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CNN Live Saturday
Interview With Dure Gold; Interview With Creators of Collegeprowler.com
Aired April 17, 2004 - 16:00 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.
FREDERICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: The end of a search for a missing North Dakota student. It's not the end family and friends had prayed for. Bittersweet reunions for National Guardsman and women returning from Iraq. Are they worried about their commrades still on still on duty there? Or themselves being sent back?
And they're going camping, not because they want to, but because they have to. Priced out of the housing market.
And speaking of which, if you want to buy a house and you have questions, we've got expert advice to give before you move in. Call us or email us. We have 2 great guests who will tell you everything you need to know about buying a house.
Hello and welcome to CNN LIVE SATURDAY. I'm Fredericka Whitfield.
From mystery to tragedy, the body of missing University of North Dakota student Dru Sjodin has been found. Sjodin was last seen at a shopping mall in Grand Forks in November. Authorities confirm that her body was discovered on a golf course just west of Crookston, Minnesota. The county sheriff is expected to address the media shortly and we'll bring you that live as soon as it gets underway this afternoon.
More back and forth violence between Palestinians and Israelis. Abdel Aziz Rantisi, leader of the militant group Hamas in Gaza, was killed by an Israeli air strike in Gaza City. Israel confirms that it was a targeted killing. At least 2 other people were killed and others were wounded.
That assassination comes hours after a suicide bombing at a northern Gaza border crossing earlier in the day. One Israeli border guard was killed in that attack, 3 other guards were wounded. Hamas is one of the groups claiming responsibility.
Divided nations: U.N. authorities say a shoot-out between United Nations police officers in Kosovo has left 2 Americans and a Georgdanian dead, 11 other officers were wounded. It's not immediately clear what caused the shoot-out, which occured at a prison north of Pristina. U.N. officials say their investigating.
Now back to our top story. Hamas leader Abdel Aziz Rantisi is assassinated by an Israeli airstrike. Our Paula Hancocks is in Jerusalem following the story, Paula what is the latest. PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fredericka, this happened just a few hours ago. Abdel Aziz Rantisi, the Hamas leader, has been killed along with 2 of this bodyguards as he was in a car in Gaza City. An Israeli air strike assassinated him just a few hours ago.
Now, the reaction is coming in at the moment. The Israeli officials saying that they have killed a quote, "mastermind of terrorism." And they vowing to keep up their so-called targeted killings, saying that the Palestinian authority is not lifting a finger, this is a direct quote, to crack down on terrorism. And considering their not doing that, they're going to have to crack down on terrorism themselves.
A very different reaction on the Palestinian side, hundreds of Palestinians on the streets of Gaza City, hundreds of Hamas activists on the streets of Gaza City, many of them surrounding the hospital where Abdel Aziz Rantisi was taken immediately after this attack. He later died, along with 2 body guards, 2 of this sons survived that attack.
Hundreds of angry Palestinians, though, vowing revenge. Hamas coming out with a statement saying the group has the right to avenge in kind the assassination of its military wing leader.
Now, Abdel Aziz Rantisi knew full well he was a marked man. Israeli officials had told him in the past. In quote he said earlier on was, "we will all die one day. Nothing will change. If by Apache or by cardiac arrest, I prefer Apache." So, he knew that he was a marked man. This coming less than a month after Shaikh Ahmen Yassin, the Hamas founder and spiritual leader, was assassinated also.
There was great reaction after that assassination, thousands of Hamas activists and other Palestinians taking into the streets in defiance, in shock and in anger.
Now we have some reaction from across the world as well. Britain, just about half an hour ago, has condemned the Rantisi killing as unlawful and counterpreductive. And the Palestinian prime minister Ahmed Koreia says, this is a direct result of encouragment from the United States, referring back to the meeting last Wednesday between Ariel Sharon, the Israeli prime minister and President George Bush of the United States.
But hundreds of Hamas activists are on the streets at the moment, but Israelis say that Rantisi is a target, because he was behind many attacks against Israeli interests and Israeli civilians. In fact, just this afternoon, this Saturday afternoon, there was a suicide bombing at the Arez Industrial Zone (ph). That was carried out by Hamas and also by Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, a group that is affiliated with Yasser Arafat's Fatah movement.
One security official was killed in that attack and 3 others injured -- Fredericka.
WHITFIELD: Paula Hancocks from Jerusalem, thanks very much. Well, reaction coming from all sides overseas. Let's find out what the reaction is like from the White House in the nations capital. Our Elaine Quijano is there -- Elaine.
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Fredericka, we've gotten, now, the first U.S. reaction to the developments in the Middle East. This actually coming from a senior State Department official who says that the U.S. is considering the situation very carefully. Certainly, the U.S. did not give Israel any kind of green light and did not have any kind of advanced knowledge.
This official going on to say, that all along the U.S. has urged Israel the consequences of its actions. And the U.S. saying -- this official saying, that the U.S. didn't think that the assassination on Shaikh Yassin was well considered.
Also, this official saying, they're at the same point again. We are thinking about the implications.
So, Fredericka, the administration being very careful in choosing its words. This obviously coming at a sensitive time for the Bush administration after that meeting this week with Ariel Sharon, the Israeli prime minister, in which the 2 leaders, President Bush and Ariel Sharon discussing the disengagement plan, Israel's plan to unilaterally withdraw from the Gaza strip.
Also coming at a time when the Bush administration is trying to shore up international support for its Middle East, as well as it's Iraq policy. Certainly, this complicates things. This official saying again, that the administration, they are thinking about the implications -- Fredericka.
WHITFIELD: All right. Elaine Quijano from the White House. Thanks very much.
And chief spokesperson for Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon will be joining us in a conversation a bit later on in this broadcast.
Well, 2 U.S. communities experiencing very different emotions today: 1 is joyously welcoming back soldiers who have spent a year in Iraq, the other is praying of the safe return of a U.S. Army reservist who is being held hostage in the region.
CNN's Chris Lawrence begins our coverage in the soldier's home town of Batavia, Ohio.
CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fredericka, the people here had promised to blanket this entire area with ribbons. And if you can see by the flags and flowers, they are well on their way. Also, every wailing, parking meter, every tree, is dotted with all these yellow ribbons across town.
Now, it doesn't effect what's happening right now to Matt Maupin in Iraq, but it does let his family know that they've got all the support they need. Now, just a few miles away, where the family lives down the road, about 5 miles down the road, the family remains in seclusion on this Saturday. The family is dealing with this together, but also very privately. A police guard is posted outside in order to guard their privacy.
And just the road from there at the school where Matt Maupin attended high school, they can see other instances and other examples of how much support is there for their family.
Now, taking you back a little big, before all this happened last fall, Mapp Maupin's mother started a support group for other families who had members serving overseas. And now, with everything that has happened in this past week, her neighbors are all too happy to give her all the support she needs.
And back here live now, outside the courthouse, we can tell that some of that support is coming directly from her son, who is a U.S. marine who was stationed in Florida. The Marines have given him leave from his unit to come home to be with his mother and also from an Army chaplain who has been with the family throughout this, ever since Matt Maupin went missing -- Fredericka.
WHITFIELD: All right, Chris Lawrence, thanks very much for that report.
Well now, a completely different mood coming from Ft. Dix, New Jersey. It's celebrating the return of a 160 member National Guard unit that spent a year in Iraq. CNN's Adaora Udoji is in Ft. Dix, and joins now with the very latest -- Adoara.
ADAORA UDOJI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon, Fredericka. Indeed there was a tremendous amount of joy and happines at the base here at Ft. Dix here today, as families and friends welcomed home 160 National Guard reservists from Iraq. Many of those people saying they didn't believe they were going to see this day, especially after the Pentagon announced this week that they intend on extending the stay of roughly 20,000 other soldiers.
But not today here at Ft. Dix. The 253rd Transportation Company, they came home to a huge welcome.
Now, this is a unit that came home intact, not a single soldier suffered any serious injury. And today, they enjoyed tremendous reunions. The soldiers spending just a few hours with their families, because the soliders will be staying here on base to go through, what the army calls, the demobilization process. For the next week or 2 they will be handing back equipment. They'll be having medical check- ups. Signing final papers before they are discharged.
After a year away, it was an incredibly emotional day for many friends and family. So emotional in fact that many had a lot of difficulty describing exactly how they feel.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Can't believe that we're here.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's been a long time, a year.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Just like she said, it's been a very long time. (UNINTELLIGIBLE). It feels great.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm very exciting. A little tired, but I'm so excited right now.
UDOJI: Tell me what you were thinking as you were marching ashore.
UNIDENTIIFED FEMALE: Oh my god. I was thinking it's an honor, really. I'm the one actually feel honored just to be part of the whole thing, you know.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
UDOJI: So, many of the soldiers and members of their family said over and over today how fortunate they feel that they are. And they said many of them said that their thoughts and prayers are not only with the soldiers who are still in Iraq, but their families who are here in the United States -- Fredericka.
WHITFIELD: Lots of happy faces. So refreshing to see.
All right. Thanks very much, Adaora Udoji.
Well, more on Iraq. The run up to the war and what went on behind the scenes at the White House. Bob Woodward talks about all of it in his new book "Plan of Attack." And he'll be on CNN'S LARRY KING LIVE Monday at 9:00 PM Eastern.
When is a national campground a home? When you can't afford to buy or rent a more traditional house. And it's happening right here in America.
But millions of Americans are buying right now. And we can help you get the home of your dreams. Dollar Signs is coming up in about 30 minutes. Just email your question to dollarsigns@cnn.com, or you can call us at 1-800-807-2620. We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Here's some of the top stories right now. Searchers find North Dakota student Dru Sjodin's body nearly 5 months after her disappearance.
An Israeli missile strike in Gaza City killed Hamas leader Abdel Aziz Rantisi.
And 160 National Guard troops come home from Iraq, arriving at Ft. Dix, New Jersey.
Well, right now we want to get on the telephone with the chief spokesperson for Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Not on the telephone with us, but instead in person, Dure Gold. Thanks very much. We want to get your reaction to this assassination of Rantisi. Why was this the position that the Israeli government felt it had to take?
DURE GOLD, ARIEL SHARON'S SPOKESMAN: Well, for the last decade Hamas and Mr. Rantisi have been behind a spate of suicide bombings in the heart of Israeli cities killing hundreds of innocent Israeli civilians. And therefore, Israel adopts these self-defense operations in order to protect our civilians, in order to create stability and in order to finally return sraelis and Palestinians to a meaningful peace process.
WHITFIELD: What's the next step now? Certainly, there are many analysts who were saying, the only thing that will result from this is more violence.
GOLD: That's not true. The name of the game in counterterrorism is to eliminate the command struction of the terrorist organizations and to separate that command struction from innocent Palestinians who really just want to live in peace with Israel.
Even today, we had an attack on the Arez junction (ph) on the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel. A point which Palestinians cross to obtain work in Israel. A point that symbolizes normalization, of existance between Israelis and Palestinians. And yet that is precisely the area which a Palestinian suicide bomber targeted, killing an innocent Israeli.
This kind of activity has to stop. Hamas and terrorist organizations worldwide must be defeated. And then the Middle East can move on to stability and peace.
WHITFIELD: Was this assassination a direct response from earlier today a suicide bomber attack at an industrial zone, the Arez Industrial Zone (ph) in Gaza, resulting in the injuries and the death of at least 1?
GOLD: No. I meantioned that as an example of the fact that Hamas's strategy has been to destroy any possible coexistance between Israelis and Palestinians, and therefore, they attacked that junction. But Israel's self-defense operation tonight against Mr. Rantisi was part of a regular Israeli effort to defend our civilians from the waves of attacks.
The Hamas attacks, and the ones that Mr. Rantisi ordered, occurred a week ago, 2 weeks ago, 2 months ago, in fact, over the last 10 years. When there were peace negotiations, when there were no peace negotiations. Their purpose is to murder Israelis and to eliminate the state of Israel.
WHITFIELD: And Mr. Gold, most recently there's been kind of a pronounced cooperation between Hamas and Al Aqsa Martyr's Brigade. Since you took this position, the government has taken this position on Hamas, will it be carrying out similar strikes on leaders of Al Aqsa Martyr's Brigade in the next coming days?
GOLD: Well, I'm not -- I don't anticipate on television, what Israel's operational decisions are. But what's clear is that Al Aqsa Martyr Brigades, which are part of Fatah, have been leading attacks against Israel up until now. And, unfortunately, the Fatah organization has joined forces with Hamas and Islamist Jihad, since the beginning of Yasser Arafat's intifada in September of 2000.
And Israel will defend itself against anyone who is trying to murder innocent Israelis, who's trying to kill Jews around the world.
WHITFIELD: Dure Gold, spokesperson for Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Thanks very much for joinin us.
GOLD: Sure.
WHITFIELD: Now shifting gears now quite a bit now. Whether you're renting or buying, housing costs can be a real budget buster, our Thelma Guiterrez shows us how some people in California are finding sweet relief in an unexpected way.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
THELMA GUITERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Nestled in a canyon in San Bernadino National Forest families are camping out, but they're not on vacation.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We have 2 teachers on this side, and we have a carnival rides mechanic over here.
GUITERREZ: Many of the folks who live here call the Benida Ranch Campground home.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They have adequete jobs to be living down in the city, however, the rents there are just so high.
GUITERREZ: Alejando Bautista were among those who moved to the forest to escape sky high California housing costs.
ALEJANDRO BAUTISTA, CAMPGROUND RESIDENT: It's just getting out of hand as far as prices, as far trying to buy a house, or even rent.
GUITERREZ: Cathy Smith helps manage the campground. She says 17 other families moved here for that very reason.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The rent up here is between $400 and $500. What could you rent for that amont of money in the city.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: In the city, you're going basically have a 1 room apartment for about $1000.
GUITERREZ: The Bautista's moved in about several months ago after selling their home.
BAUTISTA: Whenever things went down, as far as prices, I could go back and buy a house again.
GUITERREZ: But instead, home prices in Southern California soared. Soon, they were priced out. The same thing happened to Jeff Trappe (ph), an iron worker who commutes into the nearest city, just 9 miles away.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I bought my condo in '93 for 120, and I just recently sold if for 294.
GUITERREZ: Though he made profit, he says it's still not enough to buy an average $350,000 California home, because he can't afford the monthly payments.
For now, he's camping out.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I do miss my home.
GUITERREZ: Because this is a national park, not a trailer park, these folks have to pull up stakes every 2 weeks and move to another site.
Even so, the Bautistas say, this beats living in an apartment. And it helps him save money so that 1 day, they'll be able to own a home once again. Thelma Guiterrez, CNN, in the San Bernadino National Forest.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: Well, how do you chose the best college? Can you rely strictly on the name? You might be surprised. We talked to the publishers of an insider's guide to 100 colleges. Up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LUKE SKURMAN, COLLEGEPROWLER.COM: ...everything from academics to diversity to campus dining to the meal plan. And we really tell it like it is. And so far, we're doing a phenomenal job right now.
WHITFIELD: So Christina, you all realized that students wanted to know a little bit more beyond the academics of what a college offers. There are some other things that they really wanted to know as to whether they'd be a good match. So, you all zeroed in on some of these key things.
CHRISTINA KOSHZOW, COLLEGEPROWLER.COM: That's right. I mean, we realized it really is important to look beyond the basics. And that college isn't just about academics. And so that's why we are talking about everything from nightlife and guys and girls to safety and security, diversity. We're trying to really present a well rounded picture of each university.
WHITFIELD: So how difficult, or easy was it, to recruit students to give their input in this book, knowing that parents will be reading as well, so all of their secrets were going to be out.
SKURMAN: Students were dying to tell their opinion. They really want to let their voices be heard, whether it's positive or negative. The most important part of this process is to let the students really express themselves freely. And that's what we're doing right now. And the students couldn't be happier.
We're getting students really dying to talk to us about their college experiences.
WHITFIELD: Oh, so Luke, tell me about what the reception has been like. I mean, what are people saying to you as to what they like about this guide book?
SKURMAN: I mean, the reception has been amazing. Every single person that's picked up one of guides has said, man, I wish something like this existed before. This is exactly what I needed. This is great.
WHITFIELD: So Christina, where do folks find it, is it as easy as going to your local bookstores? Is it strictly on a Web site only?
KOSHZOW: Well, you can do that, but the best place to go is our Web site www.collegeprowler.com. You can get them there. It's the best spot. But we're also in local Borders stores. You can go online to barnesandnoble.com, amazon.com, there's a lot of different ways. We're getting out there.
WHITFIELD: So, if you needed to update this version, or perhaps you may be coming out with a second edition, what are some of the things, perhaps, are missing that you're hearing from some of your students? Your student readers? That maybe is not in this rendition right now?
SKURMAN: We're doing a further analysis on different clubs and different activities that are campus. We're talking about the best place to meet a potential date. We're giving more analysis. We're giving more insider detail than these books did.
We basically did what we have with the first batch and then we're going just even more and even more thorough. The new books are coming along extremely well. We're really excited about them
WHITFIELD: And Christina, I understand that there is even information about professors, or the selection of professors at some of the schools. So, it's not all the periphery stuff, all the fun stuff, you really do kind of zero in, some, on academics, don't you.
KOSHZOW: That is true. And the things that we do cover is information that you may not know until you are on campus for a year or 2 years, so it really is good to get that extra insider scoop on things and that jump ahead.
WHITFIELD: Christina Koshzow and Luke Skurman, thanks very much. Collegeprowler.com, appreciate it.
Well, coming up in out Dollar Signs segment, we're going to be talking about tips for buying a house. Call us at 1-800-807-2620 or you can email. Email your questions to dollarsigns@cnn.com
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Aired April 17, 2004 - 16:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDERICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: The end of a search for a missing North Dakota student. It's not the end family and friends had prayed for. Bittersweet reunions for National Guardsman and women returning from Iraq. Are they worried about their commrades still on still on duty there? Or themselves being sent back?
And they're going camping, not because they want to, but because they have to. Priced out of the housing market.
And speaking of which, if you want to buy a house and you have questions, we've got expert advice to give before you move in. Call us or email us. We have 2 great guests who will tell you everything you need to know about buying a house.
Hello and welcome to CNN LIVE SATURDAY. I'm Fredericka Whitfield.
From mystery to tragedy, the body of missing University of North Dakota student Dru Sjodin has been found. Sjodin was last seen at a shopping mall in Grand Forks in November. Authorities confirm that her body was discovered on a golf course just west of Crookston, Minnesota. The county sheriff is expected to address the media shortly and we'll bring you that live as soon as it gets underway this afternoon.
More back and forth violence between Palestinians and Israelis. Abdel Aziz Rantisi, leader of the militant group Hamas in Gaza, was killed by an Israeli air strike in Gaza City. Israel confirms that it was a targeted killing. At least 2 other people were killed and others were wounded.
That assassination comes hours after a suicide bombing at a northern Gaza border crossing earlier in the day. One Israeli border guard was killed in that attack, 3 other guards were wounded. Hamas is one of the groups claiming responsibility.
Divided nations: U.N. authorities say a shoot-out between United Nations police officers in Kosovo has left 2 Americans and a Georgdanian dead, 11 other officers were wounded. It's not immediately clear what caused the shoot-out, which occured at a prison north of Pristina. U.N. officials say their investigating.
Now back to our top story. Hamas leader Abdel Aziz Rantisi is assassinated by an Israeli airstrike. Our Paula Hancocks is in Jerusalem following the story, Paula what is the latest. PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fredericka, this happened just a few hours ago. Abdel Aziz Rantisi, the Hamas leader, has been killed along with 2 of this bodyguards as he was in a car in Gaza City. An Israeli air strike assassinated him just a few hours ago.
Now, the reaction is coming in at the moment. The Israeli officials saying that they have killed a quote, "mastermind of terrorism." And they vowing to keep up their so-called targeted killings, saying that the Palestinian authority is not lifting a finger, this is a direct quote, to crack down on terrorism. And considering their not doing that, they're going to have to crack down on terrorism themselves.
A very different reaction on the Palestinian side, hundreds of Palestinians on the streets of Gaza City, hundreds of Hamas activists on the streets of Gaza City, many of them surrounding the hospital where Abdel Aziz Rantisi was taken immediately after this attack. He later died, along with 2 body guards, 2 of this sons survived that attack.
Hundreds of angry Palestinians, though, vowing revenge. Hamas coming out with a statement saying the group has the right to avenge in kind the assassination of its military wing leader.
Now, Abdel Aziz Rantisi knew full well he was a marked man. Israeli officials had told him in the past. In quote he said earlier on was, "we will all die one day. Nothing will change. If by Apache or by cardiac arrest, I prefer Apache." So, he knew that he was a marked man. This coming less than a month after Shaikh Ahmen Yassin, the Hamas founder and spiritual leader, was assassinated also.
There was great reaction after that assassination, thousands of Hamas activists and other Palestinians taking into the streets in defiance, in shock and in anger.
Now we have some reaction from across the world as well. Britain, just about half an hour ago, has condemned the Rantisi killing as unlawful and counterpreductive. And the Palestinian prime minister Ahmed Koreia says, this is a direct result of encouragment from the United States, referring back to the meeting last Wednesday between Ariel Sharon, the Israeli prime minister and President George Bush of the United States.
But hundreds of Hamas activists are on the streets at the moment, but Israelis say that Rantisi is a target, because he was behind many attacks against Israeli interests and Israeli civilians. In fact, just this afternoon, this Saturday afternoon, there was a suicide bombing at the Arez Industrial Zone (ph). That was carried out by Hamas and also by Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, a group that is affiliated with Yasser Arafat's Fatah movement.
One security official was killed in that attack and 3 others injured -- Fredericka.
WHITFIELD: Paula Hancocks from Jerusalem, thanks very much. Well, reaction coming from all sides overseas. Let's find out what the reaction is like from the White House in the nations capital. Our Elaine Quijano is there -- Elaine.
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Fredericka, we've gotten, now, the first U.S. reaction to the developments in the Middle East. This actually coming from a senior State Department official who says that the U.S. is considering the situation very carefully. Certainly, the U.S. did not give Israel any kind of green light and did not have any kind of advanced knowledge.
This official going on to say, that all along the U.S. has urged Israel the consequences of its actions. And the U.S. saying -- this official saying, that the U.S. didn't think that the assassination on Shaikh Yassin was well considered.
Also, this official saying, they're at the same point again. We are thinking about the implications.
So, Fredericka, the administration being very careful in choosing its words. This obviously coming at a sensitive time for the Bush administration after that meeting this week with Ariel Sharon, the Israeli prime minister, in which the 2 leaders, President Bush and Ariel Sharon discussing the disengagement plan, Israel's plan to unilaterally withdraw from the Gaza strip.
Also coming at a time when the Bush administration is trying to shore up international support for its Middle East, as well as it's Iraq policy. Certainly, this complicates things. This official saying again, that the administration, they are thinking about the implications -- Fredericka.
WHITFIELD: All right. Elaine Quijano from the White House. Thanks very much.
And chief spokesperson for Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon will be joining us in a conversation a bit later on in this broadcast.
Well, 2 U.S. communities experiencing very different emotions today: 1 is joyously welcoming back soldiers who have spent a year in Iraq, the other is praying of the safe return of a U.S. Army reservist who is being held hostage in the region.
CNN's Chris Lawrence begins our coverage in the soldier's home town of Batavia, Ohio.
CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fredericka, the people here had promised to blanket this entire area with ribbons. And if you can see by the flags and flowers, they are well on their way. Also, every wailing, parking meter, every tree, is dotted with all these yellow ribbons across town.
Now, it doesn't effect what's happening right now to Matt Maupin in Iraq, but it does let his family know that they've got all the support they need. Now, just a few miles away, where the family lives down the road, about 5 miles down the road, the family remains in seclusion on this Saturday. The family is dealing with this together, but also very privately. A police guard is posted outside in order to guard their privacy.
And just the road from there at the school where Matt Maupin attended high school, they can see other instances and other examples of how much support is there for their family.
Now, taking you back a little big, before all this happened last fall, Mapp Maupin's mother started a support group for other families who had members serving overseas. And now, with everything that has happened in this past week, her neighbors are all too happy to give her all the support she needs.
And back here live now, outside the courthouse, we can tell that some of that support is coming directly from her son, who is a U.S. marine who was stationed in Florida. The Marines have given him leave from his unit to come home to be with his mother and also from an Army chaplain who has been with the family throughout this, ever since Matt Maupin went missing -- Fredericka.
WHITFIELD: All right, Chris Lawrence, thanks very much for that report.
Well now, a completely different mood coming from Ft. Dix, New Jersey. It's celebrating the return of a 160 member National Guard unit that spent a year in Iraq. CNN's Adaora Udoji is in Ft. Dix, and joins now with the very latest -- Adoara.
ADAORA UDOJI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon, Fredericka. Indeed there was a tremendous amount of joy and happines at the base here at Ft. Dix here today, as families and friends welcomed home 160 National Guard reservists from Iraq. Many of those people saying they didn't believe they were going to see this day, especially after the Pentagon announced this week that they intend on extending the stay of roughly 20,000 other soldiers.
But not today here at Ft. Dix. The 253rd Transportation Company, they came home to a huge welcome.
Now, this is a unit that came home intact, not a single soldier suffered any serious injury. And today, they enjoyed tremendous reunions. The soldiers spending just a few hours with their families, because the soliders will be staying here on base to go through, what the army calls, the demobilization process. For the next week or 2 they will be handing back equipment. They'll be having medical check- ups. Signing final papers before they are discharged.
After a year away, it was an incredibly emotional day for many friends and family. So emotional in fact that many had a lot of difficulty describing exactly how they feel.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Can't believe that we're here.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's been a long time, a year.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Just like she said, it's been a very long time. (UNINTELLIGIBLE). It feels great.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm very exciting. A little tired, but I'm so excited right now.
UDOJI: Tell me what you were thinking as you were marching ashore.
UNIDENTIIFED FEMALE: Oh my god. I was thinking it's an honor, really. I'm the one actually feel honored just to be part of the whole thing, you know.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
UDOJI: So, many of the soldiers and members of their family said over and over today how fortunate they feel that they are. And they said many of them said that their thoughts and prayers are not only with the soldiers who are still in Iraq, but their families who are here in the United States -- Fredericka.
WHITFIELD: Lots of happy faces. So refreshing to see.
All right. Thanks very much, Adaora Udoji.
Well, more on Iraq. The run up to the war and what went on behind the scenes at the White House. Bob Woodward talks about all of it in his new book "Plan of Attack." And he'll be on CNN'S LARRY KING LIVE Monday at 9:00 PM Eastern.
When is a national campground a home? When you can't afford to buy or rent a more traditional house. And it's happening right here in America.
But millions of Americans are buying right now. And we can help you get the home of your dreams. Dollar Signs is coming up in about 30 minutes. Just email your question to dollarsigns@cnn.com, or you can call us at 1-800-807-2620. We'll be right back.
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WHITFIELD: Here's some of the top stories right now. Searchers find North Dakota student Dru Sjodin's body nearly 5 months after her disappearance.
An Israeli missile strike in Gaza City killed Hamas leader Abdel Aziz Rantisi.
And 160 National Guard troops come home from Iraq, arriving at Ft. Dix, New Jersey.
Well, right now we want to get on the telephone with the chief spokesperson for Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Not on the telephone with us, but instead in person, Dure Gold. Thanks very much. We want to get your reaction to this assassination of Rantisi. Why was this the position that the Israeli government felt it had to take?
DURE GOLD, ARIEL SHARON'S SPOKESMAN: Well, for the last decade Hamas and Mr. Rantisi have been behind a spate of suicide bombings in the heart of Israeli cities killing hundreds of innocent Israeli civilians. And therefore, Israel adopts these self-defense operations in order to protect our civilians, in order to create stability and in order to finally return sraelis and Palestinians to a meaningful peace process.
WHITFIELD: What's the next step now? Certainly, there are many analysts who were saying, the only thing that will result from this is more violence.
GOLD: That's not true. The name of the game in counterterrorism is to eliminate the command struction of the terrorist organizations and to separate that command struction from innocent Palestinians who really just want to live in peace with Israel.
Even today, we had an attack on the Arez junction (ph) on the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel. A point which Palestinians cross to obtain work in Israel. A point that symbolizes normalization, of existance between Israelis and Palestinians. And yet that is precisely the area which a Palestinian suicide bomber targeted, killing an innocent Israeli.
This kind of activity has to stop. Hamas and terrorist organizations worldwide must be defeated. And then the Middle East can move on to stability and peace.
WHITFIELD: Was this assassination a direct response from earlier today a suicide bomber attack at an industrial zone, the Arez Industrial Zone (ph) in Gaza, resulting in the injuries and the death of at least 1?
GOLD: No. I meantioned that as an example of the fact that Hamas's strategy has been to destroy any possible coexistance between Israelis and Palestinians, and therefore, they attacked that junction. But Israel's self-defense operation tonight against Mr. Rantisi was part of a regular Israeli effort to defend our civilians from the waves of attacks.
The Hamas attacks, and the ones that Mr. Rantisi ordered, occurred a week ago, 2 weeks ago, 2 months ago, in fact, over the last 10 years. When there were peace negotiations, when there were no peace negotiations. Their purpose is to murder Israelis and to eliminate the state of Israel.
WHITFIELD: And Mr. Gold, most recently there's been kind of a pronounced cooperation between Hamas and Al Aqsa Martyr's Brigade. Since you took this position, the government has taken this position on Hamas, will it be carrying out similar strikes on leaders of Al Aqsa Martyr's Brigade in the next coming days?
GOLD: Well, I'm not -- I don't anticipate on television, what Israel's operational decisions are. But what's clear is that Al Aqsa Martyr Brigades, which are part of Fatah, have been leading attacks against Israel up until now. And, unfortunately, the Fatah organization has joined forces with Hamas and Islamist Jihad, since the beginning of Yasser Arafat's intifada in September of 2000.
And Israel will defend itself against anyone who is trying to murder innocent Israelis, who's trying to kill Jews around the world.
WHITFIELD: Dure Gold, spokesperson for Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Thanks very much for joinin us.
GOLD: Sure.
WHITFIELD: Now shifting gears now quite a bit now. Whether you're renting or buying, housing costs can be a real budget buster, our Thelma Guiterrez shows us how some people in California are finding sweet relief in an unexpected way.
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THELMA GUITERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Nestled in a canyon in San Bernadino National Forest families are camping out, but they're not on vacation.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We have 2 teachers on this side, and we have a carnival rides mechanic over here.
GUITERREZ: Many of the folks who live here call the Benida Ranch Campground home.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They have adequete jobs to be living down in the city, however, the rents there are just so high.
GUITERREZ: Alejando Bautista were among those who moved to the forest to escape sky high California housing costs.
ALEJANDRO BAUTISTA, CAMPGROUND RESIDENT: It's just getting out of hand as far as prices, as far trying to buy a house, or even rent.
GUITERREZ: Cathy Smith helps manage the campground. She says 17 other families moved here for that very reason.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The rent up here is between $400 and $500. What could you rent for that amont of money in the city.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: In the city, you're going basically have a 1 room apartment for about $1000.
GUITERREZ: The Bautista's moved in about several months ago after selling their home.
BAUTISTA: Whenever things went down, as far as prices, I could go back and buy a house again.
GUITERREZ: But instead, home prices in Southern California soared. Soon, they were priced out. The same thing happened to Jeff Trappe (ph), an iron worker who commutes into the nearest city, just 9 miles away.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I bought my condo in '93 for 120, and I just recently sold if for 294.
GUITERREZ: Though he made profit, he says it's still not enough to buy an average $350,000 California home, because he can't afford the monthly payments.
For now, he's camping out.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I do miss my home.
GUITERREZ: Because this is a national park, not a trailer park, these folks have to pull up stakes every 2 weeks and move to another site.
Even so, the Bautistas say, this beats living in an apartment. And it helps him save money so that 1 day, they'll be able to own a home once again. Thelma Guiterrez, CNN, in the San Bernadino National Forest.
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WHITFIELD: Well, how do you chose the best college? Can you rely strictly on the name? You might be surprised. We talked to the publishers of an insider's guide to 100 colleges. Up next.
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LUKE SKURMAN, COLLEGEPROWLER.COM: ...everything from academics to diversity to campus dining to the meal plan. And we really tell it like it is. And so far, we're doing a phenomenal job right now.
WHITFIELD: So Christina, you all realized that students wanted to know a little bit more beyond the academics of what a college offers. There are some other things that they really wanted to know as to whether they'd be a good match. So, you all zeroed in on some of these key things.
CHRISTINA KOSHZOW, COLLEGEPROWLER.COM: That's right. I mean, we realized it really is important to look beyond the basics. And that college isn't just about academics. And so that's why we are talking about everything from nightlife and guys and girls to safety and security, diversity. We're trying to really present a well rounded picture of each university.
WHITFIELD: So how difficult, or easy was it, to recruit students to give their input in this book, knowing that parents will be reading as well, so all of their secrets were going to be out.
SKURMAN: Students were dying to tell their opinion. They really want to let their voices be heard, whether it's positive or negative. The most important part of this process is to let the students really express themselves freely. And that's what we're doing right now. And the students couldn't be happier.
We're getting students really dying to talk to us about their college experiences.
WHITFIELD: Oh, so Luke, tell me about what the reception has been like. I mean, what are people saying to you as to what they like about this guide book?
SKURMAN: I mean, the reception has been amazing. Every single person that's picked up one of guides has said, man, I wish something like this existed before. This is exactly what I needed. This is great.
WHITFIELD: So Christina, where do folks find it, is it as easy as going to your local bookstores? Is it strictly on a Web site only?
KOSHZOW: Well, you can do that, but the best place to go is our Web site www.collegeprowler.com. You can get them there. It's the best spot. But we're also in local Borders stores. You can go online to barnesandnoble.com, amazon.com, there's a lot of different ways. We're getting out there.
WHITFIELD: So, if you needed to update this version, or perhaps you may be coming out with a second edition, what are some of the things, perhaps, are missing that you're hearing from some of your students? Your student readers? That maybe is not in this rendition right now?
SKURMAN: We're doing a further analysis on different clubs and different activities that are campus. We're talking about the best place to meet a potential date. We're giving more analysis. We're giving more insider detail than these books did.
We basically did what we have with the first batch and then we're going just even more and even more thorough. The new books are coming along extremely well. We're really excited about them
WHITFIELD: And Christina, I understand that there is even information about professors, or the selection of professors at some of the schools. So, it's not all the periphery stuff, all the fun stuff, you really do kind of zero in, some, on academics, don't you.
KOSHZOW: That is true. And the things that we do cover is information that you may not know until you are on campus for a year or 2 years, so it really is good to get that extra insider scoop on things and that jump ahead.
WHITFIELD: Christina Koshzow and Luke Skurman, thanks very much. Collegeprowler.com, appreciate it.
Well, coming up in out Dollar Signs segment, we're going to be talking about tips for buying a house. Call us at 1-800-807-2620 or you can email. Email your questions to dollarsigns@cnn.com
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