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American Morning

BTK Strangler May Have Resurfaced After Two Decades of Silence; A Conversation with Brother of Missing Marine

Aired June 29, 2004 - 09:30   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.


BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back, everybody. There is a new poll out, a CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll, taken before the handover of power, suggesting a majority of Americans approve the transfer of sovereignty, but many still with their reservations.
Here's our senior political analyst Bill Schneider on that.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BILL SCHNEIDER, CNN SR. POLITICAL ANALYST (voice-over): The American public views the handover of power in Iraq more or less the same way Iraqis do, with hope but without illusions.

When questioned last week, Americans said they believed the handover will improve the situation in Iraq, as many Iraqis we talked to do.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): We hope that we leave the past behind and lead a good life.

SCHNEIDER: Americans are cautiously optimistic that democracy will be established in Iraq, but the U.S. public is not optimistic that peace and security will be established. A concern shared by this member of the former Iraqi Governing Council.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think we are in state of war, almost, and that's why in such cases even other governments, any country, they could take measures.

SCHNEIDER: It is progress, of course, that the terrorists are now on the other side, fighting the Iraqi government.

BUSH: 15 months ago, Iraq was a state sponsor of terrorism. Today Iraq's leaders, with our support, are systematically fighting terrorists across their country.

SCHNEIDER: So do Americans see the handover as a sign that U.S. policy is succeeding? The answer is no.

By nearly 2 to 1, the public says the transfer of power is a sign that U.S. policy is failing because the United States is turning over power to the Iraqis without bringing stability to Iraq.

Republicans don't feel that way. But Democrats do, overwhelmingly, and so do independents. As most Americans see it, the United States is saying to Iraq, the insurgency is primarily your problem. Does that mean U.S. policy is to cut and run? Absolutely not.

BUSH: We'll follow through, no matter how tough it gets on the ground.

SCHNEIDER: The United States is not running anywhere.

IYAD ALLAWI, IRAQI PRIME MINISTER (through translator): The transformation of societies will not take place in weeks or days or months but this transformation will take years.

SCHNEIDER: That's what Americans are worried about. Most Americans believe a significant number of U.S. forces will remain in Iraq for three years or more, but 70 percent of Americans don't think they should be there that long.

(on camera): The handover means the U.S. is no longer legally the occupying power. It's propping up a government with shaky authority. Americans believe that's progress, but not yet success.

Bill Schneider, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HEMMER: All these numbers just giving a partial look at what's happening in Iraq and American reflections. That poll was taken by telephone, conducted from June 21st through June 23rd, so a little more than a week ago -- Soledad.

SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: A serial killer responsible for at least eight murders in Wichita, Kansas may have resurfaced after two decades of silence. Police believe that two letters received in recent months were sent by the notorious BTK Strangler. They were sealed with the killer's sinister trademark, "bind, torture, kill." The city's former police chief, Richard Lamunyon, has been tracking this case since 1974, and he joins us from Wichita to talk about the new clues.

Nice to see you, sir. Thanks for being with us.

And I think disturbing may actually be an understatement here. Are you convinced that these letters that have come to your attention are authentic and that the BTK Killer is back in communication with authorities and the news media?

RICHARD LAMUNYON, FMR. WICHITA POLICE CHIEF: I'm fairly sure that that's correct. The FBI has confirmed the latest communications as being authentic from our strangler, so I'm encouraged by the letters, specifically the one that was sent to the police department, in that this is different than what he's done in the past. Usually all his communications has come through one of the local TV outlets or the newspaper. And in this case, he's communicating directly with the police department. So I'm very encouraged by that. O'BRIEN: When you say you're encouraged, why? What does the communication directly with the police department give you that you didn't have before over the last 30 years?

LAMUNYON: Well, I've literally been tracking this case, directly or indirectly, for 30 years. And I think at this point, and again, this is my opinion, I think there's a real possibility that what he's trying to do here is literally get his story out and make sure that we get it right, and that he's giving us some direction. Specifically one of the communications which came to the TV media here was indicating chapters in books, how to close this thing out, and so I think as he's done in the past, he's trying to tell us what he wants, and I think in this case, what he wants to do is tell his story.

O'BRIEN: For those of us who do not know what happened 30 years ago, and then in the subsequent years give me a sense of who the BTK Killer, without obviously knowing the identity, was. What were they looking for? how did you first discover this was a serial killing going on?

LAMUNYON: Well, basically, it's the method in which he killed his victims, and that is, obviously, to bind, to torture them, and then eventually strangle them. Primarily, his targets were women. However, there was a young boy and a father that we think were incidental to the case. And over the years, we've been able to put together the pattern. He's communicated with us in numerous -- at numerous times through written communications.

In one case, he called the 911 dispatcher. So we have a fairly good picture of the type of person we're looking at. Now we're looking at the same individual, but we're looking at him literally three decades later. So he's probably in his late 50s, probably into his 60s now. So even though he has these warped views of looking at things, he's still an older person. So I think now, and I'm hopeful that I'm correct on this, that he's wanting to tell his story, not necessarily kill again, but that's something we have to be aware of.

O'BRIEN: What makes you feel that he's not trying to give a signal that in fact he's ready to kill again, but that he's ready to wrap up everything?

LAMUNYON: I really think -- and again, I go back to the fact this is me thinking after 30 years -- I really think he wants people eventually to know who he is, why he did it, and he wants to go down in his -- quote -- "hall of fame" as being on the serial killer hall of fame list in his own way of thinking.

The problem that you have in this particular case, it's so unusual -- here we're going three decades -- this person lay dormant for years and years. Whether -- you know, one of the theories is he was incarcerated. One of the other theories is, he never left the community. Did he get married? Is he handicapped? Did he get on medication? I think all these things need to come out. He's been a part of this community for so many years. I really -- I'm hopeful that I'm correct in what he wants to do now is just let us know why he did it and who he is. O'BRIEN: And I hope you're correct, too, and I'm certain everyone in Wichita as well is hopeful that you're correct in that assessment.

Thanks for being with us this morning. We certainly appreciate it -- Bill.

HEMMER: All right, about 22 minutes now before the hour. I want to go back to Iraq right now, the family of a U.S. Marine reporting kidnapped in Iraq, pleading for their son's safe release. The U.S. military says it has not confirmed that Corporal Wassef Hassoun has been captured, but it says he has been missing from his unit since the 20th of June. By telephone, Hassoun's brother, Sammy Hassoun, is in Tripoli, Lebanon.

And we certainly want to extend to you, I'm certain this is a very difficult time for you and your family.

Sami, what has the military told you about your brother?

SAMI HASSOUN, BROTHER OF MISSING MARINE: Hello?

HEMMER: Yes. Hi. It's Bill Hemmer. We're on live here on CNN in New York.

Sami, can you tell us what the military has told you about your brother?

HASSOUN: Yes, they haven't contacted me, because I'm in Lebanon, but they did contact my family back home, and they told them that he's been missing, and they're trying to get any information about him.

HEMMER: Sami, how's your family doing? And how are you doing also?

HASSOUN: Well, we were shocked at the beginning. And until now, we're like -- it's like you're living a long-lasting dream that you wish it's going to -- you're going to wake up and everything will be gone, you know, and everything will go back to its original, you know...

HEMMER: Do you have any doubt, Sami, that this is your brother in the videotape?

HASSOUN: You're (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

HEMMER: Yes, I'm going to try it one more time, Sami -- do you have any doubt this is your brother shown in the videotape on Al- Jazeera?

HASSOUN: No, no, no, it is him, 100 percent. I wish it was not him, but I've seen him. I know his brother. I know his Social Security number. I know his birth date. The documents that they showed on TV got his birthdate, which is a very rare birthday. 01-01- 1980, and it's got his social -- and it is him, there's no doubt. I wish it was not, but nothing we can do. HEMMER: Sami, we're told your brother is serving as a translator with the Marines. Tell us about him and what his service entailed.

HASSOUN: Well, I'm not sure -- well, he is with the Marines, so what he is doing inside the job, which is his duty, in our house, he never talks about what he does in his -- you know, when he's on active duty. He never says nothing. He says that I'm just here doing good. He's a very loving and caring person. He's athletic. He is loving and caring. He never hurt no one. He's religious. He does all his daily five prayers. He's very good. I don't know what -- why he has got bad luck.

HEMMER: Sami, we are told he turned up missing at one point. This goes back more than a week ago. Do you know if your brother made friends with the Iraqi people possibly?

HASSOUN: Well, like I said, he never, never, ever talks about his job at home. And all he -- well, he used to call us every two days. Sometimes he called twice a day, and he never talks about his job. Every -- even if we ask him, where are you, he says, don't worry, I'm fine, I'm doing good, everything is good; how are you? And he just asks about the family, and my niece and nephews, and mom and dad. He never talks about the job, never, ever.

HEMMER: Sami, I know your father has pleaded for his release. What would you like to say to his captors?

HASSOUN: I would like to say, please, to release him. He's done nothing to you guys. He never hurt nobody. And he will never do -- in our religion, we're Muslims like they are. It is not possible that Islam says to kill these people. And there's no religion in the whole world that supports a kidnapper and a killer. No morals, no ethics.

I beg on them with any morals, any (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and anything that they believe in, just release him. It's not his mistake that he is down in Iraq. It's not his mistake that the whole thing happened. He's just a soldier doing his job like any other person. Please leave him for the sake of God, for the sake of his mom and for his dad, and God bless us all.

HEMMER: Sami, thank you. Our best to you and your family. Sami Hassoun by telephone there in Lebanon. Tough, tough time.

O'BRIEN: Really devastating for the family members obviously. We wish them all the best.

Ahead this morning on AMERICAN MORNING, Americans with disabilities may have gotten a big win when it comes to access of movie theaters. Andy Serwer's taking a look at that, when he minds your business, which is just ahead, as AMERICAN MORNING continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HEMMER: It has been said that the best way to deal with a hangover is don't get one. Failing that, though, a new study says a common cactus might be good for what's ails you in the morning. Sanjay knows this topic. Good morning to you.

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill.

I was wondering maybe if you wanted to do the segment instead of me.

HEMMER: Can I come back tomorrow morning?

GUPTA: Most of us have had a hangover at one point in our lives, and it is not a pleasant feeling. People all have their tried-and- true remedies for hangovers, everything from cranberry juice to a greasy breakfast the next day.

Some researchers from Tulane University actually focusing on something pretty interesting. The prickly pear cactus, that is what they decided to test. There's a reason for that, which I'll tell you, but they looked at this study of 55 people. And what they did was they gave everyone some prickly pear cactus extract before they started drinking, and then all these folks, depending on their weight, drank between five and 10 drinks. What they were trying to find is whether or not you could reduce the symptoms of hangover. Now you see it, there are 40 percent less nausea, 30 percent less loss of appetite, 20 percent less dry mouth.

One of the big things associated with hangover is headache, of course. The prickly pear cactus did not seem to help with that. Prickly pear cactus was initially looked at because it seems to help with deep-sea diving illness, as well as altitude sickness. They thought it might help here as well. It looks like it does a little bit -- Bill.

HEMMER: Within the body, within the brain, how do you get a hangover? What causes it?

GUPTA: Well, you drink too much. That's one thing, obviously. And then there's also other things that happen within the body as well, dehydration. Alcohol is a diuretic. Most people know that. It's worth remembering that you need to keep up with non-diuretic fluids, such as water or fruit juices. It also irritates your stomach. It disrupts your sleep. People think they fall into a deep slumber, not so most of the time. Also the word of the day, congeners. Congeners is usually going to be something that's an impurity in the alcohol, darker liquors, red wines, things like, as a result of that, more likely to cause hangovers -- Bill.

HEMMER: You've given us something to think about anyway.

Thank you, Sanjay -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Forty-seven minutes past the hour now, time to take a look at some of the stories that are making news this morning, with Betty Nguyen.

Good morning to you once again, Betty.

BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, Soledad.

A roadside bomb attack in Iraq leaves three U.S. Marines dead. The military saying an improvised-explosive device hit their Humvee in Baghdad. Two others were wounded in Iraq, the first casualties since the handover of power in Iraq.

Three Turkish hostages have been freed and are on their way out of Iraq. A Turkish Foreign Ministry official making that announcement today. The captors had threatened to behead the men unless Turkish companies stopped doing business with the U.S. military.

Meanwhile, the fate of American of Specialist Matt Maupin remains unclear. The Arab-language network Al-Jazeera reporting that the missing soldier has been killed, but U.S. officials say they cannot confirm that information.

President Bush delivering a speech this morning on the democracy in the Middle East as he wrapped up a trip to Turkey. During the speech, the president reiterated his support for turkey's membership in the European Union. He also praised the handover in Iraq. Over the last two days, NATO leaders have agreed to train Iraqi security forces and to expand Afghanistan's peacekeeping troops. The summit wrapped up today.

And on a much lighter note, literally, Starbucks is now jumping on the low-cal bandwagon. The Seattle-based company unveiling its frappuchino light beverages, made with lower fat milk and artificial sweeteners. A 12-ounce serving of the calorie-conscious coffee will have only one gram of fat, just one, compared to 2 1/2 grams of fat in the original version. But Starbucks says the drinks will still tastes good, and they, of course, are available in stores tomorrow. So drink up, Bill.

HEMMER: Think I'll get in trouble for this?

NGUYEN: What? Oh, already have one.

HEMMER: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) It keeps me going.

Thank you, Betty.

NGUYEN: You're welcome.

HEMMER: See you again tomorrow.

In a moment here, Iraq is sovereign. Now comes another task, the spread of democracy throughout the Middle East. That's what the president's talking about, and so is Jack. Back in a moment, after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Welcome back, everybody. Markets are now open, so let's take a check and see what the early numbers are looking like this morning.

Andy Serwer is here, "Minding Your Business."

ANDY SERWER, "FORTUNE" MAGAZINE: Good morning.

Not a whole lot of action right now, of course. The big deal is going to be tomorrow afternoon at 2:15 when we hear from the Federal Reserve about interest rates.

Let's see. Oh, well, up three points on the Dow. Not a lot. What stock is moving? WAMU, Washington Mutual, the nation's largest savings and loan. They say they're going to slash jobs and cut profit forecasts. Why? Because of higher interest rates. Now I just got talking about people who didn't see higher interest rates coming. Maybe the news didn't make it out to Seattle.

Halliburton under a little pressure this morning because of a huge loss -- and I love to say this -- at its Barracuda Caratinga Brazilian deep-water offshore drilling project. Barracuda Caratinga.

HEMMER: You remember that?

SERWER: Yes.

OK, let's talk about this theater situation. The theater business in tough shape, had been recovering. New stadium seating having a lot to do with that. Customers really liking that. But now this recovery may be in jeopardy, and new legal rulings suggesting that theaters are going to have to tear up all these stadium seatings, because handicapped people have been put in the front rows. Their lawyers sued the theaters. The courts saying they may have to tear up all these theaters to give the disabled new access to the theaters, and this, of course, is a huge issue across the country, at baseball stadiums, auditoriums, between costs and access. How do you balance this equation out? And it looks like the courts are saying to the theater companies, you're going to have to tear the seats out.

O'BRIEN: Interesting. This is all based on the Americans with Disabilities Act?

SERWER: Yes.

HEMMER: So they're giving them access. The question is, what kind of access are you getting?

SERWER: Right, the front row, you have to crane your neck. They're saying that's not good enough.

O'BRIEN: Interesting. All right, Andy, thanks.

SERWER: You're welcome.

CAFFERTY: How about if they just made better movies? Would more people go to the movies if they made better movies?

SERWER: Then it'd be even worse, because they'd really be missing something.

CAFFERTY: Yes, that's probably not going to happen anyway.

SERWER: No.

CAFFERTY: The question of the day is, one that you came up with this morning at, like, 5:00 in the morning, and we've actually gotten some...

HEMMER: Were we thinking back then?

CAFFERTY: No, you were. I wasn't doing anything; I was trying to just find my way in the dark. It's now five minutes to 10:00, and I'm still doing that. The question, which has generated some thoughtful response is, what it will take to achieve democracy in the Middle East? Courtesy of Mr. Hemmer.

Dan writes from Tulsa, Oklahoma, "Think of it as a sales job. We're peddling a product which we believe they need. It doesn't make sense that we should try to force it upon them. Doing so will only increase their resistance and mistrust of us. We need to be tentative of our approach and let them discover that we're right instead of proclaiming our rightness to them."

Alum (ph) in Elkridge, Maryland, "It's propaganda war we need to win. One, we have to use our considerable leverage to shut down the schools that teach fanatical religion and hate. And two, we need to be creative in maneuvering through existing propaganda channels to get out a new message, a message that includes hope and a broader, more tolerant worldview."

And Ed in Montreal, Quebec writes, "Democracy will come to the Middle East only when it will be offered in as many flavors as Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream. Each democracy has a right to its own local flavor. After all, our North American Democracy is not exactly the same type devised by the Greeks some 30,000 years ago. Stop pushing our taste buds on everybody else."

SERWER: I'll take Cherry Garcia.

CAFFERTY: You would.

SERWER: Yes, of course.

Thank you.

CAFFERTY: You're welcome.

O'BRIEN: Jack, thanks.

(WEATHER REPORT)

HEMMER: Coming up on CNN next hour, a conversation with baseball's number one good guy and family man Curt Schilling. That's according to "The Sporting News." Coming up next hour, Betty Nguyen is working today for Daryn. We're back in a moment, after this on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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Aired June 29, 2004 - 09:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back, everybody. There is a new poll out, a CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll, taken before the handover of power, suggesting a majority of Americans approve the transfer of sovereignty, but many still with their reservations.
Here's our senior political analyst Bill Schneider on that.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BILL SCHNEIDER, CNN SR. POLITICAL ANALYST (voice-over): The American public views the handover of power in Iraq more or less the same way Iraqis do, with hope but without illusions.

When questioned last week, Americans said they believed the handover will improve the situation in Iraq, as many Iraqis we talked to do.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): We hope that we leave the past behind and lead a good life.

SCHNEIDER: Americans are cautiously optimistic that democracy will be established in Iraq, but the U.S. public is not optimistic that peace and security will be established. A concern shared by this member of the former Iraqi Governing Council.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think we are in state of war, almost, and that's why in such cases even other governments, any country, they could take measures.

SCHNEIDER: It is progress, of course, that the terrorists are now on the other side, fighting the Iraqi government.

BUSH: 15 months ago, Iraq was a state sponsor of terrorism. Today Iraq's leaders, with our support, are systematically fighting terrorists across their country.

SCHNEIDER: So do Americans see the handover as a sign that U.S. policy is succeeding? The answer is no.

By nearly 2 to 1, the public says the transfer of power is a sign that U.S. policy is failing because the United States is turning over power to the Iraqis without bringing stability to Iraq.

Republicans don't feel that way. But Democrats do, overwhelmingly, and so do independents. As most Americans see it, the United States is saying to Iraq, the insurgency is primarily your problem. Does that mean U.S. policy is to cut and run? Absolutely not.

BUSH: We'll follow through, no matter how tough it gets on the ground.

SCHNEIDER: The United States is not running anywhere.

IYAD ALLAWI, IRAQI PRIME MINISTER (through translator): The transformation of societies will not take place in weeks or days or months but this transformation will take years.

SCHNEIDER: That's what Americans are worried about. Most Americans believe a significant number of U.S. forces will remain in Iraq for three years or more, but 70 percent of Americans don't think they should be there that long.

(on camera): The handover means the U.S. is no longer legally the occupying power. It's propping up a government with shaky authority. Americans believe that's progress, but not yet success.

Bill Schneider, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HEMMER: All these numbers just giving a partial look at what's happening in Iraq and American reflections. That poll was taken by telephone, conducted from June 21st through June 23rd, so a little more than a week ago -- Soledad.

SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: A serial killer responsible for at least eight murders in Wichita, Kansas may have resurfaced after two decades of silence. Police believe that two letters received in recent months were sent by the notorious BTK Strangler. They were sealed with the killer's sinister trademark, "bind, torture, kill." The city's former police chief, Richard Lamunyon, has been tracking this case since 1974, and he joins us from Wichita to talk about the new clues.

Nice to see you, sir. Thanks for being with us.

And I think disturbing may actually be an understatement here. Are you convinced that these letters that have come to your attention are authentic and that the BTK Killer is back in communication with authorities and the news media?

RICHARD LAMUNYON, FMR. WICHITA POLICE CHIEF: I'm fairly sure that that's correct. The FBI has confirmed the latest communications as being authentic from our strangler, so I'm encouraged by the letters, specifically the one that was sent to the police department, in that this is different than what he's done in the past. Usually all his communications has come through one of the local TV outlets or the newspaper. And in this case, he's communicating directly with the police department. So I'm very encouraged by that. O'BRIEN: When you say you're encouraged, why? What does the communication directly with the police department give you that you didn't have before over the last 30 years?

LAMUNYON: Well, I've literally been tracking this case, directly or indirectly, for 30 years. And I think at this point, and again, this is my opinion, I think there's a real possibility that what he's trying to do here is literally get his story out and make sure that we get it right, and that he's giving us some direction. Specifically one of the communications which came to the TV media here was indicating chapters in books, how to close this thing out, and so I think as he's done in the past, he's trying to tell us what he wants, and I think in this case, what he wants to do is tell his story.

O'BRIEN: For those of us who do not know what happened 30 years ago, and then in the subsequent years give me a sense of who the BTK Killer, without obviously knowing the identity, was. What were they looking for? how did you first discover this was a serial killing going on?

LAMUNYON: Well, basically, it's the method in which he killed his victims, and that is, obviously, to bind, to torture them, and then eventually strangle them. Primarily, his targets were women. However, there was a young boy and a father that we think were incidental to the case. And over the years, we've been able to put together the pattern. He's communicated with us in numerous -- at numerous times through written communications.

In one case, he called the 911 dispatcher. So we have a fairly good picture of the type of person we're looking at. Now we're looking at the same individual, but we're looking at him literally three decades later. So he's probably in his late 50s, probably into his 60s now. So even though he has these warped views of looking at things, he's still an older person. So I think now, and I'm hopeful that I'm correct on this, that he's wanting to tell his story, not necessarily kill again, but that's something we have to be aware of.

O'BRIEN: What makes you feel that he's not trying to give a signal that in fact he's ready to kill again, but that he's ready to wrap up everything?

LAMUNYON: I really think -- and again, I go back to the fact this is me thinking after 30 years -- I really think he wants people eventually to know who he is, why he did it, and he wants to go down in his -- quote -- "hall of fame" as being on the serial killer hall of fame list in his own way of thinking.

The problem that you have in this particular case, it's so unusual -- here we're going three decades -- this person lay dormant for years and years. Whether -- you know, one of the theories is he was incarcerated. One of the other theories is, he never left the community. Did he get married? Is he handicapped? Did he get on medication? I think all these things need to come out. He's been a part of this community for so many years. I really -- I'm hopeful that I'm correct in what he wants to do now is just let us know why he did it and who he is. O'BRIEN: And I hope you're correct, too, and I'm certain everyone in Wichita as well is hopeful that you're correct in that assessment.

Thanks for being with us this morning. We certainly appreciate it -- Bill.

HEMMER: All right, about 22 minutes now before the hour. I want to go back to Iraq right now, the family of a U.S. Marine reporting kidnapped in Iraq, pleading for their son's safe release. The U.S. military says it has not confirmed that Corporal Wassef Hassoun has been captured, but it says he has been missing from his unit since the 20th of June. By telephone, Hassoun's brother, Sammy Hassoun, is in Tripoli, Lebanon.

And we certainly want to extend to you, I'm certain this is a very difficult time for you and your family.

Sami, what has the military told you about your brother?

SAMI HASSOUN, BROTHER OF MISSING MARINE: Hello?

HEMMER: Yes. Hi. It's Bill Hemmer. We're on live here on CNN in New York.

Sami, can you tell us what the military has told you about your brother?

HASSOUN: Yes, they haven't contacted me, because I'm in Lebanon, but they did contact my family back home, and they told them that he's been missing, and they're trying to get any information about him.

HEMMER: Sami, how's your family doing? And how are you doing also?

HASSOUN: Well, we were shocked at the beginning. And until now, we're like -- it's like you're living a long-lasting dream that you wish it's going to -- you're going to wake up and everything will be gone, you know, and everything will go back to its original, you know...

HEMMER: Do you have any doubt, Sami, that this is your brother in the videotape?

HASSOUN: You're (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

HEMMER: Yes, I'm going to try it one more time, Sami -- do you have any doubt this is your brother shown in the videotape on Al- Jazeera?

HASSOUN: No, no, no, it is him, 100 percent. I wish it was not him, but I've seen him. I know his brother. I know his Social Security number. I know his birth date. The documents that they showed on TV got his birthdate, which is a very rare birthday. 01-01- 1980, and it's got his social -- and it is him, there's no doubt. I wish it was not, but nothing we can do. HEMMER: Sami, we're told your brother is serving as a translator with the Marines. Tell us about him and what his service entailed.

HASSOUN: Well, I'm not sure -- well, he is with the Marines, so what he is doing inside the job, which is his duty, in our house, he never talks about what he does in his -- you know, when he's on active duty. He never says nothing. He says that I'm just here doing good. He's a very loving and caring person. He's athletic. He is loving and caring. He never hurt no one. He's religious. He does all his daily five prayers. He's very good. I don't know what -- why he has got bad luck.

HEMMER: Sami, we are told he turned up missing at one point. This goes back more than a week ago. Do you know if your brother made friends with the Iraqi people possibly?

HASSOUN: Well, like I said, he never, never, ever talks about his job at home. And all he -- well, he used to call us every two days. Sometimes he called twice a day, and he never talks about his job. Every -- even if we ask him, where are you, he says, don't worry, I'm fine, I'm doing good, everything is good; how are you? And he just asks about the family, and my niece and nephews, and mom and dad. He never talks about the job, never, ever.

HEMMER: Sami, I know your father has pleaded for his release. What would you like to say to his captors?

HASSOUN: I would like to say, please, to release him. He's done nothing to you guys. He never hurt nobody. And he will never do -- in our religion, we're Muslims like they are. It is not possible that Islam says to kill these people. And there's no religion in the whole world that supports a kidnapper and a killer. No morals, no ethics.

I beg on them with any morals, any (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and anything that they believe in, just release him. It's not his mistake that he is down in Iraq. It's not his mistake that the whole thing happened. He's just a soldier doing his job like any other person. Please leave him for the sake of God, for the sake of his mom and for his dad, and God bless us all.

HEMMER: Sami, thank you. Our best to you and your family. Sami Hassoun by telephone there in Lebanon. Tough, tough time.

O'BRIEN: Really devastating for the family members obviously. We wish them all the best.

Ahead this morning on AMERICAN MORNING, Americans with disabilities may have gotten a big win when it comes to access of movie theaters. Andy Serwer's taking a look at that, when he minds your business, which is just ahead, as AMERICAN MORNING continues.

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HEMMER: It has been said that the best way to deal with a hangover is don't get one. Failing that, though, a new study says a common cactus might be good for what's ails you in the morning. Sanjay knows this topic. Good morning to you.

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill.

I was wondering maybe if you wanted to do the segment instead of me.

HEMMER: Can I come back tomorrow morning?

GUPTA: Most of us have had a hangover at one point in our lives, and it is not a pleasant feeling. People all have their tried-and- true remedies for hangovers, everything from cranberry juice to a greasy breakfast the next day.

Some researchers from Tulane University actually focusing on something pretty interesting. The prickly pear cactus, that is what they decided to test. There's a reason for that, which I'll tell you, but they looked at this study of 55 people. And what they did was they gave everyone some prickly pear cactus extract before they started drinking, and then all these folks, depending on their weight, drank between five and 10 drinks. What they were trying to find is whether or not you could reduce the symptoms of hangover. Now you see it, there are 40 percent less nausea, 30 percent less loss of appetite, 20 percent less dry mouth.

One of the big things associated with hangover is headache, of course. The prickly pear cactus did not seem to help with that. Prickly pear cactus was initially looked at because it seems to help with deep-sea diving illness, as well as altitude sickness. They thought it might help here as well. It looks like it does a little bit -- Bill.

HEMMER: Within the body, within the brain, how do you get a hangover? What causes it?

GUPTA: Well, you drink too much. That's one thing, obviously. And then there's also other things that happen within the body as well, dehydration. Alcohol is a diuretic. Most people know that. It's worth remembering that you need to keep up with non-diuretic fluids, such as water or fruit juices. It also irritates your stomach. It disrupts your sleep. People think they fall into a deep slumber, not so most of the time. Also the word of the day, congeners. Congeners is usually going to be something that's an impurity in the alcohol, darker liquors, red wines, things like, as a result of that, more likely to cause hangovers -- Bill.

HEMMER: You've given us something to think about anyway.

Thank you, Sanjay -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Forty-seven minutes past the hour now, time to take a look at some of the stories that are making news this morning, with Betty Nguyen.

Good morning to you once again, Betty.

BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, Soledad.

A roadside bomb attack in Iraq leaves three U.S. Marines dead. The military saying an improvised-explosive device hit their Humvee in Baghdad. Two others were wounded in Iraq, the first casualties since the handover of power in Iraq.

Three Turkish hostages have been freed and are on their way out of Iraq. A Turkish Foreign Ministry official making that announcement today. The captors had threatened to behead the men unless Turkish companies stopped doing business with the U.S. military.

Meanwhile, the fate of American of Specialist Matt Maupin remains unclear. The Arab-language network Al-Jazeera reporting that the missing soldier has been killed, but U.S. officials say they cannot confirm that information.

President Bush delivering a speech this morning on the democracy in the Middle East as he wrapped up a trip to Turkey. During the speech, the president reiterated his support for turkey's membership in the European Union. He also praised the handover in Iraq. Over the last two days, NATO leaders have agreed to train Iraqi security forces and to expand Afghanistan's peacekeeping troops. The summit wrapped up today.

And on a much lighter note, literally, Starbucks is now jumping on the low-cal bandwagon. The Seattle-based company unveiling its frappuchino light beverages, made with lower fat milk and artificial sweeteners. A 12-ounce serving of the calorie-conscious coffee will have only one gram of fat, just one, compared to 2 1/2 grams of fat in the original version. But Starbucks says the drinks will still tastes good, and they, of course, are available in stores tomorrow. So drink up, Bill.

HEMMER: Think I'll get in trouble for this?

NGUYEN: What? Oh, already have one.

HEMMER: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) It keeps me going.

Thank you, Betty.

NGUYEN: You're welcome.

HEMMER: See you again tomorrow.

In a moment here, Iraq is sovereign. Now comes another task, the spread of democracy throughout the Middle East. That's what the president's talking about, and so is Jack. Back in a moment, after this.

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O'BRIEN: Welcome back, everybody. Markets are now open, so let's take a check and see what the early numbers are looking like this morning.

Andy Serwer is here, "Minding Your Business."

ANDY SERWER, "FORTUNE" MAGAZINE: Good morning.

Not a whole lot of action right now, of course. The big deal is going to be tomorrow afternoon at 2:15 when we hear from the Federal Reserve about interest rates.

Let's see. Oh, well, up three points on the Dow. Not a lot. What stock is moving? WAMU, Washington Mutual, the nation's largest savings and loan. They say they're going to slash jobs and cut profit forecasts. Why? Because of higher interest rates. Now I just got talking about people who didn't see higher interest rates coming. Maybe the news didn't make it out to Seattle.

Halliburton under a little pressure this morning because of a huge loss -- and I love to say this -- at its Barracuda Caratinga Brazilian deep-water offshore drilling project. Barracuda Caratinga.

HEMMER: You remember that?

SERWER: Yes.

OK, let's talk about this theater situation. The theater business in tough shape, had been recovering. New stadium seating having a lot to do with that. Customers really liking that. But now this recovery may be in jeopardy, and new legal rulings suggesting that theaters are going to have to tear up all these stadium seatings, because handicapped people have been put in the front rows. Their lawyers sued the theaters. The courts saying they may have to tear up all these theaters to give the disabled new access to the theaters, and this, of course, is a huge issue across the country, at baseball stadiums, auditoriums, between costs and access. How do you balance this equation out? And it looks like the courts are saying to the theater companies, you're going to have to tear the seats out.

O'BRIEN: Interesting. This is all based on the Americans with Disabilities Act?

SERWER: Yes.

HEMMER: So they're giving them access. The question is, what kind of access are you getting?

SERWER: Right, the front row, you have to crane your neck. They're saying that's not good enough.

O'BRIEN: Interesting. All right, Andy, thanks.

SERWER: You're welcome.

CAFFERTY: How about if they just made better movies? Would more people go to the movies if they made better movies?

SERWER: Then it'd be even worse, because they'd really be missing something.

CAFFERTY: Yes, that's probably not going to happen anyway.

SERWER: No.

CAFFERTY: The question of the day is, one that you came up with this morning at, like, 5:00 in the morning, and we've actually gotten some...

HEMMER: Were we thinking back then?

CAFFERTY: No, you were. I wasn't doing anything; I was trying to just find my way in the dark. It's now five minutes to 10:00, and I'm still doing that. The question, which has generated some thoughtful response is, what it will take to achieve democracy in the Middle East? Courtesy of Mr. Hemmer.

Dan writes from Tulsa, Oklahoma, "Think of it as a sales job. We're peddling a product which we believe they need. It doesn't make sense that we should try to force it upon them. Doing so will only increase their resistance and mistrust of us. We need to be tentative of our approach and let them discover that we're right instead of proclaiming our rightness to them."

Alum (ph) in Elkridge, Maryland, "It's propaganda war we need to win. One, we have to use our considerable leverage to shut down the schools that teach fanatical religion and hate. And two, we need to be creative in maneuvering through existing propaganda channels to get out a new message, a message that includes hope and a broader, more tolerant worldview."

And Ed in Montreal, Quebec writes, "Democracy will come to the Middle East only when it will be offered in as many flavors as Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream. Each democracy has a right to its own local flavor. After all, our North American Democracy is not exactly the same type devised by the Greeks some 30,000 years ago. Stop pushing our taste buds on everybody else."

SERWER: I'll take Cherry Garcia.

CAFFERTY: You would.

SERWER: Yes, of course.

Thank you.

CAFFERTY: You're welcome.

O'BRIEN: Jack, thanks.

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HEMMER: Coming up on CNN next hour, a conversation with baseball's number one good guy and family man Curt Schilling. That's according to "The Sporting News." Coming up next hour, Betty Nguyen is working today for Daryn. We're back in a moment, after this on AMERICAN MORNING.

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