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CNN Wolf Blitzer Reports

What Do New al Qaeda, Saddam Tapes Show?

Aired May 07, 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.


(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WOLF BLITZER,CNN ANCHOR (voice-over): Where is the deposed dictator?

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I am going to focus on (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and seek them out from Iraq.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

BLITZER: A new audiotape supposedly recorded this week by Saddam Hussein. Casualties of combat.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I should be dead. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) split in two pieces.

BLITZER: The twist of fate that saved one Marine's life in Iraq.

Just released -- video of September 11 hijackers and planners caught on tape at an Alamos wedding.

High school hazing -- out of control.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: When I looked up and I saw blood, I knew that this wasn't right.

BLITZER: A tradition turned ugly. Why police are now investigating.

He's called the elevator rapist, a serial attacker terrorizing New York City, nine victims so far. We'll have the latest on the search.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANNOUNCER: CNN live this hour. WOLF BLITZER REPORTS live from the nation's capital with correspondents from around the world. WOLF BLITZER REPORTS starts now.

BLITZER (on camera): It's Wednesday, May 7, 2003. Hello from Washington. I'm Wolf Blitzer reporting.

There are new indications right now on a key question left over from the war: whether the Iraqi leader is dead or alive. And is Saddam Hussein becoming another Osama bin Laden?

Tapes purportedly of Saddam Hussein keep popping up. Our senior international correspondent, Nic Robertson, is joining us now live from Baghdad with more on this newest audio tape. Nic.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): Wolf, these tapes were handed to a journalist on Monday night. In fact, they were handed by two people who pulled up in a car outside of his hotel, talked to his translator who used to work at the ministry of information -- one of those ministry information binders that used to go out with journalists.

The two men gave that former binder the tape. They told them that the tape was of Saddam Hussein, and it was a message to the Iraqi people.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(voice-over): Seemingly in contrast with the writing on Baghdad's walls, Saddam Hussein's first purported verbal message, since his fall from power, is a call to arms. Reportedly recorded this week, it was delivered in a tired voice.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): You, the Iraqi people, men and women, stand together against the invasion and show your stance as much as you can by writing on walls or making positive demonstrations, or not selling them anything or buying anything from them, or by shooting them with your rifles and trying to destroy their cannons and tanks.

ROBERTSON: Hussein's message finding little support in Baghdad's Adel (ph) neighborhood -- traditionally pro-Saddam.

We don't have the ability to fight the U.S. Army says Abu, (ph), an agricultural engineer. We don't even want to fight the American troops. They're preserving our security. The streets of Adel were the last place Hussein is thought to appear publicly. His new message refers to his birthday and the looting of the Iraqi National Museum -- both events occurring since that appearance and his removal from power.

According to the new audio tape, resistance will be a secret struggle -- reminiscent of Hussein's Bath party underground movement in the 1960s.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Through the secret means, I am talking to you from inside great Iraq, and I say to you, the main task for you, Arab and Kurd, Shi'ite and Sunni, Muslim and Christian, and the whole Iraqi people of all religions, your main task is to kick the enemy out from our country. That he who is working with the foreigners is working against you.

ROBERTSON: For Iraq's former foreign minister, Adnan Pachachi, returning from several decades in exile -- the specter of the speech troubling. ADNAN PACHACHI, FORMER FOREIGN MINISTER, IRAQ: I fully understand the apprehension that some people feel, that, you know, he may certainly be among us.

ROBERTSON: Among anti-western protesters to whom CNN played the speech, Hussein's words falling flat.

"Whether Saddam is dead or alive, he's finished as far as we Iraqis are concerned," he says. "Saddam is over, and we don't want him back."

A group of looters, we also played the tape to -- undecided whether it was Hussein.

Saddam had seven doubles, he says, and we say it's not him.

"Whether it is his voice or not, we're against him anyway," says this looter.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(on camera): Well, even if the people here aren't concerned about the authenticity of the tapes, it does pose a question for U.S. officials here. Will this call to arms amount to a sustained and serious attack on U.S. troops here, now, and in the future, or will it just fade away like so many of Saddam's portraits around the city? -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Nic Robertson in Baghdad with that tape. Thanks, Nic, very much.

Let's get a little bit more on that audio tape supposedly made by Saddam Hussein this week.

(BEGIN AUDIO TAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): I don't want to talk in details about the occupation and why and how,and I am going to focus on how to face these invaders and kick them out from Iraq. I addressed some messages before, many messages before. Some of them were by my voice and some were addressed to the mass media. But we know and you know very well the mass media and the whole world is controlled by the Zionists and, especially, by supporters in the White House.

Your enemy came to Iraq, and they thought that the Iraqi people would receive them with flowers but they were surprised. Some people now are changing their minds about the Americans and the occupation. We have no option but to struggle and satisfy God, our high principles, and ourselves as well.

They tell many lies, and you the Iraqi people have won your moral battle because the Americans destroyed Iraq and stole Iraq's ancient archaeology by destroying the Iraqi National Museum.

This time, we are standing against America, a tyrant power that rules the world. You, the Iraqi people, will shame the Americans as the Palestinians shamed the Zionists.

Work hard. Work hard through this for the sake of God, and then victory will be visible. Work hard for God, you the Iraqi people, Iraqi women, Iraqi men, and we are with you. We are working with you.

(END AUDIO TAPE)

BLITZER: Saddam Hussein supposedly on that audio tape. A lot more investigation underway right now over at the CIA, the national security agency, on the authenticity of that tape.

By the way, the Iraqi Two of Hearts is in coalition custody right now. The Ba'ath Party regional commander, Aludabi (ph), was number 32 on the U.S. military's list of 55 most wanted members of Saddam Hussein's regime. U.S. officials gave no details on whether he was caught or turned himself in.

Right now a total of 19 of that list have surrendered or have been captured. Others may be dead.

Hundreds of Iraqi doctors took to the streets of Baghdad -- today, vowing they will not accept the American pointed head of the health ministry. The doctors said they took the action because the official was the number three man at the health ministry under Saddam Hussein.

Lieutenant General Jay Garner, the head of the U.S.-run Iraqi administration, said not all officials under Saddam Hussein were necessarily bad and that he needs their help in the new government.

A suspected biological weapons laboratory has been discovered in Iraq, but is it a smoking gun of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction? Our senior Pentagon correspondent, Jamie McIntyre, is picking up that part of the story. Jamie.

JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): Well, Wolf, still no discovery of weapons of mass destruction, but today the Pentagon went on the record saying they believe they've found Iraq's means of producing them.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(voice-over) The pentagon says this truck trailer stopped by Kurds at a checkpoint in northern Iraq last month is almost certainly a mobile biological laboratory. Officials say the size of the vehicle and the equipment inside, including a fermenter and air-cleaning system, match the description given to the U.S. by an Iraqi defector before the war and used to produce these drawings shown to the U.N.

STEPHEN CAMBONE, UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR INTELLIGENCE: The experts have been through it, and they have not found another plausible use for it.

MCINTYRE: But burned by previous premature suggestions of WMD finds, the Pentagon is withholding a final verdict until the suspected germ factory, which appears to have been cleaned with strong ammonia, can be dismantled to search for trace amounts of bioagents.

CAMBONE: On the smoking gun, I mean, the -- I don't know.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MCINTYRE (on camera): So far, the search for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq has been fruitless for the U.S. military. Of the 576 sites they identified before the war, they've searched 70 of them, found no weapons, and they found 40 new sites, but no weapons have been found there either -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Jamie McIntyre with the latest from the Pentagon. Thanks, Jamie, very much.

If Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein are ever found, they'll owe a lot of money. A federal judge has awarded families of two victims of the September 11 attacks almost $104 million and the judge assessed the damages caused by bin Laden and Hussein, among others, saying lawyer had shown that Iraq provided material support to bin Laden and al Qaeda, an assertion that has not been officially proven by the U.S. government.

Meanwhile, some of the 9/11 suicide hijackers are seen on a newly-released video a wedding celebration in Germany.

Details on that from CNN national correspondent Mike Boettcher.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MIKE BOETTCHER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The video shows us members of the now infamous Hamburg al Qaeda cell that investigators believe was the core group of the 9/11 hijackings. The groom in the October 1999 wedding reception in Hamburg, Germany is Sayeed Bahaji (ph), who German authorities accuse of helping plot the New York and Washington attacks. He fled Hamburg just days before 9/11 and is still at large.

Seated to his right, Ramzi bin al-Shibh, a key al Qaeda figure who investigators believe played a major role in masterminding the terrorist plot. He was arrested in Karachi, Pakistan exactly one year after the World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks.

During the reception, bin al-Shibh comments that all in attendance were part of a class for which there would be a test. "There will be some who pass and some who fail," he said.

Marwan Alshehhi, who was one of the hijackers of United Flight 175 that crashed into the second World Trade Center building, is standing on the far right of the group, which is singing to the groom.

Also at the reception, Ziad Jarrah, a hijacker of United Flight 93, that crashed into a Pennsylvania field. Hijack leader Mohamed Atta is not seen in the video, but investigators believe he was also present. As was Mahmoun Darkanzali, who was under investigation by German police for funneling money to the group. He denies any terrorist involvement. The videotape has been in the hands of German authorities for many months, but was recently released to lawyers representing the families of those who died in the 9/11 attacks. For investigators, lawyers and families, it provides a rare glimpse of the mysterious Hamburg cell that was celebrating a wedding at the same time they were believed to be plotting an attack.

Mike Boettcher, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: And President Bush is preparing to speak to reporters this hour. He'll be answering reporters' questions employ. We'll see what he says if asked about that controversy about his speech aboard the Abraham Lincoln last week. Of course, CNN will have live coverage. That's coming up in the next few minutes.

Plus, hunt for a serial rapist. Do you recognize this man? Police say he's on the loose and terrorizing women. We'll go live to New York City for the latest.

Also, girls out of control. A high school ritual turns violent.

And fueling the fire. SUVs back in the frying pan again.

First, today's "News Quiz."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): Which brand vehicle was rated the worst in quality by consumers in the annual J.D. Power and Associates survey? G.M. Hummer, Ford Land Rover, Kia, Saab? The answer coming up.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: I'm meteorologist Jacqui Jeras in the CNN Weather Cent. We have a report of a tornado on the ground in Randolph County, into east central parts of Alabama.

Emergency management reports the tornado between Ashland and Lineville and this is pushing off to the east now at 25 miles per hour. And I want to get close up as much as we can and show you this cell right here, very impressive very strong hook on this super cell thunderstorm. It is just south of Interstate 20 and it is heading across over to the state line. If you live in Carolton, over toward Peach Tree City, this storm is heading your way.

We'll have more coming up. WOLF BLITZER REPORTS right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: You're looking at live pictures of the White House. Momentarily the president expected to emerge with the Spanish prime minister. They'll be making statements, answering reporters' questions. We'll go there live as soon as they emerge.

In the meantime, a manhunt is now under way in New York City for a serial rapist. Since January, several women have been raped in Manhattan and the Bronx.

CNN's Maria Hinojosa is covering the story. She is joining us now live -- Maria.

MARIA HINOJOSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, you know, this story is drawing a lot of attention because of the fact that New York City hasn't been this safe in terms of street crimes in 40 years. The only numbers that have continued to rise, though, are the numbers of rapes in the past decade.

Now this is Chelsea. It's considered one of New York's hippest neighbors. But since January, in this 10-square block area, there have been four rapes. It started with one rape about a block west of here. There were another two 10 blocks south of here. The last rape happened just one block east of here and that was in an office building just five days ago.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HINOJOSA (voice-over): Police got a break when a security camera captured a man they suspect of nine assaults and six rapes, the latest a 23-year-old actress in a Chelsea office building.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The perp mumbled something about his floor being locked --- does she know where the stairwell is? She leans out to point. He grabs her.

HINOJOSA: The building has tight security, but witnesses say he is a math talker, chatty, even nonthreatening.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: All I know is don't go to the seventh floor. Don't hang out on the seventh floor -- like, when you leave at night, make sure you leave with someone, or just leave.

HINOJOSA: This time, safety in numbers may not work.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: In the initial cases, He grabbed three girls and in another case he grabbed two girls. So normally I would advise the buddy system is helpful, but this offender has shown a tendency to strike with more than one victim.

HINOJOSA: Which means even more fear and stress for young New York women. Tiffany (ph) lives on the same Bronx street where one rape happened and works in the Chelsea building where the actress was attacked.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm getting a little emotional because I live on Gerard Avenue. And I have a 2-year-old daughter and it's going to make me very cautious about where I go.

HINOJOSA: The only thing the victims share is that they were young women, but they were from different races and economic backgrounds.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It makes me not want to come into this area, especially at night.

HINOJOSA: Street patrols are passing out leaflets and offerings escorts, but as hasn't stopped the fear of a serial rapist still on the loose.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I be scared up on the first floor. I'm scared to even go in an elevator or go in a building by myself. I called my -- my brother lives downstairs -- to come get me.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HINOJOSA: Wolf, now almost all of the women they have spoken to say that they've changed something in their lifetimes -- in their lifestyles because of this. They say that they're watching their backs, they're super cautious about elevators and some women say point-blank, they're just not speaking to any strangers -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Maria Hinojosa with a disturbing story from New York City. Thanks, Maria, very much.

Meanwhile, college hating makes the news occasionally, but we have video of high school hazing in a Chicago suburb, an affluent Chicago suburb. That as, CNN Whitney Casey is covering the story in North Brook, Illinois.

Tell us all about it -- Whitney.

WHITNEY CASEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, local authorities have been working with the state attorney's office on criminal charges. They hope to have those criminal charges filed as late as Friday. So far they've already found out 50 of the girls that are in that (UNINTELLIGIBLE) by them since Sunday. There are no ramifications coming from the school here because they have no jurisdiction. The game was held off campus and was not sanctioned by the school.

It happened at 1:30 on Sunday. And according to officials that it started out and 10 minutes into the game there was mild hazing with syrup and eggs and that escalated into human waste and animal waste being thrown at the girls, according to officials and then bats and buckets were hit. Some of the girls were injured. Five had such major injuries they had to got to the hospital, and there were many others that were also injured.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Tabasco Sauce and vinegar and stuff like that in my eye and just spam on my face and fish guts, pig ears, was there pig intestine wrapped around my neck.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CASEY: We spoke with the school principal earlier today he says he believes that this football game escalated into a melee and a fracas of sorts because alcohol was involved and other factors.

MICHAEL RIGGLE, GLENBROOK NORTH PRINCIPAL: There were similar actions that happened a year before, but nothing that we were really knowledgeable of. And I think the girl his that done to them that year. And now this year they've looked that the and said this is something that I've got anger about and I want to do the same thing to someone else.

CASEY: Just to give you a little bit of background about this school. It's in a very affluent, suburban area of Chicago. Ninety- seven percent of the seniors who graduate will go on to college and the principal also said he that many of the seniors he saw in the videotape were A students -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Shocking that this happens out there. Whitney Casey, thanks very much. We'll continue to follow the fallout from that story.

In the meantime, we are keeping an eye on the White House where President Bush shortly will be answering reporters' questions. A lot of question we'll see what the answers are. We'll bring it to you live as son as it happens.

Also.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I was definitely blessed that I'm not paralyzed or dead.

BLITZER: Fresh from combat, an American Marine shares his story.

And the long swim to freedom. Why only one of these men may be sent back to Cuba.

Plus the "Matrix Unloaded." Hollywood unleashes the special effects extravaganza. We'll show you.

Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Major fighting may be over, but many American service men and women injured in Iraq are just beginning the very long process of recovery. Bethesda Naval Hospital outside Washington, D.C., has already treated more than 200 Marines and sailors from the war in Iraq. Nineteen of them are still there. I visited some of them only yesterday including one Marine whose life was saved by a twist of fate.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): What strikes you about Patrick Tiderman and so many of his buddies is how young they are. Corporal Tiderman, a fresh-faced kid from Chicago had a job more important and dangerous than you'll find in the hands of most 21-year-olds.

CPL. PATRICK TIDERMAN, U.S. MARINE CORPS: I was a sniper platoon leader for 1st Battalion 7th Marines.

BLITZER: The story of how he got to Bethesda Naval Hospital, outside Washington, D.C., is compelling for several reasons, starting with how close he came to not being here at all.

TIDERMAN: I was definitely blessed that I'm not paralyzed or dead.

BLITZER: And how close he came to witnessing history. Twenty four hours before the fall of Baghdad, 24 hours before his fellow Marines engaged in a fierce firefight at Baghdad University, Tiderman's orders had him just south of the capital taking out Iraqi resistance a top a warehouse roof.

TIDERMAN: There were small pockets of resistance in the area, two, three man groups who had AK-47s and possible RPGS, and what not. And our job was to just observe forward and make sure no one was waiting to ambush the AVs or the tanks. And I was on a metal roof and I stepped through like a patch with like a fiberglass patch from what I understand, I didn't see it. And the next thing I know I'm laying on the ground looking up at a hole in the roof.

BLITZER (voice-over): How many stories did you fall?

TIDERMAN: As far I understand, about 50 feet.

BLITZER: So what's the first thing you do remember?

TIDERMAN: Waking up in Germany.

BLITZER: He now remembers a twist of fate that saved his life.

TIDERMAN: I should be dead. Kevlar helmet I was wearing split in two pieces. So those helmets aren't supposed to break. We usually don't even wear (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and it was just the fact that I was on top of a roof and I was such an obvious target.

BLITZER: As it is, Tiderman's got multiple fractures on both arms and one leg, he needs several surgeries with more to come. Doctors say it will be about a year for him to fully recover.

(on camera): What do you regret? Do you regret joining the Marine Corp?

TIDERMAN: Definitely not. The Marine Corp has taught me a lot of things. I regret want being there with my platoon right now.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: And just this morning Corporal Tiderman was released from Bethesda Naval Hospital. He goes on convalescent leave, then will undergo additional surgery and rehabilitation. Remember it could take a year for that complete process to wind up. Don't miss another part of our story tomorrow. We'll speak with another young Marine hit by a rocket-propelled grenade. He talked to me about his wounds and what he's learned from the experience and what he regrets. Flying into controversy, President Bush gets blasted for this photo-op. Was it cheap publicity or good politics or national security?

Also, fueling the fire, the battle over oil, patriotism and SUVs.

And a school bus nightmare. Was an abusive driver caught in the act?

But first, a look at other news making headlines around the world.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): The first major study of the death rate from SARS is out. British scientists reports that in Hong Kong it's killing 20 percent of all patients hospitalized with the virus.

A peace offering. After months of bitter disputes over a war against Iraq, French President Jacques Chirac sent British Prime Minister Tony Blair six bottles of vintage wine for his 50th birthday.

The Russian state official suspects a computer glitch caused Sunday's off course rough landing of a Soyuz capsule. The two Americans and one Russian onboard endured eight times the force of gravity and missed the landing site by almost 300 miles.

Japanese police and media are following an unusual group. They call themselves Hanna Wave Laboratory and they reportedly believe tidal waves and earthquakes will ravage the world next week.

No charges for the who's Pete Townshend, but he must register as a sex offender for accessing child pornography on the Internet. Townshend says he is not a pedophile and was a victim of sexual abuse himself. He said he was researching for his autobiography.

And Paul McCartney has reportedly called out his lawyers about a documentary about his wife, former model Heather Mills. "The Real Mrs. McCartney" is said to portray her as a gold digger and worse and it's airing tonight in Britain.

And that's our look around the world.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(INTERRUPTED BY LIVE EVENT)

BLITZER: Earlier the U.S. secretary of the treasury, John Snow, announced the U.S. was unilaterally lifting some of the sanctions against Iraq. The reason? No more Saddam Hussein regime, no more need for those sanctions. A serious subject, though, between the U.S. and other members of the U.N. Security Council.

We're standing by. President Bush expected to emerge very shortly, answer reporters' questions at the White House. We're go there live as soon as he comes out. In the meantime, let's take a quick break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back to CNN.

President Bush expect to be answering reporters' questions any minute now. We'll go to the White House as soon as he comes out with the Spanish prime minister. We'll be there live.

First though, let's get the latest headlines.

(NEWSBREAK)

BLITZER: We're standing by for President Bush. He'll be answering reporters' questions in the White House in just a few minutes.

Meanwhile, the White House is strongly dismissing criticism of the visit and televised speech last week from aboard the aircraft carrier the USS Abraham Lincoln.

Our White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux is joining us now live with that -- Suzanne.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, it's a controversy that seems to grow hour by hour.

You remember those spectacular pictures, the landing of President Bush aboard the aircraft carrier and the USS Lincoln with thousand of sailors returning home, dramatic tailhook landing, catching the third cable aboard the S3B Viking jet. Well, Democrats in Congress, led by Senator Robert Byrd, are calling it shameless, self-serving political stunt that cost the American taxpayers a million dollars and delayed sailors from reuniting with their families because the carrier slowed down for Mr. Bush's overnight visit.

Well, Congressman Henry Waxman is calling for the General Accounting Office to force the White House to come clean with the cost. The White House refuses and is taking exception with all of these accusations.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. ROBERT BYRD (D), WEST VIRGINIA: I am loathed to think of an aircraft carrier being used as an advertising backdrop for a presidential political slogan. And yet, that was what I saw.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ARI FLEISCHER, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECY.: I think that the 5,000 sailors on that ship recognized this for what it was: the president going out there to say thank you to those who risked their lives.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: Now White House and Navy officials say that, yes, the president wanted to land aboard the aircraft carrier like Navy pilots, that he being have taken the helicopter, but the decision was made. Navy suggested for safety reasons because they say that really it was the safest way to land. If, in fact, they missed that landing, they'd crash in the water that he would have been able to eject from the aircraft.

Also, they say, there was no difference in cost, at about $5,000 for a helicopter as well as a jet landing. And finally, that there was no delay in getting that aircraft carrier back to San Diego for those families to be reunited. They say that the date was set May, that despite if you slowed down or speed up that aircraft carrier, it was going to arrive and dock on May 2, because of the incredible logistics to get the aircraft carrier to shore and also because of the thousands of family members that really rearranged their lives to be there on that specific date -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Suzanne Malveaux with that part of the story at the White House. Suzanne, thanks very much.

And remember, we're standing by. We'll go back to the White House as soon as the president and the Spanish prime minister emerge. They'll be answering reporters' questions, making a statement. CNN, of course, will have live coverage. That's coming up.

Here's your turn to weigh in on the aircraft carrier controversy. Was Senator Byrd right to blast President Bush? We'll have the results later in the 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.

Vice President Dick Cheney says he will indeed run for reelection next year along with President Bush. Cheney has had four heart attacks and says his health is good enough to make the run. Cheney said the president asked him to be his running mate and he's agreed to do so.

The Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Lieberman unveiled national energy plan earlier today, one he says would slash U.S. oil imports by almost two-thirds within a decade and end the need for overseas oil completely in 20 years. The Connecticut senator says his plan would achieve its ambitious goals in part by boosting the fuel economy of passenger cars, minivans and gas-guzzling SUVs.

Also part of the plan an emerging process for turning coal into pollution-free hydrogen. Lieberman says he can reach the 10-year benchmark with a $25 billion investment and without drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, something that President Bush certainly would like to do.

The verbal battle over SUVs and gas mileage is apparently heating up with a new ad that mimics Detroit car commercials until the very last line.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was the first car built for the road and the world around it. It can take America to work in the morning without sending it to war in the afternoon with a sophisticated braking system that stops our dependence on foreign oil. It gets 40 miles to every gallon and thousands of dollars saved at the pump.

The only problem is Detroit won't build it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: In response, the Alliance of Auto Manufacturers says this: "We're using every technology available to make SUVs as fuel efficient as possible."

Laci Peterson's family today endorsed a federal bill that would allow violent crimes against a pregnant woman to be treated as crimes against two people. Our Congressional Correspondent Kate Snow is picking up that part of the story on Capitol Hill. Kate, welcome back.

KATE SNOW, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, thank you, Wolf. It's not a new piece of legislation. It's actually been passed in the House before, but supporters are hoping that Laci Peterson's family and her whole tragic story will certainly add some weight and force the issue here in Congress.

The bill says that federal crimes will be treated as you describe, Wolf, that it's not just a crime against two people -- it is a crime against two people rather than a crime against one person. Laci Peterson's parents and siblings wrote the sponsors of this bill.

And they said, quote, "As the family of Laci and her unborn son, Conner, this bill is very close to our hearts knowing that perpetrators who murder pregnant women will pay the price not only for the loss of the mother, but for the baby as well will help bring justice to these victims. And hopefully act as a deterrent to those considering heinous acts."

But opponents of this legislation says they're being used. The Petersons (sic) are being used, her family is being used in support of a bill that they say is really about abortion rights. Opponents of this bill saying that what it would do is undermine abortion, defining the fetus as a full-blown person.

Still, the momentum, Wolf, is on the other side of this one. Republicans control both the House and the Senate. And with the family of Laci Peterson on board this might be before the president with him willing to sign it some time later the year -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Kate Snow with that story. Thanks, Kate, very much. The reason I welcome Kate back, she just came back from five months from maternity leave. Congratulations to her and her husband, as well. An update now on a story we brought you yesterday. A drama in the waters the Florida Keys. Four Cubans jumped off a boat, swam for what they hoped would be a new life here in the United States. But not all of them made it and for one, the nightmare is far from over. Our national correspondent, Susan Candiotti is joining us now with the latest on this -- Susan.

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Wolf. At this hour, the only Cuban immigrant who did not make it to shore yesterday remains aboard a U.S. Coast Guard cutter.

Now according to a family here in Miami who says they are a relative of his, the man used to live in Florida in 1983, but accidentally wound up back in Cuba. They don't want him to go back. While all this is sorted out, we'll show you how this all began nearly 24 hours ago.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CANDIOTTI (voice-over): For much of this day the only Cuban who surrendered was held at sea aboard a Coast Guard cutter. The U.S. deciding whether to send him back or let him stay.

He and three companions say they left Cuba Saturday before the Coast Guard intercepted them Tuesday just two miles off the Florida Keys. Four Cuban migrants trying as fast as they can to make it to shore. If they don't they could be sent back to Cuba.

But before they jumped in the water there's trouble when the Coast Guard orders them to stop.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They tried to hit the Coast Guard boarding officers with oars.

CANDIOTTI: The Coast Guard says the migrants were using more than oars.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Knives, machetes and oars, swinging them at the boat crew. At that point we were forced to use force against them by use of pepper spray. That immediately dissolved the situation. They dropped their weapons as did we.

CANDIOTTI: The men jumped overboard, accepting life jackets and for more than three hours kept swimming toward shore surrounded by the Coast Guard.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Still following, look at them.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The Coast Guard uses minimum force necessary to compel the compliance of migrants. We are out there trying to help migrants. We are trying to save them.

CANDIOTTI: The men eventually waded to shore, celebrated with a salute and navigated mangrove swamps for several minutes before hitting dry land. Authorities were waiting and took them into custody. In Miami, relatives said they recognized some of the men and looked forward to an expected reunion.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I love you so much. I love you so much. Welcome home.

CANDIOTTI: U.S.-Cuban migrant policy remains at odds with other groups who are rarely granted asylum and are usually deported. Haitian migrant advocate Ira Kirsban (ph) calls it a policy steeped in politics.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Particularly, we're coming up to a presidential election year where, as you know, Florida was the pivotal state. So I think this had much more to do with politics than refugee policy.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CANDIOTTI: If the U.S. follows its usual policy, the Cubans who did make it to land will be allowed to stay. Now in a twist, Wolf, Panama's government has offered asylum to the man who did not make it to shore. So far, the U.S. officials had no comment on that. Back to you.

BLITZER: Susan Candiotti in Miami. Thanks, Susan, very much.

We're only minutes away from President Bush live at the White House. He's about to have a news conference with the Spanish prime minister. Reporters will be asking questions. We'll go there as soon as it begins.

In the meantime, abuse caught on tape. Parents alleging their disabled son was beaten by his school bus driver and they say they have the tape to prove it. Stay with us.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER (voice-over): Earlier we asked which brand vehicle was rated the worst in quality by consumers in the annual J.D. Power and Associates survey? The answer, the Hummer. Buyers criticized the $50,000 giant for everything from poor gas mileage to lack of power. The Land Rover came in as the second worst.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: You're looking at the White House. Momentarily, we're expecting the president of the United States, the prime minister of Spain to be emerging, answering reporters' questions. They've been meeting discussing Iraq and other issues. We'll go there live as soon as that news conference begins.

In the meantime, the parents of a 9-year-old Milwaukee boy with down syndrome were told their son was misbehaving in the school bus. So they decided to put a tape recorder in his backpack. What they heard told a very different story.

Brian McCabe (ph) of CNN affiliate WTMJ reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRIAN MCCABE, WTMJ REPORTER (voice-over): For months, Jacob's parents were getting notes from bus driver Brian Duchow saying Jacob's behavior on the bus was unacceptable.

ROSEMARY MUTULO, MOTHER: No one expects to hear their child being abused.

MCCABE: But when they heard this tape recording, they say it was Duchow's behavior that was unacceptable.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

(CRYING)

BRIAN DUCHOW, BUS DRIVER: I said quiet!

(END AUDIO CLIP)

MCCABE: According to the criminal complaint, Duchow yelled at Jacob, "Stop before I beat the living hell out of you" and "Do I have to tape your mouth shut? Because you know I will."

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

DUCHOW: Jacob! Damn it! Quiet!

(END AUDIO CLIP)

MCCABE: His parents say you can hear the driver slapping Jacob in the face.

VINCE MUTULO, FATHER: He couldn't have said, Mom or dad, this guy is hitting me. He couldn't say that. He doesn't say that.

MCCABE: Jacob still says the name of the bus driver, no Brian.

In Milwaukee, Brian McCabe, Today's TMJ 4.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: The long awaited sequel to a box office smash employ. We'll take you behind the scenes of "The Matrix Reloaded" as soon as we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KEANU REEVES, ACTOR: Come on!

(END VIDEO CLIP) BLITZER: Dizzy just watching.

That the sequel to the mega hit movie "The Matrix" opens next week. CNN's Eric Horng looks at behind the scenes at what's new in "The Matrix Reloaded."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

REEVES: We've done things that I don't believe have ever been attempted in Western action cinema before.

LAURENCE FISHBURNE, ACTOR: With regard to the stunts, it was much more involved and much more intense.

JADA PINKETT-SMITH, ACTRESS: You see representation of humanity in its fullest.

ERIC HORNG, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Man and machine square off once again in "The Matrix Reloaded." Directed by Andy and Larry Wachowski, the second installment in the franchise features familiar characters as well as some fresh faces.

GREGG KILDAY, THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER: With the new movie, they've introduced enough new elements to extend the mythology.

HORNG: To prepare for the intricate fight sequences, stars underwent four months of martial arts instructions, training so intense that Carrie-Anne Moss, who plays Trinity, suffered a broken leg.

CARRIE-ANNE MOSS, ACTRESS: I came into the process really gung ho and excited and then I was taken down within seven days of training.

HORNG: The first "Matrix" grossed more than $450 million worldwide, became the first film ever to sell one million DVDs and spawned a visual style copied and parodied in other films, like "Shrek."

With a budget of nearly $130 million, about twice that of the first film, there's pressure for "The Matrix Reloaded" to raise the bar.

FISHBURNE: That pressure, you know, started at the top and we all just tried to give all that we had to the project.

HORNG (on camera): And in case you're wondering, filming on the third movie, "The Matrix Revolutions" has already been completed and it's scheduled for release in November.

Eric Horng, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: And from "The Matrix Reloaded" to the White House, we'll go there life as soon as President Bush and the Spanish prime minister, Jose Maria Aznar, emerge. We're standing by for that.

In the meantime, our "Web Question of the Day" is this: "Was Senator Robert Byrd right to blast President Bush?" Vote now at cnn.com/wolf. We'll have the results and the president, maybe, as soon as we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: We're about to hear from the president of the United States.

In the meantime, here's how you're weighing in on our "Web Question of the Day." Was Senator Byrd right to blast President Bush? Look at this: 61 percent of you say yes, 39 percent of you say no. Remember, this is not a scientific poll.

Lou Dobbs is standing by to pick up our coverage. He'll bring us the president of the United States and the Spanish prime minister. Jose Maria Aznar. They should be emerging, Lou, any second now at the White House, making statements and answering reporters' questions.

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






Aired May 7, 2003 - 17:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WOLF BLITZER,CNN ANCHOR (voice-over): Where is the deposed dictator?

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I am going to focus on (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and seek them out from Iraq.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

BLITZER: A new audiotape supposedly recorded this week by Saddam Hussein. Casualties of combat.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I should be dead. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) split in two pieces.

BLITZER: The twist of fate that saved one Marine's life in Iraq.

Just released -- video of September 11 hijackers and planners caught on tape at an Alamos wedding.

High school hazing -- out of control.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: When I looked up and I saw blood, I knew that this wasn't right.

BLITZER: A tradition turned ugly. Why police are now investigating.

He's called the elevator rapist, a serial attacker terrorizing New York City, nine victims so far. We'll have the latest on the search.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANNOUNCER: CNN live this hour. WOLF BLITZER REPORTS live from the nation's capital with correspondents from around the world. WOLF BLITZER REPORTS starts now.

BLITZER (on camera): It's Wednesday, May 7, 2003. Hello from Washington. I'm Wolf Blitzer reporting.

There are new indications right now on a key question left over from the war: whether the Iraqi leader is dead or alive. And is Saddam Hussein becoming another Osama bin Laden?

Tapes purportedly of Saddam Hussein keep popping up. Our senior international correspondent, Nic Robertson, is joining us now live from Baghdad with more on this newest audio tape. Nic.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): Wolf, these tapes were handed to a journalist on Monday night. In fact, they were handed by two people who pulled up in a car outside of his hotel, talked to his translator who used to work at the ministry of information -- one of those ministry information binders that used to go out with journalists.

The two men gave that former binder the tape. They told them that the tape was of Saddam Hussein, and it was a message to the Iraqi people.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(voice-over): Seemingly in contrast with the writing on Baghdad's walls, Saddam Hussein's first purported verbal message, since his fall from power, is a call to arms. Reportedly recorded this week, it was delivered in a tired voice.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): You, the Iraqi people, men and women, stand together against the invasion and show your stance as much as you can by writing on walls or making positive demonstrations, or not selling them anything or buying anything from them, or by shooting them with your rifles and trying to destroy their cannons and tanks.

ROBERTSON: Hussein's message finding little support in Baghdad's Adel (ph) neighborhood -- traditionally pro-Saddam.

We don't have the ability to fight the U.S. Army says Abu, (ph), an agricultural engineer. We don't even want to fight the American troops. They're preserving our security. The streets of Adel were the last place Hussein is thought to appear publicly. His new message refers to his birthday and the looting of the Iraqi National Museum -- both events occurring since that appearance and his removal from power.

According to the new audio tape, resistance will be a secret struggle -- reminiscent of Hussein's Bath party underground movement in the 1960s.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Through the secret means, I am talking to you from inside great Iraq, and I say to you, the main task for you, Arab and Kurd, Shi'ite and Sunni, Muslim and Christian, and the whole Iraqi people of all religions, your main task is to kick the enemy out from our country. That he who is working with the foreigners is working against you.

ROBERTSON: For Iraq's former foreign minister, Adnan Pachachi, returning from several decades in exile -- the specter of the speech troubling. ADNAN PACHACHI, FORMER FOREIGN MINISTER, IRAQ: I fully understand the apprehension that some people feel, that, you know, he may certainly be among us.

ROBERTSON: Among anti-western protesters to whom CNN played the speech, Hussein's words falling flat.

"Whether Saddam is dead or alive, he's finished as far as we Iraqis are concerned," he says. "Saddam is over, and we don't want him back."

A group of looters, we also played the tape to -- undecided whether it was Hussein.

Saddam had seven doubles, he says, and we say it's not him.

"Whether it is his voice or not, we're against him anyway," says this looter.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(on camera): Well, even if the people here aren't concerned about the authenticity of the tapes, it does pose a question for U.S. officials here. Will this call to arms amount to a sustained and serious attack on U.S. troops here, now, and in the future, or will it just fade away like so many of Saddam's portraits around the city? -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Nic Robertson in Baghdad with that tape. Thanks, Nic, very much.

Let's get a little bit more on that audio tape supposedly made by Saddam Hussein this week.

(BEGIN AUDIO TAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): I don't want to talk in details about the occupation and why and how,and I am going to focus on how to face these invaders and kick them out from Iraq. I addressed some messages before, many messages before. Some of them were by my voice and some were addressed to the mass media. But we know and you know very well the mass media and the whole world is controlled by the Zionists and, especially, by supporters in the White House.

Your enemy came to Iraq, and they thought that the Iraqi people would receive them with flowers but they were surprised. Some people now are changing their minds about the Americans and the occupation. We have no option but to struggle and satisfy God, our high principles, and ourselves as well.

They tell many lies, and you the Iraqi people have won your moral battle because the Americans destroyed Iraq and stole Iraq's ancient archaeology by destroying the Iraqi National Museum.

This time, we are standing against America, a tyrant power that rules the world. You, the Iraqi people, will shame the Americans as the Palestinians shamed the Zionists.

Work hard. Work hard through this for the sake of God, and then victory will be visible. Work hard for God, you the Iraqi people, Iraqi women, Iraqi men, and we are with you. We are working with you.

(END AUDIO TAPE)

BLITZER: Saddam Hussein supposedly on that audio tape. A lot more investigation underway right now over at the CIA, the national security agency, on the authenticity of that tape.

By the way, the Iraqi Two of Hearts is in coalition custody right now. The Ba'ath Party regional commander, Aludabi (ph), was number 32 on the U.S. military's list of 55 most wanted members of Saddam Hussein's regime. U.S. officials gave no details on whether he was caught or turned himself in.

Right now a total of 19 of that list have surrendered or have been captured. Others may be dead.

Hundreds of Iraqi doctors took to the streets of Baghdad -- today, vowing they will not accept the American pointed head of the health ministry. The doctors said they took the action because the official was the number three man at the health ministry under Saddam Hussein.

Lieutenant General Jay Garner, the head of the U.S.-run Iraqi administration, said not all officials under Saddam Hussein were necessarily bad and that he needs their help in the new government.

A suspected biological weapons laboratory has been discovered in Iraq, but is it a smoking gun of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction? Our senior Pentagon correspondent, Jamie McIntyre, is picking up that part of the story. Jamie.

JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): Well, Wolf, still no discovery of weapons of mass destruction, but today the Pentagon went on the record saying they believe they've found Iraq's means of producing them.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(voice-over) The pentagon says this truck trailer stopped by Kurds at a checkpoint in northern Iraq last month is almost certainly a mobile biological laboratory. Officials say the size of the vehicle and the equipment inside, including a fermenter and air-cleaning system, match the description given to the U.S. by an Iraqi defector before the war and used to produce these drawings shown to the U.N.

STEPHEN CAMBONE, UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR INTELLIGENCE: The experts have been through it, and they have not found another plausible use for it.

MCINTYRE: But burned by previous premature suggestions of WMD finds, the Pentagon is withholding a final verdict until the suspected germ factory, which appears to have been cleaned with strong ammonia, can be dismantled to search for trace amounts of bioagents.

CAMBONE: On the smoking gun, I mean, the -- I don't know.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MCINTYRE (on camera): So far, the search for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq has been fruitless for the U.S. military. Of the 576 sites they identified before the war, they've searched 70 of them, found no weapons, and they found 40 new sites, but no weapons have been found there either -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Jamie McIntyre with the latest from the Pentagon. Thanks, Jamie, very much.

If Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein are ever found, they'll owe a lot of money. A federal judge has awarded families of two victims of the September 11 attacks almost $104 million and the judge assessed the damages caused by bin Laden and Hussein, among others, saying lawyer had shown that Iraq provided material support to bin Laden and al Qaeda, an assertion that has not been officially proven by the U.S. government.

Meanwhile, some of the 9/11 suicide hijackers are seen on a newly-released video a wedding celebration in Germany.

Details on that from CNN national correspondent Mike Boettcher.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MIKE BOETTCHER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The video shows us members of the now infamous Hamburg al Qaeda cell that investigators believe was the core group of the 9/11 hijackings. The groom in the October 1999 wedding reception in Hamburg, Germany is Sayeed Bahaji (ph), who German authorities accuse of helping plot the New York and Washington attacks. He fled Hamburg just days before 9/11 and is still at large.

Seated to his right, Ramzi bin al-Shibh, a key al Qaeda figure who investigators believe played a major role in masterminding the terrorist plot. He was arrested in Karachi, Pakistan exactly one year after the World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks.

During the reception, bin al-Shibh comments that all in attendance were part of a class for which there would be a test. "There will be some who pass and some who fail," he said.

Marwan Alshehhi, who was one of the hijackers of United Flight 175 that crashed into the second World Trade Center building, is standing on the far right of the group, which is singing to the groom.

Also at the reception, Ziad Jarrah, a hijacker of United Flight 93, that crashed into a Pennsylvania field. Hijack leader Mohamed Atta is not seen in the video, but investigators believe he was also present. As was Mahmoun Darkanzali, who was under investigation by German police for funneling money to the group. He denies any terrorist involvement. The videotape has been in the hands of German authorities for many months, but was recently released to lawyers representing the families of those who died in the 9/11 attacks. For investigators, lawyers and families, it provides a rare glimpse of the mysterious Hamburg cell that was celebrating a wedding at the same time they were believed to be plotting an attack.

Mike Boettcher, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: And President Bush is preparing to speak to reporters this hour. He'll be answering reporters' questions employ. We'll see what he says if asked about that controversy about his speech aboard the Abraham Lincoln last week. Of course, CNN will have live coverage. That's coming up in the next few minutes.

Plus, hunt for a serial rapist. Do you recognize this man? Police say he's on the loose and terrorizing women. We'll go live to New York City for the latest.

Also, girls out of control. A high school ritual turns violent.

And fueling the fire. SUVs back in the frying pan again.

First, today's "News Quiz."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): Which brand vehicle was rated the worst in quality by consumers in the annual J.D. Power and Associates survey? G.M. Hummer, Ford Land Rover, Kia, Saab? The answer coming up.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: I'm meteorologist Jacqui Jeras in the CNN Weather Cent. We have a report of a tornado on the ground in Randolph County, into east central parts of Alabama.

Emergency management reports the tornado between Ashland and Lineville and this is pushing off to the east now at 25 miles per hour. And I want to get close up as much as we can and show you this cell right here, very impressive very strong hook on this super cell thunderstorm. It is just south of Interstate 20 and it is heading across over to the state line. If you live in Carolton, over toward Peach Tree City, this storm is heading your way.

We'll have more coming up. WOLF BLITZER REPORTS right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: You're looking at live pictures of the White House. Momentarily the president expected to emerge with the Spanish prime minister. They'll be making statements, answering reporters' questions. We'll go there live as soon as they emerge.

In the meantime, a manhunt is now under way in New York City for a serial rapist. Since January, several women have been raped in Manhattan and the Bronx.

CNN's Maria Hinojosa is covering the story. She is joining us now live -- Maria.

MARIA HINOJOSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, you know, this story is drawing a lot of attention because of the fact that New York City hasn't been this safe in terms of street crimes in 40 years. The only numbers that have continued to rise, though, are the numbers of rapes in the past decade.

Now this is Chelsea. It's considered one of New York's hippest neighbors. But since January, in this 10-square block area, there have been four rapes. It started with one rape about a block west of here. There were another two 10 blocks south of here. The last rape happened just one block east of here and that was in an office building just five days ago.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HINOJOSA (voice-over): Police got a break when a security camera captured a man they suspect of nine assaults and six rapes, the latest a 23-year-old actress in a Chelsea office building.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The perp mumbled something about his floor being locked --- does she know where the stairwell is? She leans out to point. He grabs her.

HINOJOSA: The building has tight security, but witnesses say he is a math talker, chatty, even nonthreatening.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: All I know is don't go to the seventh floor. Don't hang out on the seventh floor -- like, when you leave at night, make sure you leave with someone, or just leave.

HINOJOSA: This time, safety in numbers may not work.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: In the initial cases, He grabbed three girls and in another case he grabbed two girls. So normally I would advise the buddy system is helpful, but this offender has shown a tendency to strike with more than one victim.

HINOJOSA: Which means even more fear and stress for young New York women. Tiffany (ph) lives on the same Bronx street where one rape happened and works in the Chelsea building where the actress was attacked.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm getting a little emotional because I live on Gerard Avenue. And I have a 2-year-old daughter and it's going to make me very cautious about where I go.

HINOJOSA: The only thing the victims share is that they were young women, but they were from different races and economic backgrounds.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It makes me not want to come into this area, especially at night.

HINOJOSA: Street patrols are passing out leaflets and offerings escorts, but as hasn't stopped the fear of a serial rapist still on the loose.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I be scared up on the first floor. I'm scared to even go in an elevator or go in a building by myself. I called my -- my brother lives downstairs -- to come get me.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HINOJOSA: Wolf, now almost all of the women they have spoken to say that they've changed something in their lifetimes -- in their lifestyles because of this. They say that they're watching their backs, they're super cautious about elevators and some women say point-blank, they're just not speaking to any strangers -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Maria Hinojosa with a disturbing story from New York City. Thanks, Maria, very much.

Meanwhile, college hating makes the news occasionally, but we have video of high school hazing in a Chicago suburb, an affluent Chicago suburb. That as, CNN Whitney Casey is covering the story in North Brook, Illinois.

Tell us all about it -- Whitney.

WHITNEY CASEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, local authorities have been working with the state attorney's office on criminal charges. They hope to have those criminal charges filed as late as Friday. So far they've already found out 50 of the girls that are in that (UNINTELLIGIBLE) by them since Sunday. There are no ramifications coming from the school here because they have no jurisdiction. The game was held off campus and was not sanctioned by the school.

It happened at 1:30 on Sunday. And according to officials that it started out and 10 minutes into the game there was mild hazing with syrup and eggs and that escalated into human waste and animal waste being thrown at the girls, according to officials and then bats and buckets were hit. Some of the girls were injured. Five had such major injuries they had to got to the hospital, and there were many others that were also injured.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Tabasco Sauce and vinegar and stuff like that in my eye and just spam on my face and fish guts, pig ears, was there pig intestine wrapped around my neck.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CASEY: We spoke with the school principal earlier today he says he believes that this football game escalated into a melee and a fracas of sorts because alcohol was involved and other factors.

MICHAEL RIGGLE, GLENBROOK NORTH PRINCIPAL: There were similar actions that happened a year before, but nothing that we were really knowledgeable of. And I think the girl his that done to them that year. And now this year they've looked that the and said this is something that I've got anger about and I want to do the same thing to someone else.

CASEY: Just to give you a little bit of background about this school. It's in a very affluent, suburban area of Chicago. Ninety- seven percent of the seniors who graduate will go on to college and the principal also said he that many of the seniors he saw in the videotape were A students -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Shocking that this happens out there. Whitney Casey, thanks very much. We'll continue to follow the fallout from that story.

In the meantime, we are keeping an eye on the White House where President Bush shortly will be answering reporters' questions. A lot of question we'll see what the answers are. We'll bring it to you live as son as it happens.

Also.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I was definitely blessed that I'm not paralyzed or dead.

BLITZER: Fresh from combat, an American Marine shares his story.

And the long swim to freedom. Why only one of these men may be sent back to Cuba.

Plus the "Matrix Unloaded." Hollywood unleashes the special effects extravaganza. We'll show you.

Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Major fighting may be over, but many American service men and women injured in Iraq are just beginning the very long process of recovery. Bethesda Naval Hospital outside Washington, D.C., has already treated more than 200 Marines and sailors from the war in Iraq. Nineteen of them are still there. I visited some of them only yesterday including one Marine whose life was saved by a twist of fate.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): What strikes you about Patrick Tiderman and so many of his buddies is how young they are. Corporal Tiderman, a fresh-faced kid from Chicago had a job more important and dangerous than you'll find in the hands of most 21-year-olds.

CPL. PATRICK TIDERMAN, U.S. MARINE CORPS: I was a sniper platoon leader for 1st Battalion 7th Marines.

BLITZER: The story of how he got to Bethesda Naval Hospital, outside Washington, D.C., is compelling for several reasons, starting with how close he came to not being here at all.

TIDERMAN: I was definitely blessed that I'm not paralyzed or dead.

BLITZER: And how close he came to witnessing history. Twenty four hours before the fall of Baghdad, 24 hours before his fellow Marines engaged in a fierce firefight at Baghdad University, Tiderman's orders had him just south of the capital taking out Iraqi resistance a top a warehouse roof.

TIDERMAN: There were small pockets of resistance in the area, two, three man groups who had AK-47s and possible RPGS, and what not. And our job was to just observe forward and make sure no one was waiting to ambush the AVs or the tanks. And I was on a metal roof and I stepped through like a patch with like a fiberglass patch from what I understand, I didn't see it. And the next thing I know I'm laying on the ground looking up at a hole in the roof.

BLITZER (voice-over): How many stories did you fall?

TIDERMAN: As far I understand, about 50 feet.

BLITZER: So what's the first thing you do remember?

TIDERMAN: Waking up in Germany.

BLITZER: He now remembers a twist of fate that saved his life.

TIDERMAN: I should be dead. Kevlar helmet I was wearing split in two pieces. So those helmets aren't supposed to break. We usually don't even wear (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and it was just the fact that I was on top of a roof and I was such an obvious target.

BLITZER: As it is, Tiderman's got multiple fractures on both arms and one leg, he needs several surgeries with more to come. Doctors say it will be about a year for him to fully recover.

(on camera): What do you regret? Do you regret joining the Marine Corp?

TIDERMAN: Definitely not. The Marine Corp has taught me a lot of things. I regret want being there with my platoon right now.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: And just this morning Corporal Tiderman was released from Bethesda Naval Hospital. He goes on convalescent leave, then will undergo additional surgery and rehabilitation. Remember it could take a year for that complete process to wind up. Don't miss another part of our story tomorrow. We'll speak with another young Marine hit by a rocket-propelled grenade. He talked to me about his wounds and what he's learned from the experience and what he regrets. Flying into controversy, President Bush gets blasted for this photo-op. Was it cheap publicity or good politics or national security?

Also, fueling the fire, the battle over oil, patriotism and SUVs.

And a school bus nightmare. Was an abusive driver caught in the act?

But first, a look at other news making headlines around the world.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): The first major study of the death rate from SARS is out. British scientists reports that in Hong Kong it's killing 20 percent of all patients hospitalized with the virus.

A peace offering. After months of bitter disputes over a war against Iraq, French President Jacques Chirac sent British Prime Minister Tony Blair six bottles of vintage wine for his 50th birthday.

The Russian state official suspects a computer glitch caused Sunday's off course rough landing of a Soyuz capsule. The two Americans and one Russian onboard endured eight times the force of gravity and missed the landing site by almost 300 miles.

Japanese police and media are following an unusual group. They call themselves Hanna Wave Laboratory and they reportedly believe tidal waves and earthquakes will ravage the world next week.

No charges for the who's Pete Townshend, but he must register as a sex offender for accessing child pornography on the Internet. Townshend says he is not a pedophile and was a victim of sexual abuse himself. He said he was researching for his autobiography.

And Paul McCartney has reportedly called out his lawyers about a documentary about his wife, former model Heather Mills. "The Real Mrs. McCartney" is said to portray her as a gold digger and worse and it's airing tonight in Britain.

And that's our look around the world.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(INTERRUPTED BY LIVE EVENT)

BLITZER: Earlier the U.S. secretary of the treasury, John Snow, announced the U.S. was unilaterally lifting some of the sanctions against Iraq. The reason? No more Saddam Hussein regime, no more need for those sanctions. A serious subject, though, between the U.S. and other members of the U.N. Security Council.

We're standing by. President Bush expected to emerge very shortly, answer reporters' questions at the White House. We're go there live as soon as he comes out. In the meantime, let's take a quick break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back to CNN.

President Bush expect to be answering reporters' questions any minute now. We'll go to the White House as soon as he comes out with the Spanish prime minister. We'll be there live.

First though, let's get the latest headlines.

(NEWSBREAK)

BLITZER: We're standing by for President Bush. He'll be answering reporters' questions in the White House in just a few minutes.

Meanwhile, the White House is strongly dismissing criticism of the visit and televised speech last week from aboard the aircraft carrier the USS Abraham Lincoln.

Our White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux is joining us now live with that -- Suzanne.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, it's a controversy that seems to grow hour by hour.

You remember those spectacular pictures, the landing of President Bush aboard the aircraft carrier and the USS Lincoln with thousand of sailors returning home, dramatic tailhook landing, catching the third cable aboard the S3B Viking jet. Well, Democrats in Congress, led by Senator Robert Byrd, are calling it shameless, self-serving political stunt that cost the American taxpayers a million dollars and delayed sailors from reuniting with their families because the carrier slowed down for Mr. Bush's overnight visit.

Well, Congressman Henry Waxman is calling for the General Accounting Office to force the White House to come clean with the cost. The White House refuses and is taking exception with all of these accusations.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. ROBERT BYRD (D), WEST VIRGINIA: I am loathed to think of an aircraft carrier being used as an advertising backdrop for a presidential political slogan. And yet, that was what I saw.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ARI FLEISCHER, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECY.: I think that the 5,000 sailors on that ship recognized this for what it was: the president going out there to say thank you to those who risked their lives.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: Now White House and Navy officials say that, yes, the president wanted to land aboard the aircraft carrier like Navy pilots, that he being have taken the helicopter, but the decision was made. Navy suggested for safety reasons because they say that really it was the safest way to land. If, in fact, they missed that landing, they'd crash in the water that he would have been able to eject from the aircraft.

Also, they say, there was no difference in cost, at about $5,000 for a helicopter as well as a jet landing. And finally, that there was no delay in getting that aircraft carrier back to San Diego for those families to be reunited. They say that the date was set May, that despite if you slowed down or speed up that aircraft carrier, it was going to arrive and dock on May 2, because of the incredible logistics to get the aircraft carrier to shore and also because of the thousands of family members that really rearranged their lives to be there on that specific date -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Suzanne Malveaux with that part of the story at the White House. Suzanne, thanks very much.

And remember, we're standing by. We'll go back to the White House as soon as the president and the Spanish prime minister emerge. They'll be answering reporters' questions, making a statement. CNN, of course, will have live coverage. That's coming up.

Here's your turn to weigh in on the aircraft carrier controversy. Was Senator Byrd right to blast President Bush? We'll have the results later in the 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.

Vice President Dick Cheney says he will indeed run for reelection next year along with President Bush. Cheney has had four heart attacks and says his health is good enough to make the run. Cheney said the president asked him to be his running mate and he's agreed to do so.

The Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Lieberman unveiled national energy plan earlier today, one he says would slash U.S. oil imports by almost two-thirds within a decade and end the need for overseas oil completely in 20 years. The Connecticut senator says his plan would achieve its ambitious goals in part by boosting the fuel economy of passenger cars, minivans and gas-guzzling SUVs.

Also part of the plan an emerging process for turning coal into pollution-free hydrogen. Lieberman says he can reach the 10-year benchmark with a $25 billion investment and without drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, something that President Bush certainly would like to do.

The verbal battle over SUVs and gas mileage is apparently heating up with a new ad that mimics Detroit car commercials until the very last line.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was the first car built for the road and the world around it. It can take America to work in the morning without sending it to war in the afternoon with a sophisticated braking system that stops our dependence on foreign oil. It gets 40 miles to every gallon and thousands of dollars saved at the pump.

The only problem is Detroit won't build it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: In response, the Alliance of Auto Manufacturers says this: "We're using every technology available to make SUVs as fuel efficient as possible."

Laci Peterson's family today endorsed a federal bill that would allow violent crimes against a pregnant woman to be treated as crimes against two people. Our Congressional Correspondent Kate Snow is picking up that part of the story on Capitol Hill. Kate, welcome back.

KATE SNOW, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, thank you, Wolf. It's not a new piece of legislation. It's actually been passed in the House before, but supporters are hoping that Laci Peterson's family and her whole tragic story will certainly add some weight and force the issue here in Congress.

The bill says that federal crimes will be treated as you describe, Wolf, that it's not just a crime against two people -- it is a crime against two people rather than a crime against one person. Laci Peterson's parents and siblings wrote the sponsors of this bill.

And they said, quote, "As the family of Laci and her unborn son, Conner, this bill is very close to our hearts knowing that perpetrators who murder pregnant women will pay the price not only for the loss of the mother, but for the baby as well will help bring justice to these victims. And hopefully act as a deterrent to those considering heinous acts."

But opponents of this legislation says they're being used. The Petersons (sic) are being used, her family is being used in support of a bill that they say is really about abortion rights. Opponents of this bill saying that what it would do is undermine abortion, defining the fetus as a full-blown person.

Still, the momentum, Wolf, is on the other side of this one. Republicans control both the House and the Senate. And with the family of Laci Peterson on board this might be before the president with him willing to sign it some time later the year -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Kate Snow with that story. Thanks, Kate, very much. The reason I welcome Kate back, she just came back from five months from maternity leave. Congratulations to her and her husband, as well. An update now on a story we brought you yesterday. A drama in the waters the Florida Keys. Four Cubans jumped off a boat, swam for what they hoped would be a new life here in the United States. But not all of them made it and for one, the nightmare is far from over. Our national correspondent, Susan Candiotti is joining us now with the latest on this -- Susan.

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Wolf. At this hour, the only Cuban immigrant who did not make it to shore yesterday remains aboard a U.S. Coast Guard cutter.

Now according to a family here in Miami who says they are a relative of his, the man used to live in Florida in 1983, but accidentally wound up back in Cuba. They don't want him to go back. While all this is sorted out, we'll show you how this all began nearly 24 hours ago.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CANDIOTTI (voice-over): For much of this day the only Cuban who surrendered was held at sea aboard a Coast Guard cutter. The U.S. deciding whether to send him back or let him stay.

He and three companions say they left Cuba Saturday before the Coast Guard intercepted them Tuesday just two miles off the Florida Keys. Four Cuban migrants trying as fast as they can to make it to shore. If they don't they could be sent back to Cuba.

But before they jumped in the water there's trouble when the Coast Guard orders them to stop.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They tried to hit the Coast Guard boarding officers with oars.

CANDIOTTI: The Coast Guard says the migrants were using more than oars.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Knives, machetes and oars, swinging them at the boat crew. At that point we were forced to use force against them by use of pepper spray. That immediately dissolved the situation. They dropped their weapons as did we.

CANDIOTTI: The men jumped overboard, accepting life jackets and for more than three hours kept swimming toward shore surrounded by the Coast Guard.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Still following, look at them.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The Coast Guard uses minimum force necessary to compel the compliance of migrants. We are out there trying to help migrants. We are trying to save them.

CANDIOTTI: The men eventually waded to shore, celebrated with a salute and navigated mangrove swamps for several minutes before hitting dry land. Authorities were waiting and took them into custody. In Miami, relatives said they recognized some of the men and looked forward to an expected reunion.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I love you so much. I love you so much. Welcome home.

CANDIOTTI: U.S.-Cuban migrant policy remains at odds with other groups who are rarely granted asylum and are usually deported. Haitian migrant advocate Ira Kirsban (ph) calls it a policy steeped in politics.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Particularly, we're coming up to a presidential election year where, as you know, Florida was the pivotal state. So I think this had much more to do with politics than refugee policy.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CANDIOTTI: If the U.S. follows its usual policy, the Cubans who did make it to land will be allowed to stay. Now in a twist, Wolf, Panama's government has offered asylum to the man who did not make it to shore. So far, the U.S. officials had no comment on that. Back to you.

BLITZER: Susan Candiotti in Miami. Thanks, Susan, very much.

We're only minutes away from President Bush live at the White House. He's about to have a news conference with the Spanish prime minister. Reporters will be asking questions. We'll go there as soon as it begins.

In the meantime, abuse caught on tape. Parents alleging their disabled son was beaten by his school bus driver and they say they have the tape to prove it. Stay with us.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER (voice-over): Earlier we asked which brand vehicle was rated the worst in quality by consumers in the annual J.D. Power and Associates survey? The answer, the Hummer. Buyers criticized the $50,000 giant for everything from poor gas mileage to lack of power. The Land Rover came in as the second worst.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: You're looking at the White House. Momentarily, we're expecting the president of the United States, the prime minister of Spain to be emerging, answering reporters' questions. They've been meeting discussing Iraq and other issues. We'll go there live as soon as that news conference begins.

In the meantime, the parents of a 9-year-old Milwaukee boy with down syndrome were told their son was misbehaving in the school bus. So they decided to put a tape recorder in his backpack. What they heard told a very different story.

Brian McCabe (ph) of CNN affiliate WTMJ reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRIAN MCCABE, WTMJ REPORTER (voice-over): For months, Jacob's parents were getting notes from bus driver Brian Duchow saying Jacob's behavior on the bus was unacceptable.

ROSEMARY MUTULO, MOTHER: No one expects to hear their child being abused.

MCCABE: But when they heard this tape recording, they say it was Duchow's behavior that was unacceptable.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

(CRYING)

BRIAN DUCHOW, BUS DRIVER: I said quiet!

(END AUDIO CLIP)

MCCABE: According to the criminal complaint, Duchow yelled at Jacob, "Stop before I beat the living hell out of you" and "Do I have to tape your mouth shut? Because you know I will."

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

DUCHOW: Jacob! Damn it! Quiet!

(END AUDIO CLIP)

MCCABE: His parents say you can hear the driver slapping Jacob in the face.

VINCE MUTULO, FATHER: He couldn't have said, Mom or dad, this guy is hitting me. He couldn't say that. He doesn't say that.

MCCABE: Jacob still says the name of the bus driver, no Brian.

In Milwaukee, Brian McCabe, Today's TMJ 4.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: The long awaited sequel to a box office smash employ. We'll take you behind the scenes of "The Matrix Reloaded" as soon as we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KEANU REEVES, ACTOR: Come on!

(END VIDEO CLIP) BLITZER: Dizzy just watching.

That the sequel to the mega hit movie "The Matrix" opens next week. CNN's Eric Horng looks at behind the scenes at what's new in "The Matrix Reloaded."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

REEVES: We've done things that I don't believe have ever been attempted in Western action cinema before.

LAURENCE FISHBURNE, ACTOR: With regard to the stunts, it was much more involved and much more intense.

JADA PINKETT-SMITH, ACTRESS: You see representation of humanity in its fullest.

ERIC HORNG, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Man and machine square off once again in "The Matrix Reloaded." Directed by Andy and Larry Wachowski, the second installment in the franchise features familiar characters as well as some fresh faces.

GREGG KILDAY, THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER: With the new movie, they've introduced enough new elements to extend the mythology.

HORNG: To prepare for the intricate fight sequences, stars underwent four months of martial arts instructions, training so intense that Carrie-Anne Moss, who plays Trinity, suffered a broken leg.

CARRIE-ANNE MOSS, ACTRESS: I came into the process really gung ho and excited and then I was taken down within seven days of training.

HORNG: The first "Matrix" grossed more than $450 million worldwide, became the first film ever to sell one million DVDs and spawned a visual style copied and parodied in other films, like "Shrek."

With a budget of nearly $130 million, about twice that of the first film, there's pressure for "The Matrix Reloaded" to raise the bar.

FISHBURNE: That pressure, you know, started at the top and we all just tried to give all that we had to the project.

HORNG (on camera): And in case you're wondering, filming on the third movie, "The Matrix Revolutions" has already been completed and it's scheduled for release in November.

Eric Horng, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: And from "The Matrix Reloaded" to the White House, we'll go there life as soon as President Bush and the Spanish prime minister, Jose Maria Aznar, emerge. We're standing by for that.

In the meantime, our "Web Question of the Day" is this: "Was Senator Robert Byrd right to blast President Bush?" Vote now at cnn.com/wolf. We'll have the results and the president, maybe, as soon as we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: We're about to hear from the president of the United States.

In the meantime, here's how you're weighing in on our "Web Question of the Day." Was Senator Byrd right to blast President Bush? Look at this: 61 percent of you say yes, 39 percent of you say no. Remember, this is not a scientific poll.

Lou Dobbs is standing by to pick up our coverage. He'll bring us the president of the United States and the Spanish prime minister. Jose Maria Aznar. They should be emerging, Lou, any second now at the White House, making statements and answering reporters' questions.

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