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CNN LIVE SATURDAY

Oklahoma Jury Dealocks On Sentence, Execution Out For Nichols; Iraqi Deputy Minister Bassam Salih Kubba Gunned Down

Aired June 12, 2004 - 12:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

COLLINS SPENCER, CNN ANCHOR: It's 12:00 p.m. in Washington, 11 a.m., in Houston and 9:00 a.m., in Simi Valley, California. I'm Collins Spencer at CNN Global Head Quarters in Atlanta.
Ahead this hour, the final good-bye for President Reagan, the service that brought tears to many.

Also, a nation in mourning for the 40th American president.

Later, he stood tall. He knew how to walk into a room. He knew how to look presidential. He really did.

It's the image of Ronald Reagan in photos from some of the people who saw the public in the private man. But first, the headlines at this hour.

The U.S. Army says 650 prisoners will be released from the Abu Ghraib Prison west of Baghdad. It was the scene of numerous incidents of prisoner abuse. The release is set for Monday, it follows last week's release of 320 inmates.

In the war against terrorism, Pakistani jets and helicopters are bombing suspected al-Qaeda militants in the mountains near Afghanistan. Hundreds have been hiding out in the remote tribal region. It's the fourth day of fighting between Pakistani forces and the militants, at least 50 people have been killed in the fighting.

Here at home, wildfires are scorching thousands of acres in Arizona and New Mexico. Officials are optimistic the so-called "Three-forks fire" will spare the small mountain town that was in its path. That fire in eastern Arizona is only 30 percent contained. The New Mexico blaze has consumed 50,000 acres in Lincoln National Forest.

The nation has said its final farewell to Ronald Reagan after a week of formal events. An intensely personal and emotional goodbye unfolded at his final resting place as the sun set in California. Miguel Marquez is in Simi Valley this morning, the morning after.

Hello Miguel.

MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Collins. It's a busy day here in Simi Valley at the Reagan Library, even though it is closed today. There is a lot of trucks and personnel are here helping clean up after the ceremony last night that was, of all the ceremonies we saw last week, was certainly the most intimate of them. About 700 people gathered here, mostly California friends of President Reagan to say goodbye. But that wasn't it, along the way, the procession was lined by thousands of people as the president, his hearse, made its way from Point Mugu to Simi Valley to the Reagan National Library, here.

We met everybody from Democrats to Republicans. I met a family from Mexico, from Argentina that was out there. Certainly young people who didn't even know Ronald Reagan and older people who had voted for him, some even who hadn't voted for him were certainly out there, as well. At the ceremony, Ronald Reagan's son Ron Reagan, Jr. spoke poetically about his father and where he is now.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RON REAGAN JR., LATE PRESIDENT REAGAN'S SON: Across those fields he will ride a gray mare he calls "Nancy D." They will sail over jumps he has built with his own hands. He will let the river carry him over the shining stones. He will rest in the shade of the trees. Our cares are no longer his. We meet him now only in memory. But we will join him soon enough. All of us, when we are home, when we are free.

(APPLAUSE)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MARQUEZ: Now maybe one of the most touching moments of yesterday's ceremony was when Nancy Reagan approached the casket of her husband to say good-bye one final time. She held the flag in her arms that had been presented to her. She touched the casket at first and then leaned over to say I love you and then began to weep.

Her children, Ron Reagan and Patti Davis came to her side and eventually sort of led her away from that casket and they now, having left shortly after that, and are in seclusion now, certainly. The library itself is closed until Monday. It will open with some extended hours, the flags will remain at half staff, it seems, possibly until then -- Collin.

SPENCER: Miguel, it's been a long week for Nancy Reagan and the rest of the Reagan family. Do they have any plans today or this weekend?

MARQUEZ: It's not clear what their plans are, but we certainly haven't heard from them since they left here last night. It's possible that they will remain in seclusion for some time. It was a very public week. People talked a lot about how frail she was during this week and she held up through all of it, certainly. So, it's not clear what they will be doing after -- in the immediate days ahead -- Collins.

SPENCER: OK. Thanks, Miguel.

Miguel Marquez in Simi Valley, California. The somber strains of the "Navy Hymn" signaled the arrival of Reagan's casket at the National Cathedral 24 hours ago. Inside, current and former world leaders have gathered for one glorious good- bye. Outside the nation found other ways to bid the former president farewell. Tom Foreman reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TOM FOREMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): If you were standing outside almost anywhere in the country, chances are you heard church bells. In Florida, in Wisconsin, in South Carolina, and in so many other places here and abroad. How did Ronald Reagan touch the world? Twenty-five foreign heads of state, 11 former foreign leaders, and 180 ambassadors and foreign ministers were in Washington to say good-bye.

BRIAN MULRONEY, FRM. PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA: Ronald Reagan does not enter history tentatively. He does so with certainty and pinash.

FORMAN: While news services around the globe reported his passing, this is how President Reagan's funeral looked in the Middle East.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (SPEAKING ARABIC)

FORMAN: How did Ronald Reagan touch his homeland? In New York, business people honored the champion of the free market by closing the markets for the day. In Las Vegas, where the bright lights burn brightest, they will be dimmed for a moment. And across the nation, gun salutes, wreath layings, memorial services.

This man was remembered. And it was all fitting because no other modern American president has so publicly reveled in the pageantry of the office while so persistently trying to escape its grasp. How did Ronald Reagan, the great communicator, touch those who knew him best? The answer lies not in any word said in all this past week. But it rests, instead, in the respectful silence today of friends and foes alike.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SPENCER: And that was Tom Foreman reporting. An interesting foot note, Illinois is promoting its so-called Reagan trail that includes Reagan's Tampico birth place, his boyhood home in Dixon, and Eureka College where he went to school.

Join us later today, at 2:00 p.m. for "Ronald Reagan: A Week of Remembrance" that's about two hours from now here on CNN.

And now Iraq, and new violence. An Iraqi deputy minister was gunned down as he went to work this morning. Witnesses and government sources say Bassam Salih Kubba was ambushed outside his Baghdad home. It's the second fatal attack on a senior Iraqi official in a month, but the first killing since the interim government was named. Also today, a Lebanese man and two Iraqi co-workers who were kidnapped earlier this week were found shot to death. Their bodies were found on a road near Ramadi.

Meantime Cleric Moqtada al Sadr now indicates he is willing to support the new Iraqi government if it works to end U.S. military presence in Iraq.

With the sovereignty handover in Iraq just 18 days away, the ongoing violence remains a concern for the U.S.-led coalition. Another worry, keeping the Kurds involved in the new Iraq. And Samer Shehata is with the -- is now with us from Washington to talk more about the impending handover and what may happen after June 30. He's with the Center for Contemporary Arab Studies at Georgetown University.

I want to thank you for joining us, sir.

SAMER SHEHATA, GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY: You're welcome.

SPENCER: Just moments ago I mentioned the new violence today in Iraq. The deputy foreign minister was shot and we had a Lebanese National and two Iraqis, after being kidnapped, were found dead. Is the violence in Iraq ongoing, is it continuing? Are we going to see an end anytime soon?

SHEHATA: Unfortunately, I don't think we're going to see an end anytime soon. And there was a car bomb yesterday as well in Baghdad. And this remains the key issue -- the security issue. Ordinary Iraqis are fuming, are incensed that there is not security for them on a daily basis, as it were, basic law and order.

So this is what the government, the new interim government is charged with doing. This is their number one priority. And if they can establish security, if their performance is successful, then you'll see more and more individuals and political parties buy into the interim government as it were.

But if they fail on that level, and if they fail also in improving the public services, electricity, as it were, clean water and so on, then you're going to see, I think, continuation possibly an increase in the violence as well.

SPENCER: Well, how much of a role is the interim government leaders playing in curbing this violence.

SHEHATA: Well, it's going to depend really on what kind of security forces they can muster, and this is the problem. The United States, some would say mistakenly disbanded the Iraqi army and Iraqi police shortly after the fall of the old regime and they've been trying to reconstitute an Iraqi army and Iraqi security forces, but their numbers, many would say, are woefully inadequate.

So -- and Iraqis also don't want, it seems from the polling data, as well as from anecdotal information, American and foreign troops in cities providing security as it were. So this is the dilemma that the new government has. They need to, through Iraqi forces, as it were, provide security. It's not clear how successful they're going to be. But we've already seen some individuals, whether it be Moqtada al-Sadr or for example, grand Ayatollah al-Sistani say that they are willing to give the new government a chance.

SPENCER: Well, come July 1, the day after the handover, will the Iraqi people see any type of major changes in their daily life?

SHEHATA: Well, this is the $64,000 question. And that is, will Iraqis experience a palpable, a tangible change in their life from June 29 to July 30? Because it's very nice for a new interim government to be installed, for the United Nations as we saw earlier this week, to recognize the legitimacy of this government, for Ambassador Bremer to return from Baghdad to Washington and so on, but if Iraqis don't feel that there is a significant difference in their life after the handover, then I don't think very much is going to change.

SPENCER: We appreciate your time, thanks for being with us. Samer Shehata who works at the Center for Contemporary Studies at Georgetown University.

I thank you again.

SHEHATA: You're welcome.

SPENCER: For complete coverage on the war in Iraq visit the CNN Web site anytime day or night, that web address is CNN.com.

A life and death decision for Terry Nichols: after three days of contentious deliberations, what the jury final decide? The story ahead.

Also, the steroid scandal and some U.S. athletes: the fallout could spread far beyond the track.

Later, our weekend getaway explores the delicate beauty of Martha's Vineyard.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SPENCER: The coconspirator and murderer in the Oklahoma City bombing escapes with his life. An Oklahoma jury in the state trial of Terry Nichols deadlocked over a sentence. Nichols was also spared the sentence in his federal trial. Susan Candiotti is in McAllester, Oklahoma with reaction to the split.

Hello Susan.

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello Collins. The jury reached an impasse after three days and now new details are emerging from one juror about those deeply divided deliberations. One of the seven jurors who wanted the death penalty said the others who wanted to spare Nichols' life, quote, "felt sorry for Nichols.

They thought he could do some good in prison because he found religion," end quote. Then the same juror added, "those of us for death kept asking the others quote 'what does it take to justify the death penalty, if not this case?' No one could answer," the juror told CNN.

Now, because jurors could not agree, and again the split was seven to five for death the judge is required to take over under Oklahoma law, and the death penalty is no longer an option. But remember this is practically meaningless because Terry Nichols already is serving a life without parole sentence for his federal conviction. Many still grieving families are not happy.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ROY SELLS, VICTIMS HUSBAND: So, I would like to ask the jury one -- the whole jury pool one thing. How many people do you have to kill? I mean, they convicted him for 160 murders. How many people do you have to kill before you get the death sentence? Is it 500? 5,000? I don't know. I'd just like to ask them that question.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CANDIOTTI: The juror I spoke with added that he'd like to, quote, "apologize to the victims' families, as he put it, for not getting justice for their loved ones." And his wife told me, "we've been married for 47 years and this is the first time I've seen my husband cry and he's still crying" -- Collins.

SPENCER: Susan, was the judge getting frustrated over the amount of time that was passing by with deliberations?

CANDIOTTI: Not at all. This judge was very calm, cool, and collected with this jury. He told them at the beginning of their deliberations, you take as long as it takes, as you think it will take for you to reach some sort of conclusion. And even though they sent out notes a few times to say we're having problems, he urged them to go back and continue to do their work. But ultimately in the end, when they said they could go no further, he agreed to allow them to deadlock.

SPENCER: OK, thanks, Susan. Susan Candiotti in McAllister, Oklahoma.

Well, elsewhere across America, ten cities are on alert for possible environmental terrorism this weekend. The FBI has alerted law enforcement agencies about potential threats by what it calls radical environmental groups. Those activists are calling for a day to commit vandalism involving ecoterrorism issues.

Twisters caused damage in northern Iowa, but no injuries are reported. Officials say five to 10 tornadoes touched down in one county spawned by heavy thunderstorms. Forecasters say hail was as wide as golf balls in some areas.

And off the air for Rush Limbaugh's 10-year marriage. The conservative radio host and his third wife have decided to call it quits, according to his P.R. representatives. The split comes amid a criminal probe of Limbaugh's prescription painkiller use.

More athletes under the gun each week for alleged doping violations. What does it mean for athletes and what does it mean for the Olympic games just a few months off? We'll take a look.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SPENCER: U.S. Olympic hopefuls who want to go for the gold in Athens this summer may be sidelined by a steroid scandal. The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency is probing possible use of banned substances. One top female sprinter has already been banned from the summer games. Now three other track and field competitors could face the same fate. Josie Burke has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOSIE BURKE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Two years ago Tim Montgomery set the world record in the 100 meters. This summer he hopes to set another record at his third Olympics for the U.S. team. Now a potential drug violation stands between Montgomery and Athens. The United States Anti-Doping Agency, known as USADA, has told Montgomery and three other U.S. sprinters it might ban them.

LESTER MUNSON, "SPORTS ILLUSTRATED" LEGAL ANALYST: This lets these athletes know that their careers are in jeopardy. It lets them know they may not be in the Athens Olympics.

BURKE: But USADA's case comes with a catch. The agency might rely solely on evidence that does not include a positive drug test. USADA's drug testing protocol gives it the right to ban athletes, quote, "when USADA has other reason to believe that a potential doping violation has occurred." USADA recently received the documents that led to indictments of four other people on federal drug charges in connection with the Bay Area Laboratory cooperative scandal in February.

MUNSON: Passing a drug test is no longer enough. We've never seen anything like this in the history of American Olympic sports.

BURKE: His lawyer contends that Montgomery has never failed a drug test. In a statement she said, "The evidence is inconclusive and internally inconsistent." Olympian Marion Jones, Montgomery's girlfriend, has been questioned by USADA and indicated she would sue if banned, but it might not be that easy. All Olympic athletes are required to sign an agreement they will go through arbitration to settle eligibility disputes. And in arbitration, a positive drug test is not required, nor is the kind of proof that's required in court. Published reports indicate USADA will use e-mails, cancelled checks, and calendars with code words for banned substances to link athletes with doping.

Josie Burke, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SPENCER: The U.S. Olympic trials for track and field are less than a month away. If the drug probe is unresolved by late July, athletes may be ineligible to compete in Athens and that could mean millions of dollars in lost endorsement deals. Rick Horrow is a sports business contributor for CNN FM, he's also founder of Horrow Sports Ventures.

And Rick, I want to thank you for being with us.

RICK HORROW, CNN FM SPORTS BUSINESS CONTRIBUTOR: Absolutely. Good afternoon.

SPENCER: Well, with the Olympics right around the corner, and athletes and doping becoming a big story, you being an attorney, what are the legal procedures for finding out if an athlete is doping?

HORROW: Well, as an attorney, I know how complicated this is. This is a big deal for the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, they've sent those letters that Josie talked about. The guys, Montgomery, Harris and others have until Monday to respond. Then there's an independent review panel that decides whether it merits charges if USADA, as it's called, say, yes, we buy this. They can be suspended and the USOC approves that, these people can be out of the Olympics with no recourse, oh, by the way, unless they go to court.

SPENCER: Now, I've been hearing the term "nonanalytical positive." What does that mean?

HORROW: Yeah, you know, now we're going to hear a lot more of that in the future, because the way athletes can protect themselves in this situation is under due process. Administrative hearings, regardless if they go to arbitration or not, they've got to be fair. And this nonanalytical positive language means you can get e-mails, you can do he said/she said -- it's circumstantial and the lawyers are saying that's not enough to face a suspension on which is going to cost somebody dollars and big bucks over time. I guarantee you, if there's some suspensions, the courthouse steps are going to be darn crowded between now and the beginning of the Olympics in Athens.

SPENCER: Rick, some of the athletes are complaining about being falsely accused. Once that happens, their names and reputations are at stake. What can they do to protect themselves?

HORROW: Well, again, we've got the legal situation we just talked about with the due process. But most importantly, the endorsement issues are up in the air. You know, Marion Jones had a May 20 Nike ad pulled and put on the back burner. And by the way, it's not a question of athletes getting the endorsement money. Nike's spending 340 million bucks this year for athletes, a 50 percent increase over last year. It's the question of signing season. Michael Phelps with Speedo, superstar swimmer, and others are getting a big payday. But, if there is the slightest hint of controversy, look for these corporate dollars to be smaller, very well targeted, shorter in duration and easier to terminate just as these athletes are looking for the gravy train.

SPENCER: Now Rick, what is the effect on the Olympic games as far as legitimacy? HORROW: Yeah, that's a big issue. Because, remember a couple of years ago, Collins, we were looking at a major scandal of a different kind, that Salt Lake City bribery scandal. We had 123 USOC members, after the scandal was over, we now have 11. And corporations were looking for a major rebound. Now companies like Xerox and "Sports Illustrated" may be sitting it out after this year to look for marketing directors to be on the fence and monitor it very carefully. Then there's NBC, $900 million or so in rights fees, they got to sell a billion bucks in advertising in their 1200 hours. They're 90 percent sold. But, that last 10 percent is really important.

Then finally there's Athens itself, three billion dollar budget, they've got five million tickets to sell. By the way, they've only sold 1.8 million. So every break has to go for them between now and the beginning of the Olympics for the Olympic -- for the Athens Olympics to be a blockbuster success. We've got to watch it very carefully.

SPENCER: We'll see where this ends up. Thanks Rick for being with us.

Rick Horrow, the founder of Horrow Sports Adventures (sic). Again, thank you for being with us.

HORROW: Cool, talk to you soon.

SPENCER: OK.

Well, he was polished in front of the cameras, but how did Ronald Reagan actually appear to the men and women taking the pictures? We'll talk to a former photographer assigned to the White House.

And later, Martha's Vineyard. It may not top this year's trendy vacation destinations, but that's no reason to cross it off your list, you may be pleasantly surprised.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MURIEL SIEBERT, PRESIDENT & CEO, MURIEL SIEBERT & CO.: I think technology is key. We're going to continue to see technology. We're going to continue to see increase in productivity, and we have to make sure that we stay advanced, that we remain the leader. That the leadership does not go to China, that the leadership does not go offshore. We have to encourage these companies; we've got to give them tax breaks because they are -- continue to be the future.

ARTHUR MURTON, DIRECTOR DIVISION OF INSURANCE FED. DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORP.: Technology has been important to the banking industry in recent years. We've seen in the past decade or so, banks take advantage of changes in technology. Banking is, in many ways, information business.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) SPENCER: Headlines at the half hour. From Saudi Arabia there's word that an American has been killed in a drive-by shooting in Riyadh. The U.S. Embassy confirmed the victim was a U.S. citizen. The shooting happened in a neighborhood where government officials and members of the Saudi royal family live.

Insurgents have killed an Iraqi government official. The deputy foreign minister of the new interim government was assassinated this morning outside his home in Baghdad. Attackers opened fire on a deputy health minister Wednesday but he escaped injury.

Three hostages who were kidnapped in Iraq earlier this week have been shot to death. Their bodies were found today on a road near Ramadi. The Lebanese man and two Iraqi co-workers were employed by a Lebanese company.

Ronald Reagan was the tall hombre in the white cowboy hat, a broad, smiling larger than life figure whose presidency was captured on countless frames of film and many photographers insist those robust images really did reflect the man in the Oval Office. Diane Walker spent 20 years covering the White House for "Time" magazine. She shares her memories of the Reagan presidency.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DIANA WALKER, PHOTOGRAPHER: People do say that the presidency is probably the loneliest job you could have. And I have to say, I never had that impression with President Reagan. He seemed very happy in his job and in his skin. You saw who he was in public. And he was that way in my view in private.

He stood tall. He knew how to walk into a room. He knew how to look presidential. He really did. And he also was quite stylish in the way he dressed and how he looked. And he was wonderful at putting world leaders at ease when he was in private conversation with them.

The Reagan presidency, his two terms, this country was struck by several very large tragedies, and President and Mrs. Reagan were called upon to console many people, whether it was the families of the Marines who were killed in the bombing in Lebanon or the Challenger families. The president himself was quite emotional in a very quiet and dignified way in those moments. And I think he and Mrs. Reagan were extremely helpful to families who were going through a horrible time.

The Reagan administration was very good about setting up photo opportunities. One picture that I remember vividly was the President and Mrs. Reagan standing under the guns on the battleship USS Iowa. And you see all the sailors lined up and you see the president and Mrs. Reagan with their hands over their hearts. It's just such a beautiful picture, it almost looks like they're going to break out and dance like you would in a Busby Berkeley musical.

The Statue of Liberty was 100 years old. There the two of them were looking off into the distance at this beautiful symbol of our country, and then the symbol of the presidency next door to them. This was the Reagan presidency.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SPENCER: One other note on Diana Walker, this from "The Digital Journalist," the first time Nancy Reagan entertained Mrs. Gorbachev, Walker was the only photo journalist allowed to record the event.

Now, to anther former White House photographer, Worth Kinlaw. He covered the latter years of the Reagan presidency.

Welcome, Worth.

WORTH KINLAW, FORMER WHITE HOUSE PHOTOGRAPHER: Thank you.

SPENCER: Did you learn a lot about the Reagans when you were taking their pictures?

KINLAW: Certainly. Ronald Reagan didn't like a lot of quiet when he was in a room. He -- I think he made a real effort to make other people feel comfortable and he would kind of drop his guard a little bit. I mean, we were -- our pay grade, he wasn't too worried about us spilling any beans on any secret stuff, so certainly he allowed us to get to know him a little bit.

SPENCER: Right. Can you talk about his sense of humor? That was talked about a lot during the tributes this week.

KINLAW: Oh, gosh, he had a great sense of humor. He never missed a punch line. He loved to tell jokes. He -- I remember one particular incident somebody in the papers had said Mr. Reagan didn't like this because he was upstaged. He said, "Good lord, upstaged, I co-starred with Harold Flynn." He just -- was just a terrific guy to be around. Always -- he always wanted to make the rest of us feel comfortable.

SPENCER: Whenever we saw the Reagans, they were always smiling and upbeat. Can you talk about how effective the White House was in perfecting the -- their image on camera?

KINLAW: I'm not sure that the White House had to work very hard at that. He was an actor. He certainly knew what he was doing around cameras. But the overriding theme, I think, of his life and her life was each other. They totally completed each other. And I think when you hear that from someone or feel that from someone, it is a life- changing experience, and that's what it was for them.

SPENCER: Now throughout the week you've documented a lot of what was going on. Can you tell us what were the most important and poignant moments with Nancy Reagan and the rest of the family in?

KINLAW: I saw very little of it on television. What I saw was what I covered. Yesterday, I was at the World War II memorial as the hearse passed by, and Mrs. Reagan was looking towards -- in our camera direction and I just thought she looked so sad. She looked shocked, perhaps by the outpouring, certainly the grief, and she looked tired. I'm sure it's been a long, stressful week for her.

SPENCER: Yes. Hopefully she'll be able to get some rest now.

Worth, I want to thank you for your time.

KINLAW: Sure.

SPENCER: Worth Kinlaw, who worked as a White House photographer from 1986 to 1989. Thank you again.

KINLAW: Thanks a lot.

SPENCER: Well, some 12 hours after Ronald Reagan's burial, the former chief executive remains on the minds of many. President Bush offered an additional tribute to the man he called a "courageous patriot" today in his radio address. After all, Reagan began the tradition of Saturday radio broadcasts. Elaine Quijano is standing by near the president's ranch in Texas.

Hello, Elaine.

ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon, Collins. Well, in that radio address, President Bush remembered the former president as a man who felt that people were basically good. Now, those comments came one day after the president actually was laid to rest. Some very emotional scenes out west in California: a sunset funeral service there, poignant, emotional good-byes to the former president.

Now, President Bush did not attend that particular event. That event, however, a particularly personal one in which the three children of Ronald Reagan, the three surviving children of Ronald Reagan spoke.

But earlier in the day at a service at Washington's National Cathedral, President Bush offered comfort to Nancy Reagan. Also on hand to pay their respects, first lady Laura Bush and a host of world and national leaders. Well, today, President Bush recounted the reasons he says that Ronald Reagan was so respected, not just as a leader, but as a human being.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: As he showed what a president should be, he also showed us what a man should be. Ronald Reagan carried himself with a decency and attention to the small kindnesses that also define a good life. He was a courtly, gentle, and considerate man, never known to slight or embarrass others.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

QUIJANO: Now even as President Bush mourned President Reagan's passing, preparations were continuing here in Texas to celebrate the life of President Bush's father, the elder Bush. George H.W. Bush turning 80 years old this weekend, a big celebratory event happening tonight in Houston. The president attending that.

That gala also, we understand, to include the former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev as one of the guests. And tomorrow, the elder Bush will actually be doing something that he has done before; to mark the occasion, he will be parachuting out of an airplane.

Now, this weekend's events are part of charity events. Officials hope to raise some $30 million to be split among three groups, the George Bush Presidential Library Foundation, the University of Texas, Anderson Cancer Center, and the Point of Light Foundation, a volunteer organization there.

But after a difficult week for President Bush and his family, a chance now to celebrate and enjoy, as you saw there, the president there -- the elder Bush, preparing to get ready for that parachute jump. Of course, the elder Bush a World War II veteran. The very first time he had to bail out of a plane not under such fun circumstances. This certainly, though, a chance for the family to come together after what's been a very difficult week --Collins.

SPENCER: All right, that should definitely be fun. Elaine, good to see you. Elaine Quijano near the president's ranch in Texas.

We'll relive this historic week honoring the nation's 40th president. "CNN LIVE SATURDAY" airs "RONALD REAGAN: A WEEK OF REMEMBERANCE" starting at 2:00 p.m. Eastern.

Nancy Reagan showed strength and grace in caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease, but it exacts a terrible toll on all caregivers. We'll meet a couple also caught up in that struggle.

And later on, President Reagan's children remember their father. More from the last good-bye on CNN SATURDAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SPENCER: In November 1994, Ronald Reagan began what he called the journey that would lead him into the sunset of his life. Reagan revealed he had Alzheimer's disease; a diagnosis he regretted would be a heavy burden on his family. It's a burden many Americans bear. Holly Firfer has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There we go.

HOLLY FIRFER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Amy and Mack were high school sweethearts. Sixty-one years ago, they promised to love each other in sickness and in health. Amy stood by him as he fought in three wars. Two children and nine grandchildren later, they wrote a book together on how to have a successful marriage. Mack says Amy was his world. Then a diagnosis of Alzheimer's tore that world apart.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We traveled five continents, 100 countries and we stay home. We tell people, you know where I live. And I started to set up a routine, because I decided I wanted to be the caregiver.

FIRFER: As long as he's able, Mack says he will care for Amy.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Now, don't misunderstand me. I kick a chair once in a while and say words that my wife wouldn't like.

FIRFER: Amid his frustrations, Mack learned how to grocery shop and do housework. He makes Amy breakfast and dinner and gives her her medications.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Here you go, darling, (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

FIRFER: Healthcare professionals say most caregivers suffer from depression and anxiety, so it's crucial that people who care for Alzheimer's patients care for themselves, too. They suggest joining a support group and some basic tips, like being calm and understanding, patient and flexible, don't argue with the patient, and most importantly, don't take any unusual behavior personally. Mack enrolled Amy in an adult daycare at his church for $30 a day so he gets a break. Right now, Amy's physical demands aren't too tough, but the emotional toll, he says, is the hardest.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I miss her as being part of me. I -- see, I believe that marriage, you become one. I try to look at it this way, I'll face, as we get old, eternity together.

FIRFER: Holly Firfer, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SPENCER: Dr. Sanjay Gupta will have more on Alzheimer's, including why some may be misdiagnosed with the disease. That's tomorrow morning at 8:30 Eastern Time on "HOUSE CALL."

You may think of it as old houses, old money, and good old boys, but Martha's Vineyard has lots to offer. It might just be the perfect vacation spot for you. Stick around and find out.

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SPENCER: Artists and aristocrats, political movers and shakers, and sheep farmers, those who know Martha's Vineyard say it's unlike any other place in the world. And it's recently become a hip summer getaway. We've got the inside story on the quaint island off Cape Cod from a photographer who has vacationed there for the past 10 years. Nancy Ellison is the author of "Vineyard Days, Vineyard Nights" and she shot all of the pictures. She's in Charleston, South Carolina.

Welcome, Nancy.

NANCY ELLISON, AUTHOR/PHOTOGRAPHER, "VINEYARD DAYS, VINYARD NIGHTS": Thank you.

SPENCER: I've got your book right here, great pictures in it. You and your husband are summer residents of Martha's Vineyard. My family and I used to make periodic trips to Martha's Vineyard over the years. It's a special place. How special is Martha's Vineyard?

ELLISON: Well, it's unique. I think it's -- not to play around with a metaphor, it's an island unto itself. If you think of everybody's favorite back porch and the moods that you feel when you go out on the back porch and the sense of safety from the world, that's what the island itself is like. And Paul Threwen (ph) who's essay in the book talks about the back porch of -- sorry, Bill Stiron (ph) who has had everybody from those sheep farmers that you talked about to presidents come to the back porch to spend time and to talk. And I think what's especially unique about it is that the conversation and the love and the local integrity of the island creates a respite from the usual sense of money and clamor and traffic and life. It's a haven.

SPENCER: Right. Now who are the residents of Martha's Vineyard?

ELLISON: Year-round residents?

SPENCER: Yes.

ELLISON: Well, they go back about 300 or 400 years. We can start with the Mayhughs, who founded the island. They still live on the island. And I think some of the original families have been literally on the island for the last 400 years and they are truly the aristocrats of the island.

SPENCER: You know, in your book, what distinguishes Vineyard days from Vineyard nights?

ELLISON: Not much in terms of clothing. You hardly have to change out of your bathing suit most of the time.

SPENCER: Right.

ELLISON: Well, I think the truth is the mornings in the Vineyard very often start with a beautiful mist that engulfs the island with a kind of romantic veil. I think very much that the Vineyard is like a woman who is about to do a dance of seven veils and she slowly takes one veil off and then another and reveals herself by midday into the beautiful clear sun of normal island weather. And then by nighttime again, who knows what will happen.

SPENCER: Right. We only...

ELLISON: It can be very chilly and cold or romantic.

SPENCER: Yes, exactly. We only have a few seconds left. The island also has a large black community in the Oak Bluffs area. Can you talk about that quickly?

ELLSION: Yes, it does. It's an incredible community. It's a community not only of famous celebrities like (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Jordan and people like that who come during the summer, but it's also an island of very sturdy year-round residents who have been established on the island for as many years as I think the island itself has existed.

SPENCER: All right. It's a great place to visit. Nancy, I want to thank you for being with us.

ELLISON: My pleasure. SPENCER: Nancy Ellison, the author of "Vineyard Days and Vineyard Nights." Thanks again.

ELLISON: Thank you.

SPENCER: You're welcome.

An emotional end to a long day and a long week for the Reagan family. Last night's burial near the shores of the Pacific up next.

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SPENCER: Well, welcome back. He is home now. He is free. That was the sentiment from Ron Reagan Jr. as his father was laid to rest.

A week of mourning ended where it began, at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have come from sea to shining sea to this soil, which he loved so much.

MICHAEL REAGAN, SON: You knew my father, as governor, as president, but I knew him as dad.

PATTI DAVIS, DAUGHTER: I know that at his last moment, when he opened his eyes, eyes that had not opened for many, many days, and looked at my mother, he showed us that neither disease nor death can conquer love.

RON REAGAN JR., SON: In his final letter to the American people, Dad wrote, "I now begin the journey that will lead me into the sunset of my life." This evening, he has arrived.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We commend into your hands the spirit of your servant, Ronald Wilson Reagan. We commend him into your care and keeping.

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SPENCER: There is more to come on CNN SATURDAY. In a few moments, "IN THE MONEY," at 2:00 Eastern and CNN LIVE SATURDAY, in- depth on a remarkable week of memorable images to say so long to Ronald Reagan. At 3:00 Eastern, "NEXT@CNN," today, tracking Venus. And that rare glimpse of Venus transiting the sun, but first Jack Cafferty and "IN THE MONEY."

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