Two Americans Killed in Kabul; Nelson Mandela Hospitalized
DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN ANCHOR: We're following breaking news out of Afghanistan where two American troops were killed today. It happened at the Afghan interior ministry in Kabul. Let's go straight to Nick Paton Walsh who is in Kabul. Nick, what can you tell us? Why did this continue to escalate?</s>NICK PATON WALSH, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: We don't know much about why this incident happened right now. We know from a senior Afghan police official that the two dead were Americans. The suggestion by the same official is this attack occurred on a separate part of the interior ministry where a small number of westerners work. Now, I should bring you some other breaking news. We have just had in an email statement from the Taliban's</s>FEYERICK: And Nick, you mentioned that the Taliban is claiming responsibility for this. Are they using this unintentional Koran burning, are they using that as a lightning rod to really just get public anger and focus it on U.S. troops that still remain there? Are they the ones who are fermenting all of this?</s>WALSH: There is that concern. The Taliban very early on demanded that the Afghan people rise up against foreigners because of this Koran burning. They have in the past fairly frequently tried to claim responsibility for attacks in which Afghans attack Americans. Instances like this, they come up with the name of the attacker early on in a bid to show as evidence that they are right and that their explanation is correct. This is still very early days here, but yes, certainly this will suggest the man they refer to as one of their brave Mujahedeen, as always hard to work out exactly how much involvement the Taliban and how these things while they were being prepared that this man is in fact responsible, Deb.</s>FEYERICK: And, of course, Nick, we know it's murky and we know it's difficult to get information, but</s>WALSH: Well, to be clear, this incident with the two dead Americans occurred in Kabul in the interior ministry. One you would think one of the safest places where American advisers could work in Afghanistan. That will spark a huge concern, I think, amongst normal ISAF officers. Where do they feel safe? We don't know exactly why this incident occurred, but I'm sure that's going through the minds of many Americans at this particular point. Separately, yes, you referred to</s>FEYERICK: OK. Nick Paton Walsh with breaking news there out of Kabul. Thank you so much. We'll check in with you a little later. Thanks for giving your insights and your guidance. Appreciate it. Well our other developing story this morning. Nelson Mandela is in the hospital. We now know that the 93-year-old former South African president had a hernia operation. Officials have said it was an abdominal problem. The family tells CNN that Mr. Mandela is doing well and could be out of the hospital as early as Monday. And our very own Nadia Bilchik joins me now for more on Mandela. First of all, Nadia, you're from South Africa?</s>NADIA BILCHIK, CNN EDITORIAL PRODUCER: I am from South Africa --</s>FEYERICK: You have connections with family members there. You have introduced him at event -- explain why this is so crucial. He is beloved in South Africa.</s>BILCHIK: He is</s>FEYERICK: Of course.</s>BILCHIK: That would never have happened without Mandela. And just the way he treated people, continues to treat people, just extraordinary. So we hope his makes his July 18th, 94th birthday.</s>FEYERICK: And it's fascinating because you see him almost like a Gandhi figure, a spiritual guide of South Africans, but also a significant political leader. And is it fair to say that his death would on some levels the equivalent of the deaths of George Washington, somebody who redefined what a country was supposed to be?</s>FEYERICK: Right.</s>BILCHIK: -- to do what very few people have ever done. The way I look at Mandela, is he managed to turn a nightmare into a vision, a vision into a dream and a dream into a reality.</s>FEYERICK: Absolutely. All right. Well, certainly a hero to so many people. Even South Africans have used the word panic that he's in the hospital, really shows you just how much they love him. Nadia Bilchik.</s>BILCHIK: And I spoke to the children this morning, the grandchildren, they said he's stable, he seems fine, and I think nobody wants to even think of him being ill.</s>FEYERICK: Of course. Of course.</s>BILCHIK: Let's hope he is very well and has many more birthday celebrations.</s>FEYERICK: Nadia Bilchik, thank you so much for bringing personal insights. I really appreciate that. Well, Syria's military is now pounding anti-government forces again today.. As many as 17 people were killed in Homs already. The Red Cross was trying to get into one neighborhood in Homs, trying to get the wounded to safety, but the constant shelling has kept their ambulances away. Syria's president, Al Assad, he is ignoring new calls for him to step down and to allow humanitarian aid into places like Homs. And the race for Michigan is getting a little nasty. Front-runners in the Republican race are there today. Hear what word Rick Santorum is now calling Mitt Romney, that's coming up next. Plus, meteorologist Alexandra Steele is standing by with your weekend forecast. Alexandra.</s>ALEXANDRA STEELE, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Oh, hi, well you know, wind is certainly the biggest factor. We'll talk about where the strong winds will be and how much snow is left in the season around the country? We'll deal with that, as well. It's all coming up right after three.