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CNN Live Sunday

New Threats of Attacks Against Americans in Saudi Arabia; New Attacks In Iraq as Handover of Power Draws Near

Aired June 20, 2004 - 11:00   ET

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

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


FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: It is 11:00 a.m. in Washington, 7:00 p.m. in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Welcome to CNN LIVE SUNDAY. I'm Fredricka Whitfield.
Ahead this hour, new threats of attacks against Americans in Saudi Arabia. Live from Riyadh with the search of the remains of American Paul Johnson.

Also, new attacks in Iraq as the handover of power draws closer. What action the interim president is vowing to take to stop the terrorists.

And later...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The second night we were there our compound was rocketed, and that was kind of a wake-up call that you're not in friendly territory any more.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: A helicopter pilot who risked his life to rescue wounded American soldiers talks about the fight against Al Qaeda in Afghanistan.

But first, a look at the top stories.

A U.S. Marine is killed in action in Iraq. He was part of the First Marine Expeditionary force. The coalition says it happened yesterday in Al Anbar province, which includes the troubled city of Fallujah.

Long-time rivals India and Pakistan have agreed to set up a nuclear hotline. It's designed to prevent misunderstandings and avert confrontations. The two countries also agreed to extend a nuclear testing ban.

In Algeria the military says it has killed one of North Africa's most-wanted terrorists. He was killed along with several lieutenants east of the capital of Algiers. He had been trying to overthrow the Algerian government, and had announced an alliance with Al Qaeda last September.

The Al Qaeda cell in Saudi Arabia is vowing revenge for the killing of its leader, Abdel Aziz Al-Muqrin. It also named his replacement. The group claims responsibility for the beheading of American Paul Johnson, and there are conflicting reports about the search for the body.

More on the story now, live from Riyadh via phone is our CNN's Nic Robertson. Nic, what's the latest?

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, the search, as we understand it, still goes on. Initially on Friday night after Paul Johnson's beheading and execution was shown on videotape, there was then reports that his body had been discovered outside of Riyadh, but that was part of a massive, ongoing Saudi security forces operation. But as details emerged later, Saudi security forces have subsequently said they have still not yet been able to discover and identify Paul Johnson's body. That remains the case; they say they're still searching for this body in an area north of Riyadh.

In the meantime, the group that claimed responsibility for the attack has named a new leader, Saleh al-Oufi. He was number five on Saudi Arabia's most-wanted list in December last year. However, Saudi security sources say he is not of the same cadre as Al-Muqrin, the man that he replaced, the man that Saudi security forces killed on Friday night. He was, we understand, a police guard at a main prison facility within the country for several years. However, since then, he had to drop out of that job, been fired from that job, and had basically joined, at some point in the last ten years, the Al Qaeda operation, now being named the head.

Saudi security sources say they're not sure how long it will take this group to reorganize before they may perpetrate another attack. But certainly that is the fear in Saudi Arabia, among people here, that there is a real possibility that Al Qaeda has not gone away and can still strike again.

WHITFIELD: And Nic, the foreign affairs adviser for the Saudi Arabian embassy has said that they'll continue to look at the Al Qaeda Web site for any clues about the whereabouts of Paul Johnson's body. What other means are they hoping to use to help find the remains?

ROBERTSON: Well, Web sites do offer one opportunity, sort of electronic eavesdropping or surveillance. Some security analysts suggest the reason that the groups are able to continue on a bi- monthly case to put releases on the web, releases extolling the virtues of kidnapping, explaining to people how to go out and kill westerners, and also the releases of the videotape of Paul Johnson's kidnapping and his killing. Some analysts have suggested the reason that authorities do that is so that they can monitor these sites. Of course, it is entirely possible they are unable to stop these sites with these releases of information.

The other way Saudi security sources say they need to penetrate these cells, penetrate the Al Qaeda cells by compromising them, by getting agents to infiltrate, or by having people call in on a hotline. Saudi authorities have initiated a telephone hotline for people to call in with information, if they suspect anybody. One Saudi I was talking to a little earlier today said we in the past in Saudi Arabia have been a very trusting society. He told me now we have to learn to suspect people and call in that information.

WHITFIELD: Nic Robertson, thanks for joining us on the phone from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

A rural church in southern New Jersey is mourning the death of American engineer Paul Johnson, beheaded by the Al Qaeda group in Saudi Arabia. Johnson's family members live nearby. CNN's Alina Cho reports from Egg Harbor Township now.

Alina?

ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Fredricka, the senior pastor of this church told us that he has spent a great deal of time with the family over this past week, trying to comfort them, trying to console them during this difficult time. In fact, he said he spoke to Johnson's sister, Donna May, just yesterday. May, who has been attending this church for quite some time but only became a member officially two weeks ago.

During this morning's service the pastor said that many people in the congregation have called the church wanting to know how they could help the family right now. He urged parishioners not to try to contact the family right now, but to keep them in their thoughts in other ways.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KYLE HUBER, SENIOR PASTOR, GREENTREE CHURCH: For people who are concerned with the family, this is not a short-term pain, so don't forget your prayers and don't forget notes and cards into the future. The pain will never go away and our concern should continue for the long-term. It will always be meaningful.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHO: We also spoke to some parishioners before this morning's service. They said they are keeping Johnson's family in their prayers.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I lost my husband 15 years ago, so I imagine she's going through a quite drastic time right now. Empty. Her brother left. But I believe that God is in control. And good will come out of all this.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's our consolation, though. We just have a body and once that body is gone, the spirit still lives on, and that's comforting to us.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHO: This is, of course, Father's Day. Paul Johnson was a father of two. His family remains in seclusion somewhere in this area right now. For now, Fredricka, they're not speaking out publicly about their ordeal. WHITFIELD: All right. Alina Cho, from Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, thank you.

The 9/11 investigating committee wants to hear from Vice President Dick Cheney. Members are inviting him to provide any evidence of links between Al Qaeda and Saddam Hussein. The issue is a hot button one in the presidential campaign. CNN's Elaine Quijano joins us now from Washington with more on that.

Elaine?

ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Fredricka.

Well, the White House continues to maintain that there was a relationship between Al Qaeda and Iraq, and that its position does not conflict, they say, with the staff report of the September 11 Commission. If you recall, of course, it was last week that the report found there was no credible evidence that Saddam Hussein's regime was involved in the September 11 attacks. It's important to note that the White House has never said directly that Iraq coordinated or cooperated with Al Qaeda to carry out the 2001 attacks. Instead, what the administration has said, insisted that only that there were numerous contacts between Iraq and Al Qaeda.

Now, for its part the commission, whose final report is due out next month, found there was no, quote, "collaborative relationship" between Iraq and Al Qaeda. Commissioners have also made clear that they welcome any new information.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RICHARD BEN-VENISTE, 9/11 COMMISSION MEMBER: 9/11, take it to the bank; there was no Iraqi involvement in 9/11. Let's put that to bed. That's what our commission found.

If there is additional information that the vice president has or others have, we think we should have gotten that information by now, but if there is more information, then we are happy to look at it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

QUIJANO: Now, Commissioner Ben-Veniste there referring to a comment from Vice President Dick Cheney on Thursday. When the vice president was asked if there were things he knew that the commission did not, the vice president answered probably.

Now, this morning, in response to questions raised by that comment, the vice president spokesman, Kevin Kellems, issued this statement saying, quote, "The administration has cooperated fully with the commission and given them unprecedented access to highly classified information. To my knowledge, we have not received a request for additional information of any kind."

Now, privately, Fredricka, one official tells me that the vice president's comments need to be looked at in their entirety as more of a reflection of the fact that the vice president simply may not have known exactly what information the commission had in its possession.

Fredricka?

WHITFIELD: Elaine Quijano in Washington, thanks very much.

Ten days from now, the U.S.-led coalition transfers sovereignty to Iraq, and in these days leading up to the handover there's no let up in the violence there. Iraq's minister of health survived an assassination attempt last night in western Baghdad, and in a 45- minute shoot-out that followed, insurgents wounded seven Iraqi police officers and ten civilians.

In central Baghdad, an Iraqi police officer and four civilians were wounded when a sidewalk bomb exploded. That incident happened earlier today. And in southern Iraq, workers are still trying to repair two sabotaged oil pipelines. Insurgents attacked the pipelines Tuesday and Wednesday.

Despite the ongoing attacks, Iraqi leaders vow to stay the course in their bid to bring democracy to the country.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

IYAD ALLAWI, IRAQI INTERIM PRIME MINISTER: The enemy we are fighting is truly evil. They have nothing to offer the Iraqi people except death and destruction and the slaughter of innocents. Having suffered under tyranny for so many years, the Iraqi people are determined to establish a democratic government that provides freedom and equal rights for all our citizens.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: The Iraqi leader also is expressing his gratitude to the United States for helping push his country towards democracy.

A dramatic rescue on Mount Rainier for two climbers. Coming up, the rescue, and why two other mountain climbers were left behind. The story right after a break.

Also, man and mountain lions, the new study showing they're too close for comfort in parts of California.

And later, the Maui film festival. How the unique venue has thousands of film fans watching movies on outdoor screens.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: It's a great day for Father's Day out there. Rob Marciano is in the weather center to explain why. Happy dad's day to your dad.

(WEATHER REPORT)

WHITFIELD: Happy Father's Day to my dad and brother and brother- in-law. Can't leave anybody out. All right. Conjoined twin girls are now living separate lives. That tops our look at news across America. Four-month-old Jade and Erin Buckles were separated in a six-hour surgery with no complications. They had been joined from their chests to their abdomens. Doctors in Washington say the girls were in critical but stable condition.

And age is only a number for this 84-year-old Florida man. Joseph Figenbaum (ph) received his doctorate degree in international business administration from Nova Southeastern University in Miami. When asked about the hoopla over his graduation, the World War II vet called it much ado about nothing.

And the dramatic rescue above the snow-covered caps of Mount Rainier in Washington state. A helicopter rescued two stranded climbers, but there's little hope for a third man still missing after an accident that killed his climbing partner two days ago.

Spotting the big cats in California. Straight ahead, what researchers are learning about mountain lions to help prevent more deadly attacks.

Also, a look at some of the beautiful sights and sounds of the Maui film festival this week.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Suburban wildlife. Urban sprawl is pushing creatures out of their natural habitat. In the western U.S., mountain lion sightings are being reported from campgrounds to backyards. And last fall, two people were killed in a lion attack. Researchers now want to learn more about the mountain lion and the battle between nature and man. CNN's Miguel Marquez reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Mountain lions in our backyards, even our garages. This cat in Gonzales, California was returned to the wild. This lion was shot out of a tree in an upscale suburb just out of San Francisco. In the L.A. suburbs this cat got stuck in a backyard fence and was shot and killed. All recent incidents, and experts say more are likely.

JOAN EMBERY, CONSERVATIONIST: We're sharing resources with wildlife and with nature and it's going to be a balancing act.

MARQUEZ: Embery knows the balance. She's cared for this 150- pound cougar for nearly nine years.

EMBERY: Most of the incidents of cats moving into more urban environments tend to be younger cats as they're forced out of ranges that are defended by mature males.

MARQUEZ: Embery is on the board of University of California's Wildlife Heath Center. It is three years into a ten-year study of mountain lions. MARQUEZ (on camera): One thing the study found, when a mountain lion kills its prey, it'll often hide it near a trail or a road, so when humans coming along the cat may see us as competition.

Something else the study found, mountain lions and humans keep different hours.

EMBERY: There is an overlap, a window there, of when we're still active and they're just beginning to set out.

MARQUEZ: Attacks on humans are rare. One study says in California since 1890, six people have died out of 13 attacks. The last one came in January when mountain biker Mark Reynolds was killed, and the same cat attacked Anne Hjelle before it was shot and killed.

Miguel Marquez, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Still much more ahead this hour on "RELIABLE SOURCES." Howard Kurtz has a preview now of what's coming up at the half hour.

HOWARD KURTZ, HOST, "RELIABLE SOURCES": Coming up, a conversation with CBS's Dan Rather on his "60 Minutes" interview with Bill Clinton. Was he tough enough on the former president, especially on the affair that led to his impeachment? Was the media's Ronald Reagan's coverage too much? And how does Rather feel now about breaking the Iraqi prison abuse story?

Also, Dick Cheney takes on the "New York Times" over 9/11 headline. That and more ahead on "RELIABLE SOURCES."

WHITFIELD: Look forward to that.

And it's cinema in a Hawaiian paradise at the Maui film festival. Despite all the celebrities in attendance, the biggest star might just be the island itself.

CNN's Sibila Vargas has the dream assignment of bringing us the sights and sounds of Maui.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SIBILA VARGAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Thousands of people have been enjoying themselves here at the fifth annual Maui film and festival, and why not? Between the films shown outdoors, the music, and the beautiful setting, there's a lot to love.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a 60-film film festival, what's kind of a bite-size film festival you can wrap your arms around.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's amazing. My film has never showed in any place like this.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The Celestial Cinema is a 3,000-person venue that has a 50-foot wide screen. That screen, to me, is a campfire. When you're watching a film on that screen under the stars, you're sort of doing the 21st century version of sitting around a campfire.

We create memories for people, especially at these outdoor venues. We do a silent film menu right on the beach, Charlie Chaplin this year, so you're facing the ocean, the waves are rolling under the screen, there's a live accompanist.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think I'm going to move the show here to Maui. The setting is beautiful, the people are nice.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Woke up to an incredible sunrise this morning. I just feel sorry for you if you just don't feel amazing here.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: U.S. firefighters in Afghanistan and Iraq will tell you they're just doing their jobs, but as in any war, the job often requires the heart, mind, and courage of a hero. CNN's Casey Wian has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CASEY WIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Major Jim Bibb's life is a full one. At 33, he's been in the National Guard for 15 years and become an accomplished helicopter pilot. He's also an attorney, and, with wife Christina, is raising five children. He just got back from a nearly a year in Afghanistan flying Medevac.

MAJOR JIM BIBB, NEW MEXICO NATIONAL GUARD: The second night we were there our compound was rocketed, and that was kind of a wake-up call that you're not in friendly territory any more.

WIAN: Bibb led a team that rescued injured coalition soldiers, but it was an incident involving a civilian that he can't forget.

BIBB: We were called into the mountains of central Afghanistan to rescue an 11-year-old boy who was a gunshot victim in the middle of the night, low illumination. We did the mission; it was very rewarding.

WIAN: The boy recovered and was sent back to his village.

BIBB: Within a few days of being sent back to his village, he was strung up by the town leaders. It was a very pro-Al Qaeda town. Mentally that messes with you, because I risked my life and crew to do something I felt was very rewarding only to have that happen to that boy. So, once that happened I knew, mentally, I had to toughen up because we were in for a long haul.

WIAN: Bibb had an opportunity to transport many more Afghan children to U.S. hospitals with better results. BIBB: Obviously we were there to support our own servicemen, but to actually give something back to the kids by helping out, that helped take away the sting from being separated from my kids.

WIAN: For Bibb's growing family, it was a long year.

BIBB: My 4-year-old just wants his daddy back. He understands that people need to be taken to the hospital, but after a while, he was wondering why someone else couldn't take people to the hospital so daddy could come home.

WIAN: Home just over a month, Bibb says he will stay in the National Guard to train his medical unit so it's ready for its next deployment.

Casey Wian, CNN reporting.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Still much more ahead today on CNN.

At 11:30, "RELIABLE SOURCES." Today, looking at the new Bill Clinton book, "My Life," and what the former president has to say about some of the most controversial chapters of his presidency.

At noon, it's "LATE EDITION WITH WOLF BLITZER." Among his guest today, Senators Richard Lugar and Carl Levin, and they talk about the impending handover of power in Iraq.

And at 2:00, it's "PEOPLE IN THE NEWS."

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com


Aired June 20, 2004 - 11:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: It is 11:00 a.m. in Washington, 7:00 p.m. in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Welcome to CNN LIVE SUNDAY. I'm Fredricka Whitfield.
Ahead this hour, new threats of attacks against Americans in Saudi Arabia. Live from Riyadh with the search of the remains of American Paul Johnson.

Also, new attacks in Iraq as the handover of power draws closer. What action the interim president is vowing to take to stop the terrorists.

And later...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The second night we were there our compound was rocketed, and that was kind of a wake-up call that you're not in friendly territory any more.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: A helicopter pilot who risked his life to rescue wounded American soldiers talks about the fight against Al Qaeda in Afghanistan.

But first, a look at the top stories.

A U.S. Marine is killed in action in Iraq. He was part of the First Marine Expeditionary force. The coalition says it happened yesterday in Al Anbar province, which includes the troubled city of Fallujah.

Long-time rivals India and Pakistan have agreed to set up a nuclear hotline. It's designed to prevent misunderstandings and avert confrontations. The two countries also agreed to extend a nuclear testing ban.

In Algeria the military says it has killed one of North Africa's most-wanted terrorists. He was killed along with several lieutenants east of the capital of Algiers. He had been trying to overthrow the Algerian government, and had announced an alliance with Al Qaeda last September.

The Al Qaeda cell in Saudi Arabia is vowing revenge for the killing of its leader, Abdel Aziz Al-Muqrin. It also named his replacement. The group claims responsibility for the beheading of American Paul Johnson, and there are conflicting reports about the search for the body.

More on the story now, live from Riyadh via phone is our CNN's Nic Robertson. Nic, what's the latest?

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, the search, as we understand it, still goes on. Initially on Friday night after Paul Johnson's beheading and execution was shown on videotape, there was then reports that his body had been discovered outside of Riyadh, but that was part of a massive, ongoing Saudi security forces operation. But as details emerged later, Saudi security forces have subsequently said they have still not yet been able to discover and identify Paul Johnson's body. That remains the case; they say they're still searching for this body in an area north of Riyadh.

In the meantime, the group that claimed responsibility for the attack has named a new leader, Saleh al-Oufi. He was number five on Saudi Arabia's most-wanted list in December last year. However, Saudi security sources say he is not of the same cadre as Al-Muqrin, the man that he replaced, the man that Saudi security forces killed on Friday night. He was, we understand, a police guard at a main prison facility within the country for several years. However, since then, he had to drop out of that job, been fired from that job, and had basically joined, at some point in the last ten years, the Al Qaeda operation, now being named the head.

Saudi security sources say they're not sure how long it will take this group to reorganize before they may perpetrate another attack. But certainly that is the fear in Saudi Arabia, among people here, that there is a real possibility that Al Qaeda has not gone away and can still strike again.

WHITFIELD: And Nic, the foreign affairs adviser for the Saudi Arabian embassy has said that they'll continue to look at the Al Qaeda Web site for any clues about the whereabouts of Paul Johnson's body. What other means are they hoping to use to help find the remains?

ROBERTSON: Well, Web sites do offer one opportunity, sort of electronic eavesdropping or surveillance. Some security analysts suggest the reason that the groups are able to continue on a bi- monthly case to put releases on the web, releases extolling the virtues of kidnapping, explaining to people how to go out and kill westerners, and also the releases of the videotape of Paul Johnson's kidnapping and his killing. Some analysts have suggested the reason that authorities do that is so that they can monitor these sites. Of course, it is entirely possible they are unable to stop these sites with these releases of information.

The other way Saudi security sources say they need to penetrate these cells, penetrate the Al Qaeda cells by compromising them, by getting agents to infiltrate, or by having people call in on a hotline. Saudi authorities have initiated a telephone hotline for people to call in with information, if they suspect anybody. One Saudi I was talking to a little earlier today said we in the past in Saudi Arabia have been a very trusting society. He told me now we have to learn to suspect people and call in that information.

WHITFIELD: Nic Robertson, thanks for joining us on the phone from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

A rural church in southern New Jersey is mourning the death of American engineer Paul Johnson, beheaded by the Al Qaeda group in Saudi Arabia. Johnson's family members live nearby. CNN's Alina Cho reports from Egg Harbor Township now.

Alina?

ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Fredricka, the senior pastor of this church told us that he has spent a great deal of time with the family over this past week, trying to comfort them, trying to console them during this difficult time. In fact, he said he spoke to Johnson's sister, Donna May, just yesterday. May, who has been attending this church for quite some time but only became a member officially two weeks ago.

During this morning's service the pastor said that many people in the congregation have called the church wanting to know how they could help the family right now. He urged parishioners not to try to contact the family right now, but to keep them in their thoughts in other ways.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KYLE HUBER, SENIOR PASTOR, GREENTREE CHURCH: For people who are concerned with the family, this is not a short-term pain, so don't forget your prayers and don't forget notes and cards into the future. The pain will never go away and our concern should continue for the long-term. It will always be meaningful.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHO: We also spoke to some parishioners before this morning's service. They said they are keeping Johnson's family in their prayers.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I lost my husband 15 years ago, so I imagine she's going through a quite drastic time right now. Empty. Her brother left. But I believe that God is in control. And good will come out of all this.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's our consolation, though. We just have a body and once that body is gone, the spirit still lives on, and that's comforting to us.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHO: This is, of course, Father's Day. Paul Johnson was a father of two. His family remains in seclusion somewhere in this area right now. For now, Fredricka, they're not speaking out publicly about their ordeal. WHITFIELD: All right. Alina Cho, from Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, thank you.

The 9/11 investigating committee wants to hear from Vice President Dick Cheney. Members are inviting him to provide any evidence of links between Al Qaeda and Saddam Hussein. The issue is a hot button one in the presidential campaign. CNN's Elaine Quijano joins us now from Washington with more on that.

Elaine?

ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Fredricka.

Well, the White House continues to maintain that there was a relationship between Al Qaeda and Iraq, and that its position does not conflict, they say, with the staff report of the September 11 Commission. If you recall, of course, it was last week that the report found there was no credible evidence that Saddam Hussein's regime was involved in the September 11 attacks. It's important to note that the White House has never said directly that Iraq coordinated or cooperated with Al Qaeda to carry out the 2001 attacks. Instead, what the administration has said, insisted that only that there were numerous contacts between Iraq and Al Qaeda.

Now, for its part the commission, whose final report is due out next month, found there was no, quote, "collaborative relationship" between Iraq and Al Qaeda. Commissioners have also made clear that they welcome any new information.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RICHARD BEN-VENISTE, 9/11 COMMISSION MEMBER: 9/11, take it to the bank; there was no Iraqi involvement in 9/11. Let's put that to bed. That's what our commission found.

If there is additional information that the vice president has or others have, we think we should have gotten that information by now, but if there is more information, then we are happy to look at it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

QUIJANO: Now, Commissioner Ben-Veniste there referring to a comment from Vice President Dick Cheney on Thursday. When the vice president was asked if there were things he knew that the commission did not, the vice president answered probably.

Now, this morning, in response to questions raised by that comment, the vice president spokesman, Kevin Kellems, issued this statement saying, quote, "The administration has cooperated fully with the commission and given them unprecedented access to highly classified information. To my knowledge, we have not received a request for additional information of any kind."

Now, privately, Fredricka, one official tells me that the vice president's comments need to be looked at in their entirety as more of a reflection of the fact that the vice president simply may not have known exactly what information the commission had in its possession.

Fredricka?

WHITFIELD: Elaine Quijano in Washington, thanks very much.

Ten days from now, the U.S.-led coalition transfers sovereignty to Iraq, and in these days leading up to the handover there's no let up in the violence there. Iraq's minister of health survived an assassination attempt last night in western Baghdad, and in a 45- minute shoot-out that followed, insurgents wounded seven Iraqi police officers and ten civilians.

In central Baghdad, an Iraqi police officer and four civilians were wounded when a sidewalk bomb exploded. That incident happened earlier today. And in southern Iraq, workers are still trying to repair two sabotaged oil pipelines. Insurgents attacked the pipelines Tuesday and Wednesday.

Despite the ongoing attacks, Iraqi leaders vow to stay the course in their bid to bring democracy to the country.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

IYAD ALLAWI, IRAQI INTERIM PRIME MINISTER: The enemy we are fighting is truly evil. They have nothing to offer the Iraqi people except death and destruction and the slaughter of innocents. Having suffered under tyranny for so many years, the Iraqi people are determined to establish a democratic government that provides freedom and equal rights for all our citizens.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: The Iraqi leader also is expressing his gratitude to the United States for helping push his country towards democracy.

A dramatic rescue on Mount Rainier for two climbers. Coming up, the rescue, and why two other mountain climbers were left behind. The story right after a break.

Also, man and mountain lions, the new study showing they're too close for comfort in parts of California.

And later, the Maui film festival. How the unique venue has thousands of film fans watching movies on outdoor screens.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: It's a great day for Father's Day out there. Rob Marciano is in the weather center to explain why. Happy dad's day to your dad.

(WEATHER REPORT)

WHITFIELD: Happy Father's Day to my dad and brother and brother- in-law. Can't leave anybody out. All right. Conjoined twin girls are now living separate lives. That tops our look at news across America. Four-month-old Jade and Erin Buckles were separated in a six-hour surgery with no complications. They had been joined from their chests to their abdomens. Doctors in Washington say the girls were in critical but stable condition.

And age is only a number for this 84-year-old Florida man. Joseph Figenbaum (ph) received his doctorate degree in international business administration from Nova Southeastern University in Miami. When asked about the hoopla over his graduation, the World War II vet called it much ado about nothing.

And the dramatic rescue above the snow-covered caps of Mount Rainier in Washington state. A helicopter rescued two stranded climbers, but there's little hope for a third man still missing after an accident that killed his climbing partner two days ago.

Spotting the big cats in California. Straight ahead, what researchers are learning about mountain lions to help prevent more deadly attacks.

Also, a look at some of the beautiful sights and sounds of the Maui film festival this week.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Suburban wildlife. Urban sprawl is pushing creatures out of their natural habitat. In the western U.S., mountain lion sightings are being reported from campgrounds to backyards. And last fall, two people were killed in a lion attack. Researchers now want to learn more about the mountain lion and the battle between nature and man. CNN's Miguel Marquez reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Mountain lions in our backyards, even our garages. This cat in Gonzales, California was returned to the wild. This lion was shot out of a tree in an upscale suburb just out of San Francisco. In the L.A. suburbs this cat got stuck in a backyard fence and was shot and killed. All recent incidents, and experts say more are likely.

JOAN EMBERY, CONSERVATIONIST: We're sharing resources with wildlife and with nature and it's going to be a balancing act.

MARQUEZ: Embery knows the balance. She's cared for this 150- pound cougar for nearly nine years.

EMBERY: Most of the incidents of cats moving into more urban environments tend to be younger cats as they're forced out of ranges that are defended by mature males.

MARQUEZ: Embery is on the board of University of California's Wildlife Heath Center. It is three years into a ten-year study of mountain lions. MARQUEZ (on camera): One thing the study found, when a mountain lion kills its prey, it'll often hide it near a trail or a road, so when humans coming along the cat may see us as competition.

Something else the study found, mountain lions and humans keep different hours.

EMBERY: There is an overlap, a window there, of when we're still active and they're just beginning to set out.

MARQUEZ: Attacks on humans are rare. One study says in California since 1890, six people have died out of 13 attacks. The last one came in January when mountain biker Mark Reynolds was killed, and the same cat attacked Anne Hjelle before it was shot and killed.

Miguel Marquez, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Still much more ahead this hour on "RELIABLE SOURCES." Howard Kurtz has a preview now of what's coming up at the half hour.

HOWARD KURTZ, HOST, "RELIABLE SOURCES": Coming up, a conversation with CBS's Dan Rather on his "60 Minutes" interview with Bill Clinton. Was he tough enough on the former president, especially on the affair that led to his impeachment? Was the media's Ronald Reagan's coverage too much? And how does Rather feel now about breaking the Iraqi prison abuse story?

Also, Dick Cheney takes on the "New York Times" over 9/11 headline. That and more ahead on "RELIABLE SOURCES."

WHITFIELD: Look forward to that.

And it's cinema in a Hawaiian paradise at the Maui film festival. Despite all the celebrities in attendance, the biggest star might just be the island itself.

CNN's Sibila Vargas has the dream assignment of bringing us the sights and sounds of Maui.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SIBILA VARGAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Thousands of people have been enjoying themselves here at the fifth annual Maui film and festival, and why not? Between the films shown outdoors, the music, and the beautiful setting, there's a lot to love.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a 60-film film festival, what's kind of a bite-size film festival you can wrap your arms around.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's amazing. My film has never showed in any place like this.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The Celestial Cinema is a 3,000-person venue that has a 50-foot wide screen. That screen, to me, is a campfire. When you're watching a film on that screen under the stars, you're sort of doing the 21st century version of sitting around a campfire.

We create memories for people, especially at these outdoor venues. We do a silent film menu right on the beach, Charlie Chaplin this year, so you're facing the ocean, the waves are rolling under the screen, there's a live accompanist.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think I'm going to move the show here to Maui. The setting is beautiful, the people are nice.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Woke up to an incredible sunrise this morning. I just feel sorry for you if you just don't feel amazing here.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: U.S. firefighters in Afghanistan and Iraq will tell you they're just doing their jobs, but as in any war, the job often requires the heart, mind, and courage of a hero. CNN's Casey Wian has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CASEY WIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Major Jim Bibb's life is a full one. At 33, he's been in the National Guard for 15 years and become an accomplished helicopter pilot. He's also an attorney, and, with wife Christina, is raising five children. He just got back from a nearly a year in Afghanistan flying Medevac.

MAJOR JIM BIBB, NEW MEXICO NATIONAL GUARD: The second night we were there our compound was rocketed, and that was kind of a wake-up call that you're not in friendly territory any more.

WIAN: Bibb led a team that rescued injured coalition soldiers, but it was an incident involving a civilian that he can't forget.

BIBB: We were called into the mountains of central Afghanistan to rescue an 11-year-old boy who was a gunshot victim in the middle of the night, low illumination. We did the mission; it was very rewarding.

WIAN: The boy recovered and was sent back to his village.

BIBB: Within a few days of being sent back to his village, he was strung up by the town leaders. It was a very pro-Al Qaeda town. Mentally that messes with you, because I risked my life and crew to do something I felt was very rewarding only to have that happen to that boy. So, once that happened I knew, mentally, I had to toughen up because we were in for a long haul.

WIAN: Bibb had an opportunity to transport many more Afghan children to U.S. hospitals with better results. BIBB: Obviously we were there to support our own servicemen, but to actually give something back to the kids by helping out, that helped take away the sting from being separated from my kids.

WIAN: For Bibb's growing family, it was a long year.

BIBB: My 4-year-old just wants his daddy back. He understands that people need to be taken to the hospital, but after a while, he was wondering why someone else couldn't take people to the hospital so daddy could come home.

WIAN: Home just over a month, Bibb says he will stay in the National Guard to train his medical unit so it's ready for its next deployment.

Casey Wian, CNN reporting.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Still much more ahead today on CNN.

At 11:30, "RELIABLE SOURCES." Today, looking at the new Bill Clinton book, "My Life," and what the former president has to say about some of the most controversial chapters of his presidency.

At noon, it's "LATE EDITION WITH WOLF BLITZER." Among his guest today, Senators Richard Lugar and Carl Levin, and they talk about the impending handover of power in Iraq.

And at 2:00, it's "PEOPLE IN THE NEWS."

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