Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Wolf Blitzer Reports

Madrid in Mourning; Power Play in South Korea's Parliament

Aired March 12, 2004 - 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): Madrid in mourning. Millions take to the streets.

Behind the bombings. Home grown terror or the hand of al Qaeda? Investigators try to match the mass murder and the M.O.

Power play. Push comes to shove in South Korea's parliament.

C-section shocker.

MELISSA ANN ROLAND, CHARGED WITH MURDER: I'm pretty scared. I feel that I did anything wrong.

BLITZER: A mother is charged with murder.

ANNOUNCER: This is WOLF BLITZER REPORTS for Friday, March 12, 2004.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: They're shocked and stricken with grief, but they are also furious, and it seems determine not to give into fear. Spaniards gathered by the millions today to protest the railway bombings that killed almost 200 people. Meantime, the grim work goes on at the scenes of the slaughter. And as evidence mounts, including a shocking reporting investigators race to find out who's responsible. We begin our coverage with ITN correspondent Bill Neely.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BILL NEELY, ITN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Train 431 ripped open by bombs yesterday, taken apart today. And it wasn't easy. The pieces welded together by the force of explosives, the seats embedded in the metal, the seats people read or slept and died.

The bloody blankets that covered them were removed like the books they never finished. At least 70 people died on this train alone in four explosions, in four of the six carriages.

And something terrifying has come from this train. The voice of a passenger calling her mother record on an answer phone as she realized something was wrong. The bombs exploding in the background.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (In Spanish) Montse, listen, I'm -- I'm in Atocha. There's been a bomb in the train and we've had...

(SCREAMS)

NEELY: The bombs you've just heard, two of the ten that killed and injured on and a half thousand people. All four bombed trains come from this town, where there was uproar today.

Students at the stations sing and yell their defiance at the bombers. The young, like the old, united in revulsion. In the station carpark today, flowers, candles and dozens of cars still unclaimed, their owners dead or badly injured, and the death toll is rising.

This is a country in deep shock and deep confusion because they have no real idea, no evidence who did this. The relatives of the dead have no comfort either. Only 50 of the bodies have been positively identified, one in four. The rest are too badly mutilated.

The passengers were back at Atocha Station today, but nothing is normal anymore. They stood today at the site of what is now the worst terrorist atrocity since September 11, March 11 in Madrid.

They clapped out of respect for the dead and by tradition, and to calm their nerves amid a fearful city.

Bill Neely, ITV News, Madrid.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Now to the stunning show of solidarity by Spaniards. They turned out by the millions to mourn and to show they are not afraid in the face of terror. Let's go live to CNN's Christiane Amanpour. She's in Madrid. Truly an outpouring of grief, Christiane.

CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It was really incredible, Wolf. It was really intense and very moving. The street behind me now has normal traffic flowing. But for more than an hour, it was jam-packed.

For more than an hour people were just silent, sometimes cheering, sometimes shouting insults to the people they call assassins. But always call for unity and for defiance saying we cried together and we will fight and win together.

This was a demonstration here in Madrid of more than two million people, at the current count, according to the police. And apparently all over the rest of Spain in many, many other major cities, a total of some eight million according to the police.

And certainly, the government had called on this kind of mass rally, not only to denounce the violence and to say that Spain will not stand for this. But also in solidarity and support for the victims, and for the constitution, for freedom and democracy as the prime minister urged this morning in another address to the nation -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Christiane, are they blaming one particular group, ETA, al Qaeda? What are the people on the streets saying to you?

AMANPOUR: They ask us, who do you think it is? And we ask them, who do you think it is? It's this confusion that's going on right now, with people not knowing. But when you ask them what difference it would make? They say none, whoever did this was simply a mass murderer and lower than the lowest kind of person they could imagine.

They're not going to get any -- any grim satisfaction out of whoever it turns out to be, and people have made that very clear today. But concerned, if it does turn out to be al Qaeda, very concerned about the implications for that.

BLITZER: Christiane Amanpour, thank you very much.

Around the world people are showing solidarity with Spain. President Bush among those visiting the Spanish embassy here in Washington. He laid a wreath and said the United States will stand firm with Spain against terrorism.

In Rome, Italians joined in a tearful tribute and lit candles outside the Spanish embassy.

Londoners left notes and flowers and Prime Minister Tony Blair said Spain at the forefront of a war against dangerous fanatics.

In Paris, flags were lowered to half-staff at government buildings, and there were demonstrations against terrorism.

Investigators are working furiously to find out who's behind these bombings. Let's turn to CNN's Guy Raz. He's in London for an update on the leads they're pursuing. Guy, tell us what you've learned.

GUY RAZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And, Wolf, Spanish investigators are now working around the clock to try to determine who was behind what's now being called the worst terrorist atrocity in Spanish history. At least 199 dead, as you know, 1,400 wounded. Investigators so far have uncovered a tremendous number of clues, but those clues, of course, are raising many more questions than answers.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RAZ (voice-over): Police are scouring neighborhoods near the three bomb sites. So far, investigators have discovered a backpack filled with plastic explosives. Inside, a mobile telephone and a detonator. Also a stolen van full of more detonators, and Arabic writing.

Despite reported denials by the Basque radical organization ETA, Spanish investigators said that group was still suspected of involvement in the attack.

ANGEL ACERBES, SPANISH INTERIOR MINISTER (through translator): One of the conclusions that this investigation has allowed us to reach is that these bombs were prepared so as not to fail.

RAZ: But still, not enough clues to give a definitive answer to the question on everyone's mind.

MICHAEL CLARKE, KING'S COLLEGE: I think most of the evidence indicates that this has ETA fingerprints all over it. But the train attacks, attacks using certain types of explosives. There is a pedigree of these type of attacks quite recently that fits into the pattern of.

But equally, there are some al Qaeda fingerprints as well. The sheer callous professionalism of it, this is better than ETA have ever been in the past.

RAZ: A 1987 bombing at a Barcelona supermarket is the only time ETA specifically targeted civilians. Investigators haven't been able to match the explosives used Thursday with the bomb material used by ETA in the past.

And coordinated attacks, like those on September 11, tend to bear the hallmarks of al Qaeda. Last year in a taped message Osama bin Laden included Spain, a staunch U.S. ally, on a list of countries he threatened. The question now is whether Thursday's attack was a home grown plot or a crime hatched from beyond Spain's borders.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RAZ: And, of course, Wolf, that is the question on everybody's mind in Spain tonight, whether this attack was perpetrated from inside, whether it was an inside job carried out by the Basque separatist group ETA, or whether it was something that was perpetrated by an Islamist group like al Qaeda with transnational ties?

BLITZER: Guy, if it was al Qaeda, what would be the significance for Spain? In fact, for all of Europe?

RAZ: Wolf, you have to understand this is already being called Spain's September 11. The outpouring of grief on the streets as you've seen has been extraordinary.

And Spanish officials, as you know, took a very strong line, in support of the U.S.-led war in Iraq. It was a very unpopular decision among most Spaniards. But there's been a long, intimate relationship with al Qaeda in Spain. We know that Mohammed Atta for example, visited the country twice before the September 11, 2001, attacks, and we also know of course, that Spanish officials have taken a very hard line against al Qaeda operatives inside the country -- Wolf?

BLITZER: CNN's Guy Raz reporting from London. Thank you very much.

The attack in Spain hasn't prompted officials to raise the terror alert level here in the United States. Anyone riding a subway or commuter train will be subject to beefed-up security in the aftermaths of the blast. Our homeland security correspondent Jeanne Meserve joins us live with fresh details -- Jeanne?

JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: On commuter trains, on Amtrak, on subways and at transit terminals like New York's Penn Station, there are obvious signs of increased security. A response to the Madrid bombing and a bulletin from the Department of Homeland Security urging increased vigilance and particular attention to unattended bags and backpacks like those that may have been used to hide bombs in Spain. Given the scope of the death and destruction in Madrid, why not move up the color-coded threat level from yellow to orange?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ASA HUTCHINSON, UNDER SECRETARY, HOMELAND SECURITY DEPT.: Because it's not called for. It would be the wrong decision to make at this time. We want to know whether this is an incident that was directed at Spain, that is no threat to the United States. Whether this is a al Qaeda incident. We want to know to the extent of credibility for the attacks against the United States, and so raising the threat level is not called for at this time. We'll continue to evaluate that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MESERVE: Hutchinson acknowledges that more can be done to tighten security at the nation's rail systems but he says there is no movement towards the 100 percent screening of passengers and bags we see at airports. Even though al Qaeda has expressed an interest in the past in striking subways. As for U.S. involvement in the investigation, the FBI has offered to assist Spanish authorities in any way possible but as yet, they have not been taken up on that offer -- Wolf.

BLTIZER: Jeanne Meserve reporting. Thank you very much.

And to our viewers, here's your chance to weigh in on this important story. Our web question of the day is this -- "are you concerned about the possibility of a terror attack like the one in Madrid?" You can vote right now, go to CNN.com/wolf. We'll have the results later in this broadcast.

More on who's behind the deadly terror attacks in Spain. I'll speak with the Spanish ambassador to the United States, Javier Ruperez. Plus hitting back before the attack. Will John Kerry's aggressive campaign tactics help or hurt his presidential challenges -- chances, that is.

Plus this...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Doctor after doctor, hospital after hospital, nurse after nurse told her this is the only way you're going to save this child.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: A woman's choice or murder? A Utah mother charged after she refuses a C-section and one of her twins is stillborn. And this. Pulling all punches. A political scuffle that looks like a bar room brawl. We'll explain what's going on. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: As we mentioned, President Bush joined the world in a show of solidarity with Spain in the wake of yesterday's bomb attack in Madrid. Our senior White House correspondent John King is joining us live with more -- John.

JOHN KING, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, the president also weighing into the debate and the questions over who is responsible for this deadly attack in Spain, the White House has just released a transcript of an interview Mr. Bush gave to Spanish television. He gave that interview of course to deliver his personal condolences to the people of Spain.

The president was asked if he knew who might be responsible, and Mr. Bush said, quote, "I would not rule anyone out." The president also saying there will be a lot of rumors and speculation, he urged patience and said in time Spanish investigators will gather the facts and find out who is responsible, and the president reiterated if the United States can offer any assistance at all in that investigation, he stands ready to do so.

The president also expressed his solidarity with Spain and voiced his condolences earlier today. Mr. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush traveling up to the residence of the Spanish ambassador to the United States to pay their condolences.

Spain, of course, a key ally in the war in Iraq and in the broader war on terrorism, and after this solemn wreath-laying ceremony at the ambassador's residence, Mr. Bush said the United States would stand with Spain now in this time of crisis.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: As we work to make the world more peaceful and more free, killers try to shake our will, they try to shake our confidence and the future. Spanish people will stand firm against this type of killing, and they'll have a friend with the American people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: Not long after that event, the president headed up to Camp David with the weekend with the first lady. Aides say he will continue to receive updates if any information comes in on the tragic bombing in Madrid. Also, Wolf, the chance for the president to have a weekend at Camp David. Those will become increasingly rare as the campaign year moves on.

BLITZER: John King at the White House. Thank you very much. Coming up later, I'll speak with the Spanish ambassador to the United States. The presidential election is still eight months away, but you wouldn't know it from the ad wars raging already on television. Senator John Kerry, the presumptive Democratic nominee launched the latest offensive, apparently part of his overall campaign strategy. Our national correspondent Bob Franken is covering this story for us -- Bob.

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: You know, Wolf, if it keeps up like, this it may be difficult to find us on television between all the TV ads that are going to be on between the Bush campaign ads and the John Kerry responses.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FRANKEN (voice-over): A key part of the Kerry strategy, according to advisers, hit back. Respond immediately when the Bush forces attack. In fact, use preemptive strikes.

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: These guys are the most crooked, you know, lying group of people I've ever seen.

FRANKEN: Plenty of political strategists believe this week's events were largely calculated. John Kerry's scathing remarks just happened to be overheard on a live mic, and just happened to come out before the Bush campaign put out new negative ads.

AD ANNOUNCER: John Kerry, wrong on taxes, wrong on defense.

FRANKEN: A danger for Kerry is that the get Bush Democratic passion of a lively primary campaign will dissipate as the post- primary, pre-general election season drags on and on for months.

The solution, Kerry advisers say, is straightforward. Raise enough money to counter the huge resources Republicans will use to mount a crushing assault. Make sure the candidate always looks like a fight.

TAD DEVINE, SENIOR KERRY ADVISER: I think his message and the message of our campaign to the Bush campaign is simply this: we're not going to take it. You can send all these people out, attack John Kerry, his patriotism, his service to this country. We're simply not going to take it. We're going to push back.

FRANKEN: The Kerry campaign has just launched a section of its Web site called "debunker." And there will be an air war.

AD ANNOUNCER: Once again George Bush is misleading America.

FRANKEN: It could be an eye for an eye campaign, or more accurately an ad for an ad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FRANKEN: And Bush campaign officials say their ads are entirely justified and, Wolf, we should expect more of them.

BLITZER: I assume we will. Thanks very much, Bob, for that report.

Polls showing a very tight race but might not be telling the full story. Our political analyst Carlos Watson, he'll join us and show us why.

And this...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ROWLAND: I'm pretty good. I don't feel that I did anyone wrong.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: A mother charged with murder after refusing a C- section. Why this case raises so many questions.

Plus, what U.S. intelligence is learning about those deadly terror attacks in Spain.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: There's a very unusual case in Utah raising concerns about issues ranging from abortion to mental illness, patients rights and a mother's responsibility. CNN's Brian Todd reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Melissa Ann Rowland made the rounds in Salt Lake City. At four different hospitals, prosecutors say, the 28-year-old expectant mother got consistent advice. Twins she carried were in distress. She had to get a C- section or babies might suffer brain damage or death.

KENT MORGAN, DISTRICT ATTORNEY, SALT LAKE CO., UTAH: Doctor after doctor, hospital after hospital, nurse after nurse told her this is the only way you're going to save this child.

TODD: And time after time, prosecutors say, Rowland declined for only one reason, she didn't want scars.

January 13, one twin is born with complications, the other is stillborn. The medical examiner says the baby died two days before delivery but had no birth defects.

ROWLAND: I'm pretty scared. I don't feel that I did anything wrong.

TODD: That's Melissa Rowland from jail, charged with murder. In documents, Rowland told one doctor a C-section would ruin her life, that she'd rather "lose one of the babies than be cut like that." Rowland was asked about the charges.

ROWLAND: No, I never refused a C-section, I've already had two prior C-sections. Why would I say something like that? I already have a pretty nasty scar, it doesn't matter at all now.

TODD: We tried to reach Rowland's public defender. He didn't return our calls.

Medical ethicists seem to speak on her behalf and for other mothers who decline recommend treatments..

ART CAPLAN, BIOETHICIST: She just doesn't have an intent to kill the child. She just says I don't want this surgery done for whatever reason on me.

So they're not going to be able to prove that she wanted her child dead.

DR. KIRTLY PARKER JONES, MEDICAL ETHICIST: Taking it to the courts and prosecuting the mother doesn't help future women and future physicians and future babies.

TODD: Prosecutor Kent Morgan tells us this murder charge is based on Utah's statute against depraved indifference, knowingly neglecting one duties when there is a high risk of death.

MORGAN: She omitted her duty to take care of the child and get affirmative treatment. That's what makes this case so egregious.

TODD: Misunderstood mother or murderer? A case sure to be closely watched by other prosecutors and those engaged in all engaged in the rights and protection of their unborn children.

Brian Todd, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: An accused child killer pleads not guilty. That story tops our "Justice Report." Joseph Smith was not in court when attorneys entered the plea on his behalf.

He's charged with kidnapping, assaulting and killing 11-year-old Carlie Brucia last month in Sarasota, Florida. The case gained national attention in part because of surveillance video which prosecutors say shows Smith abducting the girl.

And this was the scene at the Salt Lake City home of the Smart family one years ago as daughter Elizabeth returned safely from a nine-month kidnapping ordeal. The family says the focus today should not be on them, rather on helping other children. The couple charged with kidnapping Elizabeth is still awaiting trial.

As the nation mourns for the loss, investigators search for the culprits. I'll speak with Spain's ambassador to the United States. I'll ask him who he thinks is behind the attacks.

CARLOS WATSON, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: I'm Carlos Watson. Stay tuned for my new segment on WOLF BLITZER REPORTS, "The Inside Edge." I'll tell but the Democrats' new secret weapon, and it's not what you expect.

BLITZER: And punches in the parliament. Some lawmakers in South Korea protest a vote with violence. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back to CNN.

Who's behind the deadly terror attacks in Spain? I'll speak with the Spanish ambassador to the United States, Javier Ruperez. We'll get to that.

First, though, a check of the latest headlines.

The FBI is offering $100,000 for information about the death of federal prosecutor Jonathan Luna. Investigators want to know whether he was murdered or committed suicide. Luna's body was discovered in a Pennsylvania creek bed last December covered with dozens of small knife wounds.

Martha Stewart may soon resign from the board of directors of the company she founded. A source says she's negotiating a deal to leave the board of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, but remain in a full- time creative role. The company is not commenting.

And millions of people turned out across Spain to mourn those killed in yesterday's train bombings and to protest the attacks. The first of three days of mourning began with a minute of silence in Madrid. Spain's prime minister and other senior officials took part in the observance.

Spanish officials were quick to blame Basque separatist group ETA for the bombings, but U.S. experts were not so sure, and now both nations are taking a closer look at a possible al Qaeda connection.

Let's go live to our senior Pentagon correspondent, Jamie McIntyre -- Jamie.

JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN MILITARY AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, U.S. military intelligence officials are not playing an official role in this investigation, but they are looking at the signals trying to sift through the conflicting evidence for an idea of who was behind it.

Arguing in favor of ETA is the fact that U.S. had intelligence indicate the Basque separatist group did want to mount a major attack in Spain before the elections and Spanish authorities believed they thwarted two previous attacks. Arguing against their participation or perhaps help from another organization, the very sophisticated nature of these simultaneous explosions, plus the idea there was no warning ahead of time, something that ETA often does.

Again, the U.S. is not officially part of this investigation, but they are looking for anything that could help Spanish authorities figure out who's really behind it -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Jamie McIntyre reporting.

Jamie, one quick question before I let you go. I understand there is new information you're gathering on the hunt for Osama bin Laden.

MCINTYRE: Well, we've been talking about the big spring offensive that the United States has in the works to try to find bin Laden, other Taliban members in Afghanistan. That operation now has a name. It's called Mountain Storm, the latest in a series of operations named mountain because of the mountainous terrain there Afghanistan.

Mountain Storm may or may not be the operation that catches bin Laden. That depends on how good the U.S. intelligence is.

BLITZER: Jamie McIntyre, thanks for that update.

Spain, let's get back to the story, has been involved in its own war on terrorism for decade. But are the Madrid bombings tied to that fight against Basque separatists or has al Qaeda opened yet another front.

Earlier, I spoke with Javier Ruperez, Spain's ambassador to the United States.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Mr. Ambassador, first of all, our deepest condolences to you and all the people of Spain on this horrible terror attack.

Do you know who is responsible?

JAVIER RUPEREZ, SPANISH AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED STATES: Not yet. Not yet.

The investigation points out several possibilities. We are absolutely convinced that there is strong possibility that that was done by ETA, the Basque terrorism organization. Possibly, there are some other indications that might point to other directions, Al Qaeda or people related to terrorism. But our overall conviction, based on the science we've been able to gather is that, most likely, it comes from the Basque terrorism organization.

BLITZER: Is it possible that ETA was working with other groups?

RUPEREZ: It's not to be excluded. It wouldn't be the first time to do that. Possibly, it is not to be excluded. It is one of the lines of investigation which is going to be followed right now.

BLITZER: Is there a history of ETA working with other terror organizations?

RUPEREZ: Yes, in the past, they were trained in Algeria, they were trained in Libya, they were trained in Lebanon in the '70s and in the '80s. So, for quite a number of years, they apparently didn't have contact with the Islamic terrorism.

They did have quite a lot of contacts with some of the Latin American and Irish terrorists, but not our Arab terrorism right now. Certainly, in the past, they have a history of working together. BLITZER: Was there any warning in the days or weeks or months before that some terror strike of this magnitude could happen in Spain?

RUPEREZ: Yes, yes, coming from ETA.

As a matter of fact, in several locations, the security agencies were able to arrest a number of Basque terrorist activists who were planning to do exactly what they eventually did. And 10 days ago, hardly 10 days ago, a car with more than 500 kilos of dynamite was stopped not far from Madrid. And on the 24th of December, on Christmas Day and Christmas Eve, they were planning to do very much the same in the same station as they did it right now. And the police, the law enforcement agencies knew that they were planning to do something similar.

BLITZER: There's been some suggestion, though, that ETA in the past has usually made a warning call. They've called in saying they're about to do something. There was no warning in this particular case.

RUPEREZ: Well, sometimes they did. Sometimes they didn't. There is no fixed pattern of behavior. They did whatever they thought fit for their own purposes.

It is wrong to say that all the time, they warn. It is wrong to say that all the time they didn't kill innocent civilians. They've been killing innocent civilians by the hundreds.

BLITZER: What about the notion of 10 simultaneous strikes, the simultaneity of this, the spectacular nature? Is that part of ETA's history?

RUPEREZ: Well, it would be one of the first times they do it, but it is not the first time they do exactly what they did with explosives, which where placed in packs in trains or in the cars and which were detonated at a distance. This is not the first time they would do it. But the simultaneity is something relatively new, but it is not impossible for them.

BLITZER: There have been some statements from al Qaeda leaders, Ayman al-Zawahiri, mentioning Spain specifically because of your support for the U.S. in the war against Saddam Hussein. Is that -- is that to be ruled out, al Qaeda involvement in this?

RUPEREZ: No, it's not to be ruled out.

But what I think, for the time being, what is to be ruled out is the reliability of those claims, because, apparently, the group who did it is not to be believed, is not to be taken seriously into account. But, really, the participation of al Qaeda either by themselves or together with the Basque terrorists is not to be discounted.

BLITZER: Is there an al Qaeda history in Spain in terror attacks? RUPEREZ: Yes, not of terrorist attacks, but the presence of al Qaeda cells in Spain, not of terrorism attacks up to now. And our police has been very helpful with the American police working together with us to discover those cells in Spain.

BLITZER: Mr. Ambassador, once again, our condolences to you, to the people of Spain. Thanks for joining us.

RUPEREZ: Thank you. Thank you very much.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Lots of shoving and shouting on the floor of South Korea's National Assembly after a controversial vote incites crazed violence. Look at this.

Demonstrations of dissent. Thousands of Shiites protest Iraq's new constitution and the United States.

And presidential playoff. CNN's Carlos Watson joins me for a new weekly segment. He'll tell us why this year's election could be one for the history books.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Violence and chaos inside South Korea's Parliament. Some lawmakers fought with security guards. Others threw shoes, and still others were dragged kicking and screams from the assembly hall. And that was just the backdrop to real drama, the unprecedented impeachment of the country's president.

CNN's Sohn Jie-Ae reports from Seoul.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SOHN JIE-AE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Drama and emotion on the floor of South Korea's National Assembly, lawmakers on both sides of a move to impeach the country's president, Roh Moo-hyun, scuffling, shoving and shouting at each other.

Those loyal to president Roh blocking the speaker of Parliament from taking the podium, security guards finally removing some of them from the floor. The vote to impeach Roh passed overwhelmingly, 193 lawmakers voting to remove him from office, only two voting no. Many Roh supporters did not vote. The impeachment needed two-thirds to pass. Lawmakers against impeachment openly wept and kneeled down on the floor after the vote.

It's the first time in South Korean history the country's president has been temporarily stripped of his powers. The decision of whether President Roh is permanently removed from office now lies with a nine-member constitutional court. South Korean Prime Minister Goh Kun runs the country until then. He met with Cabinet ministers following the vote and told them to use extraordinary determination in continuing to carry out their responsibilities. (on camera): The constitutional court has up to six months. The judges are expected to make their decision as soon as possible to minimize the impact of impeachment on the country's politics and economy.

Sohn Jie-Ae, CNN, Seoul.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Comedian Jon Stewart has some fun at my expense on "The Daily Show." We'll show you what he said. That is coming up.

Also, trying to combat conservative talk radio. Do the Democrats have a secret weapon? Find out next on "The Inside Edge" with Carlos Watson.

Plus, developments on both coasts in the battle over same-sex marriages. We'll get to all of that.

First, though, a quick look at some other news making headlines around the world.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): Loud, angry protests in the streets of Baghdad. More than 1,000 Shiite worshipers spilled into the Iraqi capital streets to demonstrate against a recently signed interim constitution. The crowd also chanted against Israel and the United States.

Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge dismisses reports that Osama bin Laden is in U.S. custody or on the verge of being caught or killed. He told correspondents in Thailand that U.S. forces are still pursuing the elusive al Qaeda leader. Ridge is wrapping up an Asian tour that also took him to Singapore and Indonesia.

A full military welcome from the Chinese Navy for the arrival of two French warships.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, thank you very much.

BLITZER: The two countries's navies plan to conduct a day of sea exercises, including helicopter maneuvers and search-and-rescue drills.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you. Thank you very much.

BLITZER: Charlize Theron has kept her promise. The Academy Award-winning actress returned to her home country with Oscar in tow, just as she said she would, sending South Africans into a star-gazing frenzy. They call the film beauty the South African phenomenon.

And that's our look around the world.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Beginning today, we're going to bring you a weekly feature focusing in on political topics. Today, "Inside Edge" with Carlos Watson, CNN's political analyst, shares his take on liberals' answer to conservative talk radio, why the polls this year could be wrong, and why we could be in for the most interesting election in years.

Carlos, you're suggesting this is one of the most intriguing elections in a long time. What do you have in mind?

CARLOS WATSON, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: I think a couple of things are true that get me excited.

Not only is this the first time since 1976 where you have an incumbent in March behind, but what's significant is, don't forget, Wolf, eight weeks from now, summer's here, kids get out of school, and no one pays attention. So, if you're President Bush, you've got a major issue. Now is the time to catch up. If you don't catch up over the next eight weeks -- and, hence, he's begun running negative ads earlier than he thought he would -- you're in a whole heap of trouble.

And this year, when is the Republican Convention? It is not in July. It's not really even in August. It's basically in September, a full month later when Ronald Reagan did it in 1984. So that bump that you're hoping for may come a little bit too little too late.

BLITZER: Right in New York City just before 9/11. That's one of the reasons why the Republicans picked New York City.

WATSON: They did. You have to be worried, because, remember, right now John Kerry is up by eight or nine points. If he extends that to 10 to 12 points and you really don't have a chance until September to begin catching up, again, that could be too little too late, could be something to worry about.

BLITZER: Now, we live in and die sort of in our business, as you know with the polls. But you don't think that the polls this year will necessarily be right on.

WATSON: If you are a political junkie or even if you're not, this is the year to watch. This may be another Dewey beats Truman. Remember 1948? Everyone thought Harry Truman was going to lose. The polls going into it thought he was going to lose by five points. "The Chicago Daily Tribune" posted, "Dewey Beats Truman." It could happen again.

And why do I think the polls may not be reliable this year? Because Republicans, not Democrats, but Republicans are putting the most ambitious voter registration drive arguably in history. They're looking to register a million new voters this week alone, three new million voters overall before the election. And a lot of those people, when pollsters call them and in other way try and find out their preferences, won't be on those lists.

So you may look at a contest in Arizona that looks close. But the reality is the Republicans may have a secret weapon there, an extra edge. And if it happens, remember, you heard it here first. You can't count on the polls this year because of these newly registered voters.

BLITZER: All right, the Democrats, though, they have some tricks up their sleeves as well.

WATSON: Democrats have a new secret weapon.

For a long time, you have heard Democrats complain that Republicans have conservative talk radio, that Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Bill O'Reilly and others have shaped the agenda and gotten people aroused and excited at the base. And finally, in 2004, Democrats have an answer. The answer is what? It's the blogs, the so-called Web logs, where people go online and write information, write commentary, post news stories.

Very interesting study out of George Washington says about 15 to 20 million people are now actively using the Internet and these Web logs in particular, sites like Daily Kos and Talking Points Memo. And what's significant here is that Democrats are using this to shape the agenda, because, remember, lots of Washington reporters read these. They're using these to excite their own base, just like conservative talk show radio does.

We've already seen that they use the Internet to raise money, but also they may turn out voters using this critical weapon.

BLITZER: So you're thinking the these blogs on the Internet, these are sort of liberal-leaning, as talk radio is conservative- leaning?

SOHN: Very much so. The blogs are the Democratic answer to conservative talk radio. They George Washington study says that of the people who they consider online political citizens, not 1 percent, not 2 percent, but 50 percent are considered Democrat. Only 27 percent are considered Republicans.

It doesn't mean that Republicans are not using the Internet. It doesn't mean they are not using blogs, just like there obviously are some liberal talk radio stations. But it means that right now liberals may have found their answer and the answer to conservative talk radio may be these blogs.

BLITZER: Speaking about the Internet, you're going to be starting to write a column on CNN.com/Politics every week?

WATSON: It's called "The Inside Edge," just like our new segment here. So, every Wednesday, you can tune into the column, where you will hear new stuff. By the way, one of the things I talk about in this week's column is that the next big foreign policy hot spot that you will hear about is not Haiti, but Venezuela. Lots of interesting information there every Wednesday. And every Friday, obviously, I'll be joining you.

BLITZER: Hugo Chavez, we'll be hearing a lot about him, presumably, in the weeks to come. Thanks very much, Carlos.

WATSON: Good to join you.

BLITZER: Developments in the gay marriage controversy on both coasts. California's Supreme Court has ordered San Francisco to stop issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples while the justices decide whether it's legal. Look for that no sooner than may. That's the same month the first legally-sanctioned gay weddings are set to take place under court order in Massachusetts.

Yesterday, state legislators tentatively approved a constitutional amendment that would outlaw gay marriage, instituting civil unions instead. That measure faces several more votes and could not take effect before 2006.

The results of our "Web Question of the Day," that's coming up.

Plus, this:

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "THE DAILY SHOW")

PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: That's why you have to use your cell phone.

JON STEWART, HOST: Wolf Blitzer is not human.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Late-night humor at my expense, more from "The Daily Show" and Jon Stewart when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back.

Our picture of the day takes us back one last time to the center of Madrid, where thousands of people gather in a cold, dreary rain, to mourn the victims of yesterday's bomb attacks and to protest the violence, a sea of people beneath a sea of umbrellas, a country unified in grief.

And here's how you're weighing in on the "Web Question of the Day": Are you concerned about the possibility of a terror attack like the one in Madrid? Sixty-five percent of you say yes; 35 percent of you say no. As always, we remind you, this is not a scientific poll.

And this final note, CNN's Paula Zahn appeared on "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" last night. They were talking about the perils of daily journalism and had this intriguing exchange.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JON STEWART, HOST: Because I watch a lot of cable news.

ZAHN: People make mistakes, you know, and you don't want to make them. We're all human. We do from time to time. But that's why you have to use your cell phone and get that source.

STEWART: Can I say something? Wolf Blitzer is not human.

I have...

(LAUGHTER)

(APPLAUSE)

STEWART: And I tell you, I know this for a fact. At night, at night, Wolf Blitzer is plugged into an adapter under the

(CROSSTALK)

(LAUGHTER)

STEWART: I've heard that to be the case.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: I guess he's got some good information there, revealing the state secrets, Jon Stewart and Paula Zahn.

A reminder, you can always catch our program weekdays 5:00 p.m. Eastern. I'll see you again Sunday at noon Eastern for "LATE EDITION," the last word in Sunday talk. Among my special guests, the defense secretary of the United States, Donald Rumsfeld. And later tonight, I'll be back on "NEWSNIGHT WITH AARON BROWN." That's at 10:00 p.m. Eastern.

Until then, thanks very much for joining us.

"LOU DOBBS TONIGHT" starts right now.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com





Parliament>


Aired March 12, 2004 - 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): Madrid in mourning. Millions take to the streets.

Behind the bombings. Home grown terror or the hand of al Qaeda? Investigators try to match the mass murder and the M.O.

Power play. Push comes to shove in South Korea's parliament.

C-section shocker.

MELISSA ANN ROLAND, CHARGED WITH MURDER: I'm pretty scared. I feel that I did anything wrong.

BLITZER: A mother is charged with murder.

ANNOUNCER: This is WOLF BLITZER REPORTS for Friday, March 12, 2004.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: They're shocked and stricken with grief, but they are also furious, and it seems determine not to give into fear. Spaniards gathered by the millions today to protest the railway bombings that killed almost 200 people. Meantime, the grim work goes on at the scenes of the slaughter. And as evidence mounts, including a shocking reporting investigators race to find out who's responsible. We begin our coverage with ITN correspondent Bill Neely.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BILL NEELY, ITN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Train 431 ripped open by bombs yesterday, taken apart today. And it wasn't easy. The pieces welded together by the force of explosives, the seats embedded in the metal, the seats people read or slept and died.

The bloody blankets that covered them were removed like the books they never finished. At least 70 people died on this train alone in four explosions, in four of the six carriages.

And something terrifying has come from this train. The voice of a passenger calling her mother record on an answer phone as she realized something was wrong. The bombs exploding in the background.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (In Spanish) Montse, listen, I'm -- I'm in Atocha. There's been a bomb in the train and we've had...

(SCREAMS)

NEELY: The bombs you've just heard, two of the ten that killed and injured on and a half thousand people. All four bombed trains come from this town, where there was uproar today.

Students at the stations sing and yell their defiance at the bombers. The young, like the old, united in revulsion. In the station carpark today, flowers, candles and dozens of cars still unclaimed, their owners dead or badly injured, and the death toll is rising.

This is a country in deep shock and deep confusion because they have no real idea, no evidence who did this. The relatives of the dead have no comfort either. Only 50 of the bodies have been positively identified, one in four. The rest are too badly mutilated.

The passengers were back at Atocha Station today, but nothing is normal anymore. They stood today at the site of what is now the worst terrorist atrocity since September 11, March 11 in Madrid.

They clapped out of respect for the dead and by tradition, and to calm their nerves amid a fearful city.

Bill Neely, ITV News, Madrid.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Now to the stunning show of solidarity by Spaniards. They turned out by the millions to mourn and to show they are not afraid in the face of terror. Let's go live to CNN's Christiane Amanpour. She's in Madrid. Truly an outpouring of grief, Christiane.

CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It was really incredible, Wolf. It was really intense and very moving. The street behind me now has normal traffic flowing. But for more than an hour, it was jam-packed.

For more than an hour people were just silent, sometimes cheering, sometimes shouting insults to the people they call assassins. But always call for unity and for defiance saying we cried together and we will fight and win together.

This was a demonstration here in Madrid of more than two million people, at the current count, according to the police. And apparently all over the rest of Spain in many, many other major cities, a total of some eight million according to the police.

And certainly, the government had called on this kind of mass rally, not only to denounce the violence and to say that Spain will not stand for this. But also in solidarity and support for the victims, and for the constitution, for freedom and democracy as the prime minister urged this morning in another address to the nation -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Christiane, are they blaming one particular group, ETA, al Qaeda? What are the people on the streets saying to you?

AMANPOUR: They ask us, who do you think it is? And we ask them, who do you think it is? It's this confusion that's going on right now, with people not knowing. But when you ask them what difference it would make? They say none, whoever did this was simply a mass murderer and lower than the lowest kind of person they could imagine.

They're not going to get any -- any grim satisfaction out of whoever it turns out to be, and people have made that very clear today. But concerned, if it does turn out to be al Qaeda, very concerned about the implications for that.

BLITZER: Christiane Amanpour, thank you very much.

Around the world people are showing solidarity with Spain. President Bush among those visiting the Spanish embassy here in Washington. He laid a wreath and said the United States will stand firm with Spain against terrorism.

In Rome, Italians joined in a tearful tribute and lit candles outside the Spanish embassy.

Londoners left notes and flowers and Prime Minister Tony Blair said Spain at the forefront of a war against dangerous fanatics.

In Paris, flags were lowered to half-staff at government buildings, and there were demonstrations against terrorism.

Investigators are working furiously to find out who's behind these bombings. Let's turn to CNN's Guy Raz. He's in London for an update on the leads they're pursuing. Guy, tell us what you've learned.

GUY RAZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And, Wolf, Spanish investigators are now working around the clock to try to determine who was behind what's now being called the worst terrorist atrocity in Spanish history. At least 199 dead, as you know, 1,400 wounded. Investigators so far have uncovered a tremendous number of clues, but those clues, of course, are raising many more questions than answers.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RAZ (voice-over): Police are scouring neighborhoods near the three bomb sites. So far, investigators have discovered a backpack filled with plastic explosives. Inside, a mobile telephone and a detonator. Also a stolen van full of more detonators, and Arabic writing.

Despite reported denials by the Basque radical organization ETA, Spanish investigators said that group was still suspected of involvement in the attack.

ANGEL ACERBES, SPANISH INTERIOR MINISTER (through translator): One of the conclusions that this investigation has allowed us to reach is that these bombs were prepared so as not to fail.

RAZ: But still, not enough clues to give a definitive answer to the question on everyone's mind.

MICHAEL CLARKE, KING'S COLLEGE: I think most of the evidence indicates that this has ETA fingerprints all over it. But the train attacks, attacks using certain types of explosives. There is a pedigree of these type of attacks quite recently that fits into the pattern of.

But equally, there are some al Qaeda fingerprints as well. The sheer callous professionalism of it, this is better than ETA have ever been in the past.

RAZ: A 1987 bombing at a Barcelona supermarket is the only time ETA specifically targeted civilians. Investigators haven't been able to match the explosives used Thursday with the bomb material used by ETA in the past.

And coordinated attacks, like those on September 11, tend to bear the hallmarks of al Qaeda. Last year in a taped message Osama bin Laden included Spain, a staunch U.S. ally, on a list of countries he threatened. The question now is whether Thursday's attack was a home grown plot or a crime hatched from beyond Spain's borders.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RAZ: And, of course, Wolf, that is the question on everybody's mind in Spain tonight, whether this attack was perpetrated from inside, whether it was an inside job carried out by the Basque separatist group ETA, or whether it was something that was perpetrated by an Islamist group like al Qaeda with transnational ties?

BLITZER: Guy, if it was al Qaeda, what would be the significance for Spain? In fact, for all of Europe?

RAZ: Wolf, you have to understand this is already being called Spain's September 11. The outpouring of grief on the streets as you've seen has been extraordinary.

And Spanish officials, as you know, took a very strong line, in support of the U.S.-led war in Iraq. It was a very unpopular decision among most Spaniards. But there's been a long, intimate relationship with al Qaeda in Spain. We know that Mohammed Atta for example, visited the country twice before the September 11, 2001, attacks, and we also know of course, that Spanish officials have taken a very hard line against al Qaeda operatives inside the country -- Wolf?

BLITZER: CNN's Guy Raz reporting from London. Thank you very much.

The attack in Spain hasn't prompted officials to raise the terror alert level here in the United States. Anyone riding a subway or commuter train will be subject to beefed-up security in the aftermaths of the blast. Our homeland security correspondent Jeanne Meserve joins us live with fresh details -- Jeanne?

JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: On commuter trains, on Amtrak, on subways and at transit terminals like New York's Penn Station, there are obvious signs of increased security. A response to the Madrid bombing and a bulletin from the Department of Homeland Security urging increased vigilance and particular attention to unattended bags and backpacks like those that may have been used to hide bombs in Spain. Given the scope of the death and destruction in Madrid, why not move up the color-coded threat level from yellow to orange?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ASA HUTCHINSON, UNDER SECRETARY, HOMELAND SECURITY DEPT.: Because it's not called for. It would be the wrong decision to make at this time. We want to know whether this is an incident that was directed at Spain, that is no threat to the United States. Whether this is a al Qaeda incident. We want to know to the extent of credibility for the attacks against the United States, and so raising the threat level is not called for at this time. We'll continue to evaluate that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MESERVE: Hutchinson acknowledges that more can be done to tighten security at the nation's rail systems but he says there is no movement towards the 100 percent screening of passengers and bags we see at airports. Even though al Qaeda has expressed an interest in the past in striking subways. As for U.S. involvement in the investigation, the FBI has offered to assist Spanish authorities in any way possible but as yet, they have not been taken up on that offer -- Wolf.

BLTIZER: Jeanne Meserve reporting. Thank you very much.

And to our viewers, here's your chance to weigh in on this important story. Our web question of the day is this -- "are you concerned about the possibility of a terror attack like the one in Madrid?" You can vote right now, go to CNN.com/wolf. We'll have the results later in this broadcast.

More on who's behind the deadly terror attacks in Spain. I'll speak with the Spanish ambassador to the United States, Javier Ruperez. Plus hitting back before the attack. Will John Kerry's aggressive campaign tactics help or hurt his presidential challenges -- chances, that is.

Plus this...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Doctor after doctor, hospital after hospital, nurse after nurse told her this is the only way you're going to save this child.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: A woman's choice or murder? A Utah mother charged after she refuses a C-section and one of her twins is stillborn. And this. Pulling all punches. A political scuffle that looks like a bar room brawl. We'll explain what's going on. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: As we mentioned, President Bush joined the world in a show of solidarity with Spain in the wake of yesterday's bomb attack in Madrid. Our senior White House correspondent John King is joining us live with more -- John.

JOHN KING, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, the president also weighing into the debate and the questions over who is responsible for this deadly attack in Spain, the White House has just released a transcript of an interview Mr. Bush gave to Spanish television. He gave that interview of course to deliver his personal condolences to the people of Spain.

The president was asked if he knew who might be responsible, and Mr. Bush said, quote, "I would not rule anyone out." The president also saying there will be a lot of rumors and speculation, he urged patience and said in time Spanish investigators will gather the facts and find out who is responsible, and the president reiterated if the United States can offer any assistance at all in that investigation, he stands ready to do so.

The president also expressed his solidarity with Spain and voiced his condolences earlier today. Mr. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush traveling up to the residence of the Spanish ambassador to the United States to pay their condolences.

Spain, of course, a key ally in the war in Iraq and in the broader war on terrorism, and after this solemn wreath-laying ceremony at the ambassador's residence, Mr. Bush said the United States would stand with Spain now in this time of crisis.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: As we work to make the world more peaceful and more free, killers try to shake our will, they try to shake our confidence and the future. Spanish people will stand firm against this type of killing, and they'll have a friend with the American people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: Not long after that event, the president headed up to Camp David with the weekend with the first lady. Aides say he will continue to receive updates if any information comes in on the tragic bombing in Madrid. Also, Wolf, the chance for the president to have a weekend at Camp David. Those will become increasingly rare as the campaign year moves on.

BLITZER: John King at the White House. Thank you very much. Coming up later, I'll speak with the Spanish ambassador to the United States. The presidential election is still eight months away, but you wouldn't know it from the ad wars raging already on television. Senator John Kerry, the presumptive Democratic nominee launched the latest offensive, apparently part of his overall campaign strategy. Our national correspondent Bob Franken is covering this story for us -- Bob.

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: You know, Wolf, if it keeps up like, this it may be difficult to find us on television between all the TV ads that are going to be on between the Bush campaign ads and the John Kerry responses.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FRANKEN (voice-over): A key part of the Kerry strategy, according to advisers, hit back. Respond immediately when the Bush forces attack. In fact, use preemptive strikes.

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: These guys are the most crooked, you know, lying group of people I've ever seen.

FRANKEN: Plenty of political strategists believe this week's events were largely calculated. John Kerry's scathing remarks just happened to be overheard on a live mic, and just happened to come out before the Bush campaign put out new negative ads.

AD ANNOUNCER: John Kerry, wrong on taxes, wrong on defense.

FRANKEN: A danger for Kerry is that the get Bush Democratic passion of a lively primary campaign will dissipate as the post- primary, pre-general election season drags on and on for months.

The solution, Kerry advisers say, is straightforward. Raise enough money to counter the huge resources Republicans will use to mount a crushing assault. Make sure the candidate always looks like a fight.

TAD DEVINE, SENIOR KERRY ADVISER: I think his message and the message of our campaign to the Bush campaign is simply this: we're not going to take it. You can send all these people out, attack John Kerry, his patriotism, his service to this country. We're simply not going to take it. We're going to push back.

FRANKEN: The Kerry campaign has just launched a section of its Web site called "debunker." And there will be an air war.

AD ANNOUNCER: Once again George Bush is misleading America.

FRANKEN: It could be an eye for an eye campaign, or more accurately an ad for an ad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FRANKEN: And Bush campaign officials say their ads are entirely justified and, Wolf, we should expect more of them.

BLITZER: I assume we will. Thanks very much, Bob, for that report.

Polls showing a very tight race but might not be telling the full story. Our political analyst Carlos Watson, he'll join us and show us why.

And this...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ROWLAND: I'm pretty good. I don't feel that I did anyone wrong.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: A mother charged with murder after refusing a C- section. Why this case raises so many questions.

Plus, what U.S. intelligence is learning about those deadly terror attacks in Spain.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: There's a very unusual case in Utah raising concerns about issues ranging from abortion to mental illness, patients rights and a mother's responsibility. CNN's Brian Todd reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Melissa Ann Rowland made the rounds in Salt Lake City. At four different hospitals, prosecutors say, the 28-year-old expectant mother got consistent advice. Twins she carried were in distress. She had to get a C- section or babies might suffer brain damage or death.

KENT MORGAN, DISTRICT ATTORNEY, SALT LAKE CO., UTAH: Doctor after doctor, hospital after hospital, nurse after nurse told her this is the only way you're going to save this child.

TODD: And time after time, prosecutors say, Rowland declined for only one reason, she didn't want scars.

January 13, one twin is born with complications, the other is stillborn. The medical examiner says the baby died two days before delivery but had no birth defects.

ROWLAND: I'm pretty scared. I don't feel that I did anything wrong.

TODD: That's Melissa Rowland from jail, charged with murder. In documents, Rowland told one doctor a C-section would ruin her life, that she'd rather "lose one of the babies than be cut like that." Rowland was asked about the charges.

ROWLAND: No, I never refused a C-section, I've already had two prior C-sections. Why would I say something like that? I already have a pretty nasty scar, it doesn't matter at all now.

TODD: We tried to reach Rowland's public defender. He didn't return our calls.

Medical ethicists seem to speak on her behalf and for other mothers who decline recommend treatments..

ART CAPLAN, BIOETHICIST: She just doesn't have an intent to kill the child. She just says I don't want this surgery done for whatever reason on me.

So they're not going to be able to prove that she wanted her child dead.

DR. KIRTLY PARKER JONES, MEDICAL ETHICIST: Taking it to the courts and prosecuting the mother doesn't help future women and future physicians and future babies.

TODD: Prosecutor Kent Morgan tells us this murder charge is based on Utah's statute against depraved indifference, knowingly neglecting one duties when there is a high risk of death.

MORGAN: She omitted her duty to take care of the child and get affirmative treatment. That's what makes this case so egregious.

TODD: Misunderstood mother or murderer? A case sure to be closely watched by other prosecutors and those engaged in all engaged in the rights and protection of their unborn children.

Brian Todd, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: An accused child killer pleads not guilty. That story tops our "Justice Report." Joseph Smith was not in court when attorneys entered the plea on his behalf.

He's charged with kidnapping, assaulting and killing 11-year-old Carlie Brucia last month in Sarasota, Florida. The case gained national attention in part because of surveillance video which prosecutors say shows Smith abducting the girl.

And this was the scene at the Salt Lake City home of the Smart family one years ago as daughter Elizabeth returned safely from a nine-month kidnapping ordeal. The family says the focus today should not be on them, rather on helping other children. The couple charged with kidnapping Elizabeth is still awaiting trial.

As the nation mourns for the loss, investigators search for the culprits. I'll speak with Spain's ambassador to the United States. I'll ask him who he thinks is behind the attacks.

CARLOS WATSON, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: I'm Carlos Watson. Stay tuned for my new segment on WOLF BLITZER REPORTS, "The Inside Edge." I'll tell but the Democrats' new secret weapon, and it's not what you expect.

BLITZER: And punches in the parliament. Some lawmakers in South Korea protest a vote with violence. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back to CNN.

Who's behind the deadly terror attacks in Spain? I'll speak with the Spanish ambassador to the United States, Javier Ruperez. We'll get to that.

First, though, a check of the latest headlines.

The FBI is offering $100,000 for information about the death of federal prosecutor Jonathan Luna. Investigators want to know whether he was murdered or committed suicide. Luna's body was discovered in a Pennsylvania creek bed last December covered with dozens of small knife wounds.

Martha Stewart may soon resign from the board of directors of the company she founded. A source says she's negotiating a deal to leave the board of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, but remain in a full- time creative role. The company is not commenting.

And millions of people turned out across Spain to mourn those killed in yesterday's train bombings and to protest the attacks. The first of three days of mourning began with a minute of silence in Madrid. Spain's prime minister and other senior officials took part in the observance.

Spanish officials were quick to blame Basque separatist group ETA for the bombings, but U.S. experts were not so sure, and now both nations are taking a closer look at a possible al Qaeda connection.

Let's go live to our senior Pentagon correspondent, Jamie McIntyre -- Jamie.

JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN MILITARY AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, U.S. military intelligence officials are not playing an official role in this investigation, but they are looking at the signals trying to sift through the conflicting evidence for an idea of who was behind it.

Arguing in favor of ETA is the fact that U.S. had intelligence indicate the Basque separatist group did want to mount a major attack in Spain before the elections and Spanish authorities believed they thwarted two previous attacks. Arguing against their participation or perhaps help from another organization, the very sophisticated nature of these simultaneous explosions, plus the idea there was no warning ahead of time, something that ETA often does.

Again, the U.S. is not officially part of this investigation, but they are looking for anything that could help Spanish authorities figure out who's really behind it -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Jamie McIntyre reporting.

Jamie, one quick question before I let you go. I understand there is new information you're gathering on the hunt for Osama bin Laden.

MCINTYRE: Well, we've been talking about the big spring offensive that the United States has in the works to try to find bin Laden, other Taliban members in Afghanistan. That operation now has a name. It's called Mountain Storm, the latest in a series of operations named mountain because of the mountainous terrain there Afghanistan.

Mountain Storm may or may not be the operation that catches bin Laden. That depends on how good the U.S. intelligence is.

BLITZER: Jamie McIntyre, thanks for that update.

Spain, let's get back to the story, has been involved in its own war on terrorism for decade. But are the Madrid bombings tied to that fight against Basque separatists or has al Qaeda opened yet another front.

Earlier, I spoke with Javier Ruperez, Spain's ambassador to the United States.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Mr. Ambassador, first of all, our deepest condolences to you and all the people of Spain on this horrible terror attack.

Do you know who is responsible?

JAVIER RUPEREZ, SPANISH AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED STATES: Not yet. Not yet.

The investigation points out several possibilities. We are absolutely convinced that there is strong possibility that that was done by ETA, the Basque terrorism organization. Possibly, there are some other indications that might point to other directions, Al Qaeda or people related to terrorism. But our overall conviction, based on the science we've been able to gather is that, most likely, it comes from the Basque terrorism organization.

BLITZER: Is it possible that ETA was working with other groups?

RUPEREZ: It's not to be excluded. It wouldn't be the first time to do that. Possibly, it is not to be excluded. It is one of the lines of investigation which is going to be followed right now.

BLITZER: Is there a history of ETA working with other terror organizations?

RUPEREZ: Yes, in the past, they were trained in Algeria, they were trained in Libya, they were trained in Lebanon in the '70s and in the '80s. So, for quite a number of years, they apparently didn't have contact with the Islamic terrorism.

They did have quite a lot of contacts with some of the Latin American and Irish terrorists, but not our Arab terrorism right now. Certainly, in the past, they have a history of working together. BLITZER: Was there any warning in the days or weeks or months before that some terror strike of this magnitude could happen in Spain?

RUPEREZ: Yes, yes, coming from ETA.

As a matter of fact, in several locations, the security agencies were able to arrest a number of Basque terrorist activists who were planning to do exactly what they eventually did. And 10 days ago, hardly 10 days ago, a car with more than 500 kilos of dynamite was stopped not far from Madrid. And on the 24th of December, on Christmas Day and Christmas Eve, they were planning to do very much the same in the same station as they did it right now. And the police, the law enforcement agencies knew that they were planning to do something similar.

BLITZER: There's been some suggestion, though, that ETA in the past has usually made a warning call. They've called in saying they're about to do something. There was no warning in this particular case.

RUPEREZ: Well, sometimes they did. Sometimes they didn't. There is no fixed pattern of behavior. They did whatever they thought fit for their own purposes.

It is wrong to say that all the time, they warn. It is wrong to say that all the time they didn't kill innocent civilians. They've been killing innocent civilians by the hundreds.

BLITZER: What about the notion of 10 simultaneous strikes, the simultaneity of this, the spectacular nature? Is that part of ETA's history?

RUPEREZ: Well, it would be one of the first times they do it, but it is not the first time they do exactly what they did with explosives, which where placed in packs in trains or in the cars and which were detonated at a distance. This is not the first time they would do it. But the simultaneity is something relatively new, but it is not impossible for them.

BLITZER: There have been some statements from al Qaeda leaders, Ayman al-Zawahiri, mentioning Spain specifically because of your support for the U.S. in the war against Saddam Hussein. Is that -- is that to be ruled out, al Qaeda involvement in this?

RUPEREZ: No, it's not to be ruled out.

But what I think, for the time being, what is to be ruled out is the reliability of those claims, because, apparently, the group who did it is not to be believed, is not to be taken seriously into account. But, really, the participation of al Qaeda either by themselves or together with the Basque terrorists is not to be discounted.

BLITZER: Is there an al Qaeda history in Spain in terror attacks? RUPEREZ: Yes, not of terrorist attacks, but the presence of al Qaeda cells in Spain, not of terrorism attacks up to now. And our police has been very helpful with the American police working together with us to discover those cells in Spain.

BLITZER: Mr. Ambassador, once again, our condolences to you, to the people of Spain. Thanks for joining us.

RUPEREZ: Thank you. Thank you very much.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Lots of shoving and shouting on the floor of South Korea's National Assembly after a controversial vote incites crazed violence. Look at this.

Demonstrations of dissent. Thousands of Shiites protest Iraq's new constitution and the United States.

And presidential playoff. CNN's Carlos Watson joins me for a new weekly segment. He'll tell us why this year's election could be one for the history books.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Violence and chaos inside South Korea's Parliament. Some lawmakers fought with security guards. Others threw shoes, and still others were dragged kicking and screams from the assembly hall. And that was just the backdrop to real drama, the unprecedented impeachment of the country's president.

CNN's Sohn Jie-Ae reports from Seoul.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SOHN JIE-AE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Drama and emotion on the floor of South Korea's National Assembly, lawmakers on both sides of a move to impeach the country's president, Roh Moo-hyun, scuffling, shoving and shouting at each other.

Those loyal to president Roh blocking the speaker of Parliament from taking the podium, security guards finally removing some of them from the floor. The vote to impeach Roh passed overwhelmingly, 193 lawmakers voting to remove him from office, only two voting no. Many Roh supporters did not vote. The impeachment needed two-thirds to pass. Lawmakers against impeachment openly wept and kneeled down on the floor after the vote.

It's the first time in South Korean history the country's president has been temporarily stripped of his powers. The decision of whether President Roh is permanently removed from office now lies with a nine-member constitutional court. South Korean Prime Minister Goh Kun runs the country until then. He met with Cabinet ministers following the vote and told them to use extraordinary determination in continuing to carry out their responsibilities. (on camera): The constitutional court has up to six months. The judges are expected to make their decision as soon as possible to minimize the impact of impeachment on the country's politics and economy.

Sohn Jie-Ae, CNN, Seoul.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Comedian Jon Stewart has some fun at my expense on "The Daily Show." We'll show you what he said. That is coming up.

Also, trying to combat conservative talk radio. Do the Democrats have a secret weapon? Find out next on "The Inside Edge" with Carlos Watson.

Plus, developments on both coasts in the battle over same-sex marriages. We'll get to all of that.

First, though, a quick look at some other news making headlines around the world.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): Loud, angry protests in the streets of Baghdad. More than 1,000 Shiite worshipers spilled into the Iraqi capital streets to demonstrate against a recently signed interim constitution. The crowd also chanted against Israel and the United States.

Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge dismisses reports that Osama bin Laden is in U.S. custody or on the verge of being caught or killed. He told correspondents in Thailand that U.S. forces are still pursuing the elusive al Qaeda leader. Ridge is wrapping up an Asian tour that also took him to Singapore and Indonesia.

A full military welcome from the Chinese Navy for the arrival of two French warships.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, thank you very much.

BLITZER: The two countries's navies plan to conduct a day of sea exercises, including helicopter maneuvers and search-and-rescue drills.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you. Thank you very much.

BLITZER: Charlize Theron has kept her promise. The Academy Award-winning actress returned to her home country with Oscar in tow, just as she said she would, sending South Africans into a star-gazing frenzy. They call the film beauty the South African phenomenon.

And that's our look around the world.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Beginning today, we're going to bring you a weekly feature focusing in on political topics. Today, "Inside Edge" with Carlos Watson, CNN's political analyst, shares his take on liberals' answer to conservative talk radio, why the polls this year could be wrong, and why we could be in for the most interesting election in years.

Carlos, you're suggesting this is one of the most intriguing elections in a long time. What do you have in mind?

CARLOS WATSON, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: I think a couple of things are true that get me excited.

Not only is this the first time since 1976 where you have an incumbent in March behind, but what's significant is, don't forget, Wolf, eight weeks from now, summer's here, kids get out of school, and no one pays attention. So, if you're President Bush, you've got a major issue. Now is the time to catch up. If you don't catch up over the next eight weeks -- and, hence, he's begun running negative ads earlier than he thought he would -- you're in a whole heap of trouble.

And this year, when is the Republican Convention? It is not in July. It's not really even in August. It's basically in September, a full month later when Ronald Reagan did it in 1984. So that bump that you're hoping for may come a little bit too little too late.

BLITZER: Right in New York City just before 9/11. That's one of the reasons why the Republicans picked New York City.

WATSON: They did. You have to be worried, because, remember, right now John Kerry is up by eight or nine points. If he extends that to 10 to 12 points and you really don't have a chance until September to begin catching up, again, that could be too little too late, could be something to worry about.

BLITZER: Now, we live in and die sort of in our business, as you know with the polls. But you don't think that the polls this year will necessarily be right on.

WATSON: If you are a political junkie or even if you're not, this is the year to watch. This may be another Dewey beats Truman. Remember 1948? Everyone thought Harry Truman was going to lose. The polls going into it thought he was going to lose by five points. "The Chicago Daily Tribune" posted, "Dewey Beats Truman." It could happen again.

And why do I think the polls may not be reliable this year? Because Republicans, not Democrats, but Republicans are putting the most ambitious voter registration drive arguably in history. They're looking to register a million new voters this week alone, three new million voters overall before the election. And a lot of those people, when pollsters call them and in other way try and find out their preferences, won't be on those lists.

So you may look at a contest in Arizona that looks close. But the reality is the Republicans may have a secret weapon there, an extra edge. And if it happens, remember, you heard it here first. You can't count on the polls this year because of these newly registered voters.

BLITZER: All right, the Democrats, though, they have some tricks up their sleeves as well.

WATSON: Democrats have a new secret weapon.

For a long time, you have heard Democrats complain that Republicans have conservative talk radio, that Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Bill O'Reilly and others have shaped the agenda and gotten people aroused and excited at the base. And finally, in 2004, Democrats have an answer. The answer is what? It's the blogs, the so-called Web logs, where people go online and write information, write commentary, post news stories.

Very interesting study out of George Washington says about 15 to 20 million people are now actively using the Internet and these Web logs in particular, sites like Daily Kos and Talking Points Memo. And what's significant here is that Democrats are using this to shape the agenda, because, remember, lots of Washington reporters read these. They're using these to excite their own base, just like conservative talk show radio does.

We've already seen that they use the Internet to raise money, but also they may turn out voters using this critical weapon.

BLITZER: So you're thinking the these blogs on the Internet, these are sort of liberal-leaning, as talk radio is conservative- leaning?

SOHN: Very much so. The blogs are the Democratic answer to conservative talk radio. They George Washington study says that of the people who they consider online political citizens, not 1 percent, not 2 percent, but 50 percent are considered Democrat. Only 27 percent are considered Republicans.

It doesn't mean that Republicans are not using the Internet. It doesn't mean they are not using blogs, just like there obviously are some liberal talk radio stations. But it means that right now liberals may have found their answer and the answer to conservative talk radio may be these blogs.

BLITZER: Speaking about the Internet, you're going to be starting to write a column on CNN.com/Politics every week?

WATSON: It's called "The Inside Edge," just like our new segment here. So, every Wednesday, you can tune into the column, where you will hear new stuff. By the way, one of the things I talk about in this week's column is that the next big foreign policy hot spot that you will hear about is not Haiti, but Venezuela. Lots of interesting information there every Wednesday. And every Friday, obviously, I'll be joining you.

BLITZER: Hugo Chavez, we'll be hearing a lot about him, presumably, in the weeks to come. Thanks very much, Carlos.

WATSON: Good to join you.

BLITZER: Developments in the gay marriage controversy on both coasts. California's Supreme Court has ordered San Francisco to stop issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples while the justices decide whether it's legal. Look for that no sooner than may. That's the same month the first legally-sanctioned gay weddings are set to take place under court order in Massachusetts.

Yesterday, state legislators tentatively approved a constitutional amendment that would outlaw gay marriage, instituting civil unions instead. That measure faces several more votes and could not take effect before 2006.

The results of our "Web Question of the Day," that's coming up.

Plus, this:

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "THE DAILY SHOW")

PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: That's why you have to use your cell phone.

JON STEWART, HOST: Wolf Blitzer is not human.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Late-night humor at my expense, more from "The Daily Show" and Jon Stewart when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back.

Our picture of the day takes us back one last time to the center of Madrid, where thousands of people gather in a cold, dreary rain, to mourn the victims of yesterday's bomb attacks and to protest the violence, a sea of people beneath a sea of umbrellas, a country unified in grief.

And here's how you're weighing in on the "Web Question of the Day": Are you concerned about the possibility of a terror attack like the one in Madrid? Sixty-five percent of you say yes; 35 percent of you say no. As always, we remind you, this is not a scientific poll.

And this final note, CNN's Paula Zahn appeared on "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" last night. They were talking about the perils of daily journalism and had this intriguing exchange.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JON STEWART, HOST: Because I watch a lot of cable news.

ZAHN: People make mistakes, you know, and you don't want to make them. We're all human. We do from time to time. But that's why you have to use your cell phone and get that source.

STEWART: Can I say something? Wolf Blitzer is not human.

I have...

(LAUGHTER)

(APPLAUSE)

STEWART: And I tell you, I know this for a fact. At night, at night, Wolf Blitzer is plugged into an adapter under the

(CROSSTALK)

(LAUGHTER)

STEWART: I've heard that to be the case.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: I guess he's got some good information there, revealing the state secrets, Jon Stewart and Paula Zahn.

A reminder, you can always catch our program weekdays 5:00 p.m. Eastern. I'll see you again Sunday at noon Eastern for "LATE EDITION," the last word in Sunday talk. Among my special guests, the defense secretary of the United States, Donald Rumsfeld. And later tonight, I'll be back on "NEWSNIGHT WITH AARON BROWN." That's at 10:00 p.m. Eastern.

Until then, thanks very much for joining us.

"LOU DOBBS TONIGHT" starts right now.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com





Parliament>