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CNN Wolf Blitzer Reports
Operation Matador Continues; Bolton Nomination Sent to Full Senate; Air France Jet Diverted Because of Terror-Listed Passenger
Aired May 12, 2005 - 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, flight diverted. An Air France jetliner is back in the air after a passenger's name matched the terrorist watch list. We have details. Stand by for hard news on WOLF BLITZER REPORTS.
Stunning showdown, stunning criticism from a key Republican.
SEN. GEORGE VOINOVICH (R), OH: John Bolton is the poster child of what someone in the diplomatic corps should not be.
BLITZER: Will the president's nominee make it to the United Nations?
In the dark. President Bush was on a bike ride. Why wasn't he told the White House and Capitol Hill were being evacuated. What they're up against, die hard insurgents take a heavy toll on U.S. Marines.
Remember that great sucking sound of a decade ago? Will a new trade deal put U.S. jobs in jeopardy?
ANNOUNCER: This is WOLF BLITZER REPORTS FOR THURSDAY, MAY 12th, 2005.
BLITZER: Thanks very much for joining us. Another security alert in the air. Is today's "Security Watch Report." Just a day after a small plane flew within three miles of the White House, an Air France jetliner on a flight from Paris to Boston was forced to divert. CNN's Kathleen Koch is joining us here live. She has details.
Tell our viewers what's going on, Kathleen.
KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, the absolute latest is TSA spokesman Mark Hatfield says that federal law enforcement officials are holding in Bangor, Maine right now a man, his wife and two children. They're trying to resolve some ambiguity. Federal government officials say that this person's name is a near match with one on the no-fly list, but the date of birth of this person is a perfect match.
Now, at the same time, latest word just in from the FBI is that they have no interest in this individual, nor does the Joint Terrorism Task Force, though I must say, this drama that began at midday does begin to unfold.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) KOCH (voice-over): The plane was over the Atlantic, bound for Boston, when Transportation Security Administration officials discovered the no-fly list hit, so the Airbus 330, carrying 169 passengers, was diverted to Bangor, Maine. Upon arrival, FBI and TSA agents boarded the plane and questioned the passenger. While the plane was still in the air, a TSA spokesperson says Air France missed the fact this passenger's name was on the no-fly list. But Air France said in a written statement that it is, quote, "fully compliant with U.S. authorities," and that "the safety and security of our passengers are our highest priority." Right now, the TSA e-mails a no-fly list to airlines overseas, which are supposed to check the passengers' names against it before they board.
Then, after the plane backs away from the gate, airlines outside the U.S. electronically transmit the passenger manifest to the U.S. government, where it's double-checked against an even larger terrorist watch list. U.S. law enforcement would like to get that passenger manifest sooner, at least an hour before takeoff, to prevent such incidents.
This is the fourth plane diverted to Bangor because of a no-fly list hit. The most prominent match, former pop singer Cat Stevens, on the list because of concerns his charitable contributions funded militant groups.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KOCH: The TSA can't say though right now how many actual terrorists or terrorist supporters have been kept out of the United States when these flights were diverted. They do say that this happens roughly once a month. And, Wolf, as for the other passengers on this flight, they finally ended up back in Boston at their original destination just about 25 minutes ago, and we've gotten new word in, apparently, it's a man, woman and three children who are being held in Bangor, Maine.
BLITZER: All right, we'll see what happens with them. Kathleen Koch, the new reality after 9/11, these things taking place, thanks very much.
And to our viewers, please stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security.
Here in Washington, it was a high-stakes pick for a high profile job, the United States' ambassador to the United Nations. But the nominee was highly controversial and now the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has finally agreed to send the nomination to the full Senate floor, but without much enthusiasm, and without a formal endorsement. The battle over John Bolton continues at this moment.
Our State Department correspondent Andrea Koppel is live on Capitol Hill with more.
Andrea?
ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN STATE DEPARTMENT CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, John Bolton may have taken one step closer to becoming the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, but not before the Republican senator from Ohio, George Voinovich, who is well known for his independent streak when it comes to voting against his party, basically again sided against his party, saying although he would support the vote within the committee, once it got to the floor, all bets were off, the floor of the Senate that is. And he said categorically he would vote against Bolton on the floor of the Senate.
He was scathing in his criticisms, saying if Bolton had worked for a major corporation and displayed the kind of behavior he had in government, he would have been fired.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
VOINOVICH: Pouring over the hundreds of pages of testimony, and you know I wasn't here for those hearings, but I did my penance. I read all of it. I believe that John Bolton would have been fired, fired, if he had worked for a major corporation. This is not the behavior of a true leader who upholds the kind of democracy that President Bush is seeking to promote globally. This is not the behavior that should be endorsed as the face of the United States to the world community in the United Nations.
Rather, Mr. Chairman, it is my opinion that John Bolton is the poster child of what someone in the diplomatic corps should not be. I worry about the signals ...
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KOPPEL: Nevertheless, other Republicans on the committee spoke out very favorably for Bolton, saying that with his credentials of almost 20 years in government during various Republican administrations, he was the right man for the job at the right time, at a time when President Bush is pushing an agenda of U.N. reform, a tough-talking diplomat who may not be known for his diplomatic niceties, but he is a tough talker who is going to make things happen within the United Nations. But as you know, Wolf, the breakdown within the Senate is certain within the Republicans' favor, 55-45. Democrats are promising a fight.
Senator Barbara Boxer said if it went to a floor vote, as it now will, they were going to fight it tooth and nail, and when you have people like George Voinovich saying he's going to do all he can to get his Republican colleagues to see the light, it is certainly going to be an interesting couple of weeks ahead depending on when it gets to the Senate floor.
Wolf?
BLITZER: Andrea, we'll count on you to help us understand what's going on every step of the way. Thanks, Andrea Koppel, very much.
President Bush has bet some of his prestige on the Bolton nomination, and the White House is keeping a close eye on the U.S. Senate. The White House is also keeping a close eye on the handling of yesterday's security scare here in the nation's capital. CNN's Ed Henry is over at the White House. He's keeping his eye on both of these stories. Ed, first of all, what's the reaction at the white house to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee passing along the nomination but without -- without a recommendation?
ED HENRY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good evening, Wolf. You're right. The president has staked a lot of political capital on this nomination. The White House now is trying to shake off twin blows, the tough criticism from a Republican senator and the failure of a republican-led committee to actually issue a positive endorsement of the Bolton nomination. What White House press secretary Scott McClellan said today, though, is that the administration was hopeful that it would get out of committee, as it has, with or without that positive endorsement. It now goes to the Senate floor. McClellan predicted that, in fact, Bolton would be confirmed, and he reiterated that the president believes Bolton is the best man for the job.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SCOTT MCCLELLAN, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: John Bolton is going to bring a strong voice to the United Nations to make sure that it is results oriented and effective in the important work that it is doing and to make sure that much-needed reform is implemented at the United Nations. I think the American people want to see reform at the united nations. And John Bolton has the experience and the ability to get things done at the United Nations.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HENRY: The reaction here, Wolf, is the administration is still confident that, with 55 republican senators, they can muster the 51 votes they believe they need right now to get this nomination through on the Senate floor. But, of course, there could be a major complication if Democratic senators launch a filibuster. Then they would need 60 votes. Given the fact that some republicans like Voinovich will defect on the Senate floor, that's going to be a much steeper hill to climb if Democrats launch a filibuster. Wolf?
BLITZER: What about this other uproar -- I guess it's an uproar, a mini-uproar, at least, over the president yesterday, at the time that hundreds, if not thousands of people were being evacuated from Capitol Hill, the Supreme Court, the White House, other federal office buildings right here in the nation's capital, he was riding his bike. He was exercising in suburban Maryland, and his Secret Service detail, his aides, didn't bother to tell him what was going on until well after the whole issue, the security scare, had been resolved? What's the fallout from that?
HENRY: The bottom line is that Scott McClellan today took very tough questions from the media here at his daily briefing. They were wondering why in fact the president was not interrupted. As you mentioned, they were very open yesterday about the fact the president was on a bicycle ride, but they did not until much later, last evening, tell the media that, in fact, the president had not been interrupted, had not been kept in the loop. The media was asking why the commander in chief did not know about this during the harrowing moments, since it came close to the possibility of a need to make a decision on whether or not to shoot down that small plane. Also reporters asking why, at the very least, given the fact the president's wife was sent to a secure location, why wouldn't he be notified? Scott McClellan today basically said that security protocols were followed and that other officials were able to monitor the situation, and that since the president's safety was never in danger, this question was basically moot.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MCCLELLAN: The protocols were in place after September 11th were followed. The president was never considered to be in danger because he was at an offsite location. The president has a tremendous amount of trust in his Secret Service detail. The Secret Service detail that was traveling with the president was being kept apprised of the situation as it was developing. They were in close contact with officials back here at the White House. And the president appreciates the job that they do.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HENRY: Still, McClellan acknowledged there will be a full review of the situation, and those protocols could be improved upon. Wolf?
BLITZER: Ed Henry reporting for us at the White House today. Ed, thanks very much.
There's a story we've been following for the past half hour or so. A retaining wall has collapsed along the Henry Hudson parkway in the upper west side of New York City, near the George Washington bridge. No deaths or injuries are reported. The pictures do show, though, at least one vehicle crushed by trees and debris. The collapse is causing some major rush hour traffic problems in that area. If you're planning on heading from Manhattan into Westchester via the Henry Hudson parkway, you might think of an alternate route right now. Lots of motorists stranded, traffic backed up for several miles. We'll watch this story. We don't know what caused that retaining wall to collapse.
When we come back, Iraq offensive. Dramatic descriptions from reporters embedded with U.S. troops suggesting 60% of one platoon has been killed or wounded.
Free trade concerns. Why a proposed pact with Central America is being opposed by U.S. workers. Find out how that could impact your job.
Evacuation strategy. What would have happened in that low-flying Cessna had been carrying chemical weapons? Questions are being raised over the emergency plan that was and remains in place.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back. There was another wave of insurgent attacks in Iraq today. In the deadliest attack, a suicide car bomb exploded in a Baghdad market, killing at least 12 people and wounding dozens of others. Elsewhere, three American soldiers were killed in separate roadside bombings, and two American Marines were killed and 14 others wounded in action near the Iraqi-Syrian border. Those deaths raise the number of American troops killed in the Iraq war to 1,613.
The two Marines killed today along the Iraqi-Syrian border were part of a major U.S. Marine offensive against Iraqi insurgents. Despite recent reports of success, the Marines have encountered some fierce resistance. CNN's Brian Todd has been looking into this story. The mission is dubbed "Operation Matador." And he's joining us live with more. Brian?
BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, the U.S. Marines are being very careful right now not to put out exact numbers. But reporters embedded with marines during this offensive are giving counts that this one platoon, based in Columbus, Ohio, has been especially hard hit.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TODD (voice-over): In this town of Qaim, masked gunmen shout "God it great!" and vow to fight to the end.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Al Qaim will be impregnable for them to enter, and we will die and not let them enter the city, in spite of all their bombs.
TODD: Qaim and other towns near the Syrian border may not be impregnable. Pentagon officials tell CNN as many as 100 insurgents have been killed this week, and they've characterized the mission as a success. But according to reporters embedded with U.S. Marines, the insurgents have been going toe to toe with U.S. and Iraqi forces this week and inflicting casualties.
SOLOMON MOORE, "LOS ANGELES TIMES": The Marines are encountering a whole lot of strength these past couple of days. On Sunday, they did get into a big fire fight with insurgents who were in the city of Ubete (ph).
TODD: Another embedded reporter says, in that engagement, insurgents waited for Marines to enter one house, and from a crawlspace underneath a floor, fired through concrete with armor- piercing rounds. The reporters from the "Washington Post" and "Los Angeles Times" say marines killed in that exchange and on Wednesday, when an armored vehicle hit a land mine along the Euphrates River, are all from one platoon, part of the 25th Marine Regiment, a reserve unit based in Columbus Ohio.
ORRIN BOWMAN, U.S. MARINES, CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER: I know it was a very dangerous situation. We did have Marines injured.
TODD: Neither this chief warrant officer nor any other Marine officials will confirm numbers, but the embedded reporters quote the platoon commander saying at least 60% of his Marines have been killed or wounded this week, casualties that could have decimated this unit. CNN asked Joint Chiefs Chairman Richard Myers how this ranked among the worst percentages of loss for one unit. GEN. RICHARD MYERS, JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF, CHAIRMAN: In terms of the Marine incident, I don't know if that's the worst. It was a terrible tragedy when they ran over a land mine.
TODD: From the top ranks to embedded reporters, information must be pieced together about this ongoing offensive called "Operation Matador" and what appears to be a devastating toll suffered by one Marine regiment.
BOWMAN: These are our Marines. This is our family. This is our town. Most of these Marines are local.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TODD: Today General Myers said U.S. and Iraqi forces are encountering what he called a thinking and adapting adversary this week near the Syrian border. And as evidence of that, some observers believe many insurgents could have slipped back over the border into Syria. Wolf?
BLITZER: Brian Todd, thanks very much for that report. Very disturbing.
In other combat action in Iraq, Poland and Iraqi soldiers raided an area in the eastern part of the country, detaining 29 suspected insurgents. U.S. Central Command says the mission dubbed "Operation Cobweb" also captured dozens of guns and explosive materials and films showing executions of government Iraqi officials.
A key Republican speaks out against John Bolton as his controversial nomination hangs in the balance. More on our top story. That's coming up.
Plus, impact on jobs. Why some American workers are deeply concerned about a new proposed trade agreement with Central America. And we're monitoring a developing story in New York City. A retaining wall has collapsed on a major parkway, the Henry Hudson parkway. We'll tell you what's going on. Traffic understandably jammed, backed up. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back. More now on our top story, John Bolton's nomination for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, sent to the full Senate floor, but without a recommendation. A divided Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Our Jeff Greenfield, our senior analyst, joining us now live with some insight. Jeff, this is an embarrassment to the president.
JEFF GREENFIELD, CNN ANALYST: Oh, sure. You know, the way that Washington works now is almost nobody ever talks about the substance of an argument, what you try to do is to impugn the other side or at least ascribe political motives to them. In this case -- by the way, there are plenty of political motives here. The White House and its supporters have been describing the opposition to Bolton simply as a matter of people who didn't like his strong, firm stand or State Department apparatchiks or liberally inclined intelligence operatives. So when you have an Ohio Republican say, this is just not a guy who on character or temperament grounds ought to be ambassador to the U.N., a guy who would have been fired in the private sector, sure it's an embarrassment, and they've got to deal with that.
BLITZER: Jeff, if the Democrats or a handful of republicans, or at least one Republican, really want to see this nomination go down, they have an easy way of doing it, relatively speaking. They could filibuster, and it would be unlikely the president could get 60 affirmative votes in the U.S. Senate.
GREENFIELD: If this were another year, I think you'd be right. But part of the whole dynamic of this that's so fascinating to me is how both the committee vote and what will happen on the floor is tied into the much bigger issue of judicial filibusters. Look, if Voinovich or any of the Republicans on that committee who have reservations about Bolton had simply voted no, then the nomination would have died. But think about the implication of that, Wolf. That would have meant that a couple of Republicans had bottled the vote up in the committee rather than let it go to the floor. The whole argument we're going to be hearing the next week is, no, you should have up or down votes on these people. That's why a couple of Republicans -- Voinovich clearly is going to vote against the nomination on the floor, was not willing to see it die in committee. I think part of the explanation is that overhang of the judicial filibuster debate, and it's why, I think, Republicans in general will not be joining democrats in trying to filibuster this nomination.
BLITZER: The nomination will come up for a full vote in the Senate, but there is one other option the president could have. On controversial nominations, he could do what former president Bill Clinton used to do, have what's called recess appointments and just get his nominee through with that technical procedure.
GREENFIELD: Well, you do that, though, when the congress is in recess. Which it is not now.
BLITZER: But they will be in recess fairly soon.
GREENFIELD: But what I'm saying is I think on this matter, the White House is presenting this as an argument about essentially the Bush foreign policy doctrine. Their argument is the reason why this is being opposed, even within former State Department circles and some intelligence circles, is those are the people who were, as you know, Wolf, because you covered it, involved an internecine war between the so-called Cheney, Rumsfeld, hardline factions in the Defense Department or the vice president's office, and the more internationalist, accommodationist wing that the conservatives saw as blocking the president's initiatives. So, in effect, the Bolton nomination is not just about a guy who, depending on your point of view, may be a strong, firm guy or a blowhard bully, but it's really about whether or not there's going to be a slap in the face at the Bush doctrine. And that, I think, is why the White House is going to the mat so heavily on this.
Look, in other times, had members of his own party expressed these kinds of doubts, you know, they might never have put Bolton forth in the first place. They might withdraw the nomination under other circumstances. I think this is a fight that's not just about John Bolton. It's about other stuff. It's about the filibuster. It's about the bush doctrine. And that's why I think it has, to some extent, the intensity it has.
BLITZER: Jeff Greenfield, our political analyst, helping us understand this subject. Thanks, Jeff, very much.
First there was NAFTA. Now there's CAFTA. We'll show you what the new trade agreement is all about and why it's becoming so controversial.
Tens of thousands of people evacuated in the nation's capital. What went right? What went wrong in yesterday's security scare?
Plus, the cookie behind the fortunes. We'll hear from some of the people fortunate enough to get one.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANNOUNCER: From our studios in Washington, once again, Wolf Blitzer.
BLITZER: Welcome back.
Running for their lives; was that mad-dash evacuation the right response to the Washington security scare? We'll have details. First, though, a quick check of some other stories now in the news.
As we've been reporting, a retaining wall collapsed along New York's Henry Hudson Parkway, just as the afternoon rush hour was getting under way. Traffic now backed up several miles. At least one vehicle was crushed by trees and debris, but there are no reports of deaths or injuries.
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says the federal government could save more than $48 billion over 20 years by closing and consolidating military bases in the United States. He'll make specific recommendations to an independent base-closing committee tomorrow.
Some current and former U.S. soldiers and law enforcement agents will plead guilty to conspiracy charges. Federal officials say 16 of them were busted in an FBI sting, taking bribes from undercover agents to pass cocaine through checkpoints that help distribute that cocaine.
Meanwhile, yesterday's scare -- security scare -- here in Washington, the subject of lots of Monday morning quarterbacking, with some saying there's a lot of room for improvement in how the government responded.
Our Kelli Arena, from our America bureau, is joining us now, live. She picks up this part of the story. Kelli?
KELLI ARENA, CNN AMERICAN BUREAU CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, as you know, second guessing is second nature here in Washington, but many counterterrorism officials say this time it is valid, and yesterday's response provides valuable insight for improvement.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): Thousands of people running for their lives through the streets of Washington isn't a comforting scene, but it's exactly what the emergency playbook called for.
MICHAEL CHERTOFF, HOMELAND SECURITY SECY.: There's an effective response in place. We detect problems as they emerge on the horizon. We react appropriately and quickly. We resolve them, and now, we go on with the rest of our lives.
ARENA: But as they review Wednesday's events, some Homeland Security experts question whether the playbook needs to be rewritten. Richard Falkenrath is the former deputy White House homeland security adviser.
RICHARD FALKENRATH, CNN SECURITY ANALYST: There are certain sorts of threats that may have been in that plane, for which running out in the streets was not the right response. If it was a chemical threat, if it was a biological threat, probably don't want to do that.
ARENA: For example, if there were a dirty bomb on board, the more people outside, the more victims exposed to radiation. Counterterrorism officials say given the small size of the Cessna and the fact that there were F-16s right on top of it diminished the chance of a 9/11 repeat.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Let's go, let's go.
ARENA: Government officials say that part of the problem is that people automatically think about that last attack and respond accordingly.
FALKENRATH: It is possible for buildings, especially very large and important buildings, to have multiple response plans. So, one would be to evacuate. Another would be to shelter in place and to stay put. And this -- you need a little bit of nimbleness in your command and control system to make that work.
ARENA: Government officials tell CNN there is serious discussion under way about linking what's going on in the air more tightly with what's going on on the ground. White House Spokesman Scott McClellan would only say a review is in process.
SCOTT MCCLELLAN, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECY.: You always want to step back after a situation like this occurs and do a review and see if there's any improvements that need to be made. If there are, they will be made. We always learn things as a situation like this occurs.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ARENA (on camera): But government officials say that coming up with nuanced responses to possible terror threats, when you only have a few minutes to act, is a Herculean task, especially here in Washington, where there are distinct chains of command governing different buildings and different parts of the city, Wolf.
BLITZER: Did you get a sense in all your reporting today and yesterday that officials who are deeply involved in Homeland Security, at the Justice Department or the FBI or elsewhere, that they were frustrated in the way this unfolded? Or were they pretty much patting themselves on the back?
ARENA: I think that they all agree that it's a work in progress. I think that everyone says, look a lot of work went into getting where we are today, and that we saw a lot of the procedures and a lot of our work pay off. However, there are very different threats that we have to deal with, and so we have to keep on refining that process. And the most important thing is to remain flexible. They all say that al Qaeda will go for surprise, the element of surprise, and so we can't just work on what we already know. We have to work on what we don't.
BLITZER: The down side, of course, is, if you have these kinds of almost hysterical evacuations and actions, people are -- the next time around, it could really be a major threat, and they're going to say, you know what, I did that already. I'm not going to take it all that seriously. I'm sure federal authorities are worried about that as well.
ARENA: They sure are.
BLITZER: Thanks very much, Kelli, very much. Kelli Arena reporting for us.
And stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security.
Let's take a quick look at some other stories making headlines "Around the World."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
Afghan police fired on hundreds of anti-American protestors in two towns, killing at least three people. That brings the death toll of two days of unrest to at least seven.
In the capital, Kabul, students burned an American flag. The protests erupted after reports of abuse of Islam's holy book, the Koran, at the U.S. military detention center in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair says he supports referring Iran to the U.N. Security Council if it breaches its nuclear obligations. Iran has vowed to resume uranium reprocessing, a move the United States and the European Union fear could be used to make nuclear weapons. Mr. Blair's remarks came during his first news conference since winning re-election to a third term as prime minister.
War, murder, and suicide are the big themes at this year's Cannes Film Festival. One of the biggest, if not the biggest premieres, is Sunday, with the sixth and final installment of George Lucas' "Star Wars" series. And that's our look "Around the World."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Are more American workers at risk of losing their jobs because of lower wages now in Central America? We'll take a closer look at the pros and cons of a proposed trade agreement with those countries, the impact it could have on you.
Were European officials paid in black gold for backing Saddam Hussein? The Oil-for-Food scandal deepens. Richard Roth, all over this story.
And finding a fortune in fortune cookies, how lottery winners got lucky, very lucky.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: If you like NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement, you'll probably like its sequel, CAFTA, the Central American Free Trade Agreement. But just like NAFTA, CAFTA has its share of critics. We're going to be hearing a lot about CAFTA in the coming weeks and months. Our senior correspondent, Allan Chernoff, is joining us now live from New York with a closer look at the pros and cons. Allen?
ALLAN CHERNOFF, CNN SENIOR CORRESPONDENT: Thank you, Wolf. Well, just consider the fact the average hourly wage in the U.S. is 12 times what it is in Central America. That's certainly enough to get labor unions nervous here and enough to get many congressmen on the side of labor. But President Bush has already signed CAFTA, and today leaders of Central American nations were in Washington lobbying for the trade deal.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice over) Garment workers in Honduras, earning a fraction of their counterparts in the United States. Some of the fabric they use to sew clothing does come from the U.S., but Honduras and its neighbors have quotas on U.S. fabric and its content in garments. CAFTA, the Central American Free Trade Agreement, would lift those quotas -- one reason President Bush is pushing for the trade deal.
PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH: We would create incentives for factories to stay in Central America and use American materials rather than relocate to Asia, where they are more likely to use Asian materials.
CHERNOFF (voice over): That's why U.S. fabric mills are lobbying for CAFTA as well. And some American farmers see opportunity. The free trade agreement would lower tariffs on crops like wheat, corn and cotton.
CHRIS GARZA, AMERICAN FARM BUREAU: For U.S. agriculture, we would see about a $1.3 billion gain with passage of this agreement. What's important to remember is that, at this point in time, about 99 percent of Central American product comes into the United States duty free. With passage of the Central American, Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement, we would have that same type of reciprocal trade into the Central American market.
CHERNOFF (voice over): Not all farmers are winners, though. Those producing sugar, for example, will have to confront more imports from Central America. CAFTA opponents also argue the trade benefits for the relatively poor Central American nations are small for the U.S. Instead, they argue, the Central American Free Trade Agreement is essentially son of NAFTA, the controversial trade deal with Mexico and Canada.
THEA LEE, AFL-CIO: CAFTA is probably going to speed the loss of U.S. jobs, particularly in the manufacturing sector, apparel, textiles, consumer electronics, some of those areas because the point of CAFTA is to make it easier, more convenient, more profitable for companies to move jobs to Central America and then bring the goods back into the United States duty free.
CHERNOFF (voice over): The Central American Free Trade Agreement would benefit many U.S. businesses. The debate is whether there would be any benefit to American workers.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CHERNOFF: Democrats are opposed and a fair number of Republicans as well. So, Wolf, the president certainly has a big battle on his hands.
BLITZER: Allan, this CAFTA agreement, even though the president signed it with those countries, it has to be formally ratified, approved by the U.S. Congress, is that right?
CHERNOFF: That's exactly right. And as I said, it will be a real battle here. You remember the controversy over NAFTA? Well, this one seems to face a tremendous amount of opposition, maybe even tougher than NAFTA.
BLITZER: Allan Chernoff reporting for us from New York. Allan, thanks very much.
We're going to take a quick break. When we come back, a cookie worth a fortune. How more than 100 people beat the odds to claim part of a major Powerball lottery prize. Our Mary Snow has this incredible story.
But first, let's take a look back at "This Week In History."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Did Saddam Hussein have a pair of top European politicians in his pocket? A U.S. Senate panel says the officials, one British, one French, were handsomely rewarded for backing the Baghdad regime. It's all tied to the U.N. so-called oil-for-food scandal.
Let's go live to our to senior U.N. correspondent, Richard Roth. Richard?
RICHARD ROTH, CNN SENIOR U.N. CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, it's not United Nations officials today under the oil-for-food microwave, but politicians in Europe. And there may be more to come.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ROTH (voice over): The Senate committee report says Saddam Hussein rewarded European politicians, such as Britain's George Galloway, who support the his request to have economic sanctions lifted. The bipartisan report accuses Galloway, a member of parliament, and former French Interior Minister Charles Pasqua (ph) of receiving millions of dollars in oil rights from the Saddam Hussein regime.
SEN. NORM COLEMAN (R), MINNESOTA: The program was flawed. It was ripped off. Saddam in the end was using it to buy political favors.
ROTH: Many of the allegations have been made before, but this latest report includes documents from the fallen regime and recent interviews with Iraq's former vice president and deputy prime minister to back up the conclusions. Former Iraqi leaders told investigators they called the process of letting Iraq choose who got to buy its oil the "Saddam bribery system."
The committee says this is how it worked: Saddam Hussein instructed that 20 million barrels of oil be given to Galloway. According to Iraqi officials, the allocations were for support for the Hussein regime and his opposition to U.N. sanctions. The report says Galloway then arranged for two companies to take delivery of the crude oil. The report does not say he made money on the deal, but so-called gatekeepers stood to reap large profits as a commission on later sales. Galloway, who recently was reelected to parliament, denied the allegations.
GEORGE GALLOWAY, BRITISH MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT: I have never seen a barrel of oil. I have never owned one. I've never bought one or sold one. And neither has anybody on my behalf.
ROTH: The Senate committee says there is substantial evidence former French Law Enforcement Minister Pasqua was granted 11 million barrels of oil by Saddam Hussein, though no proof of any profit is offered.
Based on Iraqi documents and interviews with former Iraqi officials, the report says Pasqua was also granted the oil rights for his continued support. Pasqua objected to the latest accusations against him saying, "Once again, I deny them one more time."
COLEMAN: Individuals can deny all they want, but clearly there are Iraqi documents and statements of Iraqi officials who confirm that they received these allocations and clearly they benefited from working with Saddam.
(END VIDEOTAPE) ROTH: Senator Coleman has invited Galloway to an oil-for-food hearing he's holding next Tuesday in Washington. Galloway has indicated he'd like to attend, though he's already blasted the process, Wolf, as inviting a guest after slandering him around the world. Wolf?
BLITZER: Lots of questions still unanswered. Richard Roth helping us better understand the story. Thanks, Richard, very much.
Life after Saddam Hussein, is it any better? CNN's Ryan Chilcote gives us a reality check with a look at a sprawling Baghdad slum.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RYAN CHILCOTE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Sadr City has few of the things you would look for in a residential community. Most available housing is dilapidated. There's no visible garbage service. The fish market is infested with flies. And there is a sea of sewage running through the streets that in some places rises so high it can only be forded on foot, even if your car runs. Home to more than half of Baghdad's residents, life in Sadr City captures the essence of a U.N./Iraqi government report that says the country is suffering from deteriorating physical and social conditions. Uma Lee (ph) is the head of a household of 23, living in this five-room house. She's not surprised by the negative trends cited in the report.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (VIA TRANSLATOR): The living is disgusting. The water is dirty, and the streets are rotten. This situation is not good.
CHILCOTE: Nationwide, nearly four out of five families share their lack of access to good drinking water. According to the report, two out of five Iraqi families in cities have sewage standing outside their door. Over a lunch spread for honored guests, the Al Humranis (ph) explain just how difficult it is to put food on the floor with no refrigerator.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (VIA TRANSLATOR): We bring just enough for lunch and dinner home. We buy ice from outside. But the water is rotten, and when we use our water pump, we get murky rotten water.
CHILCOTE: Her family, like a third of Iraqi families, relies on a generator to supplement government electricity, but it only provides enough power for the fan, and there's little light. Ali Chasan (ph), the eldest son, says conditions were bad under Saddam and, in some ways, worse now.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (VIA TRANSLATOR): The electricity was better before than now. It used to get cut off for two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening. Now we see maybe two hours of electricity out of every eight.
CHILCOTE: According to the report, three quarters of Iraqi families share the Al Humranis (ph) problems with electricity. But this family, though, considers itself lucky. All the men have jobs, even if the jobs don't pay very much, at a time when the report says 37 percent of educated men can't find work. From the shoreline of Sadr City streets, we watched an attempt to find the clogged drain. It was a futile effort.
Ryan Chilcote, CNN, Baghdad.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: That's pretty depressing.
Coming up at the top of the hour, "LOU DOBBS TONIGHT." Lou's standing by in New York. He's got a preview. What have you got, Lou?
LOU DOBBS, HOST "LOU DOBBS TONIGHT": Wolf, thank you.
At 6:00 p.m. Eastern, we'll be reporting on a significant victory for the White House and the U.S. Senate. John Bolton has moved a step closer to becoming the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
The FBI, conducting a huge undercover drug operation. The FBI, arresting National Guardsmen, a former I.N.S. agent, and law enforcement officers. We'll have that special report.
And, debating our origins -- was a higher force involved in the creation of life? We'll have a special report and a debate -- a day -- a debate among representatives of science, religion, and education, who are colliding right now in Kansas over that very issue. Please join us. All of that and more at the top of the hour. Now back to you, Wolf.
BLITZER: Thanks very much, Lou. Sounds like a good program, as usual.
When we come back, a sweet reward. If you've ever played the lottery, you're going to love this story; even if you haven't played the lottery, you're still going to love this story. How more than 100 people chose correct Powerball numbers, cashing in on a major prize. Our Mary Snow, standing by with the story.
First, though, let's take a quick look back at "This Week in History."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANNOUNCER: In 1960 this week, the FDA approved the first birth control pill. GD Searle pharmaceutical company introduced the drug during a time when birth control was a controversial issue.
At the age of 36, reggae's most widely known artist, Bob Marley, loses his battle to cancer on May 11, 1981. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee was awarded his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame just four years ago.
And in 1985, an outbreak of the deadly virus ebola claimed at least 250 lives, and that is "This Week in History."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) BLITZER: I love this next story. I'm heading to Chinatown right after this program. Let me tell you why. Powerball Lottery officials have solved a mystery: why were there 110 winning tickets in a recent drawing instead of the usual four or five? The answer? Chinese fortune cookies. CNN's Mary Snow is joining us live from New York to explain.
MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Wolf.
You know, lottery officials say that the odds of winning were one in 2.9 million. So, they knew something was unusual when a surge of people came forward claiming prizes of at least $100,000 each, and in some cookies they found a fortune.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SNOW (voice-over): Consider the case of the fortune cookie, cracked. Printed with proverbs such as "Don't be hasty, prosperity will knock on your door soon," -- beneath the fortunes are lucky numbers and for some who used those lucky numbers to play the Lottery in late March, prosperity did come knocking.
SING LEE, PRESIDENT WONTON FOOD: That's why they have to find out how come there's 110 people -- they all hit it at the same time.
SNOW: Hitting at the same time, 110 Powerball winners, like Marjorie and Donald Cobb of Arizona. They used their fortune cookie figures to pick five of six winning numbers.
MARJORIE COBB, POWERBALL WINNER: I just thought, well, heck, I'll just try it. If it wins, fine. If it doesn't, well, fine, too.
SNOW: At first, lottery officials were at a loss to explain the high number of winners. They scoured the possibilities, starting with the ABC show "Lost."
RANDY DAVIS, CHAIRMAN, POWERBALL GROUP: We knew there had been inquiries from a -- to use a Powerball drawing in one of the scripts for a TV show. We thought maybe it had something to do with that.
SNOW: Or, they thought it may have something to do with the Powerball plot on the soap opera "The Young and The Restless." That didn't pan out either.
DAVIS: When some of the winners started coming in around the country, they said, well, they chose their numbers from fortune cookies.
SNOW: Seeking to unlock the mystery of the dough in the cookies, lottery investigators spanned the country, visiting Chinese restaurants and stores. It led them to Wonton Food in Long Island City, New York, maker of 4 million fortune cookies a day. How, by chance, did they come up with the numbers?
DERRICK WONG, WONTON FOOD: We hand pick those numbers randomly. We write the numbers on a piece of paper and fold them and put them in a basket and hand picked -- hand picked -- the number combination.
SNOW: With high demand, Wonton has phased in computer picked numbers to go along with their proverbs these days. The company says it hopes to spread more good fortune in the future by getting all six numbers right.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(on camera): And lottery officials had to pay out an unexpected $19 million in prizes. Wolf?
BLITZER: I love that story. Thanks very much. Mary Snow, reporting for us. That's it for me. I'm Wolf Blitzer in Washington. LOU DOBBS TONIGHT, starting right now. Lou, standing by in New York. Lou?
END
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Aired May 12, 2005 - 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, flight diverted. An Air France jetliner is back in the air after a passenger's name matched the terrorist watch list. We have details. Stand by for hard news on WOLF BLITZER REPORTS.
Stunning showdown, stunning criticism from a key Republican.
SEN. GEORGE VOINOVICH (R), OH: John Bolton is the poster child of what someone in the diplomatic corps should not be.
BLITZER: Will the president's nominee make it to the United Nations?
In the dark. President Bush was on a bike ride. Why wasn't he told the White House and Capitol Hill were being evacuated. What they're up against, die hard insurgents take a heavy toll on U.S. Marines.
Remember that great sucking sound of a decade ago? Will a new trade deal put U.S. jobs in jeopardy?
ANNOUNCER: This is WOLF BLITZER REPORTS FOR THURSDAY, MAY 12th, 2005.
BLITZER: Thanks very much for joining us. Another security alert in the air. Is today's "Security Watch Report." Just a day after a small plane flew within three miles of the White House, an Air France jetliner on a flight from Paris to Boston was forced to divert. CNN's Kathleen Koch is joining us here live. She has details.
Tell our viewers what's going on, Kathleen.
KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, the absolute latest is TSA spokesman Mark Hatfield says that federal law enforcement officials are holding in Bangor, Maine right now a man, his wife and two children. They're trying to resolve some ambiguity. Federal government officials say that this person's name is a near match with one on the no-fly list, but the date of birth of this person is a perfect match.
Now, at the same time, latest word just in from the FBI is that they have no interest in this individual, nor does the Joint Terrorism Task Force, though I must say, this drama that began at midday does begin to unfold.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) KOCH (voice-over): The plane was over the Atlantic, bound for Boston, when Transportation Security Administration officials discovered the no-fly list hit, so the Airbus 330, carrying 169 passengers, was diverted to Bangor, Maine. Upon arrival, FBI and TSA agents boarded the plane and questioned the passenger. While the plane was still in the air, a TSA spokesperson says Air France missed the fact this passenger's name was on the no-fly list. But Air France said in a written statement that it is, quote, "fully compliant with U.S. authorities," and that "the safety and security of our passengers are our highest priority." Right now, the TSA e-mails a no-fly list to airlines overseas, which are supposed to check the passengers' names against it before they board.
Then, after the plane backs away from the gate, airlines outside the U.S. electronically transmit the passenger manifest to the U.S. government, where it's double-checked against an even larger terrorist watch list. U.S. law enforcement would like to get that passenger manifest sooner, at least an hour before takeoff, to prevent such incidents.
This is the fourth plane diverted to Bangor because of a no-fly list hit. The most prominent match, former pop singer Cat Stevens, on the list because of concerns his charitable contributions funded militant groups.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KOCH: The TSA can't say though right now how many actual terrorists or terrorist supporters have been kept out of the United States when these flights were diverted. They do say that this happens roughly once a month. And, Wolf, as for the other passengers on this flight, they finally ended up back in Boston at their original destination just about 25 minutes ago, and we've gotten new word in, apparently, it's a man, woman and three children who are being held in Bangor, Maine.
BLITZER: All right, we'll see what happens with them. Kathleen Koch, the new reality after 9/11, these things taking place, thanks very much.
And to our viewers, please stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security.
Here in Washington, it was a high-stakes pick for a high profile job, the United States' ambassador to the United Nations. But the nominee was highly controversial and now the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has finally agreed to send the nomination to the full Senate floor, but without much enthusiasm, and without a formal endorsement. The battle over John Bolton continues at this moment.
Our State Department correspondent Andrea Koppel is live on Capitol Hill with more.
Andrea?
ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN STATE DEPARTMENT CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, John Bolton may have taken one step closer to becoming the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, but not before the Republican senator from Ohio, George Voinovich, who is well known for his independent streak when it comes to voting against his party, basically again sided against his party, saying although he would support the vote within the committee, once it got to the floor, all bets were off, the floor of the Senate that is. And he said categorically he would vote against Bolton on the floor of the Senate.
He was scathing in his criticisms, saying if Bolton had worked for a major corporation and displayed the kind of behavior he had in government, he would have been fired.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
VOINOVICH: Pouring over the hundreds of pages of testimony, and you know I wasn't here for those hearings, but I did my penance. I read all of it. I believe that John Bolton would have been fired, fired, if he had worked for a major corporation. This is not the behavior of a true leader who upholds the kind of democracy that President Bush is seeking to promote globally. This is not the behavior that should be endorsed as the face of the United States to the world community in the United Nations.
Rather, Mr. Chairman, it is my opinion that John Bolton is the poster child of what someone in the diplomatic corps should not be. I worry about the signals ...
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KOPPEL: Nevertheless, other Republicans on the committee spoke out very favorably for Bolton, saying that with his credentials of almost 20 years in government during various Republican administrations, he was the right man for the job at the right time, at a time when President Bush is pushing an agenda of U.N. reform, a tough-talking diplomat who may not be known for his diplomatic niceties, but he is a tough talker who is going to make things happen within the United Nations. But as you know, Wolf, the breakdown within the Senate is certain within the Republicans' favor, 55-45. Democrats are promising a fight.
Senator Barbara Boxer said if it went to a floor vote, as it now will, they were going to fight it tooth and nail, and when you have people like George Voinovich saying he's going to do all he can to get his Republican colleagues to see the light, it is certainly going to be an interesting couple of weeks ahead depending on when it gets to the Senate floor.
Wolf?
BLITZER: Andrea, we'll count on you to help us understand what's going on every step of the way. Thanks, Andrea Koppel, very much.
President Bush has bet some of his prestige on the Bolton nomination, and the White House is keeping a close eye on the U.S. Senate. The White House is also keeping a close eye on the handling of yesterday's security scare here in the nation's capital. CNN's Ed Henry is over at the White House. He's keeping his eye on both of these stories. Ed, first of all, what's the reaction at the white house to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee passing along the nomination but without -- without a recommendation?
ED HENRY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good evening, Wolf. You're right. The president has staked a lot of political capital on this nomination. The White House now is trying to shake off twin blows, the tough criticism from a Republican senator and the failure of a republican-led committee to actually issue a positive endorsement of the Bolton nomination. What White House press secretary Scott McClellan said today, though, is that the administration was hopeful that it would get out of committee, as it has, with or without that positive endorsement. It now goes to the Senate floor. McClellan predicted that, in fact, Bolton would be confirmed, and he reiterated that the president believes Bolton is the best man for the job.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SCOTT MCCLELLAN, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: John Bolton is going to bring a strong voice to the United Nations to make sure that it is results oriented and effective in the important work that it is doing and to make sure that much-needed reform is implemented at the United Nations. I think the American people want to see reform at the united nations. And John Bolton has the experience and the ability to get things done at the United Nations.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HENRY: The reaction here, Wolf, is the administration is still confident that, with 55 republican senators, they can muster the 51 votes they believe they need right now to get this nomination through on the Senate floor. But, of course, there could be a major complication if Democratic senators launch a filibuster. Then they would need 60 votes. Given the fact that some republicans like Voinovich will defect on the Senate floor, that's going to be a much steeper hill to climb if Democrats launch a filibuster. Wolf?
BLITZER: What about this other uproar -- I guess it's an uproar, a mini-uproar, at least, over the president yesterday, at the time that hundreds, if not thousands of people were being evacuated from Capitol Hill, the Supreme Court, the White House, other federal office buildings right here in the nation's capital, he was riding his bike. He was exercising in suburban Maryland, and his Secret Service detail, his aides, didn't bother to tell him what was going on until well after the whole issue, the security scare, had been resolved? What's the fallout from that?
HENRY: The bottom line is that Scott McClellan today took very tough questions from the media here at his daily briefing. They were wondering why in fact the president was not interrupted. As you mentioned, they were very open yesterday about the fact the president was on a bicycle ride, but they did not until much later, last evening, tell the media that, in fact, the president had not been interrupted, had not been kept in the loop. The media was asking why the commander in chief did not know about this during the harrowing moments, since it came close to the possibility of a need to make a decision on whether or not to shoot down that small plane. Also reporters asking why, at the very least, given the fact the president's wife was sent to a secure location, why wouldn't he be notified? Scott McClellan today basically said that security protocols were followed and that other officials were able to monitor the situation, and that since the president's safety was never in danger, this question was basically moot.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MCCLELLAN: The protocols were in place after September 11th were followed. The president was never considered to be in danger because he was at an offsite location. The president has a tremendous amount of trust in his Secret Service detail. The Secret Service detail that was traveling with the president was being kept apprised of the situation as it was developing. They were in close contact with officials back here at the White House. And the president appreciates the job that they do.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HENRY: Still, McClellan acknowledged there will be a full review of the situation, and those protocols could be improved upon. Wolf?
BLITZER: Ed Henry reporting for us at the White House today. Ed, thanks very much.
There's a story we've been following for the past half hour or so. A retaining wall has collapsed along the Henry Hudson parkway in the upper west side of New York City, near the George Washington bridge. No deaths or injuries are reported. The pictures do show, though, at least one vehicle crushed by trees and debris. The collapse is causing some major rush hour traffic problems in that area. If you're planning on heading from Manhattan into Westchester via the Henry Hudson parkway, you might think of an alternate route right now. Lots of motorists stranded, traffic backed up for several miles. We'll watch this story. We don't know what caused that retaining wall to collapse.
When we come back, Iraq offensive. Dramatic descriptions from reporters embedded with U.S. troops suggesting 60% of one platoon has been killed or wounded.
Free trade concerns. Why a proposed pact with Central America is being opposed by U.S. workers. Find out how that could impact your job.
Evacuation strategy. What would have happened in that low-flying Cessna had been carrying chemical weapons? Questions are being raised over the emergency plan that was and remains in place.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back. There was another wave of insurgent attacks in Iraq today. In the deadliest attack, a suicide car bomb exploded in a Baghdad market, killing at least 12 people and wounding dozens of others. Elsewhere, three American soldiers were killed in separate roadside bombings, and two American Marines were killed and 14 others wounded in action near the Iraqi-Syrian border. Those deaths raise the number of American troops killed in the Iraq war to 1,613.
The two Marines killed today along the Iraqi-Syrian border were part of a major U.S. Marine offensive against Iraqi insurgents. Despite recent reports of success, the Marines have encountered some fierce resistance. CNN's Brian Todd has been looking into this story. The mission is dubbed "Operation Matador." And he's joining us live with more. Brian?
BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, the U.S. Marines are being very careful right now not to put out exact numbers. But reporters embedded with marines during this offensive are giving counts that this one platoon, based in Columbus, Ohio, has been especially hard hit.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TODD (voice-over): In this town of Qaim, masked gunmen shout "God it great!" and vow to fight to the end.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Al Qaim will be impregnable for them to enter, and we will die and not let them enter the city, in spite of all their bombs.
TODD: Qaim and other towns near the Syrian border may not be impregnable. Pentagon officials tell CNN as many as 100 insurgents have been killed this week, and they've characterized the mission as a success. But according to reporters embedded with U.S. Marines, the insurgents have been going toe to toe with U.S. and Iraqi forces this week and inflicting casualties.
SOLOMON MOORE, "LOS ANGELES TIMES": The Marines are encountering a whole lot of strength these past couple of days. On Sunday, they did get into a big fire fight with insurgents who were in the city of Ubete (ph).
TODD: Another embedded reporter says, in that engagement, insurgents waited for Marines to enter one house, and from a crawlspace underneath a floor, fired through concrete with armor- piercing rounds. The reporters from the "Washington Post" and "Los Angeles Times" say marines killed in that exchange and on Wednesday, when an armored vehicle hit a land mine along the Euphrates River, are all from one platoon, part of the 25th Marine Regiment, a reserve unit based in Columbus Ohio.
ORRIN BOWMAN, U.S. MARINES, CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER: I know it was a very dangerous situation. We did have Marines injured.
TODD: Neither this chief warrant officer nor any other Marine officials will confirm numbers, but the embedded reporters quote the platoon commander saying at least 60% of his Marines have been killed or wounded this week, casualties that could have decimated this unit. CNN asked Joint Chiefs Chairman Richard Myers how this ranked among the worst percentages of loss for one unit. GEN. RICHARD MYERS, JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF, CHAIRMAN: In terms of the Marine incident, I don't know if that's the worst. It was a terrible tragedy when they ran over a land mine.
TODD: From the top ranks to embedded reporters, information must be pieced together about this ongoing offensive called "Operation Matador" and what appears to be a devastating toll suffered by one Marine regiment.
BOWMAN: These are our Marines. This is our family. This is our town. Most of these Marines are local.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TODD: Today General Myers said U.S. and Iraqi forces are encountering what he called a thinking and adapting adversary this week near the Syrian border. And as evidence of that, some observers believe many insurgents could have slipped back over the border into Syria. Wolf?
BLITZER: Brian Todd, thanks very much for that report. Very disturbing.
In other combat action in Iraq, Poland and Iraqi soldiers raided an area in the eastern part of the country, detaining 29 suspected insurgents. U.S. Central Command says the mission dubbed "Operation Cobweb" also captured dozens of guns and explosive materials and films showing executions of government Iraqi officials.
A key Republican speaks out against John Bolton as his controversial nomination hangs in the balance. More on our top story. That's coming up.
Plus, impact on jobs. Why some American workers are deeply concerned about a new proposed trade agreement with Central America. And we're monitoring a developing story in New York City. A retaining wall has collapsed on a major parkway, the Henry Hudson parkway. We'll tell you what's going on. Traffic understandably jammed, backed up. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back. More now on our top story, John Bolton's nomination for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, sent to the full Senate floor, but without a recommendation. A divided Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Our Jeff Greenfield, our senior analyst, joining us now live with some insight. Jeff, this is an embarrassment to the president.
JEFF GREENFIELD, CNN ANALYST: Oh, sure. You know, the way that Washington works now is almost nobody ever talks about the substance of an argument, what you try to do is to impugn the other side or at least ascribe political motives to them. In this case -- by the way, there are plenty of political motives here. The White House and its supporters have been describing the opposition to Bolton simply as a matter of people who didn't like his strong, firm stand or State Department apparatchiks or liberally inclined intelligence operatives. So when you have an Ohio Republican say, this is just not a guy who on character or temperament grounds ought to be ambassador to the U.N., a guy who would have been fired in the private sector, sure it's an embarrassment, and they've got to deal with that.
BLITZER: Jeff, if the Democrats or a handful of republicans, or at least one Republican, really want to see this nomination go down, they have an easy way of doing it, relatively speaking. They could filibuster, and it would be unlikely the president could get 60 affirmative votes in the U.S. Senate.
GREENFIELD: If this were another year, I think you'd be right. But part of the whole dynamic of this that's so fascinating to me is how both the committee vote and what will happen on the floor is tied into the much bigger issue of judicial filibusters. Look, if Voinovich or any of the Republicans on that committee who have reservations about Bolton had simply voted no, then the nomination would have died. But think about the implication of that, Wolf. That would have meant that a couple of Republicans had bottled the vote up in the committee rather than let it go to the floor. The whole argument we're going to be hearing the next week is, no, you should have up or down votes on these people. That's why a couple of Republicans -- Voinovich clearly is going to vote against the nomination on the floor, was not willing to see it die in committee. I think part of the explanation is that overhang of the judicial filibuster debate, and it's why, I think, Republicans in general will not be joining democrats in trying to filibuster this nomination.
BLITZER: The nomination will come up for a full vote in the Senate, but there is one other option the president could have. On controversial nominations, he could do what former president Bill Clinton used to do, have what's called recess appointments and just get his nominee through with that technical procedure.
GREENFIELD: Well, you do that, though, when the congress is in recess. Which it is not now.
BLITZER: But they will be in recess fairly soon.
GREENFIELD: But what I'm saying is I think on this matter, the White House is presenting this as an argument about essentially the Bush foreign policy doctrine. Their argument is the reason why this is being opposed, even within former State Department circles and some intelligence circles, is those are the people who were, as you know, Wolf, because you covered it, involved an internecine war between the so-called Cheney, Rumsfeld, hardline factions in the Defense Department or the vice president's office, and the more internationalist, accommodationist wing that the conservatives saw as blocking the president's initiatives. So, in effect, the Bolton nomination is not just about a guy who, depending on your point of view, may be a strong, firm guy or a blowhard bully, but it's really about whether or not there's going to be a slap in the face at the Bush doctrine. And that, I think, is why the White House is going to the mat so heavily on this.
Look, in other times, had members of his own party expressed these kinds of doubts, you know, they might never have put Bolton forth in the first place. They might withdraw the nomination under other circumstances. I think this is a fight that's not just about John Bolton. It's about other stuff. It's about the filibuster. It's about the bush doctrine. And that's why I think it has, to some extent, the intensity it has.
BLITZER: Jeff Greenfield, our political analyst, helping us understand this subject. Thanks, Jeff, very much.
First there was NAFTA. Now there's CAFTA. We'll show you what the new trade agreement is all about and why it's becoming so controversial.
Tens of thousands of people evacuated in the nation's capital. What went right? What went wrong in yesterday's security scare?
Plus, the cookie behind the fortunes. We'll hear from some of the people fortunate enough to get one.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANNOUNCER: From our studios in Washington, once again, Wolf Blitzer.
BLITZER: Welcome back.
Running for their lives; was that mad-dash evacuation the right response to the Washington security scare? We'll have details. First, though, a quick check of some other stories now in the news.
As we've been reporting, a retaining wall collapsed along New York's Henry Hudson Parkway, just as the afternoon rush hour was getting under way. Traffic now backed up several miles. At least one vehicle was crushed by trees and debris, but there are no reports of deaths or injuries.
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says the federal government could save more than $48 billion over 20 years by closing and consolidating military bases in the United States. He'll make specific recommendations to an independent base-closing committee tomorrow.
Some current and former U.S. soldiers and law enforcement agents will plead guilty to conspiracy charges. Federal officials say 16 of them were busted in an FBI sting, taking bribes from undercover agents to pass cocaine through checkpoints that help distribute that cocaine.
Meanwhile, yesterday's scare -- security scare -- here in Washington, the subject of lots of Monday morning quarterbacking, with some saying there's a lot of room for improvement in how the government responded.
Our Kelli Arena, from our America bureau, is joining us now, live. She picks up this part of the story. Kelli?
KELLI ARENA, CNN AMERICAN BUREAU CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, as you know, second guessing is second nature here in Washington, but many counterterrorism officials say this time it is valid, and yesterday's response provides valuable insight for improvement.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): Thousands of people running for their lives through the streets of Washington isn't a comforting scene, but it's exactly what the emergency playbook called for.
MICHAEL CHERTOFF, HOMELAND SECURITY SECY.: There's an effective response in place. We detect problems as they emerge on the horizon. We react appropriately and quickly. We resolve them, and now, we go on with the rest of our lives.
ARENA: But as they review Wednesday's events, some Homeland Security experts question whether the playbook needs to be rewritten. Richard Falkenrath is the former deputy White House homeland security adviser.
RICHARD FALKENRATH, CNN SECURITY ANALYST: There are certain sorts of threats that may have been in that plane, for which running out in the streets was not the right response. If it was a chemical threat, if it was a biological threat, probably don't want to do that.
ARENA: For example, if there were a dirty bomb on board, the more people outside, the more victims exposed to radiation. Counterterrorism officials say given the small size of the Cessna and the fact that there were F-16s right on top of it diminished the chance of a 9/11 repeat.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Let's go, let's go.
ARENA: Government officials say that part of the problem is that people automatically think about that last attack and respond accordingly.
FALKENRATH: It is possible for buildings, especially very large and important buildings, to have multiple response plans. So, one would be to evacuate. Another would be to shelter in place and to stay put. And this -- you need a little bit of nimbleness in your command and control system to make that work.
ARENA: Government officials tell CNN there is serious discussion under way about linking what's going on in the air more tightly with what's going on on the ground. White House Spokesman Scott McClellan would only say a review is in process.
SCOTT MCCLELLAN, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECY.: You always want to step back after a situation like this occurs and do a review and see if there's any improvements that need to be made. If there are, they will be made. We always learn things as a situation like this occurs.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ARENA (on camera): But government officials say that coming up with nuanced responses to possible terror threats, when you only have a few minutes to act, is a Herculean task, especially here in Washington, where there are distinct chains of command governing different buildings and different parts of the city, Wolf.
BLITZER: Did you get a sense in all your reporting today and yesterday that officials who are deeply involved in Homeland Security, at the Justice Department or the FBI or elsewhere, that they were frustrated in the way this unfolded? Or were they pretty much patting themselves on the back?
ARENA: I think that they all agree that it's a work in progress. I think that everyone says, look a lot of work went into getting where we are today, and that we saw a lot of the procedures and a lot of our work pay off. However, there are very different threats that we have to deal with, and so we have to keep on refining that process. And the most important thing is to remain flexible. They all say that al Qaeda will go for surprise, the element of surprise, and so we can't just work on what we already know. We have to work on what we don't.
BLITZER: The down side, of course, is, if you have these kinds of almost hysterical evacuations and actions, people are -- the next time around, it could really be a major threat, and they're going to say, you know what, I did that already. I'm not going to take it all that seriously. I'm sure federal authorities are worried about that as well.
ARENA: They sure are.
BLITZER: Thanks very much, Kelli, very much. Kelli Arena reporting for us.
And stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security.
Let's take a quick look at some other stories making headlines "Around the World."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
Afghan police fired on hundreds of anti-American protestors in two towns, killing at least three people. That brings the death toll of two days of unrest to at least seven.
In the capital, Kabul, students burned an American flag. The protests erupted after reports of abuse of Islam's holy book, the Koran, at the U.S. military detention center in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair says he supports referring Iran to the U.N. Security Council if it breaches its nuclear obligations. Iran has vowed to resume uranium reprocessing, a move the United States and the European Union fear could be used to make nuclear weapons. Mr. Blair's remarks came during his first news conference since winning re-election to a third term as prime minister.
War, murder, and suicide are the big themes at this year's Cannes Film Festival. One of the biggest, if not the biggest premieres, is Sunday, with the sixth and final installment of George Lucas' "Star Wars" series. And that's our look "Around the World."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Are more American workers at risk of losing their jobs because of lower wages now in Central America? We'll take a closer look at the pros and cons of a proposed trade agreement with those countries, the impact it could have on you.
Were European officials paid in black gold for backing Saddam Hussein? The Oil-for-Food scandal deepens. Richard Roth, all over this story.
And finding a fortune in fortune cookies, how lottery winners got lucky, very lucky.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: If you like NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement, you'll probably like its sequel, CAFTA, the Central American Free Trade Agreement. But just like NAFTA, CAFTA has its share of critics. We're going to be hearing a lot about CAFTA in the coming weeks and months. Our senior correspondent, Allan Chernoff, is joining us now live from New York with a closer look at the pros and cons. Allen?
ALLAN CHERNOFF, CNN SENIOR CORRESPONDENT: Thank you, Wolf. Well, just consider the fact the average hourly wage in the U.S. is 12 times what it is in Central America. That's certainly enough to get labor unions nervous here and enough to get many congressmen on the side of labor. But President Bush has already signed CAFTA, and today leaders of Central American nations were in Washington lobbying for the trade deal.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice over) Garment workers in Honduras, earning a fraction of their counterparts in the United States. Some of the fabric they use to sew clothing does come from the U.S., but Honduras and its neighbors have quotas on U.S. fabric and its content in garments. CAFTA, the Central American Free Trade Agreement, would lift those quotas -- one reason President Bush is pushing for the trade deal.
PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH: We would create incentives for factories to stay in Central America and use American materials rather than relocate to Asia, where they are more likely to use Asian materials.
CHERNOFF (voice over): That's why U.S. fabric mills are lobbying for CAFTA as well. And some American farmers see opportunity. The free trade agreement would lower tariffs on crops like wheat, corn and cotton.
CHRIS GARZA, AMERICAN FARM BUREAU: For U.S. agriculture, we would see about a $1.3 billion gain with passage of this agreement. What's important to remember is that, at this point in time, about 99 percent of Central American product comes into the United States duty free. With passage of the Central American, Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement, we would have that same type of reciprocal trade into the Central American market.
CHERNOFF (voice over): Not all farmers are winners, though. Those producing sugar, for example, will have to confront more imports from Central America. CAFTA opponents also argue the trade benefits for the relatively poor Central American nations are small for the U.S. Instead, they argue, the Central American Free Trade Agreement is essentially son of NAFTA, the controversial trade deal with Mexico and Canada.
THEA LEE, AFL-CIO: CAFTA is probably going to speed the loss of U.S. jobs, particularly in the manufacturing sector, apparel, textiles, consumer electronics, some of those areas because the point of CAFTA is to make it easier, more convenient, more profitable for companies to move jobs to Central America and then bring the goods back into the United States duty free.
CHERNOFF (voice over): The Central American Free Trade Agreement would benefit many U.S. businesses. The debate is whether there would be any benefit to American workers.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CHERNOFF: Democrats are opposed and a fair number of Republicans as well. So, Wolf, the president certainly has a big battle on his hands.
BLITZER: Allan, this CAFTA agreement, even though the president signed it with those countries, it has to be formally ratified, approved by the U.S. Congress, is that right?
CHERNOFF: That's exactly right. And as I said, it will be a real battle here. You remember the controversy over NAFTA? Well, this one seems to face a tremendous amount of opposition, maybe even tougher than NAFTA.
BLITZER: Allan Chernoff reporting for us from New York. Allan, thanks very much.
We're going to take a quick break. When we come back, a cookie worth a fortune. How more than 100 people beat the odds to claim part of a major Powerball lottery prize. Our Mary Snow has this incredible story.
But first, let's take a look back at "This Week In History."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Did Saddam Hussein have a pair of top European politicians in his pocket? A U.S. Senate panel says the officials, one British, one French, were handsomely rewarded for backing the Baghdad regime. It's all tied to the U.N. so-called oil-for-food scandal.
Let's go live to our to senior U.N. correspondent, Richard Roth. Richard?
RICHARD ROTH, CNN SENIOR U.N. CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, it's not United Nations officials today under the oil-for-food microwave, but politicians in Europe. And there may be more to come.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ROTH (voice over): The Senate committee report says Saddam Hussein rewarded European politicians, such as Britain's George Galloway, who support the his request to have economic sanctions lifted. The bipartisan report accuses Galloway, a member of parliament, and former French Interior Minister Charles Pasqua (ph) of receiving millions of dollars in oil rights from the Saddam Hussein regime.
SEN. NORM COLEMAN (R), MINNESOTA: The program was flawed. It was ripped off. Saddam in the end was using it to buy political favors.
ROTH: Many of the allegations have been made before, but this latest report includes documents from the fallen regime and recent interviews with Iraq's former vice president and deputy prime minister to back up the conclusions. Former Iraqi leaders told investigators they called the process of letting Iraq choose who got to buy its oil the "Saddam bribery system."
The committee says this is how it worked: Saddam Hussein instructed that 20 million barrels of oil be given to Galloway. According to Iraqi officials, the allocations were for support for the Hussein regime and his opposition to U.N. sanctions. The report says Galloway then arranged for two companies to take delivery of the crude oil. The report does not say he made money on the deal, but so-called gatekeepers stood to reap large profits as a commission on later sales. Galloway, who recently was reelected to parliament, denied the allegations.
GEORGE GALLOWAY, BRITISH MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT: I have never seen a barrel of oil. I have never owned one. I've never bought one or sold one. And neither has anybody on my behalf.
ROTH: The Senate committee says there is substantial evidence former French Law Enforcement Minister Pasqua was granted 11 million barrels of oil by Saddam Hussein, though no proof of any profit is offered.
Based on Iraqi documents and interviews with former Iraqi officials, the report says Pasqua was also granted the oil rights for his continued support. Pasqua objected to the latest accusations against him saying, "Once again, I deny them one more time."
COLEMAN: Individuals can deny all they want, but clearly there are Iraqi documents and statements of Iraqi officials who confirm that they received these allocations and clearly they benefited from working with Saddam.
(END VIDEOTAPE) ROTH: Senator Coleman has invited Galloway to an oil-for-food hearing he's holding next Tuesday in Washington. Galloway has indicated he'd like to attend, though he's already blasted the process, Wolf, as inviting a guest after slandering him around the world. Wolf?
BLITZER: Lots of questions still unanswered. Richard Roth helping us better understand the story. Thanks, Richard, very much.
Life after Saddam Hussein, is it any better? CNN's Ryan Chilcote gives us a reality check with a look at a sprawling Baghdad slum.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RYAN CHILCOTE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Sadr City has few of the things you would look for in a residential community. Most available housing is dilapidated. There's no visible garbage service. The fish market is infested with flies. And there is a sea of sewage running through the streets that in some places rises so high it can only be forded on foot, even if your car runs. Home to more than half of Baghdad's residents, life in Sadr City captures the essence of a U.N./Iraqi government report that says the country is suffering from deteriorating physical and social conditions. Uma Lee (ph) is the head of a household of 23, living in this five-room house. She's not surprised by the negative trends cited in the report.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (VIA TRANSLATOR): The living is disgusting. The water is dirty, and the streets are rotten. This situation is not good.
CHILCOTE: Nationwide, nearly four out of five families share their lack of access to good drinking water. According to the report, two out of five Iraqi families in cities have sewage standing outside their door. Over a lunch spread for honored guests, the Al Humranis (ph) explain just how difficult it is to put food on the floor with no refrigerator.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (VIA TRANSLATOR): We bring just enough for lunch and dinner home. We buy ice from outside. But the water is rotten, and when we use our water pump, we get murky rotten water.
CHILCOTE: Her family, like a third of Iraqi families, relies on a generator to supplement government electricity, but it only provides enough power for the fan, and there's little light. Ali Chasan (ph), the eldest son, says conditions were bad under Saddam and, in some ways, worse now.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (VIA TRANSLATOR): The electricity was better before than now. It used to get cut off for two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening. Now we see maybe two hours of electricity out of every eight.
CHILCOTE: According to the report, three quarters of Iraqi families share the Al Humranis (ph) problems with electricity. But this family, though, considers itself lucky. All the men have jobs, even if the jobs don't pay very much, at a time when the report says 37 percent of educated men can't find work. From the shoreline of Sadr City streets, we watched an attempt to find the clogged drain. It was a futile effort.
Ryan Chilcote, CNN, Baghdad.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: That's pretty depressing.
Coming up at the top of the hour, "LOU DOBBS TONIGHT." Lou's standing by in New York. He's got a preview. What have you got, Lou?
LOU DOBBS, HOST "LOU DOBBS TONIGHT": Wolf, thank you.
At 6:00 p.m. Eastern, we'll be reporting on a significant victory for the White House and the U.S. Senate. John Bolton has moved a step closer to becoming the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
The FBI, conducting a huge undercover drug operation. The FBI, arresting National Guardsmen, a former I.N.S. agent, and law enforcement officers. We'll have that special report.
And, debating our origins -- was a higher force involved in the creation of life? We'll have a special report and a debate -- a day -- a debate among representatives of science, religion, and education, who are colliding right now in Kansas over that very issue. Please join us. All of that and more at the top of the hour. Now back to you, Wolf.
BLITZER: Thanks very much, Lou. Sounds like a good program, as usual.
When we come back, a sweet reward. If you've ever played the lottery, you're going to love this story; even if you haven't played the lottery, you're still going to love this story. How more than 100 people chose correct Powerball numbers, cashing in on a major prize. Our Mary Snow, standing by with the story.
First, though, let's take a quick look back at "This Week in History."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANNOUNCER: In 1960 this week, the FDA approved the first birth control pill. GD Searle pharmaceutical company introduced the drug during a time when birth control was a controversial issue.
At the age of 36, reggae's most widely known artist, Bob Marley, loses his battle to cancer on May 11, 1981. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee was awarded his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame just four years ago.
And in 1985, an outbreak of the deadly virus ebola claimed at least 250 lives, and that is "This Week in History."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) BLITZER: I love this next story. I'm heading to Chinatown right after this program. Let me tell you why. Powerball Lottery officials have solved a mystery: why were there 110 winning tickets in a recent drawing instead of the usual four or five? The answer? Chinese fortune cookies. CNN's Mary Snow is joining us live from New York to explain.
MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Wolf.
You know, lottery officials say that the odds of winning were one in 2.9 million. So, they knew something was unusual when a surge of people came forward claiming prizes of at least $100,000 each, and in some cookies they found a fortune.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SNOW (voice-over): Consider the case of the fortune cookie, cracked. Printed with proverbs such as "Don't be hasty, prosperity will knock on your door soon," -- beneath the fortunes are lucky numbers and for some who used those lucky numbers to play the Lottery in late March, prosperity did come knocking.
SING LEE, PRESIDENT WONTON FOOD: That's why they have to find out how come there's 110 people -- they all hit it at the same time.
SNOW: Hitting at the same time, 110 Powerball winners, like Marjorie and Donald Cobb of Arizona. They used their fortune cookie figures to pick five of six winning numbers.
MARJORIE COBB, POWERBALL WINNER: I just thought, well, heck, I'll just try it. If it wins, fine. If it doesn't, well, fine, too.
SNOW: At first, lottery officials were at a loss to explain the high number of winners. They scoured the possibilities, starting with the ABC show "Lost."
RANDY DAVIS, CHAIRMAN, POWERBALL GROUP: We knew there had been inquiries from a -- to use a Powerball drawing in one of the scripts for a TV show. We thought maybe it had something to do with that.
SNOW: Or, they thought it may have something to do with the Powerball plot on the soap opera "The Young and The Restless." That didn't pan out either.
DAVIS: When some of the winners started coming in around the country, they said, well, they chose their numbers from fortune cookies.
SNOW: Seeking to unlock the mystery of the dough in the cookies, lottery investigators spanned the country, visiting Chinese restaurants and stores. It led them to Wonton Food in Long Island City, New York, maker of 4 million fortune cookies a day. How, by chance, did they come up with the numbers?
DERRICK WONG, WONTON FOOD: We hand pick those numbers randomly. We write the numbers on a piece of paper and fold them and put them in a basket and hand picked -- hand picked -- the number combination.
SNOW: With high demand, Wonton has phased in computer picked numbers to go along with their proverbs these days. The company says it hopes to spread more good fortune in the future by getting all six numbers right.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(on camera): And lottery officials had to pay out an unexpected $19 million in prizes. Wolf?
BLITZER: I love that story. Thanks very much. Mary Snow, reporting for us. That's it for me. I'm Wolf Blitzer in Washington. LOU DOBBS TONIGHT, starting right now. Lou, standing by in New York. Lou?
END
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