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CNN Live Today

Iraqis Set to Take Over Legal Custody of Saddam Hussein; President Bush Heading Home From NATO Summit

Aired June 29, 2004 - 10:00   ET

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

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


BETTY NGUYEN, CO-HOST: And good morning everyone. From the CNN headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Betty Nguyen in for Daryn Kagan today.
Iraqi authorities announce arrest warrants for Saddam Hussein, former Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz and 10 other members of the former Iraqi regime. Iraq's new government is set to take over legal custody of the 12 tomorrow. And they're expected to face charges this week. However, all 12 will physically remain in coalition military custody.

Three former Turkish hostages in Iraq are heading home. The Turks had been threatened with beheadings, unless Turkish companies stopped doing business with the U.S. military in Iraq. Now they've told their government that they've been freed. The extremist group that had been holding them says they were released for, quote, "The sake of their Muslim brothers."

New violence in Iraq. Three Marines are dead. U.S. Marines, two are hurt after a roadside bomb attack in east Baghdad. Officials say an improvised explosive device hit the lead vehicle of a Marine convoy. These are the first U.S. fatalities since yesterday's transfer of power.

And Colin Powell visits Sudan today, the highest U.S. level visit in over 20 years. The secretary of state will press the Sudanese government to intervene in what's being called the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Officials say up to a million African refugees could die this year, due to government supported ethnic cleansing.

Live this hour, John Kerry has a plan to increase the number of college graduates, especially minority students. The presumptive Democratic presidential candidate will unveil that plan at a speech at the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition in Chicago.

Saddam Hussein gets closer to a day in court. The Iraqis are set to take over legal custody of the former dictator. We take you live to CNN's Anderson Cooper in Baghdad with the story.

Good morning, Anderson.

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Betty. It has been months, really, since Saddam Hussein was captured, that the world has gotten a chance to see the deposed dictator. That will change on Thursday. A perp walk essentially, Saddam Hussein will be brought to an Iraqi courtroom to a special Iraqi tribunal. Legal custody, as you mentioned earlier, will be handed over tomorrow. And what we learned today is that Saddam Hussein will be afforded rights familiar to many Americans. The right to legal representation, the right to free legal representation if he can't afford it. And even the right to represent himself. Now, we learned all of this in a press conference earlier today, given by Iraq's new Prime Minister Iyad Allawi. Let's listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

IYAD ALLAWI, INTERIM PRESIDENT, IRAQ (through translator): This government has formally requested the transfer of the most notorious and high profile detainees to Iraqi legal custody. Saddam Hussein, along with up to 11 other high-valued detainees will be transferred to the legal custody of the -- of Iraq tomorrow, and will be charged before an Iraqi investigative judge on the following day.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COOPER: Well, the other name there you might be familiar with among those 11. Tariq Aziz, a man we saw an awful lot over the years, under Saddam Hussein.

Important point to mention, however, legal custody now given to the Iraqis, but physical custody is going to remain with the coalition, in particular, with U.S. troops. He will be handed over on Thursday in some sort of ceremony, as he's going to court to some Iraqi officials, to Iraqi security services. But he will at the end of that court appearance, at some point, be handed back to U.S. personnel. And that is where he will remain for security reasons, until the Iraqis are up to speed and are able to provide security for Saddam Hussein. And make sure that no one breaks him out before he can face justice -- Betty.

NGUYEN: Anderson, we also learned today that three Turkish hostages have been set free. What led to that release?

COOPER: We don't know the details of that at this point. It is some rare good news in hostage taking. All too often, of course, we have seen those end very badly, the hostages being killed. What we do know is this, that the Turkish -- three Turkish workers who were held hostage for several days now, called up their Turkish representative, said they had been freed by their kidnappers and are on their way home to Turkey.

We're trying to find out details exactly how they were released, why they were released. But at this point we really don't though. It is a very still much a developing story -- Betty.

NGUYEN: CNN's Anderson Cooper in Baghdad. Thank you.

President Bush is heading home from the NATO summit after ending his visit with the plug for democracy. CNN's Robin Oakley has been covering the summit in Istanbul, Turkey and joins us now.

Good morning, Robin. ROBIN OAKLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Morning, Betty. Well, President Bush didn't get everything he wanted from this NATO summit. He would like to have seen the NATO leaders agree to NATO forces going into Iraq to help with counter-insurgency. Those hopes disappeared a while ago. He's had a compromise on the agreement that they will simply help the Iraqi government with training. And there's still disagreement on that as to how much of that training will be in Iraq, how much of it will be outside.

But President Bush clearly hopes that a bad chapter has ended, and a good chapter has opened. And he hailed what had happened in Iraq this week, really, as a great advance for democracy.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: In just 15 months, the Iraqi people have left behind one of the worst regimes in the Middle East. And their country is becoming the world's newest democracy. The world has seen a great event in the history of Iraq, in the history of the Middle East and in the history of liberty.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

OAKLEY: Mr. Bush is still continuing to push the theme of greater democracy in the wider Middle East. And he said that the advance of democracy had brought peace in Europe, the advance of democracy in the Middle East could bring peace there as well. But he was a little bit more careful about the way he pushed the democracy theme. He said that there was no -- going to be no attempt to impose a blueprint, that it was going to be the people's choice. But he warned even America's friends in the region, that they had to accept the idea that the rule of free peoples was coming.

Mr. Bush also took some time out for another controversy, again saying that Turkey should be admitted to the European Union. As a member of the E.U., he said that would show that the E.U. was not a single religion club. But of course, some E.U. leaders are objecting to him interfering, as they see it, in their affairs. President Jacques Chirac of France say that the Europeans don't go around telling the Americans what kind of relationship they should have with Mexico. So he's still courting controversy there -- Betty.

NGUYEN: Robin, we're going to shift gears a little bit. Earlier we heard about a small explosion aboard a Turkish airliner. What do you know about that?

OAKLEY: Yes, this was a pretty small affair by all accounts. It was a Turkish Airlines plane coming in from the provincial city, port city of Izmia. And after the passengers had disembarked and got into the terminal, three cleaners went onboard the aircraft. And one of them picked up a wallet, which seems to have had some plastic explosive in it. Which exploded and the one cleaner lost a finger. The other two cleaners had minor injuries. But of course, the passengers were all safely off. And there didn't appear to be any damage to the plane itself. But this did happen at the airport just a few hours before the NATO leaders were due to depart. And not very long before Donald Rumsfeld, the secretary for defense was departing from the same airport -- Betty.

NGUYEN: Robin Oakley in Istanbul, thank you.

Al Jazeera reports a group of militants is claiming it has killed an American soldier. Specialist Matt Maupin was kidnap two months ago in Iraq.

CNN's Keith Oppenheim is in Maupin's hometown of Union Township, Ohio.

Good morning to you, Keith. A difficult day.

KEITH OPPENHEIM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, a really an anxious morning for the Maupin family. That family lives on this street in Union Township, Betty. And they were aware of this videotape a day ago, a videotape that shows an execution. An execution of what appears to be a male hostage, his back to the camera, and he is shot in the head on this video. And the question today is whether or not that person who was killed is Matt Maupin or not.

Al Jazeera, the Arab language network, aired a portion of the tape. Not the execution itself. And they've reported that a group of militants claimed responsibility. And that the person killed, the soldier killed was Matt Maupin. Maupin, as you may recall, was shown in another video back in April. He was held as a hostage in the video. He is sitting under his captors. But in this most recent video, Army officials emphasize that nothing so far is conclusive.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MAJ. WILLIE HARRIS, SPOKESMAN, U.S. ARMY: It has been substantiated that a videotape does exist, and the Department of Defense is currently at this time looking at the videotape, trying to examine it. There's no indication thus far that that tape contains footage of Matt Maupin, or any other Army soldier.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

OPPENHEIM: Betty, I can't emphasize enough how the community here is responding. It's been a very emotional and intense support of the family. There are signs, yellow ribbons. Yesterday, there were a couple of vigils, all calling for Matt Maupin's safe return. He was captured 81 days ago when his fuel convoy was attacked just outside of Baghdad. And I should note that in a couple of weeks, it would be Matt Maupin's 21-birthday. So again, a very tough time for his family members, as they wait for some confirmation, as to whether or not Specialist Matt Maupin is alive or dead -- Betty.

NGUYEN: Keith Oppenheim in Ohio, thank you.

U.S. military officials say they cannot confirm whether another missing serviceman has been captured. A man identified as Corporal Wassef Hassoun appeared with armed men on a videotape, aired by al Jazeera on Sunday. In an interview from his hometown in Lebanon, Hassoun's father pleaded for his son's safe release. Hassoun, a translator for the Marines, was reported missing nine days ago.

I want to bring you this information. The Supreme Court has just announced a decision on the Internet pornography case. CNN's Bob Franken is in Washington with the ruling.

Good morning to you, Bob.

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Betty. And it's a story that's been repeated before. In fact, this is the third time that versions of the congressionally passed Child Online Pornography Act has been rejected by the Supreme Court. This was a 5- 4 decision, the opinion being written by Anthony Kennedy. He says the purpose of the test that would decide whether these is overly broad, overly vague prohibitions against what is indecent.

It's up to the government to restrict, quote, "no further than necessary the Congress's goal. The government," said Kennedy, "has not met its burden." It's possible he went on to say that filtering software might be more effective. He also said that a serious flaw is the Internet's development. That it is so technological, it develops at such a rapid pace, that this legislation really does not keep up. Now, the administration had favored this legislation, as it had the others that had been passed by Congress. An effort to get some sort of control to objectionable material on the Internet.

The question is, objectionable to whom. And in the particular legislation, they were going to rely on that old standby, contemporary community standards. But the question becomes, what community and Internet that is of course in every community. The justices once again have ruled that this is not a constitutional way to stop online indecency. That it has to go back to the other courts for considerations, or the Congress has to pass more acceptable legislation -- Betty.

NGUYEN: Wow. The justices have been busy these last couple of days. Is this the last big decision before they recess for the summer?

FRANKEN: It is. And of course, the one thing we always listen for right now is resignations. I have just been told that the justices have recessed for the summer. No resignations. Not a surprise in an election year. So yes, their business is done.

And of course, this term will be remembered more than anything for the historical decisions that were made yesterday about: separation of powers, cutting back on the administration's ability to conduct its war on terrorism without being answerable to the courts -- Betty.

NGUYEN: Indeed, the talk will continue on those decisions. CNN's Bob Franken, thank you.

Well, straight ahead on CNN live today, a dangerous pattern borne of hatred for America. Who are the people behind the deadly kidnappings in Iraq?

Also, secrets in the Kobe Bryant case revealed. But it's all a big mistake. We'll explain.

And later...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

Who is just so unpatriotic that they would actually go out of their way to rip off a yellow ribbon?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: Yellow ribbons for troops serving in Iraq. But the thief isn't who you think it might be. You'll want to stay with us for the answer to this mystery.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Here's what's on the docket today in our "Legal Briefs."

In California, the lead detective on the Laci Peterson case will spend a fourth day on the stands. Modesto police officer, Alan Brochinni faces another round of tough questions from defense attorneys. Yesterday, the judge reprimanded the police department for violating a gag order, when they publicly criticized the defense.

Also in California, prosecutors in a gang rape trial hope to unlock a dead lock, after a judge declared a mistrial. They're considering whether to retry three teenagers accused in the videotaped sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl. A judge declared a mistrial after jurors indicated that they were hopelessly deadlocked on all 24 counts in that case.

And in the Kobe Bryant case, members of the media are mounting a First Amendment fight for access to some sealed documents. Several news organizations accidentally received closed courtroom transcripts from a court reporter last week. The judge has threatened contempt if any of the information is published. It includes answers from Bryant's accuser about her sexual past.

Another issue sparking some legal debate, the new Trusted Traveler program being rolled out by the Transportation Security Administration. While some hope it's an idea that takes flight, others say it's an invasion of privacy that should be grounded.

CNN's Chris Lawrence reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Between the hand checks and bag searches, frequent fliers never know how long they'll wait in security lines.

CHARLIE ZELLE, FREQUENT FLIER: Tuesday, it took five minutes and Wednesday it took 90 minutes. LAWRENCE: That could be the reason hundreds accepted an invitation to apply for the new Registered Traveler program, now being tested by the TSA.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What it's going to do is it's going to take three scans of each index finger.

LAWRENCE: Like Lori Stopperan, they try about once a week and don't mind giving fingerprints and optical scans to avoid tighter screening.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's going to take one more verification.

LAWRENCE: They'll still have to pass through metal detectors. But in a special lane at one of the checkpoints.

GARY FISHMAN, NORTHWEST AIRLINES: Why do you have to put them through the same level of scrutiny at the airport, as someone you know nothing about?

LAWRENCE: They won't be pulled out of line for flying one way, or random screening. And that's just the beginning.

JIM WELLNA, DEPUTY DIR., TSA: Eventually we hope to be able to add some things, like not perhaps having to take your laptop out of your bag. Not having to take your shoes off, or having to take your coat off. We're going to build and learn.

LAWRENCE: If it works, the program could go national. But its potential is the problem for some privacy advocates.

JAY STANLEY, ACLU: Whenever you put the government into the role of judging American citizens, and making judgments about who's trusted and who's not, that raises serious questions, because that's really an unprecedented thing for the government to do.

LAWRENCE: But one that some frequent fliers are comfortable with.

LORI STOPPERAN, FREQUENT FLIER: Especially on heavy travel days, like the weekends, you'll be way with it.

LAWRENCE: The TSA's Trusted Traveler begins flying next week in Minnesota. And over the next few weeks: Boston, Houston, Washington and L.A.

Chris Lawrence, CNN, Bloomington, Minnesota.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: Well, we've all seen the chilling pictures, kidnappers behind masks, the hostage's life threatened. Who is behind this latest terror tactic? We'll take a closer look.

And amazing video of a wildfire down south. We'll show you more and check out your forecast. That's next. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: In Florida, where there's smoke, surely there's fire. Amazing pictures here from Royal Palm Beach. Officials are investigating the cause of this raging fire that leapt across treetops and scorched 75 acres. As firefighters use heavy equipment to douse the blaze, residents had to use garden hoses and sprinklers to fend off the flames. Though no homes suffered significant damage, a number of local residents had to be evacuated.

Iraqi justice, there's a new warrant out for Saddam Hussein. We've got the latest legal wranglings for the former Iraqi leader. That's coming up.

Also, he knows how to throw the brush back, but he's really a good guy. Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling is in New York for a special honor. And he's my special guest next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Welcome back. Let's check the top stories at this hour.

Iraqi Prime Minister Allawi says his government will take over legal custody of Saddam Hussein, and as many as 11 other former regime officials. That happens tomorrow. Mr. Allawi says the former dictator and the other high-value detainees will appear before an Iraqi judge on Thursday. Saddam will remain in coalition military custody for not -- now.

In a speech before leaving Istanbul, Turkey today, President Bush called for democratic reforms across the Middle East. The president added that democracy doesn't carry with it the worst aspects of western culture. Mr. Bush also called on the European Union to accept Turkey as a member. The president's speech came at the end of the NATO summit.

Independent presidential candidate, Ralph Nader is trying this hour to attract the Muslim vote in the upcoming election. He is before an American Islamic relations group, which is releasing results of a new survey on Capitol Hill. That survey focuses on which candidate and political party speaks best to American Muslims.

Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin has won re-election. But his liberal party failed to win an outright majority in the House of Commons. Conservative parties, united for the first time in 11 years, increased their share of the seats in Parliament.

With dozens of abduction in Iraq in the last couple of months, it may seem difficult to keep track of the terror groups involved.

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Aired June 29, 2004 - 10:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BETTY NGUYEN, CO-HOST: And good morning everyone. From the CNN headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Betty Nguyen in for Daryn Kagan today.
Iraqi authorities announce arrest warrants for Saddam Hussein, former Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz and 10 other members of the former Iraqi regime. Iraq's new government is set to take over legal custody of the 12 tomorrow. And they're expected to face charges this week. However, all 12 will physically remain in coalition military custody.

Three former Turkish hostages in Iraq are heading home. The Turks had been threatened with beheadings, unless Turkish companies stopped doing business with the U.S. military in Iraq. Now they've told their government that they've been freed. The extremist group that had been holding them says they were released for, quote, "The sake of their Muslim brothers."

New violence in Iraq. Three Marines are dead. U.S. Marines, two are hurt after a roadside bomb attack in east Baghdad. Officials say an improvised explosive device hit the lead vehicle of a Marine convoy. These are the first U.S. fatalities since yesterday's transfer of power.

And Colin Powell visits Sudan today, the highest U.S. level visit in over 20 years. The secretary of state will press the Sudanese government to intervene in what's being called the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Officials say up to a million African refugees could die this year, due to government supported ethnic cleansing.

Live this hour, John Kerry has a plan to increase the number of college graduates, especially minority students. The presumptive Democratic presidential candidate will unveil that plan at a speech at the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition in Chicago.

Saddam Hussein gets closer to a day in court. The Iraqis are set to take over legal custody of the former dictator. We take you live to CNN's Anderson Cooper in Baghdad with the story.

Good morning, Anderson.

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Betty. It has been months, really, since Saddam Hussein was captured, that the world has gotten a chance to see the deposed dictator. That will change on Thursday. A perp walk essentially, Saddam Hussein will be brought to an Iraqi courtroom to a special Iraqi tribunal. Legal custody, as you mentioned earlier, will be handed over tomorrow. And what we learned today is that Saddam Hussein will be afforded rights familiar to many Americans. The right to legal representation, the right to free legal representation if he can't afford it. And even the right to represent himself. Now, we learned all of this in a press conference earlier today, given by Iraq's new Prime Minister Iyad Allawi. Let's listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

IYAD ALLAWI, INTERIM PRESIDENT, IRAQ (through translator): This government has formally requested the transfer of the most notorious and high profile detainees to Iraqi legal custody. Saddam Hussein, along with up to 11 other high-valued detainees will be transferred to the legal custody of the -- of Iraq tomorrow, and will be charged before an Iraqi investigative judge on the following day.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COOPER: Well, the other name there you might be familiar with among those 11. Tariq Aziz, a man we saw an awful lot over the years, under Saddam Hussein.

Important point to mention, however, legal custody now given to the Iraqis, but physical custody is going to remain with the coalition, in particular, with U.S. troops. He will be handed over on Thursday in some sort of ceremony, as he's going to court to some Iraqi officials, to Iraqi security services. But he will at the end of that court appearance, at some point, be handed back to U.S. personnel. And that is where he will remain for security reasons, until the Iraqis are up to speed and are able to provide security for Saddam Hussein. And make sure that no one breaks him out before he can face justice -- Betty.

NGUYEN: Anderson, we also learned today that three Turkish hostages have been set free. What led to that release?

COOPER: We don't know the details of that at this point. It is some rare good news in hostage taking. All too often, of course, we have seen those end very badly, the hostages being killed. What we do know is this, that the Turkish -- three Turkish workers who were held hostage for several days now, called up their Turkish representative, said they had been freed by their kidnappers and are on their way home to Turkey.

We're trying to find out details exactly how they were released, why they were released. But at this point we really don't though. It is a very still much a developing story -- Betty.

NGUYEN: CNN's Anderson Cooper in Baghdad. Thank you.

President Bush is heading home from the NATO summit after ending his visit with the plug for democracy. CNN's Robin Oakley has been covering the summit in Istanbul, Turkey and joins us now.

Good morning, Robin. ROBIN OAKLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Morning, Betty. Well, President Bush didn't get everything he wanted from this NATO summit. He would like to have seen the NATO leaders agree to NATO forces going into Iraq to help with counter-insurgency. Those hopes disappeared a while ago. He's had a compromise on the agreement that they will simply help the Iraqi government with training. And there's still disagreement on that as to how much of that training will be in Iraq, how much of it will be outside.

But President Bush clearly hopes that a bad chapter has ended, and a good chapter has opened. And he hailed what had happened in Iraq this week, really, as a great advance for democracy.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: In just 15 months, the Iraqi people have left behind one of the worst regimes in the Middle East. And their country is becoming the world's newest democracy. The world has seen a great event in the history of Iraq, in the history of the Middle East and in the history of liberty.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

OAKLEY: Mr. Bush is still continuing to push the theme of greater democracy in the wider Middle East. And he said that the advance of democracy had brought peace in Europe, the advance of democracy in the Middle East could bring peace there as well. But he was a little bit more careful about the way he pushed the democracy theme. He said that there was no -- going to be no attempt to impose a blueprint, that it was going to be the people's choice. But he warned even America's friends in the region, that they had to accept the idea that the rule of free peoples was coming.

Mr. Bush also took some time out for another controversy, again saying that Turkey should be admitted to the European Union. As a member of the E.U., he said that would show that the E.U. was not a single religion club. But of course, some E.U. leaders are objecting to him interfering, as they see it, in their affairs. President Jacques Chirac of France say that the Europeans don't go around telling the Americans what kind of relationship they should have with Mexico. So he's still courting controversy there -- Betty.

NGUYEN: Robin, we're going to shift gears a little bit. Earlier we heard about a small explosion aboard a Turkish airliner. What do you know about that?

OAKLEY: Yes, this was a pretty small affair by all accounts. It was a Turkish Airlines plane coming in from the provincial city, port city of Izmia. And after the passengers had disembarked and got into the terminal, three cleaners went onboard the aircraft. And one of them picked up a wallet, which seems to have had some plastic explosive in it. Which exploded and the one cleaner lost a finger. The other two cleaners had minor injuries. But of course, the passengers were all safely off. And there didn't appear to be any damage to the plane itself. But this did happen at the airport just a few hours before the NATO leaders were due to depart. And not very long before Donald Rumsfeld, the secretary for defense was departing from the same airport -- Betty.

NGUYEN: Robin Oakley in Istanbul, thank you.

Al Jazeera reports a group of militants is claiming it has killed an American soldier. Specialist Matt Maupin was kidnap two months ago in Iraq.

CNN's Keith Oppenheim is in Maupin's hometown of Union Township, Ohio.

Good morning to you, Keith. A difficult day.

KEITH OPPENHEIM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, a really an anxious morning for the Maupin family. That family lives on this street in Union Township, Betty. And they were aware of this videotape a day ago, a videotape that shows an execution. An execution of what appears to be a male hostage, his back to the camera, and he is shot in the head on this video. And the question today is whether or not that person who was killed is Matt Maupin or not.

Al Jazeera, the Arab language network, aired a portion of the tape. Not the execution itself. And they've reported that a group of militants claimed responsibility. And that the person killed, the soldier killed was Matt Maupin. Maupin, as you may recall, was shown in another video back in April. He was held as a hostage in the video. He is sitting under his captors. But in this most recent video, Army officials emphasize that nothing so far is conclusive.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MAJ. WILLIE HARRIS, SPOKESMAN, U.S. ARMY: It has been substantiated that a videotape does exist, and the Department of Defense is currently at this time looking at the videotape, trying to examine it. There's no indication thus far that that tape contains footage of Matt Maupin, or any other Army soldier.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

OPPENHEIM: Betty, I can't emphasize enough how the community here is responding. It's been a very emotional and intense support of the family. There are signs, yellow ribbons. Yesterday, there were a couple of vigils, all calling for Matt Maupin's safe return. He was captured 81 days ago when his fuel convoy was attacked just outside of Baghdad. And I should note that in a couple of weeks, it would be Matt Maupin's 21-birthday. So again, a very tough time for his family members, as they wait for some confirmation, as to whether or not Specialist Matt Maupin is alive or dead -- Betty.

NGUYEN: Keith Oppenheim in Ohio, thank you.

U.S. military officials say they cannot confirm whether another missing serviceman has been captured. A man identified as Corporal Wassef Hassoun appeared with armed men on a videotape, aired by al Jazeera on Sunday. In an interview from his hometown in Lebanon, Hassoun's father pleaded for his son's safe release. Hassoun, a translator for the Marines, was reported missing nine days ago.

I want to bring you this information. The Supreme Court has just announced a decision on the Internet pornography case. CNN's Bob Franken is in Washington with the ruling.

Good morning to you, Bob.

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Betty. And it's a story that's been repeated before. In fact, this is the third time that versions of the congressionally passed Child Online Pornography Act has been rejected by the Supreme Court. This was a 5- 4 decision, the opinion being written by Anthony Kennedy. He says the purpose of the test that would decide whether these is overly broad, overly vague prohibitions against what is indecent.

It's up to the government to restrict, quote, "no further than necessary the Congress's goal. The government," said Kennedy, "has not met its burden." It's possible he went on to say that filtering software might be more effective. He also said that a serious flaw is the Internet's development. That it is so technological, it develops at such a rapid pace, that this legislation really does not keep up. Now, the administration had favored this legislation, as it had the others that had been passed by Congress. An effort to get some sort of control to objectionable material on the Internet.

The question is, objectionable to whom. And in the particular legislation, they were going to rely on that old standby, contemporary community standards. But the question becomes, what community and Internet that is of course in every community. The justices once again have ruled that this is not a constitutional way to stop online indecency. That it has to go back to the other courts for considerations, or the Congress has to pass more acceptable legislation -- Betty.

NGUYEN: Wow. The justices have been busy these last couple of days. Is this the last big decision before they recess for the summer?

FRANKEN: It is. And of course, the one thing we always listen for right now is resignations. I have just been told that the justices have recessed for the summer. No resignations. Not a surprise in an election year. So yes, their business is done.

And of course, this term will be remembered more than anything for the historical decisions that were made yesterday about: separation of powers, cutting back on the administration's ability to conduct its war on terrorism without being answerable to the courts -- Betty.

NGUYEN: Indeed, the talk will continue on those decisions. CNN's Bob Franken, thank you.

Well, straight ahead on CNN live today, a dangerous pattern borne of hatred for America. Who are the people behind the deadly kidnappings in Iraq?

Also, secrets in the Kobe Bryant case revealed. But it's all a big mistake. We'll explain.

And later...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

Who is just so unpatriotic that they would actually go out of their way to rip off a yellow ribbon?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: Yellow ribbons for troops serving in Iraq. But the thief isn't who you think it might be. You'll want to stay with us for the answer to this mystery.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Here's what's on the docket today in our "Legal Briefs."

In California, the lead detective on the Laci Peterson case will spend a fourth day on the stands. Modesto police officer, Alan Brochinni faces another round of tough questions from defense attorneys. Yesterday, the judge reprimanded the police department for violating a gag order, when they publicly criticized the defense.

Also in California, prosecutors in a gang rape trial hope to unlock a dead lock, after a judge declared a mistrial. They're considering whether to retry three teenagers accused in the videotaped sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl. A judge declared a mistrial after jurors indicated that they were hopelessly deadlocked on all 24 counts in that case.

And in the Kobe Bryant case, members of the media are mounting a First Amendment fight for access to some sealed documents. Several news organizations accidentally received closed courtroom transcripts from a court reporter last week. The judge has threatened contempt if any of the information is published. It includes answers from Bryant's accuser about her sexual past.

Another issue sparking some legal debate, the new Trusted Traveler program being rolled out by the Transportation Security Administration. While some hope it's an idea that takes flight, others say it's an invasion of privacy that should be grounded.

CNN's Chris Lawrence reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Between the hand checks and bag searches, frequent fliers never know how long they'll wait in security lines.

CHARLIE ZELLE, FREQUENT FLIER: Tuesday, it took five minutes and Wednesday it took 90 minutes. LAWRENCE: That could be the reason hundreds accepted an invitation to apply for the new Registered Traveler program, now being tested by the TSA.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What it's going to do is it's going to take three scans of each index finger.

LAWRENCE: Like Lori Stopperan, they try about once a week and don't mind giving fingerprints and optical scans to avoid tighter screening.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's going to take one more verification.

LAWRENCE: They'll still have to pass through metal detectors. But in a special lane at one of the checkpoints.

GARY FISHMAN, NORTHWEST AIRLINES: Why do you have to put them through the same level of scrutiny at the airport, as someone you know nothing about?

LAWRENCE: They won't be pulled out of line for flying one way, or random screening. And that's just the beginning.

JIM WELLNA, DEPUTY DIR., TSA: Eventually we hope to be able to add some things, like not perhaps having to take your laptop out of your bag. Not having to take your shoes off, or having to take your coat off. We're going to build and learn.

LAWRENCE: If it works, the program could go national. But its potential is the problem for some privacy advocates.

JAY STANLEY, ACLU: Whenever you put the government into the role of judging American citizens, and making judgments about who's trusted and who's not, that raises serious questions, because that's really an unprecedented thing for the government to do.

LAWRENCE: But one that some frequent fliers are comfortable with.

LORI STOPPERAN, FREQUENT FLIER: Especially on heavy travel days, like the weekends, you'll be way with it.

LAWRENCE: The TSA's Trusted Traveler begins flying next week in Minnesota. And over the next few weeks: Boston, Houston, Washington and L.A.

Chris Lawrence, CNN, Bloomington, Minnesota.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: Well, we've all seen the chilling pictures, kidnappers behind masks, the hostage's life threatened. Who is behind this latest terror tactic? We'll take a closer look.

And amazing video of a wildfire down south. We'll show you more and check out your forecast. That's next. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: In Florida, where there's smoke, surely there's fire. Amazing pictures here from Royal Palm Beach. Officials are investigating the cause of this raging fire that leapt across treetops and scorched 75 acres. As firefighters use heavy equipment to douse the blaze, residents had to use garden hoses and sprinklers to fend off the flames. Though no homes suffered significant damage, a number of local residents had to be evacuated.

Iraqi justice, there's a new warrant out for Saddam Hussein. We've got the latest legal wranglings for the former Iraqi leader. That's coming up.

Also, he knows how to throw the brush back, but he's really a good guy. Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling is in New York for a special honor. And he's my special guest next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Welcome back. Let's check the top stories at this hour.

Iraqi Prime Minister Allawi says his government will take over legal custody of Saddam Hussein, and as many as 11 other former regime officials. That happens tomorrow. Mr. Allawi says the former dictator and the other high-value detainees will appear before an Iraqi judge on Thursday. Saddam will remain in coalition military custody for not -- now.

In a speech before leaving Istanbul, Turkey today, President Bush called for democratic reforms across the Middle East. The president added that democracy doesn't carry with it the worst aspects of western culture. Mr. Bush also called on the European Union to accept Turkey as a member. The president's speech came at the end of the NATO summit.

Independent presidential candidate, Ralph Nader is trying this hour to attract the Muslim vote in the upcoming election. He is before an American Islamic relations group, which is releasing results of a new survey on Capitol Hill. That survey focuses on which candidate and political party speaks best to American Muslims.

Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin has won re-election. But his liberal party failed to win an outright majority in the House of Commons. Conservative parties, united for the first time in 11 years, increased their share of the seats in Parliament.

With dozens of abduction in Iraq in the last couple of months, it may seem difficult to keep track of the terror groups involved.

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