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CNN Live Today
Supreme Court Backs Presidential Confidentiality; Several Bombs Explode in Iraq, Killing Dozens; Saddam's Lawyers Claims Abuse in Captivity; Upcoming Book Claims Bush Losing War on Terror
Aired June 24, 2004 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Let's get started with the next hour of NCN LIVE TODAY. It begins right now.
And here are the latest developments we're following at this hour. President Bush briefed congressional leaders on the transfer of power in Iraq. He met with leaders from both parties at the White House this morning.
Violence is escalating in Iraq less than a week before the scheduled handover. A series of attacks today killed scores of people.
The Supreme Court says that Vice President Dick Cheney does not have to release records from his 2001 energy task force. Two groups sued for access to the secret records. This morning's rulings did not end the legal fight over the documents. The high court sent the case back to a lower court.
Iran has released eight British soldiers, sailors and marines held since Monday. The servicemen were detained after their patrol boat apparently strayed into Iranian waters. Iran had threatened to prosecute the men. They eight have arrived in Tehran and are now in the custody of British diplomats.
You've got spam, and authorities say they have arrested the two men who may be responsible. Authorities have charged an AOL employee with stealing 92 million subscriber screen names and selling them to a Las Vegas man. That man, seen here, is accused of using the list to promote his Internet gambling business and selling it to other spammers.
We are looking at 11 a.m. straight up on the East Coast and 8 a.m. on the West Coast. From CNN Center in Atlanta, I'm Daryn Kagan.
Our top story this morning is out of the Supreme Court. A ruling that directly affects how the executive branch can conduct business. The heart of the decision addresses the confidentiality of Vice President Dick Cheney's energy task force from 2001.
Our Elaine Quijano is at the White House with reaction from there. But we begin with Bob Franken outside the high court for details on the ruling, which was incredibly favorable toward the White House. BOB FRANKEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It was. It was. It was a strong affirmation of the executive branch, the presidency's right to argue that it can be unfettered by the other branches of government, in this particular case, the judicial branch.
However, if you read between the lines of the writing of this, you see that this is not a complete, to use a popular term, slam dunk for the administration.
What the court said is to say that while -- and I'm quoting now from the majority opinion by Justice Kennedy, "public interest requires," he said, "that a coequal branch of government afford presidential confidentiality the greatest protection."
And here's the important thing. "Consistent with the fair administration of justice. Because of the paramount necessity," he went on, "of protecting the executive branch from vexatious litigation that might distract it from its duties." Those are, of course, separation of powers considerations, said the court.
But the court ruled that the case can go back. Inconsistent with this ruling, this case can proceed. It's a case by the Sierra Club demanding the names of people who served on the panel that advised the vice president and, of course, by direction of the president, on energy policy.
So this is not over. Nevertheless, it is still a strong affirmation of the separation of powers that protects the president. And it is a statement that the president must be given every concern, every consideration when it comes to that argument -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Bob Franken at the White House. Or actually, he is at the Supreme Court. Let's now go to the White House. That's where Elaine Quijano is, for reaction to today's ruling -- Elaine.
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn.
Well, officials here at the White House are obviously pleased with this decision. They say, though, they are still getting a chance to review it.
But obviously, on the face of it, as Bob said, quite favorable for the Bush administration, which had maintained all along that the president should be able to receive, quote, "candid and unvarnished advice" from his staff and advisers and that disclosing names would hamper that ability. Now the argument being, of course, that the discussions would not be as frank and open as they otherwise might be.
So again, the White House pleased with this decision, taking a much closer look at it.
By the way, Daryn, the president is set to have his regular weakly lunch with the vice president later today -- Daryn.
KAGAN: And what about the other meeting that we were talking about just a little bit ago, the meeting with the leaders from Congress, Elaine?
QUIJANO: The focus on Iraq, and especially at this critical time. The administration has said all along that the period right before the June 30 deadline, the transfer of sovereignty, would be an important one, that there would be an uptick in violence. We are seeing that now.
This is a chance just to brief the lawmakers on what the situation was on the ground. A chance to update them on what progress is being made in a number of areas -- infrastructure, rebuilding -- as the June 30 deadline moves closer -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Elaine Quijano at the White House. Thank you for that.
And we do focus on Iraq right now.
Insurgents unleashed a deadly attacks. It is only six days before the transfer of power there.
The military wing of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's group has claimed responsibility for the attacks in a statement on an Islamic web site. Iraqi sources say the death toll from the attacks now stands at 92, including three U.S. troops.
In Baqubah, two members of the 1st Infantry Division were killed when their patrol was ambushed. Insurgents also attacked a police station, killing at least four Iraqi officers.
In Mosul, three car bombs exploded, hitting separate targets. Hospital officials say that as many as 65 people were killed there, including a U.S. soldier and seven Iraqi police. Coalition officials reported a lower casualty figure.
And in Ramadi, a rocket-propelled grenade attack reduced the central police station to rubble. Coalition officials said that bodies were being pulled from the debris.
The attacks also spread to the Iraqi capital, where a suicide bomber detonated himself at a checkpoint.
Baghdad bureau chief Jane Arraf joins us with more on this latest wave of bloody violence -- Jane.
JANE ARRAF, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, Iraq's deputy prime minister, Iyad Allawi, blaming some of the violence, in fact, the worst of the violence, three simultaneous -- near simultaneous car bombs in the city of Mosul, north of Iraq, on Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.
He is actually blaming a group affiliated -- believed to be affiliated with Zarqawi, Ansar al-Islam, a group that has normally operated further north in Iraqi Kurdistan.
He says, though, that other attacks, those in cities west of Baghdad and other places, appear to be Iraqi insurgents. He says the attacks are not coordinated. Coalition officials, though, say they must have been required a degree of coordination. This is one of the deadliest days that we have seen since the end of major combat. In terms of the number of attacks, the types of attacks, and the places they're occurring.
We have seen today car bombs, suicide bombs, rocket-propelled grenade attacks on police stations. One of them leveled a police station. And ambushes on U.S. patrols. Less than a week before the handover of sovereignty -- Daryn.
KAGAN: And so Jane, what does this do to just the basics of people trying to go about their daily lives, whether it's going to work or taking care of their children or going to market?
ARRAF: Well, in the places where it's happening, it's certainly affecting it.
In Mosul, for instance, we're now told that local television is declaring that the curfew there has been extended, the curfew that normally runs from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., now beginning at 9 p.m., local residents are being told.
In other places like Baghdad, Daryn, and this is a huge city. We're talking more than five million people here. And it is possible to walk down the street. It's possible to see people going to work, coming back from work now. Even going out shopping as if things were relatively normal.
That's the thing about this sort of violence. You just never know where it's going to strike and when it's going to strike. And that's part of the terrifying aspect of it -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Jane Arraf from Baghdad. Thank you, Jane.
Now on to Turkey, where officials there are vowing for tighter security for President Bush's upcoming visit. That follows a pair of explosions today.
Just a short time ago, a blast aboard an Istanbul bus killed at least five people. Earlier, a small bomb blew up near the Hilton Hotel in Ankara. A policeman and another person were hurt.
The U.S. embassy in the capital could not confirm reports that Mr. Bush will stay at the hotel this weekend. The White House says it believes the attacks were meant to thwart next week's NATO summit in Istanbul but that President Bush will be going to that summit.
The Pentagon denies that Saddam Hussein has been mistreated during his six months in captivity, but a Red Cross document reveals that Hussein did get received an unspecified injury somewhere along the way.
Our Brian Todd has the latest from Washington.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Saddam Hussein has not yet been charged with a crime, his future custody still being worked out. But one of his attorneys accuses the U.S.-led coalition of abusing Saddam in detention.
The lawyer, Muhammad al-Rashdan, has shown CNN a document completed by coalition officials in January, more than a month after Saddam's capture.
The document is a form from the International Committee of the Red Cross. It's been authenticated by the ICRC and includes details of Saddam's physical condition.
The box labeled "good health" is checked, but so is one labeled "slightly wounded." The ICRC says it doesn't know what injuries are referred to or whether they were sustained at the time of Saddam's arrest or later.
But Saddam's attorney, Muhammad al-Rashdan, asks, "Why would he be slightly wounded a month after his arrest?" And continues, quote, "He's being abused just like the prisoners of Abu Ghraib were abused."
But Muhammad al-Rashdan offers no proof of mistreatment, and he has never met with Saddam in person or even spoken to him.
Coalition officials issued this rebuttal.
BRIG. GEN. MARK KIMMITT, U.S. ARMY: Saddam Hussein is being treated in accordance with the Geneva Conventions. He is being treated with dignity and respect by the coalition forces. And we will continue to do that, even though there's a tremendous irony. This is the man who is responsible for killing hundreds of thousands of his own countrymen.
TODD: The attorney showed CNN a portion of the Red Cross form labeled "family message." In this section, a letter from Saddam to his daughter, Raghad. Most of the text is blacked out. It's unclear if that was done before or at the letter was sent.
Saddam writes, "As far as my soul and my morale, they are twinkling in the great Lord's blessing. My regards to everybody. Signed Saddam Hussein."
And on the part of the form asking the detainee to list occupation, Saddam writes, "republic's president."
(on camera): And a possible hint of Saddam's future legal strategy. In the view of this one attorney of his, Muhammad al- Rashdan, the American invasion of Iraq was illegal. Rashdan tells CNN everything that came after the invasion is, quote, "null and void."
Brian Todd, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN: The political handover in Iraq is less than a week away. In preparation, CNN will host live town hall events today and tomorrow. Today's special comes up in about two hours. It examines the European perspective. Tomorrow at the same time, what Americans have to say about that.
The clock is ticking on a Saudi deadline for terrorists to turn themselves in or face the full might of their government. Crown Prince Abdullah announced a one-month amnesty period yesterday. You saw it live here on this program. He was doing it on behalf of his brother, King Fahd.
Earlier on CNN, a former U.S. ambassador to the region discussed the goal of the Saudi crackdown.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
THEODORE KATTOUF, FORMER AMBASSADOR TO SYRIA AND UAE: They're trying to get the foot soldiers, if you will, of al Qaeda on the Arabian Peninsula to come -- to give themselves up. People who don't have, as the Israelis might say, blood on their hands. To give themselves up.
That doesn't mean, in my opinion, that these guys will be totally let off. But they'll -- their treatment will probably be lenient.
I think they know the hard core are not going to be turning themselves in. It's they who they're trying to isolate. It's they who they're trying to collect intelligence on. And it's those people that they hope that the Saudi populace will blame for any violence that follows.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: Saudi Arabia's police minister today urged militants to accept the amnesty offer.
If terrorism has you laying awake at night, an upcoming book on the subject probably is not going to help that. It's called "Imperial Hubris." It is said to be written by an active senior CIA official. The author known only as anonymous pulls no punches in presenting the book's dark thesis. It says that the Bush administration is losing the war on terror.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think there's a certain amount of what can guys with turbans squatting in the desert do to the United States of America? I think we've just grossly underestimated this threat. And I think there's no more -- there's no more perfect validation of that contention was -- than the fact that we went to a war in Iraq.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: "Imperial Hubris" won't be released until August, but already, it is a hot topic. Former CIA analyst Ray McGovern joins us to talk about that.
Ray, good morning. Thanks for being here with us.
RAY MCGOVERN, FORMER CIA ANALYST: Good morning.
KAGAN: First let's talk about the idea of anonymous. We know that it's a 22-year veteran still serving on the senior counterterrorism post and that he headed the bin Laden station from '96 to '99. I've got to think that narrow the field pretty well.
MCGOVERN: You mean from Mike Lanu (ph)?
KAGAN: Well, I don't know exactly the name. But I would think anybody within that community would know who it was.
MCGOVERN: Yes. They know who it is, and he reflects very widely the views of the substance of analysts within the CIA.
His most important observation is that there's nothing that Osama bin Laden could have hoped for more than an American invasion of Iraq and an occupation of Iraq. And I think this morning is the proof of the pudding here.
KAGAN: When you look at the number of attacks across Iraq?
MCGOVERN: Three hundred casualties. We have Mosul, Baghdad, Baqubah, Ramadi, Fallujah. Those are the ones we know about. Almost 100 already confirmed killed, 233 injured.
It reminds me of Vietnam. And I don't know how many of your viewers would remember Vietnam. But there was a Tet Offensive that was in January and February of '68, and it turned the tide. It was the tipping point is what we would say today.
And it -- there was a Walter Cronkite moment when Walter Cronkite said the administration has been saying we've been making great progress and look what's happened. There was a country wide coordinated, just like this morning, coordinated offensive.
KAGAN: Let's focus on the book here.
MCGOVERN: Sure.
KAGAN: On "Imperial Hubris." And he's not just criticizing the Bush administration. He's doing it on the Clinton administration, as well. And even taking a step back of criticizing the war specifically.
He's saying these two administrations, they just basically don't get it. That it's not about criminality. It's not even about terrorism. This is a worldwide Islamic insurgency. And until the CIA and until these administrations get it, the U.S. is going to lose this fight.
MCGOVERN: Yes. Well, what he's basically saying is that we're treating terrorism as though, well, if you were fighting -- fighting malaria, for example. What you don't do is set up rifleman around the swamp and try to shoot all the mosquitoes as they leave the swap. What you do is you drain the swamp.
And so it is with terrorism. You have to get at the root causes of terrorism, and those are the oppressive regimes that exist, from Saudi Arabia to Israel.
Israeli oppression of the Palestinian brothers. These are things that fuel the terrorism. That and the U.S. occupation of Iraq.
The Institute -- the International Institute of Strategic Studies in London, a big supporter of the war initially, has just reported that there are about 18,000 al Qaeda now in the area and 1,000 within Iraq. The situation that did not exist before we went into war with Iraq.
KAGAN: I can hear supporters of Israel screaming at the screen, "Why aren't you challenging him on making that comment about Israel?"
What you are basically saying is these administrations or what the book is saying, these administrations are not looking at the bigger picture, the huge movement that needs to take place. Sticking small picture instead of big picture.
MCGOVERN: Yes, what he...
KAGAN: Go ahead.
MCGOVERN: What he is saying, really, is that what these Muslims, these Arabs look at every night on TV is Israeli -- is the Israeli army with U.S.-made helicopter gunships and bulldozers and tanks rolling into the West Bank and Gaza.
And that's got have a profound affect, because they blame the U.S. even more than Israel. They can't hate Israel anymore. But right now, they're on their way to identifying us so tightly with Israel that we are destined to be the perpetual enemy.
KAGAN: Let me just ask you in closing this question about just the ethics of somebody who is currently still serving the CIA about writing a book like this. Do you think that that's a good idea?
MCGOVERN: I think it's great idea. And the press is wrong in saying this is unusual or unprecedented.
I have a book that's coming out now and the publication's review board is mindful of the First Amendment. Their view or their task, really, is to review it for classified data and get classified information out of it. But they respect First Amendment, and I think that's much to their credit.
KAGAN: Well, when your book comes out, you'll have to stop by again and we'll talk about that.
MCGOVERN: Thank you.
KAGAN: Ray McGovern, former CIA analyst, thank you for your input today. MCGOVERN: Glad to be with you.
KAGAN: The relationship between the LAPD and the community is already strained in southern California. Images you're about to see are not going to help that relationship. What appears to be another police beating, once again, caught on camera. That story coming up next.
In northern California, juror No. 5 is gone. We'll hear from the man thrown off the Scott Peterson jury, and you'll hear why he thinks the prosecution might be in trouble in making their case.
And later, Ron Reagan unfiltered. The late president's son takes on the Bush administration over an issue he thinks could have saved his father's life.
CNN LIVE TODAY is back after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(STOCK REPORT)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Looks like there's more problems for the Los Angeles Police Department.
Nine officers are being questioned about this apparent beating of an unarmed suspect following a car chase on Wednesday. Some community activists are outraged and Mayor Jim Hahn says it tests any bond of trust the department has managed to build with the community in the wake of earlier incidents.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAYOR JAMES HAHN, LOS ANGELES: I want the kind of investigation that leaves no stone unturned, does not pull any punches, but gets to the bottom of this. And ensures the community and assures the community that LAPD will not tolerate unlawful use of force in any situation here in the community.
NAJEE ALI, PROJECT ISLAMIC HOPE: We're also calling upon an independent investigation by the Justice Department. We cannot have police investigating police. That's why you had the Rampart (ph) scandal. That's why you have police abuse. We want an outside agency to come in and fix the police department.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: Well, it was just last week that the LAPD had implemented reforms after the Justice Department identified a pattern and practice of civil rights violations.
To northern California now. A juror dismissed from the Scott Peterson double murder trial says the judge told him he was a distraction. Attention focused on Justin Falconer last week after television cameras caught him talking to Laci Peterson's brother, Brent Rocha. Peterson is accused of killing his wife, Laci, and their unborn son. He says he's innocent.
Earlier the former juror appeared on CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JUSTIN FALCONER, DISMISSED PETERSON TRIAL JUROR: When the prosecution first sat me down and we before the jury was even taken, and I was in the interviews. The judge, the prosecution, defense, everybody made it very clear that Scott Peterson was innocent until he was proven guilty.
And so, once you get that seed in your head, the way that they pound it into your head, you know, you can't help but feel a little bit sorry for the guy for, you know, having to be there. And, you're just looking forward to getting the information so that you can kind of come up with an opinion in your mind.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: The defense did put in a request for a mistrial. That was rejected.
Well, we all know the story, men are afraid of marriage. Right? Well, maybe not. From good sex to good company, the results and reasons behind a surprising new survey is coming up next.
And Congress comes to Bush. Kerry goes to California. We'll have the day's most complete political wrap-up coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: New study out challenging the stereotype of marriage phobic men. A survey found that men raised in traditional families were more likely to marry, and most who have taken a trip down the aisle say their lives are better.
Ninety-four percent say they are happier than when they were single. Seventy-three percent say the sex is better. And 68 percent say they are more financially stable.
So there you go. Commit, men, commit.
Orelon Sidney is committed to her weather forecast. What do you say? Where do you go with that?
ORELON SIDNEY, CNN METEOROLOGIST: You know what? If he married me, he probably would be more financially stable. To tell you the truth.
KAGAN: And happier, too.
SIDNEY: That's right. That's right. Remember that. KAGAN: Yes.
(WEATHER REPORT)
KAGAN: All right. Orelon, thank you for that.
NASA is about to get a makeover. Up next, Miles O'Brien joins me to talk about those big changes at the space agency. CNN LIVE TODAY is coming right back.
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Aired June 24, 2004 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Let's get started with the next hour of NCN LIVE TODAY. It begins right now.
And here are the latest developments we're following at this hour. President Bush briefed congressional leaders on the transfer of power in Iraq. He met with leaders from both parties at the White House this morning.
Violence is escalating in Iraq less than a week before the scheduled handover. A series of attacks today killed scores of people.
The Supreme Court says that Vice President Dick Cheney does not have to release records from his 2001 energy task force. Two groups sued for access to the secret records. This morning's rulings did not end the legal fight over the documents. The high court sent the case back to a lower court.
Iran has released eight British soldiers, sailors and marines held since Monday. The servicemen were detained after their patrol boat apparently strayed into Iranian waters. Iran had threatened to prosecute the men. They eight have arrived in Tehran and are now in the custody of British diplomats.
You've got spam, and authorities say they have arrested the two men who may be responsible. Authorities have charged an AOL employee with stealing 92 million subscriber screen names and selling them to a Las Vegas man. That man, seen here, is accused of using the list to promote his Internet gambling business and selling it to other spammers.
We are looking at 11 a.m. straight up on the East Coast and 8 a.m. on the West Coast. From CNN Center in Atlanta, I'm Daryn Kagan.
Our top story this morning is out of the Supreme Court. A ruling that directly affects how the executive branch can conduct business. The heart of the decision addresses the confidentiality of Vice President Dick Cheney's energy task force from 2001.
Our Elaine Quijano is at the White House with reaction from there. But we begin with Bob Franken outside the high court for details on the ruling, which was incredibly favorable toward the White House. BOB FRANKEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It was. It was. It was a strong affirmation of the executive branch, the presidency's right to argue that it can be unfettered by the other branches of government, in this particular case, the judicial branch.
However, if you read between the lines of the writing of this, you see that this is not a complete, to use a popular term, slam dunk for the administration.
What the court said is to say that while -- and I'm quoting now from the majority opinion by Justice Kennedy, "public interest requires," he said, "that a coequal branch of government afford presidential confidentiality the greatest protection."
And here's the important thing. "Consistent with the fair administration of justice. Because of the paramount necessity," he went on, "of protecting the executive branch from vexatious litigation that might distract it from its duties." Those are, of course, separation of powers considerations, said the court.
But the court ruled that the case can go back. Inconsistent with this ruling, this case can proceed. It's a case by the Sierra Club demanding the names of people who served on the panel that advised the vice president and, of course, by direction of the president, on energy policy.
So this is not over. Nevertheless, it is still a strong affirmation of the separation of powers that protects the president. And it is a statement that the president must be given every concern, every consideration when it comes to that argument -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Bob Franken at the White House. Or actually, he is at the Supreme Court. Let's now go to the White House. That's where Elaine Quijano is, for reaction to today's ruling -- Elaine.
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn.
Well, officials here at the White House are obviously pleased with this decision. They say, though, they are still getting a chance to review it.
But obviously, on the face of it, as Bob said, quite favorable for the Bush administration, which had maintained all along that the president should be able to receive, quote, "candid and unvarnished advice" from his staff and advisers and that disclosing names would hamper that ability. Now the argument being, of course, that the discussions would not be as frank and open as they otherwise might be.
So again, the White House pleased with this decision, taking a much closer look at it.
By the way, Daryn, the president is set to have his regular weakly lunch with the vice president later today -- Daryn.
KAGAN: And what about the other meeting that we were talking about just a little bit ago, the meeting with the leaders from Congress, Elaine?
QUIJANO: The focus on Iraq, and especially at this critical time. The administration has said all along that the period right before the June 30 deadline, the transfer of sovereignty, would be an important one, that there would be an uptick in violence. We are seeing that now.
This is a chance just to brief the lawmakers on what the situation was on the ground. A chance to update them on what progress is being made in a number of areas -- infrastructure, rebuilding -- as the June 30 deadline moves closer -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Elaine Quijano at the White House. Thank you for that.
And we do focus on Iraq right now.
Insurgents unleashed a deadly attacks. It is only six days before the transfer of power there.
The military wing of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's group has claimed responsibility for the attacks in a statement on an Islamic web site. Iraqi sources say the death toll from the attacks now stands at 92, including three U.S. troops.
In Baqubah, two members of the 1st Infantry Division were killed when their patrol was ambushed. Insurgents also attacked a police station, killing at least four Iraqi officers.
In Mosul, three car bombs exploded, hitting separate targets. Hospital officials say that as many as 65 people were killed there, including a U.S. soldier and seven Iraqi police. Coalition officials reported a lower casualty figure.
And in Ramadi, a rocket-propelled grenade attack reduced the central police station to rubble. Coalition officials said that bodies were being pulled from the debris.
The attacks also spread to the Iraqi capital, where a suicide bomber detonated himself at a checkpoint.
Baghdad bureau chief Jane Arraf joins us with more on this latest wave of bloody violence -- Jane.
JANE ARRAF, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, Iraq's deputy prime minister, Iyad Allawi, blaming some of the violence, in fact, the worst of the violence, three simultaneous -- near simultaneous car bombs in the city of Mosul, north of Iraq, on Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.
He is actually blaming a group affiliated -- believed to be affiliated with Zarqawi, Ansar al-Islam, a group that has normally operated further north in Iraqi Kurdistan.
He says, though, that other attacks, those in cities west of Baghdad and other places, appear to be Iraqi insurgents. He says the attacks are not coordinated. Coalition officials, though, say they must have been required a degree of coordination. This is one of the deadliest days that we have seen since the end of major combat. In terms of the number of attacks, the types of attacks, and the places they're occurring.
We have seen today car bombs, suicide bombs, rocket-propelled grenade attacks on police stations. One of them leveled a police station. And ambushes on U.S. patrols. Less than a week before the handover of sovereignty -- Daryn.
KAGAN: And so Jane, what does this do to just the basics of people trying to go about their daily lives, whether it's going to work or taking care of their children or going to market?
ARRAF: Well, in the places where it's happening, it's certainly affecting it.
In Mosul, for instance, we're now told that local television is declaring that the curfew there has been extended, the curfew that normally runs from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., now beginning at 9 p.m., local residents are being told.
In other places like Baghdad, Daryn, and this is a huge city. We're talking more than five million people here. And it is possible to walk down the street. It's possible to see people going to work, coming back from work now. Even going out shopping as if things were relatively normal.
That's the thing about this sort of violence. You just never know where it's going to strike and when it's going to strike. And that's part of the terrifying aspect of it -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Jane Arraf from Baghdad. Thank you, Jane.
Now on to Turkey, where officials there are vowing for tighter security for President Bush's upcoming visit. That follows a pair of explosions today.
Just a short time ago, a blast aboard an Istanbul bus killed at least five people. Earlier, a small bomb blew up near the Hilton Hotel in Ankara. A policeman and another person were hurt.
The U.S. embassy in the capital could not confirm reports that Mr. Bush will stay at the hotel this weekend. The White House says it believes the attacks were meant to thwart next week's NATO summit in Istanbul but that President Bush will be going to that summit.
The Pentagon denies that Saddam Hussein has been mistreated during his six months in captivity, but a Red Cross document reveals that Hussein did get received an unspecified injury somewhere along the way.
Our Brian Todd has the latest from Washington.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Saddam Hussein has not yet been charged with a crime, his future custody still being worked out. But one of his attorneys accuses the U.S.-led coalition of abusing Saddam in detention.
The lawyer, Muhammad al-Rashdan, has shown CNN a document completed by coalition officials in January, more than a month after Saddam's capture.
The document is a form from the International Committee of the Red Cross. It's been authenticated by the ICRC and includes details of Saddam's physical condition.
The box labeled "good health" is checked, but so is one labeled "slightly wounded." The ICRC says it doesn't know what injuries are referred to or whether they were sustained at the time of Saddam's arrest or later.
But Saddam's attorney, Muhammad al-Rashdan, asks, "Why would he be slightly wounded a month after his arrest?" And continues, quote, "He's being abused just like the prisoners of Abu Ghraib were abused."
But Muhammad al-Rashdan offers no proof of mistreatment, and he has never met with Saddam in person or even spoken to him.
Coalition officials issued this rebuttal.
BRIG. GEN. MARK KIMMITT, U.S. ARMY: Saddam Hussein is being treated in accordance with the Geneva Conventions. He is being treated with dignity and respect by the coalition forces. And we will continue to do that, even though there's a tremendous irony. This is the man who is responsible for killing hundreds of thousands of his own countrymen.
TODD: The attorney showed CNN a portion of the Red Cross form labeled "family message." In this section, a letter from Saddam to his daughter, Raghad. Most of the text is blacked out. It's unclear if that was done before or at the letter was sent.
Saddam writes, "As far as my soul and my morale, they are twinkling in the great Lord's blessing. My regards to everybody. Signed Saddam Hussein."
And on the part of the form asking the detainee to list occupation, Saddam writes, "republic's president."
(on camera): And a possible hint of Saddam's future legal strategy. In the view of this one attorney of his, Muhammad al- Rashdan, the American invasion of Iraq was illegal. Rashdan tells CNN everything that came after the invasion is, quote, "null and void."
Brian Todd, CNN, Washington.
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KAGAN: The political handover in Iraq is less than a week away. In preparation, CNN will host live town hall events today and tomorrow. Today's special comes up in about two hours. It examines the European perspective. Tomorrow at the same time, what Americans have to say about that.
The clock is ticking on a Saudi deadline for terrorists to turn themselves in or face the full might of their government. Crown Prince Abdullah announced a one-month amnesty period yesterday. You saw it live here on this program. He was doing it on behalf of his brother, King Fahd.
Earlier on CNN, a former U.S. ambassador to the region discussed the goal of the Saudi crackdown.
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THEODORE KATTOUF, FORMER AMBASSADOR TO SYRIA AND UAE: They're trying to get the foot soldiers, if you will, of al Qaeda on the Arabian Peninsula to come -- to give themselves up. People who don't have, as the Israelis might say, blood on their hands. To give themselves up.
That doesn't mean, in my opinion, that these guys will be totally let off. But they'll -- their treatment will probably be lenient.
I think they know the hard core are not going to be turning themselves in. It's they who they're trying to isolate. It's they who they're trying to collect intelligence on. And it's those people that they hope that the Saudi populace will blame for any violence that follows.
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KAGAN: Saudi Arabia's police minister today urged militants to accept the amnesty offer.
If terrorism has you laying awake at night, an upcoming book on the subject probably is not going to help that. It's called "Imperial Hubris." It is said to be written by an active senior CIA official. The author known only as anonymous pulls no punches in presenting the book's dark thesis. It says that the Bush administration is losing the war on terror.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think there's a certain amount of what can guys with turbans squatting in the desert do to the United States of America? I think we've just grossly underestimated this threat. And I think there's no more -- there's no more perfect validation of that contention was -- than the fact that we went to a war in Iraq.
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KAGAN: "Imperial Hubris" won't be released until August, but already, it is a hot topic. Former CIA analyst Ray McGovern joins us to talk about that.
Ray, good morning. Thanks for being here with us.
RAY MCGOVERN, FORMER CIA ANALYST: Good morning.
KAGAN: First let's talk about the idea of anonymous. We know that it's a 22-year veteran still serving on the senior counterterrorism post and that he headed the bin Laden station from '96 to '99. I've got to think that narrow the field pretty well.
MCGOVERN: You mean from Mike Lanu (ph)?
KAGAN: Well, I don't know exactly the name. But I would think anybody within that community would know who it was.
MCGOVERN: Yes. They know who it is, and he reflects very widely the views of the substance of analysts within the CIA.
His most important observation is that there's nothing that Osama bin Laden could have hoped for more than an American invasion of Iraq and an occupation of Iraq. And I think this morning is the proof of the pudding here.
KAGAN: When you look at the number of attacks across Iraq?
MCGOVERN: Three hundred casualties. We have Mosul, Baghdad, Baqubah, Ramadi, Fallujah. Those are the ones we know about. Almost 100 already confirmed killed, 233 injured.
It reminds me of Vietnam. And I don't know how many of your viewers would remember Vietnam. But there was a Tet Offensive that was in January and February of '68, and it turned the tide. It was the tipping point is what we would say today.
And it -- there was a Walter Cronkite moment when Walter Cronkite said the administration has been saying we've been making great progress and look what's happened. There was a country wide coordinated, just like this morning, coordinated offensive.
KAGAN: Let's focus on the book here.
MCGOVERN: Sure.
KAGAN: On "Imperial Hubris." And he's not just criticizing the Bush administration. He's doing it on the Clinton administration, as well. And even taking a step back of criticizing the war specifically.
He's saying these two administrations, they just basically don't get it. That it's not about criminality. It's not even about terrorism. This is a worldwide Islamic insurgency. And until the CIA and until these administrations get it, the U.S. is going to lose this fight.
MCGOVERN: Yes. Well, what he's basically saying is that we're treating terrorism as though, well, if you were fighting -- fighting malaria, for example. What you don't do is set up rifleman around the swamp and try to shoot all the mosquitoes as they leave the swap. What you do is you drain the swamp.
And so it is with terrorism. You have to get at the root causes of terrorism, and those are the oppressive regimes that exist, from Saudi Arabia to Israel.
Israeli oppression of the Palestinian brothers. These are things that fuel the terrorism. That and the U.S. occupation of Iraq.
The Institute -- the International Institute of Strategic Studies in London, a big supporter of the war initially, has just reported that there are about 18,000 al Qaeda now in the area and 1,000 within Iraq. The situation that did not exist before we went into war with Iraq.
KAGAN: I can hear supporters of Israel screaming at the screen, "Why aren't you challenging him on making that comment about Israel?"
What you are basically saying is these administrations or what the book is saying, these administrations are not looking at the bigger picture, the huge movement that needs to take place. Sticking small picture instead of big picture.
MCGOVERN: Yes, what he...
KAGAN: Go ahead.
MCGOVERN: What he is saying, really, is that what these Muslims, these Arabs look at every night on TV is Israeli -- is the Israeli army with U.S.-made helicopter gunships and bulldozers and tanks rolling into the West Bank and Gaza.
And that's got have a profound affect, because they blame the U.S. even more than Israel. They can't hate Israel anymore. But right now, they're on their way to identifying us so tightly with Israel that we are destined to be the perpetual enemy.
KAGAN: Let me just ask you in closing this question about just the ethics of somebody who is currently still serving the CIA about writing a book like this. Do you think that that's a good idea?
MCGOVERN: I think it's great idea. And the press is wrong in saying this is unusual or unprecedented.
I have a book that's coming out now and the publication's review board is mindful of the First Amendment. Their view or their task, really, is to review it for classified data and get classified information out of it. But they respect First Amendment, and I think that's much to their credit.
KAGAN: Well, when your book comes out, you'll have to stop by again and we'll talk about that.
MCGOVERN: Thank you.
KAGAN: Ray McGovern, former CIA analyst, thank you for your input today. MCGOVERN: Glad to be with you.
KAGAN: The relationship between the LAPD and the community is already strained in southern California. Images you're about to see are not going to help that relationship. What appears to be another police beating, once again, caught on camera. That story coming up next.
In northern California, juror No. 5 is gone. We'll hear from the man thrown off the Scott Peterson jury, and you'll hear why he thinks the prosecution might be in trouble in making their case.
And later, Ron Reagan unfiltered. The late president's son takes on the Bush administration over an issue he thinks could have saved his father's life.
CNN LIVE TODAY is back after this.
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(STOCK REPORT)
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KAGAN: Looks like there's more problems for the Los Angeles Police Department.
Nine officers are being questioned about this apparent beating of an unarmed suspect following a car chase on Wednesday. Some community activists are outraged and Mayor Jim Hahn says it tests any bond of trust the department has managed to build with the community in the wake of earlier incidents.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAYOR JAMES HAHN, LOS ANGELES: I want the kind of investigation that leaves no stone unturned, does not pull any punches, but gets to the bottom of this. And ensures the community and assures the community that LAPD will not tolerate unlawful use of force in any situation here in the community.
NAJEE ALI, PROJECT ISLAMIC HOPE: We're also calling upon an independent investigation by the Justice Department. We cannot have police investigating police. That's why you had the Rampart (ph) scandal. That's why you have police abuse. We want an outside agency to come in and fix the police department.
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KAGAN: Well, it was just last week that the LAPD had implemented reforms after the Justice Department identified a pattern and practice of civil rights violations.
To northern California now. A juror dismissed from the Scott Peterson double murder trial says the judge told him he was a distraction. Attention focused on Justin Falconer last week after television cameras caught him talking to Laci Peterson's brother, Brent Rocha. Peterson is accused of killing his wife, Laci, and their unborn son. He says he's innocent.
Earlier the former juror appeared on CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING."
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JUSTIN FALCONER, DISMISSED PETERSON TRIAL JUROR: When the prosecution first sat me down and we before the jury was even taken, and I was in the interviews. The judge, the prosecution, defense, everybody made it very clear that Scott Peterson was innocent until he was proven guilty.
And so, once you get that seed in your head, the way that they pound it into your head, you know, you can't help but feel a little bit sorry for the guy for, you know, having to be there. And, you're just looking forward to getting the information so that you can kind of come up with an opinion in your mind.
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KAGAN: The defense did put in a request for a mistrial. That was rejected.
Well, we all know the story, men are afraid of marriage. Right? Well, maybe not. From good sex to good company, the results and reasons behind a surprising new survey is coming up next.
And Congress comes to Bush. Kerry goes to California. We'll have the day's most complete political wrap-up coming up.
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KAGAN: New study out challenging the stereotype of marriage phobic men. A survey found that men raised in traditional families were more likely to marry, and most who have taken a trip down the aisle say their lives are better.
Ninety-four percent say they are happier than when they were single. Seventy-three percent say the sex is better. And 68 percent say they are more financially stable.
So there you go. Commit, men, commit.
Orelon Sidney is committed to her weather forecast. What do you say? Where do you go with that?
ORELON SIDNEY, CNN METEOROLOGIST: You know what? If he married me, he probably would be more financially stable. To tell you the truth.
KAGAN: And happier, too.
SIDNEY: That's right. That's right. Remember that. KAGAN: Yes.
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KAGAN: All right. Orelon, thank you for that.
NASA is about to get a makeover. Up next, Miles O'Brien joins me to talk about those big changes at the space agency. CNN LIVE TODAY is coming right back.
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