CNN Student News

Aired, September 15, 2003

This is a rush transcript. This copy may not be in its final form and may be dated.

JENNIFER HAZELTON, CNN ANCHOR: Colin Powell sees first-hand what lies between a war-torn nation, and its hopes for self-government. Residents along the east coast stock up on supplies, as a storm named Isabel thunders across the Atlantic. And on the 10th anniversary of a historic agreement is the U.S. still as actively involved, in brokering mideast peace?

Hello and welcome to CNN Student News on this Monday, September 15th! I'm Jennifer Hazelton at the CNN Center.

First up: Powell Visits Iraq

JENNIFER HAZELTON, CNN ANCHOR: A timeline of hope. Iraq's foreign minister is setting a goal for his country to be back on track in governing itself. Hoshiaar Zebari, whose position in his government is equivalent to that of Colin Powell, met with the U.S. Secretary of State this weekend. The two leaders seemed to agree that the Gulf nation's sovereignty, would come alongside increased stability. Nic Robertson recaps Powell's trip to a country racked by continuing violence, amid persistent optimism.

(begin video)

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN REPORTER: A warm welcome from top U.S. administrator Paul Bremer.

And cheers from troops greeting US secretary of State Colin Powell on his first visit to Baghdad. Meetings with Iraqi officials cordial but more challenging.

HOSHYAR ZEBARI, IRAQI FOREIGN MINISTER: We hope by mid 2004 or before the end of the year we will be able to have a sovereign elected Iraqi government in place.

ROBERTSON: Carefully side stepped by Powell.

COLIN POWELL, US SECRETARY OF STATE: Everybody would like to accelerate this. Everybody wants this to go fast. We don't want to stay here a day longer. It is expensive. Our young soldiers would like to get home to their families.

ROBERTSON: On the day of his visit, a point hardly needing more emphasis. One U.S. soldier killed and three wounded when their convoy hit an explosive device near Fallujah west of Baghdad. Increasing attacks are another of Powell's concerns..

POWELL: The major new threat are the terrorists who are trying to infiltrate into the country for the purpose off disrupting this very hopeful process. And we will not allow that to happen.

ROBERTSON: On Baghdad's streets concern Powell's tight security may keep him from being fully informed.

IRAQI MAN, TRANSLATED BY ROBERTSON: I hope he doesn't just listen to his employees says Abbas. I hope he goes out on the streets to see the truth for himself.

ROBERTSON: Most realizing that is unlikely. Nevertheless, hopeful Powell's attention will improve their lives.

IRAQI MAN, TRANSLATED BY ROBERTSON: I know well they want to help but I want it more than they are helping now.

ROBERTSON: And although Secretary Of State Powell is unlikely to be surprised by anything he learns during his day and a half long visit to Iraq, just seeing close up how the occupation is run will likely add to his understanding of the challenges it faces.

Nic Robertson CNN Baghdad.

(end video)

Shoutout!

Time for the Shoutout! At what wind speed in miles per hour does a tropical storm become a hurricane? If you think you know it, shout it out!

Is it: 48 mph, 65 mph, 74 mph or 120 mph?

You've got three seconds--GO!

A tropical storm becomes a Category 1 hurricane when its winds whip up to 74 miles per hour. That's according to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale, which is used to measure the intensity of storms. That's your answer and that's your Shoutout!

Hurricane Isabel

JENNIFER HAZELTON, CNN ANCHOR: Forecasters had predicted an active hurricane season, and a storm named Isabel helps validate their claim. The system has winds churning at about 155 miles per hour, and that makes it a category four storm, capable of destroying roofs and uprooting trees.

Here's a look at where Isabel was last night. Kris Osborn tells us how those who could be in its path, are battening down the hatches.

(begin video)

STACY STEWART/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER: Isabel is a very powerful hurricane, almost unprecedented. The effects of this storm are actually going to felt several hundred miles away from where it makes landfall.

KRIS OSBORN, CNN REPORTER: With an experienced eye, hurricane savvy people along the eastern seaboard are also watching and tracking Isabel's every move.

NEW JERSEY RESIDENT: Hopefully, it'll stay out there.

NORTH CAROLINA RESIDENT: Just getting some batteries, make sure I have flashlight, a radio.

OSBORN: The destructive force of tropical storms, its damaging winds and piercing rain has largely spared the east coast this hurricane season--but people from the Carolinas all the way up to Long Island and New Jersey are not taking chances.

NORTH CAROLINA RESIDENT: I went online last night to get the preparedness kit and downloaded it to see what we needed.

BRIAN HILLIARD, HOME DEPOT MANAGER: We've got the big flashlights, chainsaws, first-aid kits, we've got all those blowing out of here.

OSBORN: The Federal Emergency Management Agency is bracing for the worst to come.

MICHAEL BROWN, FEMA: We are deploying emerging teams all across the east coast. We are making certain all of our backup contracts for food, water, shelter, ice, generators, all of those things, are being put into place now.

OSBORN: Having survived Hurricane Floyd in 1999, which submerged much of North Carolina and New Jersey, and Hurricane Andrew more than 10 years ago, East Coasters know if there is one thing about the fury of these massive storms..they are often as unpredictable as they can be deadly.

(end video)

JENNIFER HAZELTON, CNN ANCHOR: Meanwhile, in South Korea, thousands have been left homeless following a tremendous typhoon, or a hurricane-strength storm in the pacific. At least 87 people died when typhoon maemi moved through, blasting winds of nearly 134 miles per hour. It was one of the strongest systems to sweep over the Korean peninsula in years. The surging sea tossed ships onto dry land, blacked out power, and essentially cut a path of destruction through the country.

Word to the Wise

orchestrate (v)

To arrange or combine so as to achieve a desired or maximum effect.

Source: http://www.m-w.com

Oslo Accords: Ten Years Later

JENNIFER HAZELTON, CNN ANCHOR: This week marks the ten year anniversary of the Oslo accords. The secret negotiations between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization were held in Oslo, Norway. The result? A treaty that included mutual recognition, limited self-rule for Palestinians in Jericho and Gaza, and provisions for a permanent treaty that would resolve the status of Gaza and the West Bank. Orchestrated by President Clinton, the signing took place in Washington. It was sealed by a historic handshake between Palestinian Prime Minister Yasser Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.

But ten years later, there's still no deal for peace, and the Israeli-Palestinian relationship is back to square one. The Israeli government even says it's considering killing Arafat in an effort to remove him from power.

Dana Bash explores how the current U.S. president is approaching the conflict.

(begin video)

DANA BASH, CNN REPORTER: President Bush came to the white house determined to learn the lessons of Oslo's failure, holding back on personal involvement.

Frustrated European and Arab allies called on Mr. Bush to take a more hands on approach.

AARON DAVID MILLER, FORMER U.S. MIDEAST NEGOTIATOR: The US role has been fundamental in the last 30 years. We are an indispensable force and party in the resolution in the Arab/Israeli conflict.

BASH: Later, Mr. Bush became the first president to call for a Palestinian State. In June 2002, a condition. He would not deal with Yasser Arafat.

PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH: I call on the Palestinian people to elect new leaders, leaders not compromised by terror. Less than a year later a new Palestinian Prime Minister, Mahmood Abbas, was in place. Mr Bush went to the mideast to launch the "road map" and promised aggressive U.S. involvement.

BUSH: The United States will strive to see these commitments fulfilled.

BASH: On his plane leaving Jordan, an upbeat president promised reporters he'd quote "ride herd", tapping senior advisors, and a representative on the ground to mediate. But the National Security Adviser has been to the region only once since then. Some say more active U.S. involvement is critical.

MILLER: What is required it seems to me, and the administration will make its own decision, is the appointment of a high powered envoy, empowered by president, someone who's speaks for the President so the Israeli and Palestinians are unmistakably clear about the priorities that the President has and that this envoy speaks for him.

BASH: But with the resignation of Prime Minister Abbas, terrorism and retaliation continuing -- Mr. Bush's more immediate task may not be moving forward with peacemaking on this 10th anniversary of Oslo, but keeping the current situation from spiraling out of control. Dana Bash CNN The White House.

(end video)

Before We Go

JENNIFER HAZELTON, CNN ANCHOR: If "painting the town chocolate brown," doesn't sound very appetizing, consider the occasion: the 100th birthday of Hershey, Pennsylvania, where Chocolate Avenue never looked so sweet. The town celebrated it's big day with a patriotic parade on what would have been founder Milton Hershey's 146th birthday.

The procession of floats, bands, and antique cars melted past the hungry eyes of onlookers.

Goodbye

A sweet end to today's show. I'm Jennifer Hazelton, for CNN Student News. There's more just ahead, on Headline News.