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World Leaders Begin Arriving Georgia as G-8 Economic Summit Gets Under Way on Heavily Fortified Sea Island

Aired June 08, 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, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, we're at CNN headquarters in Atlanta. We start with headlines.
The U.S. Embassy confirms an American citizen was shot and killed in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia today. Details are still sketchy. We don't know if the victim was being targeted for being an American or if the attack was terrorist related. We'll bring you more on the story as soon as we get it.

Police in Milan, Italy today arrested two people in connection with the Madrid train bombings. A third person was detained. A Spanish official says that one of the men was arrested is believed to be a mastermind in the March 11 attacks that killed 190 people. Today's arrests were part of a four-nation terrorism sweep in Europe.

Suicide car bombings in Mosul and Baquba today killed at least 11 people, including one U.S. soldier. The latest violence comes ahead of this afternoon's expected U.N. Security Council vote, on a resolution backing the interim Iraqi government.

Heavy security is in place along the Georgia's coast for tonight's formal opening of the G-8 Summit. President Bush is looking for support from other leaders for his plan to promote democracy throughout the Middle East. The U.S. is also pushing for medical and famine relief programs in the final summit document.

Live this hour, a procession of grief, a devotion beyond death. Thousands file past the flag-draped casket of Ronald Reagan, lying in repose at his presidential library in Southern California.

We begin on the other coast there. World leaders begin arriving this hour in Southern Georgia, as the G-8 Economic Summit gets under way on a heavily fortified Sea Island. Today President Bush meets with some of the leaders who were critical of the U.S.-led war in Iraq.

Our senior White House correspondent John King is in nearby Savannah with a closer look at what we could expect.

John, good morning.

JOHN KING, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Daryn. By the end of this day, we will have a much better sense of whether all this talk of turning the page, all this talk of putting the bitterness of the debate, about going to the war in Iraq, will truly behind. And whether President Bush can open a new chapter, if you will, in relations with some of his fiercest critics when it comes to the Iraq War.

As you noted, the G-8 Summit opens officially tonight. Mr. Bush having some business during the day. His first meeting is a working lunch with the Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. He supported President Bush in the war. The Japanese have been very supportive. But then throughout the day, as Mr. Bush goes, he will be with countries that are sharply critical.

He's meeting the prime minister of Canada, Paul Martin, and the Chancellor of Germany Gerhard Schroeder and the President of Russia Vladimir Putin. Canada, Germany, Russia, all critics of going to war; all critics of the administration's policies during the war. Now Mr. Bush has their support, the White House says, for that new resolution at the United Nations Security Council. Most officials expect that resolution will be passed tonight and passed unanimously.

What the president is trying to do here, Daryn, is say let's put that behind us. Perhaps not forget, but let's move on and let's now have support for the new government in Iraq.

It's interesting, though, a few months back the administration hoped support for the new government of Iraq would also mean new troops on the ground to help the United States with security. Those hopes are now dashed. So we are looking to have more rhetorical good will, if you will, in relationships to put aside all the bickering and the criticism. But the administration, while it will get votes in the Security Council, it believes, Daryn. It's not going to get any more troops on the ground to help the United States in the months ahead -- Daryn.

KAGAN: John, can you give us a quick lesson in contrast and compare. So much has been made this week of Ronald Reagan and the relationship he had with world leaders. This president, President Bush, has a very different type of way of using his personality in trying to get America's business done.

KING: They're very different men. Reagan was, of course, a polished actor. His communications skills were perhaps in a public way; they at least, were viewed more favorably by the critics.

But in a sense, this President Bush is much like President Reagan, if you talk about early on. Many leaders in Europe thought Reagan was a cowboy. They thought his talk of "the evil empire," his confrontation; his promise to try to get rid of communism was too confrontational. He deployed Pershing missiles in Europe. Many European leaders were worried about that. So, like President Reagan, President Bush has had rough relations with leaders in Europe.

And this White House says in the end, this believe -- they believe history will show this president to be right. As of course, any Reagan loyalist would say, his standing up to communism is one reason the Soviet Union is no more -- Daryn.

KAGAN: John King in Savannah, Georgia, thank you. To Iraq now, the countdown looms, the violence surges. Two separate car bombings this morning killed at least 11 people, including one U.S. soldier.

CNN's Harris Whitbeck is in the capitol with the latest.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS WHITBECK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Two car bombings, so far today, have left several Iraqis dead and wounded. The first attack occurred in the city of Baquba, around 35 kilometers north of Baghdad. An apparent suicide bomber approached a U.S. military installation. And his car exploded, as Iraqi civilian employees were lining up to enter the base to report for work. One Iraqi civilian and one U.S. soldier died. Sixteen other Iraqis and American soldiers were wounded. An Iraqi police spokesman says it is believed the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber driving a red Mitsubishi sedan.

And in the northern city of Mosul, another vehicle explosion, this time outside city hall killed at least nine Iraqi civilians and wounded another 25. Witnesses reported seeing three men inside a taxi shortly before it blew up. There are no U.S. military installations near the site of the explosion, but U.S. military officials say they believe the intended target was a convoy, carrying members of the local governing council.

Harris Whitbeck, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: As we mentioned at the top of the hour, thousands of people have made the pilgrimage to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, where the former leader lies in repose. Many waited hours simply get to be bused to the site, and then waited even longer for this opportunity that we're watching live, to file past the flag- draped coffin.

Our David Mattingly is in Moorpark, California. That is where mourners are boarding the buses, in order for the opportunity to pay their last respects.

David, good morning.

DAVID MATTINGLY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. When you talk about the respect and admiration people have for former President Ronald Reagan, this is the place you need to come to see what it looks like. This is the line where people are waiting to get on the buses to go to the presidential library up in Simi Valley. And the wait here just to get through security is five hours long. And it may get longer, as the sun continues to rise here and more people come out. Over 40,000 people have made it to the library so far.

We have live pictures for you now from the presidential library, where people continue to file past the flag-draped casket. We have just learned that the hours for public viewing have been extended until 10:00 p.m. Pacific Time. That's four hours more than they had originally planned. That will no doubt come as good news to the people who are wanting to come out here to actually pay their respects. People are also being warned, however, that if they are not in line out here by 3:00 p.m. Pacific Time, they will not be able to get in.

Now, people returning from that experience at the library tell us that even though the viewing lasts only about five minutes, as you file through, they say it is a moving experience for them, and well worth the long, long lines.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's very moving. He was such a great man, such a great president. He made us all feel better again. And it was just very moving to be there, and see it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MATTINGLY: Twenty thousand people in line right now. The same number that's been in line almost all night long. And we have another line to show you, these pictures taken before dawn this morning on the Ronald Reagan Freeway. The line of cars, about five miles long, just to get here so people can stand in line to go pay their respects for the former president -- Daryn.

KAGAN: But there is a sense, David, that at a certain point they're going to cut it off, as you said and they're going to have to tell some people, sorry, you just don't get to go.

MATTINGLY: That's right. It's still early in the morning, and already the warning is going out that if you're not in line here by 3:00 p.m. Pacific Time, then you are not going to have a chance to actually get in to see the president's casket. And they're already reminding people they will have another chance to pay their respects, when the casket is moved from the Air Force base back to the Reagan Library on Friday. So again, they're trying to make people know, as far ahead in advance as they possibly can, that if you can't be out here, you'll have another chance later. And you may not have to stand in this line if you don't want to.

KAGAN: Mm. David Mattingly from Moorpark, California.

Among the first Californians to visit the casket of former President Reagan was a man who now occupies the office that Mr. Reagan once did. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, along with his wife Maria Shriver, came to Simi Valley yesterday. The Republican governor gave all Californians the chance to offer their thoughts to the Reagan family.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOV. ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER (R), CALIFORNIA: Here around the state, we're opening books of tribute to President Reagan. Books we will give later on to the family. We were moved by the words, and by the ideas of Ronald Reagan. He was always known as the "Great Communicator." Now let us communicate with him and to his family. (END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: And now let's take a look at the days ahead in remembering Ronald Reagan. Tomorrow, the body of the former president begins its journey to Washington. After arriving at Andrews Air Force Base, a parade will transport Reagan's casket to the Capitol. There, a ceremony will be held in the rotunda, before the body lies in state from Wednesday evening to Friday morning. Then on Friday, a funeral service will be held at the National Cathedral. A ceremony will be held at Andrews Air Force Base before the body departs on the final trip home.

Friday evening, Mr. Reagan's remains will arrive at his presidential library for a private funeral. Friday is a National Dawn of Mourning and all U.S. stock markets and government offices will be closed.

And that brings us to 10 minutes past the hour. A city in the northeast takes new steps to protect its public transportation from terrorists. After the break, we're going to tell you where some passengers can expect random inspections.

Plus, the Terry Nichols murder trial winds down. Find out how close the jury is to determining his punishment for his role in the Oklahoma City bombing.

And still to come, the Detroit Pistons shock the L.A. Lakers in Game 1 of the NBA Championship. But can they do it again? Who better to talk to than Bill Russell? Eleven NBA Championship titles to his name, he'll be joining us just ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: The aftershocks of the Madrid train bombings are reverberating right here in the U.S. Transit police in Boston will begin random searches on metro subways and commuter trains next month, just before the city hosts the Democratic National Convention. Passengers will face inspections of their bags and their packages. Islamic terrorists are blamed for the March 11 bombings in Spain that killed 191 people.

While random searches will take place on Boston's Tee, another transit systems have other less invasive procedures in place.

Our Peter Viles looks at the difficulty in balancing security with travel convenience.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PETER VILES, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Madrid, 10 bombs, 191 killed in a rush hour terrorist attack. Could it happen in New York or Washington? Senator Richard Shelby warns the nation's trains and subways are, quote, "perilously vulnerable" to terrorist attack.

To board an airplane you pass through government security. There is no such safeguard in train or subway travel. William Moran is head of security for New York's MTA, which carries 7 million riders every weekday.

VILES (on camera): Why not search everybody, at least try to search everybody?

WILLIAM MORAN, MTA, NEW YORK CITY: Well, first of all, this is America. I mean everybody is used to their freedom. This is a vast, large system. People like to get back and forth to work. This is their main form of transportation.

VILES (voice-over): Most experts agree screening rail passengers isn't practical. It's too expensive, too inconvenient and too time- consuming.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A 30-minute delay to get through a security portal at a cost of several dollars a passenger per ride will in a sense kill public transportation.

VILES: Absent screening, rail systems are using train dogs, more police, and training their staff, and asking passengers to be alert.

BILL MILLAR, AMERICAN PUBLIC TRANS. ASSN.: You take an approach that trains employees to look for behaviors that look are unusual; helps the public who ride the system every day understand their role in this. Which is to identify packages, for example, that someone might have left behind. And then to report that to the system employees.

VILES: There have been pilot programs to screen passengers and check luggage at two Amtrak stations. But Amtrak carries less than 1 percent of rail passengers in this country.

Peter Viles, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: Let's go ahead and take a look at other stories making news coast to coast.

Closing arguments are expected to begin this afternoon in the state murder trial of Oklahoma City bombing conspirator Terry Nichols. The case is expected to go to the jury by midday tomorrow. Jurors will have the choice of sentencing Nichols to execution, a life sentence without parole, or life with the possibility of parole.

Scott Peterson's double murder trial resumes just over an hour from now in Redwood City, California. Laci Peterson's stepfather will be testifying for the prosecution. Peterson is accused of killing his pregnant wife a year and a half ago. He says he's not guilty. Laci Peterson's mother testified on Monday, saying her son-in-law seemed distant after Laci disappeared.

The delay in arrest of a suspected Ohio serial rapist is being blamed on a shortage of federal funds. State officials say that DNA evidence wasn't tested for more than two years. And when the money became available a year ago there was a big backlog of cases. The suspect was arrested yesterday, after authorities say his DNA sample matched evidence taken from a dozen rapes.

And a task force is investigating dozens of suspicious fires in three Georgia counties over the last couple of weeks. Authorities suspect one person or a group of people may be responsible for the fires. Investigators are following some leads, but no arrests have been made.

Early summer heat in Beantown. And a look at the nation's weather forecast is coming up. That is next.

Plus, it is something that has not happened in 122 years. We're going to tell you what was so special about the sun today.

And still to come, Ronald Reagan's legacy could one day change the face of the $10 bill. We'll tell you why.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: We are looking at the view of a lifetime. The celestial show of the century. Well, century is not that long. But this is the first time in 122 years the planet Venus slides across the face of the sun. Stargazers in the Eastern and Midwestern U.S. were able to catch a glance, if clear skies permitted just after sunrise. If you missed it, you'll get another chance in about eight years. We'll give you a heads up. Remember what you missed eight years ago? Well, now you've got to pay attention.

JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes, we missed it because it was cloudy here in Atlanta.

KAGAN: Yes. I think back I'm back in California; June Gloom all over again.

JERAS: Yes.

KAGAN: We need to go to live to Baghdad right now, a news briefing with Lieutenant General Ricardo Sanchez. Let's listen in.

(NTERRUPTED BY LIVE EVENT)

KAGAN: We've been listening to a briefing from Baghdad. Lieutenant General Ricardo Sanchez delivering the very good news that three Italian hostages and one Pole have been freed. They have been held hostage since April 12. Another hostage was with them when that kidnapping took place, and he, an Italian was shown to the world through video being executed. But these three Italians and the Pole freed to a colation exercise. They will be on their way back to Italy and Poland respectively.

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 June 8, 2004 - 10:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, we're at CNN headquarters in Atlanta. We start with headlines.
The U.S. Embassy confirms an American citizen was shot and killed in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia today. Details are still sketchy. We don't know if the victim was being targeted for being an American or if the attack was terrorist related. We'll bring you more on the story as soon as we get it.

Police in Milan, Italy today arrested two people in connection with the Madrid train bombings. A third person was detained. A Spanish official says that one of the men was arrested is believed to be a mastermind in the March 11 attacks that killed 190 people. Today's arrests were part of a four-nation terrorism sweep in Europe.

Suicide car bombings in Mosul and Baquba today killed at least 11 people, including one U.S. soldier. The latest violence comes ahead of this afternoon's expected U.N. Security Council vote, on a resolution backing the interim Iraqi government.

Heavy security is in place along the Georgia's coast for tonight's formal opening of the G-8 Summit. President Bush is looking for support from other leaders for his plan to promote democracy throughout the Middle East. The U.S. is also pushing for medical and famine relief programs in the final summit document.

Live this hour, a procession of grief, a devotion beyond death. Thousands file past the flag-draped casket of Ronald Reagan, lying in repose at his presidential library in Southern California.

We begin on the other coast there. World leaders begin arriving this hour in Southern Georgia, as the G-8 Economic Summit gets under way on a heavily fortified Sea Island. Today President Bush meets with some of the leaders who were critical of the U.S.-led war in Iraq.

Our senior White House correspondent John King is in nearby Savannah with a closer look at what we could expect.

John, good morning.

JOHN KING, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Daryn. By the end of this day, we will have a much better sense of whether all this talk of turning the page, all this talk of putting the bitterness of the debate, about going to the war in Iraq, will truly behind. And whether President Bush can open a new chapter, if you will, in relations with some of his fiercest critics when it comes to the Iraq War.

As you noted, the G-8 Summit opens officially tonight. Mr. Bush having some business during the day. His first meeting is a working lunch with the Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. He supported President Bush in the war. The Japanese have been very supportive. But then throughout the day, as Mr. Bush goes, he will be with countries that are sharply critical.

He's meeting the prime minister of Canada, Paul Martin, and the Chancellor of Germany Gerhard Schroeder and the President of Russia Vladimir Putin. Canada, Germany, Russia, all critics of going to war; all critics of the administration's policies during the war. Now Mr. Bush has their support, the White House says, for that new resolution at the United Nations Security Council. Most officials expect that resolution will be passed tonight and passed unanimously.

What the president is trying to do here, Daryn, is say let's put that behind us. Perhaps not forget, but let's move on and let's now have support for the new government in Iraq.

It's interesting, though, a few months back the administration hoped support for the new government of Iraq would also mean new troops on the ground to help the United States with security. Those hopes are now dashed. So we are looking to have more rhetorical good will, if you will, in relationships to put aside all the bickering and the criticism. But the administration, while it will get votes in the Security Council, it believes, Daryn. It's not going to get any more troops on the ground to help the United States in the months ahead -- Daryn.

KAGAN: John, can you give us a quick lesson in contrast and compare. So much has been made this week of Ronald Reagan and the relationship he had with world leaders. This president, President Bush, has a very different type of way of using his personality in trying to get America's business done.

KING: They're very different men. Reagan was, of course, a polished actor. His communications skills were perhaps in a public way; they at least, were viewed more favorably by the critics.

But in a sense, this President Bush is much like President Reagan, if you talk about early on. Many leaders in Europe thought Reagan was a cowboy. They thought his talk of "the evil empire," his confrontation; his promise to try to get rid of communism was too confrontational. He deployed Pershing missiles in Europe. Many European leaders were worried about that. So, like President Reagan, President Bush has had rough relations with leaders in Europe.

And this White House says in the end, this believe -- they believe history will show this president to be right. As of course, any Reagan loyalist would say, his standing up to communism is one reason the Soviet Union is no more -- Daryn.

KAGAN: John King in Savannah, Georgia, thank you. To Iraq now, the countdown looms, the violence surges. Two separate car bombings this morning killed at least 11 people, including one U.S. soldier.

CNN's Harris Whitbeck is in the capitol with the latest.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS WHITBECK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Two car bombings, so far today, have left several Iraqis dead and wounded. The first attack occurred in the city of Baquba, around 35 kilometers north of Baghdad. An apparent suicide bomber approached a U.S. military installation. And his car exploded, as Iraqi civilian employees were lining up to enter the base to report for work. One Iraqi civilian and one U.S. soldier died. Sixteen other Iraqis and American soldiers were wounded. An Iraqi police spokesman says it is believed the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber driving a red Mitsubishi sedan.

And in the northern city of Mosul, another vehicle explosion, this time outside city hall killed at least nine Iraqi civilians and wounded another 25. Witnesses reported seeing three men inside a taxi shortly before it blew up. There are no U.S. military installations near the site of the explosion, but U.S. military officials say they believe the intended target was a convoy, carrying members of the local governing council.

Harris Whitbeck, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: As we mentioned at the top of the hour, thousands of people have made the pilgrimage to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, where the former leader lies in repose. Many waited hours simply get to be bused to the site, and then waited even longer for this opportunity that we're watching live, to file past the flag- draped coffin.

Our David Mattingly is in Moorpark, California. That is where mourners are boarding the buses, in order for the opportunity to pay their last respects.

David, good morning.

DAVID MATTINGLY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. When you talk about the respect and admiration people have for former President Ronald Reagan, this is the place you need to come to see what it looks like. This is the line where people are waiting to get on the buses to go to the presidential library up in Simi Valley. And the wait here just to get through security is five hours long. And it may get longer, as the sun continues to rise here and more people come out. Over 40,000 people have made it to the library so far.

We have live pictures for you now from the presidential library, where people continue to file past the flag-draped casket. We have just learned that the hours for public viewing have been extended until 10:00 p.m. Pacific Time. That's four hours more than they had originally planned. That will no doubt come as good news to the people who are wanting to come out here to actually pay their respects. People are also being warned, however, that if they are not in line out here by 3:00 p.m. Pacific Time, they will not be able to get in.

Now, people returning from that experience at the library tell us that even though the viewing lasts only about five minutes, as you file through, they say it is a moving experience for them, and well worth the long, long lines.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's very moving. He was such a great man, such a great president. He made us all feel better again. And it was just very moving to be there, and see it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MATTINGLY: Twenty thousand people in line right now. The same number that's been in line almost all night long. And we have another line to show you, these pictures taken before dawn this morning on the Ronald Reagan Freeway. The line of cars, about five miles long, just to get here so people can stand in line to go pay their respects for the former president -- Daryn.

KAGAN: But there is a sense, David, that at a certain point they're going to cut it off, as you said and they're going to have to tell some people, sorry, you just don't get to go.

MATTINGLY: That's right. It's still early in the morning, and already the warning is going out that if you're not in line here by 3:00 p.m. Pacific Time, then you are not going to have a chance to actually get in to see the president's casket. And they're already reminding people they will have another chance to pay their respects, when the casket is moved from the Air Force base back to the Reagan Library on Friday. So again, they're trying to make people know, as far ahead in advance as they possibly can, that if you can't be out here, you'll have another chance later. And you may not have to stand in this line if you don't want to.

KAGAN: Mm. David Mattingly from Moorpark, California.

Among the first Californians to visit the casket of former President Reagan was a man who now occupies the office that Mr. Reagan once did. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, along with his wife Maria Shriver, came to Simi Valley yesterday. The Republican governor gave all Californians the chance to offer their thoughts to the Reagan family.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOV. ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER (R), CALIFORNIA: Here around the state, we're opening books of tribute to President Reagan. Books we will give later on to the family. We were moved by the words, and by the ideas of Ronald Reagan. He was always known as the "Great Communicator." Now let us communicate with him and to his family. (END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: And now let's take a look at the days ahead in remembering Ronald Reagan. Tomorrow, the body of the former president begins its journey to Washington. After arriving at Andrews Air Force Base, a parade will transport Reagan's casket to the Capitol. There, a ceremony will be held in the rotunda, before the body lies in state from Wednesday evening to Friday morning. Then on Friday, a funeral service will be held at the National Cathedral. A ceremony will be held at Andrews Air Force Base before the body departs on the final trip home.

Friday evening, Mr. Reagan's remains will arrive at his presidential library for a private funeral. Friday is a National Dawn of Mourning and all U.S. stock markets and government offices will be closed.

And that brings us to 10 minutes past the hour. A city in the northeast takes new steps to protect its public transportation from terrorists. After the break, we're going to tell you where some passengers can expect random inspections.

Plus, the Terry Nichols murder trial winds down. Find out how close the jury is to determining his punishment for his role in the Oklahoma City bombing.

And still to come, the Detroit Pistons shock the L.A. Lakers in Game 1 of the NBA Championship. But can they do it again? Who better to talk to than Bill Russell? Eleven NBA Championship titles to his name, he'll be joining us just ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: The aftershocks of the Madrid train bombings are reverberating right here in the U.S. Transit police in Boston will begin random searches on metro subways and commuter trains next month, just before the city hosts the Democratic National Convention. Passengers will face inspections of their bags and their packages. Islamic terrorists are blamed for the March 11 bombings in Spain that killed 191 people.

While random searches will take place on Boston's Tee, another transit systems have other less invasive procedures in place.

Our Peter Viles looks at the difficulty in balancing security with travel convenience.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PETER VILES, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Madrid, 10 bombs, 191 killed in a rush hour terrorist attack. Could it happen in New York or Washington? Senator Richard Shelby warns the nation's trains and subways are, quote, "perilously vulnerable" to terrorist attack.

To board an airplane you pass through government security. There is no such safeguard in train or subway travel. William Moran is head of security for New York's MTA, which carries 7 million riders every weekday.

VILES (on camera): Why not search everybody, at least try to search everybody?

WILLIAM MORAN, MTA, NEW YORK CITY: Well, first of all, this is America. I mean everybody is used to their freedom. This is a vast, large system. People like to get back and forth to work. This is their main form of transportation.

VILES (voice-over): Most experts agree screening rail passengers isn't practical. It's too expensive, too inconvenient and too time- consuming.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A 30-minute delay to get through a security portal at a cost of several dollars a passenger per ride will in a sense kill public transportation.

VILES: Absent screening, rail systems are using train dogs, more police, and training their staff, and asking passengers to be alert.

BILL MILLAR, AMERICAN PUBLIC TRANS. ASSN.: You take an approach that trains employees to look for behaviors that look are unusual; helps the public who ride the system every day understand their role in this. Which is to identify packages, for example, that someone might have left behind. And then to report that to the system employees.

VILES: There have been pilot programs to screen passengers and check luggage at two Amtrak stations. But Amtrak carries less than 1 percent of rail passengers in this country.

Peter Viles, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: Let's go ahead and take a look at other stories making news coast to coast.

Closing arguments are expected to begin this afternoon in the state murder trial of Oklahoma City bombing conspirator Terry Nichols. The case is expected to go to the jury by midday tomorrow. Jurors will have the choice of sentencing Nichols to execution, a life sentence without parole, or life with the possibility of parole.

Scott Peterson's double murder trial resumes just over an hour from now in Redwood City, California. Laci Peterson's stepfather will be testifying for the prosecution. Peterson is accused of killing his pregnant wife a year and a half ago. He says he's not guilty. Laci Peterson's mother testified on Monday, saying her son-in-law seemed distant after Laci disappeared.

The delay in arrest of a suspected Ohio serial rapist is being blamed on a shortage of federal funds. State officials say that DNA evidence wasn't tested for more than two years. And when the money became available a year ago there was a big backlog of cases. The suspect was arrested yesterday, after authorities say his DNA sample matched evidence taken from a dozen rapes.

And a task force is investigating dozens of suspicious fires in three Georgia counties over the last couple of weeks. Authorities suspect one person or a group of people may be responsible for the fires. Investigators are following some leads, but no arrests have been made.

Early summer heat in Beantown. And a look at the nation's weather forecast is coming up. That is next.

Plus, it is something that has not happened in 122 years. We're going to tell you what was so special about the sun today.

And still to come, Ronald Reagan's legacy could one day change the face of the $10 bill. We'll tell you why.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: We are looking at the view of a lifetime. The celestial show of the century. Well, century is not that long. But this is the first time in 122 years the planet Venus slides across the face of the sun. Stargazers in the Eastern and Midwestern U.S. were able to catch a glance, if clear skies permitted just after sunrise. If you missed it, you'll get another chance in about eight years. We'll give you a heads up. Remember what you missed eight years ago? Well, now you've got to pay attention.

JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes, we missed it because it was cloudy here in Atlanta.

KAGAN: Yes. I think back I'm back in California; June Gloom all over again.

JERAS: Yes.

KAGAN: We need to go to live to Baghdad right now, a news briefing with Lieutenant General Ricardo Sanchez. Let's listen in.

(NTERRUPTED BY LIVE EVENT)

KAGAN: We've been listening to a briefing from Baghdad. Lieutenant General Ricardo Sanchez delivering the very good news that three Italian hostages and one Pole have been freed. They have been held hostage since April 12. Another hostage was with them when that kidnapping took place, and he, an Italian was shown to the world through video being executed. But these three Italians and the Pole freed to a colation exercise. They will be on their way back to Italy and Poland respectively.

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