CNN Student News Transcript: April 9, 2008

(CNN Student News) -- April 9, 2008

Quick Guide

Report To Congress - Learn about a top U.S. commander's views on progress taking place in Iraq.

Olympic-Sized Protests - Hear how some in China feel about protests against the Olympic host country.

To Boldly Go... - Follow one South Korean astronaut on her historic journey into outer space.

Transcript

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

CARL AZUZ, CNN STUDENT NEWS ANCHOR: Hi, welcome to CNN Student News! I'm your host, Carl Azuz, and we're kicking things off today on Capitol Hill.

First Up: Report To Congress

AZUZ: That's where Gen. David Petraeus is today. He's talking to Congress about the Iraq war. It's part of two days of hearings on the progress of the conflict. Yesterday, Petraeus, who's the top U.S. commander in the region, testified that security has improved in the Middle East nation. But he said Iraqi forces still need to do a lot of work to secure their country. Nicole Collins has more on the Senate hearings.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NICOLE COLLINS, CNN REPORTER: In highly anticipated testimony, Gen. David Petraeus told a Senate committee that "significant progress" has been made in Iraq since he last testified in September, but said that progress is "fragile and reversible." Troop levels are expected to drop this summer to pre-surge levels, but after that, Petraeus recommended further withdrawals be halted for a 45-day period.

GEN. DAVID PETREAUS, MULTINATIONAL FORCE COMMANDER: This approach does not allow establishment of a set withdrawal timetable. However, it does provide the flexibility those of us on the ground need to preserve the still fragile security gains our troopers have fought so hard and sacrificed so much to achieve.

COLLINS: Ryan Crocker, the U.S. ambassador, pointed to political gains in Iraq, saying the government has demonstrated its commitment to fighting extremists and working out differences in parliament.

RYAN CROCKER, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO IRAQ: As debates in Iraq's parliament become more about how to resolve tough problems in a practical way, Iraqi politics have become more fluid.

COLLINS: The war status report drew protesters and was enshrouded in presidential politics.

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The promise of withdrawal of our forces, regardless of the consequences, would constitute failure of political and moral leadership.

SEN. BARACK OBAMA, (D) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Nobody's asking for a precipitous withdrawal. But I do think it has to be a measured but increased pressure.

SEN. HILLARY CLINTON, (D) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: It might well be irresponsible to continue the policy that has not produced the results that have been promised time and time again.

COLLINS: Petraeus' recommendation on troop levels was criticized by some lawmakers; the Armed Services Committee chairman called it "a plan which has no end." In Washington, Nicole Collins, for CNN Student News.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

Shoutout

GEORGE RAMSAY, CNN STUDENT NEWS:Time for the Shoutout! What is the official title of a four-star general in the U.S. Army? If you think you know the answer, shout it out! Is it: A) Brigadier General, B) Major General, C) Lieutenant General or D) General? You've got three seconds -- GO! All of these ranks are addressed as "General," but only a four-star commander, like Gen. David Petraeus, officially holds the title of General. That's your answer and that's your Shoutout!

Olympic-Sized Protests

AZUZ: The Olympic flame has found its way to America. The torch touched down in San Francisco yesterday, the only U.S. city it's visiting during its round-the-world relay. This journey started about two weeks ago, and demonstrations have taken place at just about every stop along the way. The protests aren't against the Olympics; they're against the host country! Eunice Yoon is in that nation, China, and tells us about the reaction to these events.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

EUNICE YOON, CNN REPORTER: Protesters along the Olympic torch relay route speaking out against Beijing. People in China indignant about the protesters.

PERSON ON STREET: These people are just anti-Chinese.

YOON: The Chinese are frustrated with these people for grabbing at the Olympic torch, causing their country to lose face on the international stage. Beijing is calling the demonstrations "despicable."

JIANG YU, CHINESE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS: These people are trying to use the Olympics to achieve the unspeakable goal of defaming China. Their attempts will definitely fail.

YOON: Beijing Olympic organizers have vowed the relay will continue despite the protests and say "no force" can stop it. Nevertheless, the demonstrations have sparked a debate among OIympic organizers, after International Olympic Committee head Jacques Rogge said he's very concerned about the situation in Tibet.

RAFFAELE PAGNOZZI, OLYMPIC DELEGATE: I think the IOC must try to solve this problem.

HABIB MACKI, OLYMPIC DELEGATE: There should be no intervention on the politics and sports. Sports is sports. Politics is politics.

YOON: The IOC's Kevan Gosper is now suggesting organizers scrap extensive international torch routes for future games to avoid relay disruptions. He gave his view on the protests.

KEVAN GOSPER, CHAIRMAN, IOC PRESS COMMISSION: Whilst we see these disturbances by people with their grievances attacking the Olympic torch, the Beijing Olympic torch, it's not a true reflection of public opinion.

YOON: The Chinese media, for the most part, are glossing over the demonstrations. The headline about the torch relay in this state-run newspaper reads, "French Passion Greets Torch in Paris." The main focus of the media here: tourist attractions and local residents furious at the protesters; no mention of the rallies' cause: China's human rights record and its crackdown in Tibet. Many citizens here say it's the western media that's unfair. Even so, the protests overseas are causing some people like this teacher to think.

WEI MING, TEACHER: There are riots everywhere and they're becoming bigger. So, China should reflect on its policies.

YOON: That's a move many critics think is highly unlikely, though they say it's one that could help ease protests in the run-up to the Summer Olympic Games. Eunice Yoon, CNN, Beijing.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

I.D. Me!

RAMSAY: See if you can I.D. me! I'm an Asian nation that hosted the 1988 Summer Olympic Games. I gained my independence from Japan in 1945. My capital city is nothing but Seoul. I'm South Korea, and I'm home to about 49 million people!

To Boldly Go...

AZUZ: But one of those people isn't in South Korea right now. In fact, you won't find her anywhere on the planet! That's because she's on her way to the international space station, and she's making some history along the way. Sohn Jie-Ae gives us a glimpse at a national send-off for a South Korean trailblazer.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SOHN JIE-AE, CNN REPORTER: With the dramatic entrance of South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak, the stage was set. The president and thousands of other Koreans gathered in front of Seoul's city hall to witness the launching, hundreds of miles away, of the country's first astronaut into space: 29-year-old biosystems engineer Yi So-Yeon. As the moment approached, many anxiously watched the live pictures of the Russian spacecraft on a giant outdoor screen, joined in on the final countdown and rejoiced. Yi's flight signals the official debut of South Korea's manned space program and is a source of great national pride.

PERSON ON STREET: "I am really happy she is the first astronaut," says this 11-year-old, who hopes one day to be in her shoes. "But I was also nervous when they started the countdown."

PERSON ON STREET: "I was so moved," says this schoolteacher. "I pray Yi So-Yeon makes it back home safe."

JIE-AE: Yi will conduct 14 scientific experiments at the international space station before returning to Earth on April 19. Yi is taking with her the space-approved version of the spicy Korean dish kimchi. She's also planning to serenade her fellow crew members with an undisclosed song after docking in space. The scientist, who has described herself as a tomboy, has much to sing about. 36,000 South Koreans applied for the job; she was the first runner-up. But just weeks before the launch, engineering student Ko San was dropped for breaching training rules and Yi took his place. It's been a long and complicated road, but with today's launch, Yi So-Yeon becomes South Korea's first astronaut and the symbol of the country's real hopes to become one of the world's top space-faring nations. Sohn Jie-Ae, CNN, Seoul.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

Promo

AZUZ: If you've got some free time over Spring Break, or even if you're just surfing around online, why not check out our blog? We're got posts about cell phone recycling, a beastly beauty pageant, even how I did in a company-wide spelling bee! So, head to CNNStudentNews.com, check it out and leave us your comments today!

Before We Go

AZUZ: Before we go, a turnpike tangle between two turkeys. Two birds enter, one bird leaves. Street fight! At least we think they're fighting. They could be dancing or maybe even making out. But whatever they're doing, they don't look like they're too happy with each other. A Maine state trooper wandered across this surreal scene over the weekend. But he couldn't break up the fowl play, so he sat back and let the camera roll.

Goodbye

AZUZ: That turkey fight is where we take flight. But we'll be back tomorrow with more CNN Student News. See you then. E-mail to a friend