Preview -- World News Tonight 09/05/01
Sept. 5 -- Good Afternoon.
We plan to start the broadcast tonight with an act of terror, a medal ceremony, and some controversy.
In Norfolk, Va., today, the crew of the USS Cole was rewarded with medals. The Cole was shattered by an act of terrorism last October in the Yemeni port of Aden; 17 sailors lost their lives. Among the awards presented today, the one that has raised eyebrows is the Legion of Merit, the Navy's highest award for leadership. It was given to the Cole's former skipper Kirk Lippold — though an initial investigation found Lippold had failed on a number of counts to take all the prescribed steps to protect the ship. National security correspondent John McWethy has that story, along with a compelling look inside the Cole itself.
At the White House today, full military honors, a 21-gun salute, and a state dinner, and President Bush speaking Spanish. All part of an exceptionally warm welcome for Mexican President Vicente Fox, whom Bush has embraced as perhaps his closest ally. As White House correspondent Terry Moran reports, neither Bush nor Fox have all that much to show for the relationship thus far — and as if to acknowledge that, the Mexican leader issued a surprise challenge to Bush this morning. In addition to the day's news, we'll have a report on what many Mexicans and Americans hope is the future in terms of immigration. Matching Mexican workers with the U.S. companies that need them — and avoiding the illegal, life-threatening odysseys across the border. Correspondent Deborah Amos reports from both Richmond, Va., and San Luis Potosi in Mexico.
There is plenty of other news today: a plan to fight the fires backfires, so to speak; the Concorde is cleared to fly again; and an even more distressing day for children and their parents en route to a Catholic school in North Belfast. Richard Gizbert is there again tonight.
Next we take a Closer Look at schools in this country, and school teachers in particular. For years we have heard about a teachers' shortage, a looming disaster that was being dealt with in a variety of ways. We'll report tonight on the short-term fixes — and why they will not satisfy a great many parents. Michele Norris has the story for us.
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