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American Morning

Countdown to Handover: Threats Coming From Iraq; Interview With Senator John McCain; Interview With Senator Joseph Biden

Aired June 23, 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.

SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Former President Bill Clinton getting the star treatment by his New York City fans, and perhaps taking exception to treatment by a BBC reporter.
Jurors hear Scott Peterson in his own words at his murder trial in California. What prosecutors hope to prove with a videotape of the defendant.

And the devastating effects of stroke on a man with a love of flying. His daughters would not say no.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Dad did not the alphabet. And so we made flash cards, and I would hold them up and he would have to say the letter.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O'BRIEN: We're going to find out what can happen when the advice of doctors just will not do on this AMERICAN MORNING.

Stay with us.

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 back, everybody. Nine o'clock here in New York City. And good morning to you.

Intelligence experts right now analyzing a new audiotape today said to be of one of the most wanted men in Iraq, Abu Zarqawi. In it, he makes new threats, including one against Iraq's new prime minister. A lot to talk about regarding Iraq. We'll hear from senators John McCain and Joe Biden in a few moments. Seven days and counting now to the handover in Baghdad.

O'BRIEN: Also this morning, we're going to take you live to the White House for the latest of what was and was not acceptable practice for interrogating prisoners. Suzanne Malveaux has the very latest on some of these memos that are now being released.

HEMMER: Also, a scandal brewing in Illinois. Some salacious details coming out of divorce papers between Jack and Jeri Ryan. He's a U.S. Senate candidate, she's a popular TV actress. We'll get a report on that as well coming up here. Jack Cafferty off for the next few days. We welcome Toure back in a moment here. So stay tuned for him.

O'BRIEN: All right.

We begin this morning, though, with Iraq. There are new threats coming from Iraq with just a week to go before the handover of power. Those threats against the coalition and Iraqi officials are believed to be coming from the man responsible for a series of deadly attacks. Chief international correspondent Christiane Amanpour live for us this morning in Baghdad.

Christiane, good morning.

CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning. And there is a new audiotape which has surfaced on an Islamic Web site which purports to be from Zarqawi, the guy who has claimed responsibility for killing American Nicholas Berg, for the South Korean, Kim Sun-Il last night, and who is believed to be a member of al Qaeda.

The audiotape specifically threatens a continuation of a fight against American forces and also against the new Iraqi interim prime minister, Iyad Allawi, saying that they will fight until "Islamic law rules on Earth." For his part, the prime ministers tell us -- a spokesman -- that they printed off the threat, showed it to the prime minister. He smiled, we're told, and said that Zarqawi is not just Allawi's enemy, he is the enemy of all Iraqis. And he went on to say that Iraq would not be deflected from either the handover or the attempt to build a democratic future here.

Back to you.

O'BRIEN: All right. Christiane Amanpour for us in Baghdad this morning. Christiane, thanks.

Separate roadside bombs in Mosul today killed an Iraqi policeman, wounded a U.S. soldier. And in Baghdad, another bomb killed a woman and a child. Earlier this morning, I asked Senator John McCain of the Armed Services Committee if he believes the violence in Iraq is getting worse as the handover approaches.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R-AZ), SENATE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE: I think it's probably going to escalate between now and the 30th, and perhaps for a period afterwards. The terrorists know that this is a very critical time. If they can prevent a handover of the government from the United States' military to this Iraqi government, they will have achieved great success. And there's a lot at stake here in the next few weeks.

O'BRIEN: Then there's this audiotape that many people say is the voice of al-Zarqawi. He threatens coalition troops, he threatens Iraqi security forces as well. He's even threatening the interim prime minister in Iraq. How critical is it to get him? MCCAIN: I think it's very important that we get him. But we have seen sort of a dispersion of this al Qaeda network. I'm sorry to tell you, if we get him, there's going to be somebody else that's going to take his place. We're in a very tough struggle here in Iraq, and we're going to be there for a long time. But I think it's vital that we succeed.

O'BRIEN: Deputy Defense Secretary Wolfowitz has said that the troops could be in Iraq for years to come. Representative Ike Skelton also says that we may be heading into a security quagmire. How long do you think, in fact, U.S. troops will be in Iraq?

MCCAIN: I think U.S. troops will be there for many years. We've been in South Korea for many years, we've been in Bosnia, we've been in Kosovo. The key to it is to reduce the casualties so that these young Americans can serve and provide security, and at the same time we don't take the casualties that we've been seeing. That's the key to it.

O'BRIEN: Do you -- do you think "security quagmire" is the right words to use there?

MCCAIN: No, not at all. I believe we must and will make progress. I think it's going to be slow. I think it will be tough. We're paying a heavy price for some of the mistakes that the Pentagon made in the post-combat phase by not having enough troops over there. But hopefully we are adjusting.

I believe the Iraqi people will feel better when they have a government of their own. And the next big step, of course, will be elections. And those have to have some kind of security environment in order to take place successfully.

O'BRIEN: Saddam Hussein's lawyer says that his client, Saddam Hussein, was abused, like the prisoners at Abu Ghraib. What do you make of that?

MCCAIN: I doubt it, given the high visibility that he has. But I believe that he will get the reward that he deserves for his brutal torture and mistreatment of the Iraqi people. And I think a public trial would be good for American and world opinion to be again reminded of the brutality of his regime.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HEMMER: Just after Senator McCain, I spoke with Senator Joseph Biden. He's been critical of the policy in Iraq, but he is just back from a trip there in Baghdad and says now there is reason for him to be optimistic.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SEN. JOSEPH BIDEN (D), DELAWARE: I think the Iraqi people are prepared to cooperate with us more. The new leadership, this fellow, Prime Minister Allawi, is a serious guy. I don't want to exaggerate it, but he's a little bit like Karzai in Afghanistan. He has a realistic view of what his problems are.

But this turning over of sovereignty does not mean we've turned over capacity. And the key to get out of this quote, "security quagmire," as one of our colleagues said, is to equip the Iraqis, but get real about it. Not train their cops for eight weeks, not think you're going to have a 30,000-man army in six months. But over the next year, with a significant investment of training and equipment, we ought to be able to put ourselves in the position for what is ultimately an exit strategy: free elections in December of 2000, and a draw-down of American forces based upon the Iraqis being able to take care of their own security.

HEMMER: You're in this school of thought that says more international help is needed, especially from NATO, which will get a lot of attention come the first of July, when the NATO leaders get together. What's the incentive for these countries to now participate in Iraq?

BIDEN: Chaos on their doorstep. It's really quite simple.

France and Germany have as much or more to lose in a failure in Iraq than we do. The French have 10 percent of the population that's Arab. The radicalization of the Arab world will occur in -- if Iraq becomes Lebanon is awesome.

And the Germans are always xenophobic. They're worried about population flows. They're already apoplectic about the number of Turks that are moving into their country, et cetera.

So there's a lot at stake for them. They know it. And it's time for the president to lead. And I believe if he does, that we, in fact, can get their support.

And let me be specific. With Mr. Allawi, I spent an hour with him. And I literally asked, suggested to him, he should literally go to Istanbul, which is where we're going to have this NATO summit, and he should ask Allawi in the name of the Iraqi people for help from the French and the Germans.

They bled for 10 years about the poor Iraqi people. Now the poor Iraqi people are in trouble. It's time for them to get over Bush's mistakes. It's time for them to stand up and help.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HEMMER: Again, one week to go. Senator Biden, Senator McCain from earlier.

Also, out of Baghdad, Saddam Hussein sending his regards in a letter from prison. Documents from a Red Cross visit with the former Iraqi dictator containing a personal letter to one of his daughters. Most of that letter blacked out, but some of what is readable says this: "To my small family, and my big family in peace..." -- more is blacked out -- and then, "...as far as my soul and my morale, they are twinkling in the great lord's blessing." It's signed, "Saddam Hussein." The letter and other documents were shown to CNN by one of Saddam Hussein's lawyers, Mohammed Rashdan (ph). He will be with us this week here on AMERICAN MORNING -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: The White House now putting out a memo showing President Bush accepted the Justice Department's advice that the Geneva Conventions did not protect al Qaeda and Taliban prisoners. But he said he ordered that the Geneva rules be followed anyway.

Suzanne Malveaux at the White House for us this morning live, with more on this.

Suzanne, good morning.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Soledad.

Well, the Bush administration has certainly gone on the offensive of this. It was just yesterday they responded to months of these claims and criticisms that their support for this expanded interrogation policy led to the abuse at the Abu Ghraib prison. The White House releasing hundreds of pages of documents to prove their point. But as these documents go, critics say that it raise more questions than answers.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MALVEAUX (voice-over): The Bush administration launched an extraordinary campaign to discredit claims that the White House condoned the torture of detainees.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We do not condone torture. I have never ordered torture. I will never order torture. The values of this country are such that torture is not a part of our soul and our being.

MALVEAUX: The White House released a two-inch stack of documents that showed within the legal community there was rigorous debate over where the U.S. military could legally draw the line. But White House counsel Alberto Gonzalez said much of the discussion was merely exploring the legal landscape and never directly impacted the presidential policy or the instructions to the soldiers in the field.

In a presidential memo dated February 7, 2002, Mr. Bush accepted the Justice Department's recommendation that the Geneva Conventions protecting prisoners of war did not apply to the U.S. conflict with al Qaeda and the Taliban. But he stated, "Our values as a nation, values that we share with many nations in the world, call for us to treat detainees humanely, including those who are not legally entitled to such treatment." Democrats immediately took to the Senate floor to complain that the White House had released only three of the 23 documents they had been asking for.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Don't let anyone think that because it's a thick pile here that it really has the nub of the matter. It doesn't.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MALVEAUX: Now, Soledad, it was in August, 2002, the Justice Department memo that raised a lot of questions and concern over the controversy. That memo stating that the president, as commander in chief, has unlimited power to protect the U.S. from attack. It goes on to say that self-defense may justify interrogation methods that might violate U.S. or international law against torture. Now, interesting enough, Justice Department officials yesterday repudiated that memo -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: And, of course, many more memos to come forward before it's all explained. Suzanne Malveaux is at the White House for us this morning. Suzanne, thanks -- Bill.

HEMMER: About 12 minutes past the hour. Moving away from Washington out to California here. Dramatic developments in Scott Peterson's double murder trial. Yesterday, a police interview on videotape was shown to the jury. Ted Rowlands covering the trial, live in Redwood City.

What was the impact, Ted? Good morning.

TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill.

Well, the impact was that the jury was very focused and mesmerized on this videotape. It was an hour-long tape, and it was done about six hours after Laci Peterson was reported missing.

It was a basic police interview situation where the tape -- the camera was above. It was a point of view from the ceiling of Scott Peterson. He was very calm for the entire hour, ask -- answering every question that the investigators had for him. At the end of it, he even said, "I want to do everything I can to help you with your investigation."

The person on the stand yesterday, Al Brocchini, is one of the lead detectives. He was the person charged with trying to clear Scott Peterson, something he obviously never did. He's the person that the defense has targeted as a rush-to-judgment detective who was focused only on Scott Peterson's guilt.

Brocchini spent the entire day on the stand talking about the investigation, talking about how Amber Frey came into the situation, how they used her. He also talked about other girlfriends that Peterson has. Sources close to the investigation say Peterson had at least two other girlfriends besides Frey while he was married to Laci Peterson. Brocchini spent the entire day on the stand, and he will be back on the stand when court resumes this morning.

HEMMER: Comes -- when he comes back then, Ted, Mark Geragos will go after him. Do you have any indication as to what he will attack?

ROWLANDS: Well, there were issues from the defense standpoint about some evidence, specifically a hair that Brocchini handled. He also did a couple of things early on in the investigation, leaving a notebook on a boat, leaving his flashlight in Peter -- or his keys in Peterson's truck.

They're going to try to paint this guy to the jury as a person that was one-sided, against Scott Peterson, and who ignored certain facts that may have cleared him so that he could attack his client, Mark Geragos' client. The problem here is that Brocchini is an experienced witness. He did an excellent job on the stand for the prosecution. He may be difficult to shake, even though Geragos is very experienced on doing so. Brocchini, very focused witness, and he comes across, at least he did on the first leg of this, as just be a hard-working guy trying to get to the truth.

HEMMER: Thanks, Ted. Another day today. Ted Rowlands in Redwood City.

Pretrial hearings are over in the sexual assault case against Kobe Bryant. The judge did not set a trial date, but we are led to believe it will start in late August. Yesterday, lawyers ended closed-door arguments on whether or not details about his accuser's sex life can be used in court. Prosecutors say that is irrelevant. More written arguments are due next week in that case.

O'BRIEN: It is just about a quarter past the hour now. And it's time for a look at some of the other stories that are making headlines today with Daryn Kagan in Atlanta.

Hey, Daryn. Good morning again.

DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Soledad, good morning once again.

We're going to begin with the impending release of eight members of the British military from Iran. The servicemen were detained Monday after their boats entered Iranian waters. Though the servicemen are set to be released, there are reports that their boats and equipment will remain in Iranian custody.

American envoy James Kelly saying the U.S. has a proposal that could end the nuclear standoff with North Korea. Talks between representatives from six countries underway in Beijing. In addition to the U.S., delegates from Russia, China and both Koreas are in attendance.

Right here in the U.S., the federal appeals court rejecting an appeal for a new trial for assisted suicide doctor Jack Kevorkian. Kevorkian has been in jail since 1999. He was convicted of second- degree murder in the poisoning of a man who had Lou Gehrig's Disease. His attorney says Kevorkian plans to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Department of Homeland Security releasing new guidelines today concerning private airport screeners. After the September 11 attacks, airports were forced to use federal screeners, but some officials criticized that move. So the government is working to allow airports to switch back.

And how does it feel? Legendary singer Bob Dylan, who penned such classics "Like a Rolling Stone," will be made a doctor of music. That's Dr. Dylan for you. The 63-year-old Dylan picking up an honorary degree from St. Andrews University in Scotland today. The second time he's received such an accolade in his 40-year career.

OK, Billy, Mr. rock 'n' roll...

HEMMER: Yes?

KAGAN: Best Dylan song ever in your book?

HEMMER: Oh, come on.

KAGAN: Come on.

HEMMER: Go pick an album, maybe. Not a single song.

KAGAN: OK. Best album -- best album?

HEMMER: "Blood on the Tracks."

KAGAN: OK.

HEMMER: Go -- get past the voice, Daryn. Go to the words.

(LAUGHTER)

KAGAN: Go to the feeling.

HEMMER: Follow me.

KAGAN: Oh, I follow you. I follow.

HEMMER: Thank you, Daryn.

KAGAN: You bet.

HEMMER: Here's Toure now, "Question of the Day." Similar theme now.

(CROSSTALK)

TOURE, ROLLING STONE MAGAZINE: But you've got to embrace the voice, right? I mean, the voice is beautiful and it's part of it.

HEMMER: The voice is what gives the inflection on the poetry that he was trying to convey.

TOURE: That's right.

O'BRIEN: And do you have a "Question of the Day" you want to talk about?

TOURE: The "Question of the Day"...

HEMMER: You don't like this album?

O'BRIEN: I want to move on.

HEMMER: All right.

TOURE: ... American Film Institute's list of the hundred best movie songs. Number one, "Over the Rainbow" by Judy Garland, "The Wizard of Oz," blah, blah, blah.

Disney did very well on this list. And number 99, "Hakuna Matata," from "The Lion King."

HEMMER: Love that.

TOURE: At 47, "Zippity Do Da" from "The Song of the South." And at 36, "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" from "Mary Poppins." Woo!

O'BRIEN: We watch that 10 times a day.

TOURE: I'll bet you do with a bunch of little girls in the house. But what's the best song ever? "Shaft" is the correct answer.

HEMMER: He's working it.

TOURE: Other people's answers: Marie from Sarasota, Florida, "The theme song from 'The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.' I always whistle it in my head before I have a meeting with my boss to ask for a raise. Works like a charm every time."

O'BRIEN: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) anybody?

TOURE: I don't know, but I'm thinking that Marie's got to have a lot of money if she gets a raise every time.

(CROSSTALK)

TOURE: Wes, who didn't say where he's from because he's in witness protection, "You forgot one of the most underrated musicals ever, "Blame Canada" from "South Park" the movie. Good one, Wes! Love that!

And Drew from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, "Rainbow Connection" from "The Muppet Movie." Oh!

O'BRIEN: That's (UNINTELLIGIBLE). That's nice.

TOURE: And she -- and he also says, "Sorry things are hard on the boulevard, but good to see you at the desk."

So thank you.

O'BRIEN: Oh, a little love.

HEMMER: Listen, I got a note from one of our colleagues working down in Atlanta. And they say they like the guy wearing the pajama top working for Jack.

TOURE: Pajama top? Baby, this is high-level fashion! HEMMER: Great to have you, man.

TOURE: Thank you.

HEMMER: All right.

O'BRIEN: Time to check in on the weather now. Chad Myers is at the CNN Center with the latest forecast for us.

(WEATHER REPORT)

HEMMER: Thanks for that.

O'BRIEN: Thanks.

HEMMER: Bill Clinton's got a new book out. We've been talking about that all week. But right now...

O'BRIEN: Really?

HEMMER: Well, they're not talking about the book, actually. We're talking about this interview with the BBC. Everyone's saying he lost his cool a bit. We'll have a check of that in a moment.

O'BRIEN: He was a little testy. I think that's fair to say.

Also coming up this morning, a meeting close in secrecy. It may signal Senator Kerry's choice for a running mate. We'll explain just ahead.

HEMMER: Also, with us this hour, one of the stars of the "Matrix" taking on what might be his most important rule -- role, rather, to date. A live interview. Laurence Fishburne here in the studio still to come this hour on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Welcome back, everybody. Here's a question for you. Is Senator John Kerry getting closer to choosing a running mate? Some people think he's going to pick John Edwards.

The Associated Press is reporting that the two met briefly yesterday. It was a brief and secretive meeting. They met on Capitol Hill in the President's Room, which is an ornate sitting room just off the Senate chamber. They both declined to speak with reporters afterward.

President Bush is now on his way to Philadelphia at this hour. In about an hour from now, he's scheduled to speak there about having compassion for those who have HIV and AIDS.

HEMMER: More political talk now. Former President Bill Clinton's book pulling buyers into the stores this week as "My Life" went on sale. Throngs turned out here in the Big Apple for an autographed copy. However, there was this interview that Bill Clinton did with the BBC that's getting a bit more attention this morning. A sample of that now.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WILLIAM JEFFERSON CLINTON, FMR. PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: 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 these little people from Arkansas. What did you care about them? They're not famous.

Who cares if their lives were trampled? Who cares if their children were humiliated? Who cares if Starr sends FBI agents to their school and rips them out of their school to humiliate them and try to force their parents to lie about me?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HEMMER: Again, that's part of the interview with the BBC, talking about Ken Starr and reflections there. The interview continued. Some say the former president quite testy during that interview. Bill Clinton does his first primetime live interview with Larry King tomorrow night, 9:00 Eastern here on CNN, 6:00 out in California.

Now, the book is about 950 pages in length, but there is -- there is one phrase that most Clinton watchers are paying attention to. Jeanne Moos today on that mysterious metaphor.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): For a guy who often finds himself in a pickle, he picked a dilly of a metaphor.

CLINTON: It made me feel like I was a pickle stepping into history.

MOOS: The audience on hand for his portrait unveiling chuckled, but at what?

CLINTON: It made me feel like I was a pickle stepping into history.

MOOS: Was it a joke?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't get that at all.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm not sure he sure what he meant.

MOOS: What is a pickle stepping into history? A real head- scratcher. I don't get it either. The mystery continued from Web sites, to a column in The New York times. Some theorized it's a baseball term.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: A pickle is when you're caught between two bases. MOOS: Clinton is the pickle in the middle between the two Bush presidencies. With a giant pickle as a prop...

(on camera): Get it's good side.

(voice-over): ... we look for answers.

(on camera): It depends on what the definition of a pickle is.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A pickle is -- is.

MOOS: Is.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Sour. A sour part of history. It's Clinton.

MOOS: Maybe it was a folksy Arkansas...

MOOS (voice-over): Sorry. Folks in Arkansas never heard of it. Even the industry group Pickle Packers International didn't have a clue. With all of the innuendo about what a pickle might refer to, we won't go there. But others did.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He meant his penis.

MOOS (on camera): No.

(voice-over): This guy figured Bill Clinton was speaking the mind of his audience.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: As soon as they see him, that's what they think about him.

MOOS (on camera): Pickle?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Monica.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So maybe it's a subconscious.

MOOS: Ooh.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Is there reference to that in his book, to pickles in general?

MOOS: Yes -- no. Check the index.

(voice-over): Nothing under "P", but a Clinton spokesperson suggests that when you pickle something it's a means of preservation, hence the former president felt like he was being pickled with his portrait.

JON STEWART, THE DAILY SHOW: As a matter of fact, if I remember correctly, your pickle's already stepped into history.

(LAUGHTER)

MOOS: We wouldn't touch that one with a 10-foot fork.

Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HEMMER: And we're not going to touch that one either.

O'BRIEN: No.

HEMMER: Imagine Jeanne walking the streets of Manhattan with that pickle, huh?

O'BRIEN: You know, actually, I can imagine Jeanne walking...

HEMMER: Probably no one noticed in New York City either.

O'BRIEN: Exactly. On the subway, big pickle. No one noticed.

HEMMER: Good stuff.

O'BRIEN: Still to come this morning, the politician, his TV star ex-wife, and a big old sex scandal. Some salacious allegations threaten to derail a millionaire candidate's campaign. That story's ahead as AMERICAN MORNING continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HEMMER: It's 9:30 here in New York. A check of the markets right now. Opening bell was just a few short seconds before we came back from the break.

Aired June 23, 2004 - 9:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Former President Bill Clinton getting the star treatment by his New York City fans, and perhaps taking exception to treatment by a BBC reporter.
Jurors hear Scott Peterson in his own words at his murder trial in California. What prosecutors hope to prove with a videotape of the defendant.

And the devastating effects of stroke on a man with a love of flying. His daughters would not say no.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Dad did not the alphabet. And so we made flash cards, and I would hold them up and he would have to say the letter.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O'BRIEN: We're going to find out what can happen when the advice of doctors just will not do on this AMERICAN MORNING.

Stay with us.

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 back, everybody. Nine o'clock here in New York City. And good morning to you.

Intelligence experts right now analyzing a new audiotape today said to be of one of the most wanted men in Iraq, Abu Zarqawi. In it, he makes new threats, including one against Iraq's new prime minister. A lot to talk about regarding Iraq. We'll hear from senators John McCain and Joe Biden in a few moments. Seven days and counting now to the handover in Baghdad.

O'BRIEN: Also this morning, we're going to take you live to the White House for the latest of what was and was not acceptable practice for interrogating prisoners. Suzanne Malveaux has the very latest on some of these memos that are now being released.

HEMMER: Also, a scandal brewing in Illinois. Some salacious details coming out of divorce papers between Jack and Jeri Ryan. He's a U.S. Senate candidate, she's a popular TV actress. We'll get a report on that as well coming up here. Jack Cafferty off for the next few days. We welcome Toure back in a moment here. So stay tuned for him.

O'BRIEN: All right.

We begin this morning, though, with Iraq. There are new threats coming from Iraq with just a week to go before the handover of power. Those threats against the coalition and Iraqi officials are believed to be coming from the man responsible for a series of deadly attacks. Chief international correspondent Christiane Amanpour live for us this morning in Baghdad.

Christiane, good morning.

CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning. And there is a new audiotape which has surfaced on an Islamic Web site which purports to be from Zarqawi, the guy who has claimed responsibility for killing American Nicholas Berg, for the South Korean, Kim Sun-Il last night, and who is believed to be a member of al Qaeda.

The audiotape specifically threatens a continuation of a fight against American forces and also against the new Iraqi interim prime minister, Iyad Allawi, saying that they will fight until "Islamic law rules on Earth." For his part, the prime ministers tell us -- a spokesman -- that they printed off the threat, showed it to the prime minister. He smiled, we're told, and said that Zarqawi is not just Allawi's enemy, he is the enemy of all Iraqis. And he went on to say that Iraq would not be deflected from either the handover or the attempt to build a democratic future here.

Back to you.

O'BRIEN: All right. Christiane Amanpour for us in Baghdad this morning. Christiane, thanks.

Separate roadside bombs in Mosul today killed an Iraqi policeman, wounded a U.S. soldier. And in Baghdad, another bomb killed a woman and a child. Earlier this morning, I asked Senator John McCain of the Armed Services Committee if he believes the violence in Iraq is getting worse as the handover approaches.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R-AZ), SENATE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE: I think it's probably going to escalate between now and the 30th, and perhaps for a period afterwards. The terrorists know that this is a very critical time. If they can prevent a handover of the government from the United States' military to this Iraqi government, they will have achieved great success. And there's a lot at stake here in the next few weeks.

O'BRIEN: Then there's this audiotape that many people say is the voice of al-Zarqawi. He threatens coalition troops, he threatens Iraqi security forces as well. He's even threatening the interim prime minister in Iraq. How critical is it to get him? MCCAIN: I think it's very important that we get him. But we have seen sort of a dispersion of this al Qaeda network. I'm sorry to tell you, if we get him, there's going to be somebody else that's going to take his place. We're in a very tough struggle here in Iraq, and we're going to be there for a long time. But I think it's vital that we succeed.

O'BRIEN: Deputy Defense Secretary Wolfowitz has said that the troops could be in Iraq for years to come. Representative Ike Skelton also says that we may be heading into a security quagmire. How long do you think, in fact, U.S. troops will be in Iraq?

MCCAIN: I think U.S. troops will be there for many years. We've been in South Korea for many years, we've been in Bosnia, we've been in Kosovo. The key to it is to reduce the casualties so that these young Americans can serve and provide security, and at the same time we don't take the casualties that we've been seeing. That's the key to it.

O'BRIEN: Do you -- do you think "security quagmire" is the right words to use there?

MCCAIN: No, not at all. I believe we must and will make progress. I think it's going to be slow. I think it will be tough. We're paying a heavy price for some of the mistakes that the Pentagon made in the post-combat phase by not having enough troops over there. But hopefully we are adjusting.

I believe the Iraqi people will feel better when they have a government of their own. And the next big step, of course, will be elections. And those have to have some kind of security environment in order to take place successfully.

O'BRIEN: Saddam Hussein's lawyer says that his client, Saddam Hussein, was abused, like the prisoners at Abu Ghraib. What do you make of that?

MCCAIN: I doubt it, given the high visibility that he has. But I believe that he will get the reward that he deserves for his brutal torture and mistreatment of the Iraqi people. And I think a public trial would be good for American and world opinion to be again reminded of the brutality of his regime.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HEMMER: Just after Senator McCain, I spoke with Senator Joseph Biden. He's been critical of the policy in Iraq, but he is just back from a trip there in Baghdad and says now there is reason for him to be optimistic.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SEN. JOSEPH BIDEN (D), DELAWARE: I think the Iraqi people are prepared to cooperate with us more. The new leadership, this fellow, Prime Minister Allawi, is a serious guy. I don't want to exaggerate it, but he's a little bit like Karzai in Afghanistan. He has a realistic view of what his problems are.

But this turning over of sovereignty does not mean we've turned over capacity. And the key to get out of this quote, "security quagmire," as one of our colleagues said, is to equip the Iraqis, but get real about it. Not train their cops for eight weeks, not think you're going to have a 30,000-man army in six months. But over the next year, with a significant investment of training and equipment, we ought to be able to put ourselves in the position for what is ultimately an exit strategy: free elections in December of 2000, and a draw-down of American forces based upon the Iraqis being able to take care of their own security.

HEMMER: You're in this school of thought that says more international help is needed, especially from NATO, which will get a lot of attention come the first of July, when the NATO leaders get together. What's the incentive for these countries to now participate in Iraq?

BIDEN: Chaos on their doorstep. It's really quite simple.

France and Germany have as much or more to lose in a failure in Iraq than we do. The French have 10 percent of the population that's Arab. The radicalization of the Arab world will occur in -- if Iraq becomes Lebanon is awesome.

And the Germans are always xenophobic. They're worried about population flows. They're already apoplectic about the number of Turks that are moving into their country, et cetera.

So there's a lot at stake for them. They know it. And it's time for the president to lead. And I believe if he does, that we, in fact, can get their support.

And let me be specific. With Mr. Allawi, I spent an hour with him. And I literally asked, suggested to him, he should literally go to Istanbul, which is where we're going to have this NATO summit, and he should ask Allawi in the name of the Iraqi people for help from the French and the Germans.

They bled for 10 years about the poor Iraqi people. Now the poor Iraqi people are in trouble. It's time for them to get over Bush's mistakes. It's time for them to stand up and help.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HEMMER: Again, one week to go. Senator Biden, Senator McCain from earlier.

Also, out of Baghdad, Saddam Hussein sending his regards in a letter from prison. Documents from a Red Cross visit with the former Iraqi dictator containing a personal letter to one of his daughters. Most of that letter blacked out, but some of what is readable says this: "To my small family, and my big family in peace..." -- more is blacked out -- and then, "...as far as my soul and my morale, they are twinkling in the great lord's blessing." It's signed, "Saddam Hussein." The letter and other documents were shown to CNN by one of Saddam Hussein's lawyers, Mohammed Rashdan (ph). He will be with us this week here on AMERICAN MORNING -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: The White House now putting out a memo showing President Bush accepted the Justice Department's advice that the Geneva Conventions did not protect al Qaeda and Taliban prisoners. But he said he ordered that the Geneva rules be followed anyway.

Suzanne Malveaux at the White House for us this morning live, with more on this.

Suzanne, good morning.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Soledad.

Well, the Bush administration has certainly gone on the offensive of this. It was just yesterday they responded to months of these claims and criticisms that their support for this expanded interrogation policy led to the abuse at the Abu Ghraib prison. The White House releasing hundreds of pages of documents to prove their point. But as these documents go, critics say that it raise more questions than answers.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MALVEAUX (voice-over): The Bush administration launched an extraordinary campaign to discredit claims that the White House condoned the torture of detainees.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We do not condone torture. I have never ordered torture. I will never order torture. The values of this country are such that torture is not a part of our soul and our being.

MALVEAUX: The White House released a two-inch stack of documents that showed within the legal community there was rigorous debate over where the U.S. military could legally draw the line. But White House counsel Alberto Gonzalez said much of the discussion was merely exploring the legal landscape and never directly impacted the presidential policy or the instructions to the soldiers in the field.

In a presidential memo dated February 7, 2002, Mr. Bush accepted the Justice Department's recommendation that the Geneva Conventions protecting prisoners of war did not apply to the U.S. conflict with al Qaeda and the Taliban. But he stated, "Our values as a nation, values that we share with many nations in the world, call for us to treat detainees humanely, including those who are not legally entitled to such treatment." Democrats immediately took to the Senate floor to complain that the White House had released only three of the 23 documents they had been asking for.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Don't let anyone think that because it's a thick pile here that it really has the nub of the matter. It doesn't.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MALVEAUX: Now, Soledad, it was in August, 2002, the Justice Department memo that raised a lot of questions and concern over the controversy. That memo stating that the president, as commander in chief, has unlimited power to protect the U.S. from attack. It goes on to say that self-defense may justify interrogation methods that might violate U.S. or international law against torture. Now, interesting enough, Justice Department officials yesterday repudiated that memo -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: And, of course, many more memos to come forward before it's all explained. Suzanne Malveaux is at the White House for us this morning. Suzanne, thanks -- Bill.

HEMMER: About 12 minutes past the hour. Moving away from Washington out to California here. Dramatic developments in Scott Peterson's double murder trial. Yesterday, a police interview on videotape was shown to the jury. Ted Rowlands covering the trial, live in Redwood City.

What was the impact, Ted? Good morning.

TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill.

Well, the impact was that the jury was very focused and mesmerized on this videotape. It was an hour-long tape, and it was done about six hours after Laci Peterson was reported missing.

It was a basic police interview situation where the tape -- the camera was above. It was a point of view from the ceiling of Scott Peterson. He was very calm for the entire hour, ask -- answering every question that the investigators had for him. At the end of it, he even said, "I want to do everything I can to help you with your investigation."

The person on the stand yesterday, Al Brocchini, is one of the lead detectives. He was the person charged with trying to clear Scott Peterson, something he obviously never did. He's the person that the defense has targeted as a rush-to-judgment detective who was focused only on Scott Peterson's guilt.

Brocchini spent the entire day on the stand talking about the investigation, talking about how Amber Frey came into the situation, how they used her. He also talked about other girlfriends that Peterson has. Sources close to the investigation say Peterson had at least two other girlfriends besides Frey while he was married to Laci Peterson. Brocchini spent the entire day on the stand, and he will be back on the stand when court resumes this morning.

HEMMER: Comes -- when he comes back then, Ted, Mark Geragos will go after him. Do you have any indication as to what he will attack?

ROWLANDS: Well, there were issues from the defense standpoint about some evidence, specifically a hair that Brocchini handled. He also did a couple of things early on in the investigation, leaving a notebook on a boat, leaving his flashlight in Peter -- or his keys in Peterson's truck.

They're going to try to paint this guy to the jury as a person that was one-sided, against Scott Peterson, and who ignored certain facts that may have cleared him so that he could attack his client, Mark Geragos' client. The problem here is that Brocchini is an experienced witness. He did an excellent job on the stand for the prosecution. He may be difficult to shake, even though Geragos is very experienced on doing so. Brocchini, very focused witness, and he comes across, at least he did on the first leg of this, as just be a hard-working guy trying to get to the truth.

HEMMER: Thanks, Ted. Another day today. Ted Rowlands in Redwood City.

Pretrial hearings are over in the sexual assault case against Kobe Bryant. The judge did not set a trial date, but we are led to believe it will start in late August. Yesterday, lawyers ended closed-door arguments on whether or not details about his accuser's sex life can be used in court. Prosecutors say that is irrelevant. More written arguments are due next week in that case.

O'BRIEN: It is just about a quarter past the hour now. And it's time for a look at some of the other stories that are making headlines today with Daryn Kagan in Atlanta.

Hey, Daryn. Good morning again.

DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Soledad, good morning once again.

We're going to begin with the impending release of eight members of the British military from Iran. The servicemen were detained Monday after their boats entered Iranian waters. Though the servicemen are set to be released, there are reports that their boats and equipment will remain in Iranian custody.

American envoy James Kelly saying the U.S. has a proposal that could end the nuclear standoff with North Korea. Talks between representatives from six countries underway in Beijing. In addition to the U.S., delegates from Russia, China and both Koreas are in attendance.

Right here in the U.S., the federal appeals court rejecting an appeal for a new trial for assisted suicide doctor Jack Kevorkian. Kevorkian has been in jail since 1999. He was convicted of second- degree murder in the poisoning of a man who had Lou Gehrig's Disease. His attorney says Kevorkian plans to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Department of Homeland Security releasing new guidelines today concerning private airport screeners. After the September 11 attacks, airports were forced to use federal screeners, but some officials criticized that move. So the government is working to allow airports to switch back.

And how does it feel? Legendary singer Bob Dylan, who penned such classics "Like a Rolling Stone," will be made a doctor of music. That's Dr. Dylan for you. The 63-year-old Dylan picking up an honorary degree from St. Andrews University in Scotland today. The second time he's received such an accolade in his 40-year career.

OK, Billy, Mr. rock 'n' roll...

HEMMER: Yes?

KAGAN: Best Dylan song ever in your book?

HEMMER: Oh, come on.

KAGAN: Come on.

HEMMER: Go pick an album, maybe. Not a single song.

KAGAN: OK. Best album -- best album?

HEMMER: "Blood on the Tracks."

KAGAN: OK.

HEMMER: Go -- get past the voice, Daryn. Go to the words.

(LAUGHTER)

KAGAN: Go to the feeling.

HEMMER: Follow me.

KAGAN: Oh, I follow you. I follow.

HEMMER: Thank you, Daryn.

KAGAN: You bet.

HEMMER: Here's Toure now, "Question of the Day." Similar theme now.

(CROSSTALK)

TOURE, ROLLING STONE MAGAZINE: But you've got to embrace the voice, right? I mean, the voice is beautiful and it's part of it.

HEMMER: The voice is what gives the inflection on the poetry that he was trying to convey.

TOURE: That's right.

O'BRIEN: And do you have a "Question of the Day" you want to talk about?

TOURE: The "Question of the Day"...

HEMMER: You don't like this album?

O'BRIEN: I want to move on.

HEMMER: All right.

TOURE: ... American Film Institute's list of the hundred best movie songs. Number one, "Over the Rainbow" by Judy Garland, "The Wizard of Oz," blah, blah, blah.

Disney did very well on this list. And number 99, "Hakuna Matata," from "The Lion King."

HEMMER: Love that.

TOURE: At 47, "Zippity Do Da" from "The Song of the South." And at 36, "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" from "Mary Poppins." Woo!

O'BRIEN: We watch that 10 times a day.

TOURE: I'll bet you do with a bunch of little girls in the house. But what's the best song ever? "Shaft" is the correct answer.

HEMMER: He's working it.

TOURE: Other people's answers: Marie from Sarasota, Florida, "The theme song from 'The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.' I always whistle it in my head before I have a meeting with my boss to ask for a raise. Works like a charm every time."

O'BRIEN: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) anybody?

TOURE: I don't know, but I'm thinking that Marie's got to have a lot of money if she gets a raise every time.

(CROSSTALK)

TOURE: Wes, who didn't say where he's from because he's in witness protection, "You forgot one of the most underrated musicals ever, "Blame Canada" from "South Park" the movie. Good one, Wes! Love that!

And Drew from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, "Rainbow Connection" from "The Muppet Movie." Oh!

O'BRIEN: That's (UNINTELLIGIBLE). That's nice.

TOURE: And she -- and he also says, "Sorry things are hard on the boulevard, but good to see you at the desk."

So thank you.

O'BRIEN: Oh, a little love.

HEMMER: Listen, I got a note from one of our colleagues working down in Atlanta. And they say they like the guy wearing the pajama top working for Jack.

TOURE: Pajama top? Baby, this is high-level fashion! HEMMER: Great to have you, man.

TOURE: Thank you.

HEMMER: All right.

O'BRIEN: Time to check in on the weather now. Chad Myers is at the CNN Center with the latest forecast for us.

(WEATHER REPORT)

HEMMER: Thanks for that.

O'BRIEN: Thanks.

HEMMER: Bill Clinton's got a new book out. We've been talking about that all week. But right now...

O'BRIEN: Really?

HEMMER: Well, they're not talking about the book, actually. We're talking about this interview with the BBC. Everyone's saying he lost his cool a bit. We'll have a check of that in a moment.

O'BRIEN: He was a little testy. I think that's fair to say.

Also coming up this morning, a meeting close in secrecy. It may signal Senator Kerry's choice for a running mate. We'll explain just ahead.

HEMMER: Also, with us this hour, one of the stars of the "Matrix" taking on what might be his most important rule -- role, rather, to date. A live interview. Laurence Fishburne here in the studio still to come this hour on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Welcome back, everybody. Here's a question for you. Is Senator John Kerry getting closer to choosing a running mate? Some people think he's going to pick John Edwards.

The Associated Press is reporting that the two met briefly yesterday. It was a brief and secretive meeting. They met on Capitol Hill in the President's Room, which is an ornate sitting room just off the Senate chamber. They both declined to speak with reporters afterward.

President Bush is now on his way to Philadelphia at this hour. In about an hour from now, he's scheduled to speak there about having compassion for those who have HIV and AIDS.

HEMMER: More political talk now. Former President Bill Clinton's book pulling buyers into the stores this week as "My Life" went on sale. Throngs turned out here in the Big Apple for an autographed copy. However, there was this interview that Bill Clinton did with the BBC that's getting a bit more attention this morning. A sample of that now.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WILLIAM JEFFERSON CLINTON, FMR. PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: 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 these little people from Arkansas. What did you care about them? They're not famous.

Who cares if their lives were trampled? Who cares if their children were humiliated? Who cares if Starr sends FBI agents to their school and rips them out of their school to humiliate them and try to force their parents to lie about me?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HEMMER: Again, that's part of the interview with the BBC, talking about Ken Starr and reflections there. The interview continued. Some say the former president quite testy during that interview. Bill Clinton does his first primetime live interview with Larry King tomorrow night, 9:00 Eastern here on CNN, 6:00 out in California.

Now, the book is about 950 pages in length, but there is -- there is one phrase that most Clinton watchers are paying attention to. Jeanne Moos today on that mysterious metaphor.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): For a guy who often finds himself in a pickle, he picked a dilly of a metaphor.

CLINTON: It made me feel like I was a pickle stepping into history.

MOOS: The audience on hand for his portrait unveiling chuckled, but at what?

CLINTON: It made me feel like I was a pickle stepping into history.

MOOS: Was it a joke?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't get that at all.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm not sure he sure what he meant.

MOOS: What is a pickle stepping into history? A real head- scratcher. I don't get it either. The mystery continued from Web sites, to a column in The New York times. Some theorized it's a baseball term.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: A pickle is when you're caught between two bases. MOOS: Clinton is the pickle in the middle between the two Bush presidencies. With a giant pickle as a prop...

(on camera): Get it's good side.

(voice-over): ... we look for answers.

(on camera): It depends on what the definition of a pickle is.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A pickle is -- is.

MOOS: Is.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Sour. A sour part of history. It's Clinton.

MOOS: Maybe it was a folksy Arkansas...

MOOS (voice-over): Sorry. Folks in Arkansas never heard of it. Even the industry group Pickle Packers International didn't have a clue. With all of the innuendo about what a pickle might refer to, we won't go there. But others did.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He meant his penis.

MOOS (on camera): No.

(voice-over): This guy figured Bill Clinton was speaking the mind of his audience.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: As soon as they see him, that's what they think about him.

MOOS (on camera): Pickle?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Monica.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So maybe it's a subconscious.

MOOS: Ooh.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Is there reference to that in his book, to pickles in general?

MOOS: Yes -- no. Check the index.

(voice-over): Nothing under "P", but a Clinton spokesperson suggests that when you pickle something it's a means of preservation, hence the former president felt like he was being pickled with his portrait.

JON STEWART, THE DAILY SHOW: As a matter of fact, if I remember correctly, your pickle's already stepped into history.

(LAUGHTER)

MOOS: We wouldn't touch that one with a 10-foot fork.

Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HEMMER: And we're not going to touch that one either.

O'BRIEN: No.

HEMMER: Imagine Jeanne walking the streets of Manhattan with that pickle, huh?

O'BRIEN: You know, actually, I can imagine Jeanne walking...

HEMMER: Probably no one noticed in New York City either.

O'BRIEN: Exactly. On the subway, big pickle. No one noticed.

HEMMER: Good stuff.

O'BRIEN: Still to come this morning, the politician, his TV star ex-wife, and a big old sex scandal. Some salacious allegations threaten to derail a millionaire candidate's campaign. That story's ahead as AMERICAN MORNING continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HEMMER: It's 9:30 here in New York. A check of the markets right now. Opening bell was just a few short seconds before we came back from the break.