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American Morning
Raw Emotion on Streets of Beirut; Michael Jackson Trial on Hold
Aired February 16, 2005 - 08:00 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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning.
Raw emotion on the streets of Beirut at the funeral for Rafik Hariri. Love for the leader and now outrage at the neighbor, Syria.
The Michael Jackson trial is on hold now as the singer recovers in a hospital. We'll talk with a former member of the inner circle about whether or not Jackson could be faking it this time.
And so many families torn apart by the tsunami. One is back together. Baby 81 in his parents' arms on this AMERICAN MORNING.
ANNOUNCER: From the CNN broadcast center in New York, this is AMERICAN MORNING with Bill Hemmer and Soledad O'Brien.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning.
Welcome back, everybody.
While Lebanon buries its former prime minister, now big questions about Syria in the wake of Rafik Hariri's assassination. The United States is putting brand new pressure on the government there. We're going to talk to the former U.S. ambassador to Syria about where both sides go right now.
HEMMER: Also, the president pitching Social Security again today. But while he talks to the people, is he making any progress with members of Congress on this issue? We'll get to that this morning, as well.
O'BRIEN: Mr. Cafferty's got "The File" today.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We'll have the latest on the hockey negotiations coming up in a little while. It's -- did I mention I don't care whether they play any more hockey or not?
Coming up in "The Cafferty File," it's Wednesday. Time for "Things People Say." A pop star who says she's stuck in the seventh grade. That could be most of them, actually. A liberal lesbian who can't make a go of it with her well known conservative Republican parents. And a big time recording artist who wants to have sex in public.
HEMMER: All fit for "The File."
O'BRIEN: Name some names in "The File." CAFFERTY: That would be later.
O'BRIEN: All right, Jack.
Thanks.
Time to get to the headlines with Heidi Collins first, though -- good morning, Heidi.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: I'm still in shock about "The File."
All right, moving right along, guys, good morning to you, everybody.
Now in the news, an Italian journalist kidnapped in Iraq is pleading for her life this morning. An image from a videotape just released this morning shows the Italian woman on her knees clasping her hands together. The journalist was kidnapped earlier this month in Baghdad. It is not clear when the tape was shot. The video comes as Italy prepares to vote today on extending the Italian mission in Iraq.
Here in the U.S., there is word this morning lasers may be used to warn pilots they've flown into restricted air space. The North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, as it's known, reportedly tried out its laser signals last week on a test plane at Washington's Reagan National Airport. The move follows government warnings that lasers may be used by terrorists to try to blind pilots.
To Santa Maria, California now, where pop star Michael Jackson is said to be in stable condition this morning. He was admitted to a hospital yesterday with flu like symptoms, causing another delay for jury selection proceedings. A spokeswoman says Jackson is on I.V. fluids and waiting for the doctor's OK to go home. We'll have more on this story with Jackson's former spiritual adviser, coming up.
And a baby boy in Sri Lanka is sleeping in his mother's arms for the first time today in nearly two months. The infant, known as Baby 81, was handed over to his parents following a custody battle involving DNA tests. Several other couples had come forward claiming the baby was theirs. Of course, we're talking about the tsunami here and all the tragedy there. So one good story to talk about this morning.
O'BRIEN: Yes.
I liked the fact that the parents said they were going to keep their celebration and their joy low key.
COLLINS: Me, too. Yes.
O'BRIEN: Because -- you know, out of respect for...
COLLINS: And how they could do that, I don't know.
O'BRIEN: I know. COLLINS: They must be so happy.
O'BRIEN: That's true.
Thanks, Heidi.
Well, the funeral of Rafik Hariri drew a massive and emotional crowd this morning. Mourners packed downtown Beirut, shouting "Syria Out! Syria Out!" in anger over the assassination of the former Lebanese prime minister. Their are suspicions of Syrian involvement in Monday's bombing could lead to wider conflicts in the Middle East.
The United States has recalled its ambassador to Syria in protest.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CONDOLEEZZA RICE, NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: The withdrawal of the ambassador, as I said, relates to, unfortunately, the fact that the relationship has been, for some time, not moving in a positive direction.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
O'BRIEN: The ambassador, Margaret Scobey. Syria already under a number of U.S. sanctions.
What diplomatic options are left?
Former U.S. ambassador to Syria, Theodore Kattouf, is in Washington, D.C. this morning.
Nice to see you, sir.
Thank you very much for talking with us.
The Syrian ambassador to the United States, Imad Moustapha, says that this recall actually is not such a big deal. He said at one point he was recalled nine times by his government.
Do you think that this recall is a big deal or no?
THEODORE KATTOUF, FORMER U.S. AMBASSADOR TO SYRIA: Symbolically, it is a big deal, because the administration is signaling Syria that patience is fast running out. This administration has a lot of demands upon Syria. Syria is hesitant to comply, believing that its compliance with one will just lead to pressures in other spheres. So it basically goes to a difficult position in which is just tries to hunker down and ride out the storm.
O'BRIEN: In her remarks yesterday, Condoleezza Rice referred to a growing list of differences with Syria. She did not mention the assassination of the former prime minister as the motivation behind recalling the ambassador.
Is this, then, the recall -- the assassination -- the straw that broke the camel's back, in your mind, or do you think that's the primary motivation here?
KATTOUF: No, I think that's a good characterization. It's the straw that broke the camel's back. There have been differences with Syria's government over Iraq, over Palestinian groups we regard as terrorists based on Damascus, over Lebanon, certainly. And Syria can't have it both ways. If it says it's in Lebanon for security and stability, how did the prime minister of Lebanon, an international figure, meet with a horrific death in Beirut, in the heart of the hotel district, in a year in which tourism had never been higher since the civil war?
O'BRIEN: This word coming from Reuters wire, which crossed just minutes ago, saying that Iran and Syria are to form a common front to face threats. This is a quote from the Iranian vice president. He says: "We're ready to help Syria on all grounds to confront their threats."
What do you think that means and how likely could this possibly be?
KATTOUF: Well, Syria and Iran have basically had an alliance particularly pointed against Saddam's regime since 1979 or thereabouts. They've cooperated closely. Syria has allowed Iran to send supplies and trainers into Lebanon to train Hezbollah, the radical Shiite militia in South Lebanon and in the Beirut suburbs. The deputy secretary of state, the former deputy secretary of state, Richard Armitage, famously called Hezbollah the A Team of terrorism. By that he meant that Hezbollah, with close ties to both Syria and Iran, could unleash terror far worse than Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda, if it wished to do so.
O'BRIEN: So then specifically, when they talk about forming this common front, what does that mean to Americans?
KATTOUF: The common front already exists. What it means is, is that if the United States really takes military action against Syria or in Lebanon, Iran and Syria, with Iran in the lead, will really make life as difficult as possible for the United States in Iraq and elsewhere in the world.
O'BRIEN: How likely do you think, in fact, any military action could be on the part of the United States against Syria?
KATTOUF: I don't think military action is being contemplated right now. That's not to say there aren't people in the administration who despise the Syrian regime and would not like to take action. But I think right now we're over extended and other than for, perhaps, hot pursuit of Iraqi insurgents into Syria's eastern desert, it's hard to see the United States taking military action right now, Soledad.
O'BRIEN: Theodore Kattouf is the former U.S. ambassador to Syria.
Thank you very much for your insight.
We appreciate it.
KATTOUF: Thank you.
O'BRIEN: Bill.
HEMMER: About eight minutes past the hour now, Soledad.
President Bush taking his pitch for Social Security reform to the State of New Hampshire today.
Live to the White House.
Suzanne Malveaux with a preview now -- good morning, there.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill.
President Bush, of course, is using the bully pulpit to sell his Social Security plan. This is the ninth state since the State of the Union address, when he basically laid it all out. He's going to Portsmouth -- this is New Hampshire -- this time around. The last swing around was when he hit the red states, with at least -- where there was one Democratic member of Congress opposed to his plan.
This time he is targeting a district of a Republican congressman, Jeb Bradley, who said during his 2002 campaign, his run for Congress, that he was against privatizing Social Security.
Now, both Republican as well as Democratic leaders are trying to frame this very important debate.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. BILL FRIST (R-TN), SENATE MAJORITY LEADER: The objective is to do it this year. I have not been disappointed, but we have a lot of work to do in terms of educating the American people and, I would say, my own -- our own colleagues, as to the significance of this problem. Anybody who says it's not a problem today, I think, really just hasn't -- haven't looked at the facts.
SEN. HARRY REID (D-NV), MINORITY LEADER: Every time we have an opportunity to tell the American people what the outline of the Bush plan -- and that's all we have -- how disastrous it would be for the American people, costing trillions of dollars.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: Of course, Bill, do not expect any kind of new details or pronouncements by the president later today. This is all about this public relations campaign. It is all about selling the plan to the American people, putting pressure on Congress. Ultimately, the White House says that they'll work on those messy details a little bit later -- Bill.
HEMMER: Details, details.
Thanks, Suzanne.
Here's Soledad.
O'BRIEN: Weather now and Chad Myers at the CNN Center.
He's got a look at the latest weather forecast -- hello, Chad.
Good morning.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Soledad.
(WEATHER REPORT)
HEMMER: There's a shakeup in the White House, but it is the first lady making the changes, not the president this time. Washington insiders want to know what's going on there, and we'll fill you in, in a moment.
O'BRIEN: Also, an investigative reporter becomes part of the story. His attack caught on tape.
HEMMER: And yet another twist in the Michael Jackson matter. A one time Jackson adviser says more drama is on the way. Here's our guest in a moment, as we continue, after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: The Michael Jackson trial now on hold as the pop star recovers from what is described as a flu like illness. Jackson hospitalized yesterday morning after getting sick on his way to court. Jury selection now on hold for about a week.
Shmuley Boteach is Jackson's former spiritual adviser and the author of "Face Your Fear."
He's here now in New York to talk about it.
Good morning to you.
RABBI SHMULEY BOTEACH, FORMER JACKSON SPIRITUAL ADVISER: Good morning, Bill.
HEMMER: You say this will happen again.
Why are you so sure of that?
BOTEACH: Oh, this development yesterday portends a circus like environment throughout the trial. And the reason is simple. Michael Jackson finds it difficult to deal with reality because he has become addicted to adulation. He can be in environments where he is always not just the center of attention, but almost an object of veneration. He's now looking to six months of not just criticism, but attack from prosecutors and perhaps defense witnesses. And I think Michael is going to find it difficult to deal with that.
HEMMER: On what do you base your opinion? BOTEACH: Well, we were very close and I understood that the only way Michael was going to rehabilitate both his professional and personal life was through a self-correcting mechanism, and that was getting real feedback about flaws that needed to be addressed. Michael's life has really spiraled, deteriorated, almost disintegrated. And the tragedy of this trial is it's a lose-lose proposition.
Let's say he's vindicated of molestation, which I believe he's not a molester and I hope he will, of course, be vindicated. What life is he going back to? A hermit-like existence in Neverland? Children who wear veils over their faces? This is a lose-lose proposition.
Michael has repeatedly surrounded himself by lawyers to keep him out of the trouble he gets into and doctors who medicate him to help deal with the reality that he can't absorb. And that's what we're seeing now.
HEMMER: But he's...
BOTEACH: Doctors, lawyers; doctors, lawyers; when really Michael needs counseling, serious counseling, and he needs real spiritual invigoration...
HEMMER: Is there some...
BOTEACH: ... because he's burned out.
HEMMER: Is there a suggestion in your answer here that he's faking this?
BOTEACH: In his mind he is not. You know, whenever -- Michael and I, see, I tried to get him to be serious. So we gave a lecture together at Oxford University, where I was the rabbi for 11 years; also a lecture here at Carnegie Hall. Both times before those lectures he was almost paralytic. He didn't want to do them and he told me that he was sick. At one lecture we were three hours late. And I finally went into his room and said, "Get out, because you're going to give this lecture. This is real. There's no such thing as not doing things you don't have to do. You have to do this."
He's not used to hearing that and that's what led to the disintegration of our relationship.
I would really appeal to Thomas Mesereau to end this trial.
HEMMER: End it?
BOTEACH: Absolutely. I believe that...
HEMMER: How could he do that?
BOTEACH: I believe that maybe Tom Sneddon could be reasoned with, maybe they could plead guilty to some of the lesser charges because the best thing that could happen to Michael is to get out of this trial -- I don't think he's going to handle this well -- and to get serious rehabilitation.
HEMMER: If that does...
BOTEACH: He needs to rescue his life and save the country from this, too, by the way.
HEMMER: Save the country?
BOTEACH: Yes.
HEMMER: That's a heck of a statement.
BOTEACH: Well, I mean we have better things to talk about than Michael Jackson. I'll say that even myself, you have me on for this and I appreciate it, but we are going to be obsessed with the trial over six months. He's one individual and it's not going to help him and it's not going to help us. Michael needs serious rehabilitation. No more lawyers, no more doctors.
The doctors are the worst thing around him. They give him stuff...
HEMMER: Why?
BOTEACH: Because, you know, without really going into details, Michael's doctors have never helped him. They medicate him and help him deal with realities he finds difficult to confront. And that's not how you and I deal with reality. We deal with reality by simply confronting it.
You know, I -- I'm asked all the time, was Michael Jackson -- is Michael Jackson a molester? And I -- not only do I have no reason to believe that he is, but most importantly, because I wanted to understand it, because people were saying why are you hanging out with this guy who was accused of this stuff in '93? This was before he was arrested, obviously, again. And I said to them, you know, I sat down with Michael for 100 hours of interviews on this one subject to see if he had a coherent philosophy of children. Why was he around them?
And I've got to tell you, the profundity of what he said was startling. When I let people see some of the transcripts, their reaction was this can't be him. Some people were even crying. It's not as if he just wanted to be around kids. For him children possess something that parents -- that adults did not. They weren't corrupted. They didn't want to be around him because he was famous. They didn't want to be around him because he had money.
That's what I'm trying to say. There may be a way to do a deal here. There may be...
HEMMER: Let me stop you there.
You said this trial would go on for six months. Last night you said this trial will go on for years.
BOTEACH: Right. I think that -- well, I said we're going to look forward to six months of a circus like environment. I think there will be significant delaying tactics by Michael, not because he's doing them intentionally. He really believes that he gets ill and he gets physically ill when he can't confront situations that are too large for him. And that's when the doctors come in. And the doctors are going to destroy him.
HEMMER: Thank you, Rabbi.
BOTEACH: All these superstars have doctors around them that aren't always healthy.
HEMMER: You wrote the book "Face Your Fear."
Thanks for coming back with us today.
BOTEACH: Thank you for having me.
HEMMER: All right.
Here's Soledad.
O'BRIEN: A government deportation plan is the subject of this morning's CNN "Security Watch."
Immigrants who have been convicted of crimes are getting one way tickets out of the United States.
CNN's Dan Lothian with more on the crackdown and the controversy.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
DAN LOTHIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): An airport in Massachusetts the last stop on American soil for 50 convicted immigrants from the Dominican Republic. Shackled, searched and surrounded by heavily armed law enforcement officers, deportation is just minutes away.
JIM BROWN, U.S. IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION SERVICE: Part of the national security mission is to remove any folks that don't belong in the United States out of the United States.
LOTHIAN: In a pre-flight briefing...
BROWN: We're dealing with some folks that are definitely high risk.
LOTHIAN: Chief immigration and customs enforcement agent Jim Brown reads the rap sheet.
BROWN: Assaults with dangerous weapons, assault and battery on a child under 14.
LOTHIAN: Some were fugitives, like 32-year-old Raphael Santana, arrested in an early morning raid south of Boston last month. Authorities say the Dominican native was convicted on, among other things, assault and battery charges. He served time but was dodging deportation orders.
Wearing the same yellow athletic suit, Santana shuffled onto the one way flight to the Dominican Republic.
(on camera): More than 38,000 convicted immigrants were loaded onto government airplanes and deported last year, sent to not only the Dominican Republic, but Haiti, Jamaica and other destinations in South and Central America.
(voice-over): They are released onto the streets almost immediately, with few exceptions.
MARC RAIMONDI, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY: If there are warrants, if some of the people on this aircraft are wanted on Dominican charges, they may be taken into custody.
LOTHIAN: But even officials acknowledge some will attempt or succeed at reentering the U.S. illegally, despite the threat of tougher penalties.
BRUCE CHADBOURNE-FIELD, U.S. IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION SERVICE: Any criminal that re-enters after deportation most likely will be prosecuted federally.
LOTHIAN: Ali Naroni (ph), an advocate for immigrants and refugees, agrees with the crackdown on criminals, but worries law abiding immigrants are being caught in the net.
ALI NARONI: They also need an immigration system that allows people who have made minor violations and who are really victims of a bulky bureaucratic system to remain in the city -- in the country with their families.
LOTHIAN: Officials admit no system is perfect, but say this effort is critical in protecting America's streets and borders.
Dan Lothian, CNN, Santo Domingo.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
O'BRIEN: And stay with CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security -- Bill.
HEMMER: There is a new queen of the canines this morning. In a moment, we'll show you which dog took best in show at the Westminster Show last night.
Before the break, though, some trivia. Name the most popular dog breed in the U.S. -- German shepherd, golden retriever or the Labrador retriever, A, B or C? The answer is after a break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Before the break, we asked you to name the most popular dog breed in the U.S. -- the shepherd, the Golden retriever or the Labrador retriever. And the answer is... O'BRIEN: A.
HEMMER: Check it out, number C, the Labrador retriever.
O'BRIEN: Oh, really?
HEMMER: The most popular breed in all of America, for 15 straight years now and counting. The golden retriever, I think, is second, not a distant second, but just a close second.
O'BRIEN: I would have thought the German shepherd was the most popular.
HEMMER: So now you know.
But there is a new top dog in the country today.
O'BRIEN: Yes.
HEMMER: Say hello to Carlee, a German short-haired pointer. She's the winner of the best in show award at the Westminster Club Show last night at Madison Square Garden. They sold out both nights this year, the first time ever. The 5-year-old canine beat out more than 2,500 competitors. Carlee's ninth such best in show title, a big one last night, though.
Next hour, you'll meet Carlee, her handler and we'll talk to some folks from USA Network. A beautiful dog. Remember Newfoundland, Josh, last year?
O'BRIEN: Um-hmm.
HEMMER: A huge dog. Carlee is about one fourth the size of last year's winner. But she is so cool and was really relaxed when we talked with her earlier today. So you'll meet Carlee coming up next hour.
O'BRIEN: I want to see that big slobbery dog again. I loved that dog. That was a great dog.
HEMMER: He was cool, too.
O'BRIEN: The folks with -- the dog handlers were like, oh, you don't be near that dog. It's worse than it even looked.
HEMMER: Look out.
CAFFERTY: Did you see the retinue of camera crews following that dog around? I looked at the itinerary for that dog and the dog is doing media in New York all day long. It's doing all the morning shows, this one, Fox, "The Today Show," "Good Morning America," all the way up through the afternoon, "Tony Danza." He's doing "Charlie Rose" tonight.
I mean what an awful thing to put the dog through.
HEMMER: He looks like a head of state with that entourage coming through every day.
CAFFERTY: You know what I mean? That's just -- that's a terrible thing to do to that animal.
O'BRIEN: Well, OK...
CAFFERTY: Drag it around all day.
O'BRIEN: ... the dog is not going to do a whole -- I mean the handler is going to have to do all the interviews.
CAFFERTY: Who cares about the handler? The dog has no vote in this and the dog won all the money.
HEMMER: Just so you know...
CAFFERTY: Wasn't it the dog that won the trophy?
O'BRIEN: Well, the handler also is, you know...
CAFFERTY: I mean the handler can make a choice. The dog has no vote.
HEMMER: You know, I was wondering while you were talking...
O'BRIEN: Maybe she likes it.
HEMMER: How do you feel about the NHL?
CAFFERTY: I haven't...
O'BRIEN: He's (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
CAFFERTY: I really haven't thought enough about it to make an intelligent comment.
O'BRIEN: How about the Question of the Day? Can you get that on track today?
CAFFERTY: Well, all right.
I don't care about hockey at all.
More fuel efficient hybrid cars mean motorists pay less in gasoline taxes. You think that would be a good thing. Well, it's not. States are looking at taxing motorists by the mile to make up for the potential lost revenue if you buy a hybrid car. A GPS device would be installed in your car and then you would be charged based on how far you drive, not how much gasoline you buy. The system is already being tested in Oregon.
The question is should states replace gas taxes with a tax by the mile on cars?
We're not getting a lot of positive e-mail about what a great idea this is. Lee in Kent, Ohio writes: "A tax by mile for driving would be more expensive to implement given the inefficiency in the bureaucracy in this country and the probable need for additional personnel" -- you can bet on that. "A tax at the pump is fine with me."
Tucker in Wayne, Pennsylvania: "No, they should increase the tax on gasoline to keep the revenue the same. More tax on fuel, more hybrids, less dependence on the Middle East."
Gloria in Reston, Virginia: "With the Patriot Act diminishing our civil rights, this kind of tracing is very scary. And besides, what if you take a car trip? Why should one state get all the mileage money?"
Jim in Cambridge, New York writes: "Institute another stupid idea by another stupid politician tax and we'll have a budget surplus by the end of the year."
O'BRIEN: That's very cute.
CAFFERTY: Yes.
HEMMER: Thank you, Jack.
O'BRIEN: Thanks, Jack.
HEMMER: We are getting new developments really by the hour regarding Syria and Lebanon.
According to Reuters, Syria and Iran now say they are joining forces to build a common front against threats.
Meanwhile, Reuters also reporting that the U.S. is demanding Syria withdraw troops from Lebanon.
We're following all this very closely.
Again, it's happening by the hour.
We'll get to the latest in a moment here.
First, a break here on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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Aired February 16, 2005 - 08:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning.
Raw emotion on the streets of Beirut at the funeral for Rafik Hariri. Love for the leader and now outrage at the neighbor, Syria.
The Michael Jackson trial is on hold now as the singer recovers in a hospital. We'll talk with a former member of the inner circle about whether or not Jackson could be faking it this time.
And so many families torn apart by the tsunami. One is back together. Baby 81 in his parents' arms on this AMERICAN MORNING.
ANNOUNCER: From the CNN broadcast center in New York, this is AMERICAN MORNING with Bill Hemmer and Soledad O'Brien.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning.
Welcome back, everybody.
While Lebanon buries its former prime minister, now big questions about Syria in the wake of Rafik Hariri's assassination. The United States is putting brand new pressure on the government there. We're going to talk to the former U.S. ambassador to Syria about where both sides go right now.
HEMMER: Also, the president pitching Social Security again today. But while he talks to the people, is he making any progress with members of Congress on this issue? We'll get to that this morning, as well.
O'BRIEN: Mr. Cafferty's got "The File" today.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We'll have the latest on the hockey negotiations coming up in a little while. It's -- did I mention I don't care whether they play any more hockey or not?
Coming up in "The Cafferty File," it's Wednesday. Time for "Things People Say." A pop star who says she's stuck in the seventh grade. That could be most of them, actually. A liberal lesbian who can't make a go of it with her well known conservative Republican parents. And a big time recording artist who wants to have sex in public.
HEMMER: All fit for "The File."
O'BRIEN: Name some names in "The File." CAFFERTY: That would be later.
O'BRIEN: All right, Jack.
Thanks.
Time to get to the headlines with Heidi Collins first, though -- good morning, Heidi.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: I'm still in shock about "The File."
All right, moving right along, guys, good morning to you, everybody.
Now in the news, an Italian journalist kidnapped in Iraq is pleading for her life this morning. An image from a videotape just released this morning shows the Italian woman on her knees clasping her hands together. The journalist was kidnapped earlier this month in Baghdad. It is not clear when the tape was shot. The video comes as Italy prepares to vote today on extending the Italian mission in Iraq.
Here in the U.S., there is word this morning lasers may be used to warn pilots they've flown into restricted air space. The North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, as it's known, reportedly tried out its laser signals last week on a test plane at Washington's Reagan National Airport. The move follows government warnings that lasers may be used by terrorists to try to blind pilots.
To Santa Maria, California now, where pop star Michael Jackson is said to be in stable condition this morning. He was admitted to a hospital yesterday with flu like symptoms, causing another delay for jury selection proceedings. A spokeswoman says Jackson is on I.V. fluids and waiting for the doctor's OK to go home. We'll have more on this story with Jackson's former spiritual adviser, coming up.
And a baby boy in Sri Lanka is sleeping in his mother's arms for the first time today in nearly two months. The infant, known as Baby 81, was handed over to his parents following a custody battle involving DNA tests. Several other couples had come forward claiming the baby was theirs. Of course, we're talking about the tsunami here and all the tragedy there. So one good story to talk about this morning.
O'BRIEN: Yes.
I liked the fact that the parents said they were going to keep their celebration and their joy low key.
COLLINS: Me, too. Yes.
O'BRIEN: Because -- you know, out of respect for...
COLLINS: And how they could do that, I don't know.
O'BRIEN: I know. COLLINS: They must be so happy.
O'BRIEN: That's true.
Thanks, Heidi.
Well, the funeral of Rafik Hariri drew a massive and emotional crowd this morning. Mourners packed downtown Beirut, shouting "Syria Out! Syria Out!" in anger over the assassination of the former Lebanese prime minister. Their are suspicions of Syrian involvement in Monday's bombing could lead to wider conflicts in the Middle East.
The United States has recalled its ambassador to Syria in protest.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CONDOLEEZZA RICE, NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: The withdrawal of the ambassador, as I said, relates to, unfortunately, the fact that the relationship has been, for some time, not moving in a positive direction.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
O'BRIEN: The ambassador, Margaret Scobey. Syria already under a number of U.S. sanctions.
What diplomatic options are left?
Former U.S. ambassador to Syria, Theodore Kattouf, is in Washington, D.C. this morning.
Nice to see you, sir.
Thank you very much for talking with us.
The Syrian ambassador to the United States, Imad Moustapha, says that this recall actually is not such a big deal. He said at one point he was recalled nine times by his government.
Do you think that this recall is a big deal or no?
THEODORE KATTOUF, FORMER U.S. AMBASSADOR TO SYRIA: Symbolically, it is a big deal, because the administration is signaling Syria that patience is fast running out. This administration has a lot of demands upon Syria. Syria is hesitant to comply, believing that its compliance with one will just lead to pressures in other spheres. So it basically goes to a difficult position in which is just tries to hunker down and ride out the storm.
O'BRIEN: In her remarks yesterday, Condoleezza Rice referred to a growing list of differences with Syria. She did not mention the assassination of the former prime minister as the motivation behind recalling the ambassador.
Is this, then, the recall -- the assassination -- the straw that broke the camel's back, in your mind, or do you think that's the primary motivation here?
KATTOUF: No, I think that's a good characterization. It's the straw that broke the camel's back. There have been differences with Syria's government over Iraq, over Palestinian groups we regard as terrorists based on Damascus, over Lebanon, certainly. And Syria can't have it both ways. If it says it's in Lebanon for security and stability, how did the prime minister of Lebanon, an international figure, meet with a horrific death in Beirut, in the heart of the hotel district, in a year in which tourism had never been higher since the civil war?
O'BRIEN: This word coming from Reuters wire, which crossed just minutes ago, saying that Iran and Syria are to form a common front to face threats. This is a quote from the Iranian vice president. He says: "We're ready to help Syria on all grounds to confront their threats."
What do you think that means and how likely could this possibly be?
KATTOUF: Well, Syria and Iran have basically had an alliance particularly pointed against Saddam's regime since 1979 or thereabouts. They've cooperated closely. Syria has allowed Iran to send supplies and trainers into Lebanon to train Hezbollah, the radical Shiite militia in South Lebanon and in the Beirut suburbs. The deputy secretary of state, the former deputy secretary of state, Richard Armitage, famously called Hezbollah the A Team of terrorism. By that he meant that Hezbollah, with close ties to both Syria and Iran, could unleash terror far worse than Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda, if it wished to do so.
O'BRIEN: So then specifically, when they talk about forming this common front, what does that mean to Americans?
KATTOUF: The common front already exists. What it means is, is that if the United States really takes military action against Syria or in Lebanon, Iran and Syria, with Iran in the lead, will really make life as difficult as possible for the United States in Iraq and elsewhere in the world.
O'BRIEN: How likely do you think, in fact, any military action could be on the part of the United States against Syria?
KATTOUF: I don't think military action is being contemplated right now. That's not to say there aren't people in the administration who despise the Syrian regime and would not like to take action. But I think right now we're over extended and other than for, perhaps, hot pursuit of Iraqi insurgents into Syria's eastern desert, it's hard to see the United States taking military action right now, Soledad.
O'BRIEN: Theodore Kattouf is the former U.S. ambassador to Syria.
Thank you very much for your insight.
We appreciate it.
KATTOUF: Thank you.
O'BRIEN: Bill.
HEMMER: About eight minutes past the hour now, Soledad.
President Bush taking his pitch for Social Security reform to the State of New Hampshire today.
Live to the White House.
Suzanne Malveaux with a preview now -- good morning, there.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill.
President Bush, of course, is using the bully pulpit to sell his Social Security plan. This is the ninth state since the State of the Union address, when he basically laid it all out. He's going to Portsmouth -- this is New Hampshire -- this time around. The last swing around was when he hit the red states, with at least -- where there was one Democratic member of Congress opposed to his plan.
This time he is targeting a district of a Republican congressman, Jeb Bradley, who said during his 2002 campaign, his run for Congress, that he was against privatizing Social Security.
Now, both Republican as well as Democratic leaders are trying to frame this very important debate.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. BILL FRIST (R-TN), SENATE MAJORITY LEADER: The objective is to do it this year. I have not been disappointed, but we have a lot of work to do in terms of educating the American people and, I would say, my own -- our own colleagues, as to the significance of this problem. Anybody who says it's not a problem today, I think, really just hasn't -- haven't looked at the facts.
SEN. HARRY REID (D-NV), MINORITY LEADER: Every time we have an opportunity to tell the American people what the outline of the Bush plan -- and that's all we have -- how disastrous it would be for the American people, costing trillions of dollars.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: Of course, Bill, do not expect any kind of new details or pronouncements by the president later today. This is all about this public relations campaign. It is all about selling the plan to the American people, putting pressure on Congress. Ultimately, the White House says that they'll work on those messy details a little bit later -- Bill.
HEMMER: Details, details.
Thanks, Suzanne.
Here's Soledad.
O'BRIEN: Weather now and Chad Myers at the CNN Center.
He's got a look at the latest weather forecast -- hello, Chad.
Good morning.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Soledad.
(WEATHER REPORT)
HEMMER: There's a shakeup in the White House, but it is the first lady making the changes, not the president this time. Washington insiders want to know what's going on there, and we'll fill you in, in a moment.
O'BRIEN: Also, an investigative reporter becomes part of the story. His attack caught on tape.
HEMMER: And yet another twist in the Michael Jackson matter. A one time Jackson adviser says more drama is on the way. Here's our guest in a moment, as we continue, after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: The Michael Jackson trial now on hold as the pop star recovers from what is described as a flu like illness. Jackson hospitalized yesterday morning after getting sick on his way to court. Jury selection now on hold for about a week.
Shmuley Boteach is Jackson's former spiritual adviser and the author of "Face Your Fear."
He's here now in New York to talk about it.
Good morning to you.
RABBI SHMULEY BOTEACH, FORMER JACKSON SPIRITUAL ADVISER: Good morning, Bill.
HEMMER: You say this will happen again.
Why are you so sure of that?
BOTEACH: Oh, this development yesterday portends a circus like environment throughout the trial. And the reason is simple. Michael Jackson finds it difficult to deal with reality because he has become addicted to adulation. He can be in environments where he is always not just the center of attention, but almost an object of veneration. He's now looking to six months of not just criticism, but attack from prosecutors and perhaps defense witnesses. And I think Michael is going to find it difficult to deal with that.
HEMMER: On what do you base your opinion? BOTEACH: Well, we were very close and I understood that the only way Michael was going to rehabilitate both his professional and personal life was through a self-correcting mechanism, and that was getting real feedback about flaws that needed to be addressed. Michael's life has really spiraled, deteriorated, almost disintegrated. And the tragedy of this trial is it's a lose-lose proposition.
Let's say he's vindicated of molestation, which I believe he's not a molester and I hope he will, of course, be vindicated. What life is he going back to? A hermit-like existence in Neverland? Children who wear veils over their faces? This is a lose-lose proposition.
Michael has repeatedly surrounded himself by lawyers to keep him out of the trouble he gets into and doctors who medicate him to help deal with the reality that he can't absorb. And that's what we're seeing now.
HEMMER: But he's...
BOTEACH: Doctors, lawyers; doctors, lawyers; when really Michael needs counseling, serious counseling, and he needs real spiritual invigoration...
HEMMER: Is there some...
BOTEACH: ... because he's burned out.
HEMMER: Is there a suggestion in your answer here that he's faking this?
BOTEACH: In his mind he is not. You know, whenever -- Michael and I, see, I tried to get him to be serious. So we gave a lecture together at Oxford University, where I was the rabbi for 11 years; also a lecture here at Carnegie Hall. Both times before those lectures he was almost paralytic. He didn't want to do them and he told me that he was sick. At one lecture we were three hours late. And I finally went into his room and said, "Get out, because you're going to give this lecture. This is real. There's no such thing as not doing things you don't have to do. You have to do this."
He's not used to hearing that and that's what led to the disintegration of our relationship.
I would really appeal to Thomas Mesereau to end this trial.
HEMMER: End it?
BOTEACH: Absolutely. I believe that...
HEMMER: How could he do that?
BOTEACH: I believe that maybe Tom Sneddon could be reasoned with, maybe they could plead guilty to some of the lesser charges because the best thing that could happen to Michael is to get out of this trial -- I don't think he's going to handle this well -- and to get serious rehabilitation.
HEMMER: If that does...
BOTEACH: He needs to rescue his life and save the country from this, too, by the way.
HEMMER: Save the country?
BOTEACH: Yes.
HEMMER: That's a heck of a statement.
BOTEACH: Well, I mean we have better things to talk about than Michael Jackson. I'll say that even myself, you have me on for this and I appreciate it, but we are going to be obsessed with the trial over six months. He's one individual and it's not going to help him and it's not going to help us. Michael needs serious rehabilitation. No more lawyers, no more doctors.
The doctors are the worst thing around him. They give him stuff...
HEMMER: Why?
BOTEACH: Because, you know, without really going into details, Michael's doctors have never helped him. They medicate him and help him deal with realities he finds difficult to confront. And that's not how you and I deal with reality. We deal with reality by simply confronting it.
You know, I -- I'm asked all the time, was Michael Jackson -- is Michael Jackson a molester? And I -- not only do I have no reason to believe that he is, but most importantly, because I wanted to understand it, because people were saying why are you hanging out with this guy who was accused of this stuff in '93? This was before he was arrested, obviously, again. And I said to them, you know, I sat down with Michael for 100 hours of interviews on this one subject to see if he had a coherent philosophy of children. Why was he around them?
And I've got to tell you, the profundity of what he said was startling. When I let people see some of the transcripts, their reaction was this can't be him. Some people were even crying. It's not as if he just wanted to be around kids. For him children possess something that parents -- that adults did not. They weren't corrupted. They didn't want to be around him because he was famous. They didn't want to be around him because he had money.
That's what I'm trying to say. There may be a way to do a deal here. There may be...
HEMMER: Let me stop you there.
You said this trial would go on for six months. Last night you said this trial will go on for years.
BOTEACH: Right. I think that -- well, I said we're going to look forward to six months of a circus like environment. I think there will be significant delaying tactics by Michael, not because he's doing them intentionally. He really believes that he gets ill and he gets physically ill when he can't confront situations that are too large for him. And that's when the doctors come in. And the doctors are going to destroy him.
HEMMER: Thank you, Rabbi.
BOTEACH: All these superstars have doctors around them that aren't always healthy.
HEMMER: You wrote the book "Face Your Fear."
Thanks for coming back with us today.
BOTEACH: Thank you for having me.
HEMMER: All right.
Here's Soledad.
O'BRIEN: A government deportation plan is the subject of this morning's CNN "Security Watch."
Immigrants who have been convicted of crimes are getting one way tickets out of the United States.
CNN's Dan Lothian with more on the crackdown and the controversy.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
DAN LOTHIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): An airport in Massachusetts the last stop on American soil for 50 convicted immigrants from the Dominican Republic. Shackled, searched and surrounded by heavily armed law enforcement officers, deportation is just minutes away.
JIM BROWN, U.S. IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION SERVICE: Part of the national security mission is to remove any folks that don't belong in the United States out of the United States.
LOTHIAN: In a pre-flight briefing...
BROWN: We're dealing with some folks that are definitely high risk.
LOTHIAN: Chief immigration and customs enforcement agent Jim Brown reads the rap sheet.
BROWN: Assaults with dangerous weapons, assault and battery on a child under 14.
LOTHIAN: Some were fugitives, like 32-year-old Raphael Santana, arrested in an early morning raid south of Boston last month. Authorities say the Dominican native was convicted on, among other things, assault and battery charges. He served time but was dodging deportation orders.
Wearing the same yellow athletic suit, Santana shuffled onto the one way flight to the Dominican Republic.
(on camera): More than 38,000 convicted immigrants were loaded onto government airplanes and deported last year, sent to not only the Dominican Republic, but Haiti, Jamaica and other destinations in South and Central America.
(voice-over): They are released onto the streets almost immediately, with few exceptions.
MARC RAIMONDI, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY: If there are warrants, if some of the people on this aircraft are wanted on Dominican charges, they may be taken into custody.
LOTHIAN: But even officials acknowledge some will attempt or succeed at reentering the U.S. illegally, despite the threat of tougher penalties.
BRUCE CHADBOURNE-FIELD, U.S. IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION SERVICE: Any criminal that re-enters after deportation most likely will be prosecuted federally.
LOTHIAN: Ali Naroni (ph), an advocate for immigrants and refugees, agrees with the crackdown on criminals, but worries law abiding immigrants are being caught in the net.
ALI NARONI: They also need an immigration system that allows people who have made minor violations and who are really victims of a bulky bureaucratic system to remain in the city -- in the country with their families.
LOTHIAN: Officials admit no system is perfect, but say this effort is critical in protecting America's streets and borders.
Dan Lothian, CNN, Santo Domingo.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
O'BRIEN: And stay with CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security -- Bill.
HEMMER: There is a new queen of the canines this morning. In a moment, we'll show you which dog took best in show at the Westminster Show last night.
Before the break, though, some trivia. Name the most popular dog breed in the U.S. -- German shepherd, golden retriever or the Labrador retriever, A, B or C? The answer is after a break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Before the break, we asked you to name the most popular dog breed in the U.S. -- the shepherd, the Golden retriever or the Labrador retriever. And the answer is... O'BRIEN: A.
HEMMER: Check it out, number C, the Labrador retriever.
O'BRIEN: Oh, really?
HEMMER: The most popular breed in all of America, for 15 straight years now and counting. The golden retriever, I think, is second, not a distant second, but just a close second.
O'BRIEN: I would have thought the German shepherd was the most popular.
HEMMER: So now you know.
But there is a new top dog in the country today.
O'BRIEN: Yes.
HEMMER: Say hello to Carlee, a German short-haired pointer. She's the winner of the best in show award at the Westminster Club Show last night at Madison Square Garden. They sold out both nights this year, the first time ever. The 5-year-old canine beat out more than 2,500 competitors. Carlee's ninth such best in show title, a big one last night, though.
Next hour, you'll meet Carlee, her handler and we'll talk to some folks from USA Network. A beautiful dog. Remember Newfoundland, Josh, last year?
O'BRIEN: Um-hmm.
HEMMER: A huge dog. Carlee is about one fourth the size of last year's winner. But she is so cool and was really relaxed when we talked with her earlier today. So you'll meet Carlee coming up next hour.
O'BRIEN: I want to see that big slobbery dog again. I loved that dog. That was a great dog.
HEMMER: He was cool, too.
O'BRIEN: The folks with -- the dog handlers were like, oh, you don't be near that dog. It's worse than it even looked.
HEMMER: Look out.
CAFFERTY: Did you see the retinue of camera crews following that dog around? I looked at the itinerary for that dog and the dog is doing media in New York all day long. It's doing all the morning shows, this one, Fox, "The Today Show," "Good Morning America," all the way up through the afternoon, "Tony Danza." He's doing "Charlie Rose" tonight.
I mean what an awful thing to put the dog through.
HEMMER: He looks like a head of state with that entourage coming through every day.
CAFFERTY: You know what I mean? That's just -- that's a terrible thing to do to that animal.
O'BRIEN: Well, OK...
CAFFERTY: Drag it around all day.
O'BRIEN: ... the dog is not going to do a whole -- I mean the handler is going to have to do all the interviews.
CAFFERTY: Who cares about the handler? The dog has no vote in this and the dog won all the money.
HEMMER: Just so you know...
CAFFERTY: Wasn't it the dog that won the trophy?
O'BRIEN: Well, the handler also is, you know...
CAFFERTY: I mean the handler can make a choice. The dog has no vote.
HEMMER: You know, I was wondering while you were talking...
O'BRIEN: Maybe she likes it.
HEMMER: How do you feel about the NHL?
CAFFERTY: I haven't...
O'BRIEN: He's (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
CAFFERTY: I really haven't thought enough about it to make an intelligent comment.
O'BRIEN: How about the Question of the Day? Can you get that on track today?
CAFFERTY: Well, all right.
I don't care about hockey at all.
More fuel efficient hybrid cars mean motorists pay less in gasoline taxes. You think that would be a good thing. Well, it's not. States are looking at taxing motorists by the mile to make up for the potential lost revenue if you buy a hybrid car. A GPS device would be installed in your car and then you would be charged based on how far you drive, not how much gasoline you buy. The system is already being tested in Oregon.
The question is should states replace gas taxes with a tax by the mile on cars?
We're not getting a lot of positive e-mail about what a great idea this is. Lee in Kent, Ohio writes: "A tax by mile for driving would be more expensive to implement given the inefficiency in the bureaucracy in this country and the probable need for additional personnel" -- you can bet on that. "A tax at the pump is fine with me."
Tucker in Wayne, Pennsylvania: "No, they should increase the tax on gasoline to keep the revenue the same. More tax on fuel, more hybrids, less dependence on the Middle East."
Gloria in Reston, Virginia: "With the Patriot Act diminishing our civil rights, this kind of tracing is very scary. And besides, what if you take a car trip? Why should one state get all the mileage money?"
Jim in Cambridge, New York writes: "Institute another stupid idea by another stupid politician tax and we'll have a budget surplus by the end of the year."
O'BRIEN: That's very cute.
CAFFERTY: Yes.
HEMMER: Thank you, Jack.
O'BRIEN: Thanks, Jack.
HEMMER: We are getting new developments really by the hour regarding Syria and Lebanon.
According to Reuters, Syria and Iran now say they are joining forces to build a common front against threats.
Meanwhile, Reuters also reporting that the U.S. is demanding Syria withdraw troops from Lebanon.
We're following all this very closely.
Again, it's happening by the hour.
We'll get to the latest in a moment here.
First, a break here on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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