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New Spanish Prime Minister Vows to Withdraw from Iraq; Pakistani Police Foil Plot to Bomb U.S. Consulate

Aired March 15, 2004 - 11:00   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.


DARYN KAGAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Up first this hour on CNN, surprise in Spain: voters are showing the ruling conservatives the door, angry over last week's terror attack and the growing signs it may have been retaliation for Spain's involvement in Iraq.
Our Diana Muriel is in Madrid with the latest -- Diana.

DIANA MURIEL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Daryn. The incoming new socialist prime minister, Jose Luiz Rodriguez Zapatero, made a promise to get the Spanish troops, the 1,300 Spanish troops that are in Iraq, out of that country a main election pledge.

It was something which he upheld at the first press conference that he gave earlier today.

This is what he had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOSE LUIZ RODRIGUEZ ZAPATERO (through translator): I think as everyone knows, I think that Spain's participation in the war has been a total error. There was another way to intervene in the war and I think it's an error. But I have said that the last day of the Spanish troops in Iraq is going to be on June 30.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MURIEL: So as he starts to form his coalition government, this is clearly one pledge that he intends to make good -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Thank you so much, Diana Muriel in Madrid. Appreciate that.

Well, the conservative defeat in Spain is not welcome news at the White House this morning.

Let's talk about the political fallout with Vivica Novak. She is a Washington correspondent for "TIME" magazine.

Vivica, good morning. Thanks for being with us.

VIVICA NOVAK, "TIME" MAGAZINE: Good morning, Daryn.

KAGAN: This comes as a huge surprise for the White House, which actually had predicted if there was some type of terror attack in Europe, it actually would tilt the population more conservatively. NOVAK: Right. It's a huge kick in the teeth for the Bush administration on the first anniversary of the war.

And it certainly, I think, going to lead critics of the war here and elsewhere to be saying that if the U.S. hadn't gone about the war so heavy-handedly unilaterally, then, you know, we might not have quite as strong a reaction this way.

Remember we only have three coalition partners in Europe, really. Or I guess four when you get to Eastern Europe. But in Western Europe, we have Italy, Spain and Britain. And in Britain, Tony Blair has taken huge licks for his, you know, strong support of the U.S.

And one thing a bombing like this does, is force other nations to decide do you want to be more closely allied with the U.S. and take your risks, but be strong in the war on terrorism? Or will it drive other nations away from us, because to be allied with the U.S. is to put yourself in danger.

KAGAN: Well, let's talk about Tony Blair just for a moment. Do you think that this emboldened his critics in Britain?

NOVAK: Well, yes. I do think that, you know, with any country, in the absence of strong multinational support, which we did not build before the war. But I do think the critics of the war will certainly be emboldened by this.

KAGAN: And then what does the Bush administration do from here, losing this ally potentially, or it looks lost? Spain certainly not as strong of an ally as soon to be former Prime Minister Aznar.

NOVAK: Yes, I mean, I think we'll be doing everything we can to try to keep a strong alliance with Spain. But, you know, certainly the Socialist Party, the platform was to break the alliance with the U.S., at least in terms of having troops over in Iraq, and in other ways that we're fighting the war on terrorism.

So I think that the U.S. will have to be looking at forging other relationships, working more closely with the U.N. It could force the U.S. to rethink its strategy here.

KAGAN: Vivica Novak, "TIME" magazine. Thanks for your insight this morning. Appreciate it.

NOVAK: Good to be with you.

KAGAN: Pakistan also has been a U.S. ally in the war on terror. Today, Pakistani police foiled an apparent attempt to bomb the U.S. consulate in Karachi.

Our Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr tracking that story, as well as the hunt for the world's most wanted terrorist.

Barbara, good morning.

BARBARA STARR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Daryn. Well, as you say, in the southern Pakistani city of Karachi, a potential disaster averted earlier today, when police found a bomb in a minivan outside the U.S. consulate.

A man apparently got out of the van, said it had broken down and then was picked up and driven away in a car. That's what got everyone's attention. When police searched the van, they found 200 gallons of liquid explosives, a timer and two detonators.

So a potential disaster averted outside a U.S. consulate in Pakistan earlier today.

Now, all of this comes, of course, as a great deal of attention is being paid to both Afghanistan and Pakistan. The U.S. military announcing it has begun its latest operation, Operation Mountain Storm, along the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan to search for any remnants of the Taliban and the al Qaeda.

Now, officially the word is they are downplaying any expectation that they may get Osama bin Laden. But clearly the effort here, along with the Pakistanis on their side of the border, is to squeeze the box, narrow the area where they think bin Laden may be hiding, even as they search for remnants, already reporting that they have captured 13 people on the Afghan side of the border.

All of this, of course, coming at a time when Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf is under continuing stress and pressure, as his government continues to search out militants in the Pakistani border region.

He has been meeting with tribesmen in that area, telling them they must give up any militants that they are hiding. One Pakistani estimate is as many as 600 remnants of the al Qaeda may be in the Pakistani border region. Musharraf putting on a very strong push.

All of this coming as Secretary of State Colin Powell is expected in Pakistan within the next several days -- Daryn.

KAGAN: I was going to say, this bomb on wheels outside the U.S. consulate in Karachi taking place just days before the secretary of state is to arrive there in Pakistan.

STARR: Correct.

KAGAN: I imagine security was already heightened. What do you do now?

STARR: Well, he was not scheduled, by all accounts, to go to Karachi. But everywhere in Pakistan where there are official U.S. government facilities, of course security is very tight.

By one account some of this activity outside the consulate today seen on cameras that continue to sweep those areas. A lot of security around all U.S. government facilities in Pakistan.

KAGAN: Barbara Starr at the Pentagon. Barbara, thank you for that.

Focusing now on California. The coroner in Fresno may release autopsy results today in the murders of nine family members.

Fifty-seven-year-old Marcus Wesson is charged in the deaths. Police believe all the dead are either his children or grandchildren, some born through incestuous relationships.

Neighbors said that Wesson kept tight control of family members. And then adding to adding even to the more bizarre circumstances of the crimes, police found a dozen coffins inside the Wesson home.

Still in California, a judge will decide today whether convicted child molester should get a new trial or perhaps even walk free. Most of his alleged victims have recanted. It's 19 years after the charges were brought.

Kimberly Osias is in Bakersfield this morning with more on this case.

Kimberly, good morning.

KIMBERLY OSIAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And good morning to you, Daryn.

This is the end of the legal line for 60-year-old John Stoll, the last chance for him to clear his name.

He, along with several others, was convicted of being involved in a so-called sex ring here in Bakersfield back in the '80s.

Now, for the past 20 years almost, he has been behind bars, based solely on testimony of six young boys. Now, four of those boys, now men, are coming forward, saying they were forced to lie.

Of the other two, one is saying that he doesn't remember what happened, and the last one, John's own son Jed, is sticking to his story, saying he was molested.

Defense attorneys dismiss that charge.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JUSTIN BROOKS, CALIFORNIA INNOCENCE PROJECT: So, he testified in the preliminary hearing, and at the trial, that he had lied, multiple times. And he testified in this hearing multiple times that he had lied.

The only thing that he keeps sticking to is, "I know I was molested." And that makes sense, because Jed Stoll was told he was molested his entire life.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

OSIAS: John Stoll was convicted without any kind of physical evidence. No medical examinations were performed on any of the boys, including 28-year-old Christopher Duiri, who now works as an auto mechanic here in Bakersfield.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHRISTOPHER DIURI, RECANTED ACCUSATIONS: Eventually I just told them what they were repeating to me. I just started singing it back to them. The same things they said to me, I said right back to them. And then they had me say them again up on the stand.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

OSIAS: This case, of course, raises a psychological issue of false memories, whereby adults in position of power can essentially cue children to remember things a certain way.

Now, today, closing arguments from both the defense and the prosecution. The judge isn't expected to rule for a week.

However, defense attorneys are expected to request that Stoll walk on his own recognizance or on bail awaiting a decision from the bench -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Kimberly Osias in Bakersfield, California. Thank you for that.

It was a year ago that America was gearing up for war. Today there are new protests and new progress in Baghdad. That's next.

Also the search for Osama bin Laden is once again heating up. The latest from the Pentagon.

And later, John Kerry fires back at President Bush on homeland security, and a new poll may signal not very encouraging things for the president.

And then what about plastic surgery? If you have questions or concerns, shoot us an e-mail to LiveToday@CNN.com. Dr. Julius Few (ph) is along to answer your questions in just a bit. Our e-mail address: LiveToday@CNN.com.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(STOCK REPORT)

KAGAN: One year ago today, as the U.S. marched toward war with Iraq, protesters around the world marched in opposition. Anti-war demonstrators clogged streets in the U.S. and abroad.

And 365 days ago in Iraq, demonstrators rallied to show support for Saddam Hussein, even as the Iraqi leader was preparing the country for war with the U.S.

Well, another year later in the U.S., another demonstration against the war. Military families and peace activists are rallying in Washington today, calling for an end to the war. Earlier this morning they gathered outside Walter Reed Army Medical Center to honor U.S. troops wounded in Iraq. Want to get a look right now at the problems and progress in Iraq since the start of the war. Our Baghdad bureau chief, Jane Arraf, is in the Iraqi capital with that story -- Jane.

JANE ARRAF, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, a year later, Iraqis are still afraid. But they're not afraid of bombs this time. They're really afraid of the future. They're afraid of what's going to happen, talk that there's going to be civil war.

Here's what will happen when the U.S. hands back power on June 30. A whole range of things.

But we can't let that overshadow the fact that there are amazing changes in this country. The fact that people are free to demonstrate, the fact that they can complain about the governing council, and everything else.

Now, on the military side, the U.S. military says that it's cracked down on insurgents, it's reduced the number of attacks. But clearly this is an ongoing process, and clearly still a big threat, increasingly from foreign groups and increasingly targeting Iraqis -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Well, Jane, just on a personal note, I wonder from you, since you are in Baghdad and all over Iraq for so long before the war, what's the biggest difference in what you do and how you carry on your life as a journalist?

ARRAF: Daryn, the fact that I can actually go out and talk to people is absolutely extraordinary. I just cannot tell you how exciting that is.

And people are still dying to talk. Even when they're angry, even when they're very emotional, they really just basically grab you and tell you that they want to complain about these things. And it's a wonderful thing that they can complain.

Now, it was interesting just after the war, because it was this brief window of opportunity where we could go anywhere and do anything. There was no government. There was a complete vacuum of authority, and essentially we were free to do what we wanted.

Those days are long gone. There are very severe security restrictions on the American side. This country is clearly, this city is clearly under occupation. But it is still an amazing place with amazing changes, and some of the happiest people here are journalists, I've got to say -- Daryn.

KAGAN: And you've got a front row seat to see what was and what is coming.

ARRAF: Truly.

KAGAN: Jane Arraf from Baghdad. Thank you for that.

Well, a helpful hint for you now, if you are trying to get from Barstow to Vegas, don't ask a robot for directions. The winner of the desert race was supposed to get a big government prize, I think like a million bucks. Turns out, nobody won. We'll tell you why. Story is coming up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: And you're looking at some amateur video from Edgewater, Florida, just south of Daytona Beach. Oops. Single engine plane made a perfect emergency landing, but not in such a perfect place.

The powerless plane glided toward a safe landing on a road and that's when a pickup truck intervened. The plane landed in its bed, and the pilot walked away without a scratch. The truck driver did have a few scratches.

Different type of towing service there.

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: Well, we're going to go to the desert of southern California. They had this robot race we were talking about last week. It got a little bit stuck in first gear. None of the vehicles even came close to the finish line. And that $1 million Pentagon prize? Forget about it.

Technology correspondent Daniel Sieberg has the details.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ladies and gentlemen, Sandstorm.

DANIEL SIEBERG, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Even the mighty fell during the million-dollar robot race sponsored by the research agency of the Defense Department, known as DARPA.

Fifteen autonomous, unmanned vehicles arrived in Barstow, California, Saturday, but none of them were able to traverse the 150- plus miles of unforgiving Mojave Desert to Primm, Nevada.

The day started early with enthusiasm and activity, as each team tried to work out the kinks.

Chase vehicles and helicopters followed the teams in the controlled environment, which was meant to simulate a battlefield of the future.

Odds-on favorite Carnegie Mellon went the furthest, about seven miles, before part of it caught on fire. A high school team from California never quite managed to leave the start area, and others struggled with the difficult terrain. But everybody left with new ideas.

GARY CARR, TEAM ENSCO: We learned a lot about this. We have junior engineers in general that have been working on this. And the engineers never worked with the technologies that we started working with: LIDAR (ph) systems, stereo cameras, neuronetworks with path following.

All those technologies exist, and we have just got junior engineers that come into company and just start learning to work with these. Now they can apply it in their full-time jobs.

SIEBERG: The whole exercise is designed to help the military fulfill its congressional mandate which requires that one-third of military vehicles be autonomous by 2015.

That means using GPS and high tech navigation tools to guide them so the unmanned bots would keep soldiers from situations that are considered dull, dirty or dangerous.

Despite no team coming remotely close to the finish line, DARPA still says the race was a success.

TOM STRAT, DARPA GRAND CHALLENGE: Even though nobody got more than about five percent of the way down the course, it has only made these engineers even more determined to figure out a way to overcome their problems or to have new innovations so that they can go twice as far or ten times as far when it's held the next time.

SIEBERG (on camera): In the end, every team needed a little help getting to the finish line where they'll probably do a little celebrating before trying to figure out what went wrong.

Daniel Sieberg, CNN, Primm, Nevada.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: And when they do figure it out you know Daniel will be right there at that finish line.

Much more to come on CNN LIVE TODAY.

President Bush once again stumping on the campaign trail. Supporters will probably carry pro-Bush banners. But some Bush/Cheney campaign posters didn't turn out quite the way the president would have hoped. We'll explain, coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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Pakistani Police Foil Plot to Bomb U.S. Consulate>


Aired March 15, 2004 - 11:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Up first this hour on CNN, surprise in Spain: voters are showing the ruling conservatives the door, angry over last week's terror attack and the growing signs it may have been retaliation for Spain's involvement in Iraq.
Our Diana Muriel is in Madrid with the latest -- Diana.

DIANA MURIEL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Daryn. The incoming new socialist prime minister, Jose Luiz Rodriguez Zapatero, made a promise to get the Spanish troops, the 1,300 Spanish troops that are in Iraq, out of that country a main election pledge.

It was something which he upheld at the first press conference that he gave earlier today.

This is what he had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOSE LUIZ RODRIGUEZ ZAPATERO (through translator): I think as everyone knows, I think that Spain's participation in the war has been a total error. There was another way to intervene in the war and I think it's an error. But I have said that the last day of the Spanish troops in Iraq is going to be on June 30.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MURIEL: So as he starts to form his coalition government, this is clearly one pledge that he intends to make good -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Thank you so much, Diana Muriel in Madrid. Appreciate that.

Well, the conservative defeat in Spain is not welcome news at the White House this morning.

Let's talk about the political fallout with Vivica Novak. She is a Washington correspondent for "TIME" magazine.

Vivica, good morning. Thanks for being with us.

VIVICA NOVAK, "TIME" MAGAZINE: Good morning, Daryn.

KAGAN: This comes as a huge surprise for the White House, which actually had predicted if there was some type of terror attack in Europe, it actually would tilt the population more conservatively. NOVAK: Right. It's a huge kick in the teeth for the Bush administration on the first anniversary of the war.

And it certainly, I think, going to lead critics of the war here and elsewhere to be saying that if the U.S. hadn't gone about the war so heavy-handedly unilaterally, then, you know, we might not have quite as strong a reaction this way.

Remember we only have three coalition partners in Europe, really. Or I guess four when you get to Eastern Europe. But in Western Europe, we have Italy, Spain and Britain. And in Britain, Tony Blair has taken huge licks for his, you know, strong support of the U.S.

And one thing a bombing like this does, is force other nations to decide do you want to be more closely allied with the U.S. and take your risks, but be strong in the war on terrorism? Or will it drive other nations away from us, because to be allied with the U.S. is to put yourself in danger.

KAGAN: Well, let's talk about Tony Blair just for a moment. Do you think that this emboldened his critics in Britain?

NOVAK: Well, yes. I do think that, you know, with any country, in the absence of strong multinational support, which we did not build before the war. But I do think the critics of the war will certainly be emboldened by this.

KAGAN: And then what does the Bush administration do from here, losing this ally potentially, or it looks lost? Spain certainly not as strong of an ally as soon to be former Prime Minister Aznar.

NOVAK: Yes, I mean, I think we'll be doing everything we can to try to keep a strong alliance with Spain. But, you know, certainly the Socialist Party, the platform was to break the alliance with the U.S., at least in terms of having troops over in Iraq, and in other ways that we're fighting the war on terrorism.

So I think that the U.S. will have to be looking at forging other relationships, working more closely with the U.N. It could force the U.S. to rethink its strategy here.

KAGAN: Vivica Novak, "TIME" magazine. Thanks for your insight this morning. Appreciate it.

NOVAK: Good to be with you.

KAGAN: Pakistan also has been a U.S. ally in the war on terror. Today, Pakistani police foiled an apparent attempt to bomb the U.S. consulate in Karachi.

Our Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr tracking that story, as well as the hunt for the world's most wanted terrorist.

Barbara, good morning.

BARBARA STARR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Daryn. Well, as you say, in the southern Pakistani city of Karachi, a potential disaster averted earlier today, when police found a bomb in a minivan outside the U.S. consulate.

A man apparently got out of the van, said it had broken down and then was picked up and driven away in a car. That's what got everyone's attention. When police searched the van, they found 200 gallons of liquid explosives, a timer and two detonators.

So a potential disaster averted outside a U.S. consulate in Pakistan earlier today.

Now, all of this comes, of course, as a great deal of attention is being paid to both Afghanistan and Pakistan. The U.S. military announcing it has begun its latest operation, Operation Mountain Storm, along the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan to search for any remnants of the Taliban and the al Qaeda.

Now, officially the word is they are downplaying any expectation that they may get Osama bin Laden. But clearly the effort here, along with the Pakistanis on their side of the border, is to squeeze the box, narrow the area where they think bin Laden may be hiding, even as they search for remnants, already reporting that they have captured 13 people on the Afghan side of the border.

All of this, of course, coming at a time when Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf is under continuing stress and pressure, as his government continues to search out militants in the Pakistani border region.

He has been meeting with tribesmen in that area, telling them they must give up any militants that they are hiding. One Pakistani estimate is as many as 600 remnants of the al Qaeda may be in the Pakistani border region. Musharraf putting on a very strong push.

All of this coming as Secretary of State Colin Powell is expected in Pakistan within the next several days -- Daryn.

KAGAN: I was going to say, this bomb on wheels outside the U.S. consulate in Karachi taking place just days before the secretary of state is to arrive there in Pakistan.

STARR: Correct.

KAGAN: I imagine security was already heightened. What do you do now?

STARR: Well, he was not scheduled, by all accounts, to go to Karachi. But everywhere in Pakistan where there are official U.S. government facilities, of course security is very tight.

By one account some of this activity outside the consulate today seen on cameras that continue to sweep those areas. A lot of security around all U.S. government facilities in Pakistan.

KAGAN: Barbara Starr at the Pentagon. Barbara, thank you for that.

Focusing now on California. The coroner in Fresno may release autopsy results today in the murders of nine family members.

Fifty-seven-year-old Marcus Wesson is charged in the deaths. Police believe all the dead are either his children or grandchildren, some born through incestuous relationships.

Neighbors said that Wesson kept tight control of family members. And then adding to adding even to the more bizarre circumstances of the crimes, police found a dozen coffins inside the Wesson home.

Still in California, a judge will decide today whether convicted child molester should get a new trial or perhaps even walk free. Most of his alleged victims have recanted. It's 19 years after the charges were brought.

Kimberly Osias is in Bakersfield this morning with more on this case.

Kimberly, good morning.

KIMBERLY OSIAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And good morning to you, Daryn.

This is the end of the legal line for 60-year-old John Stoll, the last chance for him to clear his name.

He, along with several others, was convicted of being involved in a so-called sex ring here in Bakersfield back in the '80s.

Now, for the past 20 years almost, he has been behind bars, based solely on testimony of six young boys. Now, four of those boys, now men, are coming forward, saying they were forced to lie.

Of the other two, one is saying that he doesn't remember what happened, and the last one, John's own son Jed, is sticking to his story, saying he was molested.

Defense attorneys dismiss that charge.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JUSTIN BROOKS, CALIFORNIA INNOCENCE PROJECT: So, he testified in the preliminary hearing, and at the trial, that he had lied, multiple times. And he testified in this hearing multiple times that he had lied.

The only thing that he keeps sticking to is, "I know I was molested." And that makes sense, because Jed Stoll was told he was molested his entire life.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

OSIAS: John Stoll was convicted without any kind of physical evidence. No medical examinations were performed on any of the boys, including 28-year-old Christopher Duiri, who now works as an auto mechanic here in Bakersfield.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHRISTOPHER DIURI, RECANTED ACCUSATIONS: Eventually I just told them what they were repeating to me. I just started singing it back to them. The same things they said to me, I said right back to them. And then they had me say them again up on the stand.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

OSIAS: This case, of course, raises a psychological issue of false memories, whereby adults in position of power can essentially cue children to remember things a certain way.

Now, today, closing arguments from both the defense and the prosecution. The judge isn't expected to rule for a week.

However, defense attorneys are expected to request that Stoll walk on his own recognizance or on bail awaiting a decision from the bench -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Kimberly Osias in Bakersfield, California. Thank you for that.

It was a year ago that America was gearing up for war. Today there are new protests and new progress in Baghdad. That's next.

Also the search for Osama bin Laden is once again heating up. The latest from the Pentagon.

And later, John Kerry fires back at President Bush on homeland security, and a new poll may signal not very encouraging things for the president.

And then what about plastic surgery? If you have questions or concerns, shoot us an e-mail to LiveToday@CNN.com. Dr. Julius Few (ph) is along to answer your questions in just a bit. Our e-mail address: LiveToday@CNN.com.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(STOCK REPORT)

KAGAN: One year ago today, as the U.S. marched toward war with Iraq, protesters around the world marched in opposition. Anti-war demonstrators clogged streets in the U.S. and abroad.

And 365 days ago in Iraq, demonstrators rallied to show support for Saddam Hussein, even as the Iraqi leader was preparing the country for war with the U.S.

Well, another year later in the U.S., another demonstration against the war. Military families and peace activists are rallying in Washington today, calling for an end to the war. Earlier this morning they gathered outside Walter Reed Army Medical Center to honor U.S. troops wounded in Iraq. Want to get a look right now at the problems and progress in Iraq since the start of the war. Our Baghdad bureau chief, Jane Arraf, is in the Iraqi capital with that story -- Jane.

JANE ARRAF, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, a year later, Iraqis are still afraid. But they're not afraid of bombs this time. They're really afraid of the future. They're afraid of what's going to happen, talk that there's going to be civil war.

Here's what will happen when the U.S. hands back power on June 30. A whole range of things.

But we can't let that overshadow the fact that there are amazing changes in this country. The fact that people are free to demonstrate, the fact that they can complain about the governing council, and everything else.

Now, on the military side, the U.S. military says that it's cracked down on insurgents, it's reduced the number of attacks. But clearly this is an ongoing process, and clearly still a big threat, increasingly from foreign groups and increasingly targeting Iraqis -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Well, Jane, just on a personal note, I wonder from you, since you are in Baghdad and all over Iraq for so long before the war, what's the biggest difference in what you do and how you carry on your life as a journalist?

ARRAF: Daryn, the fact that I can actually go out and talk to people is absolutely extraordinary. I just cannot tell you how exciting that is.

And people are still dying to talk. Even when they're angry, even when they're very emotional, they really just basically grab you and tell you that they want to complain about these things. And it's a wonderful thing that they can complain.

Now, it was interesting just after the war, because it was this brief window of opportunity where we could go anywhere and do anything. There was no government. There was a complete vacuum of authority, and essentially we were free to do what we wanted.

Those days are long gone. There are very severe security restrictions on the American side. This country is clearly, this city is clearly under occupation. But it is still an amazing place with amazing changes, and some of the happiest people here are journalists, I've got to say -- Daryn.

KAGAN: And you've got a front row seat to see what was and what is coming.

ARRAF: Truly.

KAGAN: Jane Arraf from Baghdad. Thank you for that.

Well, a helpful hint for you now, if you are trying to get from Barstow to Vegas, don't ask a robot for directions. The winner of the desert race was supposed to get a big government prize, I think like a million bucks. Turns out, nobody won. We'll tell you why. Story is coming up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: And you're looking at some amateur video from Edgewater, Florida, just south of Daytona Beach. Oops. Single engine plane made a perfect emergency landing, but not in such a perfect place.

The powerless plane glided toward a safe landing on a road and that's when a pickup truck intervened. The plane landed in its bed, and the pilot walked away without a scratch. The truck driver did have a few scratches.

Different type of towing service there.

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: Well, we're going to go to the desert of southern California. They had this robot race we were talking about last week. It got a little bit stuck in first gear. None of the vehicles even came close to the finish line. And that $1 million Pentagon prize? Forget about it.

Technology correspondent Daniel Sieberg has the details.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ladies and gentlemen, Sandstorm.

DANIEL SIEBERG, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Even the mighty fell during the million-dollar robot race sponsored by the research agency of the Defense Department, known as DARPA.

Fifteen autonomous, unmanned vehicles arrived in Barstow, California, Saturday, but none of them were able to traverse the 150- plus miles of unforgiving Mojave Desert to Primm, Nevada.

The day started early with enthusiasm and activity, as each team tried to work out the kinks.

Chase vehicles and helicopters followed the teams in the controlled environment, which was meant to simulate a battlefield of the future.

Odds-on favorite Carnegie Mellon went the furthest, about seven miles, before part of it caught on fire. A high school team from California never quite managed to leave the start area, and others struggled with the difficult terrain. But everybody left with new ideas.

GARY CARR, TEAM ENSCO: We learned a lot about this. We have junior engineers in general that have been working on this. And the engineers never worked with the technologies that we started working with: LIDAR (ph) systems, stereo cameras, neuronetworks with path following.

All those technologies exist, and we have just got junior engineers that come into company and just start learning to work with these. Now they can apply it in their full-time jobs.

SIEBERG: The whole exercise is designed to help the military fulfill its congressional mandate which requires that one-third of military vehicles be autonomous by 2015.

That means using GPS and high tech navigation tools to guide them so the unmanned bots would keep soldiers from situations that are considered dull, dirty or dangerous.

Despite no team coming remotely close to the finish line, DARPA still says the race was a success.

TOM STRAT, DARPA GRAND CHALLENGE: Even though nobody got more than about five percent of the way down the course, it has only made these engineers even more determined to figure out a way to overcome their problems or to have new innovations so that they can go twice as far or ten times as far when it's held the next time.

SIEBERG (on camera): In the end, every team needed a little help getting to the finish line where they'll probably do a little celebrating before trying to figure out what went wrong.

Daniel Sieberg, CNN, Primm, Nevada.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: And when they do figure it out you know Daniel will be right there at that finish line.

Much more to come on CNN LIVE TODAY.

President Bush once again stumping on the campaign trail. Supporters will probably carry pro-Bush banners. But some Bush/Cheney campaign posters didn't turn out quite the way the president would have hoped. We'll explain, coming up.

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