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CNN Live Today

Audiotape Threatens Death, More Attacks in Iraq

Aired June 23, 2004 - 10:00   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.


DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning everyone from CNN headquarters in Atlanta. I'm Daryn Kagan. And we start with the headlines.
One news report this morning saying that eight British servicemen that have been detained by Iran have been freed. The Associated Press also says the Iranians will keep the three boats and the British -- that the British had been one. The Iranian foreign minister early said that the investigation showed the sailors and Marines had mistakenly crossed into Iranian waters.

A key oil pipeline is running again in northern Iraq. The export pipeline from the city of Kirkuk to a Turkish port was shut down last month, after being attacked by insurgents. Repairs are still being made on one of two southern Iraqi pipelines that were damaged last week. The other line came back up on Monday.

The Homeland Security Department releases new guidelines on airport security. The rules cover U.S. airports that want to use private screeners rather than federal screeners. Officials estimate that up to 100 airports may consider the switch. Such screeners would still have to operate under federal standards and oversight.

And beginning this hour, a House panel -- a live picture there from Capitol Hill, a House panel taking up U.S. troop strength around the world. Among the questions they'll ask: how are those troops distributed? Are more needed in Iraq and Afghanistan? Or does the military overall have to grow to protect American interests?

Live this hour, we will be going live to Pennsylvania. President Bush is on the road again on the campaign trail. About 25 minutes from now, he'll speak about HIV and AIDS, it's a speech echoing his theme of compassionate conservatism. The appearance is tied to a church that endorsed his presidential bid four years ago. Later he'll attend a private fund raiser.

We are going to begin this hour in Iraq, where the handover looms one week from today. And a new death threat hangs over the head of an Iraqi leader. A newly released audiotape, posted on a radical web site, threatens death to interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, and more attacks against coalition troops and Iraq security forces. Our experts believe the voice does belong to Abu Musab al Zarqawi. But CIA analysis has not yet confirmed that. The web site has previously aired statements and video from Zarqawi's terror group.

Now let's go to Iraq for the latest on the Allawi death threat and the U.S. air strike in Fallujah. Our chief international correspondent Christiane Amanpour is in the capitol and filed this report a short time ago.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (on camera): Yes, the voice of Zarqawi has apparently surfaced on an audiotape, which is being posted on an Islamic web site. In it, Zarqawi claims to say that they will continue to fight against both the U.S. and the Iraqi interim prime minister, mentioning him specifically by name. Saying that the fight would continue until, quote, "Islamic rule is here on earth." That as I say, was posted on an Islamic web site.

And Iyad Allawi's office tells us -- his private secretary tells us that they printed it off the web site, showed it to the interim prime minister. He looked at it. We're told he smiled and he said, "Zarqawi is not just the enemy of Allawi but the enemy of all Iraqis." Now, Iyad Allawi, the prime minister said that this would not deflect them from either the handover or pursuing a new Iraqi future.

And of course, it wasn't just him who was targeted and threatened today. Again today, there were attacks against ordinary Iraqis. In Baghdad, a roadside bomb exploded outside one of the hospitals here, killing two people. They were a woman and her child. In the north, a policeman was killed. Again in the west here of -- west of here in the Sunni Triangle, there was also an attack by insurgents that sprayed a car and killed at loose -- at least two people in that attack.

Back to you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: And that, of course, was our CNN chief international correspondent Christiane Amanpour reporting from Baghdad.

The president of South Korea has denounced the beheading of a civilian contractor working in Iraq. As stunned countrymen awoke to headlines that the militants did indeed carry out their threats. The execution renewed debate over South Korea's plan to dispatch 3,000 more troops to Iraq. South Koreans president vows that terrorists will not derail those plans are. But some South Koreans are demanding that the deployment be canceled.

The Bush administration says the latest beheading over a powerless captive has left it horrified but firm in its mission.

We get details on that now from our Kathleen Koch.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): For the second time in four days, President Bush spoke out against the beheading of a hostage held by Islamic militants, this time in Iraq. GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: They want us to leave. They want to us cower in the face of their brutal killings. And the United States will not be intimidated by these people.

KOCH: Nor for now will the South Korean government. Its vow to still send 3,000 more troops to Iraq was praised by the secretary of state.

COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: I'm pleased that the South Korean government has been steadfast over the last several days, and remains steadfast in the face of this kind of terrorism.

KOCH: U.S. officials are concerned the brutally violent murders could eventually shake the will of some coalition partners.

PETER BERGEN, TERRORISM ANALYST: These are terrifying killings. And if the idea is to get foreigners out of Iraq and get foreigners out of Saudi Arabia, which is the idea of al Qaeda, these beheadings are pretty effective propaganda tool because they're so horrifying.

KOCH: Another worry that the 20,000-plus civilian contractors, vital to the reconstruction, could decide it's too dangerous to stay.

MICHAEL O'HANLON, SENIOR FELLOW, BROOKINGS INST.: The contractors are needed for reconstruction and without reconstruction there can be no success.

KOCH: For its part, the military coalition has insisted it's doing what it can to prevent further kidnappings.

BRIG. GEN. MARK KIMMITT, DEPUTY OPS DIR., U.S. MILITARY: Coalition military personnel continue to collect intelligence throughout this country related to any threats, whether they be threats to the coalition forces, threats to Iraqi civilians, threat to civilians operating inside this country.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KOCH: Coalition forces two weeks ago, did manage to rescue three hostages, two Italians and one Pole. But such successes are the exception rather than the rule. In fact, the U.S. military has still not had any success in locating and freeing young Private First Class Keith Matthew Maupin. He was taken hostage back on April 9, when his convoy was attacked near Baghdad. And he was shown in a videotape by his captors, who said that they would hold him until they could trade him for prisoners in U.S. custody who they wanted released.

Back to you, Daryn.

KAGAN: Kathleen Koch at the Pentagon. Kathleen, thank you.

About an hour from now, we're going to take a closer look at this latest terrorist killing. I'll talk with Jim Walsh, a frequent contributor to this program; he is a terrorism expert from Harvard University. Seven minutes past the hour.

A lawyer for Saddam Hussein is shopping around documents that he says shows the former Iraqi leader is being abused in prison. The papers were filled out after officials from the International Committee of the Red Cross were allowed to see him on January 21; that was one month after his capture. The report describes the former dictator as in good health and slightly wounded. His attorney asked how could he be wounded a month after his arrest unless he was being abused? The lawyer also questions why a portion of the report entitled, "Family Message" was blacked out. It's not clear who obscured that message but what's left has Saddam's saying his spirit and morale are high.

CNN takes the pulse of the world this week, as the countdown to the handover of Iraq nears. Join us at 1:00 p.m. Eastern tomorrow for the European view. You can get a check of the American pulse on Friday at the same time.

Booksellers across the country are reporting brisk sales of the memoir by former President Clinton; it is entitled "My Life." That's despite mostly negative reviews and a daunting 957 pages of content that "The New York Times" calls, "eye crossingly dull." Mr. Clinton has been its biggest promoter, appearing in high profile interviews. And in one terse exchange on the BBC, showing that old wounds are still tender. Let's listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CLINTON: One of the reasons he got away with it is because people like you only ask people like me the questions. You gave him a complete free ride, any abuse they want to do. They indicted all of these little people from Arkansas. What did you care about them? They're not famous. Who cares if their lives are trampled? Who cares if their children are humiliated? Who cares if Starr sends FBI agents to their schools, and rip them out of their school to humiliate them, try to force their parents to lie about me.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Obviously talking about independent counsel Kenneth Starr.

As for his sex scandal about Monica Lewinsky, Mr. Clinton said earlier today he feels sorry for the former White House intern, and hopes that she can once again regain her privacy.

Please join us tomorrow night, Bill Clinton's first prime time interview and first live interview since the book coming out. It's also your chance to phone in with questions. That's on CNN'S "LARRY KING LIVE" tomorrow night at 9:00 Eastern.

Then tonight, Ron Reagan will be Larry's guest. He'll reflect on his father's life and the nation's reaction to the death of the former president. That is tonight at 9:00 Eastern, 6:00 Pacific. The women of Wal-Mart pulled together, but the discount super chain is fighting back this morning against charges of discrimination. We'll update you on this big legal battle.

"Fahrenheit Height 9/11" should kids under 17 be able to see it? We'll tell you what the motion picture industry thinks about that. And later, remembering a special teenager, poet and muscular dystrophy patient, Mattie Stepanek. You'll hear one of his last interviews with Larry King. A short life and yet a very meaningful one.

This is CNN LIVE TODAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Let's take a look at what's on the docket today. In our look at legal briefs, at the Scott Peterson murder trial, jurors heard from the first detective, responding to what was then called a suspicious missing person's report. The Modesto police investigator said Peterson did not seem distraught over the reported disappearance of his wife, Laci. Peterson is charged with her murder and the murder of their unborn child.

Attorneys have wrapped up the closed-door arguments in the Kobe Bryant case, without the judge setting a trial date. The issue is whether jurors can hear about the sex life of the woman who accuses the NBA star of rape. One thousand summonses will be sent to prospective jurors, four times the usual number.

The U.S. Court of Appeals has rejected Jack Kevorkian's appeal for a new trial. Kevorkian is serving up to 25 years in prison for assisting in the suicide of man suffering from Lou Gehrig's disease. The Michigan pathologist says he has assisted in at least 130 deaths.

A judge has ruled that a class action sex discrimination lawsuit against Wal-Mart can go forward.

Our Jen Rogers reports the nation's largest retailer is now the defendant in biggest civil rights case ever.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's not easy to have a career and a family, but my job makes it a lot easier to do both.

JEN ROGERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wal-Mart ads say one thing. Christine Kwapnoski tells a different story.

CHRISTINE KWAPNOSKI, PLAINTIFF: The first time I saw that ad I had to laugh.

ROGERS: An 18 year veteran of the world's largest retailer, Kwapnoski alleges Wal-Mart is not an ideal work place for women.

KWAPNOSKI: I've been promoted over several times, ended up training the male counterparts that were being promoted over me. ROGERS: Kwapnoski, who is suing Wal-Mart along with six other women, alleges the company discriminates against women when it comes to pay, promotion and training. That lawsuit became the largest civil rights class action case ever, according to the women's attorney, who says size matters when you're fighting Wal-Mart.

BRAD SELIGMAN, LEAD PLAINTIFF'S ATTORNEY: It's the largest case anyone has brought against Wal-Mart. They've never faced a national class action; they've always faced local, smaller cases. This is the first time that the entire company, coast to coast, is on the line. And that really does make a difference.

ROGERS: The class certified by a federal judge in San Francisco, covers every female employee who works or worked at a Wal-Mart-owned store in the United States since late 1998. That's over 1.5 million women.

Wal-Mart denies it discriminates against women and says it has announced a new job classification and pay structure for hourly associates. Which is designed to ensure internal equity and external competitiveness.

(on camera): Wal-Mart is also quick to point out that Tuesday's order is not a ruling on the merits of the case, but a decision that the suit meets the legal requirements to move forward under class action status.

(voice-over): Wal-Mart fought class action certification in court last fall, arguing its 3,200 stores are autonomous, acting as individual businesses, with most decisions regarding pay and promotion made at the local level. After a speech in Washington Tuesday, Wal- Mart chairman Rob Walton said the class certification is cause for concern.

ROB WALTON, CHAIRMAN, WAL-MART: We believe that it is wrong and the judge has made a mistake.

ROGERS: The company says it will appeal Tuesday's decision. No trial date has been set. Plaintiffs' attorneys say they will have no problem locating the million-plus women now part of this class, saying Wal-Mart keeps the best employment records of any company in the United States.

Jen Rogers, CNN Financial News, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: We will be visiting the streets of Philadelphia. President Bush is in the City of Brotherly Love to talk compassion, HIV and AIDS. A live report just ahead.

And old or new, if you are buying a home, you need to hear what Gerri Willis has to say about home inspections.

Gerri, good morning. GERRI WILLIS, CNNFN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: Hey, Daryn. Good to see you. You know there are a lot of bidding wars out there. And people are saying, I don't need a home inspection, but think again. Yes, you do. We'll tell you more after we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Whether you are buying a new home or an older one, whether you are Mr. or Ms. Fix It Up type, or you prefer to call a repair guy, you can save yourself a lot of money, a lot of headaches as well, if you get a home inspection before you buy.

CNNfn personal finance editor Gerri Willis is here with today's "Top Five Tips."

Gerri, good morning.

WILLIS: Good morning, Daryn. Well, tip No. 1, don't rush the process. When you're buying a home, often the realtor will suggest somebody who will look over the house in a flash. That's not what you want. You want someone who will take their time. Go to the American Society of Home Inspectors' web site. That's ashi.org; you can find somebody who's not only an independent thinker, but someone who has 250 hours worth of experience doing this. And that means a lot because there aren't a lot of training programs for the job of house inspector, Daryn.

KAGAN: And so, you want to interview them before you hire them.

WILLIS: Absolutely. Tough questions: how long have you been doing this; what did you do before you were a house inspector? Look, this is going to cost you $300; you want to be sure that you're getting your money's worth. At the end of the day, your inspector is going to be looking over the home's major systems. Including the plumbing, the electricity, the HVAC, you name it. You want that guy to get on the roof too, Daryn, because the roof is an important part of the House.

KAGAN: And so, the con -- the inspector might come up with a list of things that need to be fixed. If you need a contractor for that do not get the contractor from the home inspector.

WILLIS: No. Now, that's a warning sign if your con -- inspector recommends contractors, you don't want them to do the job.

Remember to attend the inspection. It will last two to three hours, but it will provide great information to you about the house.

KAGAN: And so, the inspector should cost you maybe around 300 bucks. But you might want to consider spending even more than that.

WILLIS: That's right. You know, Daryn, a lot of people are hiring inspectors now so that they can see if there's radon in the basement, which is a very dangerous gas, mold, pests. You know, you want to make sure all this stuff is in order before you sign on the dotted line. KAGAN: People who buy old homes, this is kind of a no brainer. Of course, you want to get an inspector. But what about people buying brand new homes?

WILLIS: You know, this is a great point because I think a lot of people think, hey, I'm moving to a new home, what could possibly be wrong? Nobody has lived there. Wrong again. You've absolutely got to have an inspector come, look at the house very closely, even before it's finished to make sure everything is the way it should be.

KAGAN: So, so much interest in homes and real estate, this sounds like, I know, a great idea for a new show.

(LAUGHTER)

KAGAN: What do you think?

WILLIS: I think so, too, Daryn.

KAGAN: OK!

WILLIS: And I think we're going to start one on Monday. And it's called "Open House."

KAGAN: Brilliant!

WILLIS: Prepares -- it premieres Monday at noon. We're going to talk about everything practical in real estate, do-it-yourself. And we're going to have some great guests and cover buying your dream house, renovating it, even investing in real estate.

We're going to have some call-in segments. So Daryn, I hope we'll hear from.

KAGAN: Yes, I have the home. I have plenty of questions. So that's CNNfn starting Monday.

WILLIS: That's right.

KAGAN: And you'll have to bring a lot of those crossover topics here to us on CNN LIVE TODAY.

WILLIS: That's right.

KAGAN: Gerri Willis, appreciate that.

WILLIS: Thank you.

KAGAN: The president is talking HIV and AIDS, and denies accusations that the White House cleared the abuse of prisoners at Guantanamo. A live report from Philadelphia is just ahead.

Later, cruise for a little research? Living large for science, someone has got to do it. But if you get on board, you're going to have to wait awhile if you want that. The explanation just ahead on CNN LIVE TODAY. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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 23, 2004 - 10:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning everyone from CNN headquarters in Atlanta. I'm Daryn Kagan. And we start with the headlines.
One news report this morning saying that eight British servicemen that have been detained by Iran have been freed. The Associated Press also says the Iranians will keep the three boats and the British -- that the British had been one. The Iranian foreign minister early said that the investigation showed the sailors and Marines had mistakenly crossed into Iranian waters.

A key oil pipeline is running again in northern Iraq. The export pipeline from the city of Kirkuk to a Turkish port was shut down last month, after being attacked by insurgents. Repairs are still being made on one of two southern Iraqi pipelines that were damaged last week. The other line came back up on Monday.

The Homeland Security Department releases new guidelines on airport security. The rules cover U.S. airports that want to use private screeners rather than federal screeners. Officials estimate that up to 100 airports may consider the switch. Such screeners would still have to operate under federal standards and oversight.

And beginning this hour, a House panel -- a live picture there from Capitol Hill, a House panel taking up U.S. troop strength around the world. Among the questions they'll ask: how are those troops distributed? Are more needed in Iraq and Afghanistan? Or does the military overall have to grow to protect American interests?

Live this hour, we will be going live to Pennsylvania. President Bush is on the road again on the campaign trail. About 25 minutes from now, he'll speak about HIV and AIDS, it's a speech echoing his theme of compassionate conservatism. The appearance is tied to a church that endorsed his presidential bid four years ago. Later he'll attend a private fund raiser.

We are going to begin this hour in Iraq, where the handover looms one week from today. And a new death threat hangs over the head of an Iraqi leader. A newly released audiotape, posted on a radical web site, threatens death to interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, and more attacks against coalition troops and Iraq security forces. Our experts believe the voice does belong to Abu Musab al Zarqawi. But CIA analysis has not yet confirmed that. The web site has previously aired statements and video from Zarqawi's terror group.

Now let's go to Iraq for the latest on the Allawi death threat and the U.S. air strike in Fallujah. Our chief international correspondent Christiane Amanpour is in the capitol and filed this report a short time ago.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (on camera): Yes, the voice of Zarqawi has apparently surfaced on an audiotape, which is being posted on an Islamic web site. In it, Zarqawi claims to say that they will continue to fight against both the U.S. and the Iraqi interim prime minister, mentioning him specifically by name. Saying that the fight would continue until, quote, "Islamic rule is here on earth." That as I say, was posted on an Islamic web site.

And Iyad Allawi's office tells us -- his private secretary tells us that they printed it off the web site, showed it to the interim prime minister. He looked at it. We're told he smiled and he said, "Zarqawi is not just the enemy of Allawi but the enemy of all Iraqis." Now, Iyad Allawi, the prime minister said that this would not deflect them from either the handover or pursuing a new Iraqi future.

And of course, it wasn't just him who was targeted and threatened today. Again today, there were attacks against ordinary Iraqis. In Baghdad, a roadside bomb exploded outside one of the hospitals here, killing two people. They were a woman and her child. In the north, a policeman was killed. Again in the west here of -- west of here in the Sunni Triangle, there was also an attack by insurgents that sprayed a car and killed at loose -- at least two people in that attack.

Back to you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: And that, of course, was our CNN chief international correspondent Christiane Amanpour reporting from Baghdad.

The president of South Korea has denounced the beheading of a civilian contractor working in Iraq. As stunned countrymen awoke to headlines that the militants did indeed carry out their threats. The execution renewed debate over South Korea's plan to dispatch 3,000 more troops to Iraq. South Koreans president vows that terrorists will not derail those plans are. But some South Koreans are demanding that the deployment be canceled.

The Bush administration says the latest beheading over a powerless captive has left it horrified but firm in its mission.

We get details on that now from our Kathleen Koch.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): For the second time in four days, President Bush spoke out against the beheading of a hostage held by Islamic militants, this time in Iraq. GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: They want us to leave. They want to us cower in the face of their brutal killings. And the United States will not be intimidated by these people.

KOCH: Nor for now will the South Korean government. Its vow to still send 3,000 more troops to Iraq was praised by the secretary of state.

COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: I'm pleased that the South Korean government has been steadfast over the last several days, and remains steadfast in the face of this kind of terrorism.

KOCH: U.S. officials are concerned the brutally violent murders could eventually shake the will of some coalition partners.

PETER BERGEN, TERRORISM ANALYST: These are terrifying killings. And if the idea is to get foreigners out of Iraq and get foreigners out of Saudi Arabia, which is the idea of al Qaeda, these beheadings are pretty effective propaganda tool because they're so horrifying.

KOCH: Another worry that the 20,000-plus civilian contractors, vital to the reconstruction, could decide it's too dangerous to stay.

MICHAEL O'HANLON, SENIOR FELLOW, BROOKINGS INST.: The contractors are needed for reconstruction and without reconstruction there can be no success.

KOCH: For its part, the military coalition has insisted it's doing what it can to prevent further kidnappings.

BRIG. GEN. MARK KIMMITT, DEPUTY OPS DIR., U.S. MILITARY: Coalition military personnel continue to collect intelligence throughout this country related to any threats, whether they be threats to the coalition forces, threats to Iraqi civilians, threat to civilians operating inside this country.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KOCH: Coalition forces two weeks ago, did manage to rescue three hostages, two Italians and one Pole. But such successes are the exception rather than the rule. In fact, the U.S. military has still not had any success in locating and freeing young Private First Class Keith Matthew Maupin. He was taken hostage back on April 9, when his convoy was attacked near Baghdad. And he was shown in a videotape by his captors, who said that they would hold him until they could trade him for prisoners in U.S. custody who they wanted released.

Back to you, Daryn.

KAGAN: Kathleen Koch at the Pentagon. Kathleen, thank you.

About an hour from now, we're going to take a closer look at this latest terrorist killing. I'll talk with Jim Walsh, a frequent contributor to this program; he is a terrorism expert from Harvard University. Seven minutes past the hour.

A lawyer for Saddam Hussein is shopping around documents that he says shows the former Iraqi leader is being abused in prison. The papers were filled out after officials from the International Committee of the Red Cross were allowed to see him on January 21; that was one month after his capture. The report describes the former dictator as in good health and slightly wounded. His attorney asked how could he be wounded a month after his arrest unless he was being abused? The lawyer also questions why a portion of the report entitled, "Family Message" was blacked out. It's not clear who obscured that message but what's left has Saddam's saying his spirit and morale are high.

CNN takes the pulse of the world this week, as the countdown to the handover of Iraq nears. Join us at 1:00 p.m. Eastern tomorrow for the European view. You can get a check of the American pulse on Friday at the same time.

Booksellers across the country are reporting brisk sales of the memoir by former President Clinton; it is entitled "My Life." That's despite mostly negative reviews and a daunting 957 pages of content that "The New York Times" calls, "eye crossingly dull." Mr. Clinton has been its biggest promoter, appearing in high profile interviews. And in one terse exchange on the BBC, showing that old wounds are still tender. Let's listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CLINTON: One of the reasons he got away with it is because people like you only ask people like me the questions. You gave him a complete free ride, any abuse they want to do. They indicted all of these little people from Arkansas. What did you care about them? They're not famous. Who cares if their lives are trampled? Who cares if their children are humiliated? Who cares if Starr sends FBI agents to their schools, and rip them out of their school to humiliate them, try to force their parents to lie about me.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Obviously talking about independent counsel Kenneth Starr.

As for his sex scandal about Monica Lewinsky, Mr. Clinton said earlier today he feels sorry for the former White House intern, and hopes that she can once again regain her privacy.

Please join us tomorrow night, Bill Clinton's first prime time interview and first live interview since the book coming out. It's also your chance to phone in with questions. That's on CNN'S "LARRY KING LIVE" tomorrow night at 9:00 Eastern.

Then tonight, Ron Reagan will be Larry's guest. He'll reflect on his father's life and the nation's reaction to the death of the former president. That is tonight at 9:00 Eastern, 6:00 Pacific. The women of Wal-Mart pulled together, but the discount super chain is fighting back this morning against charges of discrimination. We'll update you on this big legal battle.

"Fahrenheit Height 9/11" should kids under 17 be able to see it? We'll tell you what the motion picture industry thinks about that. And later, remembering a special teenager, poet and muscular dystrophy patient, Mattie Stepanek. You'll hear one of his last interviews with Larry King. A short life and yet a very meaningful one.

This is CNN LIVE TODAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Let's take a look at what's on the docket today. In our look at legal briefs, at the Scott Peterson murder trial, jurors heard from the first detective, responding to what was then called a suspicious missing person's report. The Modesto police investigator said Peterson did not seem distraught over the reported disappearance of his wife, Laci. Peterson is charged with her murder and the murder of their unborn child.

Attorneys have wrapped up the closed-door arguments in the Kobe Bryant case, without the judge setting a trial date. The issue is whether jurors can hear about the sex life of the woman who accuses the NBA star of rape. One thousand summonses will be sent to prospective jurors, four times the usual number.

The U.S. Court of Appeals has rejected Jack Kevorkian's appeal for a new trial. Kevorkian is serving up to 25 years in prison for assisting in the suicide of man suffering from Lou Gehrig's disease. The Michigan pathologist says he has assisted in at least 130 deaths.

A judge has ruled that a class action sex discrimination lawsuit against Wal-Mart can go forward.

Our Jen Rogers reports the nation's largest retailer is now the defendant in biggest civil rights case ever.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's not easy to have a career and a family, but my job makes it a lot easier to do both.

JEN ROGERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wal-Mart ads say one thing. Christine Kwapnoski tells a different story.

CHRISTINE KWAPNOSKI, PLAINTIFF: The first time I saw that ad I had to laugh.

ROGERS: An 18 year veteran of the world's largest retailer, Kwapnoski alleges Wal-Mart is not an ideal work place for women.

KWAPNOSKI: I've been promoted over several times, ended up training the male counterparts that were being promoted over me. ROGERS: Kwapnoski, who is suing Wal-Mart along with six other women, alleges the company discriminates against women when it comes to pay, promotion and training. That lawsuit became the largest civil rights class action case ever, according to the women's attorney, who says size matters when you're fighting Wal-Mart.

BRAD SELIGMAN, LEAD PLAINTIFF'S ATTORNEY: It's the largest case anyone has brought against Wal-Mart. They've never faced a national class action; they've always faced local, smaller cases. This is the first time that the entire company, coast to coast, is on the line. And that really does make a difference.

ROGERS: The class certified by a federal judge in San Francisco, covers every female employee who works or worked at a Wal-Mart-owned store in the United States since late 1998. That's over 1.5 million women.

Wal-Mart denies it discriminates against women and says it has announced a new job classification and pay structure for hourly associates. Which is designed to ensure internal equity and external competitiveness.

(on camera): Wal-Mart is also quick to point out that Tuesday's order is not a ruling on the merits of the case, but a decision that the suit meets the legal requirements to move forward under class action status.

(voice-over): Wal-Mart fought class action certification in court last fall, arguing its 3,200 stores are autonomous, acting as individual businesses, with most decisions regarding pay and promotion made at the local level. After a speech in Washington Tuesday, Wal- Mart chairman Rob Walton said the class certification is cause for concern.

ROB WALTON, CHAIRMAN, WAL-MART: We believe that it is wrong and the judge has made a mistake.

ROGERS: The company says it will appeal Tuesday's decision. No trial date has been set. Plaintiffs' attorneys say they will have no problem locating the million-plus women now part of this class, saying Wal-Mart keeps the best employment records of any company in the United States.

Jen Rogers, CNN Financial News, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: We will be visiting the streets of Philadelphia. President Bush is in the City of Brotherly Love to talk compassion, HIV and AIDS. A live report just ahead.

And old or new, if you are buying a home, you need to hear what Gerri Willis has to say about home inspections.

Gerri, good morning. GERRI WILLIS, CNNFN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: Hey, Daryn. Good to see you. You know there are a lot of bidding wars out there. And people are saying, I don't need a home inspection, but think again. Yes, you do. We'll tell you more after we come back.

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KAGAN: Whether you are buying a new home or an older one, whether you are Mr. or Ms. Fix It Up type, or you prefer to call a repair guy, you can save yourself a lot of money, a lot of headaches as well, if you get a home inspection before you buy.

CNNfn personal finance editor Gerri Willis is here with today's "Top Five Tips."

Gerri, good morning.

WILLIS: Good morning, Daryn. Well, tip No. 1, don't rush the process. When you're buying a home, often the realtor will suggest somebody who will look over the house in a flash. That's not what you want. You want someone who will take their time. Go to the American Society of Home Inspectors' web site. That's ashi.org; you can find somebody who's not only an independent thinker, but someone who has 250 hours worth of experience doing this. And that means a lot because there aren't a lot of training programs for the job of house inspector, Daryn.

KAGAN: And so, you want to interview them before you hire them.

WILLIS: Absolutely. Tough questions: how long have you been doing this; what did you do before you were a house inspector? Look, this is going to cost you $300; you want to be sure that you're getting your money's worth. At the end of the day, your inspector is going to be looking over the home's major systems. Including the plumbing, the electricity, the HVAC, you name it. You want that guy to get on the roof too, Daryn, because the roof is an important part of the House.

KAGAN: And so, the con -- the inspector might come up with a list of things that need to be fixed. If you need a contractor for that do not get the contractor from the home inspector.

WILLIS: No. Now, that's a warning sign if your con -- inspector recommends contractors, you don't want them to do the job.

Remember to attend the inspection. It will last two to three hours, but it will provide great information to you about the house.

KAGAN: And so, the inspector should cost you maybe around 300 bucks. But you might want to consider spending even more than that.

WILLIS: That's right. You know, Daryn, a lot of people are hiring inspectors now so that they can see if there's radon in the basement, which is a very dangerous gas, mold, pests. You know, you want to make sure all this stuff is in order before you sign on the dotted line. KAGAN: People who buy old homes, this is kind of a no brainer. Of course, you want to get an inspector. But what about people buying brand new homes?

WILLIS: You know, this is a great point because I think a lot of people think, hey, I'm moving to a new home, what could possibly be wrong? Nobody has lived there. Wrong again. You've absolutely got to have an inspector come, look at the house very closely, even before it's finished to make sure everything is the way it should be.

KAGAN: So, so much interest in homes and real estate, this sounds like, I know, a great idea for a new show.

(LAUGHTER)

KAGAN: What do you think?

WILLIS: I think so, too, Daryn.

KAGAN: OK!

WILLIS: And I think we're going to start one on Monday. And it's called "Open House."

KAGAN: Brilliant!

WILLIS: Prepares -- it premieres Monday at noon. We're going to talk about everything practical in real estate, do-it-yourself. And we're going to have some great guests and cover buying your dream house, renovating it, even investing in real estate.

We're going to have some call-in segments. So Daryn, I hope we'll hear from.

KAGAN: Yes, I have the home. I have plenty of questions. So that's CNNfn starting Monday.

WILLIS: That's right.

KAGAN: And you'll have to bring a lot of those crossover topics here to us on CNN LIVE TODAY.

WILLIS: That's right.

KAGAN: Gerri Willis, appreciate that.

WILLIS: Thank you.

KAGAN: The president is talking HIV and AIDS, and denies accusations that the White House cleared the abuse of prisoners at Guantanamo. A live report from Philadelphia is just ahead.

Later, cruise for a little research? Living large for science, someone has got to do it. But if you get on board, you're going to have to wait awhile if you want that. The explanation just ahead on CNN LIVE TODAY. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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