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CNN Live Sunday

Another Terror Attack in Baghdad; More Fury From Mother Nature

Aired June 13, 2004 - 11:00   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.


COLLINS SPENCER, CNN ANCHOR: It's 11:00 a.m. in Atlanta, 10:00 a.m. in College Station, Texas, 7:00 p.m. in Baghdad. I'm Collins Spencer at the CNN world headquarters.
Ahead this hour, another terror attack in Baghdad. Instability in Iraq just 17 days before the handover of power.

Also,

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm a Marine. If the Marines are out fighting somewhere, I don't want to be home watching on TV. I want to be there; I want to be with them and be part of it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SPENCER: A wounded Marine who volunteered for redeployment in Iraq talks about his wounds and why he hopes to serve on the front lines again.

Later, more fury from Mother Nature. A tornado destroys a home in the Midwest as the nation watched.

But first, top stories at this hour.

Authorities are searching for a missing American engineer in Saudi Arabia who may have been kidnapped by Al Qaeda. It's the latest round of violence in the kingdom. We'll have much more on this in a moment.

In Iraq, a well-known Muslim cleric has been killed in the northern city of Kirkuk. A local mayor and civilian were caught in the crossfire and also died. And 11 police officers were injured in several incidents in that region.

And in the American west, the firefighters are struggling with blazes in Arizona. Lower winds are helping to reduce the threat to vacation homes in the region. The Arizona wildfires are now at least 40 percent contained.

We begin with the escalating attacks on Americans and other westerners in Saudi Arabia. The latest incident involves a missing American defense worker, Paul Johnson, believed kidnapped by Al Qaeda. The latest from Sean Callebs in our Washington bureau.

Hello, Sean.

SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good day, Collins. Indeed, U.S. officials are calling the situation in Saudi Arabia a serious threat, and at the same time, saying they're very actively engaged, working with Saudi officials to confront this latest terrorist activity.

Authorities are convinced the attacks are designed to fuel chaos in the kingdom, and disrupt the critically important Saudi oil supply. U.S. and Saudi officials are looking for a suspected kidnapped American citizen, this as an investigation into the shooting death of another U.S. citizen moves forward. A group calling itself Al- Fallujah Squadron posted a picture of 49-year-old Paul Johnson, Jr., on an Islamic Web site showing Johnson's business card for Lockheed Martin. The group saying Johnson worked on patching Apache helicopter systems. In Florida, Johnson's son confirmed those are the pictures of his father.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHNSON: You know, I'm waiting on the State Department to give me an answer, his company. This should not have happened. This could have been very preventable. On Lockheed Martin's part, and -- I don't know. That's all I've got to say.

UNIDENTIFIED MAN: And with, you know, the recent concerns about security over there, had your father said he wanted to come back, or had he mentioned any of that in your recent correspondence with him?

JOHNSON: No, he said everything's normal, you know? He hasn't mentioned nothing like that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CALLEBS: Johnson said his father didn't appear to be overly concerned with security in the region. Lockheed Martin is confirming that Johnson works for the company, but isn't saying what he does. The company says he has been working in Saudi Arabia for ten years. A Lockheed Martin spokesman today says the company has 70 employees in Saudi Arabia, but the family members of almost all of them have left the kingdom over the last several weeks due to State Department warnings.

National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice will be on Wolf Blitzer's show, "LATE EDITION," in one hour. She says the United States has repeatedly issued safety concerns for people living and working in Saudi Arabia.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CONDOLEEZZA RICE, U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: Well, the United States has, in fact, warned American citizens about the dangers in Saudi Arabia. There have been several warnings and a State Department warning. It is, like many places in the world right now, a place in which terrorists are trying to make their mark. We're doing everything we can with the Saudis to try and protect those who are there, but it's obviously a dangerous place and people have to draw their own conclusions.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CALLEBS: U.S. and Saudi officials are also investigating the killing of 63-year-old Robert Jacobs. A western diplomat is telling CNN Jacobs was an engineer working for an advanced electronics company. Al Qaeda is being blamed for the shooting death, which was videotaped and now appearing on a number of Islamic Web sites. The video shows the gunman firing ten shots, continuing to shoot the victim as he falls to the ground.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

COLIN POWELL, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: We're very sad over the loss of American life and we're worried about the individual who was kidnapped, and we're working with the Saudi officials to recover him safely. And it's a troubling time in Saudi Arabia, and I know the Saudis are doing everything they can to deal with this terrorist threat.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CALLEBS: The terrorist group is pledging to continue its attacks, saying they are showing support, and I'm quoting here, "for our brothers in Palestine, Iraq, Cuba and everywhere."

Collins?

SPENCER: Sean, do the Saudis have any reaction to the kidnapping?

CALLEBS: Yes. We got a release from Ambassador to the United States Prince Bandar Bin Sultan just a short while ago. In it, he calls this craven acts of evil, and he says their intention, talking about the terrorists, is to shake our will, to frighten away what he refers to as friends and allies. He says that the country is at war with the terrorists, and goes on to say that they will win.

Collins?

SPENCER: Good to see you, Sean. Sean Callebs in Washington.

With more on the hunt for Johnson and the attacks on Americans and other westerners in Saudi Arabia, Caroline Faraj reports from Dubai in the neighboring United Arab Emirates.

Hello, Caroline.

CAROLINE FARAJ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Collins. We were just told right now that a body of a westerner was found in the capital of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh. And according to several diplomats, they were western diplomats in Riyadh, they were saying it is correct, they found the body, however, up to now, it's not clear what is the nationality of this victim. We talked to the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh and they told us that they're working under the assumption that the victim was not American. However, I think it's a bit too early, that's according to the Saudi officials, to give more details about the body that they found. Collins?

SPENCER: Caroline, have any more details or demands from the group claiming responsibility been released?

FARAJ: The only tool that they're using, Collins, is the Web site, and we've been checking it day and night in order to find if there is any statement issued after yesterday's statement that they issued claiming responsibility for killing and kidnapping Americans, and they even published a copy of the passbook of the kidnapped American engineer, and they also published his full details with driving license. They said in their statement, however, that they will be issuing a new statement with a video that shows the American victim and American -- sorry, the American kidnapped person, with more details about him talking to his family, and they will be putting after that the Mujahideen demands. This is how they put it.

Up till now we haven't heard anything yet, and even the Saudi officials are doing their best and they're doing their utmost in order to be able to reach these kidnappers. Collins?

SPENCER: OK. Thank you, Caroline. Caroline Faraj in Dubai.

A new wave of attacks is sweeping across Iraq as the handover date nears. A few minutes ago we got word another U.S. soldier has been killed and two more wounded northwest of Baghdad. The latest from Iraq now from Guy Raz in the Iraqi capital.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GUY RAZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: In what's shaping up to be a particularly violent day in the Iraqi capital, a suicide car bomb blast just feet from a U.S. military installation. At least 12 Iraqis were killed in that attack, according to U.S. military sources. Four of those killed were Iraqi police officers who were apparently trying to stop the suicide car bomber from reaching the U.S. military installation. It's the third car bomb in Iraq in just over a week.

That attack happened shortly after another senior, high level Iraqi government official was gunned down just outside his home. Kamal Al-Jarrah was killed as he was leaving for work; he was the cultural affairs officer at the Ministry of Education. Al-Jarrah was the second high-level Iraqi government official killed in as many days. Yesterday, Bassam Kubba, Iraq's deputy foreign minister, gunned down as he made his way to work. He was the deputy foreign minister of Iraq, just back from New York for a visit to the United Nations.

Now, these attacks really underline the instability that characterizes the landscape here in the Iraqi capital and all over the country, just weeks before interim administrative authority is handed over to an Iraqi government.

Guy Raz, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SPENCER: Hear from those involved with the transition of power in Iraq; "LATE EDITION" has the newsmakers. Wolf Blitzer will interview National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice. Iraqi Interim President Sheikh Ghazi al Yawar will talk about his plans for Iraq. Wolf will also sit down with Lakhdar Brahimi, the U.N. Envoy to Iraq.

George Bush, Sr., wants a skydiver's pin for his birthday. To get it, the 80-year-old ex-president is jumping, not once, but twice today from a plane.

Ed Lavandera covers today's festivities from the president's landing site in College Station, Texas. Ed, this has been a big weekend for the former president.

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It is the culmination of a birthday party weekend here as George Bush, Sr., turns 80 this weekend. Celebrating in Houston last night, the party moves north, where in about two and a half hours he will skydive from 13,000 feet and reaching speeds of 120 miles per hour towards earth.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LAVANDERA (voice-over): George Bush says falling through the sky makes him feel like a spring colt, that's why he jumped at age 72 and then again on his 75th birthday.

GEORGE H. BUSH, FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT: It was heaven. It was just exhilarating. This is kind of a euphoric high. You end up landing safely and you just feel wonderful.

LAVANDERA: Bush's first jump wasn't wonderful. It was during World War II in the Pacific Ocean. As a Navy pilot, his plane was going down, he bailed out before it crashed into the water. Shortly after he was rescued. Bush said he wanted to parachute again, but he vowed it would only be for fun.

BUSH: If somebody doesn't like that or they think it's frivolous, my answer to that is old guys can still do stuff, and you might as well go for it.

LAVANDERA: Now on his 80th birthday the 41st president is set to jump again. In early May, he went through a refresher training course in the Fort Bragg wind tunnel. All of this shouldn't come as a surprise. He had his wife's blessing for this jump five years ago, but just don't expect Barbara Bush to join in the fun.

BARBARA BUSH, FORMER FIRST LADY: I think when he's 80 he'll probably jump again. I'll announce it right now. He's going to jump when he's 80.

UNIDENTIFIED MAN: With you?

BARBARA BUSH: Oh, no.

LAVANDERA: Mrs. Bush will keep both feet firmly planted on the ground. And after this jump we'll wonder if the former president will try again on his 85th birthday.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LAVANDERA: Well, President Bush has already had one jump this morning at about 7:45 central time. He did a tandem jump connected to another parachuter. That was in preparation for this. He's gone through preparation, and in about an hour and a half he'll go through the final preparations with the Golden Heights parachute team from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, as they prepare to land here in about two and a half hours.

Collins?

SPENCER: That's all great to see and hear. Thanks, Ed.

Ed Lavandera in College Station, Texas.

A new wave of heavy weather rips through parts of the Midwest. This tornado did a number on that house. Meteorologist Jill Brown has the latest on where storms may turn up today.

Also, race in the NBA. Why Larry Bird's comments about white superstars are causing such controversy.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SPENCER: We all know what tornadoes can do, but this twister in rural Kansas has left many people amazed. The building was reduced to nothing more than what you see, swirling particles. The owners were out of town when it hit, and no one was injured. A half-dozen tornadoes were reported in southern Kansas . To get an update on the rest of the country, how the weather is looking, let's go to meteorologist Jill Brown, who's in the weather center. Hi, Jill.

JILL BROWN, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Hi, Collins.

Looks like we'll deal with more of the same this afternoon and in the same spots. A quick look at the radar shows some thundershowers out there and a little bit of rain, nothing serious yet. That tornado touched down about 7:15 last night and it may be before 4:00, 5:00, 6:00 before we see the storms firing up. So take the break while you get it. Again, scattered thundershowers through here. This is our spot to watch. Still mainly eastern Kansas with the threat of thunderstorms and possible tornadoes today, but we could see them spread all the way across the Great Lakes.

Elsewhere in the country, things are pretty quiet. Things are pretty nice out there. In the northeast, pleasant temperatures. Possibly a little bit warmer tomorrow, but also with a threat of showers and thundershowers. Southeast, a little bit hot, although not as hot in Atlanta as it has been. Few more clouds around.

Real scorchers in the southwest. Phoenix isn't the only spot that'll be above 100, Las Vegas, Palm Springs. All the usual spots. Definitely June out there.

Collins, back to you.

SPENCER: OK. Thanks, Jill.

One of the NBA's best players is at the center of some criticism off the court. Coming up, is it a tempest in a teapot? Why has Larry Bird touched a nerve?

And later, a Marine severely wounded in Iraq war, and he wants to serve again in battle.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SPENCER: A sniper in southern California dies in a shootout with authorities. That tops news across America. The sniper opened fire at a recycling center near Irvine. The gunman wounded two sheriff's deputies and a worker before he was killed. Authorities are trying to determine his motives.

Strong storms leave a path of destruction in Kentucky. Residents in Hardinsburg suspect a tornado caused this damage, but forecasters have not confirmed any twisters in the state. More bad weather is on radar for Kentucky. Several countries are under a flood watch until this evening.

Turning lemons into lemonade. That's what 8-year-old Alex Scott is doing. The suburban Philadelphia girl held a lemonade fund-raiser yesterday; the money will go towards research on childhood cancer. Alex Scott is herself a victim. She's raised $200,000 so far.

The NBA finals resume tonight with the Detroit Pistons trying to extend a 2-1 lead over the Los Angeles Lakers. It happens most of the players on the court will be of one race and while most of the other ones watching will be of another. Recently, a former pro basketball superstar was asked if that should change. Larry Smith has reaction to the answer.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LARRY SMITH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Larry Bird retired 12 years ago, as the NBA's last bona fide white superstar. As a player he never backed down from a challenge. As a former player he never backs down from a question.

UNIDENTIFIED MAN: Does the NBA lack enough white superstars in your opinion?

LARRY BIRD, FORMER NBA PLAYER: I think so. When I played, we had me and Kevin and some others throughout the league. I think it's good for a fan base. As we all know the majority of the fans are white America. And if you just had a couple white guys in there, might get them started.

It is a black man's game. It will be, and forever.

UNIDENTIFIED MAN: I don't think it's racial or anything like that. And also, you ask Larry Bird a question, he's going to answer it. And he's going to answer it truthfully.

BILLY HUNTER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NBA PLAYERS ASSOCIATION: What it demonstrates and what it illustrates to me is that if Larry says it, a whole lot of people are thinking it.

SMITH: What Bird was thinking is open to different interpretations. Bird himself has refused further comment on the subject.

UNIDENTIFIED MAN: My first thought was that I can't believe he went there. Because it's just the kind of argument that I think it was racial, but it was really not racist.

UNIDENTIFIED MAN: He's not talking about taking the job of -- giving that job to someone who isn't as good as maybe an African- American is, he just wished there were more white superstars.

HUNTER: I respect Larry for making the comment, and I support his right to do so, because I think the issue needs to go on the table.

SMITH: The NBA does not keep statistics on race. Instead, it categorizes players by their nationality. Roughly 75 percent of the players in the league are black. The NBA appeals to its predominately white fan base by marketing its superstars. These players are all black.

BOB LANIER, BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME: Our fans connect with our players, not because of any certain colors, but it's about how hard they work and what they give and what they leave on the floor.

PETER STERN, PRESIDENT, STRATEGIC SPORTS GROUP: I think the NBA cares about great players doing great things. And that transcends not just on the court but off the court as well. I think that's what the NBA is concerned about. And what fans are concerned about.

UNIDENTIFIED MAN: By and large where the NBA cities are, I don't think it matters. I think people embrace their superstars whether they're black or white.

SMITH: Larry Smith, CNN, Auburn Hills, Michigan.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SPENCER: Well, there's much more ahead in a few minutes on "RELIABLE SOURCES." Howard Kurtz has this preview.

Hi, Howard.

HOWARD KURTZ, HOST, "RELIABLE SOURCES": Hi, thanks very much.

Coming up, Ronald Reagan and the press. Are journalists overlooking the downside of his presidency? Has the media's farewell been overdone? And are news organizations trying to make the Gipper a figure in this year's presidential campaign?

All that and more at the bottom of the hour on "RELIABLE SOURCES."

SPENCER: All right, look forward to it.

A U.S. Marine nearly killed in Iraq wants to head back to active duty. Coming up, a soldier's story of service and sacrifice, and why he wants another tour of duty.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SPENCER: Welcome back. Being hit by a rocket propelled-grenade would be enough to stop most people. But one U.S. Marine who served in Iraq is not like most people. Casey Wian introduces you to another hero of the week.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CASEY WIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Gunny Nick Popaditch is doing what he loves best, showing off an M1-A1 battle tank, the kind he's commanded through two Gulf wars.

POPADITCH: There's no weapon system in Iraq currently employed by the anti-coalition forces that can take this thing off the battlefield.

WIAN: Popaditch rolled into Baghdad's Firdos Square on a tank he named carnivore. He and his fellow Marines helped the Iraqis take down the now infamous statue of Saddam Hussein.

POPADITCH: You felt at that time you were seeing these people liberated, these people being freed, and they certainly were reacting that way. And it was just an incredible moment to be part of.

WIAN: Popaditch completed the deployment and came home, and just a few months later volunteered to go back with another unit.

POPADITCH: I'm a Marine. If the Marines are out fighting somewhere, I don't want to be home watching on TV. I want to be there; I want to be with them and be part of it.

WIAN: This time he found himself in Fallujah, in a tough firefight with insurgents. A rocket-propelled grenade almost cost him his life.

POPADITCH: The other one came from straight down above me, here, and hit me right on top of the head. Right about here, I guess my head was.

WIAN: The explosion took out Popaditch's right eye and left him partially blind in his left eye and deaf.

POPADITCH: There's like a cap in there. I don't know if this is gross or not. It's not gross to me or anybody. There's just a cap in there.

WIAN: Popaditch can't read yet, but says his sight gets better every day. He can hear with one ear, and hopes a hearing aid will help the other. In spite of the ordeal, he feels lucky.

POPADITCH: It never struck me as a tragedy or anything like that. Because you've got to - you know, I'm perfectly fine from the neck down. I'm perfectly healthy.

WIAN: While he recovers, Popaditch hangs out with fellow Marines in a tank maintenance yard, anxious to get back to work.

POPADITCH: I'd go back in a minute. As soon as I can see again, that's my plan.

WIAN: He hopes his 15-year military career will continue.

Casey Wian, CNN, reporting.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SPENCER: A great story.

Well, there's more ahead on CNN Sunday. "RELIABLE SOURCES" is next, analyzing media coverage of the Ronald Reagan state funeral.

Then, "LATE EDITION WITH WOLF BLITZER." Among guests today to discuss the handover of power in Iraq, National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice.

At 2:00 p.m. Eastern time, "PEOPLE IN THE NEWS."

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 13, 2004 - 11:00   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 11:00 a.m. in Atlanta, 10:00 a.m. in College Station, Texas, 7:00 p.m. in Baghdad. I'm Collins Spencer at the CNN world headquarters.
Ahead this hour, another terror attack in Baghdad. Instability in Iraq just 17 days before the handover of power.

Also,

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm a Marine. If the Marines are out fighting somewhere, I don't want to be home watching on TV. I want to be there; I want to be with them and be part of it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SPENCER: A wounded Marine who volunteered for redeployment in Iraq talks about his wounds and why he hopes to serve on the front lines again.

Later, more fury from Mother Nature. A tornado destroys a home in the Midwest as the nation watched.

But first, top stories at this hour.

Authorities are searching for a missing American engineer in Saudi Arabia who may have been kidnapped by Al Qaeda. It's the latest round of violence in the kingdom. We'll have much more on this in a moment.

In Iraq, a well-known Muslim cleric has been killed in the northern city of Kirkuk. A local mayor and civilian were caught in the crossfire and also died. And 11 police officers were injured in several incidents in that region.

And in the American west, the firefighters are struggling with blazes in Arizona. Lower winds are helping to reduce the threat to vacation homes in the region. The Arizona wildfires are now at least 40 percent contained.

We begin with the escalating attacks on Americans and other westerners in Saudi Arabia. The latest incident involves a missing American defense worker, Paul Johnson, believed kidnapped by Al Qaeda. The latest from Sean Callebs in our Washington bureau.

Hello, Sean.

SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good day, Collins. Indeed, U.S. officials are calling the situation in Saudi Arabia a serious threat, and at the same time, saying they're very actively engaged, working with Saudi officials to confront this latest terrorist activity.

Authorities are convinced the attacks are designed to fuel chaos in the kingdom, and disrupt the critically important Saudi oil supply. U.S. and Saudi officials are looking for a suspected kidnapped American citizen, this as an investigation into the shooting death of another U.S. citizen moves forward. A group calling itself Al- Fallujah Squadron posted a picture of 49-year-old Paul Johnson, Jr., on an Islamic Web site showing Johnson's business card for Lockheed Martin. The group saying Johnson worked on patching Apache helicopter systems. In Florida, Johnson's son confirmed those are the pictures of his father.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHNSON: You know, I'm waiting on the State Department to give me an answer, his company. This should not have happened. This could have been very preventable. On Lockheed Martin's part, and -- I don't know. That's all I've got to say.

UNIDENTIFIED MAN: And with, you know, the recent concerns about security over there, had your father said he wanted to come back, or had he mentioned any of that in your recent correspondence with him?

JOHNSON: No, he said everything's normal, you know? He hasn't mentioned nothing like that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CALLEBS: Johnson said his father didn't appear to be overly concerned with security in the region. Lockheed Martin is confirming that Johnson works for the company, but isn't saying what he does. The company says he has been working in Saudi Arabia for ten years. A Lockheed Martin spokesman today says the company has 70 employees in Saudi Arabia, but the family members of almost all of them have left the kingdom over the last several weeks due to State Department warnings.

National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice will be on Wolf Blitzer's show, "LATE EDITION," in one hour. She says the United States has repeatedly issued safety concerns for people living and working in Saudi Arabia.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CONDOLEEZZA RICE, U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: Well, the United States has, in fact, warned American citizens about the dangers in Saudi Arabia. There have been several warnings and a State Department warning. It is, like many places in the world right now, a place in which terrorists are trying to make their mark. We're doing everything we can with the Saudis to try and protect those who are there, but it's obviously a dangerous place and people have to draw their own conclusions.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CALLEBS: U.S. and Saudi officials are also investigating the killing of 63-year-old Robert Jacobs. A western diplomat is telling CNN Jacobs was an engineer working for an advanced electronics company. Al Qaeda is being blamed for the shooting death, which was videotaped and now appearing on a number of Islamic Web sites. The video shows the gunman firing ten shots, continuing to shoot the victim as he falls to the ground.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

COLIN POWELL, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: We're very sad over the loss of American life and we're worried about the individual who was kidnapped, and we're working with the Saudi officials to recover him safely. And it's a troubling time in Saudi Arabia, and I know the Saudis are doing everything they can to deal with this terrorist threat.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CALLEBS: The terrorist group is pledging to continue its attacks, saying they are showing support, and I'm quoting here, "for our brothers in Palestine, Iraq, Cuba and everywhere."

Collins?

SPENCER: Sean, do the Saudis have any reaction to the kidnapping?

CALLEBS: Yes. We got a release from Ambassador to the United States Prince Bandar Bin Sultan just a short while ago. In it, he calls this craven acts of evil, and he says their intention, talking about the terrorists, is to shake our will, to frighten away what he refers to as friends and allies. He says that the country is at war with the terrorists, and goes on to say that they will win.

Collins?

SPENCER: Good to see you, Sean. Sean Callebs in Washington.

With more on the hunt for Johnson and the attacks on Americans and other westerners in Saudi Arabia, Caroline Faraj reports from Dubai in the neighboring United Arab Emirates.

Hello, Caroline.

CAROLINE FARAJ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Collins. We were just told right now that a body of a westerner was found in the capital of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh. And according to several diplomats, they were western diplomats in Riyadh, they were saying it is correct, they found the body, however, up to now, it's not clear what is the nationality of this victim. We talked to the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh and they told us that they're working under the assumption that the victim was not American. However, I think it's a bit too early, that's according to the Saudi officials, to give more details about the body that they found. Collins?

SPENCER: Caroline, have any more details or demands from the group claiming responsibility been released?

FARAJ: The only tool that they're using, Collins, is the Web site, and we've been checking it day and night in order to find if there is any statement issued after yesterday's statement that they issued claiming responsibility for killing and kidnapping Americans, and they even published a copy of the passbook of the kidnapped American engineer, and they also published his full details with driving license. They said in their statement, however, that they will be issuing a new statement with a video that shows the American victim and American -- sorry, the American kidnapped person, with more details about him talking to his family, and they will be putting after that the Mujahideen demands. This is how they put it.

Up till now we haven't heard anything yet, and even the Saudi officials are doing their best and they're doing their utmost in order to be able to reach these kidnappers. Collins?

SPENCER: OK. Thank you, Caroline. Caroline Faraj in Dubai.

A new wave of attacks is sweeping across Iraq as the handover date nears. A few minutes ago we got word another U.S. soldier has been killed and two more wounded northwest of Baghdad. The latest from Iraq now from Guy Raz in the Iraqi capital.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GUY RAZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: In what's shaping up to be a particularly violent day in the Iraqi capital, a suicide car bomb blast just feet from a U.S. military installation. At least 12 Iraqis were killed in that attack, according to U.S. military sources. Four of those killed were Iraqi police officers who were apparently trying to stop the suicide car bomber from reaching the U.S. military installation. It's the third car bomb in Iraq in just over a week.

That attack happened shortly after another senior, high level Iraqi government official was gunned down just outside his home. Kamal Al-Jarrah was killed as he was leaving for work; he was the cultural affairs officer at the Ministry of Education. Al-Jarrah was the second high-level Iraqi government official killed in as many days. Yesterday, Bassam Kubba, Iraq's deputy foreign minister, gunned down as he made his way to work. He was the deputy foreign minister of Iraq, just back from New York for a visit to the United Nations.

Now, these attacks really underline the instability that characterizes the landscape here in the Iraqi capital and all over the country, just weeks before interim administrative authority is handed over to an Iraqi government.

Guy Raz, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SPENCER: Hear from those involved with the transition of power in Iraq; "LATE EDITION" has the newsmakers. Wolf Blitzer will interview National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice. Iraqi Interim President Sheikh Ghazi al Yawar will talk about his plans for Iraq. Wolf will also sit down with Lakhdar Brahimi, the U.N. Envoy to Iraq.

George Bush, Sr., wants a skydiver's pin for his birthday. To get it, the 80-year-old ex-president is jumping, not once, but twice today from a plane.

Ed Lavandera covers today's festivities from the president's landing site in College Station, Texas. Ed, this has been a big weekend for the former president.

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It is the culmination of a birthday party weekend here as George Bush, Sr., turns 80 this weekend. Celebrating in Houston last night, the party moves north, where in about two and a half hours he will skydive from 13,000 feet and reaching speeds of 120 miles per hour towards earth.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LAVANDERA (voice-over): George Bush says falling through the sky makes him feel like a spring colt, that's why he jumped at age 72 and then again on his 75th birthday.

GEORGE H. BUSH, FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT: It was heaven. It was just exhilarating. This is kind of a euphoric high. You end up landing safely and you just feel wonderful.

LAVANDERA: Bush's first jump wasn't wonderful. It was during World War II in the Pacific Ocean. As a Navy pilot, his plane was going down, he bailed out before it crashed into the water. Shortly after he was rescued. Bush said he wanted to parachute again, but he vowed it would only be for fun.

BUSH: If somebody doesn't like that or they think it's frivolous, my answer to that is old guys can still do stuff, and you might as well go for it.

LAVANDERA: Now on his 80th birthday the 41st president is set to jump again. In early May, he went through a refresher training course in the Fort Bragg wind tunnel. All of this shouldn't come as a surprise. He had his wife's blessing for this jump five years ago, but just don't expect Barbara Bush to join in the fun.

BARBARA BUSH, FORMER FIRST LADY: I think when he's 80 he'll probably jump again. I'll announce it right now. He's going to jump when he's 80.

UNIDENTIFIED MAN: With you?

BARBARA BUSH: Oh, no.

LAVANDERA: Mrs. Bush will keep both feet firmly planted on the ground. And after this jump we'll wonder if the former president will try again on his 85th birthday.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LAVANDERA: Well, President Bush has already had one jump this morning at about 7:45 central time. He did a tandem jump connected to another parachuter. That was in preparation for this. He's gone through preparation, and in about an hour and a half he'll go through the final preparations with the Golden Heights parachute team from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, as they prepare to land here in about two and a half hours.

Collins?

SPENCER: That's all great to see and hear. Thanks, Ed.

Ed Lavandera in College Station, Texas.

A new wave of heavy weather rips through parts of the Midwest. This tornado did a number on that house. Meteorologist Jill Brown has the latest on where storms may turn up today.

Also, race in the NBA. Why Larry Bird's comments about white superstars are causing such controversy.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SPENCER: We all know what tornadoes can do, but this twister in rural Kansas has left many people amazed. The building was reduced to nothing more than what you see, swirling particles. The owners were out of town when it hit, and no one was injured. A half-dozen tornadoes were reported in southern Kansas . To get an update on the rest of the country, how the weather is looking, let's go to meteorologist Jill Brown, who's in the weather center. Hi, Jill.

JILL BROWN, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Hi, Collins.

Looks like we'll deal with more of the same this afternoon and in the same spots. A quick look at the radar shows some thundershowers out there and a little bit of rain, nothing serious yet. That tornado touched down about 7:15 last night and it may be before 4:00, 5:00, 6:00 before we see the storms firing up. So take the break while you get it. Again, scattered thundershowers through here. This is our spot to watch. Still mainly eastern Kansas with the threat of thunderstorms and possible tornadoes today, but we could see them spread all the way across the Great Lakes.

Elsewhere in the country, things are pretty quiet. Things are pretty nice out there. In the northeast, pleasant temperatures. Possibly a little bit warmer tomorrow, but also with a threat of showers and thundershowers. Southeast, a little bit hot, although not as hot in Atlanta as it has been. Few more clouds around.

Real scorchers in the southwest. Phoenix isn't the only spot that'll be above 100, Las Vegas, Palm Springs. All the usual spots. Definitely June out there.

Collins, back to you.

SPENCER: OK. Thanks, Jill.

One of the NBA's best players is at the center of some criticism off the court. Coming up, is it a tempest in a teapot? Why has Larry Bird touched a nerve?

And later, a Marine severely wounded in Iraq war, and he wants to serve again in battle.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SPENCER: A sniper in southern California dies in a shootout with authorities. That tops news across America. The sniper opened fire at a recycling center near Irvine. The gunman wounded two sheriff's deputies and a worker before he was killed. Authorities are trying to determine his motives.

Strong storms leave a path of destruction in Kentucky. Residents in Hardinsburg suspect a tornado caused this damage, but forecasters have not confirmed any twisters in the state. More bad weather is on radar for Kentucky. Several countries are under a flood watch until this evening.

Turning lemons into lemonade. That's what 8-year-old Alex Scott is doing. The suburban Philadelphia girl held a lemonade fund-raiser yesterday; the money will go towards research on childhood cancer. Alex Scott is herself a victim. She's raised $200,000 so far.

The NBA finals resume tonight with the Detroit Pistons trying to extend a 2-1 lead over the Los Angeles Lakers. It happens most of the players on the court will be of one race and while most of the other ones watching will be of another. Recently, a former pro basketball superstar was asked if that should change. Larry Smith has reaction to the answer.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LARRY SMITH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Larry Bird retired 12 years ago, as the NBA's last bona fide white superstar. As a player he never backed down from a challenge. As a former player he never backs down from a question.

UNIDENTIFIED MAN: Does the NBA lack enough white superstars in your opinion?

LARRY BIRD, FORMER NBA PLAYER: I think so. When I played, we had me and Kevin and some others throughout the league. I think it's good for a fan base. As we all know the majority of the fans are white America. And if you just had a couple white guys in there, might get them started.

It is a black man's game. It will be, and forever.

UNIDENTIFIED MAN: I don't think it's racial or anything like that. And also, you ask Larry Bird a question, he's going to answer it. And he's going to answer it truthfully.

BILLY HUNTER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NBA PLAYERS ASSOCIATION: What it demonstrates and what it illustrates to me is that if Larry says it, a whole lot of people are thinking it.

SMITH: What Bird was thinking is open to different interpretations. Bird himself has refused further comment on the subject.

UNIDENTIFIED MAN: My first thought was that I can't believe he went there. Because it's just the kind of argument that I think it was racial, but it was really not racist.

UNIDENTIFIED MAN: He's not talking about taking the job of -- giving that job to someone who isn't as good as maybe an African- American is, he just wished there were more white superstars.

HUNTER: I respect Larry for making the comment, and I support his right to do so, because I think the issue needs to go on the table.

SMITH: The NBA does not keep statistics on race. Instead, it categorizes players by their nationality. Roughly 75 percent of the players in the league are black. The NBA appeals to its predominately white fan base by marketing its superstars. These players are all black.

BOB LANIER, BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME: Our fans connect with our players, not because of any certain colors, but it's about how hard they work and what they give and what they leave on the floor.

PETER STERN, PRESIDENT, STRATEGIC SPORTS GROUP: I think the NBA cares about great players doing great things. And that transcends not just on the court but off the court as well. I think that's what the NBA is concerned about. And what fans are concerned about.

UNIDENTIFIED MAN: By and large where the NBA cities are, I don't think it matters. I think people embrace their superstars whether they're black or white.

SMITH: Larry Smith, CNN, Auburn Hills, Michigan.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SPENCER: Well, there's much more ahead in a few minutes on "RELIABLE SOURCES." Howard Kurtz has this preview.

Hi, Howard.

HOWARD KURTZ, HOST, "RELIABLE SOURCES": Hi, thanks very much.

Coming up, Ronald Reagan and the press. Are journalists overlooking the downside of his presidency? Has the media's farewell been overdone? And are news organizations trying to make the Gipper a figure in this year's presidential campaign?

All that and more at the bottom of the hour on "RELIABLE SOURCES."

SPENCER: All right, look forward to it.

A U.S. Marine nearly killed in Iraq wants to head back to active duty. Coming up, a soldier's story of service and sacrifice, and why he wants another tour of duty.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SPENCER: Welcome back. Being hit by a rocket propelled-grenade would be enough to stop most people. But one U.S. Marine who served in Iraq is not like most people. Casey Wian introduces you to another hero of the week.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CASEY WIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Gunny Nick Popaditch is doing what he loves best, showing off an M1-A1 battle tank, the kind he's commanded through two Gulf wars.

POPADITCH: There's no weapon system in Iraq currently employed by the anti-coalition forces that can take this thing off the battlefield.

WIAN: Popaditch rolled into Baghdad's Firdos Square on a tank he named carnivore. He and his fellow Marines helped the Iraqis take down the now infamous statue of Saddam Hussein.

POPADITCH: You felt at that time you were seeing these people liberated, these people being freed, and they certainly were reacting that way. And it was just an incredible moment to be part of.

WIAN: Popaditch completed the deployment and came home, and just a few months later volunteered to go back with another unit.

POPADITCH: I'm a Marine. If the Marines are out fighting somewhere, I don't want to be home watching on TV. I want to be there; I want to be with them and be part of it.

WIAN: This time he found himself in Fallujah, in a tough firefight with insurgents. A rocket-propelled grenade almost cost him his life.

POPADITCH: The other one came from straight down above me, here, and hit me right on top of the head. Right about here, I guess my head was.

WIAN: The explosion took out Popaditch's right eye and left him partially blind in his left eye and deaf.

POPADITCH: There's like a cap in there. I don't know if this is gross or not. It's not gross to me or anybody. There's just a cap in there.

WIAN: Popaditch can't read yet, but says his sight gets better every day. He can hear with one ear, and hopes a hearing aid will help the other. In spite of the ordeal, he feels lucky.

POPADITCH: It never struck me as a tragedy or anything like that. Because you've got to - you know, I'm perfectly fine from the neck down. I'm perfectly healthy.

WIAN: While he recovers, Popaditch hangs out with fellow Marines in a tank maintenance yard, anxious to get back to work.

POPADITCH: I'd go back in a minute. As soon as I can see again, that's my plan.

WIAN: He hopes his 15-year military career will continue.

Casey Wian, CNN, reporting.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SPENCER: A great story.

Well, there's more ahead on CNN Sunday. "RELIABLE SOURCES" is next, analyzing media coverage of the Ronald Reagan state funeral.

Then, "LATE EDITION WITH WOLF BLITZER." Among guests today to discuss the handover of power in Iraq, National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice.

At 2:00 p.m. Eastern time, "PEOPLE IN THE NEWS."

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