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CNN Live Today
Independent 9/11 Commission to Officially Release Findings; Police Say Foul Play Probably Involved in Case of Missing Pregnant Woman
Aired July 22, 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.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: And good morning to all of you from the CNN headquarters in Atlanta. I'm Fredricka Whitfield in for Daryn Kagan this morning.
The 9/11 Commission's Report will be unveiled in about an hour and a half. Those familiar with it say neither Presidents Bush nor Clinton will bear the blame. However, the report does detail missed opportunities to thwart the hijackings. The report is said to cite deep institutional failings within the intelligence community.
And we have a developing story we're following right now. Police say they've released an Amtrak train stopped in Newark, New Jersey, for what they call a routine sweep. Authorities tell CNN that there's nothing to suggest there was anything amiss aboard the train. They say such searches and asking passengers for identification will now be routine, between now and next month's GOP convention in New York.
Another video of seven hostages held by militants in Iraq surfaced earlier this morning. The kidnappers are threatening to kill the men unless the companies or the countries they represent pull their people out of Iraq. The hostages are from Kenya, Egypt and India. None of those countries have troops in Iraq. Now, CNN has confirmed that Kenya is calling for all its citizens to leave Iraq.
Thirty-two Iraqi insurgents have been killed in clashes with U.S. forces in Ramadi and Salahadin Province. A day-long gun battle broke out Wednesday in Ramadi, after insurgents attempted to ambush a Marine convoy. Ramadi is located near Fallujah in the Sunni Triangle.
And John A. Gotti, son of the late Gambino boss John Gotti has been charged with multiple crimes, including the 1992 attempted murder of Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa. Gotti is currently in prison and set to be released in September. Prosecutors are expected to release details of the indictment at 11:30 this morning in New York.
Keeping you informed. CNN, the most trusted name in news.
John Kerry goes to Motor City to kick his presidential campaign back into gear. Kerry, who spent the last several days preparing for next week's Democratic National Convention, is due to address the Urban League this hour in Detroit. We'll bring it to you as it happens. Tomorrow, President Bush appears before the group as well.
Well, just hours before the release of the official release of the report by the 9/11 Commission, an airport surveillance video has surfaced showing some of the hijackers in Dulles International Airport, just outside of Washington en route to infamy. Metal detectors sounded alarms twice and security screeners took aside four of the five men for additional security. But there is no indication the screeners questioned them about box cutters believed used in the takeover of the American Airlines Flight 77. Less than two and a half hours later it crashed into the Pentagon.
Well, less than 90 minutes from now, the independent 9/11 Commission officially releases its findings. Just about a half an hour ago, commission Chair Tom Kean and co-chair Lee Hamilton presented President Bush with his own copy of the report in the Rose Garden. They thanked him for unprecedented access to classified information and to the decision makers. And this is what Mr. Bush had to say in that event.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: There's still a threat, and that we in government have an obligation to do everything in our power to safeguard the American people. And the report that they are about to present to me puts out some very constructive recommendations. And I look forward to studying their recommendations. And look forward to working with the responsible parties within my administration to move forward on those recommendations.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: The panel's chairman and co-chair briefed some of President Bush's inner circle yesterday.
Now, let's take a closer look at what we know about the report's findings. For that, we go to CNN's Sean Callebs. He's outside the Department of Commerce where copies of the report will be made available to the media -- Sean.
SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fredricka, we can tell you in the past 20 minutes or so, we actually got a report of the 9/11 Commission Report. This of course, the final report representing some 20 months of work by the 10 bipartisan commission members. They broke their own embargo, released this information to us, more than 570 pages. I've had a chance to plow through some of this. There's also an executive summary some 26 pages long. It does spell out some of the information that we had filtered out to us over the past 24 or so hours.
Now, a couple of the key points I want to make. In the very back of this, on page, close to 400, "recommendations to establish a national counterterrorism center." Now this, of course, in response to the commissioners saying that in essence, there was just the way the U.S. gathered and disseminated all of its information about possibly terrorist threats was simply too widely spread out. And it needed to be handled in a much more streamlined fashion. So they called for development of that center.
Also, they would like to call for the recommendation of a national intelligence director. This would be a cabinet level position. And Fredricka, the significance about this, the CIA director and the FBI director would become deputies of this national intelligence director. The CIA would continue to operate ferreting out information out on foreign intelligence. The FBI would be focused on homeland intelligence. And all of this information presumably would be shared in a much more thoughtful, much more rapid fashion -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: And so far, it appears that most of the Democrats and Republicans are all embracing this report. It does not necessarily place blame, but it does at an administration. But it does in part place blame in terms of the intelligence failures. So, isn't there some confusion here?
CALLEBS: Well, let's tackle each one of those points. Now, in the 14 chapters that's spelled out in this book -- 13 chapters, rather, it does apparently point out, we've not been able to ferret out exactly where, point blame on the Bush and Clinton administrations for the intelligence failures that led to those attacks. It does, however, have very harsh criticism for the way intelligence was gathered. So, yes there is blame there.
As far as trying to be as apolitical as possible, five Democrats, five Republicans on this commission -- excuse me, they've tried to keep politics out of this. And they say that all of these recommendations came in a unanimous fashion. And that is significant.
Now, from here, what happens? All these recommendations are nonbinding. They must either go through Congress, the president for some kind of action there. Now, Congress has made it clear that while, clearly this is important information, very thoughtful, produced in a very thought-provoking way, they are not going to be rushed into making any kind of a decision. Make any kind of overhaul in the national intelligence system in the U.S. in a very quick fashion.
So we're going to have to see how that plays out. Because these commission members are going to fan out across the country. They're going to, in essence, go on a road show. Take all of their findings, all of their work to the American people, in an effort to build up momentum for some kind of reform and some kind of reform, Fredricka, quickly.
WHITFIELD: All right. Sean Callebs, thanks very much, outside the Department of Commerce.
Now, the commission's hearings and, more specifically, the depth of the investigation often drew loud, angry criticisms from the families of those killed in the 9/11 attacks. Earlier, I spoke with three women: Mary Fetchet who lost her son Bradley, Carol Ashley, who lost her 25-year-old daughter, and Monica Gabriel who lost her husband in the World Trade Center.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Thanks for joining us, ladies. Before I ask you about the report, let me ask you about the new videotape that has surfaced, showing the hijackers going through security in Dulles Airport. Your thoughts on what you've seen -- Mary.
MARY FETCHET, LOST SON ON 9/11: Well, it was very upsetting to see the report. But we were well aware that there were problems within the airports and airline security. So I think today we're really focused on the recommendations of the 9/11 report. And certainly, airline security will be part of the issue that they're going to be evaluating.
WHITFIELD: Carol, have you had a chance to read any portions of the report?
CAROL ASHLEY, LOST DAUGHTER ON 9/11: Not yet. However, we have had staff statements that we've read. So I would assume that some of that information is going to be in the report. What will be interesting is to see how that's incorporated into it. And plus new information that will be coming out.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: And more from these ladies in the next hour.
For more on the latest chapter in the war on terror, our next guest is a nationally published author, writing about his research on terrorism, weapons of mass destruction and the Middle East. Dr. Jim Walsh is with the Belford Center at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.
All right. Good to see you, Jim.
DR. JIM WALSH, HARVARD UNIVERSITY: Good to see you, Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: All right. Well, the doctors of this report say they don't want to point fingers at intelligence agencies. Specifically, pretty much overall all of the intelligence agencies then in theory, or law enforcement. Does it, you know, point -- does it specifically point out flaws that will help cause some directives in making some changes in these agencies?
WALSH: Well, I think absolutely it does. If you look at those staff reports, those 16 staff reports that the families you just interviewed mentioned, it outlines all sorts of problems. And problems that move in different directions. Sometimes you had people in the field, for example, in the FBI headquarters in Minneapolis or in Phoenix, who wanted -- who had information about the terrorists. And they couldn't get that information up the chain of command to the folks in Washington.
But in other circumstances, the people in Washington, particularly in the summer before 9/11, in July and August, were very, very worried about an attack. But somehow the word did not filter down to the folks in the field. And then in addition to that, you had agencies side by side, the National Security Agency, the FBI, the CIA, who had different pieces of the puzzle, but weren't sharing that information. So all of those things interfered with our ability to prevent those attacks.
WHITFIELD: So then, pointing out all of these flaws, shouldn't there be some concern that perhaps this makes the country that much more vulnerable, as we look at and further investigate the flaws?
WALSH: Well, that's an excellent question. You always want to ask yourself if by identifying a weakness, are we in some way helping a terrorist, providing them with a road map to attack us? I don't think that's the case here.
Most of the weaknesses we've identified, or identified in that report, are institutional weaknesses. They're not issues on the ground that would tell a terrorist how to get around a security system. It's really about sharing of information. And also the priority that we give. And also the sorts of things we're looking for in terms of the terrorists. I don't think that's going to help them at all. It will only strengthen our ability to reduce the threat.
WHITFIELD: One recommendation, a national intelligence director to coordinate the intelligence community. Do you see that as an answer?
WALSH: Well, I'm agnostic on that one. It seems -- I mean that may be a good idea. I'm definitely against the MI-5 idea, to sort of set up an intelligence agency like the British have. I think this is one that deserves some debate. But I think there are lots of other things we can be doing at the same time, while we figure out whether that's a good idea or not.
And let me add, Fredricka, let me step back and give this some context.
WHITFIELD: Yes.
WALSH: There are going to be things in this report that I agree with, things I disagree with. It's not, you know, going to be a perfect report. But it is very important. This is the most important report about the most important event in American history in decades. And I think citizens should put this at the top of their summer reading list. You know, whether I agree or disagree with parts of it, the reality is, this is a very important report. Citizens have a duty to read it. And people are always asking, well, what can I do about terrorism. What can I, the individual do about...
WHITFIELD: You think it makes ultimately everybody more vigilant?
WALSH: And beyond vigilance, I mean it really gives them -- it educates. It will create the conditions for better public policy making. And that will help reduce the threat to terrorism. So I hope everyone out there goes online or goes to the local bookstore today and picks up a copy. I think it's important that we all read the findings.
WHITFIELD: Dr. Jim Walsh of Harvard University. Thank you very much.
WALSH: Thank you, Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: And we'll have live coverage of the report's official public release, scheduled less than 90 minutes from now. That's due at 11:30 Eastern, 8:30 Pacific right here on CNN.
For John Kerry and running mate John Edwards, all roads lead to Boston. The site of next week's Democratic National Convention. And the showcase for their ticket's presumed nomination. It's also the scene of extraordinary precautions against a terrorist attack. Last night, the vice presidential candidate and his wife discussed that on CNN's "LARRY KING LIVE."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ELIZABETH EDWARDS, WIFE OF JOHN EDWARDS: There's going to be so much security in these locations, I really feel I wouldn't be bringing my family there if I didn't think it was safe.
LARRY KING, HOST "LARRY KING LIVE": What about you, Senator?
SEN. JOHN EDWARDS, (D-NC), VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I think we'll be fine at the conventions. I think the conventions are going to be so protected, as Elizabeth just talked about. No, I think the greater likelihood and greater vulnerability are in other big public events that are not associated with the national political conventions.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: The Republican National Convention is held next month in New York. And it, too, is also the focus of scream security measures.
Well, right now we're standing by to hear John Kerry's address to the National Urban League, which is scheduled to take place momentarily. Can the Kerry-Edwards ticket offer Michigan voters enough to take the battle ground state? Here for yourself.
And a wife and expectant mother missing, now her husband is hospitalized. And we have word of a lie he told to his parents. A live report from Salt Lake City, Utah coming up.
And later, could being a voter be your ticket to love? One survey says yes. Find out why coming up on CNN LIVE TODAY.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Testimony resumes today in the Scott Peterson double murder trial. Peterson is accused of killing his pregnant wife Laci and their unborn son. He maintains his innocence. Yesterday, some jurors winced when they were shown graphic photos of Laci Peterson's decomposed body.
Meanwhile, the defense accused police of conducting a sloppy investigation. Peterson's lawyer tried to deflect suspicion by pointing to a prostitute for stealing checks from the Peterson's mailbox. Police say the checks were stolen after Laci disappeared.
Police say foul play was probably involved in the case of a missing pregnant woman in Salt Lake City, Utah. Lori Hacking was last seen on Monday morning. And as the investigation into her disappearance moves forward, there are now questions about her husband.
CNN's Kimberly Osias is following this story from Salt Lake City -- Kimberly.
KIMBERLY OSIAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Fredricka. That's exactly right. In fact, there are a whole lot more questions this morning than there are answers. We are looking at an orientation, right around where we are, about a dozen people set to go out to look for Lori Hacking. A lot less than we have seen before, perhaps because of this cloud of suspicion over the investigation now.
We now know that Mark Hacking, Lori's husband lied to his family, in fact, much of his education was predicated on a huge lie. He told them that they had plans; they even called a moving truck to move to North Carolina, where he was supposed to begin medical school. We know that he never even graduate from undergraduate. Police have questioned Mark Hacking. They are not calling him a suspect yet. However, they do call him, quote, "A person of interest in the case." And they have not yet cleared him from the investigation.
Both of the couple's cars as well as a dumpster with bedding have been seized from their home. They're going to do some forensics testing on those items, as they search for clues and follow up leads.
But despite these lies, family members of Mark Hacking say that they stand by him. They are steadfast in their support. They say the couple has been married for five years. They were high school sweethearts, in fact. They were anxiously awaiting the arrival of their first child.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIPS)
HAROLD SOARES, LORI HACKING'S FATHER: The hard thing for us to understand is that he had gone back to North Carolina, he and Lori picked out an apartment. Had packed all their belongings. Had arranged for a moving truck to come to pick up their belongings. He and I were going to drive out there and tow their spare car behind his car.
So these are all arrangements that were made. And I have no explanation for this new development. I just can't understand it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't think he could do it because he loved Lori too much. And I -- when I came to visit him once a month, they always were holding hands together. They were sneaking a kiss here and there. And he was a gentleman.
(END VIDEO CLIPS) OSIAS: We do have confirmed reports by the family that Mark Hacking checked into a psychiatric unit of an area hospital around here, because of the stress this investigation has caused. We do know that his wife is five weeks pregnant -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: And have investigators interviewed, talked with Mark Hacking yet, even though he is in the hospital?
OSIAS: Yes, they have, Fredricka. We have heard that they actually went to the hospital yesterday. They left. But they've been investigating and speaking with him over the last couple days. Again, he has not been cleared, but he has also not been called a suspect in the case.
WHITFIELD: All right. Thanks very much.
Well, John Kerry goes after voters in the battle ground state of Michigan, with promises of a crackdown on crime and a new path for urban youth. We're standing by live to bring you his address to the National Urban League.
And straight ahead, the fire that seemed to surprise many in California, the latest on the Crown Wildfire.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Firefighters in northern Los Angeles County say the weather has come to their aid in fighting the Crown Fire near Acton. The blaze was charging -- has charred rather, nearly 9,000 acres. But is now about 30 percent contained. Fire crews say the winds changed direction and slowed its advance.
John Kerry fights to win Michigan voters. Hear what he has to say to the National Urban League. You're looking at a live shot now, as they get ready for him to arrive. And this is taking place one day ahead of President Bush's scheduled address to them tomorrow.
And the 9/11 Commission's Report will be released in about an hour. We'll get a live report from the White House on the president's preview.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: One hour from now, the bipartisan panel studying the 9/11 attacks will give its report and recommendations. Bush administration officials familiar with the report say it cites, quote, "deep institutional failings within our government." Those shortcomings include a lack of intelligence sharing among various agencies. And that while the U.S. is safer now than before 9/11, it is still not safe enough.
In presidential politics, John Kerry is just days away from his party's nomination at the Democratic National Convention. He spent the last several days preparing for that. But this hour, he is back in the fast lane in Detroit, and in front of a constituency he needs to win. Kerry is soon to address a convention of the Urban League. Mr. Bush appears before the group tomorrow. And right now, you're looking at a live picture in there; it's the president Mark Morial of the Urban League.
On Capitol Hill this afternoon, the House is expected to pass legislation that would limit federal court jurisdiction on the issue of gay marriage. Specifically, Republican lawmakers want to prevent the federal courts, including the Supreme Court, from striking down state bans on gay marriage. It would also keep those courts from ordering that states recognize same sex unions legalized elsewhere.
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Aired July 22, 2004 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: And good morning to all of you from the CNN headquarters in Atlanta. I'm Fredricka Whitfield in for Daryn Kagan this morning.
The 9/11 Commission's Report will be unveiled in about an hour and a half. Those familiar with it say neither Presidents Bush nor Clinton will bear the blame. However, the report does detail missed opportunities to thwart the hijackings. The report is said to cite deep institutional failings within the intelligence community.
And we have a developing story we're following right now. Police say they've released an Amtrak train stopped in Newark, New Jersey, for what they call a routine sweep. Authorities tell CNN that there's nothing to suggest there was anything amiss aboard the train. They say such searches and asking passengers for identification will now be routine, between now and next month's GOP convention in New York.
Another video of seven hostages held by militants in Iraq surfaced earlier this morning. The kidnappers are threatening to kill the men unless the companies or the countries they represent pull their people out of Iraq. The hostages are from Kenya, Egypt and India. None of those countries have troops in Iraq. Now, CNN has confirmed that Kenya is calling for all its citizens to leave Iraq.
Thirty-two Iraqi insurgents have been killed in clashes with U.S. forces in Ramadi and Salahadin Province. A day-long gun battle broke out Wednesday in Ramadi, after insurgents attempted to ambush a Marine convoy. Ramadi is located near Fallujah in the Sunni Triangle.
And John A. Gotti, son of the late Gambino boss John Gotti has been charged with multiple crimes, including the 1992 attempted murder of Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa. Gotti is currently in prison and set to be released in September. Prosecutors are expected to release details of the indictment at 11:30 this morning in New York.
Keeping you informed. CNN, the most trusted name in news.
John Kerry goes to Motor City to kick his presidential campaign back into gear. Kerry, who spent the last several days preparing for next week's Democratic National Convention, is due to address the Urban League this hour in Detroit. We'll bring it to you as it happens. Tomorrow, President Bush appears before the group as well.
Well, just hours before the release of the official release of the report by the 9/11 Commission, an airport surveillance video has surfaced showing some of the hijackers in Dulles International Airport, just outside of Washington en route to infamy. Metal detectors sounded alarms twice and security screeners took aside four of the five men for additional security. But there is no indication the screeners questioned them about box cutters believed used in the takeover of the American Airlines Flight 77. Less than two and a half hours later it crashed into the Pentagon.
Well, less than 90 minutes from now, the independent 9/11 Commission officially releases its findings. Just about a half an hour ago, commission Chair Tom Kean and co-chair Lee Hamilton presented President Bush with his own copy of the report in the Rose Garden. They thanked him for unprecedented access to classified information and to the decision makers. And this is what Mr. Bush had to say in that event.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: There's still a threat, and that we in government have an obligation to do everything in our power to safeguard the American people. And the report that they are about to present to me puts out some very constructive recommendations. And I look forward to studying their recommendations. And look forward to working with the responsible parties within my administration to move forward on those recommendations.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: The panel's chairman and co-chair briefed some of President Bush's inner circle yesterday.
Now, let's take a closer look at what we know about the report's findings. For that, we go to CNN's Sean Callebs. He's outside the Department of Commerce where copies of the report will be made available to the media -- Sean.
SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fredricka, we can tell you in the past 20 minutes or so, we actually got a report of the 9/11 Commission Report. This of course, the final report representing some 20 months of work by the 10 bipartisan commission members. They broke their own embargo, released this information to us, more than 570 pages. I've had a chance to plow through some of this. There's also an executive summary some 26 pages long. It does spell out some of the information that we had filtered out to us over the past 24 or so hours.
Now, a couple of the key points I want to make. In the very back of this, on page, close to 400, "recommendations to establish a national counterterrorism center." Now this, of course, in response to the commissioners saying that in essence, there was just the way the U.S. gathered and disseminated all of its information about possibly terrorist threats was simply too widely spread out. And it needed to be handled in a much more streamlined fashion. So they called for development of that center.
Also, they would like to call for the recommendation of a national intelligence director. This would be a cabinet level position. And Fredricka, the significance about this, the CIA director and the FBI director would become deputies of this national intelligence director. The CIA would continue to operate ferreting out information out on foreign intelligence. The FBI would be focused on homeland intelligence. And all of this information presumably would be shared in a much more thoughtful, much more rapid fashion -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: And so far, it appears that most of the Democrats and Republicans are all embracing this report. It does not necessarily place blame, but it does at an administration. But it does in part place blame in terms of the intelligence failures. So, isn't there some confusion here?
CALLEBS: Well, let's tackle each one of those points. Now, in the 14 chapters that's spelled out in this book -- 13 chapters, rather, it does apparently point out, we've not been able to ferret out exactly where, point blame on the Bush and Clinton administrations for the intelligence failures that led to those attacks. It does, however, have very harsh criticism for the way intelligence was gathered. So, yes there is blame there.
As far as trying to be as apolitical as possible, five Democrats, five Republicans on this commission -- excuse me, they've tried to keep politics out of this. And they say that all of these recommendations came in a unanimous fashion. And that is significant.
Now, from here, what happens? All these recommendations are nonbinding. They must either go through Congress, the president for some kind of action there. Now, Congress has made it clear that while, clearly this is important information, very thoughtful, produced in a very thought-provoking way, they are not going to be rushed into making any kind of a decision. Make any kind of overhaul in the national intelligence system in the U.S. in a very quick fashion.
So we're going to have to see how that plays out. Because these commission members are going to fan out across the country. They're going to, in essence, go on a road show. Take all of their findings, all of their work to the American people, in an effort to build up momentum for some kind of reform and some kind of reform, Fredricka, quickly.
WHITFIELD: All right. Sean Callebs, thanks very much, outside the Department of Commerce.
Now, the commission's hearings and, more specifically, the depth of the investigation often drew loud, angry criticisms from the families of those killed in the 9/11 attacks. Earlier, I spoke with three women: Mary Fetchet who lost her son Bradley, Carol Ashley, who lost her 25-year-old daughter, and Monica Gabriel who lost her husband in the World Trade Center.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Thanks for joining us, ladies. Before I ask you about the report, let me ask you about the new videotape that has surfaced, showing the hijackers going through security in Dulles Airport. Your thoughts on what you've seen -- Mary.
MARY FETCHET, LOST SON ON 9/11: Well, it was very upsetting to see the report. But we were well aware that there were problems within the airports and airline security. So I think today we're really focused on the recommendations of the 9/11 report. And certainly, airline security will be part of the issue that they're going to be evaluating.
WHITFIELD: Carol, have you had a chance to read any portions of the report?
CAROL ASHLEY, LOST DAUGHTER ON 9/11: Not yet. However, we have had staff statements that we've read. So I would assume that some of that information is going to be in the report. What will be interesting is to see how that's incorporated into it. And plus new information that will be coming out.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: And more from these ladies in the next hour.
For more on the latest chapter in the war on terror, our next guest is a nationally published author, writing about his research on terrorism, weapons of mass destruction and the Middle East. Dr. Jim Walsh is with the Belford Center at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.
All right. Good to see you, Jim.
DR. JIM WALSH, HARVARD UNIVERSITY: Good to see you, Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: All right. Well, the doctors of this report say they don't want to point fingers at intelligence agencies. Specifically, pretty much overall all of the intelligence agencies then in theory, or law enforcement. Does it, you know, point -- does it specifically point out flaws that will help cause some directives in making some changes in these agencies?
WALSH: Well, I think absolutely it does. If you look at those staff reports, those 16 staff reports that the families you just interviewed mentioned, it outlines all sorts of problems. And problems that move in different directions. Sometimes you had people in the field, for example, in the FBI headquarters in Minneapolis or in Phoenix, who wanted -- who had information about the terrorists. And they couldn't get that information up the chain of command to the folks in Washington.
But in other circumstances, the people in Washington, particularly in the summer before 9/11, in July and August, were very, very worried about an attack. But somehow the word did not filter down to the folks in the field. And then in addition to that, you had agencies side by side, the National Security Agency, the FBI, the CIA, who had different pieces of the puzzle, but weren't sharing that information. So all of those things interfered with our ability to prevent those attacks.
WHITFIELD: So then, pointing out all of these flaws, shouldn't there be some concern that perhaps this makes the country that much more vulnerable, as we look at and further investigate the flaws?
WALSH: Well, that's an excellent question. You always want to ask yourself if by identifying a weakness, are we in some way helping a terrorist, providing them with a road map to attack us? I don't think that's the case here.
Most of the weaknesses we've identified, or identified in that report, are institutional weaknesses. They're not issues on the ground that would tell a terrorist how to get around a security system. It's really about sharing of information. And also the priority that we give. And also the sorts of things we're looking for in terms of the terrorists. I don't think that's going to help them at all. It will only strengthen our ability to reduce the threat.
WHITFIELD: One recommendation, a national intelligence director to coordinate the intelligence community. Do you see that as an answer?
WALSH: Well, I'm agnostic on that one. It seems -- I mean that may be a good idea. I'm definitely against the MI-5 idea, to sort of set up an intelligence agency like the British have. I think this is one that deserves some debate. But I think there are lots of other things we can be doing at the same time, while we figure out whether that's a good idea or not.
And let me add, Fredricka, let me step back and give this some context.
WHITFIELD: Yes.
WALSH: There are going to be things in this report that I agree with, things I disagree with. It's not, you know, going to be a perfect report. But it is very important. This is the most important report about the most important event in American history in decades. And I think citizens should put this at the top of their summer reading list. You know, whether I agree or disagree with parts of it, the reality is, this is a very important report. Citizens have a duty to read it. And people are always asking, well, what can I do about terrorism. What can I, the individual do about...
WHITFIELD: You think it makes ultimately everybody more vigilant?
WALSH: And beyond vigilance, I mean it really gives them -- it educates. It will create the conditions for better public policy making. And that will help reduce the threat to terrorism. So I hope everyone out there goes online or goes to the local bookstore today and picks up a copy. I think it's important that we all read the findings.
WHITFIELD: Dr. Jim Walsh of Harvard University. Thank you very much.
WALSH: Thank you, Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: And we'll have live coverage of the report's official public release, scheduled less than 90 minutes from now. That's due at 11:30 Eastern, 8:30 Pacific right here on CNN.
For John Kerry and running mate John Edwards, all roads lead to Boston. The site of next week's Democratic National Convention. And the showcase for their ticket's presumed nomination. It's also the scene of extraordinary precautions against a terrorist attack. Last night, the vice presidential candidate and his wife discussed that on CNN's "LARRY KING LIVE."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ELIZABETH EDWARDS, WIFE OF JOHN EDWARDS: There's going to be so much security in these locations, I really feel I wouldn't be bringing my family there if I didn't think it was safe.
LARRY KING, HOST "LARRY KING LIVE": What about you, Senator?
SEN. JOHN EDWARDS, (D-NC), VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I think we'll be fine at the conventions. I think the conventions are going to be so protected, as Elizabeth just talked about. No, I think the greater likelihood and greater vulnerability are in other big public events that are not associated with the national political conventions.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: The Republican National Convention is held next month in New York. And it, too, is also the focus of scream security measures.
Well, right now we're standing by to hear John Kerry's address to the National Urban League, which is scheduled to take place momentarily. Can the Kerry-Edwards ticket offer Michigan voters enough to take the battle ground state? Here for yourself.
And a wife and expectant mother missing, now her husband is hospitalized. And we have word of a lie he told to his parents. A live report from Salt Lake City, Utah coming up.
And later, could being a voter be your ticket to love? One survey says yes. Find out why coming up on CNN LIVE TODAY.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Testimony resumes today in the Scott Peterson double murder trial. Peterson is accused of killing his pregnant wife Laci and their unborn son. He maintains his innocence. Yesterday, some jurors winced when they were shown graphic photos of Laci Peterson's decomposed body.
Meanwhile, the defense accused police of conducting a sloppy investigation. Peterson's lawyer tried to deflect suspicion by pointing to a prostitute for stealing checks from the Peterson's mailbox. Police say the checks were stolen after Laci disappeared.
Police say foul play was probably involved in the case of a missing pregnant woman in Salt Lake City, Utah. Lori Hacking was last seen on Monday morning. And as the investigation into her disappearance moves forward, there are now questions about her husband.
CNN's Kimberly Osias is following this story from Salt Lake City -- Kimberly.
KIMBERLY OSIAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Fredricka. That's exactly right. In fact, there are a whole lot more questions this morning than there are answers. We are looking at an orientation, right around where we are, about a dozen people set to go out to look for Lori Hacking. A lot less than we have seen before, perhaps because of this cloud of suspicion over the investigation now.
We now know that Mark Hacking, Lori's husband lied to his family, in fact, much of his education was predicated on a huge lie. He told them that they had plans; they even called a moving truck to move to North Carolina, where he was supposed to begin medical school. We know that he never even graduate from undergraduate. Police have questioned Mark Hacking. They are not calling him a suspect yet. However, they do call him, quote, "A person of interest in the case." And they have not yet cleared him from the investigation.
Both of the couple's cars as well as a dumpster with bedding have been seized from their home. They're going to do some forensics testing on those items, as they search for clues and follow up leads.
But despite these lies, family members of Mark Hacking say that they stand by him. They are steadfast in their support. They say the couple has been married for five years. They were high school sweethearts, in fact. They were anxiously awaiting the arrival of their first child.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIPS)
HAROLD SOARES, LORI HACKING'S FATHER: The hard thing for us to understand is that he had gone back to North Carolina, he and Lori picked out an apartment. Had packed all their belongings. Had arranged for a moving truck to come to pick up their belongings. He and I were going to drive out there and tow their spare car behind his car.
So these are all arrangements that were made. And I have no explanation for this new development. I just can't understand it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't think he could do it because he loved Lori too much. And I -- when I came to visit him once a month, they always were holding hands together. They were sneaking a kiss here and there. And he was a gentleman.
(END VIDEO CLIPS) OSIAS: We do have confirmed reports by the family that Mark Hacking checked into a psychiatric unit of an area hospital around here, because of the stress this investigation has caused. We do know that his wife is five weeks pregnant -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: And have investigators interviewed, talked with Mark Hacking yet, even though he is in the hospital?
OSIAS: Yes, they have, Fredricka. We have heard that they actually went to the hospital yesterday. They left. But they've been investigating and speaking with him over the last couple days. Again, he has not been cleared, but he has also not been called a suspect in the case.
WHITFIELD: All right. Thanks very much.
Well, John Kerry goes after voters in the battle ground state of Michigan, with promises of a crackdown on crime and a new path for urban youth. We're standing by live to bring you his address to the National Urban League.
And straight ahead, the fire that seemed to surprise many in California, the latest on the Crown Wildfire.
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WHITFIELD: Firefighters in northern Los Angeles County say the weather has come to their aid in fighting the Crown Fire near Acton. The blaze was charging -- has charred rather, nearly 9,000 acres. But is now about 30 percent contained. Fire crews say the winds changed direction and slowed its advance.
John Kerry fights to win Michigan voters. Hear what he has to say to the National Urban League. You're looking at a live shot now, as they get ready for him to arrive. And this is taking place one day ahead of President Bush's scheduled address to them tomorrow.
And the 9/11 Commission's Report will be released in about an hour. We'll get a live report from the White House on the president's preview.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: One hour from now, the bipartisan panel studying the 9/11 attacks will give its report and recommendations. Bush administration officials familiar with the report say it cites, quote, "deep institutional failings within our government." Those shortcomings include a lack of intelligence sharing among various agencies. And that while the U.S. is safer now than before 9/11, it is still not safe enough.
In presidential politics, John Kerry is just days away from his party's nomination at the Democratic National Convention. He spent the last several days preparing for that. But this hour, he is back in the fast lane in Detroit, and in front of a constituency he needs to win. Kerry is soon to address a convention of the Urban League. Mr. Bush appears before the group tomorrow. And right now, you're looking at a live picture in there; it's the president Mark Morial of the Urban League.
On Capitol Hill this afternoon, the House is expected to pass legislation that would limit federal court jurisdiction on the issue of gay marriage. Specifically, Republican lawmakers want to prevent the federal courts, including the Supreme Court, from striking down state bans on gay marriage. It would also keep those courts from ordering that states recognize same sex unions legalized elsewhere.
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