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American Morning

Russia: Iraq to Attack U.S.; Shooting in Alabama; Hidden Prisoner?

Aired June 18, 2004 - 9:00   ET

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

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


ANNOUNCER: From the CNN Broadcast Center in New York, this is AMERICAN MORNING with Soledad O'Brien and Bill Hemmer.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome, everybody. Nine o'clock here in New York. Good morning on this Friday morning here.

That 9/11 Commission hearings, they're over publicly, but the last day certainly offered some of the most chilling moments of all. Among other items, the public hearing was thought to be the voice of Mohamed Atta after he hijacked American Airlines Flight 11.

This morning, we'll talk to Carrie Lemack. Her mother died onboard that plane. What does she take away from yesterday and the process as a whole? A lot of emotion in that room yesterday.

SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Yes, no question.

Also this morning, and earlier this week, a tragic accident took place in Fort Worth, Texas. Four people drowned in a water park in the downtown area. An investigation is now under way. They're trying to determine just how it happened. This morning, we talk to safety expert Bob Stubbier on whether or not this was an accident just waiting to happen.

HEMMER: And good advice to know in a moment here.

Jack Cafferty, good morning.

JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Hi, Bill.

A Bill introduced in the House of Representatives yesterday that would have transferred more money for homeland security into the bigger population centers of the country and away from the rural, less populated areas of the country. The Bill was voted down. We'd like to know your thoughts on how we should divvy up the pie when it comes to spending the bucks that are available to protect this nation. AM@CNN.com, and the mailbox is working.

HEMMER: That's a good debate, too.

O'BRIEN: All right.

HEMMER: Thank you, Jack.

Let's go to Moscow, first up this hour. A startling revelation today made by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Saddam Hussein was planning terror attacks against the U.S. after 9/11, and the information is coming from Russian intelligence. Moscow passing that information to Washington prior to the war with Iraq more than a year ago. Straight away, to the Russian capital, and our bureau chief there, Jill Dougherty.

Jill, good afternoon.

JILL DOUGHERTY, CNN MOSCOW BUREAU CHIEF: Good afternoon, Bill.

Well, it is very, very interesting comments by Mr. Putin. It came in a news conference, by the way, in which a reporter asked about a leaked report yesterday from an intelligence officer, unnamed, who had said pretty much the same thing. And that is that Saddam Hussein's regime between, again, 9/11 and the beginning of the war in Iraq, was planning these terrorist attacks both in the United States and abroad on targets, civilian and military.

Now, Mr. Putin added they do not have any intelligence information that actually Saddam Hussein's people were involved in any terrorist attacks. And he added he was not sure how important this information in -- was to the United States, the significance of that. But just the fact that he is saying that this information was passed on to the United States is really very interesting. And also the fact that he said that President Bush himself thanked the head of one of the Russian intelligence services for that information, considering it important.

HEMMER: There are countless intriguing questions here, Jill. One of them is this: why is Vladimir Putin talking about this now?

DOUGHERTY: You know, that is the question, Bill. And nobody seems to be able to answer that, other than the timing of being asked about it. But I have to tell you, with the Russian media, they usually do not ask questions that the Kremlin is not prepared to answer. So there was obviously a plan to answer this particular question.

You've got the 9/11 Commission, you've got a lot of comments now and discussion about the connection between al Qaeda, Iraq, Saddam Hussein, et cetera. So perhaps in that context, that was coming up. But intriguing questions as well, why did the Bush administration not talk about this?

We don't know the answer to that, Bill. But we'll -- I'm hoping that we can get a little bit more information when we actually hear precisely what President Putin said. Perhaps he'll shed some light.

HEMMER: And what was the extent of that threat. Jill, thanks. Jill Dougherty live in Moscow. More answers hopefully throughout the day -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Now that the 9/11 Commission is done with its public work, the panel will start work on a final report which is due out next month. Yesterday's final hearing highlighted the confusion of 9/11 on the ground, in the air, and in the government as well. There's also this from one of the hijackers... (BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have some planes. Just stay quiet and you'll be OK. We are returning to the airport.

Nobody move. Everything will be OK. If you try to make any move, you'll endanger yourself and the airplane. Just stay quiet.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

O'BRIEN: That voice is believed to be hijack leader Mohamed Atta on American Flight 11.

Carrie Lemack's mother was on that plane. Carrie attended those 9/11 hearings this week. She joins us from Boston.

Carrie, thanks for being with us.

CARRIE LEMACK, CO-FOUNDER, FAMILIES OF SEPTEMBER 11: Thank you for having me.

O'BRIEN: Was yesterday the first time you had heard that voice before?

LEMACK: Yes, and just now is the second time I'd heard it.

O'BRIEN: How surprised and shocked and -- I mean, it was shocking to all of us who were listening to it who do not necessarily have a personal connection as you do. How horrible was it to hear it?

LEMACK: It was awful. We didn't have any warning until right before the hearing started that we were going to hear those voices. Normally, if we're going to have some sort of graphic material be demonstrated, whether it's videos of planes hitting, or if it's voices of my mother's murderers, we'd like to know in advance. We didn't get that warning yesterday.

It was -- it was terrible. It was chilling to hear the evilness that was around my mom and around all the other people on that plane. My mom had an infectious smile and energy, and to think that she was surrounded by such awful things and such an awful voice is very, very difficult. But it was important to hear. And it's important for people to understand what happened that day so we make sure it doesn't happen again.

We learned a lot from the public hearings this week. Everything from the fact that the FAA and the military weren't communicating with each other, even when the FAA thought that the military was listening on to their open line and was learning about the four planes that had been hijacked. We learned later the military didn't even know, didn't have advance warning for many of those hijackings.

O'BRIEN: I was going to ask you about that, because some of the other audio recordings that they played yesterday really highlighted the confusion in the discussions between the air traffic controllers, the FAA, NORAD, NEADS, all those things. How disturbing was that to listen to, just the sheer out and out confusion?

LEMACK: Well, it just showed the lack of understanding of what was going on. I'm not sure if it was lack of training of what to do in these situations, which is disturbing considering the number of warnings that we had had about domestic hijackings in the United States.

Many of the FAA officials said they were concerned only with attacks abroad and not domestically, which doesn't make much sense considering we knew that on August 6 in President Bush's presidential daily briefing we knew that Osama bin Laden was intending to strike within the United States with hijackings, hijacking commercial airliners into large buildings such as the World Trade Center.

So we had had the warnings, but we were not set up to be able to deal with the type of situation that occurred on September 11. And it's -- it's very disturbing because we need to make sure that we have people who are thinking ahead, who are looking at the threats out there and making sure that they're ready for them. So that's why this report is so important, and why we're very hopeful that the commission's report that comes out on July 26 will give the recommendations that will ensure our administration and our government agencies to be prepared. Because, unfortunately, this might happen again and we want to make sure that we stop it.

O'BRIEN: We heard from General Eberhart yesterday, who testified after the report was read or some of the report was read that -- that things have changed, that they actually could bring down or have less destruction than there was on 9/11 if something as horrible were to happen today. Do you believe that that's true?

LEMACK: Well, what he said was that if he had received advance warning, like he was supposed to from the FAA, that they would have been able to shoot down some of those planes. The commission disagrees.

So I'm not sure. I'm not an expert in all of this. I just want to make sure that we are preparing and that in the future they are -- they can protect Americans' lives.

Right now, it seems like there's a lot of work to be done. And that's why the recommendations that come out in the final report are so important to implement. And we're going to need ever American's help and every legislator's help to make sure that we can implement those.

O'BRIEN: It really also is a culmination of a two-and-a-half year battle on your part to -- to get these hearings under way in the first place, to move all that process along. Are you looking forward to -- to this coming to an end in some way? Or do you see it as a beginning?

LEMACK: Unfortunately, it is still a beginning. You're correct, we had to fight very hard to get this commission in place. The administration was not supportive of it until about 14 months after the attacks. We are very hopeful -- I think that's the word to use -- that this commission's going to have very good recommendations. But just today I've heard that the President is saying that he doesn't agree with some of the conclusions of the commission.

The commission's saying there was no link between al Qaeda and Iraq. The President feels otherwise. If he has other information that they don't have, I hope he comes forward, because we need to make sure that this report is complete, it's accurate, we know everything that happened on September 11, that led up to September 11, so that we can fix it so it doesn't happen again.

O'BRIEN: Carrie Lemack joining us this morning. Carrie, nice to see you. Thanks for being with us. We appreciate it.

LEMACK: Thank you.

O'BRIEN: Bill?

HEMMER: A tough, tough time it is for them.

Eight minutes past the hour now. Also, the Birmingham, Alabama, Police Department today is mourning what's being called the biggest loss in its history. Three officers gunned down while trying to make an arrest. It's the third time in about a year that two or more Alabama police officers were killed by gunfire.

The officers well known in that community. Local residents and police obviously upset by the passing and the deaths and the shooting deaths. Police Chief Annetta Watts Nunn is with us now live from Birmingham.

And Chief, good morning to you. Our sympathies to you, the families and your entire department. How are the officers handling this, Chief?

ANNETTA WATTS NUNN, BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, POLICE CHIEF: Well, they're very, very distressed, particularly those who work the same shift with these officers from that precinct. But all the members around the department are deeply saddened, as well as many members of the public.

HEMMER: There are a number of questions, too, at this point. It was a misdemeanor warrant. That's why they were responding. A question about four officers being called to the scene. Why are four necessary on a misdemeanor count?

NUNN: Well, we believe that the officer that initiated or found the warrant, he requested the assistance from the others who worked the surrounding areas and the task force to come with him. You never know what you're going to face when you serve a warrant, so he was just making sure he had enough people there.

HEMMER: Did they have any indication that there could be the violence inside that home when they responded? NUNN: Well, the case is still under investigation. But from what we know now, we do not believe they had any information that would have led them to believe such an outcome was possible.

HEMMER: Chief, across the country, violence is going down. That's what the statistics tell us. Yet they say in Birmingham it's going the other way. What explains that?

NUNN: What explains it? The person's heart. Until you change it, they will continue to be violent. We would like that question answered ourselves, what makes people violent.

Last year, our numbers were up. It was something we're deeply concerned about. And they were down this year because our officers and all personnel have been working very hard to work with the community. And it had almost been cut in half during this time this year.

HEMMER: Is there also an explanation as to how the third incident could take place in your state now, where at least two officers are killed in the line of duty at one time?

NUNN: I don't have any explanation for that. We're just trying to assure our personnel here that their safety is of utmost importance and that they have to look out for one another. And those that responded, that are second-guessing themselves, we're trying to assure them that there's nothing that they could have done had they been there. It appears this individual had their mind made up when those officers entered that apartment.

HEMMER: Chief, good luck to you. Annetta Watts Nunn is the police chief there in Birmingham.

Soledad?

O'BRIEN: This morning, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld standing by his order to hold a high-value Iraqi prisoner in secret detention last October at a prison camp near Baghdad. He says it was requested by CIA Director George Tenet and that they weren't tried to hide the prisoner from the Red Cross. More now from CNN senior Pentagon correspondent, Jamie McIntyre.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN SR. PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says he was just doing what CIA Director George Tenet asked him eight months ago when he order a high- value Iraqi prisoner held in secret detention at a U.S. military prison camp near Baghdad Airport. The unidentified prisoner, dubbed "XXX" by some soldiers, is identified only as a high official and paramilitary leader of the Ansar al Islam terrorist group, believed to be coordinating attacks against U.S. troops. Rumsfeld denies his order was in any way aimed at covering up abuse or inhumane treatment.

(on camera): Was there an intention to hide this prisoner from the Red Cross. DONALD RUMSFELD, DEFENSE SECRETARY: Not on my part.

MCINTYRE (voice-over): But the prisoner was never registered with the Red Cross, as required by the Geneva Conventions, which the Pentagon now admits was a breakdown in procedure.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We should have registered him much sooner than we did. It didn't have to be at the very instant we brought him into our custody.

MCINTYRE: In his investigation of abuse at the Abu Ghraib prison, Major General Antonio Taguba criticized military police for hiding so-called ghost detainees from the Red Cross, calling the practice deceptive, contrary to Army doctrine, and in violation of international law. Rumsfeld insists the case of XXX, who was never at Abu Ghraib, is different.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How is this case different from what Taguba was talking about, the ghost detainees?

RUMSFELD: It is just different, that's all.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Explain how and why.

RUMSFELD: I can't.

MCINTYRE (on camera): Other Pentagon officials did offer an explanation, saying the disclosure of his capture might have compromised his intelligence value. But the CIA never interrogated him again, and Pentagon officials admit his secret detention was supposed to be temporary and should have ended after a mountain or so.

Jamie McIntyre, CNN, the Pentagon.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: Just about 14 minutes past the hour now. Time to take a look at some of the other stories making headlines today with Heidi Collins.

Good morning.

HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, Soledad. And good morning to you, everyone.

Saudi officials are searching the capital city of Riyadh for American hostage Paul Johnson. With the 72-hour deadline today, Johnson's wife is offering an emotional appeal for his release.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Please, I want to see him come back to see (ph) me. He not do anything wrong. He -- he not with the people. I never see him have problem in the 10-year in here.

(END VIDEO CLIP) COLLINS: The statement comes one day after one of Johnson's Saudi colleagues urged his captors to free the American. He was reported missing last Saturday.

American soldiers coming under fire in Iraq again this morning. The military says insurgents attacked a patrol near Baquba. Two militants killed, but no U.S. casualties reported. Meanwhile, an Iraqi official says martial law could be declared in the country if attacks against civilians persist. A car bombing outside an Iraqi army recruiting center in Baghdad yesterday left at least 35 people dead.

In Colorado, cell phone text messages may be used in Kobe Bryant's sexual assault trial. The judge in the case ordering the information turned over to the defense and the prosecution. The judge said the messages "contain information that is relevant for discovery."

Federal Reserve chairman, Alan Greenspan, getting the nod for a fifth and final term. The Senate yesterday confirmed Greenspan for another four years on a voice vote. Greenspan, who is 78 years old, has been Fed chairman since 1987.

And NASA astronomers scratching their heads this morning over new images of Comet Wild 2. Instead of a fairly smooth surface, researchers say -- easy for me to say -- they saw towering bulges and steep-walled craters. The images were sent back by the Stardust Spacecraft. So Wild -- and it's spelled with a "W" so I'm not sure if it's a German comet or...

HEMMER: Yes, it sounds a little like it, huh? Is it true the economists want to clone Alan Greenspan?

COLLINS: Yes, I'm thinking yes.

HEMMER: Two of them?

COLLINS: Yes.

HEMMER: All right. Thank you, Heidi.

COLLINS: You bet.

HEMMER: Back to the "Question of the Day" and Jack.

CAFFERTY: Thank you, William.

The House of Representatives voted down an amendment early this morning. They do these things in the middle of the night, when most of us can't see what's going on. The amendment was to send more security money to the nation's cities.

The measure was proposed by a New York Republican, John Sweeney. It would have taken some of the homeland security money away from the rural areas and redirected it to the cities considered most at risk for terrorist attack. Where should the government spend the most money for homeland security? That would be the question. And here would be some of the answers.

Jay in Fargo, North Dakota: "I agree that the money should not be spent the same in all States. But North Dakota, Minnesota and Montana are States with very porous borders. We do need to stop the entry of terrorists into this country in order to protect New York and other populated places."

Alice in Bozeman, Montana: "It's insane to think that my home state of Montana could possibly need or utilize the same funds for homeland protection as the large cities on the East and West Coast. What could be the reasoning behind such a vote?"

The reasoning, I think, is politics, Alice.

John in Toronto, Ontario, writes: "With the understanding that smart terrorists will strike when and where you least expect it and are least prepared, I would support the greatest effort being put into intelligence" -- and -- "intelligence gathering" -- rather -- "and analysis."

And I -- early this morning, I had mentioned when we first posed it that they wanted to take money away from places like Wyoming, where it would go to protect the buffalo and use it to -- so we get this from Paul in Hellertown, P.A.: "I've never met any buffalo in Wyoming, but I've met any number of New Yorkers. I'd spend my money on the buffaloes."

O'BRIEN: Ooh. Ouch, Paul. Ouch.

CAFFERTY: Ooh, Paul, ooh. Not so offensive.

HEMMER: The least populated state out there is Wyoming.

CAFFERTY: What?

HEMMER: The least populated state in the country, Wyoming -- 450,000, I think.

CAFFERTY: One of the prettiest places, too. Maybe that's one of the reasons why.

HEMMER: Oh, so beautiful. You're right.

O'BRIEN: All right, Jack. Thanks.

HEMMER: Thanks, Jack.

O'BRIEN: Chad now and a look at the weather.

Chad, good morning. What are you watching?

(WEATHER REPORT)

O'BRIEN: All right, Chad. Thanks.

HEMMER: In a moment here, the new reason why it might not be a good idea for women to wait too long to have a baby. Back in a moment with that.

O'BRIEN: Also ahead, a cheerleader's extra effort to get everyone involved leads to a winning team. We're going to talk to her.

HEMMER: Also, earlier in the week, that deadly accident. Such a tragedy in Texas. Safety expert Bob Stuber is back with us today, showing how you can be safe around the water this summer. He has great advice in a moment here.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HEMMER: We're about 22 minutes now past the hour. From the state of Texas, investigators meeting with energy firm to start an extensive study of safety at the Fort Worth Water Gardens. Thousands of mourners gathered last night at the popular attraction after four people drowned in the pools. The drownings happened on Wednesday after some school children out of Chicago were sucked under the pool's waters.

Safety expert Bob Stuber back with us today live in Sacramento, California, to talk about not just this particular tragedy and how it may have been prevented, but also what you need to know around the water this summer.

Bob, good morning to you and welcome back here.

Good morning.

HEMMER: One thing that really struck you about this story is how popular these pools are becoming. Explain that.

BOB STUBER, SAFETY EXPERT: Yes. We're seeing more water features like this all over the country. Like here in California, where I'm at, in northern California, the planned communities, they're being designed around these. They're putting big ponds in the middle of the communities, we're seeing them at the shopping malls. So this same type of situation, where you have a big body of water that exchanges a lot of fluid with a big powerful pump, everybody is accessible to these now.

HEMMER: Let me ask you a little -- give us a description for what you're talking about, these bodies of water.

STUBER: Yes. For instance if you go down to, say, just even a shopping mall and you see in the middle there a big fountain -- this is one place you'll find these, in the fountain. You know, it will blow the water up, and it has all these artistic designs to it and stuff. That takes a lot of power, that takes a lot of pumping action.

And even though that might only be a foot, two or three feet deep, that's enough for somebody to drown in. So when you get into these bigger bodies of water, they take a horrendous pumping action. So it's not so much that if you got into one of these. Even if you were a good swimmer, it doesn't make a difference. That pump has so much suction that it can pull you right to the bottom and there's no way you can break free.

HEMMER: Here's what we need to know then on the screen for our viewers to see. We'll take them one at a time. Find out how -- or whether or not you should stay out. Describe that.

STUBER: Yes. Even though there are signs that say "Stay out, no swimming," we see these all the time. I think we have to take more action than that, because the ones we're the most concerned about, which are the kids, a lot of kids are so young they can't even read. And those that can, they don't really pay attention to these warnings. So it's not out of the question that around these features we need some type of deterrent, more so than signs.

HEMMER: What do you need to know about a safety kit, Bob?

STUBER: Well, you know, around these same things, these features, there are no regulations, state by state, like there are in swimming pools, where they have to have the safety equipment. For instance, around a swimming pool, you have the big life saving hoof (ph), you have a life saver, you have other types of equipment. We don't have these around these other water features, and we should.

HEMMER: The emergency shutoff, accessible to the public?

STUBER: This is so very, very important. The only way you're going to break free from this kind of suction is to shut the pump off. And most of the time, in almost every situation, the shutoff valve is not accessible to the public. It's locked up in a maintenance closet somewhere.

It needs to be accessible to the public and well lit. It needs to be signed. People need to know where it's at.

HEMMER: What would a breathing hose do?

STUBER: Well, in a situation where you were stuck under the water -- you see, even if you can hold your breath for, say, two minutes, you're that good at it, when you get under water and it's an emergency and you're struggling, you've got about 10 seconds and then you're out of air. So this drowning happens very quickly. But if you had a breathing hose, something akin to a large snorkel, like a big long link of garden hose, to make it simple, that's something that can sustain somebody's life until you can get the pump shut off.

HEMMER: You say demand safer drains and pumps. From whom?

STUBER: This is where we have to really get involved with our legislature. There are really no regulations, other than residential pools, for these kind of situations. So we have to get involved as a society.

We have to say, look, we want there to be regulations that say we have to have safer drains, safer pumps, safer situations around these water features. So these are where they need to pass the laws and the regulations. And they won't do that unless you and I get involved and make them do that. HEMMER: It is good information, especially the shutoff valve, the emergency button that you're talking about. Bob, thanks. Bob Stuber's our safety expert. We'll talk to you again as we move through the summer, OK?

STUBER: Thank you.

HEMMER: Live in Sacramento -- sure thing.

Soledad?

O'BRIEN: Oh, baby. A state trooper stepped in and delivered a baby boy on a busy highway in Boston. The couple was in a tunnel on I-93 when the baby came. He wasn't breathing. They called police.

Paul Gifford, the state trooper who arrived, is a paramedic. And he suctioned the baby's mouth and nose to get the baby breathing.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PAUL GIFFORD, MASSACHUSETTS STATE TROOPER: I did go to the hospital soon after the event and spoke to the father, who did thank us very much and said that they were both doing well, they were in good condition.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O'BRIEN: Gifford also cut the umbilical cord, and then he wrapped the baby, which is named Omar, in a blanket till the ambulance arrived. And I'm sure the woman's doctor still charged her $8,000 for delivering that child, because that's how it works.

Still to come this morning, allegations of prisoner abuse are back in the news. This time it's in Afghanistan, though.

Also ahead this morning, the presidential election five months away, but it's a former president who might be stealing the spotlight. "Political Pop" just ahead.

Stay with us. You're watching AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HEMMER: On a Friday, the opening bell now at 9:30 here in New York City. The today Dow starting at 10,377, down about two points yesterday. I can they call that a tie on Wall Street.

Nasdaq market site, 1,983 is your opening mark, off about 14 points in trading on Thursday. Final day of trading for this week.

And welcome back, everybody. Welcome back to AMERICAN MORNING -- 9:30 here in New York.

Charges of prisoners being abused have now spread to Afghanistan. A CIA contractor has now been indicted on four counts of assault. Some are questioning whether or not the charges go far enough considering the prisoner died. We'll get a report on that in a moment.

O'BRIEN: Also this morning, the National Rifle Association wants to get into the news broadcasting business. It's not hard to find the political edge behind this idea. Got a look at that at "Political Pop" coming up in just a moment.

HEMMER: Also, cheerleading, building self-esteem for some girls who need it the most. Today, our "Extra Effort" series looks at a team of special girls. And one 17-year-old saw the potential where no one else did. You'll meet her in a little bit.

O'BRIEN: Yes. It's a really nice story.

Before we get to that, though, let's first get to this story out of Afghanistan. A contractor working for the CIA now indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly abusing a prisoner in Afghanistan with his bare hands and a flashlight. The prisoner later died. CNN's David Ensor live for us this morning with the latest on that.

David, good morning.

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

It's been a couple months that CIA official have been saying that there was this one case that the CIA inspector general and the Justice Department was looking into where such brutality was involved and criminal charges were likely. And that's, of course, what's come.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ENSOR (voice-over): Thirty-eight-year-old David Passaro was indicted on four counts of assault in the beating of an Afghan prisoner, Abdul Wali, who later died. At the time, Passaro was a private contractor for the CIA. A former Special Forces soldier, he was arrested Thursday morning, where he lives in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

JOHN ASHCROFT, ATTORNEY GENERAL: During these interrogations on June 19 and June 20, 2003, it is alleged that Passaro beat Wali repeatedly, using his hands and feet and a large flashlight. Wali died in his cell on (UNINTELLIGIBLE) base on June the 21st, 2003.

ENSOR: The base is in a remote and hazardous area near the Pakistan border, where Taliban and al Qaeda forces are frequently encountered. U.S. forces there sometimes fire grenades to keep enemies at bay.

Abdul Wali, the man who died, was suspected of firing rockets at U.S. forces. CIA spokesman Mark Mansfield says as soon as his agency heard about the allegations they were immediately reported to the Justice Department. One human rights advocate said assault was not the only crime that should have been charged.

STEVEN WATT, CENTER FOR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS: Given the nature of the indictment, that he was literally bashed to death with a flashlight whilst he was being -- whilst he was under interrogation, is a clear case of torture.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ENSOR: Passaro will face trial in a federal court in North Carolina. Each of the four charges of assault carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: David, quick question for you. And we sort of heard it in the end of your piece there. Considering that the -- the prisoner died in custody, why the charge of assault against David Passaro?

ENSOR: Well, Mr. Ashcroft, the attorney general, did say yesterday that this is an ongoing investigation and there is the possibility that additional charges may be brought. I have to -- I have talked to one U.S. official who thinks that a murder charge could be brought. And as you heard, there are human rights advocates who thinks there was torture involved as well. So there may be additional charges, but these are the first -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Hmm, interesting. David Ensor for us this morning. David, thanks.

And now, here's Bill.

HEMMER: Time for "Political Pop." Three guests, three questions, three topics. On the left, Democratic strategist Karen Finney.

Welcome back, Karen.

KAREN FINNEY, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: It's good to be here.

HEMMER: John DeVore, first timer out of Maxim Magazine, the man in the middle today. And on the right, Mark Simone, talk show host, radio show host here at WABC in New York.

Good morning to all three of you. Thanks for stopping by today.

The NRA is going on the air with NRA News. Is this an end around (ph), or how do you see it?

MARK SIMONE, RADIO TALK SHOW HOST: Well, they're doing their own radio show, whole hour on trigger locks. Who's not going to listen to that?

(LAUGHTER)

HEMMER: A whole hour on trigger locks.

SIMONE: I think the -- this is the result of -- you know, Al Franken started his own show. He's on the air a couple hours a day. And so a lot of radio listeners now want to shoot themselves. So maybe this will tie in with that.

HEMMER: Ooh. FINNEY: Maybe it's because Al Franken has been beaten on the right in some of the markets. But you know what? This radio station has about as much chance of success as J.Lo's marriage to Marc Anthony.

HEMMER: Ooh.

JOHN DEVORE, MAXIM MAGAZINE: You know, I can't stand the NRA for the same reason I can't stand PETA. I wouldn't listen to a PETA radio station, and I wouldn't listen to the NRA. I cannot stand fanatics. They make you want to go, "Shut up."

HEMMER: Well, what's the news -- what's the news in content, though?

SIMONE: I have no idea. They're going to get their ratings back and find out that 50 percent of people in the studio weren't listening.

DEVORE: I want to hear -- I want to hear a gun commercial, though. That would be great.

HEMMER: Truth be known that this is going to be on Sirius Satellite Radio. How many people listen to that Sirius Satellite Radio?

(CROSSTALK)

FINNEY: Does anybody know anybody who listens to...

HEMMER: If you're not in the car, the airport, where do you get it?

DEVORE: Tens of dozens.

SIMONE: Well, it's a really good system, but they've got hundreds of channels. That doesn't mean anybody's listening to your channel.

HEMMER: Yes, very true.

Karen, the other topic I want to talk about, the summer of Bill Clinton.

FINNEY: Absolutely.

HEMMER: Yes, the book -- he's going to be everywhere next week, by the way. Does this hurt John Kerry, or how does John Kerry find a way to still make some news when Bill Clinton's blocking a lot out?

FINNEY: I think it's great for John Kerry. Actually, I think it's bad for the Republicans. I think it's going to be the summer of the triple threat. Because, number one, you've got Clinton out there talking about his book, but also talking about a time when a Democratic president brought the deficit under control, we had economic prosperity, we had peace in the world. You've got Harry Thomasson's movie opening up.

HEMMER: He's going to be the everywhere man, right?

SIMONE: Well...

HEMMER: What, 14 days, 10 cities? Some frequent flyer miles.

FINNEY: But I think it helps Kerry, because it reminds people what the real contrasts are in this election and what the real issues are in this election. So I think it's good for Kerry.

SIMONE: No. It reminds people that Clintons are like cicadas. They come back every few years and make a lot of noise, and then...

HEMMER: Every few years? Every 17 -- John.

FINNEY: I would think you'd be glad to have your favorite punching bag back.

DEVORE: It's going to help Kerry only when Kerry decides what kind of candidate he is. If he embraces the Clinton legacy and doesn't do what Gore did in 2000, I think the book's going to help him because it's going to remind people what an articulate president he is. But if he -- if he tries to run like what he is, which is like an old school Yankee Democrat, I think it's going to hurt him.

(CROSSTALK)

SIMONE: Well, listen, if you want to really be blunt, after a week of looking at Reagan, Bush looks second rate. And after a summer of Clinton, Kerry looks just very dull. If you think Bush is an empty suit, Kerry is like a chalk outline.

DEVORE: But it's a heck of a train to ride -- it's a heck of a train to ride...

FINNEY: I don't know.

DEVORE: ... the Clinton train. I mean, if he hooks on to that, I think it will help him.

FINNEY: It would be wise to do it.

HEMMER: Well, you know, Bill Clinton got his portrait this past week, right? John, you're going to get your painting sometime soon, right?

DEVORE: I cannot wait, yes.

HEMMER: And we can't either, by the way.

FINNEY: Aren't you getting yours, Bill?

(CROSSTALK)

HEMMER: No, I'm not. Third topic, California. Kind of a clever story. Pierce Brosnan is lobbying the state House now. Don't know where Arnold Schwarzenegger comes down on this, because he hasn't talked about it publicly. They want to protect the bigger, older trees that are outside of federal land. What do you think?

(CROSSTALK)

DEVORE: Well, it's the Terminator versus James Bond. And, of course, the killer robot wins over the British man. But, look, it's -- the logging industry, first of all, doesn't need anymore bad press. Don't hurt the ancient trees. If they've been there for 2,000 years, god wants that.

HEMMER: But here's what I find clever...

DEVORE: God wants that.

HEMMER: ... movie fans turned out and outnumbered the reporters who were there, and outnumbered the supporters on both sides.

FINNEY: They did. It's a great (UNINTELLIGIBLE). I mean, think about it. James Bond, he's got the cool car, he's got the cool clothes, he's got the best gadgets, and he always gets the girl.

DEVORE: I mean, no, the story is the continuing like weird melding in California of celebrity and politics, which I personally can't get enough of because -- you know, celebrities make politics sexy and politics make celebrities dull bureaucrats.

SIMONE: I don't know. James Bond lobbying? It's license to shill. It's just...

HEMMER: Shilted (ph) not stirred? You know, when the Reagan funeral took place out in Simi Valley, only in California could you find a state that could cue the sunset just perfectly for the final moment.

FINNEY: Absolutely.

HEMMER: Thanks for talking. "Political Pop": Karen, John and mark, thanks. Come on back, all right?

DEVORE: Thank you.

FINNEY: Good to be here.

SIMONE: Thanks.

HEMMER: Soledad?

O'BRIEN: Still to come this morning, don't panic. There's still time to get dear old dad a present for Father's Day. Andy Serwer is going to stop by and tell us what you should be thinking about if you want to get a deal. Also ahead this morning, she's fighting to clear her name. Now track star Marion Jones says she has proof she never took steroids. That's ahead as we continue right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Sunday, as you well know, is Father's Day. And if you plan to buy him a gadget, well, believe it or not, things are getting a lot cheaper. Here with a look at that and a check of the markets this morning, Andy Serwer, "Minding Your Business."

Let's start with the markets first, Andy. Good morning.

ANDY SERWER, EDITOR-AT-LARGE, FORTUNE MAGAZINE: Let's do. Good morning to you.

Markets are lower this morning, unfortunately. Stocks selling off a little bit, not so much though. Two points down. I'm rounding up. Can you round up if they're down? Yes, you can.

The reason, well, we've got striking Norwegian oil workers. Yes, 200 Norwegian oil workers are striking, and that's sending the price of oil up towards $39 a barrel. The market doesn't like that. Norwegian oil workers.

Let's talk about Father's Day. It's Sunday, of course. Have you bought a present for dad yet? Probably not. I think a lot of that happens on Saturday, don't you?

Price of electronic gear has gone way, way down over the past couple years, always a favorite for dad. Let's check it out.

DVD player today, only $100. In '97, it was $500 almost. I mean, the price of these things has just really gone so far down.

Digital cameras, same kind of thing here. Also, let's look at digital TVs. I'd like a digital TV, Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Would you?

SERWER: Yes. Well, you're...

O'BRIEN: Well, sorry for...

SERWER: ... I guess we're not related.

O'BRIEN: ... unfortunately for you, you're not my father.

SERWER: We're not related. OK. That's not going to work.

O'BRIEN: You're not getting it from me.

SERWER: OK. Listen, news flash: Father's Day, two things dads really want: peace and quiet. I think so often dads are rushed up at 6:00 in the morning, "Get up, get up, we have to go to the amusement park. It's three hours away. You've got to drive there, you've got to stand in line for an hour and a half and buy all this expensive stuff for the kids and then rush home." And then it's 8:00 at night and you've got to go out and barbecue in the dark.

Peace and quiet. Hammock time.

O'BRIEN: Wow, that's what you want?

SERWER: That's what dads want.

O'BRIEN: You don't want a digital camera or digital TV?

SERWER: Well, you can throw one of those in, too.

O'BRIEN: Uh-huh.

SERWER: But peace and quiet is very affordable.

O'BRIEN: Yes, peace and quiet is a freebie.

SERWER: Very important.

HEMMER: Is your family watching? Because you made a heck of a pitch right there.

SERWER: We've already talked about this. Yeah, yeah.

HEMMER: Thank you, Andy.

O'BRIEN: It's not going to happen this week, Andy. Sorry.

SERWER: No, I guess not.

HEMMER: "Question of the Day," back to Jack for that.

CAFFERTY: Thank you, Bill.

Our "Question of the Day," where should the government spend the most money for homeland security? There was a bill in the House to -- to put the preponderance of the bucks into the areas that have the most people. The big cities represent the greatest potential problem in the event of another terrorist attack. The bill was voted down.

Linda in San Antonio says, "How about concentrating money on protecting our southern borders? Report after report states 600,000 people successfully make it across that border illegally every year. A handful of terrorists mingled in with others coming across could cause more destruction than we saw on September 11."

Des Moines, Iowa, "Just heard your remark about the money for rural homeland security. The powers that be around here seem to think that our crops are in dialer of biological terrorism. The theory, I believe, is that the terrorists will somehow create a crop failure and starve us to death."

And Robert in Claire, Michigan, writes: "This is typical of the continuous campaigning mindset of many of our 'public servants.'" He puts that in quotes. "It shows their complete disregard for the common good of the country. When will we ever have elected representatives who will put the public good before selfish interests?"

HEMMER: Never.

CAFFERTY: He must be kidding. This is why our federal representatives and senators should have -- you know...

SERWER: I am shocked.

CAFFERTY: What are you on there this morning?

This weekend on "IN THE MONEY," we will take a look at how President Bush and John Kerry are tapping into religious views of different kinds, in a way, to stake out their positions, true to woo vote are. That's this weekend, Saturday at 1:00, Sunday at 3:00 Eastern.

There's a great piece in TIME Magazine on religion and the presidency, and one of the lines in there that I recall is that the occupant of the Oval Office finds that it's a very lonely and humbling experience, and he looks for all the help he can get. Kind of an interesting take on what that job's about.

HEMMER: Sure. Thank you, jack.

CAFFERTY: You're welcome.

HEMMER: In a moment here on AMERICAN MORNING, this is a story for Soledad. Putting off having a baby?

O'BRIEN: No.

HEMMER: She's not. A new study says you better not wait too long. We'll tell you why. Back in a moment after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Forty-seven minutes past the hour now. Time to take a look at some of today's other news with Heidi Collins.

Good morning again, Heidi.

COLLINS: Good morning to you as well. And good morning to you, everybody.

We have been telling you about one story all morning, terror warnings from Russia. Russia's President Vladimir Putin saying today his country's intelligence warned Washington several times that Iraq planned terror strikes against the U.S. both in and outside the country. The warnings were given after the September 11 attacks but before the start of the war with Iraq.

To Saudi Arabia now. With a 72-hour deadline here, the wife of kidnapped American Paul Johnson making an emotional appeal for his release.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I see him picture. I hurt so bad. I fall down all the time about when I saw picture in the TV. When he say his name, Paul Johnson, I hurt so bad about all that. I cry all the time.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COLLINS: The American contractor was reported missing last Saturday. Johnson's captors said earlier this week they will kill him if Saudi officials do not release al Qaeda prisoners.

Lawyers for Olympian Marion Jones say they have more proof the sprinter never took illegal performance-enhancing drugs. Attorneys for Jones say she passed a lie detector test which was reportedly administered Wednesday in the San Francisco area.

They say the results were sent to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. The steroid scandal could potentially hold the runner back from attending the summer games in Athens.

And on a health note, putting off baby plans may not always be the best decision according to a new study. The report says procedures like in vitro fertilization may become less effective as women get older. The research shows reproductive technologies will make up for only half the fertility women lose if they want to conceive for the first time until the ages of 30-35.

Right, Soledad?

O'BRIEN: On the other hand, you know, waiting is always a good thing.

COLLINS: Waiting is a good thing. That's right.

O'BRIEN: All right. Thanks, Heidi.

COLLINS: You bet.

O'BRIEN: Still to come this morning, how one girl made the "Extra Effort" that everyone could be part of the team. We've got her touching story just ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(WEATHER REPORT)

O'BRIEN: In our weekly "Extra Effort" series, we pay tribute to those going the extra mile to help others. Well, this morning, a very special cheerleader, 17-year-old Amber Solino, is using her skills to teach a squad of girls with special needs. And I recently talked to Amber and asked her how the idea for the team came to her.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) AMBER SOLINO, FORMED SPECIAL NEEDS CHEERLEADING SQUAD: Well, I saw it in American Cheerleader magazine, that there was about three special needs squads that were there at nationals. And I was just reading about it, and I thought it would be really cool if I could do that, if I could start coaching that. But I really didn't think it was going to happen.

O'BRIEN: So was it a massive endeavor to tackle all this stuff? What was the hardest thing to do?

SOLINO: Some people, they were just like -- say, well, you know, who are you associated with and what gym are you with? But we weren't with a gym and we weren't with Special Olympics. But -- so it was hard (UNINTELLIGIBLE) all that. And we didn't have a spot to practice, so we called Foothills Gymnastics, and they're awesome there. They gave us a spot for free.

O'BRIEN: Despite all the obstacles, you actually ended up doing really well, and you got your team together. Tell me a little bit about the -- the girls, really, who are on your team.

SOLINO: Well, during the time we were at competitions, we had five girls. And now we are up to seven. They're just -- they're awesome. They're doing flips and stunts and everything. And they just work so hard.

O'BRIEN: Why did you decide to bring the girls to competition? I mean, you could have just started a squad and left it at that. Why did you feel you had to go to the next step?

SOLINO: I really think that like cheerleading, when you're just sitting there cheering on people, that's fun. But competition, that's something that's just like -- makes it feel like it's a real sport.

The first time we went, though, they were so nervous. We went out there and they started doing their cheer. And everybody was cheering back at them. It was unbelievable. Their smiles why like 10 miles wide.

O'BRIEN: I can see why they'd be nervous. You're talking about a crowd of something like 15,000 people who are spectators at these kinds of competitions. I know that a lot of the parents of the girls have -- have really said to you how much you've helped, not only teaching the girls cheerleading, but then also sort of seeing how it plays into the rest of their lives.

SOLINO: Well, one of the girl's moms told me that both of her doctors, her neurologist and her family doctor, have said that she's had such an improvement. She won an academic award this year in school, and her mom just really says it was because of cheerleading and everything that has come along with it.

So -- and I've learned a lot. I learned that -- not to judge people. Because they are -- they're just like every other teenage girl out there. And they can do whatever they set their minds to.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: Amber's squad, the Cataba Cats (ph), plans to compete in four national and eight local competitions this year with 15 girls on the roster. Amber's going to be a senior in high school in the fall and she hopes to study elementary education in college. Good for her.

We're going to be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Before we let you go today, we want to show you a little something -- something out of TV Guide.

SERWER: Yes.

O'BRIEN: It's called -- now this magazine is called "Hot New Stars." And if you turn to page 31, look who's there, our own Bill Hemmer, number 15.

COLLINS: Look at that! Is that you?

SERWER: Sizzling. Sizzling.

O'BRIEN: It's Billy without his glasses on.

HEMMER: A ton of cash.

COLLINS: Really?

(LAUGHTER)

O'BRIEN: Number 20, Paris Hilton, I might add.

HEMMER: Oh, yes.

SERWER: Oh, wow! Billy, beat her out.

O'BRIEN: Congratulations to you. This is good.

HEMMER: Yes.

O'BRIEN: And a cute picture, too. Loving that.

All right. We're out of time.

HEMMER: Thank you for that. Thank you. Where's Ron Burgandy (ph) when you need him?

(LAUGHTER)

O'BRIEN: We're out of time. We'll go right to Daryn Kagan, who's at the CNN Center. She's going to take us through the next few hours.

Hey, Daryn. Good morning. DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Well, what is new about that? Billy has been hot for a long, long time. That is such old news. Woo.

HEMMER: Oh, easy. Have a great weekend, all right?

KAGAN: I had to send you out here with a big blush. You guys have a great weekend.


Aired June 18, 2004 - 9:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANNOUNCER: From the CNN Broadcast Center in New York, this is AMERICAN MORNING with Soledad O'Brien and Bill Hemmer.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome, everybody. Nine o'clock here in New York. Good morning on this Friday morning here.

That 9/11 Commission hearings, they're over publicly, but the last day certainly offered some of the most chilling moments of all. Among other items, the public hearing was thought to be the voice of Mohamed Atta after he hijacked American Airlines Flight 11.

This morning, we'll talk to Carrie Lemack. Her mother died onboard that plane. What does she take away from yesterday and the process as a whole? A lot of emotion in that room yesterday.

SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Yes, no question.

Also this morning, and earlier this week, a tragic accident took place in Fort Worth, Texas. Four people drowned in a water park in the downtown area. An investigation is now under way. They're trying to determine just how it happened. This morning, we talk to safety expert Bob Stubbier on whether or not this was an accident just waiting to happen.

HEMMER: And good advice to know in a moment here.

Jack Cafferty, good morning.

JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Hi, Bill.

A Bill introduced in the House of Representatives yesterday that would have transferred more money for homeland security into the bigger population centers of the country and away from the rural, less populated areas of the country. The Bill was voted down. We'd like to know your thoughts on how we should divvy up the pie when it comes to spending the bucks that are available to protect this nation. AM@CNN.com, and the mailbox is working.

HEMMER: That's a good debate, too.

O'BRIEN: All right.

HEMMER: Thank you, Jack.

Let's go to Moscow, first up this hour. A startling revelation today made by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Saddam Hussein was planning terror attacks against the U.S. after 9/11, and the information is coming from Russian intelligence. Moscow passing that information to Washington prior to the war with Iraq more than a year ago. Straight away, to the Russian capital, and our bureau chief there, Jill Dougherty.

Jill, good afternoon.

JILL DOUGHERTY, CNN MOSCOW BUREAU CHIEF: Good afternoon, Bill.

Well, it is very, very interesting comments by Mr. Putin. It came in a news conference, by the way, in which a reporter asked about a leaked report yesterday from an intelligence officer, unnamed, who had said pretty much the same thing. And that is that Saddam Hussein's regime between, again, 9/11 and the beginning of the war in Iraq, was planning these terrorist attacks both in the United States and abroad on targets, civilian and military.

Now, Mr. Putin added they do not have any intelligence information that actually Saddam Hussein's people were involved in any terrorist attacks. And he added he was not sure how important this information in -- was to the United States, the significance of that. But just the fact that he is saying that this information was passed on to the United States is really very interesting. And also the fact that he said that President Bush himself thanked the head of one of the Russian intelligence services for that information, considering it important.

HEMMER: There are countless intriguing questions here, Jill. One of them is this: why is Vladimir Putin talking about this now?

DOUGHERTY: You know, that is the question, Bill. And nobody seems to be able to answer that, other than the timing of being asked about it. But I have to tell you, with the Russian media, they usually do not ask questions that the Kremlin is not prepared to answer. So there was obviously a plan to answer this particular question.

You've got the 9/11 Commission, you've got a lot of comments now and discussion about the connection between al Qaeda, Iraq, Saddam Hussein, et cetera. So perhaps in that context, that was coming up. But intriguing questions as well, why did the Bush administration not talk about this?

We don't know the answer to that, Bill. But we'll -- I'm hoping that we can get a little bit more information when we actually hear precisely what President Putin said. Perhaps he'll shed some light.

HEMMER: And what was the extent of that threat. Jill, thanks. Jill Dougherty live in Moscow. More answers hopefully throughout the day -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Now that the 9/11 Commission is done with its public work, the panel will start work on a final report which is due out next month. Yesterday's final hearing highlighted the confusion of 9/11 on the ground, in the air, and in the government as well. There's also this from one of the hijackers... (BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have some planes. Just stay quiet and you'll be OK. We are returning to the airport.

Nobody move. Everything will be OK. If you try to make any move, you'll endanger yourself and the airplane. Just stay quiet.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

O'BRIEN: That voice is believed to be hijack leader Mohamed Atta on American Flight 11.

Carrie Lemack's mother was on that plane. Carrie attended those 9/11 hearings this week. She joins us from Boston.

Carrie, thanks for being with us.

CARRIE LEMACK, CO-FOUNDER, FAMILIES OF SEPTEMBER 11: Thank you for having me.

O'BRIEN: Was yesterday the first time you had heard that voice before?

LEMACK: Yes, and just now is the second time I'd heard it.

O'BRIEN: How surprised and shocked and -- I mean, it was shocking to all of us who were listening to it who do not necessarily have a personal connection as you do. How horrible was it to hear it?

LEMACK: It was awful. We didn't have any warning until right before the hearing started that we were going to hear those voices. Normally, if we're going to have some sort of graphic material be demonstrated, whether it's videos of planes hitting, or if it's voices of my mother's murderers, we'd like to know in advance. We didn't get that warning yesterday.

It was -- it was terrible. It was chilling to hear the evilness that was around my mom and around all the other people on that plane. My mom had an infectious smile and energy, and to think that she was surrounded by such awful things and such an awful voice is very, very difficult. But it was important to hear. And it's important for people to understand what happened that day so we make sure it doesn't happen again.

We learned a lot from the public hearings this week. Everything from the fact that the FAA and the military weren't communicating with each other, even when the FAA thought that the military was listening on to their open line and was learning about the four planes that had been hijacked. We learned later the military didn't even know, didn't have advance warning for many of those hijackings.

O'BRIEN: I was going to ask you about that, because some of the other audio recordings that they played yesterday really highlighted the confusion in the discussions between the air traffic controllers, the FAA, NORAD, NEADS, all those things. How disturbing was that to listen to, just the sheer out and out confusion?

LEMACK: Well, it just showed the lack of understanding of what was going on. I'm not sure if it was lack of training of what to do in these situations, which is disturbing considering the number of warnings that we had had about domestic hijackings in the United States.

Many of the FAA officials said they were concerned only with attacks abroad and not domestically, which doesn't make much sense considering we knew that on August 6 in President Bush's presidential daily briefing we knew that Osama bin Laden was intending to strike within the United States with hijackings, hijacking commercial airliners into large buildings such as the World Trade Center.

So we had had the warnings, but we were not set up to be able to deal with the type of situation that occurred on September 11. And it's -- it's very disturbing because we need to make sure that we have people who are thinking ahead, who are looking at the threats out there and making sure that they're ready for them. So that's why this report is so important, and why we're very hopeful that the commission's report that comes out on July 26 will give the recommendations that will ensure our administration and our government agencies to be prepared. Because, unfortunately, this might happen again and we want to make sure that we stop it.

O'BRIEN: We heard from General Eberhart yesterday, who testified after the report was read or some of the report was read that -- that things have changed, that they actually could bring down or have less destruction than there was on 9/11 if something as horrible were to happen today. Do you believe that that's true?

LEMACK: Well, what he said was that if he had received advance warning, like he was supposed to from the FAA, that they would have been able to shoot down some of those planes. The commission disagrees.

So I'm not sure. I'm not an expert in all of this. I just want to make sure that we are preparing and that in the future they are -- they can protect Americans' lives.

Right now, it seems like there's a lot of work to be done. And that's why the recommendations that come out in the final report are so important to implement. And we're going to need ever American's help and every legislator's help to make sure that we can implement those.

O'BRIEN: It really also is a culmination of a two-and-a-half year battle on your part to -- to get these hearings under way in the first place, to move all that process along. Are you looking forward to -- to this coming to an end in some way? Or do you see it as a beginning?

LEMACK: Unfortunately, it is still a beginning. You're correct, we had to fight very hard to get this commission in place. The administration was not supportive of it until about 14 months after the attacks. We are very hopeful -- I think that's the word to use -- that this commission's going to have very good recommendations. But just today I've heard that the President is saying that he doesn't agree with some of the conclusions of the commission.

The commission's saying there was no link between al Qaeda and Iraq. The President feels otherwise. If he has other information that they don't have, I hope he comes forward, because we need to make sure that this report is complete, it's accurate, we know everything that happened on September 11, that led up to September 11, so that we can fix it so it doesn't happen again.

O'BRIEN: Carrie Lemack joining us this morning. Carrie, nice to see you. Thanks for being with us. We appreciate it.

LEMACK: Thank you.

O'BRIEN: Bill?

HEMMER: A tough, tough time it is for them.

Eight minutes past the hour now. Also, the Birmingham, Alabama, Police Department today is mourning what's being called the biggest loss in its history. Three officers gunned down while trying to make an arrest. It's the third time in about a year that two or more Alabama police officers were killed by gunfire.

The officers well known in that community. Local residents and police obviously upset by the passing and the deaths and the shooting deaths. Police Chief Annetta Watts Nunn is with us now live from Birmingham.

And Chief, good morning to you. Our sympathies to you, the families and your entire department. How are the officers handling this, Chief?

ANNETTA WATTS NUNN, BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, POLICE CHIEF: Well, they're very, very distressed, particularly those who work the same shift with these officers from that precinct. But all the members around the department are deeply saddened, as well as many members of the public.

HEMMER: There are a number of questions, too, at this point. It was a misdemeanor warrant. That's why they were responding. A question about four officers being called to the scene. Why are four necessary on a misdemeanor count?

NUNN: Well, we believe that the officer that initiated or found the warrant, he requested the assistance from the others who worked the surrounding areas and the task force to come with him. You never know what you're going to face when you serve a warrant, so he was just making sure he had enough people there.

HEMMER: Did they have any indication that there could be the violence inside that home when they responded? NUNN: Well, the case is still under investigation. But from what we know now, we do not believe they had any information that would have led them to believe such an outcome was possible.

HEMMER: Chief, across the country, violence is going down. That's what the statistics tell us. Yet they say in Birmingham it's going the other way. What explains that?

NUNN: What explains it? The person's heart. Until you change it, they will continue to be violent. We would like that question answered ourselves, what makes people violent.

Last year, our numbers were up. It was something we're deeply concerned about. And they were down this year because our officers and all personnel have been working very hard to work with the community. And it had almost been cut in half during this time this year.

HEMMER: Is there also an explanation as to how the third incident could take place in your state now, where at least two officers are killed in the line of duty at one time?

NUNN: I don't have any explanation for that. We're just trying to assure our personnel here that their safety is of utmost importance and that they have to look out for one another. And those that responded, that are second-guessing themselves, we're trying to assure them that there's nothing that they could have done had they been there. It appears this individual had their mind made up when those officers entered that apartment.

HEMMER: Chief, good luck to you. Annetta Watts Nunn is the police chief there in Birmingham.

Soledad?

O'BRIEN: This morning, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld standing by his order to hold a high-value Iraqi prisoner in secret detention last October at a prison camp near Baghdad. He says it was requested by CIA Director George Tenet and that they weren't tried to hide the prisoner from the Red Cross. More now from CNN senior Pentagon correspondent, Jamie McIntyre.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN SR. PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says he was just doing what CIA Director George Tenet asked him eight months ago when he order a high- value Iraqi prisoner held in secret detention at a U.S. military prison camp near Baghdad Airport. The unidentified prisoner, dubbed "XXX" by some soldiers, is identified only as a high official and paramilitary leader of the Ansar al Islam terrorist group, believed to be coordinating attacks against U.S. troops. Rumsfeld denies his order was in any way aimed at covering up abuse or inhumane treatment.

(on camera): Was there an intention to hide this prisoner from the Red Cross. DONALD RUMSFELD, DEFENSE SECRETARY: Not on my part.

MCINTYRE (voice-over): But the prisoner was never registered with the Red Cross, as required by the Geneva Conventions, which the Pentagon now admits was a breakdown in procedure.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We should have registered him much sooner than we did. It didn't have to be at the very instant we brought him into our custody.

MCINTYRE: In his investigation of abuse at the Abu Ghraib prison, Major General Antonio Taguba criticized military police for hiding so-called ghost detainees from the Red Cross, calling the practice deceptive, contrary to Army doctrine, and in violation of international law. Rumsfeld insists the case of XXX, who was never at Abu Ghraib, is different.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How is this case different from what Taguba was talking about, the ghost detainees?

RUMSFELD: It is just different, that's all.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Explain how and why.

RUMSFELD: I can't.

MCINTYRE (on camera): Other Pentagon officials did offer an explanation, saying the disclosure of his capture might have compromised his intelligence value. But the CIA never interrogated him again, and Pentagon officials admit his secret detention was supposed to be temporary and should have ended after a mountain or so.

Jamie McIntyre, CNN, the Pentagon.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: Just about 14 minutes past the hour now. Time to take a look at some of the other stories making headlines today with Heidi Collins.

Good morning.

HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, Soledad. And good morning to you, everyone.

Saudi officials are searching the capital city of Riyadh for American hostage Paul Johnson. With the 72-hour deadline today, Johnson's wife is offering an emotional appeal for his release.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Please, I want to see him come back to see (ph) me. He not do anything wrong. He -- he not with the people. I never see him have problem in the 10-year in here.

(END VIDEO CLIP) COLLINS: The statement comes one day after one of Johnson's Saudi colleagues urged his captors to free the American. He was reported missing last Saturday.

American soldiers coming under fire in Iraq again this morning. The military says insurgents attacked a patrol near Baquba. Two militants killed, but no U.S. casualties reported. Meanwhile, an Iraqi official says martial law could be declared in the country if attacks against civilians persist. A car bombing outside an Iraqi army recruiting center in Baghdad yesterday left at least 35 people dead.

In Colorado, cell phone text messages may be used in Kobe Bryant's sexual assault trial. The judge in the case ordering the information turned over to the defense and the prosecution. The judge said the messages "contain information that is relevant for discovery."

Federal Reserve chairman, Alan Greenspan, getting the nod for a fifth and final term. The Senate yesterday confirmed Greenspan for another four years on a voice vote. Greenspan, who is 78 years old, has been Fed chairman since 1987.

And NASA astronomers scratching their heads this morning over new images of Comet Wild 2. Instead of a fairly smooth surface, researchers say -- easy for me to say -- they saw towering bulges and steep-walled craters. The images were sent back by the Stardust Spacecraft. So Wild -- and it's spelled with a "W" so I'm not sure if it's a German comet or...

HEMMER: Yes, it sounds a little like it, huh? Is it true the economists want to clone Alan Greenspan?

COLLINS: Yes, I'm thinking yes.

HEMMER: Two of them?

COLLINS: Yes.

HEMMER: All right. Thank you, Heidi.

COLLINS: You bet.

HEMMER: Back to the "Question of the Day" and Jack.

CAFFERTY: Thank you, William.

The House of Representatives voted down an amendment early this morning. They do these things in the middle of the night, when most of us can't see what's going on. The amendment was to send more security money to the nation's cities.

The measure was proposed by a New York Republican, John Sweeney. It would have taken some of the homeland security money away from the rural areas and redirected it to the cities considered most at risk for terrorist attack. Where should the government spend the most money for homeland security? That would be the question. And here would be some of the answers.

Jay in Fargo, North Dakota: "I agree that the money should not be spent the same in all States. But North Dakota, Minnesota and Montana are States with very porous borders. We do need to stop the entry of terrorists into this country in order to protect New York and other populated places."

Alice in Bozeman, Montana: "It's insane to think that my home state of Montana could possibly need or utilize the same funds for homeland protection as the large cities on the East and West Coast. What could be the reasoning behind such a vote?"

The reasoning, I think, is politics, Alice.

John in Toronto, Ontario, writes: "With the understanding that smart terrorists will strike when and where you least expect it and are least prepared, I would support the greatest effort being put into intelligence" -- and -- "intelligence gathering" -- rather -- "and analysis."

And I -- early this morning, I had mentioned when we first posed it that they wanted to take money away from places like Wyoming, where it would go to protect the buffalo and use it to -- so we get this from Paul in Hellertown, P.A.: "I've never met any buffalo in Wyoming, but I've met any number of New Yorkers. I'd spend my money on the buffaloes."

O'BRIEN: Ooh. Ouch, Paul. Ouch.

CAFFERTY: Ooh, Paul, ooh. Not so offensive.

HEMMER: The least populated state out there is Wyoming.

CAFFERTY: What?

HEMMER: The least populated state in the country, Wyoming -- 450,000, I think.

CAFFERTY: One of the prettiest places, too. Maybe that's one of the reasons why.

HEMMER: Oh, so beautiful. You're right.

O'BRIEN: All right, Jack. Thanks.

HEMMER: Thanks, Jack.

O'BRIEN: Chad now and a look at the weather.

Chad, good morning. What are you watching?

(WEATHER REPORT)

O'BRIEN: All right, Chad. Thanks.

HEMMER: In a moment here, the new reason why it might not be a good idea for women to wait too long to have a baby. Back in a moment with that.

O'BRIEN: Also ahead, a cheerleader's extra effort to get everyone involved leads to a winning team. We're going to talk to her.

HEMMER: Also, earlier in the week, that deadly accident. Such a tragedy in Texas. Safety expert Bob Stuber is back with us today, showing how you can be safe around the water this summer. He has great advice in a moment here.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HEMMER: We're about 22 minutes now past the hour. From the state of Texas, investigators meeting with energy firm to start an extensive study of safety at the Fort Worth Water Gardens. Thousands of mourners gathered last night at the popular attraction after four people drowned in the pools. The drownings happened on Wednesday after some school children out of Chicago were sucked under the pool's waters.

Safety expert Bob Stuber back with us today live in Sacramento, California, to talk about not just this particular tragedy and how it may have been prevented, but also what you need to know around the water this summer.

Bob, good morning to you and welcome back here.

Good morning.

HEMMER: One thing that really struck you about this story is how popular these pools are becoming. Explain that.

BOB STUBER, SAFETY EXPERT: Yes. We're seeing more water features like this all over the country. Like here in California, where I'm at, in northern California, the planned communities, they're being designed around these. They're putting big ponds in the middle of the communities, we're seeing them at the shopping malls. So this same type of situation, where you have a big body of water that exchanges a lot of fluid with a big powerful pump, everybody is accessible to these now.

HEMMER: Let me ask you a little -- give us a description for what you're talking about, these bodies of water.

STUBER: Yes. For instance if you go down to, say, just even a shopping mall and you see in the middle there a big fountain -- this is one place you'll find these, in the fountain. You know, it will blow the water up, and it has all these artistic designs to it and stuff. That takes a lot of power, that takes a lot of pumping action.

And even though that might only be a foot, two or three feet deep, that's enough for somebody to drown in. So when you get into these bigger bodies of water, they take a horrendous pumping action. So it's not so much that if you got into one of these. Even if you were a good swimmer, it doesn't make a difference. That pump has so much suction that it can pull you right to the bottom and there's no way you can break free.

HEMMER: Here's what we need to know then on the screen for our viewers to see. We'll take them one at a time. Find out how -- or whether or not you should stay out. Describe that.

STUBER: Yes. Even though there are signs that say "Stay out, no swimming," we see these all the time. I think we have to take more action than that, because the ones we're the most concerned about, which are the kids, a lot of kids are so young they can't even read. And those that can, they don't really pay attention to these warnings. So it's not out of the question that around these features we need some type of deterrent, more so than signs.

HEMMER: What do you need to know about a safety kit, Bob?

STUBER: Well, you know, around these same things, these features, there are no regulations, state by state, like there are in swimming pools, where they have to have the safety equipment. For instance, around a swimming pool, you have the big life saving hoof (ph), you have a life saver, you have other types of equipment. We don't have these around these other water features, and we should.

HEMMER: The emergency shutoff, accessible to the public?

STUBER: This is so very, very important. The only way you're going to break free from this kind of suction is to shut the pump off. And most of the time, in almost every situation, the shutoff valve is not accessible to the public. It's locked up in a maintenance closet somewhere.

It needs to be accessible to the public and well lit. It needs to be signed. People need to know where it's at.

HEMMER: What would a breathing hose do?

STUBER: Well, in a situation where you were stuck under the water -- you see, even if you can hold your breath for, say, two minutes, you're that good at it, when you get under water and it's an emergency and you're struggling, you've got about 10 seconds and then you're out of air. So this drowning happens very quickly. But if you had a breathing hose, something akin to a large snorkel, like a big long link of garden hose, to make it simple, that's something that can sustain somebody's life until you can get the pump shut off.

HEMMER: You say demand safer drains and pumps. From whom?

STUBER: This is where we have to really get involved with our legislature. There are really no regulations, other than residential pools, for these kind of situations. So we have to get involved as a society.

We have to say, look, we want there to be regulations that say we have to have safer drains, safer pumps, safer situations around these water features. So these are where they need to pass the laws and the regulations. And they won't do that unless you and I get involved and make them do that. HEMMER: It is good information, especially the shutoff valve, the emergency button that you're talking about. Bob, thanks. Bob Stuber's our safety expert. We'll talk to you again as we move through the summer, OK?

STUBER: Thank you.

HEMMER: Live in Sacramento -- sure thing.

Soledad?

O'BRIEN: Oh, baby. A state trooper stepped in and delivered a baby boy on a busy highway in Boston. The couple was in a tunnel on I-93 when the baby came. He wasn't breathing. They called police.

Paul Gifford, the state trooper who arrived, is a paramedic. And he suctioned the baby's mouth and nose to get the baby breathing.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PAUL GIFFORD, MASSACHUSETTS STATE TROOPER: I did go to the hospital soon after the event and spoke to the father, who did thank us very much and said that they were both doing well, they were in good condition.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O'BRIEN: Gifford also cut the umbilical cord, and then he wrapped the baby, which is named Omar, in a blanket till the ambulance arrived. And I'm sure the woman's doctor still charged her $8,000 for delivering that child, because that's how it works.

Still to come this morning, allegations of prisoner abuse are back in the news. This time it's in Afghanistan, though.

Also ahead this morning, the presidential election five months away, but it's a former president who might be stealing the spotlight. "Political Pop" just ahead.

Stay with us. You're watching AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HEMMER: On a Friday, the opening bell now at 9:30 here in New York City. The today Dow starting at 10,377, down about two points yesterday. I can they call that a tie on Wall Street.

Nasdaq market site, 1,983 is your opening mark, off about 14 points in trading on Thursday. Final day of trading for this week.

And welcome back, everybody. Welcome back to AMERICAN MORNING -- 9:30 here in New York.

Charges of prisoners being abused have now spread to Afghanistan. A CIA contractor has now been indicted on four counts of assault. Some are questioning whether or not the charges go far enough considering the prisoner died. We'll get a report on that in a moment.

O'BRIEN: Also this morning, the National Rifle Association wants to get into the news broadcasting business. It's not hard to find the political edge behind this idea. Got a look at that at "Political Pop" coming up in just a moment.

HEMMER: Also, cheerleading, building self-esteem for some girls who need it the most. Today, our "Extra Effort" series looks at a team of special girls. And one 17-year-old saw the potential where no one else did. You'll meet her in a little bit.

O'BRIEN: Yes. It's a really nice story.

Before we get to that, though, let's first get to this story out of Afghanistan. A contractor working for the CIA now indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly abusing a prisoner in Afghanistan with his bare hands and a flashlight. The prisoner later died. CNN's David Ensor live for us this morning with the latest on that.

David, good morning.

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

It's been a couple months that CIA official have been saying that there was this one case that the CIA inspector general and the Justice Department was looking into where such brutality was involved and criminal charges were likely. And that's, of course, what's come.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ENSOR (voice-over): Thirty-eight-year-old David Passaro was indicted on four counts of assault in the beating of an Afghan prisoner, Abdul Wali, who later died. At the time, Passaro was a private contractor for the CIA. A former Special Forces soldier, he was arrested Thursday morning, where he lives in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

JOHN ASHCROFT, ATTORNEY GENERAL: During these interrogations on June 19 and June 20, 2003, it is alleged that Passaro beat Wali repeatedly, using his hands and feet and a large flashlight. Wali died in his cell on (UNINTELLIGIBLE) base on June the 21st, 2003.

ENSOR: The base is in a remote and hazardous area near the Pakistan border, where Taliban and al Qaeda forces are frequently encountered. U.S. forces there sometimes fire grenades to keep enemies at bay.

Abdul Wali, the man who died, was suspected of firing rockets at U.S. forces. CIA spokesman Mark Mansfield says as soon as his agency heard about the allegations they were immediately reported to the Justice Department. One human rights advocate said assault was not the only crime that should have been charged.

STEVEN WATT, CENTER FOR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS: Given the nature of the indictment, that he was literally bashed to death with a flashlight whilst he was being -- whilst he was under interrogation, is a clear case of torture.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ENSOR: Passaro will face trial in a federal court in North Carolina. Each of the four charges of assault carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: David, quick question for you. And we sort of heard it in the end of your piece there. Considering that the -- the prisoner died in custody, why the charge of assault against David Passaro?

ENSOR: Well, Mr. Ashcroft, the attorney general, did say yesterday that this is an ongoing investigation and there is the possibility that additional charges may be brought. I have to -- I have talked to one U.S. official who thinks that a murder charge could be brought. And as you heard, there are human rights advocates who thinks there was torture involved as well. So there may be additional charges, but these are the first -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Hmm, interesting. David Ensor for us this morning. David, thanks.

And now, here's Bill.

HEMMER: Time for "Political Pop." Three guests, three questions, three topics. On the left, Democratic strategist Karen Finney.

Welcome back, Karen.

KAREN FINNEY, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: It's good to be here.

HEMMER: John DeVore, first timer out of Maxim Magazine, the man in the middle today. And on the right, Mark Simone, talk show host, radio show host here at WABC in New York.

Good morning to all three of you. Thanks for stopping by today.

The NRA is going on the air with NRA News. Is this an end around (ph), or how do you see it?

MARK SIMONE, RADIO TALK SHOW HOST: Well, they're doing their own radio show, whole hour on trigger locks. Who's not going to listen to that?

(LAUGHTER)

HEMMER: A whole hour on trigger locks.

SIMONE: I think the -- this is the result of -- you know, Al Franken started his own show. He's on the air a couple hours a day. And so a lot of radio listeners now want to shoot themselves. So maybe this will tie in with that.

HEMMER: Ooh. FINNEY: Maybe it's because Al Franken has been beaten on the right in some of the markets. But you know what? This radio station has about as much chance of success as J.Lo's marriage to Marc Anthony.

HEMMER: Ooh.

JOHN DEVORE, MAXIM MAGAZINE: You know, I can't stand the NRA for the same reason I can't stand PETA. I wouldn't listen to a PETA radio station, and I wouldn't listen to the NRA. I cannot stand fanatics. They make you want to go, "Shut up."

HEMMER: Well, what's the news -- what's the news in content, though?

SIMONE: I have no idea. They're going to get their ratings back and find out that 50 percent of people in the studio weren't listening.

DEVORE: I want to hear -- I want to hear a gun commercial, though. That would be great.

HEMMER: Truth be known that this is going to be on Sirius Satellite Radio. How many people listen to that Sirius Satellite Radio?

(CROSSTALK)

FINNEY: Does anybody know anybody who listens to...

HEMMER: If you're not in the car, the airport, where do you get it?

DEVORE: Tens of dozens.

SIMONE: Well, it's a really good system, but they've got hundreds of channels. That doesn't mean anybody's listening to your channel.

HEMMER: Yes, very true.

Karen, the other topic I want to talk about, the summer of Bill Clinton.

FINNEY: Absolutely.

HEMMER: Yes, the book -- he's going to be everywhere next week, by the way. Does this hurt John Kerry, or how does John Kerry find a way to still make some news when Bill Clinton's blocking a lot out?

FINNEY: I think it's great for John Kerry. Actually, I think it's bad for the Republicans. I think it's going to be the summer of the triple threat. Because, number one, you've got Clinton out there talking about his book, but also talking about a time when a Democratic president brought the deficit under control, we had economic prosperity, we had peace in the world. You've got Harry Thomasson's movie opening up.

HEMMER: He's going to be the everywhere man, right?

SIMONE: Well...

HEMMER: What, 14 days, 10 cities? Some frequent flyer miles.

FINNEY: But I think it helps Kerry, because it reminds people what the real contrasts are in this election and what the real issues are in this election. So I think it's good for Kerry.

SIMONE: No. It reminds people that Clintons are like cicadas. They come back every few years and make a lot of noise, and then...

HEMMER: Every few years? Every 17 -- John.

FINNEY: I would think you'd be glad to have your favorite punching bag back.

DEVORE: It's going to help Kerry only when Kerry decides what kind of candidate he is. If he embraces the Clinton legacy and doesn't do what Gore did in 2000, I think the book's going to help him because it's going to remind people what an articulate president he is. But if he -- if he tries to run like what he is, which is like an old school Yankee Democrat, I think it's going to hurt him.

(CROSSTALK)

SIMONE: Well, listen, if you want to really be blunt, after a week of looking at Reagan, Bush looks second rate. And after a summer of Clinton, Kerry looks just very dull. If you think Bush is an empty suit, Kerry is like a chalk outline.

DEVORE: But it's a heck of a train to ride -- it's a heck of a train to ride...

FINNEY: I don't know.

DEVORE: ... the Clinton train. I mean, if he hooks on to that, I think it will help him.

FINNEY: It would be wise to do it.

HEMMER: Well, you know, Bill Clinton got his portrait this past week, right? John, you're going to get your painting sometime soon, right?

DEVORE: I cannot wait, yes.

HEMMER: And we can't either, by the way.

FINNEY: Aren't you getting yours, Bill?

(CROSSTALK)

HEMMER: No, I'm not. Third topic, California. Kind of a clever story. Pierce Brosnan is lobbying the state House now. Don't know where Arnold Schwarzenegger comes down on this, because he hasn't talked about it publicly. They want to protect the bigger, older trees that are outside of federal land. What do you think?

(CROSSTALK)

DEVORE: Well, it's the Terminator versus James Bond. And, of course, the killer robot wins over the British man. But, look, it's -- the logging industry, first of all, doesn't need anymore bad press. Don't hurt the ancient trees. If they've been there for 2,000 years, god wants that.

HEMMER: But here's what I find clever...

DEVORE: God wants that.

HEMMER: ... movie fans turned out and outnumbered the reporters who were there, and outnumbered the supporters on both sides.

FINNEY: They did. It's a great (UNINTELLIGIBLE). I mean, think about it. James Bond, he's got the cool car, he's got the cool clothes, he's got the best gadgets, and he always gets the girl.

DEVORE: I mean, no, the story is the continuing like weird melding in California of celebrity and politics, which I personally can't get enough of because -- you know, celebrities make politics sexy and politics make celebrities dull bureaucrats.

SIMONE: I don't know. James Bond lobbying? It's license to shill. It's just...

HEMMER: Shilted (ph) not stirred? You know, when the Reagan funeral took place out in Simi Valley, only in California could you find a state that could cue the sunset just perfectly for the final moment.

FINNEY: Absolutely.

HEMMER: Thanks for talking. "Political Pop": Karen, John and mark, thanks. Come on back, all right?

DEVORE: Thank you.

FINNEY: Good to be here.

SIMONE: Thanks.

HEMMER: Soledad?

O'BRIEN: Still to come this morning, don't panic. There's still time to get dear old dad a present for Father's Day. Andy Serwer is going to stop by and tell us what you should be thinking about if you want to get a deal. Also ahead this morning, she's fighting to clear her name. Now track star Marion Jones says she has proof she never took steroids. That's ahead as we continue right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Sunday, as you well know, is Father's Day. And if you plan to buy him a gadget, well, believe it or not, things are getting a lot cheaper. Here with a look at that and a check of the markets this morning, Andy Serwer, "Minding Your Business."

Let's start with the markets first, Andy. Good morning.

ANDY SERWER, EDITOR-AT-LARGE, FORTUNE MAGAZINE: Let's do. Good morning to you.

Markets are lower this morning, unfortunately. Stocks selling off a little bit, not so much though. Two points down. I'm rounding up. Can you round up if they're down? Yes, you can.

The reason, well, we've got striking Norwegian oil workers. Yes, 200 Norwegian oil workers are striking, and that's sending the price of oil up towards $39 a barrel. The market doesn't like that. Norwegian oil workers.

Let's talk about Father's Day. It's Sunday, of course. Have you bought a present for dad yet? Probably not. I think a lot of that happens on Saturday, don't you?

Price of electronic gear has gone way, way down over the past couple years, always a favorite for dad. Let's check it out.

DVD player today, only $100. In '97, it was $500 almost. I mean, the price of these things has just really gone so far down.

Digital cameras, same kind of thing here. Also, let's look at digital TVs. I'd like a digital TV, Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Would you?

SERWER: Yes. Well, you're...

O'BRIEN: Well, sorry for...

SERWER: ... I guess we're not related.

O'BRIEN: ... unfortunately for you, you're not my father.

SERWER: We're not related. OK. That's not going to work.

O'BRIEN: You're not getting it from me.

SERWER: OK. Listen, news flash: Father's Day, two things dads really want: peace and quiet. I think so often dads are rushed up at 6:00 in the morning, "Get up, get up, we have to go to the amusement park. It's three hours away. You've got to drive there, you've got to stand in line for an hour and a half and buy all this expensive stuff for the kids and then rush home." And then it's 8:00 at night and you've got to go out and barbecue in the dark.

Peace and quiet. Hammock time.

O'BRIEN: Wow, that's what you want?

SERWER: That's what dads want.

O'BRIEN: You don't want a digital camera or digital TV?

SERWER: Well, you can throw one of those in, too.

O'BRIEN: Uh-huh.

SERWER: But peace and quiet is very affordable.

O'BRIEN: Yes, peace and quiet is a freebie.

SERWER: Very important.

HEMMER: Is your family watching? Because you made a heck of a pitch right there.

SERWER: We've already talked about this. Yeah, yeah.

HEMMER: Thank you, Andy.

O'BRIEN: It's not going to happen this week, Andy. Sorry.

SERWER: No, I guess not.

HEMMER: "Question of the Day," back to Jack for that.

CAFFERTY: Thank you, Bill.

Our "Question of the Day," where should the government spend the most money for homeland security? There was a bill in the House to -- to put the preponderance of the bucks into the areas that have the most people. The big cities represent the greatest potential problem in the event of another terrorist attack. The bill was voted down.

Linda in San Antonio says, "How about concentrating money on protecting our southern borders? Report after report states 600,000 people successfully make it across that border illegally every year. A handful of terrorists mingled in with others coming across could cause more destruction than we saw on September 11."

Des Moines, Iowa, "Just heard your remark about the money for rural homeland security. The powers that be around here seem to think that our crops are in dialer of biological terrorism. The theory, I believe, is that the terrorists will somehow create a crop failure and starve us to death."

And Robert in Claire, Michigan, writes: "This is typical of the continuous campaigning mindset of many of our 'public servants.'" He puts that in quotes. "It shows their complete disregard for the common good of the country. When will we ever have elected representatives who will put the public good before selfish interests?"

HEMMER: Never.

CAFFERTY: He must be kidding. This is why our federal representatives and senators should have -- you know...

SERWER: I am shocked.

CAFFERTY: What are you on there this morning?

This weekend on "IN THE MONEY," we will take a look at how President Bush and John Kerry are tapping into religious views of different kinds, in a way, to stake out their positions, true to woo vote are. That's this weekend, Saturday at 1:00, Sunday at 3:00 Eastern.

There's a great piece in TIME Magazine on religion and the presidency, and one of the lines in there that I recall is that the occupant of the Oval Office finds that it's a very lonely and humbling experience, and he looks for all the help he can get. Kind of an interesting take on what that job's about.

HEMMER: Sure. Thank you, jack.

CAFFERTY: You're welcome.

HEMMER: In a moment here on AMERICAN MORNING, this is a story for Soledad. Putting off having a baby?

O'BRIEN: No.

HEMMER: She's not. A new study says you better not wait too long. We'll tell you why. Back in a moment after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Forty-seven minutes past the hour now. Time to take a look at some of today's other news with Heidi Collins.

Good morning again, Heidi.

COLLINS: Good morning to you as well. And good morning to you, everybody.

We have been telling you about one story all morning, terror warnings from Russia. Russia's President Vladimir Putin saying today his country's intelligence warned Washington several times that Iraq planned terror strikes against the U.S. both in and outside the country. The warnings were given after the September 11 attacks but before the start of the war with Iraq.

To Saudi Arabia now. With a 72-hour deadline here, the wife of kidnapped American Paul Johnson making an emotional appeal for his release.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I see him picture. I hurt so bad. I fall down all the time about when I saw picture in the TV. When he say his name, Paul Johnson, I hurt so bad about all that. I cry all the time.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COLLINS: The American contractor was reported missing last Saturday. Johnson's captors said earlier this week they will kill him if Saudi officials do not release al Qaeda prisoners.

Lawyers for Olympian Marion Jones say they have more proof the sprinter never took illegal performance-enhancing drugs. Attorneys for Jones say she passed a lie detector test which was reportedly administered Wednesday in the San Francisco area.

They say the results were sent to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. The steroid scandal could potentially hold the runner back from attending the summer games in Athens.

And on a health note, putting off baby plans may not always be the best decision according to a new study. The report says procedures like in vitro fertilization may become less effective as women get older. The research shows reproductive technologies will make up for only half the fertility women lose if they want to conceive for the first time until the ages of 30-35.

Right, Soledad?

O'BRIEN: On the other hand, you know, waiting is always a good thing.

COLLINS: Waiting is a good thing. That's right.

O'BRIEN: All right. Thanks, Heidi.

COLLINS: You bet.

O'BRIEN: Still to come this morning, how one girl made the "Extra Effort" that everyone could be part of the team. We've got her touching story just ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(WEATHER REPORT)

O'BRIEN: In our weekly "Extra Effort" series, we pay tribute to those going the extra mile to help others. Well, this morning, a very special cheerleader, 17-year-old Amber Solino, is using her skills to teach a squad of girls with special needs. And I recently talked to Amber and asked her how the idea for the team came to her.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) AMBER SOLINO, FORMED SPECIAL NEEDS CHEERLEADING SQUAD: Well, I saw it in American Cheerleader magazine, that there was about three special needs squads that were there at nationals. And I was just reading about it, and I thought it would be really cool if I could do that, if I could start coaching that. But I really didn't think it was going to happen.

O'BRIEN: So was it a massive endeavor to tackle all this stuff? What was the hardest thing to do?

SOLINO: Some people, they were just like -- say, well, you know, who are you associated with and what gym are you with? But we weren't with a gym and we weren't with Special Olympics. But -- so it was hard (UNINTELLIGIBLE) all that. And we didn't have a spot to practice, so we called Foothills Gymnastics, and they're awesome there. They gave us a spot for free.

O'BRIEN: Despite all the obstacles, you actually ended up doing really well, and you got your team together. Tell me a little bit about the -- the girls, really, who are on your team.

SOLINO: Well, during the time we were at competitions, we had five girls. And now we are up to seven. They're just -- they're awesome. They're doing flips and stunts and everything. And they just work so hard.

O'BRIEN: Why did you decide to bring the girls to competition? I mean, you could have just started a squad and left it at that. Why did you feel you had to go to the next step?

SOLINO: I really think that like cheerleading, when you're just sitting there cheering on people, that's fun. But competition, that's something that's just like -- makes it feel like it's a real sport.

The first time we went, though, they were so nervous. We went out there and they started doing their cheer. And everybody was cheering back at them. It was unbelievable. Their smiles why like 10 miles wide.

O'BRIEN: I can see why they'd be nervous. You're talking about a crowd of something like 15,000 people who are spectators at these kinds of competitions. I know that a lot of the parents of the girls have -- have really said to you how much you've helped, not only teaching the girls cheerleading, but then also sort of seeing how it plays into the rest of their lives.

SOLINO: Well, one of the girl's moms told me that both of her doctors, her neurologist and her family doctor, have said that she's had such an improvement. She won an academic award this year in school, and her mom just really says it was because of cheerleading and everything that has come along with it.

So -- and I've learned a lot. I learned that -- not to judge people. Because they are -- they're just like every other teenage girl out there. And they can do whatever they set their minds to.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: Amber's squad, the Cataba Cats (ph), plans to compete in four national and eight local competitions this year with 15 girls on the roster. Amber's going to be a senior in high school in the fall and she hopes to study elementary education in college. Good for her.

We're going to be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Before we let you go today, we want to show you a little something -- something out of TV Guide.

SERWER: Yes.

O'BRIEN: It's called -- now this magazine is called "Hot New Stars." And if you turn to page 31, look who's there, our own Bill Hemmer, number 15.

COLLINS: Look at that! Is that you?

SERWER: Sizzling. Sizzling.

O'BRIEN: It's Billy without his glasses on.

HEMMER: A ton of cash.

COLLINS: Really?

(LAUGHTER)

O'BRIEN: Number 20, Paris Hilton, I might add.

HEMMER: Oh, yes.

SERWER: Oh, wow! Billy, beat her out.

O'BRIEN: Congratulations to you. This is good.

HEMMER: Yes.

O'BRIEN: And a cute picture, too. Loving that.

All right. We're out of time.

HEMMER: Thank you for that. Thank you. Where's Ron Burgandy (ph) when you need him?

(LAUGHTER)

O'BRIEN: We're out of time. We'll go right to Daryn Kagan, who's at the CNN Center. She's going to take us through the next few hours.

Hey, Daryn. Good morning. DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Well, what is new about that? Billy has been hot for a long, long time. That is such old news. Woo.

HEMMER: Oh, easy. Have a great weekend, all right?

KAGAN: I had to send you out here with a big blush. You guys have a great weekend.