TAPE: EF01/0552 IN_TIME: 03:21:28 DURATION: 2:30 SOURCES: House TV RESTRICTIONS: DATELINE: Washington DC, USA, July 24, 2001 SHOTLIST: 1. Wide of House overlaid with graphic of results of voting 2. SOUNDBITE (English) David Dreier, Republican, California: "The yea's are 240, the nays are 186 and the amendment is agreed to." 3. Wide of House STORYLINE: The U.S. House of Representatives voted on Wednesday to lift restrictions on travel to Cuba by US citizens, which sponsors said would be a first step toward ending the communist nation's economic isolation and hastening democratic reforms. The 240-186 vote in favor of lifting the restrictions came on an amendment to the spending bill for the Treasury Department, post office, White House and other agencies. The Senate will have to also adopt the bill, and the president would have to sign it into law before it can come into effect. US citizens can only travel to Cuba now by obtaining a special license from the Treasury Department, which limits access generally to journalists, academics, government officials and people on humanitarian missions. Supporters of lifting the travel restrictions said the move would begin to bring US policy toward Cuba in line with that toward other communist countries, such as Vietnam, China and North Korea. The restrictions and other economic embargoes against Cuba, they said, haven't done much to dislodge Cuban leader Fidel Castro or make other significant changes in the country's political system. Some lawmakers said lifting the travel restrictions should be made contingent on Cuba releasing hundreds of political prisoners and returning fugitive US citizens to this country.

A man convicted of murder in Ohio was arrested in St. Paul Thursday after escaping prison in 1978.According to the U.S. Marshals Service, 66-year-old Oscar Juarez aka Eleasor Morales Moreno was sentenced to life in prison June 24, 1975, for the shooting death of a man in Toldeo.Juarez escaped the Marion Correctional Institution in Ohio on April 2, 1978, after sawing through his prison bars and cutting open a fence. Juarez placed a dummy in his bed and covered it with blankets to help him escape.Juarez went into hiding and took on numerous fake identities to stay ahead of law enforcement.On Thursday, Nov. 5, the U.S. Marshals North Star Fugitive Task Force arrested him at his apartment on the 300 block of Pierce Street in St. Paul. He was found based on information provided by the Cleveland U.S. Marshals Cold Case Unit.“This was one of our oldest cases that many believed to be impossible to solve. Juarez was one of our most sought after fugitives due to the measures he took to escape and evade capture and his serving of a life sentence,” Ohio Adult Parole Authority Regional Director Todd Ishee said in a statement.A magistrate ordered Juarez be held until a hearing next week to determine his identity and argue detention. Juarez gave the magistrate a different name when he was asked if he understood his rights.

A LOOK AT WHAT WILL MAKE NEWS IN WASHINGTON THIS WEEK. CHRIS CHMURA REPORTS.

Pictures... BC-ATTACK-USA-MILITARY US military chief says campaign going very well MANAMA, Oct 24 (Reuters) - The head of the U.S. military's Central Command said on Wednesday the U.S. military campaign against Afghanistan was going "very, very well." Marine Corps General Tommy Franks, in charge of U.S. forces in the Gulf and Middle East, also told reporters at the U.S. airbase in Bahrain that Washington was trying its best to be honest about "mistakes" and civilian casualties in the campaign. Washington launched military strikes against Afghanistan on October 7 to capture or kill Saudi-born fugitive Osama bin Laden, its top suspect in the September 1 1 hijacked-plane attacks on U.S. cities, and to punish his Taliban protectors. Asked how the war was going, Franks said: "The efforts that we are about ... are go)ing very, very well." Franks spoke as U.S. warplanes launched fresh raids on Wednesday, the 18th day of bombing and missile strikes across Afghanistan. The country's Taliban rulers say the U.S. bombs and missiles have killed more than 1,000 people, many of them civilians. While the U.S. military has admitted that some bombs have gone awry during the campaign and killed civilians, it has rejected Taliban claims that hundreds of civilians have died. The Pentagon admitted on Tuesday that U.S. aircraft had mistakenly dropped one 1,000-lb (454-kg) bomb near a home for the elderly and two 500-lb (227-kg) bombs in a residential area outside Kabul. "What we're trying to do is be absolutely honest with the people of this region and to the people of our own country in describing where we have had mistakes and where we had civilian casualties and we have done that very openly and very honestly," Franks said. "It's very difficult, as you know, to prove the negative," he added, saying the Taliban was telling "untruths" about casualties. Franks said the issue of civilian casualties has not been raised or "dwelt on" during his tour of the region to consult long-time allies on the campaign. Franks held talks with Bahrain's emir on Wednesday morning after discussions with military chiefs in the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday.

Pictures... BC-ATTACK-USA-MILITARY US military chief says campaign going very well MANAMA, Oct 24 (Reuters) - The head of the U.S. military's Central Command said on Wednesday the U.S. military campaign against Afghanistan was going "very, very well." Marine Corps General Tommy Franks, in charge of U.S. forces in the Gulf and Middle East, also told reporters at the U.S. airbase in Bahrain that Washington was trying its best to be honest about "mistakes" and civilian casualties in the campaign. Washington launched military strikes against Afghanistan on October 7 to capture or kill Saudi-born fugitive Osama bin Laden, its top suspect in the September 1 1 hijacked-plane attacks on U.S. cities, and to punish his Taliban protectors. Asked how the war was going, Franks said: "The efforts that we are about ... are go)ing very, very well." Franks spoke as U.S. warplanes launched fresh raids on Wednesday, the 18th day of bombing and missile strikes across Afghanistan. The country's Taliban rulers say the U.S. bombs and missiles have killed more than 1,000 people, many of them civilians. While the U.S. military has admitted that some bombs have gone awry during the campaign and killed civilians, it has rejected Taliban claims that hundreds of civilians have died. The Pentagon admitted on Tuesday that U.S. aircraft had mistakenly dropped one 1,000-lb (454-kg) bomb near a home for the elderly and two 500-lb (227-kg) bombs in a residential area outside Kabul. "What we're trying to do is be absolutely honest with the people of this region and to the people of our own country in describing where we have had mistakes and where we had civilian casualties and we have done that very openly and very honestly," Franks said. "It's very difficult, as you know, to prove the negative," he added, saying the Taliban was telling "untruths" about casualties. Franks said the issue of civilian casualties has not been raised or "dwelt on" during his tour of the region to consult long-time allies on the campaign. Franks held talks with Bahrain's emir on Wednesday morning after discussions with military chiefs in the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday.

HONDO THE SEA LION WEIGHTS ABOUT A THOUSAND POUNDS. HE GOT THAT WAY FROM EATING FISH...A LOT OF FISH...SO MANY FISH IN FACT THAT THERE WASN'T MUCH LEFT FOR ANYONE ELSE...LIKE HUMANS. HONDA AND HIS BUDDIES WERE IN DEEP DOO-DOO....FOR A WHILE IT LOOKED LIKE THEY'D BE DISPOSED OF IN A VERY UNPLEASENT WAY. BUT COOLER HEADS PREVAILED...AND FISH GULPING SEA LIONS ARE MOVING TO WARMER CLIMES...AND LETTING THE SALMON AND TROUT OF WASHINGTON SWIM THEIR MERRY WAY.

Pictures... BC-ATTACK-USA-MILITARY US military chief says campaign going very well MANAMA, Oct 24 (Reuters) - The head of the U.S. military's Central Command said on Wednesday the U.S. military campaign against Afghanistan was going "very, very well." Marine Corps General Tommy Franks, in charge of U.S. forces in the Gulf and Middle East, also told reporters at the U.S. airbase in Bahrain that Washington was trying its best to be honest about "mistakes" and civilian casualties in the campaign. Washington launched military strikes against Afghanistan on October 7 to capture or kill Saudi-born fugitive Osama bin Laden, its top suspect in the September 1 1 hijacked-plane attacks on U.S. cities, and to punish his Taliban protectors. Asked how the war was going, Franks said: "The efforts that we are about ... are go)ing very, very well." Franks spoke as U.S. warplanes launched fresh raids on Wednesday, the 18th day of bombing and missile strikes across Afghanistan. The country's Taliban rulers say the U.S. bombs and missiles have killed more than 1,000 people, many of them civilians. While the U.S. military has admitted that some bombs have gone awry during the campaign and killed civilians, it has rejected Taliban claims that hundreds of civilians have died. The Pentagon admitted on Tuesday that U.S. aircraft had mistakenly dropped one 1,000-lb (454-kg) bomb near a home for the elderly and two 500-lb (227-kg) bombs in a residential area outside Kabul. "What we're trying to do is be absolutely honest with the people of this region and to the people of our own country in describing where we have had mistakes and where we had civilian casualties and we have done that very openly and very honestly," Franks said. "It's very difficult, as you know, to prove the negative," he added, saying the Taliban was telling "untruths" about casualties. Franks said the issue of civilian casualties has not been raised or "dwelt on" during his tour of the region to consult long-time allies on the campaign. Franks held talks with Bahrain's emir on Wednesday morning after discussions with military chiefs in the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday.

Vice President Al Gore announces a food stamp fraud crackdown.

Pictures... BC-ATTACK-USA-MILITARY US military chief says campaign going very well MANAMA, Oct 24 (Reuters) - The head of the U.S. military's Central Command said on Wednesday the U.S. military campaign against Afghanistan was going "very, very well." Marine Corps General Tommy Franks, in charge of U.S. forces in the Gulf and Middle East, also told reporters at the U.S. airbase in Bahrain that Washington was trying its best to be honest about "mistakes" and civilian casualties in the campaign. Washington launched military strikes against Afghanistan on October 7 to capture or kill Saudi-born fugitive Osama bin Laden, its top suspect in the September 1 1 hijacked-plane attacks on U.S. cities, and to punish his Taliban protectors. Asked how the war was going, Franks said: "The efforts that we are about ... are go)ing very, very well." Franks spoke as U.S. warplanes launched fresh raids on Wednesday, the 18th day of bombing and missile strikes across Afghanistan. The country's Taliban rulers say the U.S. bombs and missiles have killed more than 1,000 people, many of them civilians. While the U.S. military has admitted that some bombs have gone awry during the campaign and killed civilians, it has rejected Taliban claims that hundreds of civilians have died. The Pentagon admitted on Tuesday that U.S. aircraft had mistakenly dropped one 1,000-lb (454-kg) bomb near a home for the elderly and two 500-lb (227-kg) bombs in a residential area outside Kabul. "What we're trying to do is be absolutely honest with the people of this region and to the people of our own country in describing where we have had mistakes and where we had civilian casualties and we have done that very openly and very honestly," Franks said. "It's very difficult, as you know, to prove the negative," he added, saying the Taliban was telling "untruths" about casualties. Franks said the issue of civilian casualties has not been raised or "dwelt on" during his tour of the region to consult long-time allies on the campaign. Franks held talks with Bahrain's emir on Wednesday morning after discussions with military chiefs in the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday.

Pictures... BC-ATTACK-USA-MILITARY US military chief says campaign going very well MANAMA, Oct 24 (Reuters) - The head of the U.S. military's Central Command said on Wednesday the U.S. military campaign against Afghanistan was going "very, very well." Marine Corps General Tommy Franks, in charge of U.S. forces in the Gulf and Middle East, also told reporters at the U.S. airbase in Bahrain that Washington was trying its best to be honest about "mistakes" and civilian casualties in the campaign. Washington launched military strikes against Afghanistan on October 7 to capture or kill Saudi-born fugitive Osama bin Laden, its top suspect in the September 1 1 hijacked-plane attacks on U.S. cities, and to punish his Taliban protectors. Asked how the war was going, Franks said: "The efforts that we are about ... are go)ing very, very well." Franks spoke as U.S. warplanes launched fresh raids on Wednesday, the 18th day of bombing and missile strikes across Afghanistan. The country's Taliban rulers say the U.S. bombs and missiles have killed more than 1,000 people, many of them civilians. While the U.S. military has admitted that some bombs have gone awry during the campaign and killed civilians, it has rejected Taliban claims that hundreds of civilians have died. The Pentagon admitted on Tuesday that U.S. aircraft had mistakenly dropped one 1,000-lb (454-kg) bomb near a home for the elderly and two 500-lb (227-kg) bombs in a residential area outside Kabul. "What we're trying to do is be absolutely honest with the people of this region and to the people of our own country in describing where we have had mistakes and where we had civilian casualties and we have done that very openly and very honestly," Franks said. "It's very difficult, as you know, to prove the negative," he added, saying the Taliban was telling "untruths" about casualties. Franks said the issue of civilian casualties has not been raised or "dwelt on" during his tour of the region to consult long-time allies on the campaign. Franks held talks with Bahrain's emir on Wednesday morning after discussions with military chiefs in the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday.

US Attorney General Janet Reno holds a briefing for reporters. Topics include: the search for Andrew Cunanan, federal judge appointments, the campaign finance hearings and the TWA anniversary.

Lawmakers say the gun show loophole allows incidents like the Columbine High School shooting to occur. Several Senators and policy groups call the loophole a cancer which must be cured. The groups gathered with Sen. Jack Reed/D-RI and others for a news conference to announce the introduction of legislation requiring dealers to conduct background checks at gun shows.

TAPE_NUMBER: EF01/0183 IN_TIME: 19:24:23 // 19:38:33 - 20:30:44 - 22:09:04 LENGTH: 01:48 SOURCES: All ABC except shots 5- 9, 15- 17 = POOL RESTRICTIONS: FEED: VARIOUS (THE ABOVE TIME-CODE IS TIME-OF-DAY) SCRIPT: English/Nat XFA Federal prosecutors in New York have opened a criminal investigation of the presidential pardon of fugitive financier Marc Rich. Former U-S President Bill Clinton is denying that the fund-raising activities of Rich's ex-wife played any role in the pardon. In a statement, Clinton says he looks forward to cooperating with any appropriate inquiry. Rich was charged with tax evasion, fraud and illegal oil dealings with Iran. He just won't go quietly. Disgraced and impeached in office - even in retirement Bill Clinton's name is linked with scandal. The former president now facing a criminal enquiry. And the man at the heart of it is multi millionaire business man Marc Rich. He's a fugitive from justice and the focus of the largest tax evasion case ever brought by the U-S government. While he has been on the run his former wife has given hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Clinton political campaigns. But the question being asked is did that money buy Marc Rich a pardon? Committee Democrats have uniformly condemned the pardon but said it was time to move on. But Republicans do not seem ready to do that. Some suggested the ex-President may have acted criminally and federal prosecutors should investigate. SOUNDBITE: (English) "If a person takes a thing of value for themselves or for another person, that influences their decision in a matter of their official capacity, then that could be a criminal offense." SUPER CAPTION: Senator Jeff Sessions, U-S Senator Jack Quinn, Rich's attorney, said nothing of the sort occured. Quinn brokered the pardon deal. He confirmed on Thursday that he enlisted the help of a key fundraiser in the campaign to win over the President. Beth Dozoretz is the former Finance chair of the Democratic Party and a friend of Rich's ex-wife Denise, another major fundraiser and contributor. Quinn insisted money did not enter the equation. But at a Republican fundraiser in New York on Wednesday night, the party that fought at times to impeach and remove Clinton from office was split over the torrent of investigations into him now. SOUNDBITE: (English) "There are concerns raised by the pardon and how it was done. The appropriateness of someone had fled, and being a fugitive of justice being pardoned. So I think it is appropriate that the U-S Attorney is going to conduct an investigation." SUPER CAPTION: George Pataki, Governor New York State SOUNDBITE: (English) "I do agree with President Bush that we in the congress and a lot of Americans should move on." SUPER CAPTION: Senator John McCain, R-Arizona White has appointed a prosecutor and an F-B-I agent to the investigation. Records show Rich's ex-wife raised millions and donated her own money to the Democratic party. The U-S attorney will try to determine if there was any influence peddling or if Bill Clinton granted the pardon in exchange for donations to the party or to his library. In a statement the former president said, "I made the decision to pardon Marc Rich based on what I thought was the right thing to do... any suggestion that improper factors, including fund raising for the D-N-C or my library had anything to do with it are completely false." And that's what Marc Rich's attorney said during Wednesday's hearings in Washington. SOUNDBITE: (English) "I emphasized to Ms. Dozoretz that this case could and must be made on the merits. She did not have to be convinced of that." SUPER CAPTION: Jack Quinn, Rich Attorney While an influence peddling case against Clinton may be extremely hard to make under these circumstances, some Republicans suggest the former president should go to Capitol Hill and explain himself. SHOTLIST: Various- U-S - 13,14 February 2001 and File ABC- New York - February 2001 1. Two shots of Bill Clinton with crowds in Harlem ABC- File 2. Three shots of Marc Rich ABC- File 3. Denise Rich kissing the Clintons at a fund raiser 4. Denise Rich walking in New York POOL- Washington D-C - 14 February 2001 5. Wide of Senate hearing 6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Senator Jeff Sessions, Republican Senator 7. Quinn taking oath before hearing 8. Wide of Senate hearing 9. Side view of Quinn ABC- File 10. Clinton on golf course with Beth Dozoretz, former Finance chairwoman of the Democratic Party and friend of Denise Rich ABC- New York City - 14 February 2001 11. Various of Republicans mingling at event, including Governor George Pataki and Senator John McCain of Arizona 12. SOUNDBITE: (English) George Pataki, Governor New York State 13. SOUNDBITE: (English) Senator John McCain, Republican Senator ABC- New York City - 13 February 2001 14. Clinton walking out of building POOL- Washington D-C- 14 February 2001 15. Side view of Senate hearing 16. SOUNDBITE: (English) Jack Quinn, Rich Attorney 17. Side view of Quinn ?

B-ROLL FROM THE U.S. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT AGENCY. THIS TAPE DEALS WITH OPERATION COMMUNITY SHIELD. INFO AS FOLLOWS:In February 2005, ICE began Operation Community Shield, a national law enforcement initiative that targets violent transnational street gangs through the use of ICE's broad law enforcement powers, including the unique and powerful authority to remove (deport) criminal aliens, including illegal aliens and legal permanent resident aliens. Under Operation Community Shield, ICE: Partners with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, in the United States and abroad, to develop a comprehensive and integrated approach in conducting criminal investigations and other law enforcement operations against violent street gangs and others who pose a threat to public safety. Identifies violent street gangs and develops intelligence on their membership, associates, criminal activities and international movements. Deters, disrupts and dismantles gang operations by tracing and seizing cash, weapons and other assets derived from criminal activities. Seeks prosecution and/or removal of alien gang members from the United States . Works closely with our attaché offices throughout Latin America and foreign law enforcement counterparts in gathering intelligence, sharing information and conducting coordinated enforcement operations. Conducts outreach efforts to increase public awareness about the fight against violent street gangs. Initially, the focus of ICE's efforts were directed toward the Mara Salvatrucha organization, commonly referred to as MS-13, one of the most violent and rapidly growing transnational street gangs. In May 2005, ICE expanded Operation Community Shield to include all transnational criminal street gangs and prison gangs. Results:Since inception, ICE agents across 100 field offices, working in conjunction with hundreds of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies nationwide, have arrested a total of 7,655 street gang members and associates, representing over 700 different gangs. These apprehensions include 2,444 criminal arrests and 5,211 administrative immigration arrests. One hundred-seven of those arrested were gang leaders. More than 2,555 of the arrested suspects had violent criminal histories. Through this initiative, ICE has also seized and removed from the streets 287 firearms. In all, Operation Community Shield arrests are up 533 percent since fiscal year 2005 and 134 percent over fiscal year 2006. Major Enforcement Actions: September 24, 2007 (Twin Cities metropolitan area and Albany , Willmar and Worthington , Minn. ): 34 aliens with ties to violent street gangs were arrested during a weeklong operation. All those arrested were targeted for their affiliations with violent street gangs such as Sureño-13, Vatos Locos, Rough Tough Somali Crips, and the Mexican Mafia, among others. Five of those apprehended were arrested on state criminal charges. Thirty of those arrested are illegal aliens and four are U.S. permanent residents whose previous criminal convictions render them eligible for deportation. Nine of the illegal aliens have been presented to the U.S. Attorney's Office for federal prosecution for re-entering the United States after having already been deported, which is a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison. ICE will process the remainder for deportation. Those arrested during this operation are from Mexico , Nicaragua , El Salvador and Somalia . September 2, 2007 ( Oklahoma City ): 65 people were arrested during a seven-day local enforcement action targeting violent street gang members. Those arrested include members of the following Oklahoma City street gangs: Barrio Gran Mexicanos, Gran Barrio Central, Juarito Sureno 14, LA 36, Los Centrales, Murdertown, South Side Locos and Sureno 13. Those arrested originate from the following countries: Costa Rica , El Salvador , Honduras , Iraq and Mexico . Three U.S. citizens were also arrested during this operation by local law enforcement agencies. Forty-two of those arrested are known members of local street gangs; 15 had active warrants for their arrest, or were arrested on state charges. Three aliens who did not have previous criminal convictions have already been voluntarily returned to Mexico . Some of the crimes associated with those arrested during this local operation include: 1st degree rape, burglary, drug trafficking and various drug-related convictions, sexual battery, lewd acts with a child, assaulting a police office, harboring a fugitive, intentionally discharging a firearm, and illegally possessing a firearm. August 30, 2007 ( Chelsea , East Boston, Everett , Lynn , Revere and Somerville , Mass. ): 36 violent street gang members and associates were arrested during a three-day long operation. Those arrested are members and associates of the violent street gang Mara-Salvatrucha (MS-13). They come from El Salvador , Colombia , Guatemala , Honduras and Nicaragua . Of the 36 arrested, 27 entered the United States without inspection, 4 are Lawful Permanent Residents with criminal convictions that make them subject to removal from the U.S, 2 have re-entered the United States after having been deported, 2 individuals have final orders of removal from an immigration judge, and one individual was arrested on a state warrant. In addition to the arrests, the action has resulted in the seizure of a variety of machetes, knives, switchblades and a small quantity of cocaine. The criminal records of those arrested include murder, assault and battery with a deadly weapon and assault and battery – domestic, assault and battery on a police officer, possession of a firearm, armed robbery, armed assault, possession of cocaine and marijuana, breaking and entering at night with intent to commit a felony, larceny and possession burglary tools and malicious destruction of property. August 21, 2007 (northern and northwest Chicago suburbs, including Waukegan , Mundelein and Round Lake ): 58 Mexican nationals with ties to violent street gangs were arrested. They are affiliated with violent street gangs such as the Latin Kings, Sureno-13s, and the Latin Lovers. Of those arrested, 37 are illegal aliens and 21 are U.S. permanent residents whose previous criminal convictions render them eligible for deportation. Some of the crimes associated with the gang members arrested include aggravated battery, possessing a controlled substance, armed violence, possessing a firearm, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, drunken driving, mob action and burglary. August 22, 2007 ( San Diego north county communities of Vista, Oceanside , Escondido and San Marcos ): 60 foreign nationals from Mexico with ties to violent street gangs were arrested during a two week operation. July 22, 2007 ( Arlington , Dallas , Farmers Branch, Fort Worth , Irving and Wichita Falls , Texas ): 121 violent street gang members were arrested during a seven-day enforcement action. Included were members of 27 local street gangs: 18th St., 28th St., Asian Boyz, Brown Pride, Diamond Hill, Eastside Homeboys, Eastside Locos, FTH, Fort Worth 28 Pride, How High Crew, Junior Homeboyz, Latin Kings, Love Field Players, Mexican Klan Locos, Mexican Mafia, MS-13, Neighborhood Crips, Northside Friends, Northside Locos, Puro Loco Mexicanos, Puro Tango Blast, Riverside 13, Sureno 13, True Bud Smokers, Valgos 18, Varrio Northside and Westside 12. Some of the crimes associated with the gang members arrested include; murder, sexually assaulting a child, robbery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated robbery, possessing a controlled substance, manufacturing a controlled substance, unlawfully carrying a weapon, engaging in organized criminal activity, burglary of a building, evading arrest, and resisting arrest. June 6, 2007 ( Anaheim , Long Beach , Los Angeles , Palmdale, Pasadena , San Fernando , Santa Ana , Signal Hill and Ventura , Calif. ): Six foreign nationals with ties to violent street gangs in the Southland were arrested during the week in an operation that resulted in the arrest of 124 gang members over a three month period. 36 were arrested on criminal charges and 88 on administrative immigration violations. Some of the gangs involved included; MS-13, White Fence, the 18th Street Gang, the Black P-Stones, the Eastside Longos, the Villa Boys, and Los Primos. May 24, 2007 (Guttenberg, Paterson , Union City and West New York, N. J.): An enforcement operation shut down a criminal enterprise run by members of the Latin Kings international gang in northern Hudson County . Tito Lopez, a.k.a. "King Chino," an allegedly high-ranking Latin Kings gang member and leader of the drug distribution organization was arrested. He is allegedly responsible for leading fellow gang members to a host of criminal actions including drug distribution, burglaries, witness intimidation, assaults and weapon sales. In all, the operation netted five federal, 12 state and two ICE administrative arrests. Additionally, 340 grams of cocaine and over one pound of marijuana were seized. March 27, 2007 (Guayama, Puerto Rico ): 36 suspected members of a major violent street gang were arrested, stemming from a long-term federal investigation that targeted a Guayama-based street gang known as the Killer Bees. The investigation revealed that the Killer Bees controlled the drug and gun trafficking operations within several public housing projects and other low-income areas. The Killer Bees were also allegedly responsible for the distribution of narcotics and illegal weapons within the public housing projects as well as for laundering the proceeds generated from the illicit activity. March 9, 2006 (23 states): During a two-week enforcement action, ICE arrested 375 gang members and associates in 23 states in a joint effort with law enforcement agencies nationwide. Large numbers of gang members were arrested in Dallas (44), San Diego (41), Washington , D.C. (22), Miami (22), and Raleigh , N.C. (19). Those arrested included members of MS-13, Surenos, 18th Street Gang, Latin Kings, Bloods, Crips, Armenian Power, Street Thug Criminals, Brown Pride, Asian Dragon Family, Avenue Assassins, Spanish Gangster Disciples, Big Time Killers and Hermanos Pistoleros Latinos. More than 260 of the 375 individuals arrested have past criminal records, most of them violent. July 28, 2005 (nationwide): ICE arrested 582 street gang members and associates during a two-week, nationwide enforcement action. More than 54 violent street gangs were targeted, including Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), Sureños, 18th Street Gang, Latin Kings, Vatos Locos, Mexican Mafia, La Raza gang, Border Brothers, Brown Pride, Norteno, Florencia 13, Tiny Rascal, Asian Boyz and Jamaican Posse. March 14, 2005 ( Baltimore , Dallas , Los Angeles , Miami , Newark , New York and Washington , D.C. ): ICE arrested 103 members of the violent street gang Mara Salvatrucha 13 (MS-13) in seven cities as part of the new anti-gang initiative called “Operation Community Shield.” Intelligence Gathering and Sharing: Under Operation Community Shield, ICE has received thousands of names of known and suspected gang members from federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, as well as from foreign governments. This information is routinely compared with ICE's immigration and customs databases to identify and prioritize gang suspects who may be subject to ICE's legal jurisdiction. ICE's Law Enforcement Support Center (LESC) in Vermont plays a central role in this effort by running data on gang suspects provided by other law enforcement agencies against its immigration databases to determine whether these individuals are subject to ICE's federal immigration authorities. This data is then shared with ICE field offices and law enforcement

TAPE: EF02/0143 IN_TIME: 01:00:24 DURATION: 2:06 SOURCES: APTN RESTRICTIONS: DATELINE: Mexico City - 20 Feb 2002 SHOTLIST: NB: wrong slate on tape 1. Full shot of Attorney General and DEA leaders arriving for press conference 2. Shot of above at press conference 3. SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) Rafael Macedo de la Concha, Attorney General of Mexico: "The achievements are substantial. But we are also aware of the challenges we face today, in this all-out-war against narcotics. I think that the most important achievement is shown by the trust, a trust which has been key to get to the level of cooperation of today." 4. Mid shot of reporters 5. Wide press conference 6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Asa Hutchison, Drug Enforcement Agency of the USA: "We are very concerned about the Mexican Supreme Court decision that limited extraditions in cases where life imprisonment was not an issue. We have to work through extraditions on a case by case basis. We did waive life in reference to Mr Vazques Mendoza, which is a very serious case in our view, one in which a life was taken for an agent. So you will not get a more offensive case from our government's standpoint. But we work with the government of Mexico to see that extradition carried through." 7. Close up of press 8. Close up of press listening to Hutchison 9. De la Concha and Hutchinson shake hands 10. Full shot exterior of PGR in Mexico City STORYLINE: The U-S Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) says Washington won't use pressure tactics on Mexico as part of its anti-narcotics fight, but will continue to press its neighbour on extradition cases. On his first visit to Mexico, Hutchinson - who took over as head of the D-E-A in August - met with Mexican Attorney General Rafael Macedo de la Concha on Wednesday, to discuss ways to crack down on drug smuggling and related financial operations. Hutchinson said the U-S was concerned over a 2001 Mexican Supreme Court decision barring the extradition of fugitives who might face life imprisonment in the U-S. The issue seems to be a diplomatic one: Mexican law does not allow life sentences, and U-S prosecutors don't like being forced to promise not to seek such sentences, in order to win extraditions. Hutchinson expressed his confidence in Mexican authorities, but noted that "on the US side I would like to think that our corruption problems are not as deep". In the past, some Mexican police and army officers have been accused of protecting drug traffickers. Hutchinson said protection received by Mexico's biggest traffickers, the Tijuana-based Arellano Felix brothers, was the reason they hadn't yet been caught, despite the fact they have been among the FBI's most-wanted fugitives for years. While the two praised the increasingly close anti-narcotic cooperation between the two countries, Macedo placed emphasis on the need to reduce demand for drugs in both countries.

Former White House staffers made their way to Capitol Hill today for continued hearings focusing on President Bill Clinton's last minute pardons. Today, the House Government Reform Committee debated Clinton's pardon of fugitive financier Marc Rich.