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American Morning
United Nations Security Council Unanimously Endorses June 30 Transfer of Sovereignty in Iraq
Aired June 09, 2004 - 08:00 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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning.
Washington, D.C. awaiting the return of the nation's 40th president. Ronald Reagan's casket comes to the Capitol later today.
Senator Joseph Biden tells us why the debate on torture is so critical.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOSEPH BIDEN (D-DW), FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE: To protect my son in the military.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HEMMER: The attorney general, John Ashcroft, under intense pressure from senators. What did he advise the White House about torture?
And surprising testimony from Laci Peterson's stepfather. He, too, was fishing on the day of her disappearance.
Those stories ahead this hour on AMERICAN MORNING.
ANNOUNCER: From the CNN broadcast center in New York, this is AMERICAN MORNING with Soledad O'Brien and Bill Hemmer.
HEMMER: And good morning.
We are in the nation's capital today. A live picture here from the Capitol Building. In 10 hours from now, the body of the late president will come up the west side of the Capitol Building, up those stairs to lie in state for a period well over 24 hours. And here in Washington, they are bracing for what could be an enormous turnout, possibly well over 100,000 people, maybe much higher than that, to view the casket of the late president.
This is an enormous task for the nation's capital. They've had only five days to put the planning into motion and to get everything coordinated. And one of the significant subplots over the next three days will be the issue of security.
At a minimum, 170 diplomats from 170 different countries; at a minimum, 20 heads of state will all converge here on the nation's capital. It is arguably the most significant and large scale event the city has seen since 9/11 two and a half years ago. And also, Soledad, I say good morning to you and I want to tell you, the attitude in this city truly changes and the texture of this town changes when events like these come to Washington, as I mentioned last hour. The monuments in this city seem to stand out that much higher when we watch the events we're about to see here in D.C.
And with that, good morning to you, as well.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: We would imagine.
And good morning to you.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, hi, Bill.
O'BRIEN: I have to imagine, though -- Jack says hi, as well.
HEMMER: Hi, Jack.
O'BRIEN: I have to imagine, though, that hundred thousand figure sounds very low to me.
HEMMER: If you look at what happened out in California, they are saying they had 106,000 come through that area. Now Ronald Reagan holds a very special significance for the people in California. But when you consider on a normal day how many tourists are in this city, we could easily surpass that over the next day or so.
O'BRIEN: That would be my guess.
HEMMER: Yes.
O'BRIEN: All right, Bill, thanks.
We'll check back with you in a just a few minutes.
O'BRIEN: Some of the other stories that are making headlines this morning, though Iraq isn't the official topic of discussion at the G8 meetings on Sea Island in Georgia, the formal opening of the summit comes with everyone talking about a unanimous decision in the United Nations about Iraq. We're going to take a look at the significance of that for President Bush just ahead.
Also, we'll have the latest on a discovery on Mars. It's not just red dirt...
CAFFERTY: Yes it is.
O'BRIEN: ... even though Jack Cafferty likes to say it is. No, Jack. Look at the teleprompter. It's not just red dirt. Scientists say they've now discovered salt.
CAFFERTY: Swell.
O'BRIEN: And that could be very important.
CAFFERTY: Now if they can just find French fries, we'll be all set.
O'BRIEN: That could be very important because, of course, many researchers say salt means water and water means life and you're going to be hanging on with bated breath to my interview with a scientist just ahead.
CAFFERTY: I just had a thought. And I mean...
O'BRIEN: I'm afraid.
CAFFERTY: ... absolutely no disrespect. But if it wasn't for Ronald Reagan and Jennifer Lopez, we could have gone home at five after seven. Do you know that? This show would have been over at 7:05.
O'BRIEN: We've got a lot to talk about this morning.
CAFFERTY: A little weather, our Andy Serwer hit and bada bingba.
I'm starting to get a little worn out with all this.
O'BRIEN: You know it doesn't work that way, right?
CAFFERTY: Yes.
O'BRIEN: You don't get to go home early on days where the news is hot.
CAFFERTY: I mean no disrespect to the late president, but I'm getting tired of it. I'm starting to get a little worn out.
O'BRIEN: And no disrespect meant to Jennifer Lopez and her new husband.
CAFFERTY: No. I did not include Jennifer Lopez. I said no disrespect to President Reagan. I did not include...
O'BRIEN: What's in the Cafferty File today, Jack?
CAFFERTY: Wednesday, things people say is what we do on Wednesday. We're going to tell you about a very famous woman who says the thing she needs most of all is more ugly pictures of herself.
And P. Diddy will share with all of us his tips for taking a great bath.
O'BRIEN: Oh, that actually sounds good. I mean that sounds good. What?
CAFFERTY: Whatever floats your boat, you know? That's...
O'BRIEN: Thank you.
I will wait for that fine report, Mr. Cafferty.
CAFFERTY: Just, we're try to provide a little diversion between the funerals and the marriages and the, you know, whatever.
O'BRIEN: All right.
Thanks, Jack.
CAFFERTY: Yes.
O'BRIEN: The top story this morning, the United Nations Security Council unanimously endorsing the June 30 transfer of sovereignty in Iraq. The resolution gives authorization for a U.S.-led multinational force to stabilize that country. Under the U.N. plan, which was passed yesterday, the U.S.-led force and Iraq must closely coordinate on all security matters, including "sensitive offensive operations." The mandate of the multinational force will end by January 2006 or at any time on Iraq's demand.
And security permitting, the U.N. will provide assistance on elections, the drafting of a constitution and with civil and social services. The U.N. resolution came as welcome news for President Bush on the first day of the G8 summit in Georgia.
White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux joins us live from Savannah this morning -- good morning to you, Suzanne.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Soledad.
After weeks of bad news in Iraq, of course, President Bush saying that this is a catalyst for change. Very welcome news for the Bush administration. This is a significant symbolic victory for the United States, as well as its allies. President Bush seen in pictures yesterday side by side with leaders of Germany, Russia, Canada, those who had initially opposed the Iraq invasion. But what is unclear at this time is what it means in terms of practical terms. None of these countries committing troops of even financial resources. However, President Bush saying this is certainly a good first step.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The vote today in the United Nations Security Council was a great victory for the Iraqi people. The international community showed that stands side by side with the Iraqi people. The U.N. Security Council resolution supports the interim government, supports free elections and supports a multinational force. America supports strongly the idea of a free society in the midst of hatred and intolerance.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: And President Bush this afternoon, of course, will be meeting with his greatest ally, British Prime Minister Tony Blair. What is significant today is they'll be pushing forward their greater Middle East initiative with the leaders of six other Arab nations. Most notably, it's going to be the new president of Iraq, who will be here. He will be welcomed with the G8, as well as those other Arab nations. They are trying to urge democratic reforms in the region. It'll be a little bit dicey in terms of what kind of support they get, but they are certainly pushing for that today -- Soledad.
O'BRIEN: They're certainly feeling hopeful with the news that's come out of Iraq now.
Suzanne Malveaux for us this morning.
Suzanne, thanks.
Attorney General John Ashcroft is refusing to reveal what advice his department may have given regarding the use of torture against terror suspects. His refusal came yesterday under intense questioning from Democratic senators.
Here's justice correspondent Kelli Arena.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
06080003.v84
(END VIDEOTAPE)
O'BRIEN: The report in question prepared for Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld contended that in detaining al Qaeda and Taliban members, the U.S. was not bound by prohibitions on the use of torture from the Geneva Conventions -- Bill.
HEMMER: Soledad, at Ronald Reagan's state funeral on Friday, the late president's body will be escorted by a special military guard with a long and storied history. It is just one of the many stories of tradition we will see and observe firsthand here.
Barbara Starr is at the Pentagon -- Barbara, good morning there.
BARBARA STARR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Bill.
Well, the troops who will perform the funeral honors for President Reagan take incredible pride in performing their duties for all who have served.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
STARR (voice-over): Every detail matters. New shoes for the horses that will pull the caisson. Brass on the saddles, polished to a shine. The Army's Old Guard keeping a decades long tradition, providing the military honors at a presidential state funeral, the first in 30 years.
ALAN BOGAN, DIRECTOR, OLD GUARD MUSEUM: He commands the entire U.S. armed forces and it's the military's way of paying last respects on behalf of the nation.
STARR: Six matched horses will pull the 2,500 pound caisson, built in 1918. Caissons once used to carry fallen soldiers from the battlefield. The horses seem to understand.
SGT. MATTHEW STANFIELD, U.S. ARMY CAISSON PLATOON: During the funeral, they see all the people around, the military escort and the band and everything, and when we actually walk, they slow down.
STARR: Behind the caisson, the riderless horse -- boots revised in the stirrups, the warrior who will never ride again taking a final look at the troops behind him. At this ceremony, the riderless horse will be Sergeant York, a former race horse, carrying President Reagan's riding boots.
For the soldiers of this unit, there is as much precision and honor in escorting the presidential funeral cortege as there is in taking the body of a young soldier killed in Iraq to a final resting place.
SPC. STEPHEN CAVA, U.S. ARMY CAISSON PLATOON: I've been doing this for only about a year now, but I have about 300 military full honor funerals under my belt.
STARR: This president's state funeral will be in the care of soldiers, many just children when Ronald Reagan was commander-in- chief. Honor and tradition guiding the Old Guard, as always, as they escort President Reagan into the pages of American history.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
STARR: And, Bill, of course, later today, when President Reagan's body returns to the nation's capital, we will begin to see the precision and ceremony of that state funeral proceeding -- Bill.
HEMMER: Barbara, the secretary of defense, you had a conversation with him recently. How did he reflect on the life of Ronald Reagan?
STARR: Well, we sat down and spoke because, of course, Donald Rumsfeld knew President Reagan very well. Indeed, back in the 1980s, he was President Reagan's envoy to the Middle East. He spoke about how President Reagan's perseverance in foreign policy and defense, especially in the cold war, really paid off and how that was somewhat of a role for having perseverance in the war on terrorism.
And then I must tell you, there was a very personal moment from Don Rumsfeld. He spoke about his own father, who passed away many years ago from Alzheimer's, the impact it had on the Rumsfeld family, the impact it continues to have on the Secretary today, a very reflective, personal moment from the secretary of defense -- Bill.
HEMMER: Barbara, thanks for that.
Barbara Starr at the Pentagon.
Elizabeth Dole served as transportation secretary in President Reagan's administration.
Today she's a Republican senator from the State of North Carolina.
And now she's with us here in our D.C. bureau.
Good morning to you, Senator.
SEN. ELIZABETH DOLE (R), NORTH CAROLINA: Good morning.
HEMMER: Nice to have you here.
DOLE: Happy to be with you.
HEMMER: Is there a moment, is there a time when you were on his cabinet that sticks out in your mind at this point, that really tells a story about how you reflect on this man's life more so than others?
DOLE: I think there's one that just has to stand out. There were many wonderful moments in the seven years that I served under President Reagan's leadership. And just, you know, this model of strong principled leadership, knowing exactly what he wanted to accomplish, a great visionary.
Now, I remember especially when he and I were alone just before he was to give a speech, and we were just kind of chatting in the Green Room. And I said, "Mr. President, how do you do it? You've got the weight of the world on your shoulders." And I said, "Yet you're always so gracious and you show such respect to all people and you never seem to be flustered. How do you do this?"
And he loved to reminisce and kind of tell stories, you know. So he sat back and he said, "Well, Elizabeth, when I was governor of California," he said, "it seemed like every day you had another disaster would be placed on my desk. And I had the urge to hand it to someone behind me to help me." And he said, "One day I realized I was looking in the wrong direction. I looked up instead of back." And he said, "I'm still looking up. I don't think I could go another day in this office if I didn't know I could ask god's help and it would be given."
That told me a lot about a man whose faith was private, and yet it was such a central part of his life.
HEMMER: We've reflected a lot on his faith in the past couple of days. And we also reflect on his humor, as well.
DOLE: Yes.
HEMMER: But as a woman appointed to his cabinet, Sandra Day O'Connor was appointed by him...
DOLE: The first woman to the Supreme Court.
HEMMER: ... well, actually, nominated to the U.S. Supreme Court.
How did he view women?
DOLE: Well, he was...
HEMMER: Was it any different from men?
DOLE: No. Well, he regarded me as a professional on his staff. But he always treated every person with great respect. You know, when I took people in to meet with him when I was assistant to the president at the White House, occasionally there'd be somebody who would have a difference of view and say, you know, I'm really going to give him a piece of my mind.
Well, you know, you'd get into the cabinet room and he would just explain his view and he would address their concerns and maybe pass the jelly beans around. And they'd come out ready to do anything in the world for Ronald Reagan.
But as far as women were concerned, here he appointed Elizabeth Dole to the Department of Transportation, which was a male bastion. Of 100,000 people in the workforce, only 19 percent were female. I also found myself as the first woman to serve as a departmental head of the branch of the armed services, the United States Coast Guard.
HEMMER: He had this Dole to deal with at the White House...
DOLE: You know?
HEMMER: ... and he had your husband to deal with up on the Capitol Hill in the Senate.
DOLE: Right.
HEMMER: How do you reconcile, ultimately -- he is known as a fiscal conservative, a man who came and said I'm going to make government smaller...
DOLE: Right.
HEMMER: ... and I'm going to cut taxes and I'm going to give more money back to the American people.
DOLE: Yes.
HEMMER: Yet, at the end of eight years, the national debt under his leadership had tripled.
How do you reconcile, then, the reputation and the image versus the numbers we saw in 1989?
DOLE: Well, first of all, I think he was right in his view of when you cut taxes, you take some of that load off of your small businesses, for example. They're able to grow, to expand, to upgrade their plants, to create more jobs, to produce more revenue. And when you take that burden off of individuals, they're able to save more and to, you know, spend more of their own money, their hard earned dollars.
Now, I think clearly, with the buildup of the military, that was very necessary at the time and, look, this man really helped to change the world. President Reagan, in the face of communism, he, you know, despite conventional wisdom, he rejected communism. He rejected the Iron Curtain. He rejected the status quo. And with the military buildup, certainly, you know, he was able to literally free hundreds of millions of people who had been under oppression and tyranny.
So, yes, there was a buildup, but the defense part of it was very necessary.
HEMMER: Is there a moment over the next three days that will say to you that's the image, this is the way I remember him and we remember history?
DOLE: I think there will be a lot of poignant moments, no question about it. But in addition to really charting a new course and implementing it, I think greatness in a president is the level of decency and integrity of an individual. And I will always think, as everything transpires, about the warmth of this man, his ability to relate to people of all walks of life, his courtesy, his kindness, his respect for other people, his humility and modesty.
Those are character traits that, in the long run, are the most important in a life. And...
HEMMER: Thank you, Senator.
Good to see you here.
DOLE: Thank you.
It's a pleasure.
HEMMER: Elizabeth Dole, the Republican senator from North Carolina.
We'll be all watching here over the next two and a half days in our nation's capital.
DOLE: Yes, indeed.
HEMMER: Thanks again.
Good to see you.
DOLE: Yes, indeed.
My pleasure.
HEMMER: A bit later today, 11:00 a.m. Eastern time, live coverage begins, Remember Ronald Reagan, live here in Washington. After that, a special report on the state funeral of Ronald Reagan, 4:30 prime minister Eastern time; 1:30 on the West Coast.
Back to New York again -- here's Soledad.
O'BRIEN: All right, Bill.
Thanks.
Eighteen minutes past the hour now.
Time to take a look at some of today's other news with Heidi Collins -- Heidi, good morning again.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning to you, Soledad.
And good morning to you, everybody.
In California, day four of testimony in the Scott Peterson double murder trial. Yesterday, jurors heard more from Laci Peterson's family members, including her stepfather. Ron Grantski originally testified he thought it was suspicious that Scott Peterson went fishing the day of his wife's disappearance, but later admitted he also went fishing that same morning. Peterson is charged with killing his wife and their unborn son.
Clear Channel Communications apparently agreeing to settle with the FCC over complaints about indecency. The nation's largest radio chain will reportedly pay almost $2 million to settle FCC complaints that stem, in part, from Howard Stern's radio show. It could be a record monetary fine. Clear Channel dropped Stern from six of its stations.
Iraq's new prime minister, Iyad Allawi, had reportedly been recruited by the CIA in the early 1990s. Former intelligence officials cited in the "New York Times" say Allawi and his exile group helped send agents into Baghdad to depose then leader Saddam Hussein. The former Iraqi government had claimed that Allawi's tactics resulted in many casualties. But U.S. officials say they cannot confirm any civilian deaths.
In Hartford, Connecticut, it's day two in the impeachment hearing of Governor John Rowland. At issue, two real estate deals the governor was working on. Some say his friends got the state contracts. Rowland is also accused of getting free work on his summer house from state contractors. The bipartisan committee has until June 30th to make its decision.
The film "Passion of the Christ" sparking new controversy now, this time over money. Gibson's distribution company, Icon, is suing Regal, the nation's largest movie chain. Icon says it was shortchanged $40 million in revenues. Regal is not commenting.
(WEATHER REPORT)
O'BRIEN: Time to check in with Jack.
He's got The Question of the Day -- hello.
CAFFERTY: We should tell the people I just kicked your butt in a game of tic-tac-toe while that weather thing was on, didn't I?
O'BRIEN: I was laughing at you at the beginning because I thought I was winning. But, yes, that's true.
CAFFERTY: Yes, well, don't mess with me.
Here's the deal -- Boston. The transit system will be the first in the nation to begin randomly searching passengers and checking their identification. Transit police will start these searches on the subway and commuter trains in Boston just ahead of the Democratic National Convention up there next month. The American Civil Liberties Union says the program might violate the constitution's ban on unreasonable search and seizure.
The question is, is the random searching of train passengers a good idea?
"Before September 11," writes Fred, "air marshals were placed on random flights to guard against hijacking. We can see how effective that was. Why not waste taxpayers' money on trains, as well? There need to be more overpaid, under worked government employees with generous benefit packages. Reagan was right about one thing, at least -- government is the problem."
David writes: "The problem is that these searches are not random. They're based on so-called profiles, which are basically racist and not based on fact. I was just subjected to a so-called random search in the Atlanta airport. Eighty percent of the people selected were brown or black or in Islamic dress or, like me, had long hair."
David, they searched me at that airport about a year ago, too, and I don't have any of that stuff. I had to take my shoes off and go through the whole deal. Stop whining.
Jeff writes this: "If you don't want to be searched, don't ride the train. Americans are some of the most spoiled, overweight people in the world. Maybe if some of the people complaining would walk, we could eliminate one of the most pressing health concerns in our country -- obesity. We're becoming a big, fat country of spoiled crybabies who don't know how good we have it compared to the rest of the world."
And finally, Paul writes this: "Random searches, prisoner torture, holding citizens without trial -- Germany 1939? How ironic, USA 2004."
O'BRIEN: Jeff with the overweight comment, where does that come from?
CAFFERTY: I don't know.
O'BRIEN: It's really an issue for him. It's like that wasn't the Question of the Day.
All right, Jack, thank you very much.
Still to come this morning, Boston gearing up for the Democratic National Convention. The police force, though, making things hard on city hall. We'll explain just ahead.
Plus, how do you memorialize a president? There are some ideas out there for Ronald Reagan, but which is the right one?
We're back in just a moment. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: In Boston, the powerful Police Patrolman's Association without a contract for more than two years, is flexing its muscle on the picket lines. And it is targeting the main venue for the Democratic National Convention, which is just seven weeks away.
Here's Boston bureau chief Dan Lothian.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
06080003.v84
(END VIDEOTAPE)
O'BRIEN: The Democratic National Convention begins July 26 in Boston.
Still to come this morning, the ads say just add some dairy to your diet and the pounds will fall off. But it's actually not that simple. Dr. Sanjay Gupta stops by with a look at that.
Also ahead this morning, all this week we've been talking about the legacy of President Reagan. Is it too much for the current president to live up to? A look at that's ahead, as we continue right after this short break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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Aired June 9, 2004 - 08:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning.
Washington, D.C. awaiting the return of the nation's 40th president. Ronald Reagan's casket comes to the Capitol later today.
Senator Joseph Biden tells us why the debate on torture is so critical.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOSEPH BIDEN (D-DW), FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE: To protect my son in the military.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HEMMER: The attorney general, John Ashcroft, under intense pressure from senators. What did he advise the White House about torture?
And surprising testimony from Laci Peterson's stepfather. He, too, was fishing on the day of her disappearance.
Those stories ahead this hour on AMERICAN MORNING.
ANNOUNCER: From the CNN broadcast center in New York, this is AMERICAN MORNING with Soledad O'Brien and Bill Hemmer.
HEMMER: And good morning.
We are in the nation's capital today. A live picture here from the Capitol Building. In 10 hours from now, the body of the late president will come up the west side of the Capitol Building, up those stairs to lie in state for a period well over 24 hours. And here in Washington, they are bracing for what could be an enormous turnout, possibly well over 100,000 people, maybe much higher than that, to view the casket of the late president.
This is an enormous task for the nation's capital. They've had only five days to put the planning into motion and to get everything coordinated. And one of the significant subplots over the next three days will be the issue of security.
At a minimum, 170 diplomats from 170 different countries; at a minimum, 20 heads of state will all converge here on the nation's capital. It is arguably the most significant and large scale event the city has seen since 9/11 two and a half years ago. And also, Soledad, I say good morning to you and I want to tell you, the attitude in this city truly changes and the texture of this town changes when events like these come to Washington, as I mentioned last hour. The monuments in this city seem to stand out that much higher when we watch the events we're about to see here in D.C.
And with that, good morning to you, as well.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: We would imagine.
And good morning to you.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, hi, Bill.
O'BRIEN: I have to imagine, though -- Jack says hi, as well.
HEMMER: Hi, Jack.
O'BRIEN: I have to imagine, though, that hundred thousand figure sounds very low to me.
HEMMER: If you look at what happened out in California, they are saying they had 106,000 come through that area. Now Ronald Reagan holds a very special significance for the people in California. But when you consider on a normal day how many tourists are in this city, we could easily surpass that over the next day or so.
O'BRIEN: That would be my guess.
HEMMER: Yes.
O'BRIEN: All right, Bill, thanks.
We'll check back with you in a just a few minutes.
O'BRIEN: Some of the other stories that are making headlines this morning, though Iraq isn't the official topic of discussion at the G8 meetings on Sea Island in Georgia, the formal opening of the summit comes with everyone talking about a unanimous decision in the United Nations about Iraq. We're going to take a look at the significance of that for President Bush just ahead.
Also, we'll have the latest on a discovery on Mars. It's not just red dirt...
CAFFERTY: Yes it is.
O'BRIEN: ... even though Jack Cafferty likes to say it is. No, Jack. Look at the teleprompter. It's not just red dirt. Scientists say they've now discovered salt.
CAFFERTY: Swell.
O'BRIEN: And that could be very important.
CAFFERTY: Now if they can just find French fries, we'll be all set.
O'BRIEN: That could be very important because, of course, many researchers say salt means water and water means life and you're going to be hanging on with bated breath to my interview with a scientist just ahead.
CAFFERTY: I just had a thought. And I mean...
O'BRIEN: I'm afraid.
CAFFERTY: ... absolutely no disrespect. But if it wasn't for Ronald Reagan and Jennifer Lopez, we could have gone home at five after seven. Do you know that? This show would have been over at 7:05.
O'BRIEN: We've got a lot to talk about this morning.
CAFFERTY: A little weather, our Andy Serwer hit and bada bingba.
I'm starting to get a little worn out with all this.
O'BRIEN: You know it doesn't work that way, right?
CAFFERTY: Yes.
O'BRIEN: You don't get to go home early on days where the news is hot.
CAFFERTY: I mean no disrespect to the late president, but I'm getting tired of it. I'm starting to get a little worn out.
O'BRIEN: And no disrespect meant to Jennifer Lopez and her new husband.
CAFFERTY: No. I did not include Jennifer Lopez. I said no disrespect to President Reagan. I did not include...
O'BRIEN: What's in the Cafferty File today, Jack?
CAFFERTY: Wednesday, things people say is what we do on Wednesday. We're going to tell you about a very famous woman who says the thing she needs most of all is more ugly pictures of herself.
And P. Diddy will share with all of us his tips for taking a great bath.
O'BRIEN: Oh, that actually sounds good. I mean that sounds good. What?
CAFFERTY: Whatever floats your boat, you know? That's...
O'BRIEN: Thank you.
I will wait for that fine report, Mr. Cafferty.
CAFFERTY: Just, we're try to provide a little diversion between the funerals and the marriages and the, you know, whatever.
O'BRIEN: All right.
Thanks, Jack.
CAFFERTY: Yes.
O'BRIEN: The top story this morning, the United Nations Security Council unanimously endorsing the June 30 transfer of sovereignty in Iraq. The resolution gives authorization for a U.S.-led multinational force to stabilize that country. Under the U.N. plan, which was passed yesterday, the U.S.-led force and Iraq must closely coordinate on all security matters, including "sensitive offensive operations." The mandate of the multinational force will end by January 2006 or at any time on Iraq's demand.
And security permitting, the U.N. will provide assistance on elections, the drafting of a constitution and with civil and social services. The U.N. resolution came as welcome news for President Bush on the first day of the G8 summit in Georgia.
White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux joins us live from Savannah this morning -- good morning to you, Suzanne.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Soledad.
After weeks of bad news in Iraq, of course, President Bush saying that this is a catalyst for change. Very welcome news for the Bush administration. This is a significant symbolic victory for the United States, as well as its allies. President Bush seen in pictures yesterday side by side with leaders of Germany, Russia, Canada, those who had initially opposed the Iraq invasion. But what is unclear at this time is what it means in terms of practical terms. None of these countries committing troops of even financial resources. However, President Bush saying this is certainly a good first step.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The vote today in the United Nations Security Council was a great victory for the Iraqi people. The international community showed that stands side by side with the Iraqi people. The U.N. Security Council resolution supports the interim government, supports free elections and supports a multinational force. America supports strongly the idea of a free society in the midst of hatred and intolerance.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: And President Bush this afternoon, of course, will be meeting with his greatest ally, British Prime Minister Tony Blair. What is significant today is they'll be pushing forward their greater Middle East initiative with the leaders of six other Arab nations. Most notably, it's going to be the new president of Iraq, who will be here. He will be welcomed with the G8, as well as those other Arab nations. They are trying to urge democratic reforms in the region. It'll be a little bit dicey in terms of what kind of support they get, but they are certainly pushing for that today -- Soledad.
O'BRIEN: They're certainly feeling hopeful with the news that's come out of Iraq now.
Suzanne Malveaux for us this morning.
Suzanne, thanks.
Attorney General John Ashcroft is refusing to reveal what advice his department may have given regarding the use of torture against terror suspects. His refusal came yesterday under intense questioning from Democratic senators.
Here's justice correspondent Kelli Arena.
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O'BRIEN: The report in question prepared for Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld contended that in detaining al Qaeda and Taliban members, the U.S. was not bound by prohibitions on the use of torture from the Geneva Conventions -- Bill.
HEMMER: Soledad, at Ronald Reagan's state funeral on Friday, the late president's body will be escorted by a special military guard with a long and storied history. It is just one of the many stories of tradition we will see and observe firsthand here.
Barbara Starr is at the Pentagon -- Barbara, good morning there.
BARBARA STARR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Bill.
Well, the troops who will perform the funeral honors for President Reagan take incredible pride in performing their duties for all who have served.
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STARR (voice-over): Every detail matters. New shoes for the horses that will pull the caisson. Brass on the saddles, polished to a shine. The Army's Old Guard keeping a decades long tradition, providing the military honors at a presidential state funeral, the first in 30 years.
ALAN BOGAN, DIRECTOR, OLD GUARD MUSEUM: He commands the entire U.S. armed forces and it's the military's way of paying last respects on behalf of the nation.
STARR: Six matched horses will pull the 2,500 pound caisson, built in 1918. Caissons once used to carry fallen soldiers from the battlefield. The horses seem to understand.
SGT. MATTHEW STANFIELD, U.S. ARMY CAISSON PLATOON: During the funeral, they see all the people around, the military escort and the band and everything, and when we actually walk, they slow down.
STARR: Behind the caisson, the riderless horse -- boots revised in the stirrups, the warrior who will never ride again taking a final look at the troops behind him. At this ceremony, the riderless horse will be Sergeant York, a former race horse, carrying President Reagan's riding boots.
For the soldiers of this unit, there is as much precision and honor in escorting the presidential funeral cortege as there is in taking the body of a young soldier killed in Iraq to a final resting place.
SPC. STEPHEN CAVA, U.S. ARMY CAISSON PLATOON: I've been doing this for only about a year now, but I have about 300 military full honor funerals under my belt.
STARR: This president's state funeral will be in the care of soldiers, many just children when Ronald Reagan was commander-in- chief. Honor and tradition guiding the Old Guard, as always, as they escort President Reagan into the pages of American history.
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STARR: And, Bill, of course, later today, when President Reagan's body returns to the nation's capital, we will begin to see the precision and ceremony of that state funeral proceeding -- Bill.
HEMMER: Barbara, the secretary of defense, you had a conversation with him recently. How did he reflect on the life of Ronald Reagan?
STARR: Well, we sat down and spoke because, of course, Donald Rumsfeld knew President Reagan very well. Indeed, back in the 1980s, he was President Reagan's envoy to the Middle East. He spoke about how President Reagan's perseverance in foreign policy and defense, especially in the cold war, really paid off and how that was somewhat of a role for having perseverance in the war on terrorism.
And then I must tell you, there was a very personal moment from Don Rumsfeld. He spoke about his own father, who passed away many years ago from Alzheimer's, the impact it had on the Rumsfeld family, the impact it continues to have on the Secretary today, a very reflective, personal moment from the secretary of defense -- Bill.
HEMMER: Barbara, thanks for that.
Barbara Starr at the Pentagon.
Elizabeth Dole served as transportation secretary in President Reagan's administration.
Today she's a Republican senator from the State of North Carolina.
And now she's with us here in our D.C. bureau.
Good morning to you, Senator.
SEN. ELIZABETH DOLE (R), NORTH CAROLINA: Good morning.
HEMMER: Nice to have you here.
DOLE: Happy to be with you.
HEMMER: Is there a moment, is there a time when you were on his cabinet that sticks out in your mind at this point, that really tells a story about how you reflect on this man's life more so than others?
DOLE: I think there's one that just has to stand out. There were many wonderful moments in the seven years that I served under President Reagan's leadership. And just, you know, this model of strong principled leadership, knowing exactly what he wanted to accomplish, a great visionary.
Now, I remember especially when he and I were alone just before he was to give a speech, and we were just kind of chatting in the Green Room. And I said, "Mr. President, how do you do it? You've got the weight of the world on your shoulders." And I said, "Yet you're always so gracious and you show such respect to all people and you never seem to be flustered. How do you do this?"
And he loved to reminisce and kind of tell stories, you know. So he sat back and he said, "Well, Elizabeth, when I was governor of California," he said, "it seemed like every day you had another disaster would be placed on my desk. And I had the urge to hand it to someone behind me to help me." And he said, "One day I realized I was looking in the wrong direction. I looked up instead of back." And he said, "I'm still looking up. I don't think I could go another day in this office if I didn't know I could ask god's help and it would be given."
That told me a lot about a man whose faith was private, and yet it was such a central part of his life.
HEMMER: We've reflected a lot on his faith in the past couple of days. And we also reflect on his humor, as well.
DOLE: Yes.
HEMMER: But as a woman appointed to his cabinet, Sandra Day O'Connor was appointed by him...
DOLE: The first woman to the Supreme Court.
HEMMER: ... well, actually, nominated to the U.S. Supreme Court.
How did he view women?
DOLE: Well, he was...
HEMMER: Was it any different from men?
DOLE: No. Well, he regarded me as a professional on his staff. But he always treated every person with great respect. You know, when I took people in to meet with him when I was assistant to the president at the White House, occasionally there'd be somebody who would have a difference of view and say, you know, I'm really going to give him a piece of my mind.
Well, you know, you'd get into the cabinet room and he would just explain his view and he would address their concerns and maybe pass the jelly beans around. And they'd come out ready to do anything in the world for Ronald Reagan.
But as far as women were concerned, here he appointed Elizabeth Dole to the Department of Transportation, which was a male bastion. Of 100,000 people in the workforce, only 19 percent were female. I also found myself as the first woman to serve as a departmental head of the branch of the armed services, the United States Coast Guard.
HEMMER: He had this Dole to deal with at the White House...
DOLE: You know?
HEMMER: ... and he had your husband to deal with up on the Capitol Hill in the Senate.
DOLE: Right.
HEMMER: How do you reconcile, ultimately -- he is known as a fiscal conservative, a man who came and said I'm going to make government smaller...
DOLE: Right.
HEMMER: ... and I'm going to cut taxes and I'm going to give more money back to the American people.
DOLE: Yes.
HEMMER: Yet, at the end of eight years, the national debt under his leadership had tripled.
How do you reconcile, then, the reputation and the image versus the numbers we saw in 1989?
DOLE: Well, first of all, I think he was right in his view of when you cut taxes, you take some of that load off of your small businesses, for example. They're able to grow, to expand, to upgrade their plants, to create more jobs, to produce more revenue. And when you take that burden off of individuals, they're able to save more and to, you know, spend more of their own money, their hard earned dollars.
Now, I think clearly, with the buildup of the military, that was very necessary at the time and, look, this man really helped to change the world. President Reagan, in the face of communism, he, you know, despite conventional wisdom, he rejected communism. He rejected the Iron Curtain. He rejected the status quo. And with the military buildup, certainly, you know, he was able to literally free hundreds of millions of people who had been under oppression and tyranny.
So, yes, there was a buildup, but the defense part of it was very necessary.
HEMMER: Is there a moment over the next three days that will say to you that's the image, this is the way I remember him and we remember history?
DOLE: I think there will be a lot of poignant moments, no question about it. But in addition to really charting a new course and implementing it, I think greatness in a president is the level of decency and integrity of an individual. And I will always think, as everything transpires, about the warmth of this man, his ability to relate to people of all walks of life, his courtesy, his kindness, his respect for other people, his humility and modesty.
Those are character traits that, in the long run, are the most important in a life. And...
HEMMER: Thank you, Senator.
Good to see you here.
DOLE: Thank you.
It's a pleasure.
HEMMER: Elizabeth Dole, the Republican senator from North Carolina.
We'll be all watching here over the next two and a half days in our nation's capital.
DOLE: Yes, indeed.
HEMMER: Thanks again.
Good to see you.
DOLE: Yes, indeed.
My pleasure.
HEMMER: A bit later today, 11:00 a.m. Eastern time, live coverage begins, Remember Ronald Reagan, live here in Washington. After that, a special report on the state funeral of Ronald Reagan, 4:30 prime minister Eastern time; 1:30 on the West Coast.
Back to New York again -- here's Soledad.
O'BRIEN: All right, Bill.
Thanks.
Eighteen minutes past the hour now.
Time to take a look at some of today's other news with Heidi Collins -- Heidi, good morning again.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning to you, Soledad.
And good morning to you, everybody.
In California, day four of testimony in the Scott Peterson double murder trial. Yesterday, jurors heard more from Laci Peterson's family members, including her stepfather. Ron Grantski originally testified he thought it was suspicious that Scott Peterson went fishing the day of his wife's disappearance, but later admitted he also went fishing that same morning. Peterson is charged with killing his wife and their unborn son.
Clear Channel Communications apparently agreeing to settle with the FCC over complaints about indecency. The nation's largest radio chain will reportedly pay almost $2 million to settle FCC complaints that stem, in part, from Howard Stern's radio show. It could be a record monetary fine. Clear Channel dropped Stern from six of its stations.
Iraq's new prime minister, Iyad Allawi, had reportedly been recruited by the CIA in the early 1990s. Former intelligence officials cited in the "New York Times" say Allawi and his exile group helped send agents into Baghdad to depose then leader Saddam Hussein. The former Iraqi government had claimed that Allawi's tactics resulted in many casualties. But U.S. officials say they cannot confirm any civilian deaths.
In Hartford, Connecticut, it's day two in the impeachment hearing of Governor John Rowland. At issue, two real estate deals the governor was working on. Some say his friends got the state contracts. Rowland is also accused of getting free work on his summer house from state contractors. The bipartisan committee has until June 30th to make its decision.
The film "Passion of the Christ" sparking new controversy now, this time over money. Gibson's distribution company, Icon, is suing Regal, the nation's largest movie chain. Icon says it was shortchanged $40 million in revenues. Regal is not commenting.
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O'BRIEN: Time to check in with Jack.
He's got The Question of the Day -- hello.
CAFFERTY: We should tell the people I just kicked your butt in a game of tic-tac-toe while that weather thing was on, didn't I?
O'BRIEN: I was laughing at you at the beginning because I thought I was winning. But, yes, that's true.
CAFFERTY: Yes, well, don't mess with me.
Here's the deal -- Boston. The transit system will be the first in the nation to begin randomly searching passengers and checking their identification. Transit police will start these searches on the subway and commuter trains in Boston just ahead of the Democratic National Convention up there next month. The American Civil Liberties Union says the program might violate the constitution's ban on unreasonable search and seizure.
The question is, is the random searching of train passengers a good idea?
"Before September 11," writes Fred, "air marshals were placed on random flights to guard against hijacking. We can see how effective that was. Why not waste taxpayers' money on trains, as well? There need to be more overpaid, under worked government employees with generous benefit packages. Reagan was right about one thing, at least -- government is the problem."
David writes: "The problem is that these searches are not random. They're based on so-called profiles, which are basically racist and not based on fact. I was just subjected to a so-called random search in the Atlanta airport. Eighty percent of the people selected were brown or black or in Islamic dress or, like me, had long hair."
David, they searched me at that airport about a year ago, too, and I don't have any of that stuff. I had to take my shoes off and go through the whole deal. Stop whining.
Jeff writes this: "If you don't want to be searched, don't ride the train. Americans are some of the most spoiled, overweight people in the world. Maybe if some of the people complaining would walk, we could eliminate one of the most pressing health concerns in our country -- obesity. We're becoming a big, fat country of spoiled crybabies who don't know how good we have it compared to the rest of the world."
And finally, Paul writes this: "Random searches, prisoner torture, holding citizens without trial -- Germany 1939? How ironic, USA 2004."
O'BRIEN: Jeff with the overweight comment, where does that come from?
CAFFERTY: I don't know.
O'BRIEN: It's really an issue for him. It's like that wasn't the Question of the Day.
All right, Jack, thank you very much.
Still to come this morning, Boston gearing up for the Democratic National Convention. The police force, though, making things hard on city hall. We'll explain just ahead.
Plus, how do you memorialize a president? There are some ideas out there for Ronald Reagan, but which is the right one?
We're back in just a moment. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: In Boston, the powerful Police Patrolman's Association without a contract for more than two years, is flexing its muscle on the picket lines. And it is targeting the main venue for the Democratic National Convention, which is just seven weeks away.
Here's Boston bureau chief Dan Lothian.
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O'BRIEN: The Democratic National Convention begins July 26 in Boston.
Still to come this morning, the ads say just add some dairy to your diet and the pounds will fall off. But it's actually not that simple. Dr. Sanjay Gupta stops by with a look at that.
Also ahead this morning, all this week we've been talking about the legacy of President Reagan. Is it too much for the current president to live up to? A look at that's ahead, as we continue right after this short break.
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