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Back to the Main Page, President Bush stopped accusing the Iranian leader.
Is Saudi Arabia funding insurgents in Iraq?
February 14, 2007 broadcast
ETTHIS is a hurried transcript at 17: 00.
This copy may not be in final form and may be updated. (
Start Video Editing)REP. TOM TANCREDO (R)
Colorado: I don't want to interrupt you.
Republican. . .
US President George Bush: I just think he's watching his watch because he's bored.
I'm not sure, you know?
Remember the debate? (END VIDEO CLIP)
Host: That's what the president actually meant. Mr.
In 1992, Bush's father took a look at his watch more than once in a presidential debate with Bill Clinton and Rosello.
This is an image that undoubtedly does not help the failure of 41 presidential elections to re-serve.
It's political history there.
For our audience, you are in the Situation Room.
Now, President Bush is no longer accusing the Iranian leader.
So, who sent weapons in Iraq to kill American troops?
Is the Saudis now providing assistance to the rebels?
Why did a powerful Shiite cleric leave Iraq? The U. S.
The military says it's tracking mukhtada. Sadr.
But its goal is Mukhtar. Sadr?
An evil winter storm hit most of the country with ice and snow.
Thousands of people have no power.
As some have said, we will tell you about the flight that took off from hell, a flight that never took off.
I'm Wolf Blitzer.
You're in the Situation Room.
Powerful explosives have caused terrible losses in the United States. S. troops in Iraq.
But a few days laterS.
S. officials have accused Iranian leaders of delivering these deadly weapons to Iraq, a claim President Bush has now abandoned.
Does the United States have goods in Iran?
Let's go live and connect with senior Pentagon Correspondent Jamie McIntyre. -Jamie.
CNN Senior Pentagon Correspondent Jamie McIntyre: Wolf, the question is what intelligence shows?
When the opinion of a low-level intelligence officer conflicts with the president of the United States, you can get--
You can bet the president said the last thing. (
Start Video)
MCINTYRE (voice-over)
: A few weeks after promising to do it, the United StatesS.
The military got it wrong.
An anonymous civilian intelligence official in Baghdad on Sunday built a high-tech armor-piercing bomb.
The so-called EFPs were smuggled into Iraq by the Iranian holy city forces under the highest level of direct orders of the Iranian government.
The commander did it. in-
Director, directly on the record.
US President George w. Bush: We know that they are provided by the holy city forces.
We know that al-holy forces are part of the Iranian government.
I don't think we know who picked up the phone and said to the al-holy forces, go and do it.
But we know this is an important part of the Iranian government.
McIntyre: The truth is,S.
The military does believe that the Holy City army acted on the orders of Iran's supreme leader.
But this is a strong suspicion, not the United States. S.
Especially for international audiences who are skeptical. MAJ. GEN.
William Caldwell, United StatesS.
I think people want to hype this up.
What we have seen is that within Iran, weapons and ammunition that are ultimately being manufactured in Iraq.
MacIntyre: United StatesS.
The military now says anonymous officials are outside the scope of the briefing, which should only show Iran's level of weapons in Iraq, rather than summing up who sent the weapons there.
Caldwell: military analysts are inferring where the chain of command of al-holy forces exists.
McIntyre: But this short inference has never been approved or approved by the top level of the Pentagon, and the Pentagon still refuses to accuse Iranian leaders.
General Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff: this does not mean that the Iranian government itself is certainly directly involved in the work. (END VIDEO TAPE)
Here comes the wolf. this is the story behind.
There is a main combinationup in signals. The U. S.
The military in Baghdad believes they are holding a regular briefing on the threats facing the United States. S.
The Iranian army makes weapons.
In Washington, meanwhile, officials touted the matter as the final case against Iran.
The result was an unexpected bomb and briefing that, frankly, laid an egg--Wolf.
BLITZER: To some extent, whether it's the overall speed or President Bush, they have learned from the accumulation of the war in Iraq, and they can't guess unless they do, can not guess.
They must have solid evidence.
They don't necessarily have a particular point of view.
They will be as precise as they can be.
MCINTYRE: in fact, this particular briefing has gone through at least 17 different changes to make sure that nothing in it is not supported.
But at the urging of a journalist, one of these intelligence officers provided a somewhat off-topic assessment.
B: OK, thank you.
Jamie McIntyre of the Pentagon
He is a powerful Shiite cleric with its radical-
Position of the United States
His private army is linked to many violent incidents in Baghdad.
But is he suddenly out in Iraq?
Let's learn more about this important story from Pentagon reporter Barbara Starr-Barbara.
Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr: Wolf, the man with the most powerful political influence in Iraq, is no longer in the country at least now. (
Start Video)STARR (voice-over): The U. S.
Mukhtada Al Said
Sadr has been in Iran since last month.
But in Baghdad, the chief U. S. Military Secretary in IraqS.
A military spokesman would hardly say anything else.
Caldwell: We just don't want to comment on it publicly.
I mean, I will.
Everyone is paying close attention to this issue.
Starr: Sadr's people say the United StatesS.
The Shiite cleric controls thousands of members of his Mahdi militia, who is still in the southern Iraqi city of Najaf.
A senior U. S.
Military officials confirmed to CNN
Sadr was followed by the United States. S. intelligence.
His movements were monitored and his conversation was monitored.
He and his followers are said to be most responsible for the recent sectarian violence.
The military said that because they wanted
Sadr's departure is good news.
Despite some major attacks, the overall level of daily violence in some areas has declined with new security strikes.
Many Shiite militia leaders have stepped down, and now, Al-
Sadr seems to be on the run too. MAJ. GEN. DON SHEPPERD (RET. )
CNN military analyst: We saw his senior deputy in custody, and I guess he thinks he's next, so he's going to go somewhere where he feels safe and it's going to be Iran in this area. (END VIDEO TAPE)
But no one wants to write Al-
Sadr or his Mahdi Army have just left.
Experts say Al-
Sadr is likely to return to Iraq in the next few weeks. -Wolf.
Okay, Barbara. thank you very much.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard was targeted today.
A car loaded with explosives exploded near a bus carrying members of elite forces.
11 people were killed and 31 injured, state media said.
The attack took place in an illegal area near the Pakistani border.
It is reported that a militant group associated with al-Qaida claimed responsibility.
Government officials blamed the attack on insurgents and drug traffickers.
Iraq's neighbors are making more bets to shape the region's future.
But are they fighting through agents?
Our reporter in Baghdad, Michael will, is joining us now. -
Michael, we heard a lot about Iran's influence in Iraq.
But what about the Saudis?
What are they doing?
There are reports that Saudi Arabia is sending Al-
In Anbar province, some of the money was sent to the Sunnis.
What's going on?
CNN reporter Michael will: Wolf, Prime Minister of Iraq
Maliki himself pointed out that in this game known as the war in Iraq, everyone in the region has a stake.
Including Saudi Arabia.
Now, Saudi Arabia, like most Sunni Arab countries, happens to be an ally of the United States, before the invasion, after the invasion, every possible opportunity since the rise of Iran, warning
Support expansion.
Now, we have seen that.
So what we are seeing now is that the Saudi government is in trouble.
It needs to protect its interests without betraying the American Coalition.
We see it funding Sunni tribes because, don't forget, Saudi Arabia has a huge land border.
The loyalty of these tribes crossed the border, which made no sense to them.
Don't forget, there's a lot of money for Gulf oil. -
Not from the government, but from wealthy donors. -
That's Al Qaeda.
Most of Osama bin Laden's money now goes to al-Qaida in Iraq.
These donors want to see their money at work and they believe they see this in the jihad in Iraq.
Saudi Arabia is essentially the host of the Baath Party.
It launches and filters their money through its financial system.
So there's all kinds of money here, not just from Iran.
BLITZER: Is that part of the money the final result of the death of the American army?
WARE: overall, that's what it means, Wolf.
I mean, some money got ripped off. -
As far as we know, of course, I stress that these are not official.
This is not public action by the government.
It's all private and behind the scenes.
But some of them are strategic.
This is to support the friendly chiefs.
This is to ensure the basis of power.
To maintain the alliance.
But then again, there is more armed fighting.
Now, the battle used to be aimed only at the American army, including the British to a lesser extent.
But it now includes funding for the civil war.
I want to tell you, nationalists, the Fuxing party, the jihadist, al-Qaida. -
It's hard for me to find a Sunni rebel group with a cash shortage.
Of course, none of them lack weapons. -Wolf.
Blake: Michael, mukhtada al-Sadr story. U. S.
Officials insist he is now in Iran and has left Iraq.
You 've been covering this man for a long time.
Do you think he's afraid of America now? That's why he might go to Iran?
WARE: I don't think it's possible, Wolf.
But mukhtada is not a man who shows great fear of the United States. S. military.
Don't forget that his troops are at war with American forces. S.
At least three times in 2004.
In the best case, you have to say it's a draw.
You know, it did make him a folk superhero today.
There's a lot of buffer between him and America. S. military.
Of course, he has a lot of Iranian friends.
We heard President Bush talk about the power of the holy city.
Well, the al-holy forces also have their talons entering mukhtada, not as much as they are entering other groups, but mukhtada has the same support of Iran as anyone else.
Is he at home or abroad?
To be honest, we cannot answer this question.
When mukhtada finally appeared, he had to answer the question himself.
But he has been to Iran many, many times.
This does not mean that he has taken off.
In fact, if he ran away, it would probably be to get rid of the competition within the Shiite militia.
Michael will reports for us in Baghdad. Mike --
Thank you. Michael
Thank you, Wolf.
Jack Cafferty will be back tomorrow with the file of Cafferty.
Nevertheless, their planned trip to the tropical paradise turned into what some call a trip from hell.
It never even left the ground.
Passengers were trapped on board for hours.
We will tell you what happened.
In addition, loyal Republicans disagree with the president over sending more troops to Iraq.
Dana Marsh told one of the people who called the president's policies fundamentally flawed.
We will talk to former Democratic senators and Vietnam veterans Max Cleland about the surge and the heated debate in Congress.
Stay with us.
You're in the Situation Room. (
Business break)
BLITZER: some congressional Republicans find themselves in a very difficult situation because the House and Senate are working to resolve the resolution against sending more troops to Iraq.
Our congressional correspondent Dana Bash spoke to Republicans who usually support the president but don't. -
Not on this issue. -Dana.
Dana bash, cnn correspondent: Well, Wolf, with the House debate going on, there are a lot of House Republicans swimming in unauthorized waters against the president.
As you mentioned, I spoke to a Republican congressman who had previously broken with the president on social issues ---
Abortion rights and stem cell studies-
But that's not the case. it's not about war. (
Start Video)BASH (voice-over)
: Jim ramsstad, a Minnesota Republican, voted to authorize the invasion of Iraq and firmly supported the president's war strategy. -until now. REP. JIM RAMSTAD (R)
Minnesota: it's time to strengthen diplomacy, not to add troops, to fix a broken country. BASH (on camera)
: Speaking in the house, making it clear how hard is it for you to vote against your president?
Ramstad: It's hard, but it's a vote of conscience, which I believe reflects the vast majority of the people I represent in Washington. (
Start Video Editing)
Ramstade: a troop increase has been tried in Baghdad last fall but failed. (END VIDEO CLIP)
Ramstade: especially in times of war, it's not fun to stand up against your President, our president.
But I think the policy of this surge is fundamentally flawed. BASH (voice-over)
The proud Republican who took a photo with the president said the White House did not really try to change his mind.
RAMSTAD: only one staff member contacted me and I told me--
Explaining my position, this is the only link I have with the White House.
But some Republican voters are very angry.
I have a caller who is not happy with my position.
As I told the gentleman, he threatened me in the next election, saying, you know, losing the election would be a small price for me to remain upright. (END VIDEO TAPE)
Now, Ramstad is a 16.
He won a second term in November with 65% of the vote.
But he also represents an independent.
Like many other parts of the country, Minnesota's thought zone is increasingly disappointed with the war.
Wolf, I spoke to a senior Democratic campaign official today, who said Ramstad was one of their top targets for 2008.
BLITZER: Many Republicans are likely to feel the pressure in 2008.
Thank you, Dana.
On October, he disappeared after being kidnapped on the streets of Baghdad, Iraq. Now an Iraqi-
American soldier, a sergeant in the American army, appeared in a hostage video.
CNN correspondent Arwa Damon reports from Baghdad-Arwa.
CNN International correspondent arwa damon: Wolf, this video is posted on an Internet site and this is Ahmed al-
Since he was kidnapped four months ago(
Start Video)DAMON (voice-over)
: American families for a few monthsS.
Army Sergeant Ahmed Al.
Tya, please--
American soldiers kidnapped in Baghdad may still be alive.
Ahmad AL-QANBAR
Taei's UNCLE: Well, I was obsessed all morning, repeating numerous videos trying to read his lips.
I am not very successful.
Damon: Lou.
Bayt Brigades, a lesser-known Shiite group, claimed al-kidnapping-
Four months ago.
The group posted this video on a website for supporters of the Mahdi militia loyal to the radical Shiite cleric mukhtada al. Sadr.
Group and al-
Thai family has been chatting.
This is a very professional team. Their first e-
The Mail is written in English and is perfect in English.
They know what they're doing.
They didn't commit to anything they didn't do or anything they didn't commit.
DAMON: Al-
Thai is an Iraqi.
American as a military translator.
On October 23, he appeared in the heavily guarded Green area of Baghdad for the last time.
He left the security zone to visit his family, including his Iraqi wife in Kalada, a central block in Baghdad.
But after he arrived, three of the gunman's cars were pulled up, handcuffed and kidnapped.
A fruitless city search began. -
A hunt is likely to cause major differences between the Iraqi government and the United States. S. forces. U. S.
Soldiers seized positions at checkpoints around the city of Sadr and raided the Mahdi militia stronghold, triggering Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-
Maliki stepped in and ordered the checkpoint to be dismantled. (END VIDEO TAPE)
DAMON: Recording al-
Taie's family was a little less relieved.
There is no date on it, and there is no indication that al-
Taie knows nothing about what happened next. -Wolf.
Okay Arwa, let's take a look at this sad story.
Next, some people on Capitol Hill smoke on their delegates. -
Tom Tancredo represents the office.
Listen to his answer. (
Start Video Editing)REP. TOM TANCREDO (R)
Colorado: We have one-
We have smoke detectors.
It calls me the neighbor next door. (END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: We will get the details of the smoking row at the Capitol.
Who else is involved?
We will have more stories about what we are reporting, and the passengers who are trapped on the plane are grounded by the weather for eight hours ---
Yes, eight hours.
We will give you some more details about the travel nightmare.
Carol Costello will say to the passengers.
Stay with us.
You're in the Situation Room. (
Business break)
Some JetBlue passengers are angry at what they call a travel nightmare.
They were trapped on a grounded plane for hours.
Carol Costello is watching the story of this development for us in New York.
You gave us a rough outline a while ago. -Carol.
But update our audience what you pick up.
What happened?
Carol costello, cnn correspondent: Well, basically, there's a weather problem.
Everyone is confused.
There are so many planes on the ground that they don't have enough gates to take the passengers back and get them off the plane.
Passengers said it was like being held hostage.
As I said, the problem is at JFK Airport in New York.
At 7: 45 today, a JetBlue plane was unable to take off due to weather.
They just got off at 4: 15.
I took a walk with passenger Caroline Fletcher. (
Start Video Editing)
Caroline Fletcher, JetBlue Flight 751 passenger: Well, it's good to be free from there.
I mean, you know, especially when the windows are frozen, you sound a bit like --proofed coffin.
You know, you're locked up in a closed space and you don't know when or why it's going to happen.
So, yes, I feel much more free now. I feel --
Kind of like the feeling now? (END VIDEO CLIP)
Yes. what about now?
Because she's on her way to Cancun, they don't have a flight to Cancun tonight.
Now, remember that there were 139 passengers when she got on that plane.
No food on board.
The bathroom is full and sometimes there is a power outage.
So it's cold inside.
JetBlue did make a statement.
Part of the content is: "All customers will receive a full refund and free round trip-
JetBlue air travel ticket
We apologize to the customer of Flight 751 for any inconvenience.
"Wolf, we found that it was not the only plane that had experienced this kind of trouble.
There are other passengers on the runway who have been on these planes for several hours.
BLITZER: Well, at this point, what they have to do about it, let these planes go back and let these passengers be free.
Well, Carol, we will continue this story with you.
This is a nightmare.
By the way, a group of air passengers who have experienced similar incidents in last December have now gone online to lobby the rights act of air passengers.
Our Internet reporter Jacki Schechner has more coverage of this.
Jacki schechner, CNN network reporter: Wolf, yes, what is Carolyn talking about now?
She might want to see this.
An online organization called the airline's passenger rights ACT Alliance.
The group of passengers said they were on the plane.
They were traveling from San Francisco to Dallas at the end of last year.
They were transferred to Austin due to bad weather and were held on board for more than eight hours.
They said there were no bathroom facilities, no food, no running water.
They have identified what they call the bill of rights for passengers.
In many of the contents of this bill of rights, they say that when delays occur, airlines should establish procedures for passengers to return to the gate of the terminal so that the aircraft does not stay on the tarmac for more than three hours.
Another factor is to meet the needs of passengers if the delay is more than three hours, including food, water, sanitation and medical care.
So far, they have launched an online petition with around 2,500 signatures.
They want Congress to look into it. -Wolf.
Okay, we'll see it with you, Jacqui.
Thank you.
On Capitol Hill, a smoking spat. (
Start Video Editing)
TANCREDO: I got a call from your neighbor next door saying you were smoking a cigar. (END VIDEO CLIP)
That's Tom Tancredo, a congressman.
What about his response? Tough.
Find out what else he has to say about his complaints about smoking cigars in the Capitol Hill office.
Next, I will interview Max Cleland, a former Democratic senator.
He will be involved in a very divisive debate in Congress, including sending more American citizens. S. troops in Iraq.
Stay with us.
You're in the Situation Room. (
Business break)
BLITZER: for our audience, you have new pictures and information at any time in the Situation Room.
It's happening right now, winter nightmare outside--
A heavy snow storm frozen parts of the Northeast on the tracks.
As you have just heard from us, a JetBlue plane flying to Cancun was stuck on the tarmac for 8 hours because the wheels were frozen and could not move.
Other planes and passengers were also stuck.
We will update you.
Iran issue-
President Bush is angry at the conflicting statements the government has made about Iran's role in Iraq.
He said he is confident Iran is providing lethal weapons to Iraqi insurgents.
But he said he was not sure if senior Iranian officials had actually made orders.
On the path of mukhtada al. Sadr. The U. S.
A senior military spokesman in Baghdad confirmed
S. Shiite clergy have left Iran and are believed to be in Iran now.
But the pastor's supporters denied it.
They say he's still in Iraq.
I'm Wolf Blitzer.
You're in the Situation Room.
The House debate today on a resolution against the president's Iraq plan. But Mr.
Bush warned his critics that a hasty withdrawal would lead Iraq to disaster.
Listen to this. (
Start Video Editing)
Bush: If you think the violence is bad now, imagine what it would be like if we didn't help them protect the security of the capital Baghdad. (END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Former Democratic Senator Max Cleland is joining us now.
He was seriously injured in another war.
It will be the Vietnam War.
He strongly criticized the president's strategy in Iraq.
Thank you very much for coming, Senator.
MAX CLELAND (D), FMR.
Senator: Thank you.
Well, the war in Iraq, like anyone listening to your show in the last 30 minutes, is already a disaster.
It was an out-of-control freight train, and the president leaned on the throttle to speed up the train's entry into the greater disaster.
Congress has to stand up and say that they will fulfill the constitutional mandate to decide whether we are going to war or not and whether we are going to finance the army.
Now, the first battle here will be a resolution, a non-
Basically, binding resolutions
President, you're in the wrong direction.
We won't go there.
But in the end, the real nut is cut (ph)
A few months from now, when we actually find out, the budget hearing will come. . .
Let me interrupt. -
Senator, let me interrupt.
CLELAND: Yes.
BLITZER: as early as next month. . .
Maybe.
BLITZER: . . .
When some of these funding bills provide the United States with an additional $100 billionS.
Military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Cleland: Yes.
The country is clear.
China wants to exit strategy now.
They are right.
The Iraqi research team is right.
We need diplomacy in the region now.
Not a military build-up.
Not an upgrade.
B: Okay. But let me --
Let me put pressure on you on what the president said.
The president said that although the situation is bad now-
He said he was not satisfied with the situation. -
He warned that if the United StatesS.
If you follow your advice and simply quit, it will be a worse disaster in Baghdad.
Well, I think this is--
This is at the heart of the debate here.
I mean, the army there is really a finger for the Iranian people, especially those who don't like us.
Most of them don't like us.
In fact, the president of the country, Iraq, wants 50,000 American troops to withdraw.
Unless the military presence of the United States is withdrawn from there, you will not see that country settle down at all.
Also, you won't have fewer conflicts unless you take us out.
We are the fingers in that eye.
The problem is us.
We have eliminated Saddam Hussein and created this power vacuum in many ways, and now Iran and Saudi Arabia feel that they have to fill this vacuum in order to be part of it.
B: Okay.
Cleland: so our troops should not be in this situation, we are losing our children every day.
For a war that is becoming less and less meaningful
You know, I want you to hear from John Boehner. -
He is the leader of the House Republican Party and the minority party.
When he talked about what happened in Iraq that he saw, he was very excited. S.
Just want to quit.
I want you to listen to Boehner. (
Start Video Editing)REP. JOHN BOEHNER (R)
MINORITY Party leader: We all know what happened in September 11, 2001, when 3,000 Americans died for other reasons than the Americans.
Do we really believe that if we pack up now and if we give up Iraq and get the country into chaos, will our enemies lay down their weapons and leave us alone? (END VIDEO CLIP)
He said the troops will be on their way to the United States. The U. S.
Will have to fight them on US territory, not in Iraq.
Crane: cow hair.
Who came after us in September 11, 2001?
It's al Qaeda.
We are not fighting al-Qaida in Iraq. we are fighting Iraqis.
This is the problem.
We are fighting the locals.
But there was an al Qaeda member in the war with the United States. S. in Iraq.
CLELAND: Yes.
Well, yes, but it also basically turned into 60 different countries and started taking over Afghanistan again behind the Taliban forces.
We did the wrong thing at the wrong time in the wrong place.
This is already a disaster.
We're in a mess right now.
We shouldn't have American troops there.
We should withdraw ground troops there.
Congress will do the right thing in the next few days and say to Mr. President in a bipartisan manner
We won't buy this strategy, President.
There is no strategy now.
There is no military purpose or purpose to increase troops in Iraq.
Just more--
Yes, more deaths and more injuries.
So, Senator. . .
CLELAND: I get really excited when I go to Walter Reid and see those kids lose part of their arms, legs and head.
BLITZER: It's a very emotional topic.
But I just want to be more accurate.
What do you want democratic, democratic, and House members to do?
Democratic lawmakers, what is the money to fund this war when the funding process comes along?
What the hell are you calling?
This is beyond the reach of Democrats and Republicans.
This is about saving the lives of Americans, who now have no task or purpose to enter the fourth year of this war that has become a disaster.
The deal is that you not only stop the surge, stop the upgrade, but also start to withdraw the troops, you--
You put American troops into a strategic withdrawal, and you are funding that.
Is that all?
CLELAND: that's it.
BLITZER: What is the president's idea of intelligence now? There is solid information that the Iranians are providing advanced ammunition capable of piercing state-of-the-art armor, and have killed 170 American soldiers and wounded hundreds in Iraq?
I don't know if Iran's top leadership supports it, but he said there is no doubt that the Iranian holy city forces of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards are sending these things in.
CLELAND: we have created a power vacuum that attracts Iranians, Saudis in a secret way, but there is no doubt.
This power vacuum is attracting these countries.
We in Iran and Saudi Arabia Arab of border on the have 130,000 140,000 people of army This is the fourth years.
What are they doing there?
Sit there and play boring games?
I don't think so.
So, we need to withdraw our ground troops there.
That doesn't mean we give up Iraq.
We're through NATO--
We go through NATO, through our allies.
We carry out the diplomatic activities called for by the Iraqi research group, which we carry out in a bipartisan way.
But you can't go on the path of this further disaster to chaos and kill more Americans.
This is what I care about.
B: Okay.
Listen to what the president said at a press conference earlier today.
Listen to this. (
Start Video Editing)
Bush: I don't think so at all.
I think you can support the troops against my decision. Absolutely.
But the evidence will be whether you provide them with the funds you need to complete the task. (END VIDEO CLIP)
B: Okay.
He responded directly to the view that a debate could be held on symbolic resolutions, but when it comes to money, you give up the army if you don't vote for it.
This is not true.
The best way to support the Army is to take them home, from the chaos, from this hell that has been created, this big pot, this mess that the president is not prepared to deal, not put enough power into the beginning.
When we were in trouble there, he did not set up a coalition to support us.
So we have an option to withdraw our ground forces.
This is the right thing to do, and more members of Congress have made this point.
BLITZER: What happens if they don't?
Does the Democratic leadership or the entire Congress refuse to cut money?
CLELAND: we will have a surge.
More planes brought more casualties to Walter Reed and Bethesda on dark nights.
More arms and legs were lost, and more bodies returned home with flags hanging on the coffin.
This is not the direction we should go.
BLITZER: So you really put a lot of pressure on the Democratic majority of the leadership, the House and the Senate. . .
Cleland: I mean, the US Congress, Democrats and Republicans, need to fulfill their constitutional responsibility, fulfill their constitution of oath of faith and allegiance, and live up to two basic principles about war.
First, it is not the president who decides the war.
This is Congress.
Second, Congress decided whether to fund the war or not, and how much and when it was funded.
So it's time for Congress to close or shut up, and we'll soon find out what's going on in this war.
BLITZER: a critical moment.
Former Senator Max Cleland from Georgia
Thank you for coming as usual.
Cleland: Thank you.
BLITZER: Thank you very much.
Snow, snow and more snow are still in front of the situation room.
When will it end?
We're looking for answers to CNN's inclement weather center in Atlanta.
In addition, human rights groups have long criticized the United States. S.
Treatment of detainees.
But the popular TV show 24 has also received some criticism.
Our Carol Costello, she will come back to see both sides of this dispute.
Stay with us.
You're in the Situation Room. (
Business break)
BLITZER: a brutal winter attack that makes life difficult in the Midwest
Atlantic and Northeast.
You can see some of the worst things behind me, some traffic cameras throughout the area.
Flight cancellations and delays are plaguing airports including Washington Reagan National Airport, which was once closed this morning.
In Pennsylvania, many drivers choose to stay away from the road, while about 2,200 plows are hard to keep up with the ice and snow.
The same cold mix makes it difficult to walk around big apples, where gusts of up to 50 miles per hour make things worse.
Hundreds of flights were canceled at three major airports in the city.
In Indiana, things are dangerous on the road.
Staff are working to clean up floats up to 10 feet high and travel restrictions are taking effect in some parts of Indiana.
Similar scenes in St
Louis, the heavy snow here caused dozens of accidents.
Nationwide, more than a dozen deaths have been blamed for serious winter attacks.
In Detroit, the threat is not just ice and snow.
The temperature is very cold due to the influence of the wind
Cold War as low as minus 10 degrees.
But there are people in northern New York. -get this --even worse.
Blizzard weather and up to 2 feet of snow make it almost impossible to travel.
Travel by air and train is suspended in many areas.
Schools and universities in Syracuse, Albany and Rochester are closed.
By the way, Chicago is covered with snow.
At least for now, it has basically stopped falling.
The staff are now working to clarify these words.
Some cars are abandoned everywhere.
The snow in Cleveland is too big, causing the roof of the gas station to collapse.
When things happen, there are three customers below.
One person was injured. So when --
When is this all over? (WEATHER REPORT)
BLITZER: of course, with increasing concerns about global warming, all the severe winter weather is coming.
Indeed, the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee is scheduled to hold a hearing this morning on all issues of global warming. Ironically --get this --
The plan was canceled due to winter weather conditions in the country's capital.
It's cold outside.
One step ahead, Lewis "Scooter" Libby is a big step closer to knowing his fate.
Our Brian Todd is covering the case.
He will have a full report at 7: 00. m.
Just east of the situation room. (
Business break)
Cigar--
Yes, cigar. -
Some people are angry on Capitol Hill.
But its source, too many in Congressman Tom tank, said tough to the complainers.
CNN's Tom Foreman is in the room ready to clear the air.
What's going on?
CNN correspondent Tom Foreman: the big election last fall.
Everyone wants everyone to get involved and deal with Iraq, gas prices, and health care, and see what bipartisan members find to be worth arguing about. (Start Video)FOREMAN (voice over)
Like many wild fires, it starts with sparks.
Specifically, a congressional policeman accidentally visited Tom Tancredo, a Republican congressman in Colorado. REP. TOM TANCREDO (R)
She said, I just got a call to talk about you. -
Or "I got a call from your neighbor next door saying you were smoking a cigar.
I said, "What about that ? "
"Well, he's complaining about it," she said . "
I said, "Well, it's hard.
"Foreman: complained about the office of Keith Ellison, a new-born Democrat from Minnesota, where the workers refused our request to visit.
Rick jovard, an assistant to Ellison (ph)
He told CNN he called authorities because he found it "really troublesome" to smell Tancredo cigars through the walls ".
Smoking is prohibited in public areas of the Capitol.
The Hall of speakers who used to be a shelter for smokers has been declared no smoking.
New Speaker Nancy Pelosi even said about the days of smoking
The Capitol is packed with rooms.
Not very good.
Each office can make its own rules.
This is absolutely allowed.
I can do this in my office when I want.
FOREMAN: Tancredo has an air purifier running full time and he is not sure how the smoke goes through the walls, but he hopes he will know in the future if there is a problem.
We have smoke detectors.
It calls us the neighbor next door. (LAUGHTER)(END VIDEOTAPE)
FOREMAN: I don't like to smoke cigars, but this is one of the biggest legislatures in our country, and that's what they're talking about right now, Wolff.
This is the most amazing part.
We all say we need more bipartisan cooperation.
Before the problem, the two men had never met before and they were working together.
BLITZER: Well, as a good neighbor, this could bring them closer.
Perhaps this will be seen as the dawn of a new law.
This is possible.
Unlikely, but possible.
Probably unlikely.
Thank you, Tom. Appreciate it.
So, are you more vulnerable to identity theft because of where you live?
A new study is breaking down which states, which cities are the most dangerous in terms of protecting your personal information.
Let's go back to Jacki Schechner and learn more--Jacki.
Jacki schechner, CNN Internet reporter: Wolf, a company called ID Analytics, helped detect and prevent identity fraud, did a research, it breaks down which states and which cities are most vulnerable to identity fraud.
Look what they found.
Three cities with the highest ID fraud rate, New York--
But the country. -
New York, California and Nevada.
Then the cities with the highest interest rates will be New York and New York;
Detroit, Michigan;
Los Angeles, California.
You will find that the states with the lowest incidence of problems are Wyoming, Vermont and Montana.
They also found that for many years, the state with the least problems has always been New Hampshire.
What this company told me today is-
It seems logical to you. -
Why is the higher rate of identity fraud in densely populated areas because people may take information from others or they may steal General Information ---Wolf.
B: Thank you, Jackie.
Jacki Schechner reports.
Next is the prisoner, torture, and popular TV shows.
Next, our Carol Costello looks closely at what some human rights groups call the connection between the TV show "24" and torture in the United States. S. detainees.
Stay with us.
We will be back soon. (
Business break)
BLITZER: It's a worldwide TV series, but critics say it may encourage the U. S.
The forces that carried out torture.
Let's take a look at Carol Costello from CNN.
She's in New York with this story.
Carol, what's going on?
Carol costello, cnn correspondent: Well, you know, wolf, it's hard to change your mind on TV shows that affect professional soldiers.
But some people say it's dangerous.
Give our audience a suggestion.
While "24" is a fictional program, the images in the program we include in this report may disturb some of you. (Start Video)COSTELLO (voice over)
: Torture, as a tool, is often used effectively in the Fox TV anti-terrorism drama 24.
Actor kiefer sutherland 24: Four ccs.
This is a good man who tortured his brother at the age of 24.
Tough, sensitive, undercover Jack Bauer defended himself for saving the United States from Islamic extremists who had just detonated a nuclear bomb in Los Angeles.
Fictional heroes will torture Human Rights First.
What worries American soldiers is that they want to be like Jack. (on camera)
Why do you think the soldiers in Iraq are like Jack Bauer?
David Danze, Human Rights First: Well, Jack Bauer is very attractive. He's a hero.
He's always right.
He always wins.
He finally saved the day.
COSTELLO (voice over)
: While that sounds a bit far-fetched, CNN national security analyst Ken Robinson, who serves in special operations forces including the CIA, said "24 Hours" is becoming a problem.
Ken Robinson, a terrorist analyst: The US military is concerned about this because they have begun to receive evidence that soldiers on the battlefield have been affected in Iraq, take advantage of the technology they see on the "24" and then bring them to the interrogation room environment.
Costello: Fox refused to talk to us, but one of the "24" partners
The executive producer was interviewed by tvweek's podcast. Com did respond.
David Furrey, 24: people will think that their training will be more extensive in the real world and they will understand that this is a higher reality.
Costello: Kiver Sutherland, an actor who plays Jack Bauer. . .
Sutherland: My role has not been involved in the torture sequence, and there is no kind of negative impact either emotionally. . .
Costello: Nevertheless, Danze's team and a general from West Point went to meet with the "24" writer to describe torture in a more realistic way.
In order to show the audience that this strategy usually does not work, it is in violation of the Geneva Convention and therefore has consequences.
Danze hopes the change is underway.
Unknown man on "24": someone can help me! Please! Help me! (END VIDEOTAPE)
Costello: I tell you these scenes are sometimes hard to watch.
We did get this statement from the Department of Defense.
It tells us, "Our policy is to treat detainees humanely.
The men and women we deal with the actions of detainees are professionals.
They understand the difference between TV shows and reality.
"Give it back to you, Wolf.
B: Okay.
Thank you for your report, Carol.
Additional instructions for this.
By the way, Fox tells us that the world can see "24" from Australia to Japan, Latin America and Europe as a whole ".
In fact, there are about 200 countries and regions in total, including some that are very critical to the United States. S.
Police on interrogation techniques
This is the case for us.
We will be back in an hour.
Let's go to Lou in New York.
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