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CNN Wolf Blitzer Reports

U.S. Warships Position Themselves Off Liberian Coast; Taylor Steps Down; Could U.S. Troops Be Facing Threat Greater Than al Qaeda?

Aired August 11, 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: It's happening right now, three U.S. warships are off the coast of Liberia. Will President Bush order more than 2,000 Marines ashore in the middle of a bloody civil war?
WOLF BLITZER REPORTS starts right now.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): Liberia's dictator makes a dramatic exit.

CHARLES TAYLOR, FMR. LIBERIAN PRESIDENT: I want to be the sacrificial lamb. I am the whipping boy.

BLITZER: Charles Taylor compares himself to Jesus, warns other African leaders they may be next.

A CNN exclusive a new worry for U.S. troops in Iraq, could they face a threat bigger than al Qaeda?

He no longer speaks for Saddam Hussein, why is he still speaking out against America, today an exclusive interview with former U.N. Ambassador Mohammed Aldouri.

MOHAMMAD ALDOURI, FORMER IRAQI AMBASSADOR TO U.N.: Today the United States and Britain, they don't give us any kind of proof that they are coming to liberate our country. At the end of the day they are coming to colonize my country.

BLITZER: A strong showing in the polls for Hollywood's strong man.

ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER (R), CALIFORNIA GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE: Thank you, hasta la vista.

BLITZER: But the pressure mounts on Arnold Schwarzenegger. Does he really have what it takes to run California?

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: It's Monday, August 11, 2003. Hello from New York, I'm Wolf Blitzer reporting.

Racked by more than a dozen years of civil war, there's a new hope for peace in Liberia. We begin with the resignation of the African country's embattled president. Charles Taylor is now in exile having relinquished power just a few hours ago.

Calling himself a sacrificial lamb, Taylor resigned in a ceremony in the capital of Monrovia. He then boarded a plane for Nigeria where he landed a short time ago. The Vice President Moses Blah was sworn in as the 22nd president of Liberia, a country founded by freed American slaves in the 19th century.

After the transfer of power, three U.S. warships moved to within eight miles of the Liberian coast. U.S. officials say it's a very visible sign to uneasy Liberians that the U.S. is close at hand as a new leader takes office.

Let's go to the Pentagon now. That's where CNN's Barbara Starr is standing by. She has details on what the U.S. military may or may not be planning for Liberia -- Barbara.

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, even as Charles Taylor was moving into exile today as you say, three U.S. Navy warships were moving within visual sight of the coast of Liberia, the capital city of Monrovia to provide reassurance to the people as the transition of power was going on the U.S. military was nearby in case trouble broke out.

But, at this point there is simply no indication of any imminent plan to send any of those 2,000 Marines aboard those ships on to the Liberia territory. The Bush administration by all accounts appears to be sticking with its policy of working with the current West African military forces that are leading the peacekeeping effort trying to assist them in bring that front line peace to Liberia.

But late today, Secretary of State Colin Powell did say that the U.S. military joint task force commander is expected to go ashore himself; of course, with some assistance possibly within the next 24 hours. He will meet with the Nigerian peacekeeping troops.

He will also meet with the LURD rebel commanders who effectively have control of the port of Monrovia at this point and that is very key because the U.S. wants to see the port reopened. They believe that is key to getting humanitarian assistance back into the country and making this entire African-led initiative work -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Barbara Starr at the Pentagon thanks very much.

Let's go to Jeff Koinange now. He's keeping track of the historic developments in Liberia. Jeff is joining us live from Monrovia, the capital -- Jeff.

JEFF KOINANGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Are you going to cue me because I can't hear you.

Wolf, a momentous day in the history of Liberia, one that many people here never thought they would ever witness, the stepping down of their president and the departure of the president all on one day and as that aircraft that 727 took off from Roberts Airport right outside Monrovia many just could not believe that their president was departing into the afternoon sky. Now, earlier in the day President Taylor in his final address as president of Liberia talked about everything from him being compared to Jesus Christ, took a swipe at the United States, but overall told Liberians the reasons for his stepping down.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TAYLOR: I want to be the whipping boy. You know it's so easy to say because of Taylor. There will be no more Taylor after a few minutes. Now, the Liberian people need the good, please. Yesterday for me it was a statement of fact. I may have stepped on a few toes but I don't care because history must show the facts.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KOINANGE: And, Wolf, right before former President Taylor took off his presidential sash and handed it over to incoming President Moses Blah, he issued a word probably of promise rather than a threat. He said I'll be back -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Jeff Koinange, our man on the scene in Monrovia, thanks Jeff very much.

And, as more than 2,000 U.S. Marines await word on whether they will be ordered into a clearly risky operation in Liberia their fellow Americans back home are wondering what business the United States may have in the East African nation at all. We'll take a close look at that. That's coming up later this hour.

Here's your turn to weigh in on this important story. Our web question of the day is this. "With Charles Taylor gone, should the U.S. send in troops to Liberia?" We'll have the results later in this broadcast.

You can vote right now at cnn.com/wolf. While you're there, let me hear directly 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 where you can read my daily online column, cnn.com/wolf.

Now to a huge political story here in the United States. Some of the frenzy surrounding the California recall election moved here to New York City earlier today, along with the high profile candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger.

CNN's Deborah Feyerick has the details of his trip to the Big Apple -- Deborah.

DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, Arnold Schwarzenegger like a media magnet, there were some 30 camera crews here televising this event. One of them was as far away as Japan.

We spoke to his press secretary earlier. She said she has never seen anything like this. She used to work for the Republican Party. She said she's been inundated with calls from around the world, everybody wanting to sit down with the governor hopeful. Arnold Schwarzenegger told 200 inner city kids today that the secret of his success, have big dreams said the movie star. Schwarzenegger was here keeping a promise he made several months ago which was to appear at his summer camp foundation to give a young lady an award. She came up with a new name for the organization. It's now called the After School All Stars.

As for any sort of political agenda or political statement, Arnold Schwarzenegger really didn't give any. He answered no questions. He gave no new insight into what he stands for, at least not yet.

But, after this was all over he went to lunch at a swank midtown restaurant The Four Seasons. He met with a dozen Republican power brokers. A source close to the meeting says that they spoke about money but they also spoke about strategy. This was a meeting that was arranged with New York's Governor George Pataki. He himself was not at the meeting but they did speak by phone we are told -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Deborah Feyerick in New York City thanks Deborah very much.

Meanwhile, in Sacramento, California state officials have determined in what order the nearly 200 candidates' names will appear on the ballot and it's anything but alphabetical.

CNN's Miguel Marquez is in the state capital. He's joining us live with that -- Miguel.

MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, it's a whole new alphabet, Wolf, and I'm getting quite accustomed to it, it seems. They drew lots today in sort of a basket that you would use in a bingo parlor.

They put all the letters of the alphabet in there and drew them out and one by one they came out and the letters B and S ended up number 10 and 12 that they drew. That means that Cruz Bustamante whose last name begins with a B, obviously, and Arnold Schwarzenegger whose last name begins with an S will be 10th and 11th.

It essentially means if there are candidates in all the other positions before them in the 10th district here and in the 11th, Bustamante will appear first on the ballot and then Schwarzenegger first on the ballot in the 11th if that makes any sense to you. What they're trying to do is give every candidate as fair a shot at getting voters and getting their names up at the top of the ballot as possible.

The other thing going on here as you mentioned is that they are counting the candidates, it inched up today from 193 to 195, the secretary of state saying that by day's end or by Wednesday when they certify these folks there could be as many as 200 candidates on this ballot -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Miguel Marquez for us in Sacramento. He's going to be busy over the next two months. Thanks Miguel very much. Picking the cover story for the latest edition of "Time" magazine was apparently a no-brainer. Joining me now to talk about the Schwarzenegger candidacy and California's three-ring recall is Michael Weisskopf, "Time's" senior correspondent. Thanks very much, Michael, for joining us. He seemed to have faked out everyone on this including Jay Leno. Tell us what happened.

MICHAEL WEISSKOPF, SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT "TIME" MAGAZINE: Well, more than Leno is even his would-be campaign manager showed up with a speech in his hand explaining why Arnold wasn't going to run and even in the pre-show kind of tryout with Leno he basically said he was planning to bow out and he walked onto the show and, of course, announced what we've all heard.

BLITZER: How much was he influenced by the fact that Dianne Feinstein, the Senator from California had decided earlier she was not going to throw her hat into the ring?

WEISSKOPF: Almost exclusively. There was another factor and that is that Richard Riordan, his friend, a Republican moderate from California, former mayor of L.A. was somebody he was supposedly encouraging for weeks in advance and sort of faked out Riordan as well.

But, apparently, and according to his own close associates Arnold figured that Riordan really didn't have his heart into it and with Di Fi out of the way he saw an open field and decided to run down through it. No one was more surprised than Riordan who had even canceled a very far-flung fancy vacation in advance.

BLITZER: There are other conservative Republicans whose names are on the ballot. Arnold Schwarzenegger, from what we know of his views on several of the key social issues like abortion rights, gay rights, gun control, he takes a rather moderate almost liberal stance. How is that going to affect the Republican vote out in California?

WEISSKOPF: Well, there is a strong conservative Republican in the race, Bill Simon, who took on Davis a couple years ago in a gubernatorial election and Simon will no doubt net those votes and the question is will Arnold draw enough from all segments of the population to be not only a well-known figure like Simon but a guy like Bustamante who is a proven vote getter on a state level and brings with him a great deal of Latino support?

BLITZER: Cruz Bustamante, the lieutenant governor, the only Democrat, significant Democrat on the ballot. All right, Michael Weisskopf of "Time" magazine, as usual thanks very much, good reporting in "Time" magazine.

Coming up, two CNN exclusives terrorist counterattack, are U.S. troops facing a new enemy in Iraq?

Also, my exclusive interview with Iraq's former United Nations ambassador, hear what he's saying about Saddam Hussein, weapons of mass destruction, and violence against U.S. troops. And, there's a new twist in the Laci Peterson case. Her husband's defense team examines the bodies. Find out what clues they're hoping to find. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Is Iraq better off with Saddam Hussein gone, the answer from the man who used to speak for the Iraqi dictator. You haven't seen him since the war ended and you may be surprised to hear what he has to say. My exclusive interview with Iraq's former U.N. Ambassador Mohammed Aldouri, that's coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: There's word that American forces in Iraq may be facing a terrorist counterattack. Coalition intelligence officials worry that the man who used terror attacks to help push U.S. and Israeli forces out of Lebanon may have turned his sights on Iraq in an alliance with al Qaeda members.

Here's CNN's Mike Boettcher with an exclusive report.

(EXCLUSIVE REPORT)

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MIKE BOETTCHER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The investigation into the Jordanian embassy bombing in Baghdad is leading coalition intelligence agencies to consider the possibility of a broad new threat, a dangerous terrorist alliance that could supersede al Qaeda.

The focus is on this man, Imad Mugniah. He was the most wanted terrorist in the world until Laden went to the top of the list. Considered every bit as dangerous, says the al Qaeda leader, Mugniah is credited by U.S. officials as the mastermind of the October, 1983 bombing of the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut that ultimately led to the departure of the U.S. peacekeeping force from Lebanon 20 years ago. Two hundred forty-one Marines died in the attack.

U.S. officials worry Mugniyah may be trying to plan a repeat performance in Iraq with the help of al Qaeda-affiliated terrorists like Abu Masab al-Zarqawi, believed to be the top suspect in the embassy bombing.

Both Mugniyha, a Shia Muslim who Middle East experts say runs the international terrorist apparatus of Lebanese Hezbollah, and Zarqawi, a Sunni Muslim who directs an al Qaeda-affiliated terror network that stretches to the Middle East to Europe are believed to be hiding in Iran.

Professor Magnus Ranstorp, considered one of the world's top experts on Hezbollah and Mugniyah, believes Iran's intelligence may also be part of the mix.

MAGNUS RANSTORP, TERRORISM EXPERT: The Iranian intelligence service certainly have facilitated the presence of not only al Qaeda members in Iran but also is hosting Mugniyah and his associates to be used for special occasions.

BOETTCHER: Living together in Iran, however, does not represent a marriage of Hezbollah and al Qaeda. Terrorism analysts instead see it as an alliance of powerful individual members of those groups who have a common interest, attacking the U.S.

RANSTORP: You have unprotected U.S. servicemen who are relatively easy to get to.

BOETTCHER: Iran's government has consistently denied it is harboring terrorists and last month said it had several al Qaeda members under arrest.

(on camera): Intelligence officials in the U.S.-led coalition describe Iran as a blind spot in their counterterrorism efforts. Actually proving that Iran is working with both Shia and Sunni Muslim terrorists against U.S. interests in Iraq will be tough but they believe the investigation into the bombing of the Jordanian Embassy in Baghdad is providing clues.

Mike Boettcher, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: The al Qaeda terror network has claimed responsibility for last week's bombing of the J.W. Marriott Hotel in Jakarta, Indonesia and the group is promising more attacks against U.S. targets that word today from terror experts. Tuesday's blast in Jakarta killed 11 people and injured dozens more.

Coming up, a CNN exclusive, Iraq's former U.N. ambassador speaks out for the first time on American television since the president announced the end of major combat in Iraq. Find out who Mohammed Aldouri thinks is behind the attacks on U.S. troops.

Also, a renewed search for evidence in the Laci Peterson case, the bodies are reexamined, find out what clues her husband's lawyers are looking for.

And, two years after 9/11, why is the U.S. government not sharing information on potential terrorists? We'll take a closer look.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Forensics experts hired by murder suspect Scott Peterson's attorneys are examining the remains of his wife Laci Peterson and their unborn son.

CNN's Rusty Dornin is outside the medical examiner's lab in Martinez, California -- Rusty.

RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Now, Wolf, the remains of Laci Peterson and her unborn son Connor have been here since they washed ashore in April but the official autopsy wasn't enough for defense attorney Mark Geragos who believes that there is evidence in those remains that could exonerate his client Scott Peterson.

So, he hired two big guns in the forensic field, Henry Lee and a Dr. Cyril Wecht. Henry Lee, of course, was involved in the O.J. Simpson and JonBenet Ramsey cases. Wecht is a forensic pathologist from Pennsylvania. They took still cameras and video equipment inside and took tissue samples. Three hours after entering the coroner's office they emerged.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MARK GERAGOS, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: It was as smooth and performed as well as could be under the circumstances. Other than that, there is not much else that I can say because of the protective or gag order.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DORNIN: Now, that gag order also applies to the two forensic scientists as they had nothing to say at that short press conference after they emerged; however, Geragos did say they're not quite through.

They said that he was unclear about what evidence he was talking but he said they still have some things to do here in Contra Costa County and they also want to go down to an evidence lab down near Modesto.

Now, that's where Scott Peterson's car, his computer, and some evidence in the house are being kept. He wants the forensic scientists to go in there but apparently they have some paperwork, have to get permission from the prosecutors before they can do that. That should take place sometime later this week.

And, later this week on Thursday, there will be a court hearing to decide whether cameras can be in the courtroom during the preliminary hearing on September 9. All sides, except for the media, are voting no on that question and there are sure to be some other questions raised.

Also at this point the question remains it seems that the remains of Laci Peterson and Connor have now been tested by the defense. It should be -- the question is when will those remains be returned to the family -- Wolf?

BLITZER: Rusty, speaking of the family is there any reaction from the family, to Laci Peterson's, to the remains being examined once again a second autopsy, if you will, by the defense team this time?

DORNIN: No, I did talk to the family spokesperson and she said she felt, she had not talked directly with the family about it but she said it must be very hard for them but they did not want to make a statement and they did not want to discuss the issue.

BLITZER: Must be very hard indeed. Rusty Dornin thanks very much for that report. He defended Iraq to the world before the war, now the former Iraqi U.N. Ambassador Mohammed Aldouri sits down with me for an exclusive interview. I'll ask him some tough questions about Saddam Hussein, the weapons of mass destruction and violence in Iraq.

Also, Martha Stewart in the red, find out who's being blamed for the losses.

And, get this, Pepsi and Coke being poured down the drain, find out why these protesters are up in arms over these American colas.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back.

An exclusive interview with Iraq's former U.N. ambassador, that's coming up. First, though, a quick check of the latest headlines.

(NEWSBREAK)

BLITZER: You probably remember him from the buildup to the war in Iraq, Mohammed Aldouri, Baghdad's ambassador to the United Nations. For months he was at the center of a diplomatic storm, passionately defending his country as the U.S. sought U.N. approval to oust Saddam Hussein. Once the war started, Aldouri left New York and virtually disappeared from public life.

A short while ago I had a chance to have an exclusive interview with the former diplomat, who spoke with me from his new home in Dubai in the Persian Gulf about the war and the current situation in Iraq.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Are the people of Iraq better off right now without Saddam Hussein in power?

MOHAMMED ALDOURI, FMR. IRAQI AMB. TO U.N.: Well, I think they will be much better if American withdraw from Iraq.

BLITZER: Was this war justified, from your perspective, removing Saddam Hussein and the Ba'ath Party from power?

ALDOURI: Well, I already answered such question. I would prefer that Iraqi people did that. Actually, the Iraqi people is not happy about what is going on on the ground with the presence of American and British soldiers on their soil.

BLITZER: You recently said in an interview with the Arab news, that Saddam Hussein was a tyrant. What did you mean by that?

ALDOURI: Well, I didn't qualify it. I think Saddam Hussein belong now to the past. And I would prefer to talk about the future of Iraq. It is much important for Iraqi people, much important for the whole humanity, if we talk -- if we talk -- if we discuss the future of Iraq.

BLITZER: Who do you see as the future of Iraq? Who are the leaders that should emerge in the aftermath of Saddam Hussein?

ALDOURI: Well, I think it is up to the Iraqi people to decide, not to American, not to Mr. Bremer or others. I think the Iraqi people is capable to choose their -- its leaders for the future.

BLITZER: But isn't there a sense that right now there has to be a transition, and that only the United States and Britain, the other coalition forces, can create some semblance of stability that will eventually allow the Iraqi people to form democratic government?

ALDOURI: Well, it seems that is not the case, Mr. Wolfa Blitz (ph) (sic). There is a lack of security, lack of medicine, lack of food, lack of public services. Every -- there's lacking of everything in Iraq. So I don't think Iraqi people is happy about what is going on with the presence of American and British occupiers.

BLITZER: But can't you blame Saddam Hussein and his Ba'ath Party regime for creating that situation over these 30 years?

ALDOURI: We cannot blame all the time the past. We are regarding, as 26, 27 million people regarding the future and would like to have some food some medicine, some petrol, some decent life.

BLITZER: Is Saddam Hussein right now in any position to be doing anything other than simply running and seeking some sort of security for himself?

ALDOURI: I think Saddam Hussein belong to the past. And the Iraqi people have to look to the future, to its own destiny for the future.

BLITZER: Who do you believe are calling the shots in the attacks against U.S. and British forces in Iraq? Is it al Qaeda, or is it the Saddam Hussein Fedayeen, remnants of the Ba'ath Party? Who's fighting the United States?

ALDOURI: I think Iraqi people is fighting the United States. There's a lot of mistakes. The American came as liberator to Iraqi people. Now the Iraqi people see American and the British as colonizer.

BLITZER: But Mr. Ambassador, with all due respect, millions of Iraqis are grateful to the United States and Britain for liberating, if you will, their country, for getting rid of Saddam Hussein and the regime that he imposed on them, and they're beginning to breathe a little bit of fresh air of democracy right now for the first time.

ALDOURI: Mr. Blitzer, I would like, I would love very much to have this democracy, this freedom. We are waiting this democracy and this freedom a long time ago. And now you are there. Where is the democracy? Where is the freedom? Where is food? Where is medicine? Where is work?

BLITZER: A lot of our reporting, though, suggests that for the average Iraqis, things quietly, slowly are getting a little bit better right now. It's only been a little bit more than 100 days since the end of major combat. You can't expect to turn things around overnight.

ALDOURI: I will read a small report coming from American administration. This is a team of outside experts assessing the reconstruction efforts in Iraq.

One, that the potential for chaos is becoming more real every day, unless the U.S. provisional authority moves quickly. They're not moving quickly. That means there is suffering in Iraq. There is a huge problem, especially, first of all, the problem of security, the problem of survival of Iraqi people.

BLITZER: A lot of people would suggest though, Mr. Ambassador, with all due respect, 100 days, given the nature of the war, given the three decades that have led up to the war, is not a whole lot of time.

Let me press you on this point: the weapons of mass destruction. Do you believe that the U.S., the British, the international community eventually will find weapons of mass destruction capabilities in Iraq?

ALDOURI: I think that there were not any kind of mass destruction weapons in Iraq. It is exactly the same about the links with al Qaeda and other lying -- lies.

BLITZER: It sounds to me, Mr. Ambassador, and we used to listen to your speeches almost on a daily basis when you were at the United Nations, you have not changed your position in the aftermath of the war, that basically the U.S. had no justification to begin this war. Is that still the basic position you adopt right now?

ALDOURI: Oh, yes, this is not my position. This is the position of all Iraqi people, and all Arab people everywhere in the world. Not only in the Arab world.

BLITZER: But you have to admit, I'm sure you must admit that the people of Iraq are better off today than they were under Saddam Hussein.

ALDOURI: I don't think so. If that was the case, I would say. But reading in newspapers, watching the television, listening to others, you know, I am far away from country. I would love to be there. Hopefully that I can be there one day. But all information is coming from Iraq, giving us another kind information. There is killing. There is no security. There is nothing in Iraq, absolutely.

Before -- before the war, I think at least we have security and something to eat, some medicine. Now there's nothing.

BLITZER: But Mr. Ambassador, let me -- excuse me for interrupting...

(CROSSTALK)

ALDOURI: What can I tell you?

BLITZER: What about these mass graves that have been uncovered? Thousands of mass graves, the torture chambers that have now been documented inside Iraq, international human rights community is outraged by this.

ALDOURI: I think I have answered such -- I say something about that. These are the most heinous crimes. So all those who are committing these crimes has to be judged in a front of criminal courts in Iraq within the Iraqi law.

BLITZER: If the United States captures Saddam Hussein alive, should he stand trial in Iraq for war crimes?

ALDOURI: Well, you know, we are not there actually. If they (UNINTELLIGIBLE) -- he is -- he was he was the president of Iraq, and he's responsible of all what's happened during his time.

BLITZER: Are you planning on returning to Iraq?

ALDOURI: Well, hopefully, yes. This is my country. This is my people. And I would love to return back once this situation is stabilized. I have nothing to fear. This is my people and this is my country.

BLITZER: Mohammed Aldouri, the former Iraqi ambassador of the United Nations. It was kind of you to join us from Dubai. Thank you very much.

ALDOURI: Thank you very much.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: The U.S. connection to Liberia, answering the question coming from so many Americans. Why intervene here? That's just ahead.

And what's being done, or not done, within the U.S. government to share information about potential terrorists on U.S. soil? The answer might shock you and anger you.

First, though, a quick look at some other news making headlines "Around the World."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): No relief for Europeans sweltering in record heat. Over the weekend, Britain marked an all-time high of 100 degrees. Parts of Germany hit 105. The heat is blamed for more than 40 deaths.

At least one group is welcoming the heat, Italy's wine makers. High temperatures are expected to result in an early harvest with sweeter grapes. Some anticipate the best vintage in 50 years.

A new era for NATO, launching its first operation outside Europe ever. The alliance is taking over the international peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan, some 5,000 troops strong.

A different kind of Cola war in India, with multiple protests against Coke and Pepsi. Demonstrators are angry over a report alleging the company's Indian-made beverages contain pesticides. Coke and Pepsi say the report is wrong.

Move over, Miss World, this, the Mr. World Pageant, recorded in London this weekend for worldwide broadcast. Thirty-eight men competed in categories, including swimwear and dresswear.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mr. Brazil!

BLITZER: The winner, a 24-year-old Brazilian who wants to be a tax lawyer.

And let the games begin. This is the world kissing day games, sponsored by a northern Italian resort. Categories include basketball kissing, and underwater kissing. With one couple in that event locking lips for almost 90 seconds.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Charles Taylor, Liberia's president during the last six years of its civil war, is out of the -- out of office, and now out of the country. And three U.S. Navy ships are now conspicuously off the coast of Liberia. So of all the trouble spots in Africa, why is the United States showing the flag to Liberia?

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): U.S. troops in areas of conflict. The dangers, all too obvious.

Another perilous and potentially deadly mission leads so many to ask, why step into the middle of an internal war in Liberia? The answers, as often, complicated below the surface.

The humanitarian crisis is glaring. Over 200,000 dead over 13 years of instability, dictatorship and civil war. So many others displaced. Chaos and fear ever present.

But similar conditions exist elsewhere in Africa. Congo, a civil conflict that drew in six other African nations at its peak. More than two million dead since 1998. Sierra Leone, Liberia's neighbor lost some 50,000 people during 11 years of civil war that ended last year. Burundi, at least 200,000 dead in a war that has raged for a decade. Sudan, 20 years of civil war, famine, disease. About two million dead, and the fighting hasn't subsided.

In each place, as in Liberia, another product of war: Innocent civilians in crisis. Refugees in horrific numbers. But experts say in Liberia's case, there is extraordinary pressure for U.S. intervention.

SALIH BOOKER, AFRICA ACTION: Pressure from the British, because they're playing a similar role in neighboring Sierra Leone, pressure from the French, because they're also heading up a peacekeeping operation in Ivory Coast. And also, they're involved in the Congo. So there's a sense that the United States should provide leadership and sort of share some of the international peacekeeping burdens, and that Liberia is most appropriately a case for U.S. leadership.

BLITZER: The U.S. government did not colonize and occupy Liberia, as the European powers did elsewhere in Africa. But there may be some sense of historical guilt in Washington. Liberia was founded by Americans to serve as a new homeland for freed American slaves. U.S. companies like Firestone got early footholds there to tap rubber and other resources. Liberia provided crucial logistic support to the allies during World War II, and was a key base for U.S. intelligence during the Cold War.

The Congressional Research Service says U.S. aid to Liberia has fluctuated over the years, with the 2003 budget at just over $17 million. But many believe that America has turned its back on Liberia at critical times, such as 1990, when a similar civil war was raging.

BOOKER: When President Bush's father was in office, an almost identical scenario faced the United States. There was fighting by rebel forces trying to overthrow then President Samuel Doe. U.S. ships were off the coast of Monrovia. They were evacuating Americans and Europeans, but refusing to intervene in a humanitarian force aimed at making peace.

BLITZER: But a sense of guilt or responsibility can only drive a policy so far. Is there a pressing U.S. national interest in Liberia? The United States does import a substantial portion of its oil from that region of Africa. But Liberia, for the most part, has not been tapped. The security situation in an unstable region is another matter.

SUSAN RICE, THE BROOKINGS INSTITUTION: That whole arc of conflict has created sort of a regional super-failed state that terrorists and criminals have exploited and used to base their operations, as well as to exploit the very precious diamond resources there.

BLITZER: The question still unanswered, whether an American presence can actually bring stability and fend off the terrorist threat. How long that might take?

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: And on this day, this historic day in Liberia, coming up a little bit more than an hour from now, our Anderson Cooper will have a special interview, an exclusive interview with Moses Blah, he's the new president of Liberia. That's 7:00 p.m. Eastern, "LIVE FROM THE HEADLINES."

A 9/11 style threat within the United States. Why it's still possible, and why one U.S. senator is calling it a government security gap. He says it's an unacceptable risk. Just ahead.

First, in case you were out enjoying the days off over the weekend, here's our weekend snapshot.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) BLITZER (voice-over): Up at the pump, gas prices across the United States are on the rise again. The national average now $1.59 a gallon. That's an increase of nearly four cents a gallon in the last two weeks.

Back where they belong. Two ships are tracking five pilot whales off the Florida Keys. The whales were released yesterday, four months after they were beached. A thousand volunteers helped nurse the whales back to health. Marine experts can monitor their progress with satellite tracking devices.

Deadly collapse. Poor maintenance and construction are blamed in the collapse of a wooden deck at a house in New York City on Saturday. The collapse killed one person and injured three others.

A marriage made in heaven. Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko got married yesterday despite the fact that he's still on board the international space station. Malenchenko married Ekaterina Dmitriev during a ceremony held at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. The honeymoon will have to wait. Malenchenko returns to Earth in late October. The bride will be a guest in our show tomorrow at 5:00 p.m. Eastern.

Farewell to a star. Family and friends of Gregory Hines are saying farewell to the talented actor and dancer. Hines, a star of stage and the big screen, died Saturday from cancer. He was 57.

Concert called off. In Atlantic City, New Jersey, a soldout concert by pop star Christina Aguilera and Justin Timberlake was canceled Saturday when a lighting grid collapsed. Three workers were injured. The cause of the collapse, the second one at the site in three years, has not been determined.

And that's our "Weekend Snapshot."

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: This just in to CNN. The former U.S. Olympic hockey coach Herb Brooks has died in a car accident in Minnesota. Brooks coached last year's U.S. Olympic hockey team to a silver medal, and he also coached, of course, the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" team that won the gold medal after defeating Russia in Lake Placid, New York. Herb Brooks, unfortunately, has died.

Nearly two years after the September 11 terror attacks, nine federal agencies waging the war against terror still aren't sharing watch lists of possible terrorists.

Let's find out what's going on. CNN homeland security correspondent, Jeanne Meserve, is joining us now live -- Jeanne.

JEANNE MESERVE, CNN HOMELAND SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, the Department of Homeland Security says there is more sharing. But there has not been a genuine consolidation, and some members of Congress want to know why.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MESERVE (voice-over): Two of the September 11 hijackers might have been caught had CIA information about them been shared, and their names put on a single government watch list.

But almost two years later, the system for keeping a lookout for suspicious individuals is still broken, say the experts, with a jumble of watchlists containing different names and information.

DAVID HEYMAN, SR. FELLOW, CENTER FOR STRATEGIC AND INTL. STUDIES: We still will not be able to communicate the appropriate information to appropriate agencies in a timely fashion.

MESERVE (on camera): So it could happen all over again?

HEYMAN: Yes.

MESERVE (voice-over): In a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, Democratic senator and presidential candidate Joseph Lieberman says the failure to consolidate information onto one watchlist is an intolerable failure that exposes the American public to an unacceptable risk. Lieberman is asking President Bush to issue an executive order requiring that the list be merged.

According to a recent report from the General Accounting Office, there are 12 different watch lists maintained by nine different agencies, including Customs, the Transportation Security Administration, and the State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs.

Some members of Congress are asking Ridge for a concrete timetable for consolidation.

REP. JIM TURNER (D), TEXAS: Surely, almost two years after September 11 of 2001, we could come up with one consistent terrorist watch list.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MESERVE: A spokesman for the Department of homeland Security says there is no timetable for completing what he says is a technologically difficult task. But progress has been made.

There is, for instance, more sharing of names among watchlists. Critics say, however, that is nowhere near enough -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Jeanne Meserve, thanks very much.

Our "Hot Web Question of the Day" is this: "With Charles Taylor gone, should the U.S. send in troops to Liberia?" Vote right now at cnn.com/wolf. We'll have the results when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Here's how you're weighing in our "Web Question of the Day": "With Charles Taylor gone, should the U.S. send in troops to Liberia?" Look at this: 40 percent of you say yes, 60 percent of you say no. As always, we love to remind you, this is not -- repeat not -- a scientific poll. You can continue to vote, by the way, on our Web page, cnn.com/wolf.

Let's get to some of your e-mail.

Jean writes this: "Thank you for your coverage on Liberia. For too long, Africa has been neglected in coverage. The historical events of today will serve as a lesson for other dictators on the continent. They will also send a message to the rest of the world, Africa matters."

Richard writes, "Why is everyone so excited about Charles Taylor stepping down? This thug should not have the privilege of having his resignation referred to as historic. We should fix our own problems here in the U.S. before getting so wrapped up in what's happening in Africa."

A reminder we're on every day, weekday 5 p.m. Eastern, and I'm also noon Eastern every day. See you tomorrow.

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





Taylor Steps Down; Could U.S. Troops Be Facing Threat Greater Than al Qaeda?>


Aired August 11, 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: It's happening right now, three U.S. warships are off the coast of Liberia. Will President Bush order more than 2,000 Marines ashore in the middle of a bloody civil war?
WOLF BLITZER REPORTS starts right now.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): Liberia's dictator makes a dramatic exit.

CHARLES TAYLOR, FMR. LIBERIAN PRESIDENT: I want to be the sacrificial lamb. I am the whipping boy.

BLITZER: Charles Taylor compares himself to Jesus, warns other African leaders they may be next.

A CNN exclusive a new worry for U.S. troops in Iraq, could they face a threat bigger than al Qaeda?

He no longer speaks for Saddam Hussein, why is he still speaking out against America, today an exclusive interview with former U.N. Ambassador Mohammed Aldouri.

MOHAMMAD ALDOURI, FORMER IRAQI AMBASSADOR TO U.N.: Today the United States and Britain, they don't give us any kind of proof that they are coming to liberate our country. At the end of the day they are coming to colonize my country.

BLITZER: A strong showing in the polls for Hollywood's strong man.

ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER (R), CALIFORNIA GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE: Thank you, hasta la vista.

BLITZER: But the pressure mounts on Arnold Schwarzenegger. Does he really have what it takes to run California?

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: It's Monday, August 11, 2003. Hello from New York, I'm Wolf Blitzer reporting.

Racked by more than a dozen years of civil war, there's a new hope for peace in Liberia. We begin with the resignation of the African country's embattled president. Charles Taylor is now in exile having relinquished power just a few hours ago.

Calling himself a sacrificial lamb, Taylor resigned in a ceremony in the capital of Monrovia. He then boarded a plane for Nigeria where he landed a short time ago. The Vice President Moses Blah was sworn in as the 22nd president of Liberia, a country founded by freed American slaves in the 19th century.

After the transfer of power, three U.S. warships moved to within eight miles of the Liberian coast. U.S. officials say it's a very visible sign to uneasy Liberians that the U.S. is close at hand as a new leader takes office.

Let's go to the Pentagon now. That's where CNN's Barbara Starr is standing by. She has details on what the U.S. military may or may not be planning for Liberia -- Barbara.

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, even as Charles Taylor was moving into exile today as you say, three U.S. Navy warships were moving within visual sight of the coast of Liberia, the capital city of Monrovia to provide reassurance to the people as the transition of power was going on the U.S. military was nearby in case trouble broke out.

But, at this point there is simply no indication of any imminent plan to send any of those 2,000 Marines aboard those ships on to the Liberia territory. The Bush administration by all accounts appears to be sticking with its policy of working with the current West African military forces that are leading the peacekeeping effort trying to assist them in bring that front line peace to Liberia.

But late today, Secretary of State Colin Powell did say that the U.S. military joint task force commander is expected to go ashore himself; of course, with some assistance possibly within the next 24 hours. He will meet with the Nigerian peacekeeping troops.

He will also meet with the LURD rebel commanders who effectively have control of the port of Monrovia at this point and that is very key because the U.S. wants to see the port reopened. They believe that is key to getting humanitarian assistance back into the country and making this entire African-led initiative work -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Barbara Starr at the Pentagon thanks very much.

Let's go to Jeff Koinange now. He's keeping track of the historic developments in Liberia. Jeff is joining us live from Monrovia, the capital -- Jeff.

JEFF KOINANGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Are you going to cue me because I can't hear you.

Wolf, a momentous day in the history of Liberia, one that many people here never thought they would ever witness, the stepping down of their president and the departure of the president all on one day and as that aircraft that 727 took off from Roberts Airport right outside Monrovia many just could not believe that their president was departing into the afternoon sky. Now, earlier in the day President Taylor in his final address as president of Liberia talked about everything from him being compared to Jesus Christ, took a swipe at the United States, but overall told Liberians the reasons for his stepping down.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TAYLOR: I want to be the whipping boy. You know it's so easy to say because of Taylor. There will be no more Taylor after a few minutes. Now, the Liberian people need the good, please. Yesterday for me it was a statement of fact. I may have stepped on a few toes but I don't care because history must show the facts.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KOINANGE: And, Wolf, right before former President Taylor took off his presidential sash and handed it over to incoming President Moses Blah, he issued a word probably of promise rather than a threat. He said I'll be back -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Jeff Koinange, our man on the scene in Monrovia, thanks Jeff very much.

And, as more than 2,000 U.S. Marines await word on whether they will be ordered into a clearly risky operation in Liberia their fellow Americans back home are wondering what business the United States may have in the East African nation at all. We'll take a close look at that. That's coming up later this hour.

Here's your turn to weigh in on this important story. Our web question of the day is this. "With Charles Taylor gone, should the U.S. send in troops to Liberia?" We'll have the results later in this broadcast.

You can vote right now at cnn.com/wolf. While you're there, let me hear directly 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 where you can read my daily online column, cnn.com/wolf.

Now to a huge political story here in the United States. Some of the frenzy surrounding the California recall election moved here to New York City earlier today, along with the high profile candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger.

CNN's Deborah Feyerick has the details of his trip to the Big Apple -- Deborah.

DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, Arnold Schwarzenegger like a media magnet, there were some 30 camera crews here televising this event. One of them was as far away as Japan.

We spoke to his press secretary earlier. She said she has never seen anything like this. She used to work for the Republican Party. She said she's been inundated with calls from around the world, everybody wanting to sit down with the governor hopeful. Arnold Schwarzenegger told 200 inner city kids today that the secret of his success, have big dreams said the movie star. Schwarzenegger was here keeping a promise he made several months ago which was to appear at his summer camp foundation to give a young lady an award. She came up with a new name for the organization. It's now called the After School All Stars.

As for any sort of political agenda or political statement, Arnold Schwarzenegger really didn't give any. He answered no questions. He gave no new insight into what he stands for, at least not yet.

But, after this was all over he went to lunch at a swank midtown restaurant The Four Seasons. He met with a dozen Republican power brokers. A source close to the meeting says that they spoke about money but they also spoke about strategy. This was a meeting that was arranged with New York's Governor George Pataki. He himself was not at the meeting but they did speak by phone we are told -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Deborah Feyerick in New York City thanks Deborah very much.

Meanwhile, in Sacramento, California state officials have determined in what order the nearly 200 candidates' names will appear on the ballot and it's anything but alphabetical.

CNN's Miguel Marquez is in the state capital. He's joining us live with that -- Miguel.

MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, it's a whole new alphabet, Wolf, and I'm getting quite accustomed to it, it seems. They drew lots today in sort of a basket that you would use in a bingo parlor.

They put all the letters of the alphabet in there and drew them out and one by one they came out and the letters B and S ended up number 10 and 12 that they drew. That means that Cruz Bustamante whose last name begins with a B, obviously, and Arnold Schwarzenegger whose last name begins with an S will be 10th and 11th.

It essentially means if there are candidates in all the other positions before them in the 10th district here and in the 11th, Bustamante will appear first on the ballot and then Schwarzenegger first on the ballot in the 11th if that makes any sense to you. What they're trying to do is give every candidate as fair a shot at getting voters and getting their names up at the top of the ballot as possible.

The other thing going on here as you mentioned is that they are counting the candidates, it inched up today from 193 to 195, the secretary of state saying that by day's end or by Wednesday when they certify these folks there could be as many as 200 candidates on this ballot -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Miguel Marquez for us in Sacramento. He's going to be busy over the next two months. Thanks Miguel very much. Picking the cover story for the latest edition of "Time" magazine was apparently a no-brainer. Joining me now to talk about the Schwarzenegger candidacy and California's three-ring recall is Michael Weisskopf, "Time's" senior correspondent. Thanks very much, Michael, for joining us. He seemed to have faked out everyone on this including Jay Leno. Tell us what happened.

MICHAEL WEISSKOPF, SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT "TIME" MAGAZINE: Well, more than Leno is even his would-be campaign manager showed up with a speech in his hand explaining why Arnold wasn't going to run and even in the pre-show kind of tryout with Leno he basically said he was planning to bow out and he walked onto the show and, of course, announced what we've all heard.

BLITZER: How much was he influenced by the fact that Dianne Feinstein, the Senator from California had decided earlier she was not going to throw her hat into the ring?

WEISSKOPF: Almost exclusively. There was another factor and that is that Richard Riordan, his friend, a Republican moderate from California, former mayor of L.A. was somebody he was supposedly encouraging for weeks in advance and sort of faked out Riordan as well.

But, apparently, and according to his own close associates Arnold figured that Riordan really didn't have his heart into it and with Di Fi out of the way he saw an open field and decided to run down through it. No one was more surprised than Riordan who had even canceled a very far-flung fancy vacation in advance.

BLITZER: There are other conservative Republicans whose names are on the ballot. Arnold Schwarzenegger, from what we know of his views on several of the key social issues like abortion rights, gay rights, gun control, he takes a rather moderate almost liberal stance. How is that going to affect the Republican vote out in California?

WEISSKOPF: Well, there is a strong conservative Republican in the race, Bill Simon, who took on Davis a couple years ago in a gubernatorial election and Simon will no doubt net those votes and the question is will Arnold draw enough from all segments of the population to be not only a well-known figure like Simon but a guy like Bustamante who is a proven vote getter on a state level and brings with him a great deal of Latino support?

BLITZER: Cruz Bustamante, the lieutenant governor, the only Democrat, significant Democrat on the ballot. All right, Michael Weisskopf of "Time" magazine, as usual thanks very much, good reporting in "Time" magazine.

Coming up, two CNN exclusives terrorist counterattack, are U.S. troops facing a new enemy in Iraq?

Also, my exclusive interview with Iraq's former United Nations ambassador, hear what he's saying about Saddam Hussein, weapons of mass destruction, and violence against U.S. troops. And, there's a new twist in the Laci Peterson case. Her husband's defense team examines the bodies. Find out what clues they're hoping to find. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Is Iraq better off with Saddam Hussein gone, the answer from the man who used to speak for the Iraqi dictator. You haven't seen him since the war ended and you may be surprised to hear what he has to say. My exclusive interview with Iraq's former U.N. Ambassador Mohammed Aldouri, that's coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: There's word that American forces in Iraq may be facing a terrorist counterattack. Coalition intelligence officials worry that the man who used terror attacks to help push U.S. and Israeli forces out of Lebanon may have turned his sights on Iraq in an alliance with al Qaeda members.

Here's CNN's Mike Boettcher with an exclusive report.

(EXCLUSIVE REPORT)

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MIKE BOETTCHER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The investigation into the Jordanian embassy bombing in Baghdad is leading coalition intelligence agencies to consider the possibility of a broad new threat, a dangerous terrorist alliance that could supersede al Qaeda.

The focus is on this man, Imad Mugniah. He was the most wanted terrorist in the world until Laden went to the top of the list. Considered every bit as dangerous, says the al Qaeda leader, Mugniah is credited by U.S. officials as the mastermind of the October, 1983 bombing of the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut that ultimately led to the departure of the U.S. peacekeeping force from Lebanon 20 years ago. Two hundred forty-one Marines died in the attack.

U.S. officials worry Mugniyah may be trying to plan a repeat performance in Iraq with the help of al Qaeda-affiliated terrorists like Abu Masab al-Zarqawi, believed to be the top suspect in the embassy bombing.

Both Mugniyha, a Shia Muslim who Middle East experts say runs the international terrorist apparatus of Lebanese Hezbollah, and Zarqawi, a Sunni Muslim who directs an al Qaeda-affiliated terror network that stretches to the Middle East to Europe are believed to be hiding in Iran.

Professor Magnus Ranstorp, considered one of the world's top experts on Hezbollah and Mugniyah, believes Iran's intelligence may also be part of the mix.

MAGNUS RANSTORP, TERRORISM EXPERT: The Iranian intelligence service certainly have facilitated the presence of not only al Qaeda members in Iran but also is hosting Mugniyah and his associates to be used for special occasions.

BOETTCHER: Living together in Iran, however, does not represent a marriage of Hezbollah and al Qaeda. Terrorism analysts instead see it as an alliance of powerful individual members of those groups who have a common interest, attacking the U.S.

RANSTORP: You have unprotected U.S. servicemen who are relatively easy to get to.

BOETTCHER: Iran's government has consistently denied it is harboring terrorists and last month said it had several al Qaeda members under arrest.

(on camera): Intelligence officials in the U.S.-led coalition describe Iran as a blind spot in their counterterrorism efforts. Actually proving that Iran is working with both Shia and Sunni Muslim terrorists against U.S. interests in Iraq will be tough but they believe the investigation into the bombing of the Jordanian Embassy in Baghdad is providing clues.

Mike Boettcher, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: The al Qaeda terror network has claimed responsibility for last week's bombing of the J.W. Marriott Hotel in Jakarta, Indonesia and the group is promising more attacks against U.S. targets that word today from terror experts. Tuesday's blast in Jakarta killed 11 people and injured dozens more.

Coming up, a CNN exclusive, Iraq's former U.N. ambassador speaks out for the first time on American television since the president announced the end of major combat in Iraq. Find out who Mohammed Aldouri thinks is behind the attacks on U.S. troops.

Also, a renewed search for evidence in the Laci Peterson case, the bodies are reexamined, find out what clues her husband's lawyers are looking for.

And, two years after 9/11, why is the U.S. government not sharing information on potential terrorists? We'll take a closer look.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Forensics experts hired by murder suspect Scott Peterson's attorneys are examining the remains of his wife Laci Peterson and their unborn son.

CNN's Rusty Dornin is outside the medical examiner's lab in Martinez, California -- Rusty.

RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Now, Wolf, the remains of Laci Peterson and her unborn son Connor have been here since they washed ashore in April but the official autopsy wasn't enough for defense attorney Mark Geragos who believes that there is evidence in those remains that could exonerate his client Scott Peterson.

So, he hired two big guns in the forensic field, Henry Lee and a Dr. Cyril Wecht. Henry Lee, of course, was involved in the O.J. Simpson and JonBenet Ramsey cases. Wecht is a forensic pathologist from Pennsylvania. They took still cameras and video equipment inside and took tissue samples. Three hours after entering the coroner's office they emerged.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MARK GERAGOS, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: It was as smooth and performed as well as could be under the circumstances. Other than that, there is not much else that I can say because of the protective or gag order.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DORNIN: Now, that gag order also applies to the two forensic scientists as they had nothing to say at that short press conference after they emerged; however, Geragos did say they're not quite through.

They said that he was unclear about what evidence he was talking but he said they still have some things to do here in Contra Costa County and they also want to go down to an evidence lab down near Modesto.

Now, that's where Scott Peterson's car, his computer, and some evidence in the house are being kept. He wants the forensic scientists to go in there but apparently they have some paperwork, have to get permission from the prosecutors before they can do that. That should take place sometime later this week.

And, later this week on Thursday, there will be a court hearing to decide whether cameras can be in the courtroom during the preliminary hearing on September 9. All sides, except for the media, are voting no on that question and there are sure to be some other questions raised.

Also at this point the question remains it seems that the remains of Laci Peterson and Connor have now been tested by the defense. It should be -- the question is when will those remains be returned to the family -- Wolf?

BLITZER: Rusty, speaking of the family is there any reaction from the family, to Laci Peterson's, to the remains being examined once again a second autopsy, if you will, by the defense team this time?

DORNIN: No, I did talk to the family spokesperson and she said she felt, she had not talked directly with the family about it but she said it must be very hard for them but they did not want to make a statement and they did not want to discuss the issue.

BLITZER: Must be very hard indeed. Rusty Dornin thanks very much for that report. He defended Iraq to the world before the war, now the former Iraqi U.N. Ambassador Mohammed Aldouri sits down with me for an exclusive interview. I'll ask him some tough questions about Saddam Hussein, the weapons of mass destruction and violence in Iraq.

Also, Martha Stewart in the red, find out who's being blamed for the losses.

And, get this, Pepsi and Coke being poured down the drain, find out why these protesters are up in arms over these American colas.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back.

An exclusive interview with Iraq's former U.N. ambassador, that's coming up. First, though, a quick check of the latest headlines.

(NEWSBREAK)

BLITZER: You probably remember him from the buildup to the war in Iraq, Mohammed Aldouri, Baghdad's ambassador to the United Nations. For months he was at the center of a diplomatic storm, passionately defending his country as the U.S. sought U.N. approval to oust Saddam Hussein. Once the war started, Aldouri left New York and virtually disappeared from public life.

A short while ago I had a chance to have an exclusive interview with the former diplomat, who spoke with me from his new home in Dubai in the Persian Gulf about the war and the current situation in Iraq.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Are the people of Iraq better off right now without Saddam Hussein in power?

MOHAMMED ALDOURI, FMR. IRAQI AMB. TO U.N.: Well, I think they will be much better if American withdraw from Iraq.

BLITZER: Was this war justified, from your perspective, removing Saddam Hussein and the Ba'ath Party from power?

ALDOURI: Well, I already answered such question. I would prefer that Iraqi people did that. Actually, the Iraqi people is not happy about what is going on on the ground with the presence of American and British soldiers on their soil.

BLITZER: You recently said in an interview with the Arab news, that Saddam Hussein was a tyrant. What did you mean by that?

ALDOURI: Well, I didn't qualify it. I think Saddam Hussein belong now to the past. And I would prefer to talk about the future of Iraq. It is much important for Iraqi people, much important for the whole humanity, if we talk -- if we talk -- if we discuss the future of Iraq.

BLITZER: Who do you see as the future of Iraq? Who are the leaders that should emerge in the aftermath of Saddam Hussein?

ALDOURI: Well, I think it is up to the Iraqi people to decide, not to American, not to Mr. Bremer or others. I think the Iraqi people is capable to choose their -- its leaders for the future.

BLITZER: But isn't there a sense that right now there has to be a transition, and that only the United States and Britain, the other coalition forces, can create some semblance of stability that will eventually allow the Iraqi people to form democratic government?

ALDOURI: Well, it seems that is not the case, Mr. Wolfa Blitz (ph) (sic). There is a lack of security, lack of medicine, lack of food, lack of public services. Every -- there's lacking of everything in Iraq. So I don't think Iraqi people is happy about what is going on with the presence of American and British occupiers.

BLITZER: But can't you blame Saddam Hussein and his Ba'ath Party regime for creating that situation over these 30 years?

ALDOURI: We cannot blame all the time the past. We are regarding, as 26, 27 million people regarding the future and would like to have some food some medicine, some petrol, some decent life.

BLITZER: Is Saddam Hussein right now in any position to be doing anything other than simply running and seeking some sort of security for himself?

ALDOURI: I think Saddam Hussein belong to the past. And the Iraqi people have to look to the future, to its own destiny for the future.

BLITZER: Who do you believe are calling the shots in the attacks against U.S. and British forces in Iraq? Is it al Qaeda, or is it the Saddam Hussein Fedayeen, remnants of the Ba'ath Party? Who's fighting the United States?

ALDOURI: I think Iraqi people is fighting the United States. There's a lot of mistakes. The American came as liberator to Iraqi people. Now the Iraqi people see American and the British as colonizer.

BLITZER: But Mr. Ambassador, with all due respect, millions of Iraqis are grateful to the United States and Britain for liberating, if you will, their country, for getting rid of Saddam Hussein and the regime that he imposed on them, and they're beginning to breathe a little bit of fresh air of democracy right now for the first time.

ALDOURI: Mr. Blitzer, I would like, I would love very much to have this democracy, this freedom. We are waiting this democracy and this freedom a long time ago. And now you are there. Where is the democracy? Where is the freedom? Where is food? Where is medicine? Where is work?

BLITZER: A lot of our reporting, though, suggests that for the average Iraqis, things quietly, slowly are getting a little bit better right now. It's only been a little bit more than 100 days since the end of major combat. You can't expect to turn things around overnight.

ALDOURI: I will read a small report coming from American administration. This is a team of outside experts assessing the reconstruction efforts in Iraq.

One, that the potential for chaos is becoming more real every day, unless the U.S. provisional authority moves quickly. They're not moving quickly. That means there is suffering in Iraq. There is a huge problem, especially, first of all, the problem of security, the problem of survival of Iraqi people.

BLITZER: A lot of people would suggest though, Mr. Ambassador, with all due respect, 100 days, given the nature of the war, given the three decades that have led up to the war, is not a whole lot of time.

Let me press you on this point: the weapons of mass destruction. Do you believe that the U.S., the British, the international community eventually will find weapons of mass destruction capabilities in Iraq?

ALDOURI: I think that there were not any kind of mass destruction weapons in Iraq. It is exactly the same about the links with al Qaeda and other lying -- lies.

BLITZER: It sounds to me, Mr. Ambassador, and we used to listen to your speeches almost on a daily basis when you were at the United Nations, you have not changed your position in the aftermath of the war, that basically the U.S. had no justification to begin this war. Is that still the basic position you adopt right now?

ALDOURI: Oh, yes, this is not my position. This is the position of all Iraqi people, and all Arab people everywhere in the world. Not only in the Arab world.

BLITZER: But you have to admit, I'm sure you must admit that the people of Iraq are better off today than they were under Saddam Hussein.

ALDOURI: I don't think so. If that was the case, I would say. But reading in newspapers, watching the television, listening to others, you know, I am far away from country. I would love to be there. Hopefully that I can be there one day. But all information is coming from Iraq, giving us another kind information. There is killing. There is no security. There is nothing in Iraq, absolutely.

Before -- before the war, I think at least we have security and something to eat, some medicine. Now there's nothing.

BLITZER: But Mr. Ambassador, let me -- excuse me for interrupting...

(CROSSTALK)

ALDOURI: What can I tell you?

BLITZER: What about these mass graves that have been uncovered? Thousands of mass graves, the torture chambers that have now been documented inside Iraq, international human rights community is outraged by this.

ALDOURI: I think I have answered such -- I say something about that. These are the most heinous crimes. So all those who are committing these crimes has to be judged in a front of criminal courts in Iraq within the Iraqi law.

BLITZER: If the United States captures Saddam Hussein alive, should he stand trial in Iraq for war crimes?

ALDOURI: Well, you know, we are not there actually. If they (UNINTELLIGIBLE) -- he is -- he was he was the president of Iraq, and he's responsible of all what's happened during his time.

BLITZER: Are you planning on returning to Iraq?

ALDOURI: Well, hopefully, yes. This is my country. This is my people. And I would love to return back once this situation is stabilized. I have nothing to fear. This is my people and this is my country.

BLITZER: Mohammed Aldouri, the former Iraqi ambassador of the United Nations. It was kind of you to join us from Dubai. Thank you very much.

ALDOURI: Thank you very much.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: The U.S. connection to Liberia, answering the question coming from so many Americans. Why intervene here? That's just ahead.

And what's being done, or not done, within the U.S. government to share information about potential terrorists on U.S. soil? The answer might shock you and anger you.

First, though, a quick look at some other news making headlines "Around the World."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): No relief for Europeans sweltering in record heat. Over the weekend, Britain marked an all-time high of 100 degrees. Parts of Germany hit 105. The heat is blamed for more than 40 deaths.

At least one group is welcoming the heat, Italy's wine makers. High temperatures are expected to result in an early harvest with sweeter grapes. Some anticipate the best vintage in 50 years.

A new era for NATO, launching its first operation outside Europe ever. The alliance is taking over the international peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan, some 5,000 troops strong.

A different kind of Cola war in India, with multiple protests against Coke and Pepsi. Demonstrators are angry over a report alleging the company's Indian-made beverages contain pesticides. Coke and Pepsi say the report is wrong.

Move over, Miss World, this, the Mr. World Pageant, recorded in London this weekend for worldwide broadcast. Thirty-eight men competed in categories, including swimwear and dresswear.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mr. Brazil!

BLITZER: The winner, a 24-year-old Brazilian who wants to be a tax lawyer.

And let the games begin. This is the world kissing day games, sponsored by a northern Italian resort. Categories include basketball kissing, and underwater kissing. With one couple in that event locking lips for almost 90 seconds.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Charles Taylor, Liberia's president during the last six years of its civil war, is out of the -- out of office, and now out of the country. And three U.S. Navy ships are now conspicuously off the coast of Liberia. So of all the trouble spots in Africa, why is the United States showing the flag to Liberia?

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): U.S. troops in areas of conflict. The dangers, all too obvious.

Another perilous and potentially deadly mission leads so many to ask, why step into the middle of an internal war in Liberia? The answers, as often, complicated below the surface.

The humanitarian crisis is glaring. Over 200,000 dead over 13 years of instability, dictatorship and civil war. So many others displaced. Chaos and fear ever present.

But similar conditions exist elsewhere in Africa. Congo, a civil conflict that drew in six other African nations at its peak. More than two million dead since 1998. Sierra Leone, Liberia's neighbor lost some 50,000 people during 11 years of civil war that ended last year. Burundi, at least 200,000 dead in a war that has raged for a decade. Sudan, 20 years of civil war, famine, disease. About two million dead, and the fighting hasn't subsided.

In each place, as in Liberia, another product of war: Innocent civilians in crisis. Refugees in horrific numbers. But experts say in Liberia's case, there is extraordinary pressure for U.S. intervention.

SALIH BOOKER, AFRICA ACTION: Pressure from the British, because they're playing a similar role in neighboring Sierra Leone, pressure from the French, because they're also heading up a peacekeeping operation in Ivory Coast. And also, they're involved in the Congo. So there's a sense that the United States should provide leadership and sort of share some of the international peacekeeping burdens, and that Liberia is most appropriately a case for U.S. leadership.

BLITZER: The U.S. government did not colonize and occupy Liberia, as the European powers did elsewhere in Africa. But there may be some sense of historical guilt in Washington. Liberia was founded by Americans to serve as a new homeland for freed American slaves. U.S. companies like Firestone got early footholds there to tap rubber and other resources. Liberia provided crucial logistic support to the allies during World War II, and was a key base for U.S. intelligence during the Cold War.

The Congressional Research Service says U.S. aid to Liberia has fluctuated over the years, with the 2003 budget at just over $17 million. But many believe that America has turned its back on Liberia at critical times, such as 1990, when a similar civil war was raging.

BOOKER: When President Bush's father was in office, an almost identical scenario faced the United States. There was fighting by rebel forces trying to overthrow then President Samuel Doe. U.S. ships were off the coast of Monrovia. They were evacuating Americans and Europeans, but refusing to intervene in a humanitarian force aimed at making peace.

BLITZER: But a sense of guilt or responsibility can only drive a policy so far. Is there a pressing U.S. national interest in Liberia? The United States does import a substantial portion of its oil from that region of Africa. But Liberia, for the most part, has not been tapped. The security situation in an unstable region is another matter.

SUSAN RICE, THE BROOKINGS INSTITUTION: That whole arc of conflict has created sort of a regional super-failed state that terrorists and criminals have exploited and used to base their operations, as well as to exploit the very precious diamond resources there.

BLITZER: The question still unanswered, whether an American presence can actually bring stability and fend off the terrorist threat. How long that might take?

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: And on this day, this historic day in Liberia, coming up a little bit more than an hour from now, our Anderson Cooper will have a special interview, an exclusive interview with Moses Blah, he's the new president of Liberia. That's 7:00 p.m. Eastern, "LIVE FROM THE HEADLINES."

A 9/11 style threat within the United States. Why it's still possible, and why one U.S. senator is calling it a government security gap. He says it's an unacceptable risk. Just ahead.

First, in case you were out enjoying the days off over the weekend, here's our weekend snapshot.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) BLITZER (voice-over): Up at the pump, gas prices across the United States are on the rise again. The national average now $1.59 a gallon. That's an increase of nearly four cents a gallon in the last two weeks.

Back where they belong. Two ships are tracking five pilot whales off the Florida Keys. The whales were released yesterday, four months after they were beached. A thousand volunteers helped nurse the whales back to health. Marine experts can monitor their progress with satellite tracking devices.

Deadly collapse. Poor maintenance and construction are blamed in the collapse of a wooden deck at a house in New York City on Saturday. The collapse killed one person and injured three others.

A marriage made in heaven. Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko got married yesterday despite the fact that he's still on board the international space station. Malenchenko married Ekaterina Dmitriev during a ceremony held at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. The honeymoon will have to wait. Malenchenko returns to Earth in late October. The bride will be a guest in our show tomorrow at 5:00 p.m. Eastern.

Farewell to a star. Family and friends of Gregory Hines are saying farewell to the talented actor and dancer. Hines, a star of stage and the big screen, died Saturday from cancer. He was 57.

Concert called off. In Atlantic City, New Jersey, a soldout concert by pop star Christina Aguilera and Justin Timberlake was canceled Saturday when a lighting grid collapsed. Three workers were injured. The cause of the collapse, the second one at the site in three years, has not been determined.

And that's our "Weekend Snapshot."

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: This just in to CNN. The former U.S. Olympic hockey coach Herb Brooks has died in a car accident in Minnesota. Brooks coached last year's U.S. Olympic hockey team to a silver medal, and he also coached, of course, the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" team that won the gold medal after defeating Russia in Lake Placid, New York. Herb Brooks, unfortunately, has died.

Nearly two years after the September 11 terror attacks, nine federal agencies waging the war against terror still aren't sharing watch lists of possible terrorists.

Let's find out what's going on. CNN homeland security correspondent, Jeanne Meserve, is joining us now live -- Jeanne.

JEANNE MESERVE, CNN HOMELAND SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, the Department of Homeland Security says there is more sharing. But there has not been a genuine consolidation, and some members of Congress want to know why.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MESERVE (voice-over): Two of the September 11 hijackers might have been caught had CIA information about them been shared, and their names put on a single government watch list.

But almost two years later, the system for keeping a lookout for suspicious individuals is still broken, say the experts, with a jumble of watchlists containing different names and information.

DAVID HEYMAN, SR. FELLOW, CENTER FOR STRATEGIC AND INTL. STUDIES: We still will not be able to communicate the appropriate information to appropriate agencies in a timely fashion.

MESERVE (on camera): So it could happen all over again?

HEYMAN: Yes.

MESERVE (voice-over): In a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, Democratic senator and presidential candidate Joseph Lieberman says the failure to consolidate information onto one watchlist is an intolerable failure that exposes the American public to an unacceptable risk. Lieberman is asking President Bush to issue an executive order requiring that the list be merged.

According to a recent report from the General Accounting Office, there are 12 different watch lists maintained by nine different agencies, including Customs, the Transportation Security Administration, and the State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs.

Some members of Congress are asking Ridge for a concrete timetable for consolidation.

REP. JIM TURNER (D), TEXAS: Surely, almost two years after September 11 of 2001, we could come up with one consistent terrorist watch list.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MESERVE: A spokesman for the Department of homeland Security says there is no timetable for completing what he says is a technologically difficult task. But progress has been made.

There is, for instance, more sharing of names among watchlists. Critics say, however, that is nowhere near enough -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Jeanne Meserve, thanks very much.

Our "Hot Web Question of the Day" is this: "With Charles Taylor gone, should the U.S. send in troops to Liberia?" Vote right now at cnn.com/wolf. We'll have the results when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Here's how you're weighing in our "Web Question of the Day": "With Charles Taylor gone, should the U.S. send in troops to Liberia?" Look at this: 40 percent of you say yes, 60 percent of you say no. As always, we love to remind you, this is not -- repeat not -- a scientific poll. You can continue to vote, by the way, on our Web page, cnn.com/wolf.

Let's get to some of your e-mail.

Jean writes this: "Thank you for your coverage on Liberia. For too long, Africa has been neglected in coverage. The historical events of today will serve as a lesson for other dictators on the continent. They will also send a message to the rest of the world, Africa matters."

Richard writes, "Why is everyone so excited about Charles Taylor stepping down? This thug should not have the privilege of having his resignation referred to as historic. We should fix our own problems here in the U.S. before getting so wrapped up in what's happening in Africa."

A reminder we're on every day, weekday 5 p.m. Eastern, and I'm also noon Eastern every day. See you tomorrow.

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Taylor Steps Down; Could U.S. Troops Be Facing Threat Greater Than al Qaeda?>