Has War on Iraq Taken Focus off Homeland Security?

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In the aftermath of Osama bin Laden-s latest message, the FBI is warning of -spectacular attacks- on US soil. Advisors to President Bush concede that war on Iraq will make such attacks more likely than ever. But more than a year after the September 11 terrorist attacks, a senior Congressional Democrat says that American intelligence agencies are not yet prepared to respond to domestic terrorism, much less to prevent it. We look at America-s current state of readiness and whether possible war on Iraq has diverted attention and resources away from protection at home with members of the press, a homeland security task force, national terrorism commissions, and presidential advisory councils. Newsmaker: Argentina-s Default: Do Cry for Me Argentina has defaulted on its debt to the World Bank. That puts enormous pressure on its last source of funding, the International Monetary Fund. Unemployment is above 20% and half of all Argentines living below the poverty level. By night, Buenos Aires- streets fill with scavengers. By day, a flood of protesters demand work. Simon Gardner, who reports from Buenos Aires for Reuters, says that everywhere there are hungry children. Reporter's Notebook: The Butler Leaked It: Britain's Royal Scandals Even in death Princess Diana continues to upstage Queen Elizabeth, with London tabloids obsessing over embarrassing revelations about life behind the palace walls. The source of the leak is Diana-s former butler, Paul Burrell, who was on trial for stealing from Diana-s estate until the queen-s timely recollection that Burrell told her he was just saving some things for posterity. Sarah Lyall is watching it all for the New York Times.
In the aftermath of Osama bin Laden-s latest message, the FBI is warning of -spectacular attacks- on US soil. Advisors to President Bush concede that war on Iraq will make such attacks more likely than ever. But more than a year after the September 11 terrorist attacks, a senior Congressional Democrat says that American intelligence agencies are not yet prepared to respond to domestic terrorism, much less to prevent it. We look at America-s current state of readiness and whether possible war on Iraq has diverted attention and resources away from protection at home with members of the press, a homeland security task force, national terrorism commissions, and presidential advisory councils.
  • Newsmaker: Argentina-s Default: Do Cry for Me
    Argentina has defaulted on its debt to the World Bank. That puts enormous pressure on its last source of funding, the International Monetary Fund. Unemployment is above 20% and half of all Argentines living below the poverty level. By night, Buenos Aires- streets fill with scavengers. By day, a flood of protesters demand work. Simon Gardner, who reports from Buenos Aires for Reuters, says that everywhere there are hungry children.
  • Reporter's Notebook: The Butler Leaked It: Britain's Royal Scandals
    Even in death Princess Diana continues to upstage Queen Elizabeth, with London tabloids obsessing over embarrassing revelations about life behind the palace walls. The source of the leak is Diana-s former butler, Paul Burrell, who was on trial for stealing from Diana-s estate until the queen-s timely recollection that Burrell told her he was just saving some things for posterity. Sarah Lyall is watching it all for the New York Times.

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Host:

Warren Olney