she is still alive Carol?
SULFIN: There wasn't a great deal of blood. There was a little bit of blood.
FLOCK: Indeed authorities admit there is no proof that 22-year- old Sjodin is dead. They will bring in National Guard troops to help search the frozen landscape this weekend.
ALLAN SJODIN, FATHER: Hope will not be given up on my part until I have Dru back. When I have Dru back then I can go one way or the other with it.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FLOCK: Wolf, conditions for the searchers over the course of the next several days are just going to be brutal with high temperatures in the single digits and when that wind blows very, very difficult.
BLITZER: What a sad story. CNN's Jeff Flock reporting for us. Jeff thank you very much.
A Florida teen serving a life sentence for killing a playmate in the so-called wrestling death case will get a new trial that decision today from an appellate court. Our National Correspondent Susan Candiotti is following this story in Miami -- Susan.
SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Wolf.
Before Lionel Tate gets a new trial the state has 15 days to decide whether to ask the state for a new hearing. Now the question for the Appeals Court boiled down to this. Was Lionel Tate competent to stand trial to begin with?
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CANDIOTTI (voice-over): How he looked at age 12 when convicted of first degree murder. How Lionel Tate looks now at 16 after four years of a mandatory life sentence. His attorney described Tate's reaction to winning a new trial.
RICHARD ROSENBAUM, TATE'S ATTORNEY: I heard him scream yes and then I heard a bunch of the guards in the jail clapping for Lionel.
CANDIOTTI: A three judge Appeals Court did not mince words in ordering a new trial for Lionel Tate ruling it was a constitutional error not to determine whether he was mentally competent before trial.
"Questions regarding Tate's competency were not lurking subtly in the background but were readily apparent."
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The defendant is guilty of murder in the first degree as charged in the indictment.
CANDIOTTI: Lionel Tate was 12 years old in 1999 when a jury found he pummeled to death 6-year-old playmate Tiffany Eunick.
A jury found she suffered a fractured skull and injuries to her brain as well as internal organs. Part of her liver was detached. Premeditated murder said the state. The defense argued it was an accident. Tate was play wrestling.
Not in dispute, according to the Appeals Court, Tate's IQ of 90 and his maturity that of a 6-year-old. Tate's lawyer says Lionel has dropped 40 pounds, suffers from an eating disorder yet is an honor student behind bars.
Governor Jeb Bush may consider clemency depending on whether the state retries the case or seeks further appeals.
GOV. JEB BUSH (R), FLORIDA: And in the interim my hope is that young Lionel is progressing, that he's developing in maturity and that he's abiding by the rules.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CANDIOTTI: Now what about the idea of giving Lionel Tate a new competency evaluation? Well, you know the expression you can't turn back the clock. The state Appeals Court says too late for that now. Too much time has passed -- Wolf. BLITZER: What a difficult case this one is as well. Thanks very much Susan Candiotti for that report.
It's the second time in a week that U.S. troops have killed Afghan children. We'll take you live to the Pentagon where there are late developments.
Plus, the countdown to New Hampshire, presidential candidates set their sights on the nation's first Iowa caucus and the primary that follows in New Hampshire. What has the most momentum and who seems to be doing the best right now?
And this...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What we saw were commando style tactics that should be used in Baghdad not in Goose Creek.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: A shakedown inside a South Carolina high school, see what this new video reveals.
Symphony in the spotlight, the Iraqi National Symphony strikes an emotional chord in the nation's capital.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back to CNN.
New casualties of war and, once again, children paying the ultimate price in Afghanistan, we'll get to all of that, first though a quick check of the latest headlines.
(NEWSBREAK)
BLITZER: It's happened again. The United States military today said six Afghan children were killed in a raid on Taliban and al Qaeda suspects on Friday. The news comes on the heels of a blunder in a neighboring province on Saturday in which nine Afghan children were killed. Our senior Pentagon correspondent, Jamie McIntyre joining us with more -- Jamie.
JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: The Pentagon says it takes every precaution to avoid unintended civilian casualties, which makes the events the last couple days in Afghanistan that much harder to explain.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MCINTYRE (voice-over): The U.S. Was already investigating how nine children were killed in an airstrike by USA A-10 aircraft Saturday at this Afghan village when it discovered a special operations raid the previous day also resulted in the deaths of children. The target was a compound in Gardez used by a local Mullah said to Taliban and al Qaeda ties. When the smoke cleared, six children were found dead, buried under a wall along with two adults.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We don't know what caused the wall to collapse because although we fire on the compound, there were secondary explosions and trinary explosions.
MCINTYRE: The news that six more children were killed came as officials were apologizing for the previous nine deaths and insisting everything possible was being done to avoid a repeat.
DONALD RUMSFELD, DEFENSE SECRETARY: Our forces take great care to avoid civilian casualties. And needless to say, they and we deeply regret it.
GEN. RICHARD MYERS, JOINT CHIEFS CHAIRMAN: I can tell you the kind of bedding that the process from the beginnings of intelligence to the final operation is exquisite. And we're not going to be perfect.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MCINTYRE: The imperfection appears to lie in the intelligence which Pentagon officials say did not indicate the presence of children at either sight. Human rights advocates have criticized the Pentagon in the past for being to quick to act on uncorroborated intelligence or questionable tips.
BLITZER: CNN's Jamie McIntyre at the Pentagon. Jamie, thank you very much.
With their final debate of the year behind them, most of the nine Democratic presidential candidates are out on the campaign trail today. Much of the focus remains on New Hampshire and it's first in the nation primary. Among the contenders, Howard Dean. Savoring his key endorsement from former vice president Al Gore, Dean attended AFL- CIO rally and is said to rub elbows with singer/song writer Carly Simon at an event in Boston tonight. Gore's former running mate, Senator Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, was on the campaign trail in Concord, New Hampshire. Lieberman stung by Gore's endorsement of Dean, came out swinging today, warning that Dean move the Democratic party away from the center.
Also shaking hands, and (UNINTELLIGIBLE) for votes today in New Hampshire, Senator John Edwards from North Carolina. Edward campaigned town hall style in Manchester.
Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts also spent some time in Manchester where he took aim at Howard Dean. He accused the former Vermont governor of flip-flopping on the war in Iraq. Kerry says Dean cast himself as an opponent of the war, yet embraced the Congressional resolution to authorized the war.
And that's our look at the 2004 presidential candidates on the trail.
Out senior political analyst Bill Schneider is joining us from Washington. Talk a little bit more about Democrats, the debate last night, Howard Dean's momentum and more. Bill, thanks for joining us.
What about the Gore endorsement of Howard Dean on this day or two afterwards?
Is it translating, as far as we can tell, to actual votes, either in Iowa or New Hampshire?
WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SR. POLITICAL ANALYST: Too early to tell about votes, but it is creating a sensation in the political world. You are getting talk about Dean's (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and certainly among fund raisers they want to put their money on someone they think is going to be a nominee. So it's a signal really to the party establishment, don't try to stop this guy. He's going to be the nominee.
BLITZER: I spoke earlier today with James Hoffa, the president of the Teamsters. They have endorsed Richard Gephardt in Iowa. And they still believe Gephardt is going to win. Will this be a close race based on what we know right now.
SCHNEIDER: In Iowa, it does look like a close race. Gephardt has a lot of supporters. It's neighboring state, but Dean has an army of his own people, many of whom are new to politics, so I think it's going to down to the wire. Iowa is a very big contest, probably bigger than New Hampshire a week later, where Dean is far and away the favorite to win.
BLITZER: If Gephardt were to surprise everyone and beat Howard Dean in Iowa, a lot of that momentum for Howard Dean going into New Hampshire could quickly go away.
SCHNEIDER: On the other hand, New Hampshire often ignores Iowa. They say, Iowa where is that?
They have done that in past. Gephardt won Iowa in 1988 and then New Hampshire voted for Michael Dukakis and Dukakis became the nominee. So, New Hampshire just pays no attention to Iowa. Dean is very natural candidate. He's from a neighboring state like Gephardt is in Iowa. Dean is in New Hampshire. And New Hampshire is more important in the long run, because the question is if Gephardt does win Iowa, where does he go? Then contest could be South Carolina where Gephardt does have a natural base because he has the trade issue in the state of South Carolina where the textile industry has been devastated.
BLITZER: One thing that's clear this contest for the Democratic nomination, by no means, over. Forget about that. Let me switch gears and pick your brain on a historic interest now. Today, White House tapes from Richard Nixon in 1972 were released. Among other things, Richard Nixon says this of the former president, Ronald Reagan. And I'm quoting from august '72. Reagan is not one that wears well. He then goes on and says, Reagan on a personal basis is terrible. He just isn't pleasant to be around.
This is Richard Nixon speaking about Ronald Reagan. What do you make of this? SCHNEIDER: What I make is Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan are -- were two different kinds of people. Reagan of course still alive, although ailing. Nixon, by most accounts, was psychologically insecure, paranoid. He had a lot of enemies. In fact, he kept lists of his enemies. One thing about Ronald Reagan, he was a psychologically secure man. I think the comments say more about Richard Nixon and his insecurities than Ronald Reagan. At one point on those tapes Richard Nixon says when you're around Ronald Reagan he makes other people uncomfortable. Can you imagine Richard Nixon saying that about someone else? If there was ever anyone who made others uncomfortable, it had to be Richard Nixon.
BLITZER: All right, Bill Schneider with a little prospective on that. Bill, thank you very much.
San Francisco City Hall will stay in Democratic hands. Thirty- Six year old City Supervisor Gavin Newsom today edged out fellow board member and Green Party Candidate Matt Gonzales in yesterdays mayoral runoff election. Newsome took 53 percent, Gonzales garnered 47 percent. Newsom will succeed Willie Brown who is being forced out after 8 years. Forced out by term limits.
Drug raid: how a new tape showing a raid in a South Carolina high school is fueling a lawsuit. You will you's see the videotape right here.
Trouble at home: what police found and why Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston are singing the blues.
This...
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I could not believe it. I was stunned. I don't -- I was crying.
BLITZER: What an emotional performance, the first as the Iraqi Symphony showcases what is it can do in Washington D.C. We'll have details of that.
First, though, a quick look at other news making headlines "Around the World."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER (voice-over): Embassy attack foiled: The Lebanese army says it prevented a bomb attack in Beirut. Two men, including one said to be carrying more than a pound of explosives were arrested at the gates of the embassy compound.
Defying Bush: one day after a stern warning for President Bush, Taiwan's president strongly defended plans to hold a referendum in March demanding that China remove hundreds of missiles pointing at Taiwan. After a meeting with China's premiere yesterday, Mr. Bush said he opposes any unilateral step by Taiwan or China that would change the status quo.
Peace prize: Lawyer Shirin Ebadi became the first Muslim woman to receive the prize. At the ceremony in Oslo, Norway, Ebadi vowed to continue struggle for the rights of women and children while at the same time criticizing the Bush administration for using the war on terror as a pretext for violating human rights.
Queen's surgery. Britain's Queen Elizabeth II has a torn cartilage in her left knee and will undergo surgery Friday to remove it. The operation was scheduled after the Queen had similar surgery on her right knee in January. A palace spokeswoman says the 77-year- old queen is expected to leave the hospital over the weekend and be fully active within a few weeks.
Only in Japan. The world's first and only glass violin debuts in Tokyo. Built by a Tokyo glass maker, the instrument is slightly heavier than the wooden version and all but the strings and pegs are made of reinforced glass. And that's our look around the world.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: This just in to CNN, video of what the U.S. Coast Guard says is one of the largest migrant interdictions in months. Look at this. 361 Haitians were packed on a 54-foot sailboat trying to reach Miami. Officials expect a decision on repatriation by next Tuesday. We'll continue to follow this story.
Speaking of video, just ahead, students under the gun. New video of police officers raiding a high school. We'll show you what happened. Did they cross the line?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Flu is being blamed for the deaths of at least two more children in Colorado while health officials here in Georgia say they're starting to run out of vaccine. Despite such reports, experts are warning parents not to panic. CNN's Jennifer Coggiola is in Washington D.C. She has more on these late developments -- Jennifer.
JENNIFER COGGIOLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Wolf. We walked through the halls of this children's hospital here in D.C. and the waiting rooms were full of parents and kids, some looking for those flu shots. They're all but gone. Now although the flu has not reached epidemic proportions, the CDC says it could in coming weeks.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COGGIOLA (voice-over): For these Colorado parents, it was too late.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You know, we were concerned the flu was going around but we never imagined it would even lead to anything like this.
COGGIOLA: Their 23-month-old daughter never got vaccinated.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I went up to our cross and I blessed myself and I said, "Thank you. She's going to be OK." And then a half hour, she was gone. COGGIOLA: One of nine children in Colorado to die this year from flu-related illness. In Illinois it's believed that the flu contributed to the death of a 2-year-old. This mom lives in the same neighborhood.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How would you know the difference between a bad flu, a regular flu? I have no idea. It's very worrisome.
COGGIOLA: Tragic stories like these, vaccine shortages, a barrage of media coverage, could all make for a parent's worst nightmare. Dr. Mark Weissman says the media coverage has been a mixed blessing.
DR. MARK WEISSMAN, CHILDREN'S NATIONAL MEDICAL CENTER: It's done a good job in getting the word out that if you've got special health conditions, it's good to get a flu shot. I think we've reached a point now where we need to stay calm and keep our heads about all of us.
COGGIOLA: One possible explanation for the abundance of attention to the flu this year?
WEISSMAN: SARS, last year, set up a system of surveillance across the country that has helped us monitor flu illness but has also contributed a little bit, I think, to everyone being a little bit on edge.
COGGIOLA: So what can parents do? Well, for those with high- risk conditions, look for doses in your local community but also, use common sense like hand washing and using Kleenex. Also, public places can fester the germs. Dr. Weissman adds that mild cases can and should be treated at home.
WEISSMAN: If everyone with mild flu goes to the emergency room or goes to the doc in regions where there's a lot of flu, we're going to have gridlock.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COGGIOLA: Dr. Weissman also added, keep things in perspective. You know the flu comes every year. People are usually down for about 48 hours and certainly, it's no fun but for most it's a short illness and they're better in just a couple days -- Wolf.
BLITZER: CNN's Jennifer Coggiola reporting. Thanks, Jennifer, very much.
A new videotape has emerged from a controversial police raid last month at a high school in South Carolina and its startling images are adding momentum to a lawsuit filed in the case. Our national correspondent Gary Tuchman is joining us. He's on the phone from Abbeville in South Carolina with details -- Gary.
GARY TUCHMAN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, the man in charge of the Stratford high school and all the other schools in Berkeley county, South Carolina is apologizing. Last night, we were able to acquire a more -- videotape of the controversial drug raid with complete audio. The tape the police shot themselves. Today we showed it to the boss, the superintendent of schools in Berkeley county who hadn't seen the tape yet.
He watched this new video with us where police drew guns and handcuffed students but found no drugs. The school district is one of the defendants in a class action lawsuit. The superintendent did not want to discuss the legal case because of that but did say to us, sorry for what happened, that it bothered him greatly, that this type of raid will never happen again and that the school was not aware police were going to draw guns.
The police department tells us they would like to respond but, quote, "their hands are tied because it's an ongoing investigation." The superintendent does tell us he was not made aware by the high school principal this raid was going to happen which is apparently, he says, standard operating procedure for more conventional drug searches -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Gary Tuchman. Fascinating, fascinating development there. Thanks very, very much.
In our justice report, singer Bobby Brown has been charged with battery. Police here in suburban Atlanta say they responded to a domestic abuse call from Brown's wife, the singer Whitney Houston, and found her with a cut lip and a bruised cheek. Police say Houston told them that Brown threatened her then struck her with an open right hand. Officials say Brown was released after receiving a copy of the charges. He's scheduled to appear in court January 7.
Freedom never sounded better.
It's a word many of these performers never thought they'd hear in a venue they never thought they'd play in. We'll show you how they evened the score.
And this...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What do you think the North Pole's going to be like?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They've got toys and we can play with them.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Where else but the North Pole, granting wishes and fulfilling dreams. Why these kids are going to be extra nice this Christmas.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Earlier we asked, "which U.S. city is home to the oldest symphony orchestra in the nation?" The answer, New York. Founded in 1842, the New York Philharmonic is the oldest symphony orchestra in the nation and one of the oldest in the world. From its first concert in December, 1842 to its current season, the Philharmonic has performed more concerts than any other orchestra.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: President Bush was in the audience last night as Iraq's national symphony orchestra performed in Washington D.C. For the Iraqi musicians, it was a chance to counter negative images of a battered country. Here is CNN's Andrea Koppel.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN STATE DEPARTMENT CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): From Baghdad to Beethoven. Iraq's National Symphony Orchestra and Washington's National Symphony Orchestra together on stage with cellist Yo-Yo Ma at the Kennedy Center for the first time. Sharing music from east and west to heal old wounds.
FUAD MISHU, FOUNDING MEMBER, IRAQI NATL. SYMPHONY ORCH.: I was crying. Emotion. I could not control myself.
KOPPEL: Iraqi American Mishu, who turns 82 next month, helped to found Iraq's national symphony.
MISHU: This is our professor and that is me.
KOPPEL: Mishu says this photograph was taken in 1936.
MISHU: We used to play at the fine arts institute's stage at school.
KOPPEL: Mishu and his family fled Iraq in 1979 after Saddam Hussein seized power.
MISHU: There is only one kind of music. The music that he liked, which is very cheap music.
KOPPEL: This week at the invitation of the Kennedy Center and the State Department, 60 members of the Iraqi symphony arrived in Washington for an historic collaboration. Iraqi conductor Mohammed Amin Ezzat, who just returned a brief exile to take up his baton, said the 11-year U.S. led embargo on Iraq was the most difficult time for his musicians.
MOHAMMED AMIN EZZAT, IRAQI NATIONAL SYMPHONY (through translator): We couldn't get the musical instrument. We couldn't get the spare parts, and there was problems finding the place for the training.
KOPPEL: In June, the orchestra played Iraq's old national anthem for the first time in decades at Baghdad's Convention Center. And last night at the Kennedy Center performed for President Bush traditional Iraqi music.
MISHU: I was thinking when they were playing, I am with them playing. I'm dreaming.
KOPPEL: For Fuad Mishu, a dream come true. For so many others, further proof that, in music, there is no enemy, only friends. Andrea Koppel, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: What a nice story that is. We thank Andrea Koppel for bringing it to us, to all of our viewers.
Our picture of the day is ready to take off. We're going to the North Pole. Don't miss a special journey. That and the results of our Web question of the day immediately when we come back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Those are the results of our Web question of the day.
Let's move on, though, to our picture of the day. It concerns a trip to the North Pole, or at least a reasonable facsimile. The Make A Wish Foundation of Northeastern Pennsylvania put about 15 children on a flight from Allentown to the North Pole.
Covering 3,500 miles in a 30 minute flight might seem unlikely, but when the plane landed, there was Santa Claus. After that, a fairy used magic without a plane, proof that at Christmas time, all sorts of things are possible.
"LOU DOBBS TONIGHT" starts right now.
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Suspected Terrorist Arrested in Minneapolis; Six More Afghan Children Dead After U.S. Raid>
Aired December 10, 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: Happening now, a CNN exclusive, these pictures, exclusive pictures, the U.S. striking back at Saddam Hussein's fiercest fighters. We'll go live to Baghdad for details.
Also happening right now targeting al Qaeda and those who attend training camps. There's word of an arrest right here in the United States.
Stand by for hard news on WOLF BLITZER REPORTS.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER (voice-over): Casualties of war, Afghan children found dead after a U.S. raid for the second time in a week.
Shut out and outraged.
PAUL MARTIN, CANADIAN PRIME MIN-ELECT: I find it very difficult to understand the statement that was made.
BLITZER: Key U.S. allies barred from helping rebuild Iraq.
The flu epidemic claiming the lives of even more children.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And in a half hour she was gone.
BLITZER: Why the smallest victims are also among the most vulnerable.
And the band played on, the Iraqi National Orchestra back in the spotlight.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANNOUNCER: This is WOLF BLITZER REPORTS for Wednesday, December 10, 2003.
BLITZER: We begin with exclusive pictures just in late today of a dramatic U.S.-led raid, one of more than 50 around Iraq targeting some of Saddam Hussein's most ardent supporters.
Military officials report the capture of dozens, dozen of Iraqi insurgents including those believed to be responsible for the deadly attack last month that killed seven Spanish intelligence officers. CNN Senior International Correspondent Nic Robertson is standing by in Baghdad with more on these developments -- Nic.
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SR. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, this operation began in the early hours of this morning. Members of the 82nd Airborne swarmed through an area about 20 miles south of Baghdad, about 400 to 500 men involved in the operation.
They detained some 41 Iraqis believed to be responsible for that attack on the Spanish intelligence agents about two weeks ago. That was a complex ambush operation.
What we are told took place in the early hours of this morning the key members of the group, the 82nd Airborne were targeting there were arrested, were apprehended. We are told by the coalition that this operation went ahead without a shot being fired.
And, on the videotape that CNN has exclusively you can see somebody walking out of a compound with his hands above his head. We are told that three people came out of that compound one of them, one of the key people the 82nd Airborne were after.
Shots were fired, however, in Mosul in the north of Iraq, fired at U.S. troops, one soldier killed as he guarded a fuel line and another soldier killed a little later, three wounded, when a roadside bomb went off next to their patrol -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Nic, we also understand there are new developments in Iraq involving the creation of a war crimes tribunal that would be available in Iraq to try Saddam Hussein for war crimes and other of his supporters potentially.
ROBERTSON: That's right. This is a new creation. Five Iraqi judges would preside. Saddam Hussein they have told us today could be tried in absentia. That means they will just go ahead regardless of whether or not he's captured.
There are people in coalition captivity; Ali Hassan al-Majid, known as Chemical Ali, who is believed to be responsible for gassing and killed about 5,000 Kurds in 1988 in a chemical attack; the former foreign minister Tariq Aziz he is in coalition captivity. He could stand trial as well.
One thing this new war crimes tribunal is considering, along with the Governing Council is whether or not to reintroduce the death penalty that was suspended shortly after Saddam Hussein fell from power -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Nic Robertson with the latest in Baghdad. Thanks very much, Nic, for that.
Also happening in Iraq today a military investigator recommended administrative action but no court martial against a controversial United States Army officer. Lieutenant Colonel Allen West watched four of the soldiers beat an Iraqi while they interrogated him about an alleged plot to attack western troops and other troops, West also threatened to kill the Iraqi himself. Critics accuse West and his men of torture. Supporters say West was simply acting to try to save American lives.
And this other note, the Iraqi Health Ministry appears to have halted a study aimed at compiling an accurate count of civilian war deaths. The head of the ministry statistics department says the U.S.- led coalition running Iraq disapproves of the count and the Iraqi health minister issued an order telling everyone to stop the count. The health minister disputes that saying he knows nothing about any death count and never issued any order to stop it.
The Bush administration is defending a new move which critics say is aimed at punishing opponents of the Iraq war. It's all about who gets a piece of the pie in reconstructing Iraq and today there are harsh words flying around the halls of power in several major capitals.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER (voice-over): The message posted on a Pentagon Web site, the fallout predictable. More evidence for traditional allies who believe the Bush White House is going its own way in Iraq.
JOSCHKA FISCHER, GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER: We noted the reports today with astonishment and we will be speaking about it with the American side.
BLITZER: An electronic memo posted Tuesday night from Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz restricting the number of countries eligible to bid for prime reconstruction contracts in Iraq, contracts that could total about $18.5 billion.
"It is necessary for the protection of the essential security interests of the United States to limit competition for the prime contracts of these procurements to companies from the United States, Iraq, coalition partners and force contributing nations."
Translation, France, Germany, Russia, China, Canada all who opposed the Iraq war are shut out. Reaction is swift. France and the European Union say they're trying to determine whether the U.S. is violating trade rules or international law.
From Russia...
SERGEI IVANOV, RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTER: Iraq's debt to the Russian Federation comes to $8 billion U.S. and as far as the Russian government's position on this it is not planning any kind of write off of that debt.
BLITZER: At the White House a press secretary put on the defensive holds his ground on the issue of who contributed to the overthrow of Saddam Hussein and who should benefit.
SCOTT MCCLELLAN, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: I think it's perfectly appropriate and reasonable to expect that the prime contracts for reconstruction funded by U.S. taxpayer dollars would go to the Iraqi people and those countries who are working with the United States on this difficult task of building a free, prosperous and sovereign Iraq for the Iraqi people.
BLITZER: Scott McClellan added subcontracts and other deals earmarked from international donors are not covered by this directive and some of the nations complaining loudest do have companies taking a slice of the pie.
MCCLELLAN: You have a German company, Siemens (ph), who has been in Iraq working on the ground. You have a French company that has been working on diesel generators. You have a Russian company that has been refurbishing a power plant.
BLITZER: But some close U.S. allies also feel bruised, including a next door neighbor not on the list of 63 countries who can bid on prime contracts.
MARTIN: First of all, Canada is putting close to $300 million in terms of the reconstruction of Iraq. We have troops in Afghanistan and are carrying a very, very heavy load in that country.
BLITZER: From the White House, one carrot, discussions with traditional allies will continue and the situation could change.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: And here's your turn to weigh in on this important story. Our web question of the day is this. "Do you agree with U.S. policy to ban countries that opposed the Iraq war from competing on reconstruction contracts"?
You can vote right now. Go to cnn.com/wolf. We'll have the results later in this broadcast. While you're there I'd love to hear directly from you. Send me your comments anytime. 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.
In the war on terror, law enforcement sources tell CNN a man with alleged ties to al Qaeda is under arrest in Minnesota.
Our Justice Correspondent Kelli Arena is in Washington. She has details -- Kelli.
KELLI ARENA, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Wolf.
A man who allegedly has ties to the terror network has been taken into custody in Minneapolis by federal authorities. That's according to law enforcement sources.
Now those sources say that the man allegedly trained in al Qaeda camps. He is not a U.S. citizen and he is being held as a material witness so details of his case are under seal.
Now according to one source the man has provided some information about Zacarias Moussaoui. He is the self confessed al Qaeda operative who was also taken into custody in Minnesota in August of 2001 just before the September 11 attacks. It is unclear whether the two had any relationship.
Sources also tell CNN that the man in custody has been in the United States for some time but they would not provide specifics -- back to you.
BLITZER: All right we'll get some more details obviously as they're made available.
ARENA: Sure will.
BLITZER: Kelli Arena with that from Washington. Kelli thanks very much.
Strange and not pleasant to be around, which former president of the United States said that about Ronald Reagan? We'll give you a clue. We're not talking about a Republican -- actually we are talking about a Republican. We're not talking about a Democrat.
Also this...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The hope will not be given up on my part until I have Dru back.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: The father of a missing college student refuses to give up the search for his daughter. See how Dru Sjodin's dad and a key player in the case settling their differences right now.
Plus, this...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You know we were concerned the flu was going around but we never imagined it would even lead to anything like this.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: A mother mourns of the loss of her young daughter. We have some vital information about the flu that you need to know right now.
Plus, let freedom ring, Iraqi musicians orchestrate an emotional performance in Washington. Hear why one musician was brought to tears. We'll get to all of that but first today's News Quiz.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER (voice-over): Which U.S. city is home to the oldest symphony orchestra in the nation, Erie, Pennsylvania; Cincinnati, Ohio, New York; St. Louis, Missouri, the answer later in the show?
(END VIDEO CLIP) (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And I walked in the hallway and this cop pointed a gun at me and told me to get down on the ground.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Scared students, angry parents, and several attorneys on the case, new videotape of a police raid some say went too far.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back.
Now another controversy involving Iraq, "The New York Times" reports the United States government is paying the Halliburton Company more than twice the going rate to truck gas and other fuel to Iraq from Kuwait. Two congressional Democrats are accusing the Houston- based Halliburton of inflating those prices at a great cost to American taxpayers.
CNN's Chris Huntington is following the story. He's joining us live from New York -- Chris.
CHRIS HUNTINGTON, CNN FINANCIAL CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, this is the latest chapter in what has been an ongoing stream of controversies for Halliburton and its subsidiary Kellogg, Brown & Root that are handling oil field repairs there in Iraq.
First we had the whole issue of how Kellogg, Brown & Root got the contract in the first place. Now there's the whole issue about how much they're charging the U.S. government, particularly the Army Corps of Engineers, for trucking gasoline into the war-torn region.
Let's take a look at comparative pricing of gas that Kellogg, Brown & Root is buying first from Turkey then from Kuwait. Now in Turkey they're getting gas for basically $1.24 a gallon, a raw cost of $.89, trucking costs of $.22 and then other fees and overhead of about $.13 a gallon.
But look at the price they're paying out of Kuwait. It's a total of $2.64 a gallon and these figures obtained by CNN today only just came to light in the last couple of days. You can see the raw cost for fuel there $1.17. The transport fee is $1.21.
Henry Waxman who has been one of the lead members of Congress calling into question how Halliburton has been getting contracts, spoke to him today, he's outraged at these kind of prices that are falling on the heads and on the pocketbooks of U.S. taxpayers.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
REP. HENRY WAXMAN (D), CALIFORNIA: We're talking about government mismanagement but under any case we're talking about the taxpayers in this country overpaying for Halliburton to bring in gasoline from Kuwait to Iraq where they're paying $2.64 a gallon and then selling it for around a nickel and why should the American taxpayers be overpaying for gasoline which others have estimated should be no more than $1 a gallon for that same gasoline?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HUNTINGTON: Now, Waxman denies that he is aiming any kind of allegation at the administration, of political string-pulling, particularly the pointed allegation possible that Dick Cheney may have made some phone calls whatever.
Waxman absolutely shies away from that accusation but it's clear that that sort of innuendo is hanging in the air with the mention of Halliburton. I also spoke to a man who ran government procurement under the Clinton administration and he says that kind of political string-pulling just does not work when it comes to federal contracts.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PROF. STEVEN KELMAN, HARVARD: In the years I've spent in and around federal contracting talking to a lot of folks at, you know, conferences and gossip and things like that the idea of political interference in awarding contracts is just, it is taboo in the system.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HUNTINGTON: Now Halliburton's explanation for those lofty prices from Kuwait quite simple. Halliburton says there were virtually no trucks available, capable of making the dangerous run so they had to import trucks and drivers from overseas.
Also the security issue and, of course, anybody who's been following the news about Iraq in the last months knows the security issues have been severe and Halliburton says that those are the extra costs that you're seeing in gas being trucked in from Kuwait -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Chris Huntington with the latest on another sensitive story. Thanks Chris very much for that report.
Target children, what the Pentagon has to say about why children are dying right now in Afghanistan. We'll have details.
Also, the deadly flu, why some children are dying from the flu and the warning signs, what you need to know right now to help protect your children.
New recordings of President Nixon reveal how he really felt about a certain former president. You won't want to miss this.
And Bobby Brown has he been a bad boy again? We'll tell you what his wife Whitney Houston has to say about that. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Despite troubling evidence to the contrary the family of Dru Sjodin say they're not giving up hope the missing University of North Dakota student will be found alive.
CNN's Jeff Flock is in Grand Forks, North Dakota. He's following the latest developments -- Jeff.
JEFF FLOCK, CNN CHICAGO BUREAU CHIEF: Wolf, regardless of whether anyone thinks Dru Sjodin is dead or alive they do intend to keep on searching for her though a lot of people think there isn't much hope of finding her without help from the suspect in the case.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
FLOCK (voice-over): To Alfonso Rodriguez a personal appeal from the aunt of the young woman he is accused of kidnapping.
CAROL SULFIN, DRU SJODIN'S AUNT: We would just ask him to please find one shred of goodness in his heart and let us know where she is.
FLOCK: Rodriguez still refuses to cooperate with investigators. The family of Dru Sjodin has also directed their anger at Grand Forks County Sheriff Dan Hill.
SHERIFF DAN HILL, GRAND FORKS COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT: I can't see that she could be alive now.
FLOCK: Who repeated today he believes Sjodin is probably dead. The bleak words don't help Sjodin's father Allan told us but he later met and embraced Hill after the sheriff said he would do everything he can to find Sjodin despite evidence, like her blood in Rodriguez' car that paints such a pessimistic picture.
What makes you think based on even seeing that evidence that she is still alive Carol?
SULFIN: There wasn't a great deal of blood. There was a little bit of blood.
FLOCK: Indeed authorities admit there is no proof that 22-year- old Sjodin is dead. They will bring in National Guard troops to help search the frozen landscape this weekend.
ALLAN SJODIN, FATHER: Hope will not be given up on my part until I have Dru back. When I have Dru back then I can go one way or the other with it.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FLOCK: Wolf, conditions for the searchers over the course of the next several days are just going to be brutal with high temperatures in the single digits and when that wind blows very, very difficult.
BLITZER: What a sad story. CNN's Jeff Flock reporting for us. Jeff thank you very much.
A Florida teen serving a life sentence for killing a playmate in the so-called wrestling death case will get a new trial that decision today from an appellate court. Our National Correspondent Susan Candiotti is following this story in Miami -- Susan.
SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Wolf.
Before Lionel Tate gets a new trial the state has 15 days to decide whether to ask the state for a new hearing. Now the question for the Appeals Court boiled down to this. Was Lionel Tate competent to stand trial to begin with?
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CANDIOTTI (voice-over): How he looked at age 12 when convicted of first degree murder. How Lionel Tate looks now at 16 after four years of a mandatory life sentence. His attorney described Tate's reaction to winning a new trial.
RICHARD ROSENBAUM, TATE'S ATTORNEY: I heard him scream yes and then I heard a bunch of the guards in the jail clapping for Lionel.
CANDIOTTI: A three judge Appeals Court did not mince words in ordering a new trial for Lionel Tate ruling it was a constitutional error not to determine whether he was mentally competent before trial.
"Questions regarding Tate's competency were not lurking subtly in the background but were readily apparent."
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The defendant is guilty of murder in the first degree as charged in the indictment.
CANDIOTTI: Lionel Tate was 12 years old in 1999 when a jury found he pummeled to death 6-year-old playmate Tiffany Eunick.
A jury found she suffered a fractured skull and injuries to her brain as well as internal organs. Part of her liver was detached. Premeditated murder said the state. The defense argued it was an accident. Tate was play wrestling.
Not in dispute, according to the Appeals Court, Tate's IQ of 90 and his maturity that of a 6-year-old. Tate's lawyer says Lionel has dropped 40 pounds, suffers from an eating disorder yet is an honor student behind bars.
Governor Jeb Bush may consider clemency depending on whether the state retries the case or seeks further appeals.
GOV. JEB BUSH (R), FLORIDA: And in the interim my hope is that young Lionel is progressing, that he's developing in maturity and that he's abiding by the rules.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CANDIOTTI: Now what about the idea of giving Lionel Tate a new competency evaluation? Well, you know the expression you can't turn back the clock. The state Appeals Court says too late for that now. Too much time has passed -- Wolf. BLITZER: What a difficult case this one is as well. Thanks very much Susan Candiotti for that report.
It's the second time in a week that U.S. troops have killed Afghan children. We'll take you live to the Pentagon where there are late developments.
Plus, the countdown to New Hampshire, presidential candidates set their sights on the nation's first Iowa caucus and the primary that follows in New Hampshire. What has the most momentum and who seems to be doing the best right now?
And this...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What we saw were commando style tactics that should be used in Baghdad not in Goose Creek.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: A shakedown inside a South Carolina high school, see what this new video reveals.
Symphony in the spotlight, the Iraqi National Symphony strikes an emotional chord in the nation's capital.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back to CNN.
New casualties of war and, once again, children paying the ultimate price in Afghanistan, we'll get to all of that, first though a quick check of the latest headlines.
(NEWSBREAK)
BLITZER: It's happened again. The United States military today said six Afghan children were killed in a raid on Taliban and al Qaeda suspects on Friday. The news comes on the heels of a blunder in a neighboring province on Saturday in which nine Afghan children were killed. Our senior Pentagon correspondent, Jamie McIntyre joining us with more -- Jamie.
JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: The Pentagon says it takes every precaution to avoid unintended civilian casualties, which makes the events the last couple days in Afghanistan that much harder to explain.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MCINTYRE (voice-over): The U.S. Was already investigating how nine children were killed in an airstrike by USA A-10 aircraft Saturday at this Afghan village when it discovered a special operations raid the previous day also resulted in the deaths of children. The target was a compound in Gardez used by a local Mullah said to Taliban and al Qaeda ties. When the smoke cleared, six children were found dead, buried under a wall along with two adults.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We don't know what caused the wall to collapse because although we fire on the compound, there were secondary explosions and trinary explosions.
MCINTYRE: The news that six more children were killed came as officials were apologizing for the previous nine deaths and insisting everything possible was being done to avoid a repeat.
DONALD RUMSFELD, DEFENSE SECRETARY: Our forces take great care to avoid civilian casualties. And needless to say, they and we deeply regret it.
GEN. RICHARD MYERS, JOINT CHIEFS CHAIRMAN: I can tell you the kind of bedding that the process from the beginnings of intelligence to the final operation is exquisite. And we're not going to be perfect.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MCINTYRE: The imperfection appears to lie in the intelligence which Pentagon officials say did not indicate the presence of children at either sight. Human rights advocates have criticized the Pentagon in the past for being to quick to act on uncorroborated intelligence or questionable tips.
BLITZER: CNN's Jamie McIntyre at the Pentagon. Jamie, thank you very much.
With their final debate of the year behind them, most of the nine Democratic presidential candidates are out on the campaign trail today. Much of the focus remains on New Hampshire and it's first in the nation primary. Among the contenders, Howard Dean. Savoring his key endorsement from former vice president Al Gore, Dean attended AFL- CIO rally and is said to rub elbows with singer/song writer Carly Simon at an event in Boston tonight. Gore's former running mate, Senator Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, was on the campaign trail in Concord, New Hampshire. Lieberman stung by Gore's endorsement of Dean, came out swinging today, warning that Dean move the Democratic party away from the center.
Also shaking hands, and (UNINTELLIGIBLE) for votes today in New Hampshire, Senator John Edwards from North Carolina. Edward campaigned town hall style in Manchester.
Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts also spent some time in Manchester where he took aim at Howard Dean. He accused the former Vermont governor of flip-flopping on the war in Iraq. Kerry says Dean cast himself as an opponent of the war, yet embraced the Congressional resolution to authorized the war.
And that's our look at the 2004 presidential candidates on the trail.
Out senior political analyst Bill Schneider is joining us from Washington. Talk a little bit more about Democrats, the debate last night, Howard Dean's momentum and more. Bill, thanks for joining us.
What about the Gore endorsement of Howard Dean on this day or two afterwards?
Is it translating, as far as we can tell, to actual votes, either in Iowa or New Hampshire?
WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SR. POLITICAL ANALYST: Too early to tell about votes, but it is creating a sensation in the political world. You are getting talk about Dean's (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and certainly among fund raisers they want to put their money on someone they think is going to be a nominee. So it's a signal really to the party establishment, don't try to stop this guy. He's going to be the nominee.
BLITZER: I spoke earlier today with James Hoffa, the president of the Teamsters. They have endorsed Richard Gephardt in Iowa. And they still believe Gephardt is going to win. Will this be a close race based on what we know right now.
SCHNEIDER: In Iowa, it does look like a close race. Gephardt has a lot of supporters. It's neighboring state, but Dean has an army of his own people, many of whom are new to politics, so I think it's going to down to the wire. Iowa is a very big contest, probably bigger than New Hampshire a week later, where Dean is far and away the favorite to win.
BLITZER: If Gephardt were to surprise everyone and beat Howard Dean in Iowa, a lot of that momentum for Howard Dean going into New Hampshire could quickly go away.
SCHNEIDER: On the other hand, New Hampshire often ignores Iowa. They say, Iowa where is that?
They have done that in past. Gephardt won Iowa in 1988 and then New Hampshire voted for Michael Dukakis and Dukakis became the nominee. So, New Hampshire just pays no attention to Iowa. Dean is very natural candidate. He's from a neighboring state like Gephardt is in Iowa. Dean is in New Hampshire. And New Hampshire is more important in the long run, because the question is if Gephardt does win Iowa, where does he go? Then contest could be South Carolina where Gephardt does have a natural base because he has the trade issue in the state of South Carolina where the textile industry has been devastated.
BLITZER: One thing that's clear this contest for the Democratic nomination, by no means, over. Forget about that. Let me switch gears and pick your brain on a historic interest now. Today, White House tapes from Richard Nixon in 1972 were released. Among other things, Richard Nixon says this of the former president, Ronald Reagan. And I'm quoting from august '72. Reagan is not one that wears well. He then goes on and says, Reagan on a personal basis is terrible. He just isn't pleasant to be around.
This is Richard Nixon speaking about Ronald Reagan. What do you make of this? SCHNEIDER: What I make is Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan are -- were two different kinds of people. Reagan of course still alive, although ailing. Nixon, by most accounts, was psychologically insecure, paranoid. He had a lot of enemies. In fact, he kept lists of his enemies. One thing about Ronald Reagan, he was a psychologically secure man. I think the comments say more about Richard Nixon and his insecurities than Ronald Reagan. At one point on those tapes Richard Nixon says when you're around Ronald Reagan he makes other people uncomfortable. Can you imagine Richard Nixon saying that about someone else? If there was ever anyone who made others uncomfortable, it had to be Richard Nixon.
BLITZER: All right, Bill Schneider with a little prospective on that. Bill, thank you very much.
San Francisco City Hall will stay in Democratic hands. Thirty- Six year old City Supervisor Gavin Newsom today edged out fellow board member and Green Party Candidate Matt Gonzales in yesterdays mayoral runoff election. Newsome took 53 percent, Gonzales garnered 47 percent. Newsom will succeed Willie Brown who is being forced out after 8 years. Forced out by term limits.
Drug raid: how a new tape showing a raid in a South Carolina high school is fueling a lawsuit. You will you's see the videotape right here.
Trouble at home: what police found and why Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston are singing the blues.
This...
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I could not believe it. I was stunned. I don't -- I was crying.
BLITZER: What an emotional performance, the first as the Iraqi Symphony showcases what is it can do in Washington D.C. We'll have details of that.
First, though, a quick look at other news making headlines "Around the World."
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BLITZER (voice-over): Embassy attack foiled: The Lebanese army says it prevented a bomb attack in Beirut. Two men, including one said to be carrying more than a pound of explosives were arrested at the gates of the embassy compound.
Defying Bush: one day after a stern warning for President Bush, Taiwan's president strongly defended plans to hold a referendum in March demanding that China remove hundreds of missiles pointing at Taiwan. After a meeting with China's premiere yesterday, Mr. Bush said he opposes any unilateral step by Taiwan or China that would change the status quo.
Peace prize: Lawyer Shirin Ebadi became the first Muslim woman to receive the prize. At the ceremony in Oslo, Norway, Ebadi vowed to continue struggle for the rights of women and children while at the same time criticizing the Bush administration for using the war on terror as a pretext for violating human rights.
Queen's surgery. Britain's Queen Elizabeth II has a torn cartilage in her left knee and will undergo surgery Friday to remove it. The operation was scheduled after the Queen had similar surgery on her right knee in January. A palace spokeswoman says the 77-year- old queen is expected to leave the hospital over the weekend and be fully active within a few weeks.
Only in Japan. The world's first and only glass violin debuts in Tokyo. Built by a Tokyo glass maker, the instrument is slightly heavier than the wooden version and all but the strings and pegs are made of reinforced glass. And that's our look around the world.
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BLITZER: This just in to CNN, video of what the U.S. Coast Guard says is one of the largest migrant interdictions in months. Look at this. 361 Haitians were packed on a 54-foot sailboat trying to reach Miami. Officials expect a decision on repatriation by next Tuesday. We'll continue to follow this story.
Speaking of video, just ahead, students under the gun. New video of police officers raiding a high school. We'll show you what happened. Did they cross the line?
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BLITZER: Flu is being blamed for the deaths of at least two more children in Colorado while health officials here in Georgia say they're starting to run out of vaccine. Despite such reports, experts are warning parents not to panic. CNN's Jennifer Coggiola is in Washington D.C. She has more on these late developments -- Jennifer.
JENNIFER COGGIOLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Wolf. We walked through the halls of this children's hospital here in D.C. and the waiting rooms were full of parents and kids, some looking for those flu shots. They're all but gone. Now although the flu has not reached epidemic proportions, the CDC says it could in coming weeks.
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COGGIOLA (voice-over): For these Colorado parents, it was too late.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You know, we were concerned the flu was going around but we never imagined it would even lead to anything like this.
COGGIOLA: Their 23-month-old daughter never got vaccinated.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I went up to our cross and I blessed myself and I said, "Thank you. She's going to be OK." And then a half hour, she was gone. COGGIOLA: One of nine children in Colorado to die this year from flu-related illness. In Illinois it's believed that the flu contributed to the death of a 2-year-old. This mom lives in the same neighborhood.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How would you know the difference between a bad flu, a regular flu? I have no idea. It's very worrisome.
COGGIOLA: Tragic stories like these, vaccine shortages, a barrage of media coverage, could all make for a parent's worst nightmare. Dr. Mark Weissman says the media coverage has been a mixed blessing.
DR. MARK WEISSMAN, CHILDREN'S NATIONAL MEDICAL CENTER: It's done a good job in getting the word out that if you've got special health conditions, it's good to get a flu shot. I think we've reached a point now where we need to stay calm and keep our heads about all of us.
COGGIOLA: One possible explanation for the abundance of attention to the flu this year?
WEISSMAN: SARS, last year, set up a system of surveillance across the country that has helped us monitor flu illness but has also contributed a little bit, I think, to everyone being a little bit on edge.
COGGIOLA: So what can parents do? Well, for those with high- risk conditions, look for doses in your local community but also, use common sense like hand washing and using Kleenex. Also, public places can fester the germs. Dr. Weissman adds that mild cases can and should be treated at home.
WEISSMAN: If everyone with mild flu goes to the emergency room or goes to the doc in regions where there's a lot of flu, we're going to have gridlock.
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COGGIOLA: Dr. Weissman also added, keep things in perspective. You know the flu comes every year. People are usually down for about 48 hours and certainly, it's no fun but for most it's a short illness and they're better in just a couple days -- Wolf.
BLITZER: CNN's Jennifer Coggiola reporting. Thanks, Jennifer, very much.
A new videotape has emerged from a controversial police raid last month at a high school in South Carolina and its startling images are adding momentum to a lawsuit filed in the case. Our national correspondent Gary Tuchman is joining us. He's on the phone from Abbeville in South Carolina with details -- Gary.
GARY TUCHMAN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, the man in charge of the Stratford high school and all the other schools in Berkeley county, South Carolina is apologizing. Last night, we were able to acquire a more -- videotape of the controversial drug raid with complete audio. The tape the police shot themselves. Today we showed it to the boss, the superintendent of schools in Berkeley county who hadn't seen the tape yet.
He watched this new video with us where police drew guns and handcuffed students but found no drugs. The school district is one of the defendants in a class action lawsuit. The superintendent did not want to discuss the legal case because of that but did say to us, sorry for what happened, that it bothered him greatly, that this type of raid will never happen again and that the school was not aware police were going to draw guns.
The police department tells us they would like to respond but, quote, "their hands are tied because it's an ongoing investigation." The superintendent does tell us he was not made aware by the high school principal this raid was going to happen which is apparently, he says, standard operating procedure for more conventional drug searches -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Gary Tuchman. Fascinating, fascinating development there. Thanks very, very much.
In our justice report, singer Bobby Brown has been charged with battery. Police here in suburban Atlanta say they responded to a domestic abuse call from Brown's wife, the singer Whitney Houston, and found her with a cut lip and a bruised cheek. Police say Houston told them that Brown threatened her then struck her with an open right hand. Officials say Brown was released after receiving a copy of the charges. He's scheduled to appear in court January 7.
Freedom never sounded better.
It's a word many of these performers never thought they'd hear in a venue they never thought they'd play in. We'll show you how they evened the score.
And this...
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What do you think the North Pole's going to be like?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They've got toys and we can play with them.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Where else but the North Pole, granting wishes and fulfilling dreams. Why these kids are going to be extra nice this Christmas.
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BLITZER: Earlier we asked, "which U.S. city is home to the oldest symphony orchestra in the nation?" The answer, New York. Founded in 1842, the New York Philharmonic is the oldest symphony orchestra in the nation and one of the oldest in the world. From its first concert in December, 1842 to its current season, the Philharmonic has performed more concerts than any other orchestra.
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BLITZER: President Bush was in the audience last night as Iraq's national symphony orchestra performed in Washington D.C. For the Iraqi musicians, it was a chance to counter negative images of a battered country. Here is CNN's Andrea Koppel.
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ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN STATE DEPARTMENT CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): From Baghdad to Beethoven. Iraq's National Symphony Orchestra and Washington's National Symphony Orchestra together on stage with cellist Yo-Yo Ma at the Kennedy Center for the first time. Sharing music from east and west to heal old wounds.
FUAD MISHU, FOUNDING MEMBER, IRAQI NATL. SYMPHONY ORCH.: I was crying. Emotion. I could not control myself.
KOPPEL: Iraqi American Mishu, who turns 82 next month, helped to found Iraq's national symphony.
MISHU: This is our professor and that is me.
KOPPEL: Mishu says this photograph was taken in 1936.
MISHU: We used to play at the fine arts institute's stage at school.
KOPPEL: Mishu and his family fled Iraq in 1979 after Saddam Hussein seized power.
MISHU: There is only one kind of music. The music that he liked, which is very cheap music.
KOPPEL: This week at the invitation of the Kennedy Center and the State Department, 60 members of the Iraqi symphony arrived in Washington for an historic collaboration. Iraqi conductor Mohammed Amin Ezzat, who just returned a brief exile to take up his baton, said the 11-year U.S. led embargo on Iraq was the most difficult time for his musicians.
MOHAMMED AMIN EZZAT, IRAQI NATIONAL SYMPHONY (through translator): We couldn't get the musical instrument. We couldn't get the spare parts, and there was problems finding the place for the training.
KOPPEL: In June, the orchestra played Iraq's old national anthem for the first time in decades at Baghdad's Convention Center. And last night at the Kennedy Center performed for President Bush traditional Iraqi music.
MISHU: I was thinking when they were playing, I am with them playing. I'm dreaming.
KOPPEL: For Fuad Mishu, a dream come true. For so many others, further proof that, in music, there is no enemy, only friends. Andrea Koppel, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: What a nice story that is. We thank Andrea Koppel for bringing it to us, to all of our viewers.
Our picture of the day is ready to take off. We're going to the North Pole. Don't miss a special journey. That and the results of our Web question of the day immediately when we come back.
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BLITZER: Those are the results of our Web question of the day.
Let's move on, though, to our picture of the day. It concerns a trip to the North Pole, or at least a reasonable facsimile. The Make A Wish Foundation of Northeastern Pennsylvania put about 15 children on a flight from Allentown to the North Pole.
Covering 3,500 miles in a 30 minute flight might seem unlikely, but when the plane landed, there was Santa Claus. After that, a fairy used magic without a plane, proof that at Christmas time, all sorts of things are possible.
"LOU DOBBS TONIGHT" starts right now.
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Suspected Terrorist Arrested in Minneapolis; Six More Afghan Children Dead After U.S. Raid>
