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American Morning

Terror Warning; Interview With Brigadier General Janis Karpinski; Sex and Prostate Cancer

Aired May 26, 2004 - 9:00 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.

SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: New concerns this morning about al Qaeda. Have U.S. officials discovered evidence of a major attacks in the works?
In the Midwest, rivers flowing through the streets. How high will the flood waters go?

And what's going on in the Michael Jackson case? Another lawyer hired, this one just to watch. We're going to talk to her on this AMERICAN MORNING.

ANNOUNCER: From the CNN Broadcast Center in New York, this is AMERICAN MORNING with Soledad O'Brien and Bill Hemmer.

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, everyone.

New concerns about terrorism topping our news today. Local law enforcement agencies expected to give information later today in the weekly FBI bulletin. Also expect a news conference -- the attorney general, John Ashcroft, the FBI director, where we could get some names and possibly some photos of suspect. The latest from Jeanne Meserve in a moment.

Also with our interview today, the homeland security secretary, Tom Ridge, was our guest earlier today. We'll have more on that in a moment.

O'BRIEN: Also this morning, we're talking about the suspension of Brigadier General Janis Karpinski from her command with the 800th Military Police Brigade. We have our interview with her coming up as well this morning. We'll ask her about mistakes, whether she made them and whether they allowed the prisoner abuse scandal to happen.

HEMMER: Also, the ultimate question today, who wins the next idol competition? Who's it going to be, Diana or Fantasia?

Yes, Jack?

JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Didn't Jimmy Kimmel reveal this on ABC last night?

HEMMER: That's what the rumors are. But the show's live tonight, right? So how would he know?

CAFFERTY: Because he knows these things. HEMMER: Now, you were standing by last night with your wife, right? With a text message ready to fire up and go through your cell phone.

CAFFERTY: I've never seen this program. Nor do I ever intend to.

HEMMER: Put your money on fantasia.

CAFFERTY: That was what Jimmy Kimmel said.

O'BRIEN: She's got a lot of drama, too. Not only can she sin, but she also does all the dramatics on the floor, torch songs.

CAFFERTY: If we reveal the winner, would that ruin Fox's ratings? The winner is -- no, I wouldn't do that.

HEMMER: What's on your mind?

CAFFERTY: I might need work there some day.

What's on my mind? Bill -- like tomorrow. Bill Cosby slamming the African-American community at the low end of the economic scale over out of web bursts, the high crime rate and the lack of parenting skills when it comes to raising the kids. Is it racism, or was it right on? That's the question. AM@CNN.com.

Made a couple speeches, got a ton of reaction. As we are this morning, a lot of reaction.

HEMMER: Jack, thanks for that.

Let's start again (AUDIO GAP) could happen, could be carried out in this country some time this summer. The FBI director, the attorney general holding a news conference later today with more on the intelligence assessment and possible suspects. Jeanne Meserve, CNN homeland security correspondent, live in D.C.

Jeanne, good morning. What are you learning?

JEANNE MESERVE, CNN HOMELAND SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill.

We've learned from federal law enforcement sources that federal authorities are expected to release today the photographs of five or six individuals to whom they want to speak. We do not know at this point whether or not these individuals are in the United States or not. We do not know the specifics on why authorities want to talk to them. But they will issue more information them later today.

In addition, the FBI is expected to issue guidance to its 18,000 state and local law enforcement partners in its regular weekly FBI bulletin. This after several U.S. officials cited a steady stream of intelligence suggesting an attack on U.S. soil possibly as early as this summer. Officials characterize the intelligence as "credible" but not as specific as to time, place or method. What has them concerned, they say, is the level of corroboration in this intelligence. But Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge says nothing in the intelligence warrants moving the country from the current yellow or elevated alert level.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TOM RIDGE, HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: There's absolutely nothing specific enough that rises to the level where we would presently today, as we speak, make a recommendation to the president to raise the threat level. What I think is important for America to know is that we don't need to raise the threat level in order to work every day to improve security.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MESERVE: According to a senior Pentagon official, a recently distributed classified report by the intelligence community analyzed and compiled the latest threat information, including chatter information about al Qaeda operatives inside the United States and indications that terrorists continue trying to enter the United States from Canada or Mexico. The conclusion, said this official, "Terrorists still have a desire to do something big."

Bill, back to you.

HEMMER: Jeanne there are high-profile events starting this weekend. The opening officially of the War World II Memorial on the Mall, where you are in Washington. The Democratic Convention this summer, Republicans here in New York. Did these events factor into the decisions the FBI is making at this point, and perhaps the warnings that will be announced later today during this press conference?

MESERVE: We don't know at this point whether these events factored into their decisions. But these events have been viewed with concern for some time. Several months ago, an interagency working group was formed. The intention was that all intelligence be shared at the federal level and then be sent down to the state and local level.

The hope was that this would prevent anything from slipping through the cracks, as it did before 9/11. So very high attention to all of these events for some time. I know the World War II event they have been planning security for more than a year. I've been told by homeland security officials that the security for that event on the Mall will be higher than it has been for any other National Mall event ever, and that was before this latest information came out.

HEMMER: That happens on Saturday. You'll be watching then, and also later today. Jeanne, thanks for that. Jeanne Meserve in D.C.

Later today, at 2:00 Eastern Time, 11:00 a.m. on the West Coast, we'll have it for you live. John Ashcroft, Robert Mueller in D.C.

Soledad? O'BRIEN: The abuse of prisoners under U.S. military command goes far beyond those at Abu Ghraib, the New York Times is reporting. The Times today published results of an Army summary showing a pattern of mistreatment involving Army and Navy units in Iraq and Afghanistan. Abuses at Abu Ghraib first came to light when The New Yorker published results of the Army's investigation into charges of abuse and "60 Minutes" broadcast pictures showing prisoners being abused by U.S. soldiers.

One soldier pleaded guilty last week to maltreatment of prisoners. Six more soldiers face courts-martial.

On Monday, the Army suspended Brigadier General Janis Karpinski. She was in command of the prison system at the time of the alleged abuses at Abu Ghraib. And earlier we spoke to Brigadier General Karpinski, and I asked her why she indicated she's not to blame for the alleged abuse, but rather that she feels she's been set up.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRIG. GEN. JANIS KARPINSKI, U.S. ARMY: I think from the beginning there -- and as more information comes out and more of the truth unfolds in this story, people had information before, long before the prison actually transferred to control of the MI brigade. And those cell blocks, 1A and 1B in particular, were under the control of the MI brigade before they took control of the whole facility in November.

We had 16 facilities. Interrogations were run at one of those facilities, Abu Ghraib, and in two cell blocks, 1A and 1B. And it is the only place where these infractions and these photographs have been taken and reported. I think that speaks volumes of what the military police brigade represented in all of our operations in Iraq, in all of the locations.

O'BRIEN: You have said that the man in charge in Iraq, Ricardo Sanchez, General Sanchez, visited Abu Ghraib at least three times. He has said that he witnessed no abuse at that time. You also say that there was a letter that was drafted in response to the Red Cross, and that was done some time in December. He said he didn't know anything about the abuse until January 14th.

Who's lying here? I mean, both of your stories can't not possibly be true.

KARPINSKI: Well, the ICRC report apparently came down much earlier than I was aware of. I saw it for the first time at the end of November, very late November, and it was clear that this impromptu meeting that took place at the CJTF7 headquarters, the people that were there at this meeting, it was very informal. And they were all aware of the report.

As a matter of fact, when I asked the question about the report, the SJA to the CJTF7, the lead lawyer, responded very quickly and said, "I have a copy of the report right here. You can see it." So, clearly, they had already seen the report. Maybe it had been intercepted or routed to them in this particular case. And they were already working on a response for my review.

O'BRIEN: What do you make of this New York Times report that says abuse is more widespread than originally thought, that it happened not only in Iraq, but in Afghanistan, as well? And Monday, we heard the president say it was essentially the few bad apples theory. Who is right?

KARPINSKI: Well, I don't know who's right, and hopefully as the story unfolds and more information comes out, and people come forward with less fear of reprisals or retribution, I just think that people feel an obligation more and more every day to tell the truth and to tell what they know. I took a glance at the article again this morning and, again, I'm surprised it is as extensive as the article implies that it is.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: That was Brigadier General Karpinski joining us earlier this morning on AMERICAN MORNING. General Karpinski added that she always wanted to see Abu Ghraib prison torn down.

Bill?

HEMMER: From the state of Illinois, northern part of the state, there might be relief from town waters. The town of Des Plaines a major concern. The mayor of that town a few hours ago tells us the water might be dropping by two feet. Keith Oppenheim is there.

Keith, is that a fact? Good morning.

KEITH OPPENHEIM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, that's the prediction, Bill. And you can see the Des Plaines River right behind me in back of Sherrie Borg's back yard. And, in fact, if you go across the street from the view you have here, you can get another live camera perspective of where the river has really submerged a low-line garage. So it's definitely causing some problems.

I am in Sherrie Borg's landscaped back yard here, and the river right next to me is at about eight feet. And it was originally predicted, Bill, to rise to about 11 feet. Had that been the case, or if it's the case, it would come up to about here, up to these sandbags, up to her sliding glass doors. Sherry is with us now.

Hi Sherrie. How are you doing? Tell us a little bit about how people are feeling now that the prediction is that water is going to come to nine feet, not 11 feet.

SHERRIE BORG, DES PLAINES, ILLINOIS: Oh, very happy. I mean, what could you say? It is better than getting the water into the house. You've got to be excited. I mean, we're very excited. But we'll wait and see. We're still waiting to see, but we're excited.

OPPENHEIM: Right. So that's a good point to add there, Bill, because there's still some anxiousness here. Some people know that these predictions are not always correct, as we have just learned recently today. So there have been no evacuations yet, but there is still a concern that that could come if this prediction proves to be wrong.

Back to you.

HEMMER: And a tough couple of weeks, too, nonetheless. Keith, thanks for that.

(WEATHER REPORT)

O'BRIEN: Michael Jackson's defense team may be the best the money can buy, but the pop star's father is taking no chances. Joe Jackson has hired a sideline attorney, if you will, to be an extra pair of eyes in court during Michael's child molestation trial. But Debra Opri will not be part of Jackson's defense. She joins us this morning from Los Angeles.

Debra, nice to see you. Thanks for talking to us. At this point, you're not representing in any way Michael Jackson, correct? You're pretty much representing the interest of his father, Joe Jackson. Am I right about that?

DEBRA OPRI, ATTORNEY HIRED BY MICHAEL JACKSON'S FATHER: The retainer speaks for itself. The retainer has Joe and Katherine Jackson on it. That's who I am retaining.

O'BRIEN: So when he says that he...

OPRI: If you'd like me to...

O'BRIEN: I'm sorry, go ahead.

OPRI: We probably have a delayed mike here today. I just want to note for the record that Joe Jackson has good cause to want an attorney. I don't consider myself a sideline attorney. It makes for good press, but I am his eyes and ears, because in the legalities that we're dealing with -- and Joe Jackson firsthand sat in that courtroom during the indictment, and he was shocked to hear that suddenly there were conspiracy charges.

Joe Jackson wants it explained to him. His wife wants to know what this all means. And they have a son who is facing many years in prison. And they're scared for him.

This is a musical dynasty family. Michael Jackson brought this family over the top. He is a very talented individual. Fred Astaire called him the best dancer that ever existed.

And the media classifies Michael Jackson as a freak. And that troubles me, because the people who know Michael Jackson see him as a very unique individual. He lives a different life...

O'BRIEN: I know we're both...

OPRI: He lives to write music, and when...

O'BRIEN: I hear you, but I'm just going to stop you because one thing you said was the media classifies Michael Jackson as a freak. And I think that's unfair to say that everybody in the media does, although certainly some people have. We've seen certain headlines in certain papers.

OPRI: Thank you. Thank you.

O'BRIEN: But here's my question for you. Does this mean you're going to be in closed-door meetings when the other lawyers are talking? Are you essentially, as it seems to be describing here, translating things for Joe Jackson and Michael's mom, as well?

OPRI: Let me explain my role. Let me explain my role. Joe Jackson and Katherine Jackson are the parents. They very astutely hired an attorney with credentials who can go in there, who knows celebrity issues, who knows how to handle herself in a courtroom, to go in and observe, listen and explain.

Next, Michael Jackson's attorney, Mesereau, is very competent, very capable. I am not part of that defense team yet. I have been retained by the parents.

The parents want to understand what is happening. Thomas Mesereau doesn't have time to do that. He has a full schedule, a full plate before him in defending Michael Jackson against many charges.

O'BRIEN: Forgive me again for jumping in here. So you're not going to be in these closed-door meetings. You won't really know what their behind-the-scene strategy is, things like that. Here's my question for you. Do we read this to mean...

OPRI: Wait. You're assuming -- hold on. Soledad, you're assuming that my answer was a classified "no." I'm telling you what I'm there to do. If I do anything else, I'm certainly not going to be discussing it today. It's not appropriate.

O'BRIEN: OK. I hear you on that. Do we read this to mean in any way, shape or form that Joe Jackson is unhappy with the attorneys that his son has hired?

OPRI: Read it to mean that Joe Jackson very intelligently chose his own attorney to keep an eye on everything and to advise him of what's going on.

O'BRIEN: Interesting answer, but not my question that I had asked. Does it mean that Joe Jackson is unhappy with Thomas Mesereau or not?

OPRI: I answered your question. Joe Jackson -- Joe Jackson is concerned, Soledad. He's concerned.

O'BRIEN: All right.

OPRI: His son is facing many years in jail. He's concerned. O'BRIEN: We will leave it at concerned then. Thanks for talking to us this morning, Debra Opri. Appreciate it.

OPRI: Thanks.

O'BRIEN: Now, let's turn to Heidi Collins. She has a look at some of the other stories that are making headlines this morning.

Heidi, good morning.

HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, Soledad. And good morning to you, everybody. At 15 minutes past the hour now or so, here's what's happening at this moment.

Two blasts going off in Karachi, Pakistan, near American sites. Word of the blast coming into CNN just about a half hour ago now. Karachi police say at least 14 people have been injured in the explosions, including two journalists. It's believed both blasts were the result of car bombings.

A major arrest during an overnight raid in the Iraqi holy city of Najaf. U.S. military officials say they caught an aide of radical Muslim cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. Meanwhile, violent clashes continue in the region between American forces and fighters loyal to al-Sadr. Officials in Najaf say at least 11 people were killed in intense battles.

The U.S. launching an important new program aimed at (UNINTELLIGIBLE) the dirty bomb threat. Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham announced the $450 million initiative in Austria today. The new program will help gather and get rid of spent nuclear fuel with the hopes of keeping materials out of hands of potential terrorists.

And several companies in the U.S. and Europe are said to be taking legal action against Internet giant Google Inc. The companies are trying to stop Google from selling ads linked to searches based on their product names. Legal experts say the rulings could potentially reshape the body of law governing the Internet.

Google made nearly $1 billion last year selling the ads. Not too shabby.

O'BRIEN: And I've got to imagine, some people want to get in on that. All right. Heidi, thanks.

Hi, Jack.

CAFFERTY: Good morning.

Bill Cosby turning up the heat big time in a discussion about race. He made a couple of speeches where he talked about parenting skills and values in the low-income black community in this country.

Things he said included this: "I am talking about these people who cry when their son is standing there in an orange suit. Where were you when he was two? Where were you when he was 12? Where were you when he was 18, and how come you didn't know he had a pistol? And where is the father?" And he said this: "Brown v. the Board of Education is no longer the white person's problem."

Earlier on the show, we attributed another quote to Cosby which, in fact, was made by former NBA star Charles Barkley. At a National Association of Black Journalists convention in Dallas last year, Barkley was the one who said, "We as black folks have to do a better job. Someone working at Wal-Mart with seven kids, you are hurting us. We have to start holding each other to a higher standard."

So the question we're asking this morning, is Bill Cosby's view of all of this right on, or is it racist? Carnell in Columbus, Georgia, writes: "As a black police officer, I agree with Mr. Cosby, and I believe he hit it right on the nose. Blacks are afraid of each other and fail to work together. I put mostly black men and women in those orange outfits."

Peter in Houston, Texas, "Finally, one of the best blacks said it clearly and unambiguously. It's not racism. It's not affirmative action. It's not the law. It's not poverty. It's the family."

"One in four black males between 17 and 24 in jail on probation or on parole. Seventy-five percent of black children are born out of wedlock. Family disintegration and degradation is destroying blacks more than all the slave ships."

And finally, Debra in Peoria, Arizona, said, "While his comments may have some merit, I have always found Bill Cosby to be self- righteous, obnoxious and a snob. It's easy to criticize parenting skills and such, a much larger task to help correct the problem. If Mr. Cosby is going to raise these issues, how does he propose we correct them?"

One more batch of these coming up.

O'BRIEN: Interesting point.

CAFFERTY: Good stuff.

O'BRIEN: Yes.

HEMMER: Thank you, Jack.

In a moment here, terror concerns on the rise. Summer approaching. We'll get a lot more information later today. The latest on the warnings -- what we know now, anyway, in a moment.

O'BRIEN: Also, could Iraqi scientists with weapons expertise help terrorists? National security correspondent David Ensor's exclusive interview with the CIA official who's heading the search for weapons of mass destruction.

HEMMER: Also, the fight is on the campaign trail over national security. Still to come on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) HEMMER: Welcome back, everybody. Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer among men. But there's a medical debate ongoing about whether or not sexual increases the likelihood of developing prostate cancer. Dr. Simon Hall, an associate professor at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine here in New York City, here to talk about this.

Doctor, good morning to you.

DR. SIMON HALL, MOUNT SINAI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE: Good morning.

HEMMER: What do we know right now definitively about the link between prostate cancer and sexual activity?

HALL: Well, there have been some very conflicting studies. There are some studies that seem to show that men who have numerous sexual partners, have a history of sexually transmitted diseases, have an increased risk of developing prostate cancer. And there are other studies which indicate that men who ejaculate frequently have a decreased risk of prostate cancer.

HEMMER: What about this study from the University of Michigan? They say that men who have had more 25 sex partners in a lifetime, as compared to a person who's had, say, one sex partner in a lifetime, have an increased chance of prostate cancer. Where's the link there?

HALL: Well, I think the concept would be that we know that many cancers can be caused by chronic inflammation, by particularly sexually transmitted diseases, such as papilloma virus or cervical cancer. And I think the concept is very attractive. However, we also know that -- who are these patients and how are they being compared in this particular study, and have the controlled patients in the study actually been screened for prostate cancer?

HEMMER: What would sexual activity have to do with prostate cancer? Why would that increase your possibilities?

HALL: Well, I think the first theory is whether or not you're being exposed to potential viruses which could cause cancer. Though there's no indication in prostate cancer that's true. And the other side of the coin is that perhaps frequent ejaculation may empty the prostate of certain substances which may cause prostate cancer.

HEMMER: A couple times you said we don't know.

HALL: We don't know.

HEMMER: Why is it so hard not to know?

HALL: I think that there's been one very large study that was published earlier this year which seemed to have a very large number of patients that were followed over decades, and it appeared that there was no link to any form of sexual activity and the development of prostate cancer.

HEMMER: Well, listen, thanks for coming in. Dr. Sanjay Gupta is out. Dr. Simon Hall is in. Appreciate it, doctor. Thank you.

Get a break here in a moment. "The Day After Tomorrow," is it just a disaster film or a political statement? We'll get to that.

And one southern female singer will win. The next idol later tonight.

And did a popular "Sopranos" character really take a hit? That's all ahead on "90-Second Pop" in a moment on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HEMMER: Welcome back, everybody -- 9:30 here in New York. In a moment, an exclusive interview this morning. National security correspondent David Ensor talking with the chief WMD inspector on the ground in Iraq. Has the U.S. found recent evidence of WMD in the form of sarin gas incased in a bomb? And, if so, what are the implications? We'll get to David's report in a moment.

O'BRIEN: Also, on a much lighter note this morning, the big finale of "American Idol" tonight. Fans are anxiously awaiting to see which of the two divas will actually be crowned the winner. "90- Second Pop" will cast its vote in just a few moments.

HEMMER: Is there any doubt?

O'BRIEN: Yes, America votes. There's always doubt.

HEMMER: Fantasia, by far and away the best.

O'BRIEN: In your mind. Maybe not. But...

HEMMER: My vote just went in.

An exclusive interview with CNN. The head for the search of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq says he worries about Iraqi scientists with chemical weapons expertise possibly helping terrorists. CIA official Charles Duelfer talked exexclusively with national security correspondent David Ensor. David is with us now to talk more about what he found.

David, good morning.

DAVID ENSOR, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill.

Well, Duelfer says, as you mentioned, that what's driving a lot of his team's work now is the concern that terrorists and Iraqi scientists with expertise in weapons of mass destruction might start working together, creating the danger of new kinds of horrible terrorism.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHARLES DUELFER, CHIEF U.N. WEAPONS INSPECTOR IN IRAQ: We're very concerned about the terrorist threat here. There is evidence that they have a lot of desire to connect themselves with either or both the intellectual capital of the previous regime with respect to weapons of mass destruction and, quite conceivably, materials. That is a very strong concern. It's something which fuels a lot of our investigation at the moment.

ENSOR: Do you have any evidence that people, with say, chemical weapons expertise might be hooking up with Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, or other terrorist leaders in Iraq?

DUELFER: David, you're going into areas with far too much detail than I would be wise to address.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ENSOR: Duelfer says so far they've found two chemical weapons, an old sarin nerve gas shell used by insurgents to make a roadside bomb, and an old mustard gas shell. His team is looking for more such artillery shells among the many conventional shells in Iraq.

He says the search for weapons has been badly hampered, though, by the dangerous security situation, that his Iraq Survey Group lost two members killed four weeks ago. And he says the scandal at the Abu Ghraib prison, the photos of abuse of Iraqi prisoners by Americans, has also made his work much more difficult.

Still, he hopes to have a full report on Iraq's WMD programs within a few more months. Since Duelfer's predecessor, David Kay, quit, saying there were no weapons to be found, I asked Duelfer if he sometimes thinks he may be on a wild goose chase.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DUELFER: A wild goose chase is when you're looking for something which may not exist. We're looking for something that does exist. And that is the truth.

You know, I wasn't sent out here to find weapons of mass destruction. I was sent out here to find the truth about the Iraqi weapons of mass destruction program. If they're here, and we find them, that's one answer. If they're not here, and we don't find them, and we say that we haven't found them, that's another answer. Both of those are acceptable if we can, you know, document them and convince the international community that that is the right answer.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ENSOR: Duelfer said he has interviewed some high-value Iraqi prisoners himself, former members of Saddam Hussein's regime. He said they're not being held at Abu Ghraib, but at another facility. And he said they are being treated well -- Bill.

HEMMER: Good report, David. Thanks. David Ensor in D.C.

Soledad?

O'BRIEN: Presidential politics now. And Senator John Kerry is blaming President Bush's foreign policy for those high gas prices that he says are endangering national security. Senator Kerry is on a three-day northwest campaign swing. He's scheduled to talk more about energy and security today in Seattle. When he arrived there last night, he was asked about the height heightened possibility of a terrorist attack and whether democracy can work in this age of terror threats.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: You better believe it. As long as I'm involved in it, the terrorists will never shut down a democracy or the ability to function in this country. Never. That's what they want and they'll never do it. Period.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O'BRIEN: For his part yesterday, President Bush was in Ohio, where he talked about health care and community health centers. He's spending today in Washington, where he's expected to meet with the president of the African nation of (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

HEMMER: In a moment here, on that same topic, similar anyway, some help with the high price of gas. Ford's answer apparently just around the corner. A check with Andy on that in a moment.

O'BRIEN: Also this morning, Adreana (ph) gets whacked. Or does she? A closer look ahead on "90-Second Pop."

We're back in just a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: I love this song because it's in my range, number one. But also because I think it's very appropriate for today. It's "90- Second Pop" on a Wednesday.

Today, we're talking about dueling divas, a big whack attack, and hot air hits the big screen. Let's meet all our players this morning. Toure is a contributing editor for Rolling Stone Magazine. New York Magazine contributing editor Sarah Bernard joins us as well. And B.J. Sigesmund is a staff editor for US Weekly.

I got that right. And it really took me, seriously, five months. I'm a slow learner, but eventually I get it.

Sarah, actually, your other title for us is our correspondent for "American Idol."

SARAH BERNARD, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR, NEW YORK MAGAZINE: That's right. My favorite show. What am I going to do?

O'BRIEN: That's so sad. Whatever. Down to two, Fantasia, Diana. Who's your prediction, Fantasia?

BERNARD: I've been saying Fantasia all along. But, so, here's the thing. Diana did a great job in round one. It looked like it was going to her way yesterday. And then Fantasia took it with the next two rounds. And everybody agreed, even Simon said she was the best idol contestant they've ever had.

TOURE, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR, ROLLING STONE MAGAZINE: In the immortal words of William Shatner on "Saturday Night Live," it's just a TV show. This is not news. This is not news.

(CROSSTALK)

O'BRIEN: Wait, watch as we turn to "The Sopranos."

TOURE: That's news. The best show on TV. I mean, that's something. I mean...

O'BRIEN: But Adriana, dead, gone.

TOURE: She's dead, people.

O'BRIEN: Because a lot of people think that she's not.

TOURE: She died on her hands and knees like a dog in the woods. She ratted on the family, and that's what she deserves.

BERNARD: You don't think there is any chance for her to come back?

(CROSSTALK)

TOURE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) is too good. He's not letting you get away.

B.J. SIGESMUND, STAFF EDITOR, US WEEKLY: What I think is amazing is how HBO and NBC were all in cahoots to keep this thing a secret. You know, she was cast on "Joey" months ago, so it seemed at that point that she was going to be killed off. But no, everyone said, no, she signed on for a sixth season, she's coming back. And it was only was revealed on Monday that they had been lying.

TOURE: But here's the brilliance of David Chase, the creator of "The Sopranos," that Adriana ends in the woods and a moment later Carmella rises again in the woods. She's the Phoenix of the females. You can't stop her.

O'BRIEN: But some people say Carmella has had her own little issues and she could be next in line.

TOURE: No. There is no way that you could kill Carmella. There's no way to kill Carmella.

(CROSSTALK)

O'BRIEN: It's just a TV show.

TOURE: It's just a TV show. But you cannot kill the mother of his kids.

SIGESMUND: Yes, exactly.

O'BRIEN: All right. Let's talk movies. "The Day After Tomorrow," some people -- it's about global warming and how basically the Earth is destroyed.

SIGESMUND: Yes. And it's really, really good!

O'BRIEN: That's it.

SIGESMUND: Seriously, the tornadoes come down and wipe out Los Angeles, including the Hollywood sign. And grapefruit-size hail falls all over Tokyo.

O'BRIEN: Oh, no!

SIGESMUND: And, you know, of course, New York, starting with lower Manhattan...

O'BRIEN: Of course where I live.

SIGESMUND: It's flooded. And you know what? I found it really thrilling to watch.

O'BRIEN: The effects are great? Because sometimes some of the promos, I've got to say, it looks a little cheesy.

SIGESMUND: Yes. No, the family drama of Dennis Quaid running into New York to save his son, that's really soggy. That's really like kind of lame.

TOURE: But see, what it tells me, though, is that 9/11 is over, right? We can see New York get destroyed. Right? The widows are dating, the mourning is over. At some point, that chapter ended, and we're in a new one now.

BERNARD: But I don't think I could watch that. I don't know if I'm ready to watch New York be destroyed again.

SIGESMUND: You can.

TOURE: I don't want to see New York destroyed again. I'm not ready.

O'BRIEN: I never could watch that. I never could watch that. There's always been a series of movies about, you know, people come in and they ruin the planet. I just can't watch that.

SIGESMUND: And there's a lot of focus on the Empire State Building. In fact, at one point, it freezes solid and every single window in it smashes and shatters.

BERNARD: I don't want to see that.

O'BRIEN: You guys, as always, thank you. We'll see you back here for our next installation.

Bill?

HEMMER: All right, Soledad. Thanks.

Madonna should be back on stage later tonight in LA. She opened a tour on Monday, forced to cancel last night because of a stomach flu. Her doctor told her to rest, hence the reason for that cancellation.

Her Web site now says tickets for last night's show will be honored tonight. I don't know how they can fit everybody in, but good look figuring it out in LA.

In a moment here, the politics of petroleum. How much will that fuel the presidential campaign? A look at that in a moment when we continue right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Welcome back, everybody. Time to check in with Jack and the Question of the Day.

CAFFERTY: Last batch of e-mail. Bill Cosby, controversial remarks in a couple of speeches. Were they racist or were they right on? We've heard from a lot of people.

John in Denver writes this: "I hate to say it, but his comments were right on. As a 33-year-old African-American, far too often when I was in high school and college I saw my peers believe that to study, read or try and succeed was being white. Now I fear it's even worse, where the most popular blacks perpetuate a stereotype of being pimps, gangsters and hustlers, making it difficult for anyone to break through. The reality is that most of the problems that are black problems are being caused by us."

And Charles in Fairfax, Virginia offers this: "Cosby transcends race. What's good about his saying it is not so much that a white person would be pilloried for doing so, but that a white person would not be listened to by the right audience. He's not talking to those who are whining about his remarks, but those who need the guidance and the counsel."

And one other note, because I'm too cheap to buy a card, today is my producer's birthday. So Sarah (ph), happy birthday to you. And thanks for all your help. And I appreciate the fact that...

O'BRIEN: Go Sarah (ph).

CAFFERTY: Huh? Actually, I should have got her a card, you know?

O'BRIEN: You have time.

CAFFERTY: She dropped a hint to me, like on Monday, saying, "Hey, dummy, it's my birthday Wednesday." But then I forgot and I didn't get a card.

O'BRIEN: You know that means? A big expensive present to make up for it.

CAFFERTY: Not -- maybe to you. You should buy her one. Not to me.

HEMMER: Happy birthday, Sarah (ph).

CAFFERTY: Yes.

(WEATHER REPORT)

HEMMER: Next hour here on CNN, a cloudy and foggy start at the annual display of naval power and patriotism right here in New York City. Fleet Week getting under way. A live report next hour. Daryn has that.

We're back in a moment on AMERICAN MORNING right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: That's it for us. Let's head right to Daryn Kagan. She's going to take you through the next few hours on "CNN LIVE TODAY."

Hey, Daryn. Good morning.

DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, Soledad and Bill, and everybody there in New York City. Have a great day. We'll get started.

Good morning from CNN headquarters in Atlanta. I'm Daryn Kagan. As always, we start with the headlines.

How will coalition forces work with Baghdad's interim government after June 30th? It's a question that Security Council members will consider in a closed-door session this afternoon. A U.S.-British resolution seeks approval of a transitional Iraqi government after the handover of...

Aired May 26, 2004 - 9:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: New concerns this morning about al Qaeda. Have U.S. officials discovered evidence of a major attacks in the works?
In the Midwest, rivers flowing through the streets. How high will the flood waters go?

And what's going on in the Michael Jackson case? Another lawyer hired, this one just to watch. We're going to talk to her on this AMERICAN MORNING.

ANNOUNCER: From the CNN Broadcast Center in New York, this is AMERICAN MORNING with Soledad O'Brien and Bill Hemmer.

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, everyone.

New concerns about terrorism topping our news today. Local law enforcement agencies expected to give information later today in the weekly FBI bulletin. Also expect a news conference -- the attorney general, John Ashcroft, the FBI director, where we could get some names and possibly some photos of suspect. The latest from Jeanne Meserve in a moment.

Also with our interview today, the homeland security secretary, Tom Ridge, was our guest earlier today. We'll have more on that in a moment.

O'BRIEN: Also this morning, we're talking about the suspension of Brigadier General Janis Karpinski from her command with the 800th Military Police Brigade. We have our interview with her coming up as well this morning. We'll ask her about mistakes, whether she made them and whether they allowed the prisoner abuse scandal to happen.

HEMMER: Also, the ultimate question today, who wins the next idol competition? Who's it going to be, Diana or Fantasia?

Yes, Jack?

JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Didn't Jimmy Kimmel reveal this on ABC last night?

HEMMER: That's what the rumors are. But the show's live tonight, right? So how would he know?

CAFFERTY: Because he knows these things. HEMMER: Now, you were standing by last night with your wife, right? With a text message ready to fire up and go through your cell phone.

CAFFERTY: I've never seen this program. Nor do I ever intend to.

HEMMER: Put your money on fantasia.

CAFFERTY: That was what Jimmy Kimmel said.

O'BRIEN: She's got a lot of drama, too. Not only can she sin, but she also does all the dramatics on the floor, torch songs.

CAFFERTY: If we reveal the winner, would that ruin Fox's ratings? The winner is -- no, I wouldn't do that.

HEMMER: What's on your mind?

CAFFERTY: I might need work there some day.

What's on my mind? Bill -- like tomorrow. Bill Cosby slamming the African-American community at the low end of the economic scale over out of web bursts, the high crime rate and the lack of parenting skills when it comes to raising the kids. Is it racism, or was it right on? That's the question. AM@CNN.com.

Made a couple speeches, got a ton of reaction. As we are this morning, a lot of reaction.

HEMMER: Jack, thanks for that.

Let's start again (AUDIO GAP) could happen, could be carried out in this country some time this summer. The FBI director, the attorney general holding a news conference later today with more on the intelligence assessment and possible suspects. Jeanne Meserve, CNN homeland security correspondent, live in D.C.

Jeanne, good morning. What are you learning?

JEANNE MESERVE, CNN HOMELAND SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill.

We've learned from federal law enforcement sources that federal authorities are expected to release today the photographs of five or six individuals to whom they want to speak. We do not know at this point whether or not these individuals are in the United States or not. We do not know the specifics on why authorities want to talk to them. But they will issue more information them later today.

In addition, the FBI is expected to issue guidance to its 18,000 state and local law enforcement partners in its regular weekly FBI bulletin. This after several U.S. officials cited a steady stream of intelligence suggesting an attack on U.S. soil possibly as early as this summer. Officials characterize the intelligence as "credible" but not as specific as to time, place or method. What has them concerned, they say, is the level of corroboration in this intelligence. But Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge says nothing in the intelligence warrants moving the country from the current yellow or elevated alert level.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TOM RIDGE, HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: There's absolutely nothing specific enough that rises to the level where we would presently today, as we speak, make a recommendation to the president to raise the threat level. What I think is important for America to know is that we don't need to raise the threat level in order to work every day to improve security.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MESERVE: According to a senior Pentagon official, a recently distributed classified report by the intelligence community analyzed and compiled the latest threat information, including chatter information about al Qaeda operatives inside the United States and indications that terrorists continue trying to enter the United States from Canada or Mexico. The conclusion, said this official, "Terrorists still have a desire to do something big."

Bill, back to you.

HEMMER: Jeanne there are high-profile events starting this weekend. The opening officially of the War World II Memorial on the Mall, where you are in Washington. The Democratic Convention this summer, Republicans here in New York. Did these events factor into the decisions the FBI is making at this point, and perhaps the warnings that will be announced later today during this press conference?

MESERVE: We don't know at this point whether these events factored into their decisions. But these events have been viewed with concern for some time. Several months ago, an interagency working group was formed. The intention was that all intelligence be shared at the federal level and then be sent down to the state and local level.

The hope was that this would prevent anything from slipping through the cracks, as it did before 9/11. So very high attention to all of these events for some time. I know the World War II event they have been planning security for more than a year. I've been told by homeland security officials that the security for that event on the Mall will be higher than it has been for any other National Mall event ever, and that was before this latest information came out.

HEMMER: That happens on Saturday. You'll be watching then, and also later today. Jeanne, thanks for that. Jeanne Meserve in D.C.

Later today, at 2:00 Eastern Time, 11:00 a.m. on the West Coast, we'll have it for you live. John Ashcroft, Robert Mueller in D.C.

Soledad? O'BRIEN: The abuse of prisoners under U.S. military command goes far beyond those at Abu Ghraib, the New York Times is reporting. The Times today published results of an Army summary showing a pattern of mistreatment involving Army and Navy units in Iraq and Afghanistan. Abuses at Abu Ghraib first came to light when The New Yorker published results of the Army's investigation into charges of abuse and "60 Minutes" broadcast pictures showing prisoners being abused by U.S. soldiers.

One soldier pleaded guilty last week to maltreatment of prisoners. Six more soldiers face courts-martial.

On Monday, the Army suspended Brigadier General Janis Karpinski. She was in command of the prison system at the time of the alleged abuses at Abu Ghraib. And earlier we spoke to Brigadier General Karpinski, and I asked her why she indicated she's not to blame for the alleged abuse, but rather that she feels she's been set up.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRIG. GEN. JANIS KARPINSKI, U.S. ARMY: I think from the beginning there -- and as more information comes out and more of the truth unfolds in this story, people had information before, long before the prison actually transferred to control of the MI brigade. And those cell blocks, 1A and 1B in particular, were under the control of the MI brigade before they took control of the whole facility in November.

We had 16 facilities. Interrogations were run at one of those facilities, Abu Ghraib, and in two cell blocks, 1A and 1B. And it is the only place where these infractions and these photographs have been taken and reported. I think that speaks volumes of what the military police brigade represented in all of our operations in Iraq, in all of the locations.

O'BRIEN: You have said that the man in charge in Iraq, Ricardo Sanchez, General Sanchez, visited Abu Ghraib at least three times. He has said that he witnessed no abuse at that time. You also say that there was a letter that was drafted in response to the Red Cross, and that was done some time in December. He said he didn't know anything about the abuse until January 14th.

Who's lying here? I mean, both of your stories can't not possibly be true.

KARPINSKI: Well, the ICRC report apparently came down much earlier than I was aware of. I saw it for the first time at the end of November, very late November, and it was clear that this impromptu meeting that took place at the CJTF7 headquarters, the people that were there at this meeting, it was very informal. And they were all aware of the report.

As a matter of fact, when I asked the question about the report, the SJA to the CJTF7, the lead lawyer, responded very quickly and said, "I have a copy of the report right here. You can see it." So, clearly, they had already seen the report. Maybe it had been intercepted or routed to them in this particular case. And they were already working on a response for my review.

O'BRIEN: What do you make of this New York Times report that says abuse is more widespread than originally thought, that it happened not only in Iraq, but in Afghanistan, as well? And Monday, we heard the president say it was essentially the few bad apples theory. Who is right?

KARPINSKI: Well, I don't know who's right, and hopefully as the story unfolds and more information comes out, and people come forward with less fear of reprisals or retribution, I just think that people feel an obligation more and more every day to tell the truth and to tell what they know. I took a glance at the article again this morning and, again, I'm surprised it is as extensive as the article implies that it is.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: That was Brigadier General Karpinski joining us earlier this morning on AMERICAN MORNING. General Karpinski added that she always wanted to see Abu Ghraib prison torn down.

Bill?

HEMMER: From the state of Illinois, northern part of the state, there might be relief from town waters. The town of Des Plaines a major concern. The mayor of that town a few hours ago tells us the water might be dropping by two feet. Keith Oppenheim is there.

Keith, is that a fact? Good morning.

KEITH OPPENHEIM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, that's the prediction, Bill. And you can see the Des Plaines River right behind me in back of Sherrie Borg's back yard. And, in fact, if you go across the street from the view you have here, you can get another live camera perspective of where the river has really submerged a low-line garage. So it's definitely causing some problems.

I am in Sherrie Borg's landscaped back yard here, and the river right next to me is at about eight feet. And it was originally predicted, Bill, to rise to about 11 feet. Had that been the case, or if it's the case, it would come up to about here, up to these sandbags, up to her sliding glass doors. Sherry is with us now.

Hi Sherrie. How are you doing? Tell us a little bit about how people are feeling now that the prediction is that water is going to come to nine feet, not 11 feet.

SHERRIE BORG, DES PLAINES, ILLINOIS: Oh, very happy. I mean, what could you say? It is better than getting the water into the house. You've got to be excited. I mean, we're very excited. But we'll wait and see. We're still waiting to see, but we're excited.

OPPENHEIM: Right. So that's a good point to add there, Bill, because there's still some anxiousness here. Some people know that these predictions are not always correct, as we have just learned recently today. So there have been no evacuations yet, but there is still a concern that that could come if this prediction proves to be wrong.

Back to you.

HEMMER: And a tough couple of weeks, too, nonetheless. Keith, thanks for that.

(WEATHER REPORT)

O'BRIEN: Michael Jackson's defense team may be the best the money can buy, but the pop star's father is taking no chances. Joe Jackson has hired a sideline attorney, if you will, to be an extra pair of eyes in court during Michael's child molestation trial. But Debra Opri will not be part of Jackson's defense. She joins us this morning from Los Angeles.

Debra, nice to see you. Thanks for talking to us. At this point, you're not representing in any way Michael Jackson, correct? You're pretty much representing the interest of his father, Joe Jackson. Am I right about that?

DEBRA OPRI, ATTORNEY HIRED BY MICHAEL JACKSON'S FATHER: The retainer speaks for itself. The retainer has Joe and Katherine Jackson on it. That's who I am retaining.

O'BRIEN: So when he says that he...

OPRI: If you'd like me to...

O'BRIEN: I'm sorry, go ahead.

OPRI: We probably have a delayed mike here today. I just want to note for the record that Joe Jackson has good cause to want an attorney. I don't consider myself a sideline attorney. It makes for good press, but I am his eyes and ears, because in the legalities that we're dealing with -- and Joe Jackson firsthand sat in that courtroom during the indictment, and he was shocked to hear that suddenly there were conspiracy charges.

Joe Jackson wants it explained to him. His wife wants to know what this all means. And they have a son who is facing many years in prison. And they're scared for him.

This is a musical dynasty family. Michael Jackson brought this family over the top. He is a very talented individual. Fred Astaire called him the best dancer that ever existed.

And the media classifies Michael Jackson as a freak. And that troubles me, because the people who know Michael Jackson see him as a very unique individual. He lives a different life...

O'BRIEN: I know we're both...

OPRI: He lives to write music, and when...

O'BRIEN: I hear you, but I'm just going to stop you because one thing you said was the media classifies Michael Jackson as a freak. And I think that's unfair to say that everybody in the media does, although certainly some people have. We've seen certain headlines in certain papers.

OPRI: Thank you. Thank you.

O'BRIEN: But here's my question for you. Does this mean you're going to be in closed-door meetings when the other lawyers are talking? Are you essentially, as it seems to be describing here, translating things for Joe Jackson and Michael's mom, as well?

OPRI: Let me explain my role. Let me explain my role. Joe Jackson and Katherine Jackson are the parents. They very astutely hired an attorney with credentials who can go in there, who knows celebrity issues, who knows how to handle herself in a courtroom, to go in and observe, listen and explain.

Next, Michael Jackson's attorney, Mesereau, is very competent, very capable. I am not part of that defense team yet. I have been retained by the parents.

The parents want to understand what is happening. Thomas Mesereau doesn't have time to do that. He has a full schedule, a full plate before him in defending Michael Jackson against many charges.

O'BRIEN: Forgive me again for jumping in here. So you're not going to be in these closed-door meetings. You won't really know what their behind-the-scene strategy is, things like that. Here's my question for you. Do we read this to mean...

OPRI: Wait. You're assuming -- hold on. Soledad, you're assuming that my answer was a classified "no." I'm telling you what I'm there to do. If I do anything else, I'm certainly not going to be discussing it today. It's not appropriate.

O'BRIEN: OK. I hear you on that. Do we read this to mean in any way, shape or form that Joe Jackson is unhappy with the attorneys that his son has hired?

OPRI: Read it to mean that Joe Jackson very intelligently chose his own attorney to keep an eye on everything and to advise him of what's going on.

O'BRIEN: Interesting answer, but not my question that I had asked. Does it mean that Joe Jackson is unhappy with Thomas Mesereau or not?

OPRI: I answered your question. Joe Jackson -- Joe Jackson is concerned, Soledad. He's concerned.

O'BRIEN: All right.

OPRI: His son is facing many years in jail. He's concerned. O'BRIEN: We will leave it at concerned then. Thanks for talking to us this morning, Debra Opri. Appreciate it.

OPRI: Thanks.

O'BRIEN: Now, let's turn to Heidi Collins. She has a look at some of the other stories that are making headlines this morning.

Heidi, good morning.

HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, Soledad. And good morning to you, everybody. At 15 minutes past the hour now or so, here's what's happening at this moment.

Two blasts going off in Karachi, Pakistan, near American sites. Word of the blast coming into CNN just about a half hour ago now. Karachi police say at least 14 people have been injured in the explosions, including two journalists. It's believed both blasts were the result of car bombings.

A major arrest during an overnight raid in the Iraqi holy city of Najaf. U.S. military officials say they caught an aide of radical Muslim cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. Meanwhile, violent clashes continue in the region between American forces and fighters loyal to al-Sadr. Officials in Najaf say at least 11 people were killed in intense battles.

The U.S. launching an important new program aimed at (UNINTELLIGIBLE) the dirty bomb threat. Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham announced the $450 million initiative in Austria today. The new program will help gather and get rid of spent nuclear fuel with the hopes of keeping materials out of hands of potential terrorists.

And several companies in the U.S. and Europe are said to be taking legal action against Internet giant Google Inc. The companies are trying to stop Google from selling ads linked to searches based on their product names. Legal experts say the rulings could potentially reshape the body of law governing the Internet.

Google made nearly $1 billion last year selling the ads. Not too shabby.

O'BRIEN: And I've got to imagine, some people want to get in on that. All right. Heidi, thanks.

Hi, Jack.

CAFFERTY: Good morning.

Bill Cosby turning up the heat big time in a discussion about race. He made a couple of speeches where he talked about parenting skills and values in the low-income black community in this country.

Things he said included this: "I am talking about these people who cry when their son is standing there in an orange suit. Where were you when he was two? Where were you when he was 12? Where were you when he was 18, and how come you didn't know he had a pistol? And where is the father?" And he said this: "Brown v. the Board of Education is no longer the white person's problem."

Earlier on the show, we attributed another quote to Cosby which, in fact, was made by former NBA star Charles Barkley. At a National Association of Black Journalists convention in Dallas last year, Barkley was the one who said, "We as black folks have to do a better job. Someone working at Wal-Mart with seven kids, you are hurting us. We have to start holding each other to a higher standard."

So the question we're asking this morning, is Bill Cosby's view of all of this right on, or is it racist? Carnell in Columbus, Georgia, writes: "As a black police officer, I agree with Mr. Cosby, and I believe he hit it right on the nose. Blacks are afraid of each other and fail to work together. I put mostly black men and women in those orange outfits."

Peter in Houston, Texas, "Finally, one of the best blacks said it clearly and unambiguously. It's not racism. It's not affirmative action. It's not the law. It's not poverty. It's the family."

"One in four black males between 17 and 24 in jail on probation or on parole. Seventy-five percent of black children are born out of wedlock. Family disintegration and degradation is destroying blacks more than all the slave ships."

And finally, Debra in Peoria, Arizona, said, "While his comments may have some merit, I have always found Bill Cosby to be self- righteous, obnoxious and a snob. It's easy to criticize parenting skills and such, a much larger task to help correct the problem. If Mr. Cosby is going to raise these issues, how does he propose we correct them?"

One more batch of these coming up.

O'BRIEN: Interesting point.

CAFFERTY: Good stuff.

O'BRIEN: Yes.

HEMMER: Thank you, Jack.

In a moment here, terror concerns on the rise. Summer approaching. We'll get a lot more information later today. The latest on the warnings -- what we know now, anyway, in a moment.

O'BRIEN: Also, could Iraqi scientists with weapons expertise help terrorists? National security correspondent David Ensor's exclusive interview with the CIA official who's heading the search for weapons of mass destruction.

HEMMER: Also, the fight is on the campaign trail over national security. Still to come on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) HEMMER: Welcome back, everybody. Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer among men. But there's a medical debate ongoing about whether or not sexual increases the likelihood of developing prostate cancer. Dr. Simon Hall, an associate professor at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine here in New York City, here to talk about this.

Doctor, good morning to you.

DR. SIMON HALL, MOUNT SINAI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE: Good morning.

HEMMER: What do we know right now definitively about the link between prostate cancer and sexual activity?

HALL: Well, there have been some very conflicting studies. There are some studies that seem to show that men who have numerous sexual partners, have a history of sexually transmitted diseases, have an increased risk of developing prostate cancer. And there are other studies which indicate that men who ejaculate frequently have a decreased risk of prostate cancer.

HEMMER: What about this study from the University of Michigan? They say that men who have had more 25 sex partners in a lifetime, as compared to a person who's had, say, one sex partner in a lifetime, have an increased chance of prostate cancer. Where's the link there?

HALL: Well, I think the concept would be that we know that many cancers can be caused by chronic inflammation, by particularly sexually transmitted diseases, such as papilloma virus or cervical cancer. And I think the concept is very attractive. However, we also know that -- who are these patients and how are they being compared in this particular study, and have the controlled patients in the study actually been screened for prostate cancer?

HEMMER: What would sexual activity have to do with prostate cancer? Why would that increase your possibilities?

HALL: Well, I think the first theory is whether or not you're being exposed to potential viruses which could cause cancer. Though there's no indication in prostate cancer that's true. And the other side of the coin is that perhaps frequent ejaculation may empty the prostate of certain substances which may cause prostate cancer.

HEMMER: A couple times you said we don't know.

HALL: We don't know.

HEMMER: Why is it so hard not to know?

HALL: I think that there's been one very large study that was published earlier this year which seemed to have a very large number of patients that were followed over decades, and it appeared that there was no link to any form of sexual activity and the development of prostate cancer.

HEMMER: Well, listen, thanks for coming in. Dr. Sanjay Gupta is out. Dr. Simon Hall is in. Appreciate it, doctor. Thank you.

Get a break here in a moment. "The Day After Tomorrow," is it just a disaster film or a political statement? We'll get to that.

And one southern female singer will win. The next idol later tonight.

And did a popular "Sopranos" character really take a hit? That's all ahead on "90-Second Pop" in a moment on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HEMMER: Welcome back, everybody -- 9:30 here in New York. In a moment, an exclusive interview this morning. National security correspondent David Ensor talking with the chief WMD inspector on the ground in Iraq. Has the U.S. found recent evidence of WMD in the form of sarin gas incased in a bomb? And, if so, what are the implications? We'll get to David's report in a moment.

O'BRIEN: Also, on a much lighter note this morning, the big finale of "American Idol" tonight. Fans are anxiously awaiting to see which of the two divas will actually be crowned the winner. "90- Second Pop" will cast its vote in just a few moments.

HEMMER: Is there any doubt?

O'BRIEN: Yes, America votes. There's always doubt.

HEMMER: Fantasia, by far and away the best.

O'BRIEN: In your mind. Maybe not. But...

HEMMER: My vote just went in.

An exclusive interview with CNN. The head for the search of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq says he worries about Iraqi scientists with chemical weapons expertise possibly helping terrorists. CIA official Charles Duelfer talked exexclusively with national security correspondent David Ensor. David is with us now to talk more about what he found.

David, good morning.

DAVID ENSOR, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill.

Well, Duelfer says, as you mentioned, that what's driving a lot of his team's work now is the concern that terrorists and Iraqi scientists with expertise in weapons of mass destruction might start working together, creating the danger of new kinds of horrible terrorism.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHARLES DUELFER, CHIEF U.N. WEAPONS INSPECTOR IN IRAQ: We're very concerned about the terrorist threat here. There is evidence that they have a lot of desire to connect themselves with either or both the intellectual capital of the previous regime with respect to weapons of mass destruction and, quite conceivably, materials. That is a very strong concern. It's something which fuels a lot of our investigation at the moment.

ENSOR: Do you have any evidence that people, with say, chemical weapons expertise might be hooking up with Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, or other terrorist leaders in Iraq?

DUELFER: David, you're going into areas with far too much detail than I would be wise to address.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ENSOR: Duelfer says so far they've found two chemical weapons, an old sarin nerve gas shell used by insurgents to make a roadside bomb, and an old mustard gas shell. His team is looking for more such artillery shells among the many conventional shells in Iraq.

He says the search for weapons has been badly hampered, though, by the dangerous security situation, that his Iraq Survey Group lost two members killed four weeks ago. And he says the scandal at the Abu Ghraib prison, the photos of abuse of Iraqi prisoners by Americans, has also made his work much more difficult.

Still, he hopes to have a full report on Iraq's WMD programs within a few more months. Since Duelfer's predecessor, David Kay, quit, saying there were no weapons to be found, I asked Duelfer if he sometimes thinks he may be on a wild goose chase.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DUELFER: A wild goose chase is when you're looking for something which may not exist. We're looking for something that does exist. And that is the truth.

You know, I wasn't sent out here to find weapons of mass destruction. I was sent out here to find the truth about the Iraqi weapons of mass destruction program. If they're here, and we find them, that's one answer. If they're not here, and we don't find them, and we say that we haven't found them, that's another answer. Both of those are acceptable if we can, you know, document them and convince the international community that that is the right answer.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ENSOR: Duelfer said he has interviewed some high-value Iraqi prisoners himself, former members of Saddam Hussein's regime. He said they're not being held at Abu Ghraib, but at another facility. And he said they are being treated well -- Bill.

HEMMER: Good report, David. Thanks. David Ensor in D.C.

Soledad?

O'BRIEN: Presidential politics now. And Senator John Kerry is blaming President Bush's foreign policy for those high gas prices that he says are endangering national security. Senator Kerry is on a three-day northwest campaign swing. He's scheduled to talk more about energy and security today in Seattle. When he arrived there last night, he was asked about the height heightened possibility of a terrorist attack and whether democracy can work in this age of terror threats.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: You better believe it. As long as I'm involved in it, the terrorists will never shut down a democracy or the ability to function in this country. Never. That's what they want and they'll never do it. Period.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O'BRIEN: For his part yesterday, President Bush was in Ohio, where he talked about health care and community health centers. He's spending today in Washington, where he's expected to meet with the president of the African nation of (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

HEMMER: In a moment here, on that same topic, similar anyway, some help with the high price of gas. Ford's answer apparently just around the corner. A check with Andy on that in a moment.

O'BRIEN: Also this morning, Adreana (ph) gets whacked. Or does she? A closer look ahead on "90-Second Pop."

We're back in just a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: I love this song because it's in my range, number one. But also because I think it's very appropriate for today. It's "90- Second Pop" on a Wednesday.

Today, we're talking about dueling divas, a big whack attack, and hot air hits the big screen. Let's meet all our players this morning. Toure is a contributing editor for Rolling Stone Magazine. New York Magazine contributing editor Sarah Bernard joins us as well. And B.J. Sigesmund is a staff editor for US Weekly.

I got that right. And it really took me, seriously, five months. I'm a slow learner, but eventually I get it.

Sarah, actually, your other title for us is our correspondent for "American Idol."

SARAH BERNARD, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR, NEW YORK MAGAZINE: That's right. My favorite show. What am I going to do?

O'BRIEN: That's so sad. Whatever. Down to two, Fantasia, Diana. Who's your prediction, Fantasia?

BERNARD: I've been saying Fantasia all along. But, so, here's the thing. Diana did a great job in round one. It looked like it was going to her way yesterday. And then Fantasia took it with the next two rounds. And everybody agreed, even Simon said she was the best idol contestant they've ever had.

TOURE, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR, ROLLING STONE MAGAZINE: In the immortal words of William Shatner on "Saturday Night Live," it's just a TV show. This is not news. This is not news.

(CROSSTALK)

O'BRIEN: Wait, watch as we turn to "The Sopranos."

TOURE: That's news. The best show on TV. I mean, that's something. I mean...

O'BRIEN: But Adriana, dead, gone.

TOURE: She's dead, people.

O'BRIEN: Because a lot of people think that she's not.

TOURE: She died on her hands and knees like a dog in the woods. She ratted on the family, and that's what she deserves.

BERNARD: You don't think there is any chance for her to come back?

(CROSSTALK)

TOURE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) is too good. He's not letting you get away.

B.J. SIGESMUND, STAFF EDITOR, US WEEKLY: What I think is amazing is how HBO and NBC were all in cahoots to keep this thing a secret. You know, she was cast on "Joey" months ago, so it seemed at that point that she was going to be killed off. But no, everyone said, no, she signed on for a sixth season, she's coming back. And it was only was revealed on Monday that they had been lying.

TOURE: But here's the brilliance of David Chase, the creator of "The Sopranos," that Adriana ends in the woods and a moment later Carmella rises again in the woods. She's the Phoenix of the females. You can't stop her.

O'BRIEN: But some people say Carmella has had her own little issues and she could be next in line.

TOURE: No. There is no way that you could kill Carmella. There's no way to kill Carmella.

(CROSSTALK)

O'BRIEN: It's just a TV show.

TOURE: It's just a TV show. But you cannot kill the mother of his kids.

SIGESMUND: Yes, exactly.

O'BRIEN: All right. Let's talk movies. "The Day After Tomorrow," some people -- it's about global warming and how basically the Earth is destroyed.

SIGESMUND: Yes. And it's really, really good!

O'BRIEN: That's it.

SIGESMUND: Seriously, the tornadoes come down and wipe out Los Angeles, including the Hollywood sign. And grapefruit-size hail falls all over Tokyo.

O'BRIEN: Oh, no!

SIGESMUND: And, you know, of course, New York, starting with lower Manhattan...

O'BRIEN: Of course where I live.

SIGESMUND: It's flooded. And you know what? I found it really thrilling to watch.

O'BRIEN: The effects are great? Because sometimes some of the promos, I've got to say, it looks a little cheesy.

SIGESMUND: Yes. No, the family drama of Dennis Quaid running into New York to save his son, that's really soggy. That's really like kind of lame.

TOURE: But see, what it tells me, though, is that 9/11 is over, right? We can see New York get destroyed. Right? The widows are dating, the mourning is over. At some point, that chapter ended, and we're in a new one now.

BERNARD: But I don't think I could watch that. I don't know if I'm ready to watch New York be destroyed again.

SIGESMUND: You can.

TOURE: I don't want to see New York destroyed again. I'm not ready.

O'BRIEN: I never could watch that. I never could watch that. There's always been a series of movies about, you know, people come in and they ruin the planet. I just can't watch that.

SIGESMUND: And there's a lot of focus on the Empire State Building. In fact, at one point, it freezes solid and every single window in it smashes and shatters.

BERNARD: I don't want to see that.

O'BRIEN: You guys, as always, thank you. We'll see you back here for our next installation.

Bill?

HEMMER: All right, Soledad. Thanks.

Madonna should be back on stage later tonight in LA. She opened a tour on Monday, forced to cancel last night because of a stomach flu. Her doctor told her to rest, hence the reason for that cancellation.

Her Web site now says tickets for last night's show will be honored tonight. I don't know how they can fit everybody in, but good look figuring it out in LA.

In a moment here, the politics of petroleum. How much will that fuel the presidential campaign? A look at that in a moment when we continue right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Welcome back, everybody. Time to check in with Jack and the Question of the Day.

CAFFERTY: Last batch of e-mail. Bill Cosby, controversial remarks in a couple of speeches. Were they racist or were they right on? We've heard from a lot of people.

John in Denver writes this: "I hate to say it, but his comments were right on. As a 33-year-old African-American, far too often when I was in high school and college I saw my peers believe that to study, read or try and succeed was being white. Now I fear it's even worse, where the most popular blacks perpetuate a stereotype of being pimps, gangsters and hustlers, making it difficult for anyone to break through. The reality is that most of the problems that are black problems are being caused by us."

And Charles in Fairfax, Virginia offers this: "Cosby transcends race. What's good about his saying it is not so much that a white person would be pilloried for doing so, but that a white person would not be listened to by the right audience. He's not talking to those who are whining about his remarks, but those who need the guidance and the counsel."

And one other note, because I'm too cheap to buy a card, today is my producer's birthday. So Sarah (ph), happy birthday to you. And thanks for all your help. And I appreciate the fact that...

O'BRIEN: Go Sarah (ph).

CAFFERTY: Huh? Actually, I should have got her a card, you know?

O'BRIEN: You have time.

CAFFERTY: She dropped a hint to me, like on Monday, saying, "Hey, dummy, it's my birthday Wednesday." But then I forgot and I didn't get a card.

O'BRIEN: You know that means? A big expensive present to make up for it.

CAFFERTY: Not -- maybe to you. You should buy her one. Not to me.

HEMMER: Happy birthday, Sarah (ph).

CAFFERTY: Yes.

(WEATHER REPORT)

HEMMER: Next hour here on CNN, a cloudy and foggy start at the annual display of naval power and patriotism right here in New York City. Fleet Week getting under way. A live report next hour. Daryn has that.

We're back in a moment on AMERICAN MORNING right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: That's it for us. Let's head right to Daryn Kagan. She's going to take you through the next few hours on "CNN LIVE TODAY."

Hey, Daryn. Good morning.

DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, Soledad and Bill, and everybody there in New York City. Have a great day. We'll get started.

Good morning from CNN headquarters in Atlanta. I'm Daryn Kagan. As always, we start with the headlines.

How will coalition forces work with Baghdad's interim government after June 30th? It's a question that Security Council members will consider in a closed-door session this afternoon. A U.S.-British resolution seeks approval of a transitional Iraqi government after the handover of...