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For Third Time in Month, Floridians Evacuating Ahead of Major Hurricane; Bin Laden's Deputy Says U.S. Forces Hiding in Trenches in Afghanistan

Aired September 10, 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.


DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: We'll get started here at CNN world headquarters in Atlanta. I'm Daryn Kagan. Taking a look at what is happening now in the news.
As many as a half million people in Jamaica could be whisked to higher ground in the coming hours, as the island braces for Hurricane Ivan. The Category 4 storm is expected to rake the island by tonight and threaten the Florida Keys with possible landfall by Monday afternoon. It would be Florida's third major hurricane in a month's time.

CIA analysts are studying a newly released tape of Osama bin Laden's top deputy in hopes of determining whether it is new. Ayman al Zawahiri mentions that Iraq's transitional government, in the only dated reference on the tape. It aired yesterday on the Arab network al Jazeera. Zawahiri says that the American defeat in Iraq and Afghanistan is inevitable.

Police in Indonesia say an al Qaeda-linked group is behind yesterday's suicide car bombing in Jakarta. Nine people were killed and more than 180 wounded in the blast outside the Australian Embassy. Australian's prime minister says that Indonesian police received a text message warning of an attack, if police did not release a spiritual leader of the suspected group.

President Bush campaigns in West Virginia this hour. That is his 15-visit to the state since 2000. Mr. Bush won West Virginia by 6 percentage points in that election. His bus tour continues on to Ohio, another battleground state that he has frequently visited.

We are going to start by looking at Hurricane Ivan. For the third time in a month, Floridians are evacuating ahead of a major hurricane.

Our John Zarrella is in Key Largo with that story.

John, good morning.

JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. Well, we are in Key Largo along U.S. 1, which of course, is the only road in and out of the Florida Keys. And the traffic is building, a steady stream of cars and travel trailers, and boats on trailers leaving the Florida Keys. Some 80,000 people in the Florida Keys, and officials tell us they expect some 60,000 to be evacuated by the end of the day today. Key West already looks like a ghost town. The hotels are shutting down and boarding up. Private residences boarding up. Business is shutting down. Everyone taking this hurricane very, very seriously, not taking any chances. Again, the third potential hit on Florida in a month.

Now, police are telling us, while they do hope that most people leave, the problem they may have here is getting some of the old- timers, the conks to get out.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CAPT. JENNY BELL-THOMSON, SHERIFF'S DEPT., MONROE CO., FL.: That's one of the other challenges we face, where people who have lived here all of their lives. In fact, I spoke to one gentleman day before yesterday who said, I've been through the '35, I've been through the '60, I'm not going anywhere. And I don't even try to talk them out of it, because I know they're not going to leave. Now, there are a lot of other people I do try to talk out of it. But there are just some people who aren't going to go no matter what we do.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ZARRELLA: Even a mandatory evacuation, police can urge people to leave. But they're not going to get out; they're not going to get out. In 1998, when Hurricane George came through here, not that many people evacuated. That was a Category 2 hurricane. But after the storm, many of those who did not leave said they'd never make that mistake again. Now with a Category 4 storm bearing down on the Florida Keys, the hope here is that this time, people will take it seriously, and that most of the Keys by the end of business today will be evacuated -- Daryn.

KAGAN: And John, at the opposite end of the spectrum there, from what they call "hurricane amnesia," where you forget how bad it can be, is "hurricane anxiety," people absolutely spent and their nerves frayed after what they've been through over this last month?

ZARRELLA: Oh, you know, there's absolutely no question about it. We've heard people saying look, you know, maybe it's just time to leave Florida for good. The irony of all this is that if you went back to the '30s, '40s and '50s, when there were only a fraction of the people here that there are today in Florida, you know, two, three hurricanes a year in Florida was not uncommon. Went through a period of 40 or 50 years of a tremendous lull in hurricane activity. But the experts have been saying we've returned to that period hurricane activity now, and that in the years to come we can expect perhaps more years like this one here in Florida. And certainly in all of Hurricane Alley -- Daryn.

KAGAN: John Zarrella in Key Largo. John, thank you.

Now, let's go to Jamaica, that is where Hurricane Ivan is already the deadliest storm to hit the Caribbean in a decade. It is headed for Jamaica to make a direct hit on that island.

Our Karl Penhaul is in Kingston with the latest on the phone.

Karl, good morning.

KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Daryn. So far, though, we've not seen the arrival of those hurricane force storms. Winds are in the last few moments beginning to pick up, however. We've seen in the course of the morning, some of these rain bands sweeping into the southeast section of Jamaica. And now government authorities obviously taking this threat very seriously. The weather experts here say that the effects of Hurricane Ivan on Jamaica could be catastrophic. The Prime Minister P.J. Patterson has also called on Jamaicans to prepare for what he called "imminent danger."

Now, that has sparked a run in the supermarkets. Jamaicans have been snapping up tin goods, supplies of water and such like. And some have been boarding up their homes with plywood doors, boarding up doors and windows. But many have not. Many are still taking this with a grain of salt, saying that they believe Hurricane Ivan will divert at the last moment. But certainly no signs of that. And is the government is taking the threat very seriously at this stage.

Yesterday, they announced it would be prepared to evacuate up to 500,000 people from low-lying areas in and around the Capital of Kingston. In fact, they did begin to move some of those people yesterday in government buses. They were taking them to shelters, to some of the churches, and also the state schools, which will all also operate here in Kingston as shelters -- Daryn.

KAGAN: All right. Karl Penhaul, we will check back with you in Kingston.

You can track Ivan's path, just go to our web site. We also have links to emergency information and resources and safety tips. Find it all at cnn.com.

Exactly 50 days ago today, the 9/11 Commission issued its report on ways to make the U.S. safer against future terrorist attacks. Now that Congress is back in session, is it any closer to taking any action?

Our national correspondent Kelly Wallace takes a look at the objectives and at the obstacles.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KELLY WALLACE, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Dueling messages on Capitol Hill. There is the go-fast crowd...

SEN. JOSEPH LIEBERMAN (D), CONNECTICUT: Nothing else we have to do is more important.

WALLACE: ... versus those saying, let's not rush to judgment.

REP. TOM DELAY (R-TX), MAJORITY LEADER: So that we do the right thing not the knee-jerk thing. WALLACE (on camera): It's not just a debate over how quickly to pass legislation, but over how many of the September 11 Commission's 41 recommendations should become law.

(voice-over): Those recommendations include: broader information sharing among government agencies; increased screening of U.S. visitors; and the most controversial, creating a National Intelligence Director who would have full control over the budget of 15 different agencies. Something President Bush now suggests he can support.

GEORGE W. BUSH (R), PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We believe there ought to be a National Intelligence Director who has full budgetary authority.

WALLACE: Now to the obstacles: turf battles with some lawmakers unwilling to give up oversight of intelligence agencies; a shortage of time with Congress expected to recess in less than a month, and partisan politics. With both sides positioning themselves before the November elections, when all 435 seats in the House and 34 seats in the Senate are in play.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This close to an election, the temptation to political mischief can be strong, but must be resisted by both parties.

WALLACE: How does the public feel? The polls might surprise you. According to a survey last month, nearly two-thirds said Congress should take as much time as it needs to consider the recommendations. Clearly the American public is paying attention. The September 11 Commission's Report is number one on "The New York Times" paperback bestseller list.

Kelly Wallace, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: We'll continue to observe a day of astounding loss, this time by being generous. When we come back, you're going to meet a man who is asking you to make September 11 a day called the day of giving. And it's Call One Day's Pay.

Also, the assault weapons ban expires next week. Chiefs of police from across the U.S. are calling for an extension. Atlanta's police chief joins me to tell me why.

(BEGIN AND END CELLULAR MOVIE CLIP)

KAGAN: Kim Bassinger in her latest thriller. Later Mr. Moviefone looks at what is big at the box office? See what he thinks of this film with Kim Bassinger. That's just ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Osama bin Laden's trusted deputy says that U.S. forces are hiding in the trenches in Afghanistan, afraid to come out and engage al Qaeda. But CNN's senior international correspondent Nic Robertson tells a different story. Nic has gone out on patrol with U.S. forces, who are searching for bin Laden.

Delighted to have him with me here. Nic in Atlanta to talk about his experiences and what you know of what is taking place in Afghanistan.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTL. CORRESPONDENT: Well, certainly that southeastern corner of Afghanistan is a dangerous area for troops. There's no doubt when they do go out, they do face dangers. But the idea put across by Ayman al Zawahiri in his latest message, the U.S. troops are hiding in their trenches, that's not what I saw. They go out on daily patrols. They go knocking on the doors. They're trying to drum up information about where Osama bin Laden might be. And they that by going out and talking to people. They are attacked and there are large numbers of Taliban that do roam around that area. Security sources say hundreds at times. So it is dangerous.

KAGAN: Well, let's talk about the specific tape that has come out that you made reference to. One, the significance of the timing of when it comes out. But also, the concern that by putting it on the air, there's also hidden messages that are being broadcast as well.

ROBERTSON: From what we understand, al Jazeera, the Gulf broadcast -- Arab news broadcast that received this, they say that the tape is as long as 12 minutes. And they've only broadcast small extracts from that so far. They've broadcast materials relating to Afghanistan and Iraq.

Ayman al Zawahiri says that the United States is being beaten both in Afghanistan and in Iraq. He says that the U.S. policy in Iraq -- in Iraq has been turned on its head, if you will. And the United States will lose everything if it pulls out. And it's only a matter of time before they're defeated.

Why do they want to put that message out now? It's the anniversary of September 11. Why have they done it with an on-camera video message? Because it's the strongest way that they can deliver it. They haven't been able to do this in the last two and a half years. It's really waving the Osama bin Laden, the al Qaeda flag around the anniversary of September 11. And that's when they like to peak their message. It's an important time for them.

KAGAN: It's daunting. Isn't it? Look what we can do, we get this tape out there and you can't find us.

ROBERTSON: That's what it says. And indeed, they have been able to do that.

KAGAN: And how is that possible?

ROBERTSON: I think a lot of intelligence analysts are asking exactly that question. There's al Jazeera often gets these videotapes, audiotapes to broadcast. People are looking at it and saying what's the chain of custody? Why can't we find the people, Osama bin Laden, Ayman al Zawahiri at the other end? It has to come from them.

KAGAN: And do you think today the United States is any closer to finding Osama bin Laden and Ayman al Zawahiri?

ROBERTSON: If you look at it very pragmatically and the stated position is absolutely, they will be caught. We have to say that one day more in time, we must therefore be closer. Their capture must be one day closer if they're going to be caught. And I -- that does seem to be an accurate assessment. You know, it was the same with Saddam Hussein. It was a matter of time, obviously. And Tommy Franks talked about this recently in his interview with Paula Zahn, much harder to catch Osama bin Laden. He has much greater support.

But it is a matter of time and every day builds that picture. But it has to be a huge frustration, it has to be said, for those troops on the ground knocking on the doors, for the intelligence officials not able to join the dots the way they'd like to do it, I'm sure it's a very frustrating business.

KAGAN: It certainly is. Nic Robertson, thanks for stopping in town -- stopping in the country, I should say. And for your insight. Thank you.

Don't really need to look on the calendar to know that tomorrow is September 11, a day that Americans will always remember as one that was scarred by terrorist attacks.

My next guest who lost a brother in the World Trade Center attacks wants this day memorialized not for its losses, but for its giving. He is the driving force behind creating a national day of voluntary service, charity and compassion. It is called One Day's Pay.

Jay Winuk, vice president and Secretary of One Day's Pay, a nonprofit organization and the program to honor the 9/11 anniversary. He's joining me this morning from New York.

Jay, good morning. Thanks for being here.

JAY WINUK, VICE PRESIDENT, ONE DAY'S PAY: Good morning. Thanks for having me.

KAGAN: First, if you do us the honor please of telling us about your brother Glen.

WINUK: Thank you. Glen was a partner at a law firm about a block and a half from Ground Zero. And for 20 years, also served as a volunteer fireman on Long Island, and was an EMT. So when his building was evacuated, he headed west towards the south tower to assist in the emergency operation. The rescue operation. And was lost when the south tower came down. So we're very proud of him.

KAGAN: I would imagine. And if you could tell me about One Day's Pay, how it works and why this is a good way to honor your brother?

WINUK: Sure. In fact, it's a perfect way to honor my brother, because it celebrates the spirit of unity and compassion and selflessness, that was so evident in the days and weeks and months after 9/11. And so we've started this initiative, which is being very well received in all quarters of the country, to not lose sight of that. And to simply stop for an hour, a day, a week, whatever is within your comfort zone, and do something good for somebody else.

KAGAN: And so you can volunteer somewhere. You can give money. Are you asking people to give money to your organization? To this organization? Or give money to any charity?

WINUK: It's not really about money. The name One Day's Pay is about one day's payment of service.

KAGAN: Mm.

WINUK: Certainly if the only thing you can do is donate to your favorite charity, and certainly there are a whole host of charities that are listed on our web site which is onesdayspay.org, people can do that. But really, the examples that people are -- of giving that people are doing are things on a very small scale and a very large scale.

In Alaska, a car salesman is going to donate his commissions to a children charity called Tuesday's Children, his commissions from this weekend. Firefighters from New York have flown to San Diego to help rebuild homes destroyed in the wildfires last year. People are donating blood. People are sending school supplies to children who need them, or cleaning up parks or buying groceries for people.

It's really whatever works for you. And simply, we're asking for people to just stop and make a pledge of service on our web site, and do something good for the next guy, in the spirit of what my brother gave and what so many others gave after 9/11.

KAGAN: It sounds good; onesdayspay.org is the web site.

As we leave, can give us one memory of your brother that has nothing to do with 9/11.

WINUK: Well...

(LAUGHTER)

WINUK: ... that's a good question. I remember when we were kids and he was little, we had a football game that we played every Thanksgiving. And even at nine or 10 years old he would show up with his First Aid kit just hoping somebody would get injured, so he could go to work. So he's always had this kind of -- this caring spirit about him.

KAGAN: Always ready to spring into action.

WINUK: Yes.

KAGAN: Thank you for sharing those memories and also for encouraging all of us to give one day's pay.

WINUK: Thank you. I appreciate it. KAGAN: Jay Winuk joining us from New York City.

And we'll be back after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice-over): From the 9/11 Commission Report.

On September 11, the nation suffered the largest loss of live, 2,973, on its soil as a result of hostile attack. The Fire Department of New York suffered 343 fatalities, the largest loss of life of any emergency response agency in history.

Over the coming hours, weeks and months, thousands of civilians and city, state and federal employees devoted themselves around the clock to putting New York City back on its feet.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: All right. Mortgage rates remain at historically low levels. And it appears a power shift is under way here favoring homebuyers over home sellers.

CNN/FN personal finance editor Gerri Willis has today's "Top 5 Tips" for making the most of a buyer's market.

Good morning.

GERRI WILLIS, CNNFN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: Hey, Daryn. Good to see you. Tip No. 1; pick your real estate agent carefully. Look, you want somebody who has a lot of experience; they know what they're doing. One of the stories in real estate, of course, is a lot of people are part-time. Make sure that your agent is doing more than 6 to 12 deals each and every year. Remember, they're going to help you pick out other experts as well, maybe your attorney, maybe your mortgage banker, too.

KAGAN: Check out the price tag of that house.

WILLIS: That's right. Don't bite off more than you can chew. Look, people spend so much money on their dream house that they may have to defer other dreams they have; like retirement, like sending their kids to college. Make sure you're not paying any more than 28 to 33 percent of your monthly gross income. Because look, it's not just the mortgage that's going to get you, it's the property taxes, the homeowners insurance, even your credit cards.

KAGAN: Well, speaking of the mortgages, there seems like there's many different kinds of mortgages as there are different kinds of houses.

WILLIS: Oh, you bet. Thirty-year fixed rate was always the most popular mortgage. But hey, there are others now gaining popularity, adjustable rate mortgages one of them. You know how these work: three in ones, five in ones, seven in ones. The rate is fixed for a period of time, and then it adjusts each and every year. We're in a period of rising rates, so you want to be careful if you're getting an ARM right now.

KAGAN: How important is the calendar when you're looking to close on a house?

WILLIS: It's all about the calendar. Look, you have to know when your rate lock expires. Keep your eye on the clock. Watch for the closing date. You've got to keep a ton of people on track doing their jobs, whether it's people dealing with your mortgage, or your realtor, or your attorney. So watch that clock.

KAGAN: And why do you need to get a clue, so to speak, when you're looking for homeowners insurance?

WILLIS: Well, when you're looking for homeowners insurance, homeowners has changed and dramatically. Watch out for that guaranteed replacement and extended replacement services. It's changed. You're going to have less coverage. Check out all the details, because I know a lot of people in Florida especially, Daryn, are finding out that their insurance, it wasn't what they thought.

KAGAN: Mm. Bad time to find that out.

WILLIS: Right.

KAGAN: Gerri Willis in New York City, thank you for that.

WILLIS: Thank you.

KAGAN: Have a great weekend. We will see you next week.

Speaking of the hurricane, Hurricane Ivan. Residents of the island of Jamaica stock up and they are waiting for Hurricane Ivan to arrive. Stay with us as we track the storm that is barreling towards Jamaica.

And look what I did with my afternoon. Took a trip to Plains, Georgia, hung out with former President Jimmy Carter and Willie Nelson. Hear what former President Carter has to say about politics and the situation in Iraq.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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Aired September 10, 2004 - 10:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: We'll get started here at CNN world headquarters in Atlanta. I'm Daryn Kagan. Taking a look at what is happening now in the news.
As many as a half million people in Jamaica could be whisked to higher ground in the coming hours, as the island braces for Hurricane Ivan. The Category 4 storm is expected to rake the island by tonight and threaten the Florida Keys with possible landfall by Monday afternoon. It would be Florida's third major hurricane in a month's time.

CIA analysts are studying a newly released tape of Osama bin Laden's top deputy in hopes of determining whether it is new. Ayman al Zawahiri mentions that Iraq's transitional government, in the only dated reference on the tape. It aired yesterday on the Arab network al Jazeera. Zawahiri says that the American defeat in Iraq and Afghanistan is inevitable.

Police in Indonesia say an al Qaeda-linked group is behind yesterday's suicide car bombing in Jakarta. Nine people were killed and more than 180 wounded in the blast outside the Australian Embassy. Australian's prime minister says that Indonesian police received a text message warning of an attack, if police did not release a spiritual leader of the suspected group.

President Bush campaigns in West Virginia this hour. That is his 15-visit to the state since 2000. Mr. Bush won West Virginia by 6 percentage points in that election. His bus tour continues on to Ohio, another battleground state that he has frequently visited.

We are going to start by looking at Hurricane Ivan. For the third time in a month, Floridians are evacuating ahead of a major hurricane.

Our John Zarrella is in Key Largo with that story.

John, good morning.

JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. Well, we are in Key Largo along U.S. 1, which of course, is the only road in and out of the Florida Keys. And the traffic is building, a steady stream of cars and travel trailers, and boats on trailers leaving the Florida Keys. Some 80,000 people in the Florida Keys, and officials tell us they expect some 60,000 to be evacuated by the end of the day today. Key West already looks like a ghost town. The hotels are shutting down and boarding up. Private residences boarding up. Business is shutting down. Everyone taking this hurricane very, very seriously, not taking any chances. Again, the third potential hit on Florida in a month.

Now, police are telling us, while they do hope that most people leave, the problem they may have here is getting some of the old- timers, the conks to get out.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CAPT. JENNY BELL-THOMSON, SHERIFF'S DEPT., MONROE CO., FL.: That's one of the other challenges we face, where people who have lived here all of their lives. In fact, I spoke to one gentleman day before yesterday who said, I've been through the '35, I've been through the '60, I'm not going anywhere. And I don't even try to talk them out of it, because I know they're not going to leave. Now, there are a lot of other people I do try to talk out of it. But there are just some people who aren't going to go no matter what we do.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ZARRELLA: Even a mandatory evacuation, police can urge people to leave. But they're not going to get out; they're not going to get out. In 1998, when Hurricane George came through here, not that many people evacuated. That was a Category 2 hurricane. But after the storm, many of those who did not leave said they'd never make that mistake again. Now with a Category 4 storm bearing down on the Florida Keys, the hope here is that this time, people will take it seriously, and that most of the Keys by the end of business today will be evacuated -- Daryn.

KAGAN: And John, at the opposite end of the spectrum there, from what they call "hurricane amnesia," where you forget how bad it can be, is "hurricane anxiety," people absolutely spent and their nerves frayed after what they've been through over this last month?

ZARRELLA: Oh, you know, there's absolutely no question about it. We've heard people saying look, you know, maybe it's just time to leave Florida for good. The irony of all this is that if you went back to the '30s, '40s and '50s, when there were only a fraction of the people here that there are today in Florida, you know, two, three hurricanes a year in Florida was not uncommon. Went through a period of 40 or 50 years of a tremendous lull in hurricane activity. But the experts have been saying we've returned to that period hurricane activity now, and that in the years to come we can expect perhaps more years like this one here in Florida. And certainly in all of Hurricane Alley -- Daryn.

KAGAN: John Zarrella in Key Largo. John, thank you.

Now, let's go to Jamaica, that is where Hurricane Ivan is already the deadliest storm to hit the Caribbean in a decade. It is headed for Jamaica to make a direct hit on that island.

Our Karl Penhaul is in Kingston with the latest on the phone.

Karl, good morning.

KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Daryn. So far, though, we've not seen the arrival of those hurricane force storms. Winds are in the last few moments beginning to pick up, however. We've seen in the course of the morning, some of these rain bands sweeping into the southeast section of Jamaica. And now government authorities obviously taking this threat very seriously. The weather experts here say that the effects of Hurricane Ivan on Jamaica could be catastrophic. The Prime Minister P.J. Patterson has also called on Jamaicans to prepare for what he called "imminent danger."

Now, that has sparked a run in the supermarkets. Jamaicans have been snapping up tin goods, supplies of water and such like. And some have been boarding up their homes with plywood doors, boarding up doors and windows. But many have not. Many are still taking this with a grain of salt, saying that they believe Hurricane Ivan will divert at the last moment. But certainly no signs of that. And is the government is taking the threat very seriously at this stage.

Yesterday, they announced it would be prepared to evacuate up to 500,000 people from low-lying areas in and around the Capital of Kingston. In fact, they did begin to move some of those people yesterday in government buses. They were taking them to shelters, to some of the churches, and also the state schools, which will all also operate here in Kingston as shelters -- Daryn.

KAGAN: All right. Karl Penhaul, we will check back with you in Kingston.

You can track Ivan's path, just go to our web site. We also have links to emergency information and resources and safety tips. Find it all at cnn.com.

Exactly 50 days ago today, the 9/11 Commission issued its report on ways to make the U.S. safer against future terrorist attacks. Now that Congress is back in session, is it any closer to taking any action?

Our national correspondent Kelly Wallace takes a look at the objectives and at the obstacles.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KELLY WALLACE, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Dueling messages on Capitol Hill. There is the go-fast crowd...

SEN. JOSEPH LIEBERMAN (D), CONNECTICUT: Nothing else we have to do is more important.

WALLACE: ... versus those saying, let's not rush to judgment.

REP. TOM DELAY (R-TX), MAJORITY LEADER: So that we do the right thing not the knee-jerk thing. WALLACE (on camera): It's not just a debate over how quickly to pass legislation, but over how many of the September 11 Commission's 41 recommendations should become law.

(voice-over): Those recommendations include: broader information sharing among government agencies; increased screening of U.S. visitors; and the most controversial, creating a National Intelligence Director who would have full control over the budget of 15 different agencies. Something President Bush now suggests he can support.

GEORGE W. BUSH (R), PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We believe there ought to be a National Intelligence Director who has full budgetary authority.

WALLACE: Now to the obstacles: turf battles with some lawmakers unwilling to give up oversight of intelligence agencies; a shortage of time with Congress expected to recess in less than a month, and partisan politics. With both sides positioning themselves before the November elections, when all 435 seats in the House and 34 seats in the Senate are in play.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This close to an election, the temptation to political mischief can be strong, but must be resisted by both parties.

WALLACE: How does the public feel? The polls might surprise you. According to a survey last month, nearly two-thirds said Congress should take as much time as it needs to consider the recommendations. Clearly the American public is paying attention. The September 11 Commission's Report is number one on "The New York Times" paperback bestseller list.

Kelly Wallace, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: We'll continue to observe a day of astounding loss, this time by being generous. When we come back, you're going to meet a man who is asking you to make September 11 a day called the day of giving. And it's Call One Day's Pay.

Also, the assault weapons ban expires next week. Chiefs of police from across the U.S. are calling for an extension. Atlanta's police chief joins me to tell me why.

(BEGIN AND END CELLULAR MOVIE CLIP)

KAGAN: Kim Bassinger in her latest thriller. Later Mr. Moviefone looks at what is big at the box office? See what he thinks of this film with Kim Bassinger. That's just ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Osama bin Laden's trusted deputy says that U.S. forces are hiding in the trenches in Afghanistan, afraid to come out and engage al Qaeda. But CNN's senior international correspondent Nic Robertson tells a different story. Nic has gone out on patrol with U.S. forces, who are searching for bin Laden.

Delighted to have him with me here. Nic in Atlanta to talk about his experiences and what you know of what is taking place in Afghanistan.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTL. CORRESPONDENT: Well, certainly that southeastern corner of Afghanistan is a dangerous area for troops. There's no doubt when they do go out, they do face dangers. But the idea put across by Ayman al Zawahiri in his latest message, the U.S. troops are hiding in their trenches, that's not what I saw. They go out on daily patrols. They go knocking on the doors. They're trying to drum up information about where Osama bin Laden might be. And they that by going out and talking to people. They are attacked and there are large numbers of Taliban that do roam around that area. Security sources say hundreds at times. So it is dangerous.

KAGAN: Well, let's talk about the specific tape that has come out that you made reference to. One, the significance of the timing of when it comes out. But also, the concern that by putting it on the air, there's also hidden messages that are being broadcast as well.

ROBERTSON: From what we understand, al Jazeera, the Gulf broadcast -- Arab news broadcast that received this, they say that the tape is as long as 12 minutes. And they've only broadcast small extracts from that so far. They've broadcast materials relating to Afghanistan and Iraq.

Ayman al Zawahiri says that the United States is being beaten both in Afghanistan and in Iraq. He says that the U.S. policy in Iraq -- in Iraq has been turned on its head, if you will. And the United States will lose everything if it pulls out. And it's only a matter of time before they're defeated.

Why do they want to put that message out now? It's the anniversary of September 11. Why have they done it with an on-camera video message? Because it's the strongest way that they can deliver it. They haven't been able to do this in the last two and a half years. It's really waving the Osama bin Laden, the al Qaeda flag around the anniversary of September 11. And that's when they like to peak their message. It's an important time for them.

KAGAN: It's daunting. Isn't it? Look what we can do, we get this tape out there and you can't find us.

ROBERTSON: That's what it says. And indeed, they have been able to do that.

KAGAN: And how is that possible?

ROBERTSON: I think a lot of intelligence analysts are asking exactly that question. There's al Jazeera often gets these videotapes, audiotapes to broadcast. People are looking at it and saying what's the chain of custody? Why can't we find the people, Osama bin Laden, Ayman al Zawahiri at the other end? It has to come from them.

KAGAN: And do you think today the United States is any closer to finding Osama bin Laden and Ayman al Zawahiri?

ROBERTSON: If you look at it very pragmatically and the stated position is absolutely, they will be caught. We have to say that one day more in time, we must therefore be closer. Their capture must be one day closer if they're going to be caught. And I -- that does seem to be an accurate assessment. You know, it was the same with Saddam Hussein. It was a matter of time, obviously. And Tommy Franks talked about this recently in his interview with Paula Zahn, much harder to catch Osama bin Laden. He has much greater support.

But it is a matter of time and every day builds that picture. But it has to be a huge frustration, it has to be said, for those troops on the ground knocking on the doors, for the intelligence officials not able to join the dots the way they'd like to do it, I'm sure it's a very frustrating business.

KAGAN: It certainly is. Nic Robertson, thanks for stopping in town -- stopping in the country, I should say. And for your insight. Thank you.

Don't really need to look on the calendar to know that tomorrow is September 11, a day that Americans will always remember as one that was scarred by terrorist attacks.

My next guest who lost a brother in the World Trade Center attacks wants this day memorialized not for its losses, but for its giving. He is the driving force behind creating a national day of voluntary service, charity and compassion. It is called One Day's Pay.

Jay Winuk, vice president and Secretary of One Day's Pay, a nonprofit organization and the program to honor the 9/11 anniversary. He's joining me this morning from New York.

Jay, good morning. Thanks for being here.

JAY WINUK, VICE PRESIDENT, ONE DAY'S PAY: Good morning. Thanks for having me.

KAGAN: First, if you do us the honor please of telling us about your brother Glen.

WINUK: Thank you. Glen was a partner at a law firm about a block and a half from Ground Zero. And for 20 years, also served as a volunteer fireman on Long Island, and was an EMT. So when his building was evacuated, he headed west towards the south tower to assist in the emergency operation. The rescue operation. And was lost when the south tower came down. So we're very proud of him.

KAGAN: I would imagine. And if you could tell me about One Day's Pay, how it works and why this is a good way to honor your brother?

WINUK: Sure. In fact, it's a perfect way to honor my brother, because it celebrates the spirit of unity and compassion and selflessness, that was so evident in the days and weeks and months after 9/11. And so we've started this initiative, which is being very well received in all quarters of the country, to not lose sight of that. And to simply stop for an hour, a day, a week, whatever is within your comfort zone, and do something good for somebody else.

KAGAN: And so you can volunteer somewhere. You can give money. Are you asking people to give money to your organization? To this organization? Or give money to any charity?

WINUK: It's not really about money. The name One Day's Pay is about one day's payment of service.

KAGAN: Mm.

WINUK: Certainly if the only thing you can do is donate to your favorite charity, and certainly there are a whole host of charities that are listed on our web site which is onesdayspay.org, people can do that. But really, the examples that people are -- of giving that people are doing are things on a very small scale and a very large scale.

In Alaska, a car salesman is going to donate his commissions to a children charity called Tuesday's Children, his commissions from this weekend. Firefighters from New York have flown to San Diego to help rebuild homes destroyed in the wildfires last year. People are donating blood. People are sending school supplies to children who need them, or cleaning up parks or buying groceries for people.

It's really whatever works for you. And simply, we're asking for people to just stop and make a pledge of service on our web site, and do something good for the next guy, in the spirit of what my brother gave and what so many others gave after 9/11.

KAGAN: It sounds good; onesdayspay.org is the web site.

As we leave, can give us one memory of your brother that has nothing to do with 9/11.

WINUK: Well...

(LAUGHTER)

WINUK: ... that's a good question. I remember when we were kids and he was little, we had a football game that we played every Thanksgiving. And even at nine or 10 years old he would show up with his First Aid kit just hoping somebody would get injured, so he could go to work. So he's always had this kind of -- this caring spirit about him.

KAGAN: Always ready to spring into action.

WINUK: Yes.

KAGAN: Thank you for sharing those memories and also for encouraging all of us to give one day's pay.

WINUK: Thank you. I appreciate it. KAGAN: Jay Winuk joining us from New York City.

And we'll be back after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice-over): From the 9/11 Commission Report.

On September 11, the nation suffered the largest loss of live, 2,973, on its soil as a result of hostile attack. The Fire Department of New York suffered 343 fatalities, the largest loss of life of any emergency response agency in history.

Over the coming hours, weeks and months, thousands of civilians and city, state and federal employees devoted themselves around the clock to putting New York City back on its feet.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: All right. Mortgage rates remain at historically low levels. And it appears a power shift is under way here favoring homebuyers over home sellers.

CNN/FN personal finance editor Gerri Willis has today's "Top 5 Tips" for making the most of a buyer's market.

Good morning.

GERRI WILLIS, CNNFN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: Hey, Daryn. Good to see you. Tip No. 1; pick your real estate agent carefully. Look, you want somebody who has a lot of experience; they know what they're doing. One of the stories in real estate, of course, is a lot of people are part-time. Make sure that your agent is doing more than 6 to 12 deals each and every year. Remember, they're going to help you pick out other experts as well, maybe your attorney, maybe your mortgage banker, too.

KAGAN: Check out the price tag of that house.

WILLIS: That's right. Don't bite off more than you can chew. Look, people spend so much money on their dream house that they may have to defer other dreams they have; like retirement, like sending their kids to college. Make sure you're not paying any more than 28 to 33 percent of your monthly gross income. Because look, it's not just the mortgage that's going to get you, it's the property taxes, the homeowners insurance, even your credit cards.

KAGAN: Well, speaking of the mortgages, there seems like there's many different kinds of mortgages as there are different kinds of houses.

WILLIS: Oh, you bet. Thirty-year fixed rate was always the most popular mortgage. But hey, there are others now gaining popularity, adjustable rate mortgages one of them. You know how these work: three in ones, five in ones, seven in ones. The rate is fixed for a period of time, and then it adjusts each and every year. We're in a period of rising rates, so you want to be careful if you're getting an ARM right now.

KAGAN: How important is the calendar when you're looking to close on a house?

WILLIS: It's all about the calendar. Look, you have to know when your rate lock expires. Keep your eye on the clock. Watch for the closing date. You've got to keep a ton of people on track doing their jobs, whether it's people dealing with your mortgage, or your realtor, or your attorney. So watch that clock.

KAGAN: And why do you need to get a clue, so to speak, when you're looking for homeowners insurance?

WILLIS: Well, when you're looking for homeowners insurance, homeowners has changed and dramatically. Watch out for that guaranteed replacement and extended replacement services. It's changed. You're going to have less coverage. Check out all the details, because I know a lot of people in Florida especially, Daryn, are finding out that their insurance, it wasn't what they thought.

KAGAN: Mm. Bad time to find that out.

WILLIS: Right.

KAGAN: Gerri Willis in New York City, thank you for that.

WILLIS: Thank you.

KAGAN: Have a great weekend. We will see you next week.

Speaking of the hurricane, Hurricane Ivan. Residents of the island of Jamaica stock up and they are waiting for Hurricane Ivan to arrive. Stay with us as we track the storm that is barreling towards Jamaica.

And look what I did with my afternoon. Took a trip to Plains, Georgia, hung out with former President Jimmy Carter and Willie Nelson. Hear what former President Carter has to say about politics and the situation in Iraq.

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