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Iraqi Police Apprehend Four People in Killing of Nick Berg; FBI: Be Alert for Suicide Bombers

Aired May 21, 2004 - 10:00   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, HOST: We're at CNN headquarters in Atlanta. I'm Daryn Kagan.
Iraqi police have apprehended four people in the killing of Nick Berg and released two after questioning. And Iraqi security official says the suspects are former members of Saddam Hussein's Fedayeen paramilitary group. The security official also says a Saddam Hussein nephew led the killers but he was not arrested are.

Be alert for suicide bombers. That is the warning the FBI is sending to state and local law enforcement agencies here in the U.S. The bureau also says there is no hard evidence of a planned attack, but officials tell CNN reaction to the prisoner abuse scandal and upcoming large scale events in the U.S. have raised concern.

By the busload, more Iraqi prisoners are heading home. The U.S.- led coalition freed 472 prisoners from Abu Ghraib prison today. About 3000 prisoners remain in the scandal-plagued facility east of Baghdad. U.S. military officials want to reduce that number by another 500.

Israeli forces redeploy in the Rafah area, after three days of intense fighting. Palestinian officials say 40 Palestinians have died and another 107 have been wounded since Tuesday. Israel says the military operation was aimed at closing tunnels between Egypt and southern Gaza.

And nearly 100,000 communications workers on strike in 13 states. The union action against SBC is in response to the company's latest contract offer. The two sides are at odds over healthcare and job security issues.

Take a look at what we are watching live this hour. Coalition leaders, both military and civilian, are due to hold a briefing at the bottom of the hour. They face a number of issues, including newly published images of possible prisoner abuse and graphic descriptions from the inmates themselves.

And that is where we begin this hour with disturbing new details of alleged abuse of Iraqi prisoners. Both through new photographs and the accounts of the inmates themselves. "The Washington Post" reporting in today's issues, it has obtained hundreds of more photos and several digital videos of the incidents. One in particular, a U.S. soldier is seen kneeling amid a pile of apparent detainees with his fist cocked back. In another, prisoner is perched atop two boxes and doubled over. If you look closely, you can see his right ankle is shackled to the door behind him. These photos have not been authenticated.

"The Post" also published secret, prisoner statements describing life at the notorious prison. Defense Secretary Rumsfeld had previously warned that more images would leak out and they could make the situation even worse.

Our Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr has been watching a copy of the short digital video, and she joins us with more on that -- Barbara.

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTGON CORRESPONDENT: Indeed, Daryn. This digital video clip also published on "The Washington Post" web site, showing more disturbing pictures of what happened at Abu Ghraib prison. As we begin to look at this video clip, you will see an Iraqi man, a detainee at Abu Ghraib prison backed against the wall. I believe we have that video clip to show to you now. And you see him backed against the wall. You see soldiers. You see a U.S. soldier hitting him there, other soldiers apparently just watching.

And as the clip continues, you will now see, of course, another man, an Iraqi detainee dragged in. Men stripped naked of their clothes, and forced to be on their hands and knees. And apparently, the beginning of then what would become the notorious human pyramid picture that has now been seen around the world.

Now, the Pentagon has not officially commented on these images today. But of course, as you say, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld had been saying for some days there were more images out there. They had been shown to Congress. The Pentagon had decided not to make them public for legal reasons under the Geneva Convention. It could be construed, of course, as further public humiliation of these Iraqi detainees. But clearly, the Bush administration facing the fact that these newest pictures, these newest images are going to begin making their way across the Arab world -- Daryn.

KAGAN: And Barbara, that just brings up the debate once again, why not just put all the pictures out there at once? We've heard Senator John McCain call for that very action.

STARR: Well, we're hearing Pentagon officials talk about that again this morning. Secretary Rumsfeld has said that is what he would like to do, get it all out there. But again, the Pentagon lawyers say under the Geneva Convention that would be problematic. The U.S. could be seen sort of showing the prisoners up to further public humiliation. But clearly, this information, these images still coming out, including those sworn statements in which the prisoners detail the abuse that they say they suffered at the hands of U.S. soldiers at Abu Ghraib. So clearly, much more out there, much more continuing to emerge -- Daryn.

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

And those interviews are our next story. One reporter who covers the Middle East for "The Washington Post," says that the interviews and what the inmates have to say about what took place inside Abu Ghraib prison might be even more damaging than the pictures. Here is what she had to say earlier on "AMERICAN MORNING."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ROBIN WRIGHT, "THE WASHINGTON POST," CORRESPONDENT: More alarming and probably will resonate even more in the Islamic world, are the accounts from the detainees. Finally, we're getting some kind of explanation of what happened, not just the images, but the sequence of events and how these prisoners were treated in a general way. Forced to eat pork and alcohol, which are both an anathema in Islamic and sodomized by nightsticks.

They are a lot of really alarming accounts that were provided to U.S. military interrogators.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: "The Washington Post" says it does have hundreds more photos. They are evaluating each photo and will release them only if they advance the story.

Well, the Pentagon is denying a report of high-level approval of extreme interrogation techniques. NBC News is quoted top U.S. military and intelligence officials saying that Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld approved procedures that clearly violated the Geneva Convention. Rumsfeld chief spokesman denies that charge.

There are new developments in the Nicholas Berg case. A coalition official confirms that people are being questioned in connection with the videotaped beheading of the American.

For that, we go live to CNN's Harris Whitbeck. He is in Baghdad with details on that -- Harris.

HARRIS WHITBECK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Daryn. We have a couple of conflicting reports on some arrests or detentions in the case of Nicholas Berg. A U.S. coalition official told CNN, originally that four people had been detained for questioning in connection with the beheading of Nicholas Berg. He said that two of those people were later released. And that it is most probable that the other two people could be released after further questioning.

However, the Associated Press is reporting an interview with an Iraqi security official who says it was members of the Iraqi National Police who detained the four people. And that one of those is a former member of Saddam Hussein's immediate family. In fact, Saddam Hussein's nephew and he's also a member of the Saddam's Fedayeen, the paramilitary organization that has been blamed for much of the terrorism in Iraq. But again, we have conflicting reports on the detentions. The U.S. saying four people detained and two have already been released. Iraqi National Police telling the Associated Press four are in detention and they're giving much detail on their identities.

Meanwhile today, there was another prison release -- prisoner release at Abu Ghraib prison. Four hundred and seventy-two people have been let out of that prison throughout the day. and many family members have been gathered out there all day long hoping to see if some of their relatives were among the detainees. Population at the Abu Ghraib prison now stands at about 3,000, at its highest point; it was about 6000 people -- Daryn.

Harris Whitbeck in Baghdad.

And now a quick glance at other developments today inside of Iraq. Fighting inside the Shiite holy city of Karbala have reportedly killed five Iraqis. Hospital officials there say that one victim was an Arab journalist, who was working for al Jazeera.

Spain's defense ministry says the last of its troops has left Iraq, completing the country's withdrawal nearly a week ahead of schedule.

And there still is no word that the three Americans who have been missing since their convoy was ambushed on April 9. Two of the men were contract truck drivers. The third, a soldier, who was last seen in a videotape released by his captors.

Here in the U.S., a Muslim lawyer is free two weeks after he was jailed in an investigation of the deadly Madrid train bombings. Federal authorities initially said that a fingerprint linked him to the crime. Now they say that was a mistake.

Justice correspondent Kelli Arena has that story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KELLI ARENA, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Brandon Mayfield, a U.S. citizen and Muslim convert, who has been sitting in a Portland detention center for two weeks is a free man. Just after being released, he joined his lawyers for a brief press conference.

BRANDON MAYFIELD, RELEASED FROM CUSTODY: I just want to say thank God, everybody who was praying for me.

ARENA: Grand jury rules of secrecy stopping Mayfield and his lawyers from saying more at this time. But Mayfield's brother promises the family will not go away silently.

KENT MAYFIELD, BRANDON MAYFIELD'S BROTHER: I think there is going to be a major review about why they detained him. This, obviously, proves -- this obviously proves that this was a complete witch-hunt and we are going to follow-up as much as I can.

ARENA: U.S. law enforcement officials say Mayfield was taken into custody as a material witness in connection to the March train bombing in Madrid. Those officials say FBI matched his fingerprint to a print found near the scene, on a bag containing explosive materials similar to those used in the attack. They say U.S. agents were conducting surveillance on Mayfield but a decision was made to detain him, when the media got hold of the story and the FBI feared its cover was blown.

STEVE WAX, MAYFIELD'S ATTORNEY: He has maintained at the outset that he has had no involvement in the horrible bombing that occurred in Spain in March. and he's maintained from the outset that he has no knowledge about that.

ARENA: Spanish officials disputed the FBI's findings, telling CNN they did not believe the FBI had a print match. The Spanish now tell CNN, they matched the print found near the scene of the bombing to another man, an Algerian named Onani Doud.

(on camera): The Justice Department, FBI and prosecutors in Portland all had no comment. At least not yet.

Kelli Arena, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: And let's show you a live picture right now. This is Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Air Force 1. Of course, you recognize that plane. That is President Bush on board there. He is landing there. He will be the commencement speaker at LSU's ceremonies later today. You'll see those comments live right here on CNN. So more ahead from Baton Rouge.

Teenagers accused of an unthinkable act. The California trial of an alleged gang rape captured on videotape. Defense attorneys say the alleged victim did not tell the truth.

And she was called abandoned until her grandfather came forward to tell us who she really is.

Later, your look at the "Day After Tomorrow." But we have it today. Stay with us for a preview on CNN LIVE TODAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: And anaulau -- anun -- ah! Let's try that again. Another live picture from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. President Bush on board Air Force 1. He will be the commencement speaker at Louisiana State, LSU later today. Also he'll be heading to a suburb of New Orleans to speak to Republican Party donors. So a little graduation, a little fundraising on the president's docket today.

We move on to California. In Fresno, a judge has denied a motion to drop murder charges against Marcus Wesson. He is the man accused of killing nine of his own children. His defense attorneys had claimed that Wesson's eldest daughter had killed the children before killing herself. Prosecutors have claimed that Wesson created a cult- like setting and fathered children with at least one of his daughters. The trial is set for a month from today.

To Santa Ana, California. An 18-year-old woman dissolved into tears as the courtroom watched a videotape of what she says was a gang rape by other teenagers. Defense attorneys of the three boys say it was consensual sex and part of her fantasy to become a porn star.

Our national correspondent Frank Buckley that that story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FRANK BUCKLEY, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The three teenagers accused of raping her sat just a few feet away, as defense attorney Joseph Cavallo asked the woman if that was her on the videotape with a beer in her hand before the alleged crimes took place.

SUSAN KANG SCHROEDER, DEP. DISTRICT ATTORNEY: It was a very difficult time for her. She broke down. It was obvious she was upset. And it was very traumatic for her.

BUCKLEY: But defense attorney Cavallo, representing Greg Hidele (ph), the son of the assistant sheriff of Orange County, said showing that tape to the alleged victim was necessary, as he attempted to show she was being untruthful in her claims she was unconscious and unaware she was being videotaped the night of the alleged crime.

JOSEPH CAVALLO, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: She did know she was being videotaped. She encouraged the videotaping and she -- it was part of the plan that night.

SCHROEDER: Anybody reasonable watching the video would know that she is in no way conscious.

BUCKLEY: Cavallo again showed the 18 year old woman another graphic videotape, showing her engaged in consensual sex with defendant Keith Span, a few days earlier on June 30. And he questioned her about July 4, the night before the alleged crimes, when she testified she had separate consensual sex with both Span and Hidele. Cavallo says the tough questioning was necessary to try to prove to jurors that she is lying in her testimony.

CAVALLO: She is just not a truthful person. She's not a -- she has terrible character. She has terrible morals.

BUCKLEY: Prosecutors disagree.

SCHROEDER: To come forward and share very detailed and embarrassing details about her life and be candid and truthful, it takes a lot of courage and she should be commended for that.

BUCKLEY (on camera): Next Tuesday, the alleged victim in this case will again be on the stand as defense attorneys try to portray her as a promiscuous young woman, who was fully aware of what happened the night of the alleged crimes, not unconscious as the prosecutors allege. If jurors don't buy it though, each of the defendants, if convicted on all of the charges, could face up to 55 years in prison.

Frank Buckley, CNN, Santa Ana, California.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Live pictures once again from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. President Bush about to come out of Air Force 1. And he is there to make the commencement address at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. This is his seventh trip to Louisiana since he's been president. He did win the state in 2000. It was a close call. If you're wondering, Louisiana does have nine electoral votes. And Senator Kerry's campaign has recently decided to pump a bunch of television money into Louisiana. So it's made it one of the battle ground states for the 2004 election. And he, the president will go from Baton Rouge later today to New Orleans to raise some money.

In our continuing coverage of the president arriving in Baton Rouge. You can see he has landed. And he is on his way to Louisiana State. He will be the commencement speaker. You will see his comments live right here on CNN later today.

Also, there are some new twists in the mysterious story of an abandoned girl in Maryland. We'll tell you what authorities have found out about her family.

And are you worried about retirement? Our Gerri Willis joins us with some tips that might help ease some of your concerns -- Gerri.

GERRI WILLIS, CNNFN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: Hey, Daryn. Good to see you. What is your biggest money worry? Is it not having enough for retirement? We're going to tell you how to tune up your 401k when CNN LIVE TODAY returns.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Speaking of money, what is your biggest financial worry? If you're like a lot of Americans, it's not having enough money for retirement. In fact, a recent survey -- a Gallup survey found that more than half of the adults questioned named that as their top money concern.

So that's why we've brought on CNNFN personal editor Gerri Willis to help us not get to the place, but get to the place of having enough dough.

Good morning, Gerri.

WILLIS: Hey, Daryn. Good to see you. You know, so many people they're so worry bed their retirement and they never even take the simple step of figuring out how much money they're going to need when they retire. Go to money.com/retirement to get some estimates of how much money you need to be putting together. and while you're at it, you're looking at the web, there is another thing you need to be thinking about, too. How much money you're going to need for healthcare. Only about 11 percent of private employers back in 2000 when they were last surveyed, actually offered their retirees healthcare insurance. Paid the premiums. That number is dwindling. To find out how much money you will need in retirement for healthcare, go to choosetosave.org to get details -- Daryn.

KAGAN: All right. Don't forget about the 401k that a lot of us have access to at work.

WILLIS: Absolutely. Daryn, everybody loves free money. This is a way to get some free money. You've got to contribute to the max in your 401k and here is the good news. The government is allowing you to set aside more and more money. Check this out. This year, you'll be able to set aside $13,000. That number is going up by a thousand dollars each and every year through 2006. This is a great deal that you need to be thinking about. And if you're 50 and older, you can set aside even more money this year, 2004, you can set aside $16,000 -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Hmm. What about getting the allocation right? How much you're supposed to take out of your paycheck and put into that fund?

WILLIS: You know what's so interesting about this? It's more important what allocation you have. How much of your money you put into large cap stocks, small cap stocks, bonds, than it is even the funds that you choose, Daryn. Critical to get the asset allocation right. How do you do it? Money.com has a calculator that can help and it will actually recommend individual funds for you to purchase. So get a start there, but can't tell you how important the allocation is. You've got to get it right for your age and just how close you are to retirement.

KAGAN: And what about putting your finances on automatic so you don't really have to think about some of this stuff?

WILLIS: You know, I love not thinking about this stuff and getting everything organized, and lined up, and then it works on its own. It's the best thing to do. Obviously, with your 401k, you can set that money aside automatically. But if you're saving outside of your 401k also for retirement, you can have that money automatically deducted and put into a savings account, as well, or mutual funds with some of the big mutual fund companies.

While you're at it, you might as well just set up automatic payments for some of your big bills. The more you do this, the less you'll think about it, the less of a worry it will be and you'll have the money when you need it.

KAGAN: And what about for those folks out there that say I would love to save for retirement but I'm trying save to put my kid through college.

WILLIS: You know, this is one of the toughest things for parents out there. You know, they feel so torn. They feel like they should put their kids through school and forget about the retirement; they'll get to that later. I'm here so say look, your kids can get scholarship money, the can borrow money from the government at low, low rates. You need to save for retirement. You need to have that on hand because you can't make that money up later.

There's no place to get it so make sure you're being fair to yourself when you're saving for retirement and you don't rob your savings. When you're going to get old, you're going to need that money -- Daryn.

KAGAN: All right. Hopefully, it will be a good problem to have. Beats the alternative. Gerri Willis, you have a great weekend. Thank you, Gerri.

WILLIS: You, too.

KAGAN: Coming up on CNN LIVE TODAY, we're standing by. We will be going live to the coalition briefing from Baghdad. Possibly looking for more information about four people questioned about the killing of Nicholas Berg, as well as a lot of other information out of Iraq. That's just ahead.

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


Aired May 21, 2004 - 10:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, HOST: We're at CNN headquarters in Atlanta. I'm Daryn Kagan.
Iraqi police have apprehended four people in the killing of Nick Berg and released two after questioning. And Iraqi security official says the suspects are former members of Saddam Hussein's Fedayeen paramilitary group. The security official also says a Saddam Hussein nephew led the killers but he was not arrested are.

Be alert for suicide bombers. That is the warning the FBI is sending to state and local law enforcement agencies here in the U.S. The bureau also says there is no hard evidence of a planned attack, but officials tell CNN reaction to the prisoner abuse scandal and upcoming large scale events in the U.S. have raised concern.

By the busload, more Iraqi prisoners are heading home. The U.S.- led coalition freed 472 prisoners from Abu Ghraib prison today. About 3000 prisoners remain in the scandal-plagued facility east of Baghdad. U.S. military officials want to reduce that number by another 500.

Israeli forces redeploy in the Rafah area, after three days of intense fighting. Palestinian officials say 40 Palestinians have died and another 107 have been wounded since Tuesday. Israel says the military operation was aimed at closing tunnels between Egypt and southern Gaza.

And nearly 100,000 communications workers on strike in 13 states. The union action against SBC is in response to the company's latest contract offer. The two sides are at odds over healthcare and job security issues.

Take a look at what we are watching live this hour. Coalition leaders, both military and civilian, are due to hold a briefing at the bottom of the hour. They face a number of issues, including newly published images of possible prisoner abuse and graphic descriptions from the inmates themselves.

And that is where we begin this hour with disturbing new details of alleged abuse of Iraqi prisoners. Both through new photographs and the accounts of the inmates themselves. "The Washington Post" reporting in today's issues, it has obtained hundreds of more photos and several digital videos of the incidents. One in particular, a U.S. soldier is seen kneeling amid a pile of apparent detainees with his fist cocked back. In another, prisoner is perched atop two boxes and doubled over. If you look closely, you can see his right ankle is shackled to the door behind him. These photos have not been authenticated.

"The Post" also published secret, prisoner statements describing life at the notorious prison. Defense Secretary Rumsfeld had previously warned that more images would leak out and they could make the situation even worse.

Our Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr has been watching a copy of the short digital video, and she joins us with more on that -- Barbara.

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTGON CORRESPONDENT: Indeed, Daryn. This digital video clip also published on "The Washington Post" web site, showing more disturbing pictures of what happened at Abu Ghraib prison. As we begin to look at this video clip, you will see an Iraqi man, a detainee at Abu Ghraib prison backed against the wall. I believe we have that video clip to show to you now. And you see him backed against the wall. You see soldiers. You see a U.S. soldier hitting him there, other soldiers apparently just watching.

And as the clip continues, you will now see, of course, another man, an Iraqi detainee dragged in. Men stripped naked of their clothes, and forced to be on their hands and knees. And apparently, the beginning of then what would become the notorious human pyramid picture that has now been seen around the world.

Now, the Pentagon has not officially commented on these images today. But of course, as you say, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld had been saying for some days there were more images out there. They had been shown to Congress. The Pentagon had decided not to make them public for legal reasons under the Geneva Convention. It could be construed, of course, as further public humiliation of these Iraqi detainees. But clearly, the Bush administration facing the fact that these newest pictures, these newest images are going to begin making their way across the Arab world -- Daryn.

KAGAN: And Barbara, that just brings up the debate once again, why not just put all the pictures out there at once? We've heard Senator John McCain call for that very action.

STARR: Well, we're hearing Pentagon officials talk about that again this morning. Secretary Rumsfeld has said that is what he would like to do, get it all out there. But again, the Pentagon lawyers say under the Geneva Convention that would be problematic. The U.S. could be seen sort of showing the prisoners up to further public humiliation. But clearly, this information, these images still coming out, including those sworn statements in which the prisoners detail the abuse that they say they suffered at the hands of U.S. soldiers at Abu Ghraib. So clearly, much more out there, much more continuing to emerge -- Daryn.

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

And those interviews are our next story. One reporter who covers the Middle East for "The Washington Post," says that the interviews and what the inmates have to say about what took place inside Abu Ghraib prison might be even more damaging than the pictures. Here is what she had to say earlier on "AMERICAN MORNING."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ROBIN WRIGHT, "THE WASHINGTON POST," CORRESPONDENT: More alarming and probably will resonate even more in the Islamic world, are the accounts from the detainees. Finally, we're getting some kind of explanation of what happened, not just the images, but the sequence of events and how these prisoners were treated in a general way. Forced to eat pork and alcohol, which are both an anathema in Islamic and sodomized by nightsticks.

They are a lot of really alarming accounts that were provided to U.S. military interrogators.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: "The Washington Post" says it does have hundreds more photos. They are evaluating each photo and will release them only if they advance the story.

Well, the Pentagon is denying a report of high-level approval of extreme interrogation techniques. NBC News is quoted top U.S. military and intelligence officials saying that Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld approved procedures that clearly violated the Geneva Convention. Rumsfeld chief spokesman denies that charge.

There are new developments in the Nicholas Berg case. A coalition official confirms that people are being questioned in connection with the videotaped beheading of the American.

For that, we go live to CNN's Harris Whitbeck. He is in Baghdad with details on that -- Harris.

HARRIS WHITBECK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Daryn. We have a couple of conflicting reports on some arrests or detentions in the case of Nicholas Berg. A U.S. coalition official told CNN, originally that four people had been detained for questioning in connection with the beheading of Nicholas Berg. He said that two of those people were later released. And that it is most probable that the other two people could be released after further questioning.

However, the Associated Press is reporting an interview with an Iraqi security official who says it was members of the Iraqi National Police who detained the four people. And that one of those is a former member of Saddam Hussein's immediate family. In fact, Saddam Hussein's nephew and he's also a member of the Saddam's Fedayeen, the paramilitary organization that has been blamed for much of the terrorism in Iraq. But again, we have conflicting reports on the detentions. The U.S. saying four people detained and two have already been released. Iraqi National Police telling the Associated Press four are in detention and they're giving much detail on their identities.

Meanwhile today, there was another prison release -- prisoner release at Abu Ghraib prison. Four hundred and seventy-two people have been let out of that prison throughout the day. and many family members have been gathered out there all day long hoping to see if some of their relatives were among the detainees. Population at the Abu Ghraib prison now stands at about 3,000, at its highest point; it was about 6000 people -- Daryn.

Harris Whitbeck in Baghdad.

And now a quick glance at other developments today inside of Iraq. Fighting inside the Shiite holy city of Karbala have reportedly killed five Iraqis. Hospital officials there say that one victim was an Arab journalist, who was working for al Jazeera.

Spain's defense ministry says the last of its troops has left Iraq, completing the country's withdrawal nearly a week ahead of schedule.

And there still is no word that the three Americans who have been missing since their convoy was ambushed on April 9. Two of the men were contract truck drivers. The third, a soldier, who was last seen in a videotape released by his captors.

Here in the U.S., a Muslim lawyer is free two weeks after he was jailed in an investigation of the deadly Madrid train bombings. Federal authorities initially said that a fingerprint linked him to the crime. Now they say that was a mistake.

Justice correspondent Kelli Arena has that story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KELLI ARENA, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Brandon Mayfield, a U.S. citizen and Muslim convert, who has been sitting in a Portland detention center for two weeks is a free man. Just after being released, he joined his lawyers for a brief press conference.

BRANDON MAYFIELD, RELEASED FROM CUSTODY: I just want to say thank God, everybody who was praying for me.

ARENA: Grand jury rules of secrecy stopping Mayfield and his lawyers from saying more at this time. But Mayfield's brother promises the family will not go away silently.

KENT MAYFIELD, BRANDON MAYFIELD'S BROTHER: I think there is going to be a major review about why they detained him. This, obviously, proves -- this obviously proves that this was a complete witch-hunt and we are going to follow-up as much as I can.

ARENA: U.S. law enforcement officials say Mayfield was taken into custody as a material witness in connection to the March train bombing in Madrid. Those officials say FBI matched his fingerprint to a print found near the scene, on a bag containing explosive materials similar to those used in the attack. They say U.S. agents were conducting surveillance on Mayfield but a decision was made to detain him, when the media got hold of the story and the FBI feared its cover was blown.

STEVE WAX, MAYFIELD'S ATTORNEY: He has maintained at the outset that he has had no involvement in the horrible bombing that occurred in Spain in March. and he's maintained from the outset that he has no knowledge about that.

ARENA: Spanish officials disputed the FBI's findings, telling CNN they did not believe the FBI had a print match. The Spanish now tell CNN, they matched the print found near the scene of the bombing to another man, an Algerian named Onani Doud.

(on camera): The Justice Department, FBI and prosecutors in Portland all had no comment. At least not yet.

Kelli Arena, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: And let's show you a live picture right now. This is Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Air Force 1. Of course, you recognize that plane. That is President Bush on board there. He is landing there. He will be the commencement speaker at LSU's ceremonies later today. You'll see those comments live right here on CNN. So more ahead from Baton Rouge.

Teenagers accused of an unthinkable act. The California trial of an alleged gang rape captured on videotape. Defense attorneys say the alleged victim did not tell the truth.

And she was called abandoned until her grandfather came forward to tell us who she really is.

Later, your look at the "Day After Tomorrow." But we have it today. Stay with us for a preview on CNN LIVE TODAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: And anaulau -- anun -- ah! Let's try that again. Another live picture from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. President Bush on board Air Force 1. He will be the commencement speaker at Louisiana State, LSU later today. Also he'll be heading to a suburb of New Orleans to speak to Republican Party donors. So a little graduation, a little fundraising on the president's docket today.

We move on to California. In Fresno, a judge has denied a motion to drop murder charges against Marcus Wesson. He is the man accused of killing nine of his own children. His defense attorneys had claimed that Wesson's eldest daughter had killed the children before killing herself. Prosecutors have claimed that Wesson created a cult- like setting and fathered children with at least one of his daughters. The trial is set for a month from today.

To Santa Ana, California. An 18-year-old woman dissolved into tears as the courtroom watched a videotape of what she says was a gang rape by other teenagers. Defense attorneys of the three boys say it was consensual sex and part of her fantasy to become a porn star.

Our national correspondent Frank Buckley that that story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FRANK BUCKLEY, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The three teenagers accused of raping her sat just a few feet away, as defense attorney Joseph Cavallo asked the woman if that was her on the videotape with a beer in her hand before the alleged crimes took place.

SUSAN KANG SCHROEDER, DEP. DISTRICT ATTORNEY: It was a very difficult time for her. She broke down. It was obvious she was upset. And it was very traumatic for her.

BUCKLEY: But defense attorney Cavallo, representing Greg Hidele (ph), the son of the assistant sheriff of Orange County, said showing that tape to the alleged victim was necessary, as he attempted to show she was being untruthful in her claims she was unconscious and unaware she was being videotaped the night of the alleged crime.

JOSEPH CAVALLO, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: She did know she was being videotaped. She encouraged the videotaping and she -- it was part of the plan that night.

SCHROEDER: Anybody reasonable watching the video would know that she is in no way conscious.

BUCKLEY: Cavallo again showed the 18 year old woman another graphic videotape, showing her engaged in consensual sex with defendant Keith Span, a few days earlier on June 30. And he questioned her about July 4, the night before the alleged crimes, when she testified she had separate consensual sex with both Span and Hidele. Cavallo says the tough questioning was necessary to try to prove to jurors that she is lying in her testimony.

CAVALLO: She is just not a truthful person. She's not a -- she has terrible character. She has terrible morals.

BUCKLEY: Prosecutors disagree.

SCHROEDER: To come forward and share very detailed and embarrassing details about her life and be candid and truthful, it takes a lot of courage and she should be commended for that.

BUCKLEY (on camera): Next Tuesday, the alleged victim in this case will again be on the stand as defense attorneys try to portray her as a promiscuous young woman, who was fully aware of what happened the night of the alleged crimes, not unconscious as the prosecutors allege. If jurors don't buy it though, each of the defendants, if convicted on all of the charges, could face up to 55 years in prison.

Frank Buckley, CNN, Santa Ana, California.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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KAGAN: Live pictures once again from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. President Bush about to come out of Air Force 1. And he is there to make the commencement address at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. This is his seventh trip to Louisiana since he's been president. He did win the state in 2000. It was a close call. If you're wondering, Louisiana does have nine electoral votes. And Senator Kerry's campaign has recently decided to pump a bunch of television money into Louisiana. So it's made it one of the battle ground states for the 2004 election. And he, the president will go from Baton Rouge later today to New Orleans to raise some money.

In our continuing coverage of the president arriving in Baton Rouge. You can see he has landed. And he is on his way to Louisiana State. He will be the commencement speaker. You will see his comments live right here on CNN later today.

Also, there are some new twists in the mysterious story of an abandoned girl in Maryland. We'll tell you what authorities have found out about her family.

And are you worried about retirement? Our Gerri Willis joins us with some tips that might help ease some of your concerns -- Gerri.

GERRI WILLIS, CNNFN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: Hey, Daryn. Good to see you. What is your biggest money worry? Is it not having enough for retirement? We're going to tell you how to tune up your 401k when CNN LIVE TODAY returns.

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KAGAN: Speaking of money, what is your biggest financial worry? If you're like a lot of Americans, it's not having enough money for retirement. In fact, a recent survey -- a Gallup survey found that more than half of the adults questioned named that as their top money concern.

So that's why we've brought on CNNFN personal editor Gerri Willis to help us not get to the place, but get to the place of having enough dough.

Good morning, Gerri.

WILLIS: Hey, Daryn. Good to see you. You know, so many people they're so worry bed their retirement and they never even take the simple step of figuring out how much money they're going to need when they retire. Go to money.com/retirement to get some estimates of how much money you need to be putting together. and while you're at it, you're looking at the web, there is another thing you need to be thinking about, too. How much money you're going to need for healthcare. Only about 11 percent of private employers back in 2000 when they were last surveyed, actually offered their retirees healthcare insurance. Paid the premiums. That number is dwindling. To find out how much money you will need in retirement for healthcare, go to choosetosave.org to get details -- Daryn.

KAGAN: All right. Don't forget about the 401k that a lot of us have access to at work.

WILLIS: Absolutely. Daryn, everybody loves free money. This is a way to get some free money. You've got to contribute to the max in your 401k and here is the good news. The government is allowing you to set aside more and more money. Check this out. This year, you'll be able to set aside $13,000. That number is going up by a thousand dollars each and every year through 2006. This is a great deal that you need to be thinking about. And if you're 50 and older, you can set aside even more money this year, 2004, you can set aside $16,000 -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Hmm. What about getting the allocation right? How much you're supposed to take out of your paycheck and put into that fund?

WILLIS: You know what's so interesting about this? It's more important what allocation you have. How much of your money you put into large cap stocks, small cap stocks, bonds, than it is even the funds that you choose, Daryn. Critical to get the asset allocation right. How do you do it? Money.com has a calculator that can help and it will actually recommend individual funds for you to purchase. So get a start there, but can't tell you how important the allocation is. You've got to get it right for your age and just how close you are to retirement.

KAGAN: And what about putting your finances on automatic so you don't really have to think about some of this stuff?

WILLIS: You know, I love not thinking about this stuff and getting everything organized, and lined up, and then it works on its own. It's the best thing to do. Obviously, with your 401k, you can set that money aside automatically. But if you're saving outside of your 401k also for retirement, you can have that money automatically deducted and put into a savings account, as well, or mutual funds with some of the big mutual fund companies.

While you're at it, you might as well just set up automatic payments for some of your big bills. The more you do this, the less you'll think about it, the less of a worry it will be and you'll have the money when you need it.

KAGAN: And what about for those folks out there that say I would love to save for retirement but I'm trying save to put my kid through college.

WILLIS: You know, this is one of the toughest things for parents out there. You know, they feel so torn. They feel like they should put their kids through school and forget about the retirement; they'll get to that later. I'm here so say look, your kids can get scholarship money, the can borrow money from the government at low, low rates. You need to save for retirement. You need to have that on hand because you can't make that money up later.

There's no place to get it so make sure you're being fair to yourself when you're saving for retirement and you don't rob your savings. When you're going to get old, you're going to need that money -- Daryn.

KAGAN: All right. Hopefully, it will be a good problem to have. Beats the alternative. Gerri Willis, you have a great weekend. Thank you, Gerri.

WILLIS: You, too.

KAGAN: Coming up on CNN LIVE TODAY, we're standing by. We will be going live to the coalition briefing from Baghdad. Possibly looking for more information about four people questioned about the killing of Nicholas Berg, as well as a lot of other information out of Iraq. That's just ahead.

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