The Day Today

Chris Morris:
The Day Today 24 Live now stays with those terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, both towers now gone. Later, "What is a hijacked airliner and how does it crash?", but first our correspondent Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan is in New York at the moment. He went there to cover the World Trade Organization talks, due to start today at the World Trade Center. He's on the line now. Peter, where are you and what's going on?

Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan:
It's a clear, crisp morning in New York, Chris. A crackle of anticipation among the delegates at breakfast. A lot at stake here; these talks could be the big yes or no for the Eastern economies.

Chris Morris:
Right, Peter. Can you tell us exactly what the situation is currently in New York?

Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan:
Well, the situation I'd say is eggs over easy for the Germans, eggs over not bad for the Japanese, and eggs over pretty grim for the Russians.

Chris Morris:
So.. the meetings are going ahead?

Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan:
That's right, Chris.

Chris Morris:
[beat] And where are they being held?

Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan:
Here, at the World Trade Center!

Chris Morris:
[beat] You're at the World Trade Center?

Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan:
[proudly] Yes!

Chris Morris:
[beat] Whereabouts exactly in the World Trade Center are you?

Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan:
I'm - I'm in - uh... in their restaurant, the Windows on the World restaurant, Chris, floor 107, sipping a cappuccino.

Chris Morris:
Floor 107 no longer gives a particularly good view of New York.

Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan:
Well, it does from where I'm sitting, Chris.

Chris Morris:
It's now part of the basement!

Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan:
[beat] I think you're - hahaha - ah, pulling my leg, Chris!

Chris Morris:
Are you near a television?

Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan:
[beat] Yes... I don't -

Chris Morris:
I'd like you to turn it on.

Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan:
I'm going to a television, in the restaurant. There's one of those - one in the corner.

Chris Morris:
Yes, just get on with it, please.

Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan:
Right, the television is on!

Chris Morris:
Tell me what you can see.

Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan:
Well, it's... it's quite bizarre, I'm actually looking at an image of the World Trade Center. I'd... almost be looking at myself if I waved. Uh -

Chris Morris:
What can you see?

Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan:
Well, there's a... there's a plane in one of them, yeah - actually we didn't hear that! The sound insulation in these buildings is extraordinary! There is a plane - th -

Chris Morris:
Keep watching, Peter.

Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan:
Wha - ah. Ah. Oh, my God. Uh, one of the towers has collapsed, fortunately not the one I'm in; the other one - the one I'm in is - is... one of the tow - the - the other tower - the tower I'm in is collapsing! I'm collapsing, Chris, under the sheer... I've managed - I'm out! I'm out! Eh, I'm very for - run... [finally] I'm not there.

Chris Morris:
Where are you?

Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan:
I'm... I'm in a hotel in Midtown. The Marriott. My hotel, in my room.

Chris Morris:
Why did you say you were at the World Trade Center?

Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan:
Because... that's where I was supposed to be this morning.

Chris Morris:
You overslept.

Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan:
I'd slept longer than I'd anticipated.

Chris Morris:
[beat] Would you like to revise your appraisal of the situation in New York in light of which you've just gleaned?

Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan:
Yes, I can, Chris.

Chris Morris:
Go ahead.

Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan:
I'm a man, standing at a window of his hotel room. Very grey day... a very grey day for the world, Chris. Eh... it seems like a movie -

Chris Morris:
Peter, you've added nothing. That's Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan from New York on a day which will go dow-

Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan:
Yes -

Chris Morris:
BE QUIET!