Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Saturday Morning News
Interviews with Lisa Van Syckel, Veronica De La Cruz
Aired February 19, 2005 - 09:00 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.
TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: And good morning, everyone, from the CNN Center this is CNN SATURDAY MORNING. It is February 19. I'm Tony Harris.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Betty Nguyen. Good morning, everybody. It is 9:00 a.m. right here in the East, 6:00 a.m. on the West Coast. Thanks so much for starting your day with us.
Now in the news, a string of deadly attacks in Iraq this morning as Shi'ite Muslims mark their holiest day. Among them, two suicide bombings in Baghdad, killing at least three people. A bomb also went off on a Baghdad bus in a Shi'ite section of town. We will bring you a live report from the Iraqi capital. That will happen in just a few minutes from now.
Thousands of demonstrators are packing the streets of Rome at this hour. They are pressing for the release of an Italian journalist abducted in Iraq earlier this month. On Wednesday, shocked Italians watched a videotape showing the woman pleading for her life and urging Italy to pull its troops out of Iraq.
Also, a strong earthquake panics residents of Indonesia's eastern Sulawesi coast today. The undersea 6.9 quake caused the tide to rise at least 10 feet, but there was no tsunami and no casualties or damage reported so far. The quake is not considered an aftershock of the massive quake in December, because it was so far from the affected areas.
HARRIS: And coming up this hour too, former presidents united in a common cause. George Bush and Bill Clinton are in Thailand getting a firsthand look at the relief efforts after the tsunami. We'll have a live report.
And going global, a harrowing tale of ransom and rescue. It involves a kidnapped mother of a major U.S. sports star, and a more than five-month ordeal that's come to an end.
And this woman says Chris Pittman is no coldblooded killer, but that Zoloft is to blame for his problems. She's in a unique position to know. We'll tell you why.
NGUYEN: But first, our top story, deadly deeds during a holy day in Iraq. As thousands of Muslims gathered to mourn the death of a revered figure in their history, others mourn the deaths of dozens killed in a string of weekend attacks. For all the day's developments, we head now to CNN senior international correspondent Nic Robertson, who is live in Baghdad with the latest -- Nic.
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Betty, the first of the attacks on the Shi'a worshipers occurred as they were making their way to one of the main shrines in Baghdad, three suicide bombers entering the crowd, detonating explosives, five people killed, 40 wounded, the next attack coming at a funeral gathering in the city, a suicide bomber on a bicycle riding into the tent where the funeral people were gathered, 38 people wounded, three killed in that attack, the next attack again coming very close to the holy Shi'a shrine in the north of Baghdad, a rocket-propelled grenade fired at a police vehicle as U.S. troops and Iraqi police moved in to secure the area.
African-American suicide bomber believed to be on a bus detonated his explosives, according to Iraqi police, four people killed, 22 wounded in that explosion. U.S. officials say that one U.S. soldier was killed in that detonation and another wounded. Three suicide bombers also intercepted by Iraqi security forces in the north of the city. One detonated his explosives, killing a soldier, one was detained, and one shot dead at the scene, Betty.
NGUYEN: What a violent day there. Nic Robertson in Baghdad, we thank you. Tony?
HARRIS: The violence comes as a delegation of U.S. senators tours Iraq. The bipartisan group had the meeting with military leaders, top Iraqi officials, and local women leaders. The group includes Senators John McCain of Arizona, Susan Collins of Maine, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, and Russ Feingold of Wisconsin. During a press conference, Senator McCain talked about the tough road ahead.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: I think we have an opportunity to succeed. And I want to emphasize again, there's none of us who have visited here who do -- who wish to understate or underappreciate the enormity of the task that lies ahead of us.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: Senator Clinton says, after talking with several people, she'll leave with a sense of cautious optimism.
And time now for a check on some of the other stories making news around the world.
NGUYEN: And for that, of course, we want to go now to Anand Naidoo at the international desk. Good morning to you.
ANAND NAIDOO, CNN INTERNATIONAL: Good morning to you. A lot happening. First up, it's almost two months since the tsunami disaster. Today, a big boost for the relief effort. Former presidents Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush are in Thailand. They are seeing firsthand the devastation in some of the country's resort areas. The intention behind this visit is to keep world attention focused on the relief effort, and make sure that Americans keep on giving.
The next stop for the two presidents is Aceh, that's in Indonesia. It's one of the worst-hit areas with one of the highest death tolls. From there, both presidents move on to Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
Now to a kidnapping in Venezuela involving the mother of Detroit Tigers pitcher Ugueth Urbina. Maura Villarreal, that's Urbina's mother, was rescued after being held for more than five months. Police stormed the captors' remote mountain camp some 340 miles southwest of the capital, Caracas. The raid left at least one of the kidnappers dead. They had demanded a ransom of something like $6 million, but officials, police telling us that no money was paid.
And another high-level effort to resolve the nuclear standoff in North Korea. A top Chinese Communist Party official heads to Pyongyang to get the North Koreans back to the six-party talks. There have been mixed signals coming out of Pyongyang for the past 24 hours. The latest reports we are getting, these reports coming in overnight, quoting North Korea as saying it's not ready to return to negotiations.
Tensions in that part of the world have been rising in the past two weeks, since North Korea claimed that it had nuclear weapons and said that it was pulling out of the multiparty negotiations. The North Korean have also been calling for face-to-face talks with the United States. That, even that request now appears to be off the table.
So this is a moving story. We're keeping tabs on it, and we'll bring it to you as we get it.
That's all from me for now. Back to Tony and Betty.
NGUYEN: Yes, that story does keep changing. Thank you, Anand.
Now to security watch. We update you on the week's major developments in the war on terror every Saturday morning.
A new homeland security report says many of the nation's ports are vulnerable, because the government has been slow to spend the $560 million earmarked for improvements. The study, by the department's inspector general, makes several recommendations to ensure that the money goes to the most at-risk facilities.
The Government Accountability Office suggests moving explosive detection machines out of airport lobbies and linking them to airport baggage conveyor systems. A new GAO report says the move would save the government billions of dollars by reducing the number of screeners needed to inspect checked baggage. CIA director Porter Goss says al Qaeda and other terrorist groups still pose a real threat to the U.S. He told a Senate committee Wednesday it may only be a matter of time before terrorists get their hands on chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons.
And this reminder to stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security.
HARRIS: Lisa van Syckel is a mother, but Christopher Pittman' is not her son, but she stood by his side throughout the murder trial and backed what's been called his Zoloft defense. So why is there such a close connection between the two? We'll ask her next.
NGUYEN: Plus, we are asking you this morning, which country is the biggest threat to U.S. security? E-mail us your thoughts at wam@cnn.com.
HARRIS: And good morning San Francisco. Rob Marciano is here with your weekend forecast, when CNN SATURDAY MORNING returns.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ARCHBISHOP DESMOND TUTU, SOUTH AFRICA: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) because it is a just struggle.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (voice-over): During the dark days of apartheid in South Africa, he was the voice of hope.
TUTU: ... that this must be the last of its kind.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Archbishop Desmond Tutu always claimed he was a leader by default. But he used his faith to inspire black South Africans to fight for freedom peacefully. In honor of his battle against apartheid, Tutu won the Nobel Peace Price in 1984. And when apartheid crumbled 10 years later, President Nelson Mandela appointed Tutu to lead the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to help South Africa deal with the crimes committed during apartheid.
TUTU: We must face this ghastly past and (UNINTELLIGIBLE) pretend it never happened.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Often, the truth of the past was painful, even reducing Tutu to tears.
Now, age 73, Tutu is still outspoken on issues around the world, from war to crimes committed in the name of God.
TUTU: God is not a Christian, nor is God a Muslim. All, all are God's children.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Despite a battle with prostate cancer in 1997, Tutu continues to inspire nonviolent political change around the world, and works with a peace center that bears his name.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: If you've had a hard time keeping up with the news this week, that's what we're here for. Let's rewind through some of the big stories of the past few days, shall we?
Former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri was among several people killed in a huge explosion in central Beirut on Monday. Many in Lebanon believe Syria was behind the attack. Now, Syria denies it, but the Bush administration is turning up the diplomatic heat on Damascus.
Tuesday, a unanimous sentiment -- Senate vote to confirm Michael Chertoff as secretary for the Department of Homeland Security. Chertoff now leads the massive department that has some 180,000 staffers.
And Thursday, President Bush named the current ambassador to Iraq as the country's first director of national intelligence. John Negroponte will oversee all of the nation's 15 intelligence agencies.
And tomorrow, we will fast forward to the week ahead and tell you which stories will grab the spotlight.
HARRIS: And coming up later this morning, a true living legend, singer-songwriter Carly Simon on "PEOPLE IN THE NEWS." That's at 11:00 a.m. Eastern.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Checking our top stories now, there have been a series of suicide bomb attacks in Iraq today, as Shi'ites marked the holiest day of the religious calendar year. Now, in one attack, a suicide bomber on a bike blew himself up at a funeral tent. Three people were killed.
U.S.-Japan talks get underway in Washington today. The discussions, they will focus on China's growing military power and the threat that it poses to Taiwan. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld will hold those talks with their Japanese counterparts.
And it's Omega Boy to the rescue tomorrow on "CNN SUNDAY MORNING." Two young storytellers use their artistic skills to help children diagnosed with diabetes. The pair created a superhero to help battle the evil monster. The creators of the "Omega Boy versus Dr. Diabetes" comic book live Sunday morning, right here.
HARRIS: Our next guest has some harsh words for the antidepressant Zoloft and some kind words for a teen some call a coldblooded killer. Fifteen-year-old Christopher Pittman faces 30 years in prison for killing his grandparents in 2001 when he was 12. He was on Zoloft at the time, and claimed the drug drove him to do it.
Lisa van Syckel defends the claim, first, because she knows Pittman well, and second, because she's seen the effects of antidepressants on her own daughter. Lisa van Syckel joins us from New York.
Lisa, good morning.
LISA VAN SYCKEL: Good morning.
HARRIS: Well, you do know a little bit about some of the side effects of this class of drugs. Your daughter was taking Paxil, correct?
VAN SYCKEL: That's correct.
HARRIS: Tell us what you saw happen to your daughter.
VAN SYCKEL: Within weeks, and even over several months, of being placed on Paxil and having an increase, my daughter suffered self- mutilation, psychosis. And she, thank God, survived two suicide attempts.
HARRIS: And here's the truly nutty part of this. She was misdiagnosed?
VAN SYCKEL: Yes, she was. She actually had Lyme disease.
HARRIS: Brother. OK, so through your experience, Chris's father reached out to you, is that correct?
VAN SYCKEL: That's correct.
HARRIS: And how did you begin this relationship?
VAN SYCKEL: Christopher and I started communicating over the telephone over the last couple of years. I've gotten to know him as a very well-mannered, respectful teenager, a teenager who enjoys his Bible studies, who is just a loving child. That's the Christopher Pittman I know, not the Christopher Pittman that's being painted out there in the community.
HARRIS: You know, he admitted to this crime, he gave a statement to police where he confessed.
VAN SYCKEL: I understand that, and when children suffer behavioral toxicity due to the adverse effects of antidepressants, they suffer mania, psychosis, cursing, racial slurs. This is normal...
HARRIS: And this is...
VAN SYCKEL: ... adverse effects.
HARRIS: ... from your own experience?
VAN SYCKEL: From my own experience, exactly.
HARRIS: Did the jury get it wrong?
VAN SYCKEL: Absolutely. Had they walked a mile in the shoes of any parent whose child became violent or suicidal while on these drugs, they would understand why we as parents are out there fighting to save the lives of our children.
HARRIS: How exactly in your opinion did the defense fail Christopher?
VAN SYCKEL: The defense did not fail Christopher. Society failed Christopher. Pfizer failed Christopher. The FDA failed Christopher.
HARRIS: Explain to us how society failed Christopher.
VAN SYCKEL: I guess through, you know, what the jurors have said, you know, him having a tough life. Then a doctor prescribing a drug that has not been FDA approved for children. And Pfizer for withholding vital information from the public, and who continues to withhold vital information.
HARRIS: Should he have been found guilty of anything?
VAN SYCKEL: He should have been found not guilty due to involuntary intoxication. Children who are intoxicated by these drugs have absolutely no control over the actions.
But the bottom line is, why, as a society, do we try 12-year-old children in adult courts? That in itself is a crime.
HARRIS: That's a pretty provocative question. Let's leave it there. Lisa, good to see you. Thanks for taking the time to talk to us.
VAN SYCKEL: Thank you.
HARRIS: We appreciate it.
Zoloft is one of the most widely prescribed antidepressants in the United States. Nearly 33 million prescriptions were written in 2003. Last October, the FDA ordered Zoloft and other antidepressants to carry a black-box warning about an increased risk of suicidal behavior in children. The black box is just one step short of a full government ban.
NGUYEN: So what does the FDA say about giving antidepressants to kids or teenagers? First, there is a risk of suicidal thoughts or actions linked to antidepressants. But keep in mind, these thoughts and actions can also be caused by depression. The risk is especially high in patients who are bipolar, or who have a family history of bipolar disease or attempted suicide.
If that is the case, the agency says you should talk to your doctor before your child takes an antidepressant. Whenever an antidepressant is started or its dose is changed, be sure your child sees a doctor. And checkups should follow once a week for the first four weeks, again, after weeks six and eight, and once more after taking the medication for three months. Warning signs to look for include suicidal thoughts or actions, signs of depression, anxiety or irritability, panic attacks, insomnia, aggressive behavior, and an extreme increase in activity and talking.
The FDA does not recommend stopping the medication without talking to a doctor first, because that can cause other symptoms. And you want to keep in mind, of all antidepressants, Prozac is the only one approved by the FDA to treat pediatric depression. Zoloft, along with two other drugs, has only been approved for treating obsessive- compulsive disorder in children or teenagers.
Remember, antidepressants are not the only choice to treat depression. Be sure to discuss alternative options with your doctor.
So a lot to keep in mind.
HARRIS: Absolutely.
We are asking you this morning in our e-mail question, Which country is the biggest threat to U.S. security? What you are sending us by way of your e-mails coming up.
But first, a CNN extra. Victims of domestic abuse and witnesses to gang crimes could soon get special protection through satellite technology. The lieutenant governor of Massachusetts filed a bill this week that would make the state the first in the nation to use GPS systems to track offenders who violate restraining orders.
HARRIS: Now, if you think you're a victim of domestic abuse, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is the place to call. Established in 1996, it receives more than 13,000 calls each month. That number is 1-800-799-7233.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Well, good morning, San Francisco. Look at this live shot as the sun comes up over the city by the bay. Isn't that beautiful?
Today the city ushers in the Chinese New Year. They are hosting a parade that is the largest of its kind outside of Asia. Two thousand five is the Year of the Rooster, Tony.
HARRIS: (UNINTELLIGIBLE), thank you.
(LAUGHTER)
HARRIS: Like many CNN viewers, you probably augment -- (UNINTELLIGIBLE), I just like that word, it's a little -- augment your TV viewing with visits to the Web to find out more.
Veronica de la Cruz from the dot-com desk is here with a glance at what web Users are looking at today. Hey, good to see you.
VERONICA DE LA CRUZ, DOT-COM DESK: Good to see you. How are you doing? HARRIS: Well, thank you.
DE LA CRUZ: Good.
Well, folks are waking up this morning. And they're surfing the Web, they're visiting CNN.com, of course. And here's what they're clicking on. Now to find the most popular stories, go to our main page. Click on the icon Most Popular on the right-hand side of your screen, or you can type in CNN.com/mostpopular. That list is updated every 20 minutes.
Now, first off, some say its mission is vital in fighting the war on terror. The U.S.S. "Jimmy Carter," a nuclear-powered sub, is being commissioned in a ceremony this morning in Connecticut. Intelligence experts say it will have special capabilities, meaning, Tony, it's going to be able to tap undersea cables and eavesdrop on the communications passing through them.
HARRIS: Wow.
DE LA CRUZ: Yes.
HARRIS: Yes.
DE LA CRUZ: Now, exposing a story out of Manhattan. Exposing a story. Diners enjoying a buffet dinner in the buff.
HARRIS: What?
DE LA CRUZ: In the buff, in the buff, yes, you heard me right.
HARRIS: Oh, come on.
DE LA CRUZ: In the buff, yes. Around 30 people gathered...
HARRIS: You're making that up.
DE LA CRUZ: I'm not, no...
HARRIS: That's not a real story.
DE LA CRUZ: ... listen, listen to this...
HARRIS: I (UNINTELLIGIBLE), OK.
DE LA CRUZ: Yes, yes, it's on there. Thirty people gathered for a monthly dinner, which was started by a group of nudists who are sick of those wilderness getaways. They were sick of those beach resorts that they usually have to frequent, which I'm sure you're familiar with, right?
HARRIS: Yes, (UNINTELLIGIBLE), they're just a pain, they're just a pain.
(LAUGHTER)
DE LA CRUZ: So they got a group together to socialize, to eat dinner in the nude. In the nude, yes.
HARRIS: Yes, well.
DE LA CRUZ: And just a side note. The organizers for the event had this very special request, no hot soup on the menu.
HARRIS: Oh, man.
DE LA CRUZ: No hot soup on the menu. But that's just an example of what's hot on the Web right now.
HARRIS: Just lost my appetite.
NGUYEN: Yes, exactly.
HARRIS: Thank you, good to see you.
(LAUGHTER)
NGUYEN: Who wants to eat seeing people sitting there in the nude? I think I'd lose my appetite too.
Hey, Rob, would that cause you to lose your appetite?
ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes, the problem with nudists is they're typically not the people you want to see...
(CROSSTALK)
NGUYEN: Yes, exactly.
HARRIS: They're not the people. Thank you, Rob.
NGUYEN: All wrong physiques.
MARCIANO: Anyway, here's the weather forecast.
NGUYEN: Yes.
(LAUGHTER)
(WEATHER FORECAST)
MARCIANO: Northeast will be dry, as will Daytona tomorrow. Big race, race fans. Temperatures there will be in the 60s and lower 70s. Perfect for the -- what do they call (UNINTELLIGIBLE), the great American race, I guess?
HARRIS: Yes, that's it. It's the Super Bowl. It's really, really is.
NGUYEN: Big-time, Rob. We'll be watching.
MARCIANO: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
HARRIS: We'll have some of it live tomorrow. So you want... HARRIS: Will we?
NGUYEN: ... to stay tuned for that.
MARCIANO: All right, I'll show up.
HARRIS: OK, thanks, Rob.
NGUYEN: OK.
MARCIANO: See you guys.
NGUYEN: We're going to take a quick break right now. We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired February 19, 2005 - 09:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: And good morning, everyone, from the CNN Center this is CNN SATURDAY MORNING. It is February 19. I'm Tony Harris.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Betty Nguyen. Good morning, everybody. It is 9:00 a.m. right here in the East, 6:00 a.m. on the West Coast. Thanks so much for starting your day with us.
Now in the news, a string of deadly attacks in Iraq this morning as Shi'ite Muslims mark their holiest day. Among them, two suicide bombings in Baghdad, killing at least three people. A bomb also went off on a Baghdad bus in a Shi'ite section of town. We will bring you a live report from the Iraqi capital. That will happen in just a few minutes from now.
Thousands of demonstrators are packing the streets of Rome at this hour. They are pressing for the release of an Italian journalist abducted in Iraq earlier this month. On Wednesday, shocked Italians watched a videotape showing the woman pleading for her life and urging Italy to pull its troops out of Iraq.
Also, a strong earthquake panics residents of Indonesia's eastern Sulawesi coast today. The undersea 6.9 quake caused the tide to rise at least 10 feet, but there was no tsunami and no casualties or damage reported so far. The quake is not considered an aftershock of the massive quake in December, because it was so far from the affected areas.
HARRIS: And coming up this hour too, former presidents united in a common cause. George Bush and Bill Clinton are in Thailand getting a firsthand look at the relief efforts after the tsunami. We'll have a live report.
And going global, a harrowing tale of ransom and rescue. It involves a kidnapped mother of a major U.S. sports star, and a more than five-month ordeal that's come to an end.
And this woman says Chris Pittman is no coldblooded killer, but that Zoloft is to blame for his problems. She's in a unique position to know. We'll tell you why.
NGUYEN: But first, our top story, deadly deeds during a holy day in Iraq. As thousands of Muslims gathered to mourn the death of a revered figure in their history, others mourn the deaths of dozens killed in a string of weekend attacks. For all the day's developments, we head now to CNN senior international correspondent Nic Robertson, who is live in Baghdad with the latest -- Nic.
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Betty, the first of the attacks on the Shi'a worshipers occurred as they were making their way to one of the main shrines in Baghdad, three suicide bombers entering the crowd, detonating explosives, five people killed, 40 wounded, the next attack coming at a funeral gathering in the city, a suicide bomber on a bicycle riding into the tent where the funeral people were gathered, 38 people wounded, three killed in that attack, the next attack again coming very close to the holy Shi'a shrine in the north of Baghdad, a rocket-propelled grenade fired at a police vehicle as U.S. troops and Iraqi police moved in to secure the area.
African-American suicide bomber believed to be on a bus detonated his explosives, according to Iraqi police, four people killed, 22 wounded in that explosion. U.S. officials say that one U.S. soldier was killed in that detonation and another wounded. Three suicide bombers also intercepted by Iraqi security forces in the north of the city. One detonated his explosives, killing a soldier, one was detained, and one shot dead at the scene, Betty.
NGUYEN: What a violent day there. Nic Robertson in Baghdad, we thank you. Tony?
HARRIS: The violence comes as a delegation of U.S. senators tours Iraq. The bipartisan group had the meeting with military leaders, top Iraqi officials, and local women leaders. The group includes Senators John McCain of Arizona, Susan Collins of Maine, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, and Russ Feingold of Wisconsin. During a press conference, Senator McCain talked about the tough road ahead.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: I think we have an opportunity to succeed. And I want to emphasize again, there's none of us who have visited here who do -- who wish to understate or underappreciate the enormity of the task that lies ahead of us.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: Senator Clinton says, after talking with several people, she'll leave with a sense of cautious optimism.
And time now for a check on some of the other stories making news around the world.
NGUYEN: And for that, of course, we want to go now to Anand Naidoo at the international desk. Good morning to you.
ANAND NAIDOO, CNN INTERNATIONAL: Good morning to you. A lot happening. First up, it's almost two months since the tsunami disaster. Today, a big boost for the relief effort. Former presidents Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush are in Thailand. They are seeing firsthand the devastation in some of the country's resort areas. The intention behind this visit is to keep world attention focused on the relief effort, and make sure that Americans keep on giving.
The next stop for the two presidents is Aceh, that's in Indonesia. It's one of the worst-hit areas with one of the highest death tolls. From there, both presidents move on to Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
Now to a kidnapping in Venezuela involving the mother of Detroit Tigers pitcher Ugueth Urbina. Maura Villarreal, that's Urbina's mother, was rescued after being held for more than five months. Police stormed the captors' remote mountain camp some 340 miles southwest of the capital, Caracas. The raid left at least one of the kidnappers dead. They had demanded a ransom of something like $6 million, but officials, police telling us that no money was paid.
And another high-level effort to resolve the nuclear standoff in North Korea. A top Chinese Communist Party official heads to Pyongyang to get the North Koreans back to the six-party talks. There have been mixed signals coming out of Pyongyang for the past 24 hours. The latest reports we are getting, these reports coming in overnight, quoting North Korea as saying it's not ready to return to negotiations.
Tensions in that part of the world have been rising in the past two weeks, since North Korea claimed that it had nuclear weapons and said that it was pulling out of the multiparty negotiations. The North Korean have also been calling for face-to-face talks with the United States. That, even that request now appears to be off the table.
So this is a moving story. We're keeping tabs on it, and we'll bring it to you as we get it.
That's all from me for now. Back to Tony and Betty.
NGUYEN: Yes, that story does keep changing. Thank you, Anand.
Now to security watch. We update you on the week's major developments in the war on terror every Saturday morning.
A new homeland security report says many of the nation's ports are vulnerable, because the government has been slow to spend the $560 million earmarked for improvements. The study, by the department's inspector general, makes several recommendations to ensure that the money goes to the most at-risk facilities.
The Government Accountability Office suggests moving explosive detection machines out of airport lobbies and linking them to airport baggage conveyor systems. A new GAO report says the move would save the government billions of dollars by reducing the number of screeners needed to inspect checked baggage. CIA director Porter Goss says al Qaeda and other terrorist groups still pose a real threat to the U.S. He told a Senate committee Wednesday it may only be a matter of time before terrorists get their hands on chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons.
And this reminder to stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security.
HARRIS: Lisa van Syckel is a mother, but Christopher Pittman' is not her son, but she stood by his side throughout the murder trial and backed what's been called his Zoloft defense. So why is there such a close connection between the two? We'll ask her next.
NGUYEN: Plus, we are asking you this morning, which country is the biggest threat to U.S. security? E-mail us your thoughts at wam@cnn.com.
HARRIS: And good morning San Francisco. Rob Marciano is here with your weekend forecast, when CNN SATURDAY MORNING returns.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ARCHBISHOP DESMOND TUTU, SOUTH AFRICA: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) because it is a just struggle.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (voice-over): During the dark days of apartheid in South Africa, he was the voice of hope.
TUTU: ... that this must be the last of its kind.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Archbishop Desmond Tutu always claimed he was a leader by default. But he used his faith to inspire black South Africans to fight for freedom peacefully. In honor of his battle against apartheid, Tutu won the Nobel Peace Price in 1984. And when apartheid crumbled 10 years later, President Nelson Mandela appointed Tutu to lead the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to help South Africa deal with the crimes committed during apartheid.
TUTU: We must face this ghastly past and (UNINTELLIGIBLE) pretend it never happened.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Often, the truth of the past was painful, even reducing Tutu to tears.
Now, age 73, Tutu is still outspoken on issues around the world, from war to crimes committed in the name of God.
TUTU: God is not a Christian, nor is God a Muslim. All, all are God's children.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Despite a battle with prostate cancer in 1997, Tutu continues to inspire nonviolent political change around the world, and works with a peace center that bears his name.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: If you've had a hard time keeping up with the news this week, that's what we're here for. Let's rewind through some of the big stories of the past few days, shall we?
Former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri was among several people killed in a huge explosion in central Beirut on Monday. Many in Lebanon believe Syria was behind the attack. Now, Syria denies it, but the Bush administration is turning up the diplomatic heat on Damascus.
Tuesday, a unanimous sentiment -- Senate vote to confirm Michael Chertoff as secretary for the Department of Homeland Security. Chertoff now leads the massive department that has some 180,000 staffers.
And Thursday, President Bush named the current ambassador to Iraq as the country's first director of national intelligence. John Negroponte will oversee all of the nation's 15 intelligence agencies.
And tomorrow, we will fast forward to the week ahead and tell you which stories will grab the spotlight.
HARRIS: And coming up later this morning, a true living legend, singer-songwriter Carly Simon on "PEOPLE IN THE NEWS." That's at 11:00 a.m. Eastern.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Checking our top stories now, there have been a series of suicide bomb attacks in Iraq today, as Shi'ites marked the holiest day of the religious calendar year. Now, in one attack, a suicide bomber on a bike blew himself up at a funeral tent. Three people were killed.
U.S.-Japan talks get underway in Washington today. The discussions, they will focus on China's growing military power and the threat that it poses to Taiwan. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld will hold those talks with their Japanese counterparts.
And it's Omega Boy to the rescue tomorrow on "CNN SUNDAY MORNING." Two young storytellers use their artistic skills to help children diagnosed with diabetes. The pair created a superhero to help battle the evil monster. The creators of the "Omega Boy versus Dr. Diabetes" comic book live Sunday morning, right here.
HARRIS: Our next guest has some harsh words for the antidepressant Zoloft and some kind words for a teen some call a coldblooded killer. Fifteen-year-old Christopher Pittman faces 30 years in prison for killing his grandparents in 2001 when he was 12. He was on Zoloft at the time, and claimed the drug drove him to do it.
Lisa van Syckel defends the claim, first, because she knows Pittman well, and second, because she's seen the effects of antidepressants on her own daughter. Lisa van Syckel joins us from New York.
Lisa, good morning.
LISA VAN SYCKEL: Good morning.
HARRIS: Well, you do know a little bit about some of the side effects of this class of drugs. Your daughter was taking Paxil, correct?
VAN SYCKEL: That's correct.
HARRIS: Tell us what you saw happen to your daughter.
VAN SYCKEL: Within weeks, and even over several months, of being placed on Paxil and having an increase, my daughter suffered self- mutilation, psychosis. And she, thank God, survived two suicide attempts.
HARRIS: And here's the truly nutty part of this. She was misdiagnosed?
VAN SYCKEL: Yes, she was. She actually had Lyme disease.
HARRIS: Brother. OK, so through your experience, Chris's father reached out to you, is that correct?
VAN SYCKEL: That's correct.
HARRIS: And how did you begin this relationship?
VAN SYCKEL: Christopher and I started communicating over the telephone over the last couple of years. I've gotten to know him as a very well-mannered, respectful teenager, a teenager who enjoys his Bible studies, who is just a loving child. That's the Christopher Pittman I know, not the Christopher Pittman that's being painted out there in the community.
HARRIS: You know, he admitted to this crime, he gave a statement to police where he confessed.
VAN SYCKEL: I understand that, and when children suffer behavioral toxicity due to the adverse effects of antidepressants, they suffer mania, psychosis, cursing, racial slurs. This is normal...
HARRIS: And this is...
VAN SYCKEL: ... adverse effects.
HARRIS: ... from your own experience?
VAN SYCKEL: From my own experience, exactly.
HARRIS: Did the jury get it wrong?
VAN SYCKEL: Absolutely. Had they walked a mile in the shoes of any parent whose child became violent or suicidal while on these drugs, they would understand why we as parents are out there fighting to save the lives of our children.
HARRIS: How exactly in your opinion did the defense fail Christopher?
VAN SYCKEL: The defense did not fail Christopher. Society failed Christopher. Pfizer failed Christopher. The FDA failed Christopher.
HARRIS: Explain to us how society failed Christopher.
VAN SYCKEL: I guess through, you know, what the jurors have said, you know, him having a tough life. Then a doctor prescribing a drug that has not been FDA approved for children. And Pfizer for withholding vital information from the public, and who continues to withhold vital information.
HARRIS: Should he have been found guilty of anything?
VAN SYCKEL: He should have been found not guilty due to involuntary intoxication. Children who are intoxicated by these drugs have absolutely no control over the actions.
But the bottom line is, why, as a society, do we try 12-year-old children in adult courts? That in itself is a crime.
HARRIS: That's a pretty provocative question. Let's leave it there. Lisa, good to see you. Thanks for taking the time to talk to us.
VAN SYCKEL: Thank you.
HARRIS: We appreciate it.
Zoloft is one of the most widely prescribed antidepressants in the United States. Nearly 33 million prescriptions were written in 2003. Last October, the FDA ordered Zoloft and other antidepressants to carry a black-box warning about an increased risk of suicidal behavior in children. The black box is just one step short of a full government ban.
NGUYEN: So what does the FDA say about giving antidepressants to kids or teenagers? First, there is a risk of suicidal thoughts or actions linked to antidepressants. But keep in mind, these thoughts and actions can also be caused by depression. The risk is especially high in patients who are bipolar, or who have a family history of bipolar disease or attempted suicide.
If that is the case, the agency says you should talk to your doctor before your child takes an antidepressant. Whenever an antidepressant is started or its dose is changed, be sure your child sees a doctor. And checkups should follow once a week for the first four weeks, again, after weeks six and eight, and once more after taking the medication for three months. Warning signs to look for include suicidal thoughts or actions, signs of depression, anxiety or irritability, panic attacks, insomnia, aggressive behavior, and an extreme increase in activity and talking.
The FDA does not recommend stopping the medication without talking to a doctor first, because that can cause other symptoms. And you want to keep in mind, of all antidepressants, Prozac is the only one approved by the FDA to treat pediatric depression. Zoloft, along with two other drugs, has only been approved for treating obsessive- compulsive disorder in children or teenagers.
Remember, antidepressants are not the only choice to treat depression. Be sure to discuss alternative options with your doctor.
So a lot to keep in mind.
HARRIS: Absolutely.
We are asking you this morning in our e-mail question, Which country is the biggest threat to U.S. security? What you are sending us by way of your e-mails coming up.
But first, a CNN extra. Victims of domestic abuse and witnesses to gang crimes could soon get special protection through satellite technology. The lieutenant governor of Massachusetts filed a bill this week that would make the state the first in the nation to use GPS systems to track offenders who violate restraining orders.
HARRIS: Now, if you think you're a victim of domestic abuse, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is the place to call. Established in 1996, it receives more than 13,000 calls each month. That number is 1-800-799-7233.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Well, good morning, San Francisco. Look at this live shot as the sun comes up over the city by the bay. Isn't that beautiful?
Today the city ushers in the Chinese New Year. They are hosting a parade that is the largest of its kind outside of Asia. Two thousand five is the Year of the Rooster, Tony.
HARRIS: (UNINTELLIGIBLE), thank you.
(LAUGHTER)
HARRIS: Like many CNN viewers, you probably augment -- (UNINTELLIGIBLE), I just like that word, it's a little -- augment your TV viewing with visits to the Web to find out more.
Veronica de la Cruz from the dot-com desk is here with a glance at what web Users are looking at today. Hey, good to see you.
VERONICA DE LA CRUZ, DOT-COM DESK: Good to see you. How are you doing? HARRIS: Well, thank you.
DE LA CRUZ: Good.
Well, folks are waking up this morning. And they're surfing the Web, they're visiting CNN.com, of course. And here's what they're clicking on. Now to find the most popular stories, go to our main page. Click on the icon Most Popular on the right-hand side of your screen, or you can type in CNN.com/mostpopular. That list is updated every 20 minutes.
Now, first off, some say its mission is vital in fighting the war on terror. The U.S.S. "Jimmy Carter," a nuclear-powered sub, is being commissioned in a ceremony this morning in Connecticut. Intelligence experts say it will have special capabilities, meaning, Tony, it's going to be able to tap undersea cables and eavesdrop on the communications passing through them.
HARRIS: Wow.
DE LA CRUZ: Yes.
HARRIS: Yes.
DE LA CRUZ: Now, exposing a story out of Manhattan. Exposing a story. Diners enjoying a buffet dinner in the buff.
HARRIS: What?
DE LA CRUZ: In the buff, in the buff, yes, you heard me right.
HARRIS: Oh, come on.
DE LA CRUZ: In the buff, yes. Around 30 people gathered...
HARRIS: You're making that up.
DE LA CRUZ: I'm not, no...
HARRIS: That's not a real story.
DE LA CRUZ: ... listen, listen to this...
HARRIS: I (UNINTELLIGIBLE), OK.
DE LA CRUZ: Yes, yes, it's on there. Thirty people gathered for a monthly dinner, which was started by a group of nudists who are sick of those wilderness getaways. They were sick of those beach resorts that they usually have to frequent, which I'm sure you're familiar with, right?
HARRIS: Yes, (UNINTELLIGIBLE), they're just a pain, they're just a pain.
(LAUGHTER)
DE LA CRUZ: So they got a group together to socialize, to eat dinner in the nude. In the nude, yes.
HARRIS: Yes, well.
DE LA CRUZ: And just a side note. The organizers for the event had this very special request, no hot soup on the menu.
HARRIS: Oh, man.
DE LA CRUZ: No hot soup on the menu. But that's just an example of what's hot on the Web right now.
HARRIS: Just lost my appetite.
NGUYEN: Yes, exactly.
HARRIS: Thank you, good to see you.
(LAUGHTER)
NGUYEN: Who wants to eat seeing people sitting there in the nude? I think I'd lose my appetite too.
Hey, Rob, would that cause you to lose your appetite?
ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes, the problem with nudists is they're typically not the people you want to see...
(CROSSTALK)
NGUYEN: Yes, exactly.
HARRIS: They're not the people. Thank you, Rob.
NGUYEN: All wrong physiques.
MARCIANO: Anyway, here's the weather forecast.
NGUYEN: Yes.
(LAUGHTER)
(WEATHER FORECAST)
MARCIANO: Northeast will be dry, as will Daytona tomorrow. Big race, race fans. Temperatures there will be in the 60s and lower 70s. Perfect for the -- what do they call (UNINTELLIGIBLE), the great American race, I guess?
HARRIS: Yes, that's it. It's the Super Bowl. It's really, really is.
NGUYEN: Big-time, Rob. We'll be watching.
MARCIANO: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
HARRIS: We'll have some of it live tomorrow. So you want... HARRIS: Will we?
NGUYEN: ... to stay tuned for that.
MARCIANO: All right, I'll show up.
HARRIS: OK, thanks, Rob.
NGUYEN: OK.
MARCIANO: See you guys.
NGUYEN: We're going to take a quick break right now. We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
