Return to Transcripts main page
News from CNN
Bush to Europe; U.S.-Russia Tensions; Protecting America
Aired May 06, 2005 - 11:59 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.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: To our viewers, thanks very much for joining us.
Unfolding this hour on NEWS FROM CNN, Moscow's Red Square, where the Soviets once paraded their challenge to the United States and the west. Come Monday, President Bush will review the troops right there. But even in these friendlier times, there's still a bit of the Cold War chill in the air. We'll explain.
Then, new worries over nukes and North Korea, a charter member of the president's so-called axis of evil. We'll examine the possible fallout of a North Korean nuclear test if it goes forward.
Also, this: we're following a very disturbing story out of South Carolina of a cop on the run. The story involving little girls, a dead wife, and allegations of molestation and murder. Our Randi Kaye has the story.
First some headlines.
And more jitters and New York. The Manhattan Bridge reopened this morning after being closed nearly an hour. A suspicious bag that prompted the shutdown turned out to be a benign backpack. The incident comes a day after two small explosions damaged a Midtown office building that houses the British Consulate.
In Chicago, what many believe was an image of the Virgin Mary on an underpass is no longer there after a man scrawled the words "Big Lie" over it. Authorities had to paint over it. They've charged 37- year-old Victor Gonzalez (ph) with criminal damage to state property.
The job market may be looking up. The Labor Department says employers added 274,000 new jobs last month, significantly higher than analysts had predicted. Job numbers are February -- for February and March were also revised upward. Some economists warn, however, it's still too early to say the labor market has turned the corner.
Up first this hour, the president's trip to Europe expected to be both ceremonial and controversial. His primary purpose, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe. So why is his first stop Latvia?
Our White House correspondent, Dana Bash, is one step ahead of the president. She's already in the capital of Riga. She's joining us now live -- Dana.
DANA BASH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Wolf. Well, the president's first stop is here in Latvia for the same reason his last stop is going to be in Georgia. He is book-ending the main event of the trip, which is Moscow, with visits to former Soviet states in order to promote, applaud and encourage the democracies here. Now, it is also to counterbalance, perhaps, the images that we will see on Monday of President Bush standing on a parade route in Red Square to celebrate the 60th anniversary of World War -- the end of World War II.
Now, the problem is, the end of Hitler meant the beginning of Stalin and Soviet domination for the Baltic states, like Latvia. And, in fact, leaders of Estonia and Lithuania say President Putin of Russia refuses to recognize that, and they're boycotting the Moscow celebration altogether.
Now, President Bush has, of course, made his second term theme promoting democracy, promoting freedom. And he wants to show these new democracies that he understand their issues and their concerns. The Russians are not very happy with President Bush's itinerary.
But he wrote a letter to the Latvian president just a couple of days ago saying that he does understand their concerns. But that further infuriated the Russians.
His letter read, in part, "In Western Europe, the end of World War II meant liberation. In Central and Eastern Europe, the war also marked the Soviet occupation and annexation of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, and the imposition of communism."
Now, it is that word, Wolf, "occupation," that Russians consider over the line. They deny that it was occupation, that the president is simply meddling in affairs here. But what U.S. officials hope to gain here is Russian understanding that it is not, as they say, a zero sum game, that by encouraging democracy in places like Latvia, it is not anti-Russian.
But, Wolf, I can tell you that in talking to officials, they understand that the differences between the U.S. and Russia, President Putin and President Bush, are really tense right now. They understand that. But President Bush in a series of interviews he did before getting on Air Force One made clear that he does believe his close relationship with President Putin over the years will help to bridge that, help make it easier for the two to discuss these issues. And, of course, he also made clear he needs President Putin on some of the world's hotspots, like North Korea and Iran -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Dana Bash in Riga, a simply beautiful city in Latvia. Dana, thanks very much for that preview.
The president's second to last stop could prove to be something of a balancing act for him. He'll be meeting with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. And we've just been hearing about they haven't been seeing eye to eye on many issues in recent months.
Our Jill Dougherty is in Moscow.
Jill, what's at the heart of the tensions between these two leaders?
JILL DOUGHERTY, CNN MOSCOW BUREAU CHIEF: Well, Wolf, let's go back. Let's look at the relationship just recently. You've had at least three things that I could point to right now that have made a certain tense nature to the relationship.
The first one would have to be Ukraine. Remember the Orange Revolution and the Russian president supporting the prime minister, and certainly criticizing the Orange Revolution? The Orange Revolution, which George Bush has cited as an example of democracy spreading around the world.
So that's one tension. They do not see eye to eye on that. In fact, President Putin continues to say that he feels that that was really illegal, it was like a coup.
Then you have to look at Yukos, Yukos Oil Company, what's been going on with that. The government essentially moving to take that apart.
And also, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the former head of Yukos, sitting in a jail cell, waiting for the end of his trial. In fact, interestingly, he was going to be sentenced about a week ago and they put that off because all bets are that he'll end up in jail for quite a long time, and it could be embarrassing if that happened as the world leaders are coming into Moscow.
And then finally, I think you'd have to talk about the rollback, as it's referred to at least in Washington, the rollback on democracy in Russia. And that would include some control of the media, control against political parties that are in opposition, et cetera, Wolf. So those are essentially the tensions that we're dealing with.
BLITZER: Jill Dougherty setting the stage for us in Moscow, as she always does.
Jill, thank you very much for that.
In our CNN "Security Watch," newspaper reports indicate there's growing concern North Korea may be getting very close to testing a nuclear weapon, and any fallout could spell big trouble for several of America's allies in Asia -- indeed, others around the world.
Just a little while ago, I spoke with Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and asked him about the impact of such a North Korean nuclear test.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MOHAMED ELBARADEI, IAEA DIRECTOR: I'm afraid that this will throw back the whole North Korean fire (ph) into -- into again yet another worse situation than what we had in the last few years. It is getting from bad to worse, Wolf. And the earlier we intervene to engage the North Koreans, the earlier we try to find a comprehensive solution, the better for everybody.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: And you can see more of my interview with Dr. El Baradei Sunday at noon Eastern, on "LATE EDITION," the last word in Sunday talk. We'll also have more on this subject coming up this hour. David Ignatius of "The Washington Post" will be joining us.
The office of the powerful director of national intelligence is open for business and taking shape under John Negroponte. Several reporters got to see it and talk with senior officials about how they plan to try and improve the nation's defense against terrorism.
One of those reporters is our very own national security correspondent, David Ensor.
David, you're just back. What did you see, what did you learn?
DAVID ENSOR, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, John Negroponte and his deputy, General Michael Hayden, and their skeleton staff are sort of camping in government offices just across from the White House and making plans to move at least twice in the next few years. They'll move to Bolling Air Force Base later this year.
The staff will be around 500 to 1,000. You'll recall this was all set up on the recommendation of the 9/11 Commission.
Critics have charged that this new office will be just another layer of bureaucracy. A senior intelligence official responded to that today, saying their goal is to be senior managers whose sole job is the smooth functioning of the U.S. intelligence community. And he said the sweet spot will be to make that work and not to get in the way of America's spies, eavesdroppers, satellite photographers and analysts at the 15 intelligence agencies that the nation has.
Now, they gave us the names of four top deputies that have been chosen. And one name is kind of interesting, Mary Margaret Graham (ph), former head of counterintelligence at the CIA, will be the new intelligence collection chief.
She's said to have a connotation of sorts with a senior staffer to CIA director, Porter Goss, over some alleged leaks about another person Goss was bringing into the CIA. And it's just interesting that Mr. Negroponte apparently doesn't care whether his new deputy may or may not be Mr. Goss' favorite person -- Wolf.
BLITZER: So there could be a little friction there. There could also be a little friction with the Pentagon. The defense secretary, Don Rumsfeld, who's not a shy guy, as we all know, there's been some concern this new intelligence operation is going to take away some of the clout of the Defense Department.
ENSOR: Well, that is definitely something to watch closely, Wolf. A senior intelligence official said today that Negroponte and Rumsfeld have had a number of meetings, as have Negroponte and the top intelligence defense deputy for Rumsfeld, Mr. Steve Cambone. And both want to make this new relationship work. But it does bear watching. There is this natural tension between the Pentagon, that wants the lion's share of the intelligence assets used to protect troops, and Mr. Negroponte's team, who want to make sure the nation is protected against what could be the next 9/11.
BLITZER: As you know, David, access is power here in Washington. Whoever meets with the president, has the president's ear, usually is a powerful person. The question is this: who's going to brief the president every morning on national security threats? Will it be Porter Goss, the CIA director, or John Negroponte, who is now presumably his boss?
ENSOR: My understanding is that John Negroponte is already involved in the presidential briefing process, presumably there from time to time, at least. Porter Goss will also be there sometimes.
But this is going to be an interesting one to watch to see who gets the access. As you say, that's the key question.
BLITZER: You had some access to these top intelligence officials today. What are they saying about the possibility that North Korea may actually go forward with a nuclear test?
ENSOR: They were not willing to take kind of news questions like that today, Wolf. They did say there are going to be mission managers with S.W.A.T. team task forces, following specific crises. And I think can you bet there will be one on North Korea.
BLITZER: We'll be watching that story very closely. David, thanks very much. David Ensor, our national security correspondent. Good work.
And to our viewers, please stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security.
When we come back, a shocking, truly shocking case of alleged child sexual abuse. Coming up, the accusations and the former police officer, yes, police officer, suspected of molestation and murder. This is a story you'll see here on CNN.
And a bit later, big changes coming to British politics after yesterday's historic election results. Bill Schneider is in London the day after the reelection of Tony Blair. We'll tell you what's happening.
You're watching NEWS FROM CNN, and we're back in a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back.
For a second day, Michael Jackson's attorneys are presenting their case in the singer's child molestation trial. The actor Macaulay Culkin is expected to testify for the defense possibly next week. Culkin spent time at Jackson's Neverland Ranch as a child and has publicly denied anything inappropriate ever happened.
Two other men who had childhood sleepovers at Neverland testified yesterday. They, too, say Jackson never molested them.
A convicted child sex offender is now in custody in Florida three days after police say he cut off -- he cut off his tracking bracelet, touching off a police manhunt. Patrick Wayne Bell was spotted on a street in Tallahassee, Florida, this morning and promptly was arrested.
Bell was convicted of sexual battery in 1999. Police say he had just completed his prison term last month and was under supervised release when he removed his tracking device on Tuesday.
The search continues, however, for a police officer in South Carolina who's accused of child molestation and murder. Our Randi Kaye has an in-depth look at case that has police investigating one of their own.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RANDI KAYE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): He was once a respected police officer in Charleston, South Carolina. Now Daniel William Hiers is the focus of an international manhunt, accused of molestation and murder.
LESLIE: I was scared. I was in shock.
KAYE: This woman, Leslie, asked us not use her last name. Her 11-year-old daughter is one of Hiers' alleged victims.
Hiers and the little girl met in this karate class. Hiers took no interest in the mother, but a strong interest in the girl, who was 20 years younger. He took her shopping, bought her expensive gifts, drove her to karate, and sent her flowers twice.
Leslie, a single mom, was suspicious at first. But Hiers assured her his intentions were good. She even planned to make Hiers the girl's legal guardian, should something happen to her mom.
LESLIE: He stepped in as a father to my daughter. And I used to -- I used to thank God for him. I would pray and think, my God.
KAYE: That all changed when, after watching a video about inappropriate touching at school, Leslie's daughter told her Hiers had been touching her.
LESLIE: I gave her a hug. And I told her everything was going to be OK.
KAYE (on camera): How tough was that moment?
LESLIE: That was hard.
KAYE (voice-over): According to police, Hiers would take the girl to places like this Wal-Mart parking lot, fondle her repeatedly, even make her touch him.
LESLIE: She said that every time that they passed by there, that she knew what was going to happen, especially -- when he -- noticed that the truck was slowing down, and that she was just too scared to do anything.
KAYE (on camera): Why didn't the little girl come forward sooner? Her mother told me Hiers threatened her. He told her, if she talked about the abuse, she would get in trouble, that no one would believe her because he was a police officer.
(voice-over): But investigators did believe her and moved to arrest Hiers and charge him with lewd acts with a minor. It was then they discovered Hiers had a wife, that had been leading a double life.
Hiers met Mila Cohe De Aruz (ph) in 1996. She was vacationing in Miami from Brazil. Hiers was 23, Mila just 15. They married two years later.
ALESANDRO COHE DE ARUJO, SISTER OF MURDERED WIFE: I believe -- I believe my family, my sister, everybody, we were fooled by him.
KAYE: Mila's sister Alesandro, remembers how charming Hiers could be. She also remembers how distant he became as his wife started to mature into a woman.
DE ARUJO: They didn't have a normal sexual life. They used to pass a month or three months without having any kind of contact.
KAYE: Hiers began to ignore his wife. The couple stopped going out together.
(on camera): Did you have any indication at all that he had a wife at home and was married?
COKERS: No. That's the biggest shock. We had no clue that he had a wife. None of us knew.
KAYE (voice-over): Dale Cokers owns the karate school where Hiers befriended Leslie's daughter. He talked with Hiers every week and there was never any mention of a wife.
COKERS: We never saw a wife. He never brought her here for any special events we had. We have never seen her.
KAYE: Leslie and her daughter never met Hiers' wife either. He told them she had gone back to Brazil to file for divorce.
DE ARUJO: He's mysterious, very much mysterious.
KAYE: Alesandro says her sister pleaded with Hiers to stop spending so much time with Leslie's daughter.
(on camera): Did your sister ever think that he liked little girls? DE ARUJO: She thought that -- she used to told me, Dan loves to stay with the little girls. I think, when we have children, he want to be father of a girl. It's what everybody thought.
KAYE (voice-over): Then police began to uncover disturbing evidence of Hiers' treatment of Leslie's little girl. As he was about to face more serious charges of molestation, the case took a deadly turn.
(on camera): When Hiers didn't turn himself in the morning of March 15 to face a second round of molestation charges, investigators came here to his home. They found his wife dead and Hiers missing, launching an international manhunt.
(voice-over): According to police, Mila was shot while she slept. Neighbors reported seeing Hiers going in and out of the house at about the time of the murder.
Hours later, this surveillance camera captured Hiers at a South Carolina gas station. He calmly withdrew several hundred dollars from the store's ATM, waved to the cashier on his way out, and he hasn't been seen since.
In Hiers' hometown of Hampton, South Carolina, wanted posters hang in store windows. And the manhunt is still front page news. But many who know him and his bride refuse to believe the charges.
TRACIE ANDERSON, HIERS' FAMILY FRIEND: They were very happy. He would whisper in her ear and, you know, hug up on her. And she was real shy. She was a shy girl. And it was cute, you know, to watch them. And he was very loving to her.
KAYE: Pastor Kelly Fox is the family's spiritual adviser. He hopes Hiers turns himself in and proves his innocence.
PASTOR KELLY FOX, HIERS' FAMILY SPIRITUAL ADVISER: I would have to have a picture of him doing it before I could believe it. It just does not make sense to me.
KAYE: But as the charges against Hiers mounted, authorities say he may have been preparing for life on the run. This grainy picture taken with a friend's cell phone shortly before he disappeared authorities say shows Hiers experimenting with altering his appearance. He grew a beard and gained wait.
Still the U.S. Marshals say they're developing strong leads as they hunt for a man many now believe was leading two lives.
Did Hiers harm Leslie's little girl? Is he really capable of murder? And most important, where is he?
Randi Kaye, CNN, Charleston, South Carolina.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: And this postscript: Hiers' attorney did not respond to repeated phone calls for comment. His family also declined to talk with CNN.
With fears mounting over a possible nuclear threat from North Korea, there are also new concerns about the political and economic threat to the entire region. David Ignatius of "The Washington Post" standing by. We'll talk with him when we come back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back.
Insurgents stepping up their fight for control of Iraq. Twin suicide bombings claim at least another 23 victims. The latest in a crowded market in an area known as the so-called Triangle of Death. Dozens are dead or wounded.
Earlier in Tikrit, a suicide bomber rammed his car into a bus carrying Iraqi police officers. At least seven were killed, three others wounded.
And Iraqi police say the bodies of 14 men have been found in an industrial area of Baghdad. The victims, all dressed in traditional Iraqi clothing, appear to have been shot execution style.
Finally, the only general to be punished in the Abu Ghraib prison abuse scandal has been demoted. Army Reserve Brigadier General Janis Karpinski has been reduced to the rank of colonel. A Pentagon investigation concluded she was guilty of dereliction of duty. It cleared four other more senior officers.
In another CNN "Security Watch" matter, a rude awakening could soon be in the works for the United States and its Asian allies. A report in "The New York Times" indicates that North Korea wants to become a recognized nuclear power and could test a nuclear weapon fairly soon.
Also, writing in "The Washington Post," another article by our guest. Associate editor and columnist David Ignatius joining us, and raises all sorts of dire concerns if, in fact, North Korea goes forward with a test.
David, I know you've done a lot of reporting on this over your career, and especially very recently. What are the prospects that North Korea will go forward with an actual nuclear test?
DAVID IGNATIUS, "WASHINGTON POST": Wolf, the CIA's top Asia specialist until last December told me this week that he believes that within the next year, North Korea will test a nuclear weapon. He thinks that this is the almost inevitable culmination of a nuclear program that's been going on for almost 50 years, that began in 1956.
The strange thing is many countries try to deny or conceal their nuclear efforts. North Korea boasts about them. And it seems logical to him and to me that they will want to show their nuclear cards, show that they have weapons by testing one.
That could set off a real panic in northeast Asia. Certainly in Seoul businesses will worry, in Tokyo, where radioactive fallout from a nuclear test could drift. There will be deep concerns. So it's a very destabilizing moment, and the Bush administration has some tough choices.
BLITZER: Arthur Brown, the retired CIA official whom you cite in this article in today's column in "The Washington Post," you cite this nuclear scenario -- it's a chilling scenario -- as you write. Let me read from your article.
"A small amount of radioactive fallout will leak from the test site and drift toward Japan. Financial markets in Tokyo and Seoul will be rocked by the news. Foreign companies in South Korea will weigh whether to pull out dependents or reduce their operations. And Washington will debate whether to impose a blockade or other tough measures to contain the North Korean nuclear breakout."
That's a frightening scenario that you paint. How realistic, though, would that be?
IGNATIUS: I'm sorry to tell you and your viewers that it's very realistic, at least in the judgment of the intelligence analysts who specialized in this for many years. The North Koreans have said they have nuclear weapons. They have announced that they intend to keep those weapons.
The one thing remaining is for them to demonstrate that capability with a test. They had such a test of their missiles in 1998 and demonstrated, flying a three-stage missile over Japan in the Pacific, that they had the capability of hitting the United States. People think they're going to want to do that with their nuclear weapons because they're afraid if they don't, they will be vulnerable to an attack for the United States, so this is a moment where the Koreans may take very destabilizing steps to actualize that program.
BLITZER: You think that Koreans in taking all the steps -- and "The New York Times" goes into great detail, as you know today, in describing the development of a building of a tunnel, they're filling it up. They even have a reviewing stand to invite foreign dignitaries to come observe. Do you think it's possible they simply might be bluffing to squeeze the U.S., South Korea, Japan, others into make more, economic concessions, to them?
IGNATIUS: Yes, I think in the short run it's entirely possible that these observable maneuvers, which were easily caught by our overhead reconnaissance, may be just that. They may be an effort to force further concessions, an effort to frighten people. The notion of building a reviewing stand for a nuclear weapons test strikes me as absurd, I don't know about you.
But the deeper issue is whether they will at some point over the next year, you know, not with this advertised fanfare beforehand, decide to test the weapon, and as I say, the experts who think most about this problem think it's very likely that they will. That's not to say it will happen next week or next month, but that's very likely over the next year. BLITZER: Normally when these countries, India tested their nuclear bomb, Pakistan tested. They test them underground, but they have procedures, they cover it up so there's no radioactive fallout. What the concern you're expressing and your sources are expressing that the North Koreans might not do a good job with an underground test and the radioactive fallout could be picked up by the wind, blown over South Korea or Japan, or who knows where else That kind of radio active dust could wind up.
IGNATIUS: Let me make two point, Wolf. The first is the Pakistani test in 1998 that was their breakout was accompanied by leak of radioactivity, even though they took great efforts to prevent it. It was not substantial, but it was measurable. That's not widely known.
The second point I would make is that although leakage of radiation from this Korean test is regarded as almost inevitable, it would not be at a level that would cause a health risk, unless there was some great dramatic failure of their systems. It would be measurable. People in Tokyo would be aware of this cloud of modest radio activity coming their way. Japanese are very health conscious. I think it would set off real concerns.
I think what analysts worry most about is that Japan, responding to this North Korean nuclear test, would be pushed toward developing its own nuclear capability, and that's a whole different ballgame in Asia.
BLITZER: Let's not forget Hiroshima, and Nagasaki in Japan. There's a history there. The Japanese understandably would be very, very concerned.
David Ignatius is a columnist, associate editor of "The Washington Post." He writes novels as well, great novels, but you can't make this kind of stuff up. This material is perfect for your novels. Unfortunately, though, it's all too true.
David, thanks very much.
IGNATIUS: Thank you, wolf.
BLITZER: When we come back, a historic election in the United Kingdom. Prime Minister Tony Blair wins a third term, but big changes are expected. Bill Schneider is in London. We'll look ahead what's coming next for the new British government.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back to NEWS FROM CNN. I'm Wolf Blitzer in Washington.
Britain's Labor Party is making history, winning three straight elections and a third term for Prime Minister Tony Blair, but it came at a significant political price.
Let's bring in our senior political analyst Bill Schneider. He's covering this story for us in London. Update our viewers on the day after the election what it all means, Bill?
WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SR. POL. ANALYST: Well, you can look at it two ways. It is a historic third term for a Labor Party leader that Tony Blair won, and he's very proud of that.
On the other hand, his majority in parliament was slashed. He went into this election with 161 seat majority. He's now got, and the figures are not final, about a 64 seat majority. That's a much lower figure.
In fact, he won this election, his party won, with just 36 percent of the vote. Imagine, 36 percent of the vote. Over 60 percent of the British people voted against him. That's the lowest support for any winning party in British history. So it's kind of rebuke to Tony Blair at the same time as a victory.
BLITZER: And there are already some of the pundits over there are suggesting that he might not be able to fill out this term, to serve out this term because of his relatively weak political standing. How realistic is that?
SCHNEIDER: I think it's very realistic, because the prime minister has already said that the election yesterday would be the last time he runs for election. Now, he could stay in power as prime minister through the next parliament, and allow a different leader to lead the party at election, but there's a lot of pressure on him now to step aside in favor of his longtime rival, his Finance Minister Gordon Brown, who did very well in the election. Brown and Blair campaigned together throughout this entire election.
Basically, what the voters in Britain were saying was this, we want to keep Labor in power because the economy is good -- that was Brown's issue -- and we want to get Blair out because they were angry with him over his Iraq policy. That message was heard.
BLITZER: The exit polls were fairly accurate, almost completely accurate. What do they say, though, about the impact that the British involvement in the war in Iraq had on the electorate?
SCHNEIDER: Iraq turned out to be a surprisingly powerful issue. It was the main reason voters said they could not trust Mr. Blair. It really exacted a toll on the British Labor Party. But it was the economy that kept the Labor Party in office in power, and that's Gordon Brown's issue, Blair's likely successor. The Conservative Party tried but did not succeed in displacing Labor. They simply couldn't fight a bad economy, number one. And, number two, the conservatives also supported the Iraq war, so they had no traction on the Iraq issue.
BLITZER: There was a dramatic moment involving Iraq that occurred that you saw earlier today. Tell our viewers briefly what happened?
SCHNEIDER: Well, the most dramatic moment last night in the election was when Tony Blair won his constituency in the north of England. He gave his victory speech, and then one of his unsuccessful challengers made a concession speech. That was Ridge Keys (ph), whose son was a military policeman who was killed in Iraq. Keys used the opportunity to demand an apology from Tony Blair over the Iraq war. He ran on an anti-war platform. He said, we are waiting to hear the prime minister say that he's sorry for what he did in Iraq.
And what was particularly gripping was that Tony Blair had to stand up beside him while this father, this bereaved father, was speaking. It was a very dramatic moment, and afterwards, in another speech, Tony Blair said I've listened and I've learned.
BLITZER: Bill Schneider in London for us. Bill, thanks very much for covering this story. You've done a great job for us. We'll see you back here in Washington.
SCHNEIDER: Sure.
BLITZER: Here in the United States, some might call it politics as usual, but it's anything but a party on Capitol Hill. Republicans and Democrats are battling each other over everything from John Bolton's nomination as U.N. ambassador to the president's judicial nominees.
Joining us now to talk about all things Washington and more, syndicated columnist who knows the political landscape here in Washington about as well as anyone. Steve Roberts is a professor at George Washington University and the author of a new book entitled "My Fathers' Houses: Memoir of a Family." Memoir of family.
Thanks very much, Steve, for joining us. We'll talk about the new book in a moment, because it is fascinating, but let's get to Washington, right. You've been covering Washington since you were a print reporter at "The New York Times."
STEVE ROBERTS, AUTHOR, "MY FATHERS' HOUSES": That's true.
BLITZER: Way, way back. Have you ever seen it as divisive as it is right now? The atmosphere as charged, as explosive, on Capitol Hill?
ROBERTS: No, I've never seen it this bad. And a lot of veteran observers agree on this point. I think there are several elements in this mix. Some of it is that there is a growing polarization of the two parties. Used to be about a third of the conservatives voted Democratic in the South, a third liberals voted Republican in the Northeast. Those two wings of the parties have atrophied, and you've lost the ballast, the progressive Republicans and the conservative Democrats who moved their parties to the middle.
I think you've lost a lot of the deal makers on both sides, Wolf, the Bob Doles and the John Breauxs, the Democratic senator from Louisiana who retired. He was -- those were the kinds of people who saw some virtue in the other side, who had respect for the other party, and saw compromise as a good thing, not a dirty word. A lot of ways in Washington have become much more ideological. And people use compromise as an epithet, not as a positive word. BLITZER: Could you imagine, for example, Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic leader in the House, and Tom DeLay, the Republican majority leader in the House, they could get together, try to bridge differences? Work out a compromise?
ROBERTS: Absolutely not. I mean, I don't think they'd even be in the same room with each other. If they were, they wouldn't be speaking the same language. And you go back 15 to 20 years, when I was covering the House, people like Tip O'Neill, who was the Democratic speaker -- his best friend in Congress was a man named Silvio Conte, who was the leading Republican on the Appropriations Committee. Their two families, with their wives, used to play bridge together every Wednesday night.
I'm not saying there was some golden age where Republican lions lay down with Democratic lambs, but there was a mutual respect and a respect not only for each other's parties and each other's views, but for the institution itself of Congress. That's what's lacking.
BLITZER: Talk a little bit about a different subject. Journalism here in the nation's capital right now. Journalists -- you've written, together with Cokie Roberts, your wife. Journalists are under fire right now, you believe, as well?
ROBERTS: I think they are. Some of it is that prosecutors have -- in a number of cases, have gone after journalists. And if you did this on the state level, Wolf, you could -- most prosecutors are barred from subpoenaing reporters, because over 30 states and the District of Columbia have created what are called shield laws. They've put in law protections for journalists to bar them from being summoned in criminal prosecutions.
Federal courts don't have the protection. And the case laws established by the Supreme Court back in the '70s has been interpreted repeatedly by the federal courts as not providing the same protection that has given prosecutors a chance to threaten a number of reporters with jail, particularly Judy Miller of "The New York Times," Matt Cooper of "Time" magazine.
So I think it's time and a lot of others do think it's time for Congress to pass a law which would have the same effect as the state laws, one exception. You got to have an exception for national security. Because on -- you don't have national security issues on a state level, you do have it in the federal.
BLITZER: Talk a little bit about "My Fathers' Houses," the new book that you've come out with. Why did you write this book?
ROBERTS: Well, in some ways, I think it would be a surprise if I had not become a writer. I had relatives back in Russia who were journalists. I -- perhaps one of the few "New York Times" reporters in history who had a great uncle who was an editor of "Pravda" (ph).
(CROSSTALK)
ROBERTS: I was going to say, a lot of them are now. I understand. My dad was a writer of children's books. And I have a twin brother, and my dad, as the name he used on the books, were our two middle names, Jeffrey and Victor. So I had my first byline when I was six months old. And, so...
BLITZER: And you tell really a great story about the move from Russia to Bayou (ph), New Jersey. And you're eventually going Harvard. That's where you met Cokie. It's really a compelling story. But give us a little nugget. You know, why somebody wants to go out and read about your family and your life?
ROBERTS: Well, here's a good story. My dad wrote a book about trains, one of those ten books he wrote. And he used to take my brother and me in our carriage to a local train station and we had this overlook. And 60 years later -- his book was called "The Train Book," it was in the shape of the train. And my name was this byline with my brother.
60 years later, I have a little grandson who's three years old. He came to me the other day with scribbles on a piece of paper, he said, "Teebs" (ph) -- which is what my grandchildren call me -- "could you make this into a book?" So I pasted it up for him. And I said Cal, what's this book about? And he said, "It's about trains." 60 years later. So I guess it's hard wired into the DNA. Our family is under the illusion that the whole world is waiting to hear everything we have to say.
BLITZER: This is not only a story about Steve Roberts and his family, it's really a story about so many Americans who will identify with everything you write about in this book. Good work, Steve...
ROBERTS: Thank you, Wolf.
BLITZER: I'm glad you wrote it. Congratulations. The book is entitled "My Fathers' Houses: Memoir of a Family." It's out in bookstores right now, right?
ROBERTS: Right now.
BLITZER: OK, great. Good work. Steve Roberts, a good friend of ours for many years.
We're just getting this story into CNN. We'll update our viewers. That Australian hostage, Douglas Wood -- there he is, the picture you're seeing right there. 61 years old, being held hostage in Iraq. The hostage holders are now insisting Australia will have 72 hours, 72 hours to start pulling its troops out of Iraq, otherwise they're going to kill him.
Only yesterday on this program I interviewed the Australian foreign minister, Alexander Donner, who said no negotiations with terrorists, no concessions to terrorists. That would simply encourage further hostage-taking, more terrorism.
But once again, unfortunately this man is being held hostage and the hostage-holders are demanding that Australia start withdrawing troops from Iraq within 72 hours, otherwise they're going to kill him. We'll watch that story and get more updates as they become available.
In the meantime, when we come back, more sticker shock at the gas pump and the impact rising gasoline prices are having on the economy. How drivers are dealing with the higher cost. That story straight ahead. You're watching NEWS FROM CNN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Check this out that we're just getting in to CNN. What you're seeing is a break at a water main in Miami Gardens, Florida. That's Miami-Dade County, outside of Miami and Miami Beach. They're going to work on that. They're going to get that water to stop, and then everyone will go home. We'll watch that picture, and anything else happens we'll show it to you.
In the meantime, let's talk about gasoline. The high price of gasoline is generating a lot of talk. According to our latest CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll, 78 percent of those surveyed believe gasoline prices are unfair, 57 percent think prices will rise in the future; Only 9 percent say prices might go down; 67 percent say President Bush can do something to lower gasoline prices.
Despite all the grumbling many Americans have not changed their driving habits. The pain of higher gasoline prices is bearable for some, but a financial blow for others.
Here now, CNN's Kathleen Hays.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KATHLEEN HAYS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): When it comes to high gas prices, Americans love to complain. But few of us are ready to change our ways.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You know, I still go to work, and still go to the club and, you know, do my errands.
HAYS: And now it seems we're even getting used to them.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The $2.00 mark seems to be like the benchmark. You know, it used to be, what, $1.75, and now, oh, it's $2, that's great. So we've kind of changed our baseline of where we think things are OK.
HAYS: But if you can get past the sticker so shock and look at recent economic history, you'll see that while gas prices have shot higher, the average American income has grown even faster. That means gas, even at near record prices, is still affordable for many families.
A.F. ALHAJJI, OHIO NORTHERN UNIVERSITY: What we pay today, related to income, is much less than what we paid in 1981.
HAYS (on camera): But averages don't tell the whole story. Wealthy Americans with high incomes and growing wages can easily absorb these costs. For Americans whose incomes aren't keeping up -- retirees, low-income workers -- high gas prices cause more than psychological pain at the pump.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It makes a big difference to me. When you're on a fixed income, you know, I have to work a part-time job to make ends meet.
JARED BERNSTEIN, ECONOMIC POLICY INSTITUTE: Remember, wages for the typical low-end worker are barely keeping up with inflation. So they've got the double whammy of higher gas prices and lower income, and that makes it all that much harder for them to absorb these increases.
HAYS (voice-over): The wealthiest 20 percent of Americans spent less than 2 percent of their after-tax incomes on gasoline in 2003, the latest year of which government statistics are available. The poorest 20 percent paid nearly 7.5 percent of their incomes for gas. And now with gas prices about 40 percent higher, they're probably spending closer to 10 percent.
Kathleen Hays, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: CNN's "LIVE FROM" comes your way and my way the at top of the hour.
Joining us with a little preview as always, Kyra Phillips -- Kyra.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Just because you're watching, our ratings are going up, Wolf. Thank you so much.
All right, well, first up, we're going to tell you, just because they didn't support George Bush, he said they had to resign. Who are we talking about? Well, that he was their pastor. Mixing the pulpit and politics. Should a pastor be held accountable for excommunicating church members for voting for Democrats? We're going to talk about it.
And, Wolf, you know bestselling author Deepak Chopra, well, with just two days before Mother's Day, we're interviewing his daughter. She's out with a new book, "100 Promises to My Baby." We're going to talk to Malika (ph) Chopra about her book, her children and her most precious role model, her mother, Rita Chopra. That's coming up.
BLITZER: I'll be watching, and I know millions of others will as well, Kyra. Thanks very much.
PHILLIPS: Thanks, Wolf.
BLITZER: We'll take a quick break. We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: I'll be back later today, every weekday, 5:00 p.m. Eastern for "WOLF BLITZER REPORTS." Among other things, commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Allied victory over Nazi Germany. We'll have a compelling story.
Until then, thanks very much for watching NEWS FROM CNN. I'm Wolf Blitzer in Washington.
"LIVE FROM" with Kyra Phillips and Miles O'Brien, as promised, that's coming up next.
(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 May 6, 2005 - 11:59 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: To our viewers, thanks very much for joining us.
Unfolding this hour on NEWS FROM CNN, Moscow's Red Square, where the Soviets once paraded their challenge to the United States and the west. Come Monday, President Bush will review the troops right there. But even in these friendlier times, there's still a bit of the Cold War chill in the air. We'll explain.
Then, new worries over nukes and North Korea, a charter member of the president's so-called axis of evil. We'll examine the possible fallout of a North Korean nuclear test if it goes forward.
Also, this: we're following a very disturbing story out of South Carolina of a cop on the run. The story involving little girls, a dead wife, and allegations of molestation and murder. Our Randi Kaye has the story.
First some headlines.
And more jitters and New York. The Manhattan Bridge reopened this morning after being closed nearly an hour. A suspicious bag that prompted the shutdown turned out to be a benign backpack. The incident comes a day after two small explosions damaged a Midtown office building that houses the British Consulate.
In Chicago, what many believe was an image of the Virgin Mary on an underpass is no longer there after a man scrawled the words "Big Lie" over it. Authorities had to paint over it. They've charged 37- year-old Victor Gonzalez (ph) with criminal damage to state property.
The job market may be looking up. The Labor Department says employers added 274,000 new jobs last month, significantly higher than analysts had predicted. Job numbers are February -- for February and March were also revised upward. Some economists warn, however, it's still too early to say the labor market has turned the corner.
Up first this hour, the president's trip to Europe expected to be both ceremonial and controversial. His primary purpose, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe. So why is his first stop Latvia?
Our White House correspondent, Dana Bash, is one step ahead of the president. She's already in the capital of Riga. She's joining us now live -- Dana.
DANA BASH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Wolf. Well, the president's first stop is here in Latvia for the same reason his last stop is going to be in Georgia. He is book-ending the main event of the trip, which is Moscow, with visits to former Soviet states in order to promote, applaud and encourage the democracies here. Now, it is also to counterbalance, perhaps, the images that we will see on Monday of President Bush standing on a parade route in Red Square to celebrate the 60th anniversary of World War -- the end of World War II.
Now, the problem is, the end of Hitler meant the beginning of Stalin and Soviet domination for the Baltic states, like Latvia. And, in fact, leaders of Estonia and Lithuania say President Putin of Russia refuses to recognize that, and they're boycotting the Moscow celebration altogether.
Now, President Bush has, of course, made his second term theme promoting democracy, promoting freedom. And he wants to show these new democracies that he understand their issues and their concerns. The Russians are not very happy with President Bush's itinerary.
But he wrote a letter to the Latvian president just a couple of days ago saying that he does understand their concerns. But that further infuriated the Russians.
His letter read, in part, "In Western Europe, the end of World War II meant liberation. In Central and Eastern Europe, the war also marked the Soviet occupation and annexation of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, and the imposition of communism."
Now, it is that word, Wolf, "occupation," that Russians consider over the line. They deny that it was occupation, that the president is simply meddling in affairs here. But what U.S. officials hope to gain here is Russian understanding that it is not, as they say, a zero sum game, that by encouraging democracy in places like Latvia, it is not anti-Russian.
But, Wolf, I can tell you that in talking to officials, they understand that the differences between the U.S. and Russia, President Putin and President Bush, are really tense right now. They understand that. But President Bush in a series of interviews he did before getting on Air Force One made clear that he does believe his close relationship with President Putin over the years will help to bridge that, help make it easier for the two to discuss these issues. And, of course, he also made clear he needs President Putin on some of the world's hotspots, like North Korea and Iran -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Dana Bash in Riga, a simply beautiful city in Latvia. Dana, thanks very much for that preview.
The president's second to last stop could prove to be something of a balancing act for him. He'll be meeting with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. And we've just been hearing about they haven't been seeing eye to eye on many issues in recent months.
Our Jill Dougherty is in Moscow.
Jill, what's at the heart of the tensions between these two leaders?
JILL DOUGHERTY, CNN MOSCOW BUREAU CHIEF: Well, Wolf, let's go back. Let's look at the relationship just recently. You've had at least three things that I could point to right now that have made a certain tense nature to the relationship.
The first one would have to be Ukraine. Remember the Orange Revolution and the Russian president supporting the prime minister, and certainly criticizing the Orange Revolution? The Orange Revolution, which George Bush has cited as an example of democracy spreading around the world.
So that's one tension. They do not see eye to eye on that. In fact, President Putin continues to say that he feels that that was really illegal, it was like a coup.
Then you have to look at Yukos, Yukos Oil Company, what's been going on with that. The government essentially moving to take that apart.
And also, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the former head of Yukos, sitting in a jail cell, waiting for the end of his trial. In fact, interestingly, he was going to be sentenced about a week ago and they put that off because all bets are that he'll end up in jail for quite a long time, and it could be embarrassing if that happened as the world leaders are coming into Moscow.
And then finally, I think you'd have to talk about the rollback, as it's referred to at least in Washington, the rollback on democracy in Russia. And that would include some control of the media, control against political parties that are in opposition, et cetera, Wolf. So those are essentially the tensions that we're dealing with.
BLITZER: Jill Dougherty setting the stage for us in Moscow, as she always does.
Jill, thank you very much for that.
In our CNN "Security Watch," newspaper reports indicate there's growing concern North Korea may be getting very close to testing a nuclear weapon, and any fallout could spell big trouble for several of America's allies in Asia -- indeed, others around the world.
Just a little while ago, I spoke with Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and asked him about the impact of such a North Korean nuclear test.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MOHAMED ELBARADEI, IAEA DIRECTOR: I'm afraid that this will throw back the whole North Korean fire (ph) into -- into again yet another worse situation than what we had in the last few years. It is getting from bad to worse, Wolf. And the earlier we intervene to engage the North Koreans, the earlier we try to find a comprehensive solution, the better for everybody.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: And you can see more of my interview with Dr. El Baradei Sunday at noon Eastern, on "LATE EDITION," the last word in Sunday talk. We'll also have more on this subject coming up this hour. David Ignatius of "The Washington Post" will be joining us.
The office of the powerful director of national intelligence is open for business and taking shape under John Negroponte. Several reporters got to see it and talk with senior officials about how they plan to try and improve the nation's defense against terrorism.
One of those reporters is our very own national security correspondent, David Ensor.
David, you're just back. What did you see, what did you learn?
DAVID ENSOR, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, John Negroponte and his deputy, General Michael Hayden, and their skeleton staff are sort of camping in government offices just across from the White House and making plans to move at least twice in the next few years. They'll move to Bolling Air Force Base later this year.
The staff will be around 500 to 1,000. You'll recall this was all set up on the recommendation of the 9/11 Commission.
Critics have charged that this new office will be just another layer of bureaucracy. A senior intelligence official responded to that today, saying their goal is to be senior managers whose sole job is the smooth functioning of the U.S. intelligence community. And he said the sweet spot will be to make that work and not to get in the way of America's spies, eavesdroppers, satellite photographers and analysts at the 15 intelligence agencies that the nation has.
Now, they gave us the names of four top deputies that have been chosen. And one name is kind of interesting, Mary Margaret Graham (ph), former head of counterintelligence at the CIA, will be the new intelligence collection chief.
She's said to have a connotation of sorts with a senior staffer to CIA director, Porter Goss, over some alleged leaks about another person Goss was bringing into the CIA. And it's just interesting that Mr. Negroponte apparently doesn't care whether his new deputy may or may not be Mr. Goss' favorite person -- Wolf.
BLITZER: So there could be a little friction there. There could also be a little friction with the Pentagon. The defense secretary, Don Rumsfeld, who's not a shy guy, as we all know, there's been some concern this new intelligence operation is going to take away some of the clout of the Defense Department.
ENSOR: Well, that is definitely something to watch closely, Wolf. A senior intelligence official said today that Negroponte and Rumsfeld have had a number of meetings, as have Negroponte and the top intelligence defense deputy for Rumsfeld, Mr. Steve Cambone. And both want to make this new relationship work. But it does bear watching. There is this natural tension between the Pentagon, that wants the lion's share of the intelligence assets used to protect troops, and Mr. Negroponte's team, who want to make sure the nation is protected against what could be the next 9/11.
BLITZER: As you know, David, access is power here in Washington. Whoever meets with the president, has the president's ear, usually is a powerful person. The question is this: who's going to brief the president every morning on national security threats? Will it be Porter Goss, the CIA director, or John Negroponte, who is now presumably his boss?
ENSOR: My understanding is that John Negroponte is already involved in the presidential briefing process, presumably there from time to time, at least. Porter Goss will also be there sometimes.
But this is going to be an interesting one to watch to see who gets the access. As you say, that's the key question.
BLITZER: You had some access to these top intelligence officials today. What are they saying about the possibility that North Korea may actually go forward with a nuclear test?
ENSOR: They were not willing to take kind of news questions like that today, Wolf. They did say there are going to be mission managers with S.W.A.T. team task forces, following specific crises. And I think can you bet there will be one on North Korea.
BLITZER: We'll be watching that story very closely. David, thanks very much. David Ensor, our national security correspondent. Good work.
And to our viewers, please stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security.
When we come back, a shocking, truly shocking case of alleged child sexual abuse. Coming up, the accusations and the former police officer, yes, police officer, suspected of molestation and murder. This is a story you'll see here on CNN.
And a bit later, big changes coming to British politics after yesterday's historic election results. Bill Schneider is in London the day after the reelection of Tony Blair. We'll tell you what's happening.
You're watching NEWS FROM CNN, and we're back in a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back.
For a second day, Michael Jackson's attorneys are presenting their case in the singer's child molestation trial. The actor Macaulay Culkin is expected to testify for the defense possibly next week. Culkin spent time at Jackson's Neverland Ranch as a child and has publicly denied anything inappropriate ever happened.
Two other men who had childhood sleepovers at Neverland testified yesterday. They, too, say Jackson never molested them.
A convicted child sex offender is now in custody in Florida three days after police say he cut off -- he cut off his tracking bracelet, touching off a police manhunt. Patrick Wayne Bell was spotted on a street in Tallahassee, Florida, this morning and promptly was arrested.
Bell was convicted of sexual battery in 1999. Police say he had just completed his prison term last month and was under supervised release when he removed his tracking device on Tuesday.
The search continues, however, for a police officer in South Carolina who's accused of child molestation and murder. Our Randi Kaye has an in-depth look at case that has police investigating one of their own.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RANDI KAYE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): He was once a respected police officer in Charleston, South Carolina. Now Daniel William Hiers is the focus of an international manhunt, accused of molestation and murder.
LESLIE: I was scared. I was in shock.
KAYE: This woman, Leslie, asked us not use her last name. Her 11-year-old daughter is one of Hiers' alleged victims.
Hiers and the little girl met in this karate class. Hiers took no interest in the mother, but a strong interest in the girl, who was 20 years younger. He took her shopping, bought her expensive gifts, drove her to karate, and sent her flowers twice.
Leslie, a single mom, was suspicious at first. But Hiers assured her his intentions were good. She even planned to make Hiers the girl's legal guardian, should something happen to her mom.
LESLIE: He stepped in as a father to my daughter. And I used to -- I used to thank God for him. I would pray and think, my God.
KAYE: That all changed when, after watching a video about inappropriate touching at school, Leslie's daughter told her Hiers had been touching her.
LESLIE: I gave her a hug. And I told her everything was going to be OK.
KAYE (on camera): How tough was that moment?
LESLIE: That was hard.
KAYE (voice-over): According to police, Hiers would take the girl to places like this Wal-Mart parking lot, fondle her repeatedly, even make her touch him.
LESLIE: She said that every time that they passed by there, that she knew what was going to happen, especially -- when he -- noticed that the truck was slowing down, and that she was just too scared to do anything.
KAYE (on camera): Why didn't the little girl come forward sooner? Her mother told me Hiers threatened her. He told her, if she talked about the abuse, she would get in trouble, that no one would believe her because he was a police officer.
(voice-over): But investigators did believe her and moved to arrest Hiers and charge him with lewd acts with a minor. It was then they discovered Hiers had a wife, that had been leading a double life.
Hiers met Mila Cohe De Aruz (ph) in 1996. She was vacationing in Miami from Brazil. Hiers was 23, Mila just 15. They married two years later.
ALESANDRO COHE DE ARUJO, SISTER OF MURDERED WIFE: I believe -- I believe my family, my sister, everybody, we were fooled by him.
KAYE: Mila's sister Alesandro, remembers how charming Hiers could be. She also remembers how distant he became as his wife started to mature into a woman.
DE ARUJO: They didn't have a normal sexual life. They used to pass a month or three months without having any kind of contact.
KAYE: Hiers began to ignore his wife. The couple stopped going out together.
(on camera): Did you have any indication at all that he had a wife at home and was married?
COKERS: No. That's the biggest shock. We had no clue that he had a wife. None of us knew.
KAYE (voice-over): Dale Cokers owns the karate school where Hiers befriended Leslie's daughter. He talked with Hiers every week and there was never any mention of a wife.
COKERS: We never saw a wife. He never brought her here for any special events we had. We have never seen her.
KAYE: Leslie and her daughter never met Hiers' wife either. He told them she had gone back to Brazil to file for divorce.
DE ARUJO: He's mysterious, very much mysterious.
KAYE: Alesandro says her sister pleaded with Hiers to stop spending so much time with Leslie's daughter.
(on camera): Did your sister ever think that he liked little girls? DE ARUJO: She thought that -- she used to told me, Dan loves to stay with the little girls. I think, when we have children, he want to be father of a girl. It's what everybody thought.
KAYE (voice-over): Then police began to uncover disturbing evidence of Hiers' treatment of Leslie's little girl. As he was about to face more serious charges of molestation, the case took a deadly turn.
(on camera): When Hiers didn't turn himself in the morning of March 15 to face a second round of molestation charges, investigators came here to his home. They found his wife dead and Hiers missing, launching an international manhunt.
(voice-over): According to police, Mila was shot while she slept. Neighbors reported seeing Hiers going in and out of the house at about the time of the murder.
Hours later, this surveillance camera captured Hiers at a South Carolina gas station. He calmly withdrew several hundred dollars from the store's ATM, waved to the cashier on his way out, and he hasn't been seen since.
In Hiers' hometown of Hampton, South Carolina, wanted posters hang in store windows. And the manhunt is still front page news. But many who know him and his bride refuse to believe the charges.
TRACIE ANDERSON, HIERS' FAMILY FRIEND: They were very happy. He would whisper in her ear and, you know, hug up on her. And she was real shy. She was a shy girl. And it was cute, you know, to watch them. And he was very loving to her.
KAYE: Pastor Kelly Fox is the family's spiritual adviser. He hopes Hiers turns himself in and proves his innocence.
PASTOR KELLY FOX, HIERS' FAMILY SPIRITUAL ADVISER: I would have to have a picture of him doing it before I could believe it. It just does not make sense to me.
KAYE: But as the charges against Hiers mounted, authorities say he may have been preparing for life on the run. This grainy picture taken with a friend's cell phone shortly before he disappeared authorities say shows Hiers experimenting with altering his appearance. He grew a beard and gained wait.
Still the U.S. Marshals say they're developing strong leads as they hunt for a man many now believe was leading two lives.
Did Hiers harm Leslie's little girl? Is he really capable of murder? And most important, where is he?
Randi Kaye, CNN, Charleston, South Carolina.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: And this postscript: Hiers' attorney did not respond to repeated phone calls for comment. His family also declined to talk with CNN.
With fears mounting over a possible nuclear threat from North Korea, there are also new concerns about the political and economic threat to the entire region. David Ignatius of "The Washington Post" standing by. We'll talk with him when we come back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back.
Insurgents stepping up their fight for control of Iraq. Twin suicide bombings claim at least another 23 victims. The latest in a crowded market in an area known as the so-called Triangle of Death. Dozens are dead or wounded.
Earlier in Tikrit, a suicide bomber rammed his car into a bus carrying Iraqi police officers. At least seven were killed, three others wounded.
And Iraqi police say the bodies of 14 men have been found in an industrial area of Baghdad. The victims, all dressed in traditional Iraqi clothing, appear to have been shot execution style.
Finally, the only general to be punished in the Abu Ghraib prison abuse scandal has been demoted. Army Reserve Brigadier General Janis Karpinski has been reduced to the rank of colonel. A Pentagon investigation concluded she was guilty of dereliction of duty. It cleared four other more senior officers.
In another CNN "Security Watch" matter, a rude awakening could soon be in the works for the United States and its Asian allies. A report in "The New York Times" indicates that North Korea wants to become a recognized nuclear power and could test a nuclear weapon fairly soon.
Also, writing in "The Washington Post," another article by our guest. Associate editor and columnist David Ignatius joining us, and raises all sorts of dire concerns if, in fact, North Korea goes forward with a test.
David, I know you've done a lot of reporting on this over your career, and especially very recently. What are the prospects that North Korea will go forward with an actual nuclear test?
DAVID IGNATIUS, "WASHINGTON POST": Wolf, the CIA's top Asia specialist until last December told me this week that he believes that within the next year, North Korea will test a nuclear weapon. He thinks that this is the almost inevitable culmination of a nuclear program that's been going on for almost 50 years, that began in 1956.
The strange thing is many countries try to deny or conceal their nuclear efforts. North Korea boasts about them. And it seems logical to him and to me that they will want to show their nuclear cards, show that they have weapons by testing one.
That could set off a real panic in northeast Asia. Certainly in Seoul businesses will worry, in Tokyo, where radioactive fallout from a nuclear test could drift. There will be deep concerns. So it's a very destabilizing moment, and the Bush administration has some tough choices.
BLITZER: Arthur Brown, the retired CIA official whom you cite in this article in today's column in "The Washington Post," you cite this nuclear scenario -- it's a chilling scenario -- as you write. Let me read from your article.
"A small amount of radioactive fallout will leak from the test site and drift toward Japan. Financial markets in Tokyo and Seoul will be rocked by the news. Foreign companies in South Korea will weigh whether to pull out dependents or reduce their operations. And Washington will debate whether to impose a blockade or other tough measures to contain the North Korean nuclear breakout."
That's a frightening scenario that you paint. How realistic, though, would that be?
IGNATIUS: I'm sorry to tell you and your viewers that it's very realistic, at least in the judgment of the intelligence analysts who specialized in this for many years. The North Koreans have said they have nuclear weapons. They have announced that they intend to keep those weapons.
The one thing remaining is for them to demonstrate that capability with a test. They had such a test of their missiles in 1998 and demonstrated, flying a three-stage missile over Japan in the Pacific, that they had the capability of hitting the United States. People think they're going to want to do that with their nuclear weapons because they're afraid if they don't, they will be vulnerable to an attack for the United States, so this is a moment where the Koreans may take very destabilizing steps to actualize that program.
BLITZER: You think that Koreans in taking all the steps -- and "The New York Times" goes into great detail, as you know today, in describing the development of a building of a tunnel, they're filling it up. They even have a reviewing stand to invite foreign dignitaries to come observe. Do you think it's possible they simply might be bluffing to squeeze the U.S., South Korea, Japan, others into make more, economic concessions, to them?
IGNATIUS: Yes, I think in the short run it's entirely possible that these observable maneuvers, which were easily caught by our overhead reconnaissance, may be just that. They may be an effort to force further concessions, an effort to frighten people. The notion of building a reviewing stand for a nuclear weapons test strikes me as absurd, I don't know about you.
But the deeper issue is whether they will at some point over the next year, you know, not with this advertised fanfare beforehand, decide to test the weapon, and as I say, the experts who think most about this problem think it's very likely that they will. That's not to say it will happen next week or next month, but that's very likely over the next year. BLITZER: Normally when these countries, India tested their nuclear bomb, Pakistan tested. They test them underground, but they have procedures, they cover it up so there's no radioactive fallout. What the concern you're expressing and your sources are expressing that the North Koreans might not do a good job with an underground test and the radioactive fallout could be picked up by the wind, blown over South Korea or Japan, or who knows where else That kind of radio active dust could wind up.
IGNATIUS: Let me make two point, Wolf. The first is the Pakistani test in 1998 that was their breakout was accompanied by leak of radioactivity, even though they took great efforts to prevent it. It was not substantial, but it was measurable. That's not widely known.
The second point I would make is that although leakage of radiation from this Korean test is regarded as almost inevitable, it would not be at a level that would cause a health risk, unless there was some great dramatic failure of their systems. It would be measurable. People in Tokyo would be aware of this cloud of modest radio activity coming their way. Japanese are very health conscious. I think it would set off real concerns.
I think what analysts worry most about is that Japan, responding to this North Korean nuclear test, would be pushed toward developing its own nuclear capability, and that's a whole different ballgame in Asia.
BLITZER: Let's not forget Hiroshima, and Nagasaki in Japan. There's a history there. The Japanese understandably would be very, very concerned.
David Ignatius is a columnist, associate editor of "The Washington Post." He writes novels as well, great novels, but you can't make this kind of stuff up. This material is perfect for your novels. Unfortunately, though, it's all too true.
David, thanks very much.
IGNATIUS: Thank you, wolf.
BLITZER: When we come back, a historic election in the United Kingdom. Prime Minister Tony Blair wins a third term, but big changes are expected. Bill Schneider is in London. We'll look ahead what's coming next for the new British government.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back to NEWS FROM CNN. I'm Wolf Blitzer in Washington.
Britain's Labor Party is making history, winning three straight elections and a third term for Prime Minister Tony Blair, but it came at a significant political price.
Let's bring in our senior political analyst Bill Schneider. He's covering this story for us in London. Update our viewers on the day after the election what it all means, Bill?
WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SR. POL. ANALYST: Well, you can look at it two ways. It is a historic third term for a Labor Party leader that Tony Blair won, and he's very proud of that.
On the other hand, his majority in parliament was slashed. He went into this election with 161 seat majority. He's now got, and the figures are not final, about a 64 seat majority. That's a much lower figure.
In fact, he won this election, his party won, with just 36 percent of the vote. Imagine, 36 percent of the vote. Over 60 percent of the British people voted against him. That's the lowest support for any winning party in British history. So it's kind of rebuke to Tony Blair at the same time as a victory.
BLITZER: And there are already some of the pundits over there are suggesting that he might not be able to fill out this term, to serve out this term because of his relatively weak political standing. How realistic is that?
SCHNEIDER: I think it's very realistic, because the prime minister has already said that the election yesterday would be the last time he runs for election. Now, he could stay in power as prime minister through the next parliament, and allow a different leader to lead the party at election, but there's a lot of pressure on him now to step aside in favor of his longtime rival, his Finance Minister Gordon Brown, who did very well in the election. Brown and Blair campaigned together throughout this entire election.
Basically, what the voters in Britain were saying was this, we want to keep Labor in power because the economy is good -- that was Brown's issue -- and we want to get Blair out because they were angry with him over his Iraq policy. That message was heard.
BLITZER: The exit polls were fairly accurate, almost completely accurate. What do they say, though, about the impact that the British involvement in the war in Iraq had on the electorate?
SCHNEIDER: Iraq turned out to be a surprisingly powerful issue. It was the main reason voters said they could not trust Mr. Blair. It really exacted a toll on the British Labor Party. But it was the economy that kept the Labor Party in office in power, and that's Gordon Brown's issue, Blair's likely successor. The Conservative Party tried but did not succeed in displacing Labor. They simply couldn't fight a bad economy, number one. And, number two, the conservatives also supported the Iraq war, so they had no traction on the Iraq issue.
BLITZER: There was a dramatic moment involving Iraq that occurred that you saw earlier today. Tell our viewers briefly what happened?
SCHNEIDER: Well, the most dramatic moment last night in the election was when Tony Blair won his constituency in the north of England. He gave his victory speech, and then one of his unsuccessful challengers made a concession speech. That was Ridge Keys (ph), whose son was a military policeman who was killed in Iraq. Keys used the opportunity to demand an apology from Tony Blair over the Iraq war. He ran on an anti-war platform. He said, we are waiting to hear the prime minister say that he's sorry for what he did in Iraq.
And what was particularly gripping was that Tony Blair had to stand up beside him while this father, this bereaved father, was speaking. It was a very dramatic moment, and afterwards, in another speech, Tony Blair said I've listened and I've learned.
BLITZER: Bill Schneider in London for us. Bill, thanks very much for covering this story. You've done a great job for us. We'll see you back here in Washington.
SCHNEIDER: Sure.
BLITZER: Here in the United States, some might call it politics as usual, but it's anything but a party on Capitol Hill. Republicans and Democrats are battling each other over everything from John Bolton's nomination as U.N. ambassador to the president's judicial nominees.
Joining us now to talk about all things Washington and more, syndicated columnist who knows the political landscape here in Washington about as well as anyone. Steve Roberts is a professor at George Washington University and the author of a new book entitled "My Fathers' Houses: Memoir of a Family." Memoir of family.
Thanks very much, Steve, for joining us. We'll talk about the new book in a moment, because it is fascinating, but let's get to Washington, right. You've been covering Washington since you were a print reporter at "The New York Times."
STEVE ROBERTS, AUTHOR, "MY FATHERS' HOUSES": That's true.
BLITZER: Way, way back. Have you ever seen it as divisive as it is right now? The atmosphere as charged, as explosive, on Capitol Hill?
ROBERTS: No, I've never seen it this bad. And a lot of veteran observers agree on this point. I think there are several elements in this mix. Some of it is that there is a growing polarization of the two parties. Used to be about a third of the conservatives voted Democratic in the South, a third liberals voted Republican in the Northeast. Those two wings of the parties have atrophied, and you've lost the ballast, the progressive Republicans and the conservative Democrats who moved their parties to the middle.
I think you've lost a lot of the deal makers on both sides, Wolf, the Bob Doles and the John Breauxs, the Democratic senator from Louisiana who retired. He was -- those were the kinds of people who saw some virtue in the other side, who had respect for the other party, and saw compromise as a good thing, not a dirty word. A lot of ways in Washington have become much more ideological. And people use compromise as an epithet, not as a positive word. BLITZER: Could you imagine, for example, Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic leader in the House, and Tom DeLay, the Republican majority leader in the House, they could get together, try to bridge differences? Work out a compromise?
ROBERTS: Absolutely not. I mean, I don't think they'd even be in the same room with each other. If they were, they wouldn't be speaking the same language. And you go back 15 to 20 years, when I was covering the House, people like Tip O'Neill, who was the Democratic speaker -- his best friend in Congress was a man named Silvio Conte, who was the leading Republican on the Appropriations Committee. Their two families, with their wives, used to play bridge together every Wednesday night.
I'm not saying there was some golden age where Republican lions lay down with Democratic lambs, but there was a mutual respect and a respect not only for each other's parties and each other's views, but for the institution itself of Congress. That's what's lacking.
BLITZER: Talk a little bit about a different subject. Journalism here in the nation's capital right now. Journalists -- you've written, together with Cokie Roberts, your wife. Journalists are under fire right now, you believe, as well?
ROBERTS: I think they are. Some of it is that prosecutors have -- in a number of cases, have gone after journalists. And if you did this on the state level, Wolf, you could -- most prosecutors are barred from subpoenaing reporters, because over 30 states and the District of Columbia have created what are called shield laws. They've put in law protections for journalists to bar them from being summoned in criminal prosecutions.
Federal courts don't have the protection. And the case laws established by the Supreme Court back in the '70s has been interpreted repeatedly by the federal courts as not providing the same protection that has given prosecutors a chance to threaten a number of reporters with jail, particularly Judy Miller of "The New York Times," Matt Cooper of "Time" magazine.
So I think it's time and a lot of others do think it's time for Congress to pass a law which would have the same effect as the state laws, one exception. You got to have an exception for national security. Because on -- you don't have national security issues on a state level, you do have it in the federal.
BLITZER: Talk a little bit about "My Fathers' Houses," the new book that you've come out with. Why did you write this book?
ROBERTS: Well, in some ways, I think it would be a surprise if I had not become a writer. I had relatives back in Russia who were journalists. I -- perhaps one of the few "New York Times" reporters in history who had a great uncle who was an editor of "Pravda" (ph).
(CROSSTALK)
ROBERTS: I was going to say, a lot of them are now. I understand. My dad was a writer of children's books. And I have a twin brother, and my dad, as the name he used on the books, were our two middle names, Jeffrey and Victor. So I had my first byline when I was six months old. And, so...
BLITZER: And you tell really a great story about the move from Russia to Bayou (ph), New Jersey. And you're eventually going Harvard. That's where you met Cokie. It's really a compelling story. But give us a little nugget. You know, why somebody wants to go out and read about your family and your life?
ROBERTS: Well, here's a good story. My dad wrote a book about trains, one of those ten books he wrote. And he used to take my brother and me in our carriage to a local train station and we had this overlook. And 60 years later -- his book was called "The Train Book," it was in the shape of the train. And my name was this byline with my brother.
60 years later, I have a little grandson who's three years old. He came to me the other day with scribbles on a piece of paper, he said, "Teebs" (ph) -- which is what my grandchildren call me -- "could you make this into a book?" So I pasted it up for him. And I said Cal, what's this book about? And he said, "It's about trains." 60 years later. So I guess it's hard wired into the DNA. Our family is under the illusion that the whole world is waiting to hear everything we have to say.
BLITZER: This is not only a story about Steve Roberts and his family, it's really a story about so many Americans who will identify with everything you write about in this book. Good work, Steve...
ROBERTS: Thank you, Wolf.
BLITZER: I'm glad you wrote it. Congratulations. The book is entitled "My Fathers' Houses: Memoir of a Family." It's out in bookstores right now, right?
ROBERTS: Right now.
BLITZER: OK, great. Good work. Steve Roberts, a good friend of ours for many years.
We're just getting this story into CNN. We'll update our viewers. That Australian hostage, Douglas Wood -- there he is, the picture you're seeing right there. 61 years old, being held hostage in Iraq. The hostage holders are now insisting Australia will have 72 hours, 72 hours to start pulling its troops out of Iraq, otherwise they're going to kill him.
Only yesterday on this program I interviewed the Australian foreign minister, Alexander Donner, who said no negotiations with terrorists, no concessions to terrorists. That would simply encourage further hostage-taking, more terrorism.
But once again, unfortunately this man is being held hostage and the hostage-holders are demanding that Australia start withdrawing troops from Iraq within 72 hours, otherwise they're going to kill him. We'll watch that story and get more updates as they become available.
In the meantime, when we come back, more sticker shock at the gas pump and the impact rising gasoline prices are having on the economy. How drivers are dealing with the higher cost. That story straight ahead. You're watching NEWS FROM CNN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Check this out that we're just getting in to CNN. What you're seeing is a break at a water main in Miami Gardens, Florida. That's Miami-Dade County, outside of Miami and Miami Beach. They're going to work on that. They're going to get that water to stop, and then everyone will go home. We'll watch that picture, and anything else happens we'll show it to you.
In the meantime, let's talk about gasoline. The high price of gasoline is generating a lot of talk. According to our latest CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll, 78 percent of those surveyed believe gasoline prices are unfair, 57 percent think prices will rise in the future; Only 9 percent say prices might go down; 67 percent say President Bush can do something to lower gasoline prices.
Despite all the grumbling many Americans have not changed their driving habits. The pain of higher gasoline prices is bearable for some, but a financial blow for others.
Here now, CNN's Kathleen Hays.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KATHLEEN HAYS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): When it comes to high gas prices, Americans love to complain. But few of us are ready to change our ways.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You know, I still go to work, and still go to the club and, you know, do my errands.
HAYS: And now it seems we're even getting used to them.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The $2.00 mark seems to be like the benchmark. You know, it used to be, what, $1.75, and now, oh, it's $2, that's great. So we've kind of changed our baseline of where we think things are OK.
HAYS: But if you can get past the sticker so shock and look at recent economic history, you'll see that while gas prices have shot higher, the average American income has grown even faster. That means gas, even at near record prices, is still affordable for many families.
A.F. ALHAJJI, OHIO NORTHERN UNIVERSITY: What we pay today, related to income, is much less than what we paid in 1981.
HAYS (on camera): But averages don't tell the whole story. Wealthy Americans with high incomes and growing wages can easily absorb these costs. For Americans whose incomes aren't keeping up -- retirees, low-income workers -- high gas prices cause more than psychological pain at the pump.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It makes a big difference to me. When you're on a fixed income, you know, I have to work a part-time job to make ends meet.
JARED BERNSTEIN, ECONOMIC POLICY INSTITUTE: Remember, wages for the typical low-end worker are barely keeping up with inflation. So they've got the double whammy of higher gas prices and lower income, and that makes it all that much harder for them to absorb these increases.
HAYS (voice-over): The wealthiest 20 percent of Americans spent less than 2 percent of their after-tax incomes on gasoline in 2003, the latest year of which government statistics are available. The poorest 20 percent paid nearly 7.5 percent of their incomes for gas. And now with gas prices about 40 percent higher, they're probably spending closer to 10 percent.
Kathleen Hays, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: CNN's "LIVE FROM" comes your way and my way the at top of the hour.
Joining us with a little preview as always, Kyra Phillips -- Kyra.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Just because you're watching, our ratings are going up, Wolf. Thank you so much.
All right, well, first up, we're going to tell you, just because they didn't support George Bush, he said they had to resign. Who are we talking about? Well, that he was their pastor. Mixing the pulpit and politics. Should a pastor be held accountable for excommunicating church members for voting for Democrats? We're going to talk about it.
And, Wolf, you know bestselling author Deepak Chopra, well, with just two days before Mother's Day, we're interviewing his daughter. She's out with a new book, "100 Promises to My Baby." We're going to talk to Malika (ph) Chopra about her book, her children and her most precious role model, her mother, Rita Chopra. That's coming up.
BLITZER: I'll be watching, and I know millions of others will as well, Kyra. Thanks very much.
PHILLIPS: Thanks, Wolf.
BLITZER: We'll take a quick break. We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: I'll be back later today, every weekday, 5:00 p.m. Eastern for "WOLF BLITZER REPORTS." Among other things, commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Allied victory over Nazi Germany. We'll have a compelling story.
Until then, thanks very much for watching NEWS FROM CNN. I'm Wolf Blitzer in Washington.
"LIVE FROM" with Kyra Phillips and Miles O'Brien, as promised, that's coming up next.
(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
