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CNN Wolf Blitzer Reports

Spanish Seized Video May Be Scouting Tape; Search Continues For Missing Teen in Michigan

Aired March 05, 2003 - 17:00   ET

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

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


WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: WOLF BLITZER: REPORTS starts right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): Showdown: Iraq. The commander-in-chief meets with the man who would command a war.

GEN. TOMMY FRANKS, HEAD OF THE U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND: There is no doubt we will prevail.

BLITZER: But without key allies. Today, a trio of opposition.

DOMINIQUE DE VILLEPIN, FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER (through translator): I will not a second resolution.

BLITZER: The pope pressures President Bush. I'll have an exclusive interview with the cardinal carrying the Vatican's message.

Were New York landmarks targeted for terror? A chilling translation of the tapes shot by an al Qaeda suspect.

Bus bombing. A two-month pause in suicide attacks is shattered in Israel.

And backlash. Could the U.S. face war terror after an attack on Iraq? I'll ask Senator Saxby Chambliss of the Intelligence Committee.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: It's Wednesday, March 5, 2003. I'm Wolf Blitzer in Washington.

Is the U.S. going to war? If you listen to the from's men it sounds like the battle is about to begin, maybe only days from now. America's top diplomat laid out the case for war. Secretary of State Colin Powell acted like a prosecutor, pointing out Iraq's failures. Over at the Pentagon, the military leaders say that troops are ready to fight right now, even as they await word of the president's order.

But there is major opposition today. France, Germany and Russia plan a showdown at the United Nations in a bid to stop the U.S.'s war machine. And their voices of dissent echoed by protesters from Australia to Egypt to university students right here in the United States. Even the Vatican voiced concerns today. Later this hour, I'll speak exclusively to Cardinal Pio Laghi, the man dispatched by Pope John Paul II to try and persuade President Bush to avoid war.

But we begin with reports from the United Nations, the Pentagon and the White House.

First to Chris Burns with news on the president and the secretary of state who switched from diplomacy to talk of war -- Chris.

CHRIS BURNS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Wolf.

President Bush meeting with his National Security Council today with General Tommy Frank, very telling because Franks would be leading the war machine against Iraq. However, the White House giving no details about that meeting. What they're pushing especially today publicly is that speech by Secretary Colin Powell today, trying to layout a stronger case for passing that U.N. resolution that would authorize war. So far only four of the nine votes are assured on the Security Council to pass that. So it's still an uphill battle.

Secretary Powell trying to layout new evidence, saying that the destruction of the Saddam -- Saddam's missiles that has been going on for the last the few days is not nearly enough -- is only a charade.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: From recent intelligence, we know that the Iraqi regime intends to declare and destroy only a portion of its banned al-Samoud inventory and that it has, in factor, ordered the continued production of the missiles that you see being destroyed.

BURNS: And Secretary -- Secretary Powell saying that there's more evidence, also including that Saddam is moving chemical and biological weapons toward the borders of Turkey and Syria. Also trying to stash weapons in poor neighborhoods, inside trucks parked in poor neighborhoods inside Baghdad and perhaps other cities.

So a game of deception according to Secretary Powell. Powell hoping also that weapons inspectors on Friday before the U.N. provide even more evidence.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BURNS (voice-over): Ahead of a report by Chief U.N. Weapons Inspector Hans Blix on Friday, the president is sending his top diplomats to New York for some high-stakes lobbying, arguing Baghdad is only doing piecemeal disarmament with a wider strategy of manipulation.

POWELL: Iraq's too little, too late gestures are meant not just to deceive and delay action by the international community. He has, as one of his major goals, to divide the international community, to split us into arguing factions. That effort must fail.

BURNS: At the White House, meetings on war and on peace. President Bush huddled with his National Security Council including General Tommy Franks, head of the central command that would run the war machine against Iraq.

Only a still picture was released of President Bush's meeting with papal envoy Pio Laghi. The envoy brought a letter from Pope John Paul II, who calls a war "morally unjustified."

The White House says the president has made up on his mind, at least on the morality of the war -- that it would be immoral to leave Saddam with weapons of mass destruction.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BURNS: And a message of peace, an olive branch of sorts from Secretary Powell himself, saying that Saddam -- if Saddam did disarm now, he could still avoid war -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Chris Burns at the White House. Chris, very much.

And this important reminder. Coming up later this hour, I'll have an exclusive interview with Cardinal Pio Laghi, the special envoy of Pope John Paul II. He'll tell us what -- how his meeting with the president went.

And here's your chance to weigh in on this story. Our "Web Question of the Day" is this. -- Do you agree with the pope that war with Iraq would not be morally justified? We'll have the results later in this broadcast. Please vote at cnn.com/wolf. While you're there, I'd love to hear from you. Send me your comments. I'll try to read some of them on the air each day at the end of this program. That's also, of course, where you can read my daily online column, cnn.com/wolf.

The general who will lead U.S. forces in a war with Iraq says he's ready whenever he gets the go ahead. General Tommy Franks spoke after war planners met this morning with President Bush.

Our senior Pentagon correspondent, Jamie McIntyre, is joining us now live with a look at the timetable -- Jamie.

JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN SR. PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, every indication that that briefing by General Franks at the White House may be his last one before the U.S. goes to war. According to sources, he was briefing the president and the security team on the option for going to war without the help of Turkey, because sources say Turkey has all but been written out of the war plan.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FRANKS: If the president of the United States decides to undertake action, we are in a position to provide a military option.

MCINTYRE (voice-over): But Pentagon sources say the U.S. still needs a few more days to get the rest of the 101st airborne and its equipment in place in Kuwait. Forces from the 101st and the 82nd airborne will secure northern Iraq from the south, using assault helicopters and paratroops.

And the U.S. needs to decide whether to move two aircraft carriers out of the eastern Mediterranean to the Red Sea, so they can send planes over Saudi Arabia if Turkey doesn't grant overflight rights.

But soon, sources say, the U.S. will issue a final public warning.

DONALD RUMSFELD, SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: If we arrive at that point, we'll have announcements that will make clear what our thoughts are.

MCINTYRE: That will include a warning to western journalists that it will be a lot more dangerous to report from Baghdad than it was during the 1991 Gulf War. That is, if they can report.

Pentagon sources confirm the U.S. military plan for shock and awe includes use of weapons designed to blind the Iraqi high command by disabling power supplies and shutting down communications. Sources say the so-called E-bomb, an electromagnetic pulse weapon designed to be carried by a Tomahawk missile, is still under development and not ready for war, but that other, less exotic weapons will be used.

FRANKS: One example would be offensive electronics. That is a nonlethal sort of weapon. It may be that under certain circumstances one would see that.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MCINTYRE: Now Franks will return to his forward headquarters in Qatar in a few days, sources say. But the biggest roadblock to war right now is not logistical, it's political. That U.N. resolution -- once that is dealt with one way or the other, the U.S. will be ready to go and that makes the likely window for war some time in the middle of this month -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Jamie McIntyre at the Pentagon. Thanks, Jamie, very much.

The battle lines are also drawn at the United Nations, where key allies plan a final fight against a U.S.-led military campaign. At the same time, the chief weapons inspector pulled back the curtain just a little bit on his upcoming report.

For that, let's go live to our senior U.N. correspondent, Richard Roth -- Richard.

RICHARD ROTH, CNN SR. UNITED NATIONS CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, Hans Blix says he is not lonely. One of the many pertinent facts gleaned from the press conference Blix held just 48 hours before he briefs the United Nations Security Council. Blix also said they've had seven interviews with Iraqi scientists without minders or tape recorders. And he reported other areas of progress.

But he didn't want to give too much ammunition to either side in the divided Security Council.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ROTH (voice-over): In a preview of his Friday briefing to the Security Council, Chief Weapons Inspector Hans Blix bounced from praise to criticism on Iraq's level of cooperation.

On the recent Iraqi destruction of al-Samoud missiles...

HANS BLIX, U.N. CHIEF WEAPONS INSPECTOR: I think one could also characterize those efforts as very fine disarmament.

ROTH: But Blix is not ready to say that Iraq has disclosed where all biological weapons are.

BLIX: It doesn't mean that we could say that all biological weapons are accounted for. No, they are yet there.

ROTH: The chief inspector declined to answer when pressed for a yes or no whether Iraq has fully cooperated, as written in the unanimously passed Security Council resolution, which threatens Baghdad with serious consequences.

Blix's U.N. work contract has been extended until the end of June. With war a distinct possibility, Blix again said it was too soon to close the door on inspections. But he declined to ask for four months to continue those inspections.

BLIX: In the past, of course, the track record was not so good. And therefore, I would not want to suggest that I'm confident that this will happen. I hope it will happen.

ROTH: Blix said a war would mean a serious failure for disarmament. It also means his inspectors might have to leave in a hurry.

BLIX: We have evacuation plans. I think that the Security Council, that has created UNMOVIC, they have the political responsibility for this organization and they should also face that responsibility.

ROTH: The Swedish diplomat and attorney said it's a pity Iraq seems to cooperate only under threat of political or military action.

BLIX: There is a great deal more of cooperation now and the threat certainly has brought it there. I hope it is not too late.

ROTH: Veto-packing Security Council members want to make sure its not too late. Foreign ministers from Russia, France and Germany went on the diplomatic offensive.

DE VILLEPIN (through translator): We will not accept a dropped resolution which would authorize the use of force. Russia and France as permanent members of the Security Council, will take all their responsibilities in its respect. ROTH: France and Russia did not specifically vow to veto. They hoped the threat would prompt the U.S. to either withdraw the resolution or adjust the language giving the inspectors and Saddam Hussein more time.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROTH: Blix said that he could not necessarily verify what Iraq wants verified, that what it dumped in 1991, VX and anthrax in the soil. He said if you poured milk into the soil in 1991 you could probably still not verify it -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Richard Roth at the United Nations.

Thanks, Richard, very much.

Let's look at other developments in the showdown in Iraq. A summit meant to unite the world's one billion Muslims against war broke down into a shouting match between Iraq and Kuwait. Until the plug was pulled Iraq's number two man was caught on live television shouting at the Kuwaiti foreign minister to, quote, "shut up you monkey." Calling him an insolent vassal of the United States. The Organization of the United Islamic Conference Summit ended with a statement offering no, repeat, no, new initiatives to stop the drive toward war.

The, Iraq President Saddam Hussein spoke publicly today for the first time about the destruction of those Al Samoud 2 missiles. He told a group of army commanders the United Nations is trying to demoralize Iraq by ordering the weapons destroyed ahead of an enemy attack. Earlier in day the government staged a massive show of force aimed at boosting morale.

Our senior international correspondent Nic Robertson is in Baghdad.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NIC ROBERTSON, SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Led on by officers, Interior Ministry troops raise a chant in support of President Saddam Hussein. The first show of force in the capitol for weeks, bringing out thousands of soldiers, firemen and policemen on parade. For the first time in the Interior Ministry ranks, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) meaning those who are prepared to become martyrs.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): We are from the Ministry of the Interior. We are swords in the hands of President Saddam Hussein.

ROBERTSON: Not necessarily, suicide bombers, but beneath the white uniform symbolizing a death shroud, hard to gauge true intent.

MARMOUD AL AHMED, IRAQI INTERIOR MINISTER: The samples that were paraded today represents a limited number of the interior men who fill Iraq's land.

ROBERTSON: While few on parade had ammunitions in their weapons colleagues providing security for the day were well armed.

(on camera): And while some people came out in apparent support for the parade, most here carried on as normal. Their fears about a possible war growing, despite Iraq's continuing destruction of its Al Samoud 2 missiles.

(voice-over): Outside the barracks north of Baghdad, more of the banned missiles destined for destruction were trucked in. On this day, nine missiles were destroyed, bring the total number rendered useless to 28, close to one-quarter of Iraq's stated inventory.

Nic Robertson, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Could American citizens face a backlash for war with Iraq?

Several media reports including an article in today's "Los Angeles Times," suggest Iraq has dispatched cells to many parts of the world to retaliate.

Joining us now, Senator Saxby Chambliss, he serves on the Senate Intelligence Committee as well as the Armed Services Committee.

Senator, thanks very much for joining us.

How worried should Americans be that Iraqi government agency may have dispatched terror cells to hit the U.S. in the event of war?

SEN. SAXBY CHAMBLISS (R-GA), SENATE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE: Well, certainly it's just another issue that we're going to have to deal with in the war on terrorism, Wolf.

We know that Iraq has weapons of mass destruction. We know that they intend to use them to kill and harm Americans. We are not going to let Saddam do that. And if he decides to retaliate against the United States, obviously, we have to be prepared for that as a part of any forceful conflict with Iraq.

BLITZER: You know, even as we speak right now, senator, the FBI is issuing one of their advisories to local law enforcement, say that with the arrest of Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, the No. 3 in al Qaeda, there could be an upsurge in terror planning against U.S. targets in the short term.

Is that what your hearing?

CHAMBLISS: Well, it again, it's just retaliation by, Iraq. Here we may have retaliation by al Qaeda for the forceful action to capture KSM. And the Shaikh, is somebody that we've been after for years and it was a huge victory, not just to get the Shaikh over the weekend, but to get one of the financial consultants of bin Laden. So this has been a very productive week, both in the direct war on terrorism related to al Qaeda, as well as moving forward with the potential conflict with Iraq. BLITZER: So, let me tell you, senator, what viewers are e- mailing me. They're saying of the Iraqis are destroying the Al Samoud missiles. They may be doing it grudgingly.

But why not let the inspectors finish the job?

Isn't that better than going to war?

CHAMBLISS: Wolf, what people need to remember is these are missiles that should have been brought forward by Saddam Hussein months ago, not a couple of weeks ago when we were finding these missiles.

How many more does he have?

Where are the weapons of mass destruction that we know he has?

What has he done with the material, the ingredients that were bought and he had on hand to make anthrax, to make botulism?

Where is all of this?

He hasn't come forward with it. He's not going to come forward with it even though he's had plenty of opportunity to, if he comes forward and shows where he's destroyed those weapons and then he puts an entirely different light on things. But he hasn't done that. The inspectors should not have to be on a search to find these weapons. He is required to come forward.

BLITZER: Should the president give Saddam Hussein one last chance, an ultimatum, if you will, to go ahead and comply or face imminent war?

CHAMBLISS: Think he's given him plenty of ultimatums. He's been cautious to not put a deadline on it, but he's been very direct in saying that the ball is in Saddam's court. It's up to him to bring the information forward relative to the destruction of weapons of mass destruction that he has on hand and he hasn't done that. He's made absolutely no effort to do. That I think the president's right to continue to put the pressure.

BLITZER: You've studied the homeland security for a long time, long before it was fashionable, as they say, would it be prudent to raise the terror alert level from the current elevated or yellow level to orange, perhaps even red, the severe level if the U.S. goes to war?

CHAMBLISS: Well, it just depends on what the signs are out there. And, Wolf, it doesn't necessarily mean that an attack is imminent just because we hear a lot of chatter in the intelligence and terrorist world. But if we get anything substantive, I assure you that it will be put in the hands of the right people immediately and those folks will make the decision. I don't think it's a Congressional function to decide when that threat level should be raised.

BLITZER: Senator Saxby Chambliss, thanks for spending time with us. Thank you very much.

Protests against a potential war and around this country, voices of dissent when we return. Plus, two detainees murdered in U.S. custody. Find out who may be responsible for this potential war crime. Also, on the run with a convicted murderer. A family appeals for the safe return of their teenaged daughter.

And a diplomat for peace meets with the president on the first day of Lent. Would a U.S. war with Iraq be morally justified. I'll ask the Pope's special envoy in an exclusive interview.

But first, today's "News Quiz."

During which two words did the Vatican consider a U.S. intervention morally justified?

Kosovo, Vietnam, Bosnia, Gulf War?

The answer coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Turning now to the growing anti-war sentiment around the world employ half a million Egyptians joined a government- sponsored, but tightly-controlled rally in Cairo. They were bused in from all over the country. They chanted along as cabinet minister called out over loud speakers, no to war, yes to peace.

In Australia thousands of high school students cut classes and joined anti-war demonstrations in most major cities. Chanting and whistling, students from the Books, not Bombs Coalition brought traffic to a standstill in Sydney. Some carried banners reading don't attack Iraq. Australia sent 2,000 military personnel to the Persian Gulf.

High school and college campuses across America were the sites today for a coordinated war protest. Students walked out of classes at hundreds of schools to show their opposition to war with Iraq.

CNN's Maria Hinojosa is joining us live from the university of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia -- Maria.

MARIA HINOJOSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Actually, Wolf, I'm in front of city hall where which is where the students of the University of Pennsylvania ended up as part of their rally. And even though organizers are saying they didn't see the massive turnouts that would compare at all with the February 15 international war -- day against war, what they're saying is that this is a movement that is happening, voice not usually heard when talking about international policy issues, that's the voice of young people.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HINOJOSA, (voice-over): Activists are hoping that this will become the new face of the anti-war movement. Dozens of teenagers from (UNINTELLIGIBLE) high school in Philadelphia, walking out to protest a war that hasn't begun. One rallying cry that war means less money for education.

We have a military budget that is literally out of control. It's billions and billions and billions of dollars a year. They're estimating that the war in Iraq will cost $100 billion. One of the reasons that I'm here I want that money taken and invested in education.

HINOJOSA: From students walking out of class at a Boston high school, to chanting college students in Madison, Wisconsin. In Boulder, Colorado, they laid down to protest. From Decatur, Georgia in the South, to Chicago in the North, they marched for peace. At the University of Pennsylvania, a day-long teach-in, yes there were peace signs and provocative words, but there were also young activists who only six months ago wouldn't have called themselves that like Spencer Witty who plays varsity baseball for U. Penn.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm a representative of the breath of opposition that exists in this war. And a lot of people are getting involved that might not have otherwise.

HINOJOSA: There are also many more students who were too busy or too apathetic to protest. And young Republicans like David Copley, who believes in this war right now.

DAVID COPLEY, PENN. COLLEGE REPUBLICANS: Anti-war sentiment is definitely not the majority. There's a large silent majority that doesn't tend to speak out.

HINOJOSA: But for Iraqi-American, Muhammed Mekki, who dislikes Saddam Hussein, there's also skepticism.

MUHAMMED MEKKI, IRAQ-AMERICAN: Their feeling from abroad and not knowing what the Americans have in store for them. What is -- what is the U.S.'s goal out of this. They can't believe that it's going to be positive for the people of Iraq. So there's a lot of skepticism in that sense. They're really afraid.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HINOJOSA: Now, wolf, the anti-war organizers say that this today is just part of what will be planned for the next several weeks. The next big action will be this Saturday, March 8, International Women's Day, where they're hoping that women in fact turn out in front of the White House and the Capitol. They're saying this is all part of a coordinated national effort to try to get the voice out against war -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Thanks, Maria Hinojosa in Philadelphia, thank you very much.

And bloodshed in the Middle East. A terror attack on an Israeli bus and the retaliation. Find out the latest. There are developments unfolding right now.

Plus, teen on the run with a convicted murderer. The family of a missing girl appeals for her safe return. And the morality of war. The Pope urges President Bush to keep the peace, but is his message getting through?

We'll ask the man who met with the president today. That exclusive interview still coming up. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: An update now on the already tense situation in the Middle East. Israeli military forges have launched an operation on a Palestinian refugee camp in Northern Gaza. Troops are supported right now by tanks and helicopter gunships. The strike comes hours after a suicide bombing in Northern Israel. The militant group Hamas has claimed responsibility for that attack. Fifteen people were killed and at least 40 others were hurt.

CNN's Jerrold Kessel has more now on the bombing.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JERROLD KESSEL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A boot and a sneaker lie (UNINTELLIGIBLE) alongside the stricken bus. What remains of city bus No. 37 as it headed from Haifa's Seaside along Mount Carmel's main boulevard here to its intended destination, the city university. Police say the bomb bomber boarded at one of the earlier stops before setting off his explosives as the bus pulled away near this stop here, near the children's dentist's office.

The force of the explosion was such, that parts of the bus was scattered 50 meters away, and the back part of the roof somersaulted over to front. The dozens of wounded were quickly ferried away to hospitals. Counting and removing the dead took longer, leaving the customary serenity of this pretty port city, undone by this first such attack inside an Israeli city in two months.

(on camera): But it's scenes like these that remind Israelis that even against a backdrop of a gathering war elsewhere in the Middle East, their battles with the Palestinians go on unrelieved.

(voice-over): Israeli forces had themselves been stepping up their attacks inside Palestinian areas, seeking to put Palestinian militants on the defensive and it's working, says Israel, no less than 50 such attacks stopped during the last two months of a lull. Palestinians say that this kind of attack is the result of those Israeli actions, which have just spread more and more Palestinian resentment. Either way, clearly now, the lull has been only temporary.

Jerrold Kessel, CNN, Haifa.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WOLF BLITZER, HOST: And could the United States and North Korea be heading toward a military showdown of their own? New concerns today. We'll have details, also. A looming war on this first day of Lent. The pope fasts for peace and sends a very strong message to the White House. In an exclusive interview, I'll talk to the Vatican's special envoy. He just met with the president.

And was this home video used to scout targets for 9/11? You may have seen the pictures, now hear the chilling translation for the first time. You're watching CNN, the most trusted name in news.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Earlier we asked during which two wars did the Vatican consider U.S. intervention morally justified? The answer, Bosnia and Kosovo. The Vatican came out strongly against Vietnam and the Gulf War.

Welcome back to CNN. I'm Wolf Blitzer. Coming up, a religious appeal to the president. The pope tries to stop a war on morale grounds. In an exclusive interview, I'll talk to the Vatican's peace envoy who met with the president earlier today.

(NEWSBREAK)

BLITZER: And of course, we'd love to hear directly from you, our viewers. Our "Web Question of The Day" is this -- do you agree with the pope that war with Iraq would not be morally justified? Log on to CNN.com/Wolf. That's where you can vote. We'll have the results later this hour.

A tourist tape of New York City that may, may, have been the precursor to terror. A closer look at the man who shot this videotape. Hear what he had to say about New York's buildings, but first, let's take a look at news making headlines around the world.

Kuwait conviction. A Kuwaiti police officer has been found guilty of shooting two U.S. service men after stopping them at a highway last November. The American suffered serious wounds. The policeman who used an insanity defense was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Going it alone. Despite the latest deadly terror attack in the Philippines, President Gloria Arroyo still opposes letting U.S. troops battle Muslim separatists. Twenty-one people were killed when a bomb went off yesterday in an airport waiting room on Mindanao Island. The Philippine president says the terrorists will be punished but by Philippine troops, not by Americans.

Terrorist blast. A booby-trapped car exploded in Paris, but police consider it a criminal matter, not terrorism. The blast killed the driver, who had a long criminal record and injured five bystanders.

Another drill. The recent subway fire in South Korea has transit agencies around the world taking notice and conducting emergency exercises. The latest was in Yokohama, Japan where nearly 200 people participated. Russia remembers. Today is the 50th anniversary of the death of Joseph Stalin. Although the communist dictator has been blamed for millions of deaths during his 30-year reign, some Russians still revere his memory. Thousands turned out to pay tribute in Red Square.

Like a virgin. Is this image of the virgin of Guadalupe? Some people living in a Mexico City neighborhood think so and they say it's a miracle. They say it began to appear gradually over the weekend and can't be removed with soap or paint solvent. They've surrounded it with flowers and candles and want church leaders to build an altar. And that's our look around the world.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: An update on the case of Laci Peterson. Modesto Police have just briefed reporters. We'll have details. That's coming up. Also, a parents' plea -- their daughter, Lindsey Ryan, in the hands of a convicted killer. We'll speak with her family. That's coming up. Also, much more. We're back in one moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Updating you now on a developing story we reported on just a little while ago. In its weekly bulletin, the FBI is advising state and local law enforcement agencies that the arrest of the al Qaeda operations chief, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed could, could lead to terrorist reprisals.

Officials think Mohammed's arrest is a serious blow to al Qaeda's ability to carry out attacks, but they're worried, clearly worried, about plans that may already be in the pipeline. However, one FBI official tells CNN, authorities do not -- repeat, do not have any information indicating there is a specific or credible threat because of the arrests. We're continuing to follow this story.

In the meantime, CNN has learned new information about a disturbing videotape we first showed you yesterday. It was seized by Spanish authorities who believe it may show al Qaeda members scouting New York City targets in 1997, including the World Trade Center. CNN's Jamie Colby has this update.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JAMIE COLBY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): An investigative judge in Spain describes the tape acquired by CNN as -- quote -- "Not merely of touristic nature, but rather specific information on terrorist targets." In a haunting moment, the tape's owner, a Syrian- born Muslim seen here touring Wall Street landmarks says -- "I'll knock them all down."

Though it's impossible to tell just from the tape what he meant. The Spanish judge has ruled that if proven at trial that the tape did reach al Qaeda, it would have served as preliminary information for the attacks against the twin towers. The tape was shot four years before September 11. One-third of the 90-minute tape contains footage of New York landmarks like the World Trade Center, the Empire State Building and the Brooklyn Bridge. Federal law enforcement officials tell CNN it is possible that this was an al Qaeda scouting tape. And Spanish officials say the tape could bring tougher charges for Ghasoub al- Abrash Ghalyoun, who is an accused al Qaeda operative. He's already charged with belonging to a terrorist organization, but establishing the tape did reach al Qaeda could bring conspiracy charges linking him to the attacks.

"You shouldn't arrest a person to ruin his life with no evidence," Ghasoub said after his arrest last April.

Spanish police say other tapes seized in his home have footage of the Sears Tower in Chicago, San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge and Disneyland. His attorney says Ghasoub has no connection to terrorism and the tape merely shows a family trip. Indeed, a majority of the video shows the father of five with his family on vacation and at home.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLBY: Spain was a meeting place for 9/11 hijackers and where more than 30 alleged Islamic terrorists have been rounded up since 9/11. Ghasoub is free on bail -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Jamie Colby, she's all over the story. Thanks once again, Jamie, for that update.

When we come back, she's believed to have run away from home with a convicted killer. Coming up, the search for Lindsey Ryan. We'll get the latest from her parents straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Investigators in the Laci Peterson case say they now believe they're dealing with a homicide. They made the announcement at a news conference just a few minutes ago in Laci's hometown of Modesto, California. Laci Peterson was eight months pregnant when she disappeared Christmas Eve. Police have questioned her husband, Scott, and they say they're not ruling out anyone as a suspect.

Updating you on a story now we first told you about yesterday. Authorities are still searching for a Michigan teenager who apparently ran away from home with a convicted killer. Fourteen-year-old Lindsey Ryan vanished over the weekend and police believe she's with a 56- year-old convicted killer she corresponded with by e-mail. With us once again from Jones, Michigan are the girl's parents, Carol and Patrick Ryan.

Once again, our hearts go out to both of you. Patrick, first of all, any change, any update from law enforcement about the whereabouts of your daughter?

PATRICK RYAN, LINDSEY'S FATHER: No, there aren't any updates. There is just a lot of work going on. A lot of people are trying to bring this to a successful conclusion and bring Lindsey back here.

BLITZER: Carol, do you have confidence that police, local and state law enforcement are doing everything they possibly can to find your 14-year-old daughter?

CAROL RYAN, LINDSEY'S MOTHER: Absolutely. Now what we need is the people to get involved, the local citizens.

BLITZER: Well, what are you -- what exactly are you appealing for, Carol?

C. RYAN: Someone's going to see them. Someone has seen them. They see them around. They're not invisible. And, you know, we live in a time where people think it doesn't matter, but it does and all they have to do is get on the phone. Don't wait, just get on the horn, call right away and we can apprehend this man and bring my daughter home.

BLITZER: The -- one of the most tragic parts of this, Patrick, this man, apparently, you met him in church. Is that right?

P. RYAN: That is correct. That's true.

BLITZER: And what happened? He started communicating with your daughter?

P. RYAN: Apparently, although we can't go into a lot of details about exactly how everything went on, what we do know is that he managed to communicate with my daughter without my consent or permission or without my daughter's -- or my wife's consent or permission, or without the knowledge of her brothers, without the knowledge of any friends, family friends. It was quite a feat given the kind of protections that we tried to put in for our daughter and for all of our children.

BLITZER: Carol, did Lindsey have any history of this kind of behavior to run away with a stranger, if you will, like this?

C. RYAN: Oh, no. She was -- as a matter of fact, the day she disappeared we were at a 4-H auction and we were having a delightful time. She has no incorrigible background, no smart mouth. I mean she's very tight with her brothers and well liked among her peer group.

BLITZER: Unfortunately, we have to leave it right there. Good luck to both of you.

C. RYAN: Thank you.

BLITZER: We're going to continue to follow this story. We'll continue to see what we can do, obviously, to get the word out, Carol Ryan and Patrick Ryan. Tomorrow, on this program, I'll speak about this case with John Walsh of "America's Most Wanted."

C. RYAN: Thank you.

BLITZER: He's been in a similar kind of situation both of you know.

P. RYAN: Thank you very much.

BLITZER: Let's hope for a better result in your case. Thank you very much to both of you.

C. RYAN: Please.

BLITZER: And we'll have the results of our "Web Question of The Day." That's coming up as soon as we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Here's how you're weighing in on our "Web Question of The Day." Do you agree with the pope that the war with Iraq would not be morally justified? Look at this, 68 percent of you, so far, agree, 32 percent disagree.

"LOU DOBBS MONEYLINE" is up next.

TO ORDER A COPY OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.





Continues For Missing Teen in Michigan>


Aired March 5, 2003 - 17:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: WOLF BLITZER: REPORTS starts right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): Showdown: Iraq. The commander-in-chief meets with the man who would command a war.

GEN. TOMMY FRANKS, HEAD OF THE U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND: There is no doubt we will prevail.

BLITZER: But without key allies. Today, a trio of opposition.

DOMINIQUE DE VILLEPIN, FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER (through translator): I will not a second resolution.

BLITZER: The pope pressures President Bush. I'll have an exclusive interview with the cardinal carrying the Vatican's message.

Were New York landmarks targeted for terror? A chilling translation of the tapes shot by an al Qaeda suspect.

Bus bombing. A two-month pause in suicide attacks is shattered in Israel.

And backlash. Could the U.S. face war terror after an attack on Iraq? I'll ask Senator Saxby Chambliss of the Intelligence Committee.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: It's Wednesday, March 5, 2003. I'm Wolf Blitzer in Washington.

Is the U.S. going to war? If you listen to the from's men it sounds like the battle is about to begin, maybe only days from now. America's top diplomat laid out the case for war. Secretary of State Colin Powell acted like a prosecutor, pointing out Iraq's failures. Over at the Pentagon, the military leaders say that troops are ready to fight right now, even as they await word of the president's order.

But there is major opposition today. France, Germany and Russia plan a showdown at the United Nations in a bid to stop the U.S.'s war machine. And their voices of dissent echoed by protesters from Australia to Egypt to university students right here in the United States. Even the Vatican voiced concerns today. Later this hour, I'll speak exclusively to Cardinal Pio Laghi, the man dispatched by Pope John Paul II to try and persuade President Bush to avoid war.

But we begin with reports from the United Nations, the Pentagon and the White House.

First to Chris Burns with news on the president and the secretary of state who switched from diplomacy to talk of war -- Chris.

CHRIS BURNS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Wolf.

President Bush meeting with his National Security Council today with General Tommy Frank, very telling because Franks would be leading the war machine against Iraq. However, the White House giving no details about that meeting. What they're pushing especially today publicly is that speech by Secretary Colin Powell today, trying to layout a stronger case for passing that U.N. resolution that would authorize war. So far only four of the nine votes are assured on the Security Council to pass that. So it's still an uphill battle.

Secretary Powell trying to layout new evidence, saying that the destruction of the Saddam -- Saddam's missiles that has been going on for the last the few days is not nearly enough -- is only a charade.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: From recent intelligence, we know that the Iraqi regime intends to declare and destroy only a portion of its banned al-Samoud inventory and that it has, in factor, ordered the continued production of the missiles that you see being destroyed.

BURNS: And Secretary -- Secretary Powell saying that there's more evidence, also including that Saddam is moving chemical and biological weapons toward the borders of Turkey and Syria. Also trying to stash weapons in poor neighborhoods, inside trucks parked in poor neighborhoods inside Baghdad and perhaps other cities.

So a game of deception according to Secretary Powell. Powell hoping also that weapons inspectors on Friday before the U.N. provide even more evidence.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BURNS (voice-over): Ahead of a report by Chief U.N. Weapons Inspector Hans Blix on Friday, the president is sending his top diplomats to New York for some high-stakes lobbying, arguing Baghdad is only doing piecemeal disarmament with a wider strategy of manipulation.

POWELL: Iraq's too little, too late gestures are meant not just to deceive and delay action by the international community. He has, as one of his major goals, to divide the international community, to split us into arguing factions. That effort must fail.

BURNS: At the White House, meetings on war and on peace. President Bush huddled with his National Security Council including General Tommy Franks, head of the central command that would run the war machine against Iraq.

Only a still picture was released of President Bush's meeting with papal envoy Pio Laghi. The envoy brought a letter from Pope John Paul II, who calls a war "morally unjustified."

The White House says the president has made up on his mind, at least on the morality of the war -- that it would be immoral to leave Saddam with weapons of mass destruction.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BURNS: And a message of peace, an olive branch of sorts from Secretary Powell himself, saying that Saddam -- if Saddam did disarm now, he could still avoid war -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Chris Burns at the White House. Chris, very much.

And this important reminder. Coming up later this hour, I'll have an exclusive interview with Cardinal Pio Laghi, the special envoy of Pope John Paul II. He'll tell us what -- how his meeting with the president went.

And here's your chance to weigh in on this story. Our "Web Question of the Day" is this. -- Do you agree with the pope that war with Iraq would not be morally justified? We'll have the results later in this broadcast. Please vote at cnn.com/wolf. While you're there, I'd love to hear from you. Send me your comments. I'll try to read some of them on the air each day at the end of this program. That's also, of course, where you can read my daily online column, cnn.com/wolf.

The general who will lead U.S. forces in a war with Iraq says he's ready whenever he gets the go ahead. General Tommy Franks spoke after war planners met this morning with President Bush.

Our senior Pentagon correspondent, Jamie McIntyre, is joining us now live with a look at the timetable -- Jamie.

JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN SR. PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, every indication that that briefing by General Franks at the White House may be his last one before the U.S. goes to war. According to sources, he was briefing the president and the security team on the option for going to war without the help of Turkey, because sources say Turkey has all but been written out of the war plan.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FRANKS: If the president of the United States decides to undertake action, we are in a position to provide a military option.

MCINTYRE (voice-over): But Pentagon sources say the U.S. still needs a few more days to get the rest of the 101st airborne and its equipment in place in Kuwait. Forces from the 101st and the 82nd airborne will secure northern Iraq from the south, using assault helicopters and paratroops.

And the U.S. needs to decide whether to move two aircraft carriers out of the eastern Mediterranean to the Red Sea, so they can send planes over Saudi Arabia if Turkey doesn't grant overflight rights.

But soon, sources say, the U.S. will issue a final public warning.

DONALD RUMSFELD, SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: If we arrive at that point, we'll have announcements that will make clear what our thoughts are.

MCINTYRE: That will include a warning to western journalists that it will be a lot more dangerous to report from Baghdad than it was during the 1991 Gulf War. That is, if they can report.

Pentagon sources confirm the U.S. military plan for shock and awe includes use of weapons designed to blind the Iraqi high command by disabling power supplies and shutting down communications. Sources say the so-called E-bomb, an electromagnetic pulse weapon designed to be carried by a Tomahawk missile, is still under development and not ready for war, but that other, less exotic weapons will be used.

FRANKS: One example would be offensive electronics. That is a nonlethal sort of weapon. It may be that under certain circumstances one would see that.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MCINTYRE: Now Franks will return to his forward headquarters in Qatar in a few days, sources say. But the biggest roadblock to war right now is not logistical, it's political. That U.N. resolution -- once that is dealt with one way or the other, the U.S. will be ready to go and that makes the likely window for war some time in the middle of this month -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Jamie McIntyre at the Pentagon. Thanks, Jamie, very much.

The battle lines are also drawn at the United Nations, where key allies plan a final fight against a U.S.-led military campaign. At the same time, the chief weapons inspector pulled back the curtain just a little bit on his upcoming report.

For that, let's go live to our senior U.N. correspondent, Richard Roth -- Richard.

RICHARD ROTH, CNN SR. UNITED NATIONS CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, Hans Blix says he is not lonely. One of the many pertinent facts gleaned from the press conference Blix held just 48 hours before he briefs the United Nations Security Council. Blix also said they've had seven interviews with Iraqi scientists without minders or tape recorders. And he reported other areas of progress.

But he didn't want to give too much ammunition to either side in the divided Security Council.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ROTH (voice-over): In a preview of his Friday briefing to the Security Council, Chief Weapons Inspector Hans Blix bounced from praise to criticism on Iraq's level of cooperation.

On the recent Iraqi destruction of al-Samoud missiles...

HANS BLIX, U.N. CHIEF WEAPONS INSPECTOR: I think one could also characterize those efforts as very fine disarmament.

ROTH: But Blix is not ready to say that Iraq has disclosed where all biological weapons are.

BLIX: It doesn't mean that we could say that all biological weapons are accounted for. No, they are yet there.

ROTH: The chief inspector declined to answer when pressed for a yes or no whether Iraq has fully cooperated, as written in the unanimously passed Security Council resolution, which threatens Baghdad with serious consequences.

Blix's U.N. work contract has been extended until the end of June. With war a distinct possibility, Blix again said it was too soon to close the door on inspections. But he declined to ask for four months to continue those inspections.

BLIX: In the past, of course, the track record was not so good. And therefore, I would not want to suggest that I'm confident that this will happen. I hope it will happen.

ROTH: Blix said a war would mean a serious failure for disarmament. It also means his inspectors might have to leave in a hurry.

BLIX: We have evacuation plans. I think that the Security Council, that has created UNMOVIC, they have the political responsibility for this organization and they should also face that responsibility.

ROTH: The Swedish diplomat and attorney said it's a pity Iraq seems to cooperate only under threat of political or military action.

BLIX: There is a great deal more of cooperation now and the threat certainly has brought it there. I hope it is not too late.

ROTH: Veto-packing Security Council members want to make sure its not too late. Foreign ministers from Russia, France and Germany went on the diplomatic offensive.

DE VILLEPIN (through translator): We will not accept a dropped resolution which would authorize the use of force. Russia and France as permanent members of the Security Council, will take all their responsibilities in its respect. ROTH: France and Russia did not specifically vow to veto. They hoped the threat would prompt the U.S. to either withdraw the resolution or adjust the language giving the inspectors and Saddam Hussein more time.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROTH: Blix said that he could not necessarily verify what Iraq wants verified, that what it dumped in 1991, VX and anthrax in the soil. He said if you poured milk into the soil in 1991 you could probably still not verify it -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Richard Roth at the United Nations.

Thanks, Richard, very much.

Let's look at other developments in the showdown in Iraq. A summit meant to unite the world's one billion Muslims against war broke down into a shouting match between Iraq and Kuwait. Until the plug was pulled Iraq's number two man was caught on live television shouting at the Kuwaiti foreign minister to, quote, "shut up you monkey." Calling him an insolent vassal of the United States. The Organization of the United Islamic Conference Summit ended with a statement offering no, repeat, no, new initiatives to stop the drive toward war.

The, Iraq President Saddam Hussein spoke publicly today for the first time about the destruction of those Al Samoud 2 missiles. He told a group of army commanders the United Nations is trying to demoralize Iraq by ordering the weapons destroyed ahead of an enemy attack. Earlier in day the government staged a massive show of force aimed at boosting morale.

Our senior international correspondent Nic Robertson is in Baghdad.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NIC ROBERTSON, SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Led on by officers, Interior Ministry troops raise a chant in support of President Saddam Hussein. The first show of force in the capitol for weeks, bringing out thousands of soldiers, firemen and policemen on parade. For the first time in the Interior Ministry ranks, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) meaning those who are prepared to become martyrs.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): We are from the Ministry of the Interior. We are swords in the hands of President Saddam Hussein.

ROBERTSON: Not necessarily, suicide bombers, but beneath the white uniform symbolizing a death shroud, hard to gauge true intent.

MARMOUD AL AHMED, IRAQI INTERIOR MINISTER: The samples that were paraded today represents a limited number of the interior men who fill Iraq's land.

ROBERTSON: While few on parade had ammunitions in their weapons colleagues providing security for the day were well armed.

(on camera): And while some people came out in apparent support for the parade, most here carried on as normal. Their fears about a possible war growing, despite Iraq's continuing destruction of its Al Samoud 2 missiles.

(voice-over): Outside the barracks north of Baghdad, more of the banned missiles destined for destruction were trucked in. On this day, nine missiles were destroyed, bring the total number rendered useless to 28, close to one-quarter of Iraq's stated inventory.

Nic Robertson, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Could American citizens face a backlash for war with Iraq?

Several media reports including an article in today's "Los Angeles Times," suggest Iraq has dispatched cells to many parts of the world to retaliate.

Joining us now, Senator Saxby Chambliss, he serves on the Senate Intelligence Committee as well as the Armed Services Committee.

Senator, thanks very much for joining us.

How worried should Americans be that Iraqi government agency may have dispatched terror cells to hit the U.S. in the event of war?

SEN. SAXBY CHAMBLISS (R-GA), SENATE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE: Well, certainly it's just another issue that we're going to have to deal with in the war on terrorism, Wolf.

We know that Iraq has weapons of mass destruction. We know that they intend to use them to kill and harm Americans. We are not going to let Saddam do that. And if he decides to retaliate against the United States, obviously, we have to be prepared for that as a part of any forceful conflict with Iraq.

BLITZER: You know, even as we speak right now, senator, the FBI is issuing one of their advisories to local law enforcement, say that with the arrest of Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, the No. 3 in al Qaeda, there could be an upsurge in terror planning against U.S. targets in the short term.

Is that what your hearing?

CHAMBLISS: Well, it again, it's just retaliation by, Iraq. Here we may have retaliation by al Qaeda for the forceful action to capture KSM. And the Shaikh, is somebody that we've been after for years and it was a huge victory, not just to get the Shaikh over the weekend, but to get one of the financial consultants of bin Laden. So this has been a very productive week, both in the direct war on terrorism related to al Qaeda, as well as moving forward with the potential conflict with Iraq. BLITZER: So, let me tell you, senator, what viewers are e- mailing me. They're saying of the Iraqis are destroying the Al Samoud missiles. They may be doing it grudgingly.

But why not let the inspectors finish the job?

Isn't that better than going to war?

CHAMBLISS: Wolf, what people need to remember is these are missiles that should have been brought forward by Saddam Hussein months ago, not a couple of weeks ago when we were finding these missiles.

How many more does he have?

Where are the weapons of mass destruction that we know he has?

What has he done with the material, the ingredients that were bought and he had on hand to make anthrax, to make botulism?

Where is all of this?

He hasn't come forward with it. He's not going to come forward with it even though he's had plenty of opportunity to, if he comes forward and shows where he's destroyed those weapons and then he puts an entirely different light on things. But he hasn't done that. The inspectors should not have to be on a search to find these weapons. He is required to come forward.

BLITZER: Should the president give Saddam Hussein one last chance, an ultimatum, if you will, to go ahead and comply or face imminent war?

CHAMBLISS: Think he's given him plenty of ultimatums. He's been cautious to not put a deadline on it, but he's been very direct in saying that the ball is in Saddam's court. It's up to him to bring the information forward relative to the destruction of weapons of mass destruction that he has on hand and he hasn't done that. He's made absolutely no effort to do. That I think the president's right to continue to put the pressure.

BLITZER: You've studied the homeland security for a long time, long before it was fashionable, as they say, would it be prudent to raise the terror alert level from the current elevated or yellow level to orange, perhaps even red, the severe level if the U.S. goes to war?

CHAMBLISS: Well, it just depends on what the signs are out there. And, Wolf, it doesn't necessarily mean that an attack is imminent just because we hear a lot of chatter in the intelligence and terrorist world. But if we get anything substantive, I assure you that it will be put in the hands of the right people immediately and those folks will make the decision. I don't think it's a Congressional function to decide when that threat level should be raised.

BLITZER: Senator Saxby Chambliss, thanks for spending time with us. Thank you very much.

Protests against a potential war and around this country, voices of dissent when we return. Plus, two detainees murdered in U.S. custody. Find out who may be responsible for this potential war crime. Also, on the run with a convicted murderer. A family appeals for the safe return of their teenaged daughter.

And a diplomat for peace meets with the president on the first day of Lent. Would a U.S. war with Iraq be morally justified. I'll ask the Pope's special envoy in an exclusive interview.

But first, today's "News Quiz."

During which two words did the Vatican consider a U.S. intervention morally justified?

Kosovo, Vietnam, Bosnia, Gulf War?

The answer coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Turning now to the growing anti-war sentiment around the world employ half a million Egyptians joined a government- sponsored, but tightly-controlled rally in Cairo. They were bused in from all over the country. They chanted along as cabinet minister called out over loud speakers, no to war, yes to peace.

In Australia thousands of high school students cut classes and joined anti-war demonstrations in most major cities. Chanting and whistling, students from the Books, not Bombs Coalition brought traffic to a standstill in Sydney. Some carried banners reading don't attack Iraq. Australia sent 2,000 military personnel to the Persian Gulf.

High school and college campuses across America were the sites today for a coordinated war protest. Students walked out of classes at hundreds of schools to show their opposition to war with Iraq.

CNN's Maria Hinojosa is joining us live from the university of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia -- Maria.

MARIA HINOJOSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Actually, Wolf, I'm in front of city hall where which is where the students of the University of Pennsylvania ended up as part of their rally. And even though organizers are saying they didn't see the massive turnouts that would compare at all with the February 15 international war -- day against war, what they're saying is that this is a movement that is happening, voice not usually heard when talking about international policy issues, that's the voice of young people.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HINOJOSA, (voice-over): Activists are hoping that this will become the new face of the anti-war movement. Dozens of teenagers from (UNINTELLIGIBLE) high school in Philadelphia, walking out to protest a war that hasn't begun. One rallying cry that war means less money for education.

We have a military budget that is literally out of control. It's billions and billions and billions of dollars a year. They're estimating that the war in Iraq will cost $100 billion. One of the reasons that I'm here I want that money taken and invested in education.

HINOJOSA: From students walking out of class at a Boston high school, to chanting college students in Madison, Wisconsin. In Boulder, Colorado, they laid down to protest. From Decatur, Georgia in the South, to Chicago in the North, they marched for peace. At the University of Pennsylvania, a day-long teach-in, yes there were peace signs and provocative words, but there were also young activists who only six months ago wouldn't have called themselves that like Spencer Witty who plays varsity baseball for U. Penn.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm a representative of the breath of opposition that exists in this war. And a lot of people are getting involved that might not have otherwise.

HINOJOSA: There are also many more students who were too busy or too apathetic to protest. And young Republicans like David Copley, who believes in this war right now.

DAVID COPLEY, PENN. COLLEGE REPUBLICANS: Anti-war sentiment is definitely not the majority. There's a large silent majority that doesn't tend to speak out.

HINOJOSA: But for Iraqi-American, Muhammed Mekki, who dislikes Saddam Hussein, there's also skepticism.

MUHAMMED MEKKI, IRAQ-AMERICAN: Their feeling from abroad and not knowing what the Americans have in store for them. What is -- what is the U.S.'s goal out of this. They can't believe that it's going to be positive for the people of Iraq. So there's a lot of skepticism in that sense. They're really afraid.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HINOJOSA: Now, wolf, the anti-war organizers say that this today is just part of what will be planned for the next several weeks. The next big action will be this Saturday, March 8, International Women's Day, where they're hoping that women in fact turn out in front of the White House and the Capitol. They're saying this is all part of a coordinated national effort to try to get the voice out against war -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Thanks, Maria Hinojosa in Philadelphia, thank you very much.

And bloodshed in the Middle East. A terror attack on an Israeli bus and the retaliation. Find out the latest. There are developments unfolding right now.

Plus, teen on the run with a convicted murderer. The family of a missing girl appeals for her safe return. And the morality of war. The Pope urges President Bush to keep the peace, but is his message getting through?

We'll ask the man who met with the president today. That exclusive interview still coming up. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: An update now on the already tense situation in the Middle East. Israeli military forges have launched an operation on a Palestinian refugee camp in Northern Gaza. Troops are supported right now by tanks and helicopter gunships. The strike comes hours after a suicide bombing in Northern Israel. The militant group Hamas has claimed responsibility for that attack. Fifteen people were killed and at least 40 others were hurt.

CNN's Jerrold Kessel has more now on the bombing.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JERROLD KESSEL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A boot and a sneaker lie (UNINTELLIGIBLE) alongside the stricken bus. What remains of city bus No. 37 as it headed from Haifa's Seaside along Mount Carmel's main boulevard here to its intended destination, the city university. Police say the bomb bomber boarded at one of the earlier stops before setting off his explosives as the bus pulled away near this stop here, near the children's dentist's office.

The force of the explosion was such, that parts of the bus was scattered 50 meters away, and the back part of the roof somersaulted over to front. The dozens of wounded were quickly ferried away to hospitals. Counting and removing the dead took longer, leaving the customary serenity of this pretty port city, undone by this first such attack inside an Israeli city in two months.

(on camera): But it's scenes like these that remind Israelis that even against a backdrop of a gathering war elsewhere in the Middle East, their battles with the Palestinians go on unrelieved.

(voice-over): Israeli forces had themselves been stepping up their attacks inside Palestinian areas, seeking to put Palestinian militants on the defensive and it's working, says Israel, no less than 50 such attacks stopped during the last two months of a lull. Palestinians say that this kind of attack is the result of those Israeli actions, which have just spread more and more Palestinian resentment. Either way, clearly now, the lull has been only temporary.

Jerrold Kessel, CNN, Haifa.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WOLF BLITZER, HOST: And could the United States and North Korea be heading toward a military showdown of their own? New concerns today. We'll have details, also. A looming war on this first day of Lent. The pope fasts for peace and sends a very strong message to the White House. In an exclusive interview, I'll talk to the Vatican's special envoy. He just met with the president.

And was this home video used to scout targets for 9/11? You may have seen the pictures, now hear the chilling translation for the first time. You're watching CNN, the most trusted name in news.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Earlier we asked during which two wars did the Vatican consider U.S. intervention morally justified? The answer, Bosnia and Kosovo. The Vatican came out strongly against Vietnam and the Gulf War.

Welcome back to CNN. I'm Wolf Blitzer. Coming up, a religious appeal to the president. The pope tries to stop a war on morale grounds. In an exclusive interview, I'll talk to the Vatican's peace envoy who met with the president earlier today.

(NEWSBREAK)

BLITZER: And of course, we'd love to hear directly from you, our viewers. Our "Web Question of The Day" is this -- do you agree with the pope that war with Iraq would not be morally justified? Log on to CNN.com/Wolf. That's where you can vote. We'll have the results later this hour.

A tourist tape of New York City that may, may, have been the precursor to terror. A closer look at the man who shot this videotape. Hear what he had to say about New York's buildings, but first, let's take a look at news making headlines around the world.

Kuwait conviction. A Kuwaiti police officer has been found guilty of shooting two U.S. service men after stopping them at a highway last November. The American suffered serious wounds. The policeman who used an insanity defense was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Going it alone. Despite the latest deadly terror attack in the Philippines, President Gloria Arroyo still opposes letting U.S. troops battle Muslim separatists. Twenty-one people were killed when a bomb went off yesterday in an airport waiting room on Mindanao Island. The Philippine president says the terrorists will be punished but by Philippine troops, not by Americans.

Terrorist blast. A booby-trapped car exploded in Paris, but police consider it a criminal matter, not terrorism. The blast killed the driver, who had a long criminal record and injured five bystanders.

Another drill. The recent subway fire in South Korea has transit agencies around the world taking notice and conducting emergency exercises. The latest was in Yokohama, Japan where nearly 200 people participated. Russia remembers. Today is the 50th anniversary of the death of Joseph Stalin. Although the communist dictator has been blamed for millions of deaths during his 30-year reign, some Russians still revere his memory. Thousands turned out to pay tribute in Red Square.

Like a virgin. Is this image of the virgin of Guadalupe? Some people living in a Mexico City neighborhood think so and they say it's a miracle. They say it began to appear gradually over the weekend and can't be removed with soap or paint solvent. They've surrounded it with flowers and candles and want church leaders to build an altar. And that's our look around the world.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: An update on the case of Laci Peterson. Modesto Police have just briefed reporters. We'll have details. That's coming up. Also, a parents' plea -- their daughter, Lindsey Ryan, in the hands of a convicted killer. We'll speak with her family. That's coming up. Also, much more. We're back in one moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Updating you now on a developing story we reported on just a little while ago. In its weekly bulletin, the FBI is advising state and local law enforcement agencies that the arrest of the al Qaeda operations chief, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed could, could lead to terrorist reprisals.

Officials think Mohammed's arrest is a serious blow to al Qaeda's ability to carry out attacks, but they're worried, clearly worried, about plans that may already be in the pipeline. However, one FBI official tells CNN, authorities do not -- repeat, do not have any information indicating there is a specific or credible threat because of the arrests. We're continuing to follow this story.

In the meantime, CNN has learned new information about a disturbing videotape we first showed you yesterday. It was seized by Spanish authorities who believe it may show al Qaeda members scouting New York City targets in 1997, including the World Trade Center. CNN's Jamie Colby has this update.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JAMIE COLBY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): An investigative judge in Spain describes the tape acquired by CNN as -- quote -- "Not merely of touristic nature, but rather specific information on terrorist targets." In a haunting moment, the tape's owner, a Syrian- born Muslim seen here touring Wall Street landmarks says -- "I'll knock them all down."

Though it's impossible to tell just from the tape what he meant. The Spanish judge has ruled that if proven at trial that the tape did reach al Qaeda, it would have served as preliminary information for the attacks against the twin towers. The tape was shot four years before September 11. One-third of the 90-minute tape contains footage of New York landmarks like the World Trade Center, the Empire State Building and the Brooklyn Bridge. Federal law enforcement officials tell CNN it is possible that this was an al Qaeda scouting tape. And Spanish officials say the tape could bring tougher charges for Ghasoub al- Abrash Ghalyoun, who is an accused al Qaeda operative. He's already charged with belonging to a terrorist organization, but establishing the tape did reach al Qaeda could bring conspiracy charges linking him to the attacks.

"You shouldn't arrest a person to ruin his life with no evidence," Ghasoub said after his arrest last April.

Spanish police say other tapes seized in his home have footage of the Sears Tower in Chicago, San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge and Disneyland. His attorney says Ghasoub has no connection to terrorism and the tape merely shows a family trip. Indeed, a majority of the video shows the father of five with his family on vacation and at home.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLBY: Spain was a meeting place for 9/11 hijackers and where more than 30 alleged Islamic terrorists have been rounded up since 9/11. Ghasoub is free on bail -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Jamie Colby, she's all over the story. Thanks once again, Jamie, for that update.

When we come back, she's believed to have run away from home with a convicted killer. Coming up, the search for Lindsey Ryan. We'll get the latest from her parents straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Investigators in the Laci Peterson case say they now believe they're dealing with a homicide. They made the announcement at a news conference just a few minutes ago in Laci's hometown of Modesto, California. Laci Peterson was eight months pregnant when she disappeared Christmas Eve. Police have questioned her husband, Scott, and they say they're not ruling out anyone as a suspect.

Updating you on a story now we first told you about yesterday. Authorities are still searching for a Michigan teenager who apparently ran away from home with a convicted killer. Fourteen-year-old Lindsey Ryan vanished over the weekend and police believe she's with a 56- year-old convicted killer she corresponded with by e-mail. With us once again from Jones, Michigan are the girl's parents, Carol and Patrick Ryan.

Once again, our hearts go out to both of you. Patrick, first of all, any change, any update from law enforcement about the whereabouts of your daughter?

PATRICK RYAN, LINDSEY'S FATHER: No, there aren't any updates. There is just a lot of work going on. A lot of people are trying to bring this to a successful conclusion and bring Lindsey back here.

BLITZER: Carol, do you have confidence that police, local and state law enforcement are doing everything they possibly can to find your 14-year-old daughter?

CAROL RYAN, LINDSEY'S MOTHER: Absolutely. Now what we need is the people to get involved, the local citizens.

BLITZER: Well, what are you -- what exactly are you appealing for, Carol?

C. RYAN: Someone's going to see them. Someone has seen them. They see them around. They're not invisible. And, you know, we live in a time where people think it doesn't matter, but it does and all they have to do is get on the phone. Don't wait, just get on the horn, call right away and we can apprehend this man and bring my daughter home.

BLITZER: The -- one of the most tragic parts of this, Patrick, this man, apparently, you met him in church. Is that right?

P. RYAN: That is correct. That's true.

BLITZER: And what happened? He started communicating with your daughter?

P. RYAN: Apparently, although we can't go into a lot of details about exactly how everything went on, what we do know is that he managed to communicate with my daughter without my consent or permission or without my daughter's -- or my wife's consent or permission, or without the knowledge of her brothers, without the knowledge of any friends, family friends. It was quite a feat given the kind of protections that we tried to put in for our daughter and for all of our children.

BLITZER: Carol, did Lindsey have any history of this kind of behavior to run away with a stranger, if you will, like this?

C. RYAN: Oh, no. She was -- as a matter of fact, the day she disappeared we were at a 4-H auction and we were having a delightful time. She has no incorrigible background, no smart mouth. I mean she's very tight with her brothers and well liked among her peer group.

BLITZER: Unfortunately, we have to leave it right there. Good luck to both of you.

C. RYAN: Thank you.

BLITZER: We're going to continue to follow this story. We'll continue to see what we can do, obviously, to get the word out, Carol Ryan and Patrick Ryan. Tomorrow, on this program, I'll speak about this case with John Walsh of "America's Most Wanted."

C. RYAN: Thank you.

BLITZER: He's been in a similar kind of situation both of you know.

P. RYAN: Thank you very much.

BLITZER: Let's hope for a better result in your case. Thank you very much to both of you.

C. RYAN: Please.

BLITZER: And we'll have the results of our "Web Question of The Day." That's coming up as soon as we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Here's how you're weighing in on our "Web Question of The Day." Do you agree with the pope that the war with Iraq would not be morally justified? Look at this, 68 percent of you, so far, agree, 32 percent disagree.

"LOU DOBBS MONEYLINE" is up next.

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