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Deadly Fallout From 'Newsweek' Story; Base Closure Commission Meets Today

Aired May 16, 2005 - 10:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


DARYN KAGAN, CNN CO-ANCHOR: North returns to six-nation nuclear talks. There were no details on that deal. National Security advisor Steven Hadley tells CNN the U.S. has evidence that North Korea may be preparing for a nuclear test.
Nuclear talks between Iran and the European Union are set for next Monday in Brussels. But Iranian officials are expressing little confidence there will be an agreement. Iran has said it would give talks one last shot before resuming plutonium enrichment.

And Microsoft founder Bill Gates is doing more to save lives around the world. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation just announced a quarter billion-dollar funding boost for global health research. The foundation has been working to speed up the development and deployment of health intervention in Third World countries.

Well, good morning on this Monday morning. I'm Daryn Kagan.

Let's get our week started with a story about a U.S. newsmagazine admitting mistakes that have had deadly consequences. The "Newsweek" report featured charges that ignited outrage and violence among Muslims in Pakistan and Afghanistan. The magazine reported that U.S. interrogators at Guantanamo bay desecrated the Islamic holy book, Koran, and flushed one down the toilet. Now the magazine is backing away from that report. "Newsweek" says the U.S. government source behind the allegation can no longer vouch for its certainty. The Pentagon denounces the reporting as irresponsible. It's launching its own investigation.

Our White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux has details.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Two weeks ago, "Newsweek" magazine reported that U.S. interrogators at the Guantanamo Bay prison had flushed the Muslim's holy book, the Koran, down the toilet to rattle terror suspects.

MICHAEL ISIKOFF, "NEWSWEEK" REPORTER: The specific allegations about desecration of the Koran did surface.

MALVEAUX: The article by "Newsweek" reporters Michael Isikoff and John Berry was quickly picked up in newspapers in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Rage and riots erupted throughout the Middle East, leaving 15 dead in Afghanistan and scores injured. U.S. officials, already tarnished by the Abu Ghraib prison abuse scandal, pledged to get to the bottom of it.

CONDOLEEZZA RICE, SECRETARY OF STATE: I want to speak directly to Muslims in America and throughout the world. Disrespect for the Holy Koran is not now, has it ever been, nor ever be tolerated by the United States.

SCOTT MCCLELLAN, WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN: The detainees at this base are treated humanely.

MALVEAUX: Pentagon officials said there was no corroboration of "Newsweek's report that the Koran was being desecrated.

GEN. RICHARD MEYERS, CHMN., JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF: There's several of the logged entries that show that the Koran may have been moved. And detainees became irritated about it, but never an incident where it was thrown in the toilet.

MALVEAUX: Now it turns out the Pentagon was right and "Newsweek" was wrong.

David KLAIDMAN, WASHINGTON BUREAU CHIEF, "NEWSWEEK: This was an honest mistake. We are obviously not very happy about it.

MALVEAUX: In this week's issue the magazine writes how it happened, explaining, "On Saturday, Isikoff spoke with his original source, the senior government official who said that he clearly recalled reading investigative reports about mishandling the Koran, including a toilet incident. But the official could no longer be sure these concerns had surfaced in the Southern Command report."

Told of what the "Newsweek" source said, Defense Department spokesman Larry Dirita exploded. "People are dead because of what this son of a B said. How could he be credible now? Dirita confirmed to CNN his quote in "Newsweek" and separately said to CNN, "People are dying, they are burning American flags. Our forces are in danger because of this."

"Newsweek's" Washington bureau chief offered a public apology.

KLAIDMAN: We extend our sympathies to the victims here and we think it's a terribly unfortunate.

MALVEAUX (on camera): National Security Adviser Steve Hadley, who at the time was not aware of "Newsweek's admission, said on CNN's "LATE EDITION," the political damage is already done. Suzanne Malveaux, CNN, the White House.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: And this "Newsweek" blunder goes straight to the issue of trust. How much journalists place in a source and how much the public places in journalists?

In September, a Gallup poll measured public trust in the media. Then, 43 percent have had a great deal or fair amount of trust in the news. That was down 11 percent from a year earlier. And it was the lowest point since Gallup started asking that question in 1972.

And now to the fight for Iraq and its growing death toll. Police in Baghdad trying to identify the 12 men who were executed and then discarded in two separate locations. Two survivors say the gunmen posed as Iraqi soldiers. Over the weekend, the bodies of 34 Iraqis were found in three separate locations around Iraq.

In Baquba, a roadside bomb struck a military convoy as it passed. Five soldiers were killed. Seven soldiers and three civilians were wounded.

And South of Baghdad, gunmen ambushed and killed two-Iraqi journalists and their driver. The attack occurred in a violence- plagued area known as the Triangle of Death. The journalists worked for a Kuwaiti newspaper.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice used her surprise one-day visit to Iraq to praise the efforts of that country's government and the American troops who are helping to secure it. Rice is seen here posing for photos for some of those forces. She says the administration recognizes their sacrifices and their mission.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RICE: This is a tough environment sometimes, maybe all the time. But I want to you stay focused on what it is that we're doing here. You see, this war came to us, not the other way around. The United States of America, when it was attacked on September 11, realized that we lived in a world where you couldn't let threats gather. And that we lived in a world in which we had to have a different kind of Middle East, if we were ever going to have a permanent peace.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Rice also traveled to the northern Kurdish region and met with officials. She urged Iraqis to remain patient with the country's fledging government.

The effects of the military base closings here in the U.S. are trickling down. Still to come a look at why the downsizing is proposed and who is affected, plus how the Pentagon plans to defend its recommendations.

And talk about being up the creek, it's a runway landing that went too far. Details ahead on that.

And the damage still lingers from last year and those who live on the coast. Time to pay attention again. A look at the 2005 hurricane season is coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: We are watching decisions coming out of the Supreme Court today. This one might be of interest to you if you enjoy wine. The Supreme Court ruling that states may not pass laws that prohibit wineries from shipping from customers in other states. A number of states have that rule that if you, let's say you're in California, you can't have your wine shipped home. The Supreme Court says those laws cannot stand.

Much more from the Supreme Court just ahead and more news also. Right now a quick break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Let's now get to the much talked about effort to close several military bases around the country. In just a little over three hours, top Pentagon official will testify before a congressional commission to explain why they want to close or scale back more than 60 bases.

Our Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr joins us with more.

Barbara, good morning.

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. Well you know, last week we had the big news about the Pentagon's proposed base closure list. But now, as they say, let the games begin, because the independent commission that is reviewing that list now will open for business today, officially with its first round of congressional hearings --of commission hearings on the Pentagon's proposal up on Capitol Hill.

Now, later today, they will hear from Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who will explain why he thinks it's a good idea to close 29 major military bases, and consolidate operations at more than 700 other locations.

Some of the major bases to be closed, as we reported, there are some pretty popular names that people will recognize. The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and New London Submarine Base in New England, Fort Gillem and Fort McPherson in Georgia, Fort Monroe, Virginia, Pascagoula Naval Station in Mississippi, Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota and Cannon Air Force Base in new Mexico.

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is going to make the point he believes all of this is tied together, that this comprehensive plan needs an up or down vote, that the commission can't piecemeal it, that it really all has to hang together.

One of the most historic changes that they want to make is the closing down of Walter Reed Army Medical Center here in Washington D.C., which has treated the wounded from wars for generations. Move it all over to Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland, and then build a new hospital here in the area. So that's getting a lot of attention here in Washington D.C. the Pentagon says this plan will save the military eventually $50 billion in operating costs -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Eventually, but meanwhile, there's a cost involved with closing.

STARR: There is, indeed. That's all still to be calculated, depending on how many bases they do close. But you're exactly right. It costs a lot of money to clean these bases up, shut them down, turn the land back over to local government entities, who will try and, as they say, reuse it, redevelop it, bring new business in. But in a lot of places, that's been a pretty big problem in the past.

Sometimes it works well. They are able to bring in new business into a community. But in some cases they have found that it is not. And some local towns and communities across the country certainly say they have suffered from the base closure process. So as you would expect, this is the first commission hearing. There's going to be a lot more hearings. A lot of state and local governments complaining that they will suffer, and really strongly trying to save their military bases -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Barbara Starr at the Pentagon. Barbara, thank you.

Now I want to get back to our story regarding the apology from "Newsweek." "Newsweek" magazine a couple weeks ago printing a story that U.S. interrogators at Guantanamo Bay had desecrated the Islamic holy book, the Koran by actually flushing one down a toilet. Well, now they're saying that that can't bee -- they can't back up that story and they are apologizing after a lot of riots and deaths taking place in Afghanistan and in Pakistan as well.

Joining us now on the phone is Nick Meo. He's a freelance journalist. He went to this morning a news conference by the commander of the U.S. forces in eastern Afghanistan. He's joining us by phone from Kabul.

Nick, hello.

NICK MEO, FREE LANCE JOURNALIST: Hi.

KAGAN: What was said at this news conference?

MEO: Well, U.S. commanders said that they're going to be reviewing their operating tactics on the ground in Afghanistan, after these devastating riots. There are many complaints made, especially in eastern and southern Afghanistan about tactics used by U.S. troops. In particular, about intrusive house searches by troops looking for weapons. That can be extremely insulting in tribal costumed culture. Also, complaints like arresting innocent people and taking them to Guantanamo Bay. Afghans complain about that a lot.

And these are the kinds of Afghan concerns that the military says it's now going to be looking at more closely. U.S. commanders also say they're willing to work more closely with the Afghan government when it comes to planning U.S. military operations.

KAGAN: And so, Nick, this report, this false report by "Newsweek" a problem. But sounds like it was a match igniting other boiling frustrations in Afghanistan between some Afghans and the U.S. military.

MEO: Well, yes, certainly there was huge offense calls here amongst not just the extremists, even the moderates. Afghans felt that their religion had been insulted. But underlying that, I think that there are other problems, other grievances in these tribal areas. And a lot of that was feeding into what really became the worst rioting in Afghanistan since the end of the Taliban and with a very strong anti-American flavor to it.

KAGAN: So what do you think it's going to take to calm things down?

MEO: Well, things have been fairly quiet over the last 48 hours. It seems a lot of the anger has burnt out. There are a lot of Afghans who still have -- whose feelings are still running rather high over this. It does seem, from Afghans I've been speaking to today, that this apparent retraction will calm things a bit. I think it will do something to soothe feelings, at least amongst the moderates here.

KAGAN: All right. Nick reporting to us from Kabul, Afghanistan. Thank you.

Sixteen minutes past the hour, let's switch gears and focus here on the U.S. Big day in weather, not just by what might be happening today, but looking at the upcoming hurricane season.

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: For a map retracing the 2004 hurricane season, information on how the storms form and what you can do in a hurricane, in other words, get out of town, log onto cnn.com/hurricanes.

Investigators looking into the crash of a corporate jet that ran off a runway in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Take a look at these pictures. The plane landed belly down in a bay. All four people on board survived the crash and suffered only minor injuries. The pilot says he had brake problems. A witness described the crash on CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KEN YASHENCHOCK, WITNESSED PLANE CRASH: Then out of the corner of my eye, my son was in the van and said, "Dad, the plane's trying to land." The plane came across this runway straight down behind us, OK, at a very high rate of speed, couldn't stop. At the end of the runway there was this little mound of dirt they use for fly stopping the planes. He hit that, bounced up into the air and went into the creek.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Boaters helped rescue the people on the plane. Investigators will likely focus on why the pilot tried to land on a runway that is considered too short for the jet.

Turned away at the altar. Still to come, why dozens of people were denied Holy Communion during Sunday Mass.

Plus, Gerri Willis is here to help us out.

Hi, Ger. GERRI WILLIS, CNN-FN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: Hey, Daryn. Good to see you. How do you keep your PC or laptop safe from worms? We'll tell you how when CNN LIVE TODAY continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Let's talk about your personal computer. It is your on- ramp onto the information super highway. But it can also provide dangerous inroads to thieves trying to steal your personal information or your identity.

Our personal finance editor Gerri Willis joins us with her "Top 5 Tips " on how to protect yourself.

Hi, Ger.

WILLIS: Hey there, Daryn. Tip No. 1, patch and update. Look, software companies are finding holes in their software all the time, usually because they're pointed out by hackers. So you need to get the patches and the updates that are put out all the time by the people who produce the operating systems. If you're windows, microsoft.com/security is the place to go. And if you've got a Mac, it's mac.com/support. But you got to do it all the time, like once a month.

KAGAN: Now, one of the coolest new developments that's out -- it's not that new. Wi-fi can also be a huge problem.

WILLIS: Yes. This is really interesting. It's such a cool technology. It means you can surf the web from anywhere. Maybe your favorite coffee shop, you can sit down and play. But look, there are evil twins out there, Daryn.

KAGAN: Ooh!

WILLIS: Yes. Who are masquerading as legitimate hot spots and what they're trying to do is steal your information.

KAGAN: Lovely.

WILLIS: Yes. So when you sit down in that coffee shop and you're thinking about surfing the web, be sure and talk to someone who works there. And say OK, what is the name of the legitimate wi-fi system. And they'll tell you and you can play and not worry about it. But you've really got to be careful about it because it can be a big problem.

KAGAN: I learned this lesson last week when my hard drive went to a happier place in the universe.

WILLIS: Oh, no.

KAGAN: Back up your information.

WILLIS: Oh, I'm so sorry for you.

KAGAN: Everything's OK.

WILLIS: It's no fun, I got to tell you. Back up. Look, if you have got important stuff on your laptop or your PC, and who doesn't? You have got your family's pictures, you've got maybe some work items, you don't want to lose that stuff. You got to back it up and buy a second hard drive, an external hard drive and put it on. And I've done this before myself. And make sure that that material is there when you need it, because let me tell you, anything can happen.

KAGAN: Yes. Now, also when you're looking at things on your Internet in your e-mail, you want to be suspicious.

WILLIS: Yes, virus worms, they hide in e-mail and instant messages, pop-up ads, you name it. You've got to be really careful when you're surfing the webs and not play in places that could be potentially dangerous. And the real deal here, Daryn, is that you've got to watch your kids, because they're often the ones who kind of go everywhere, don't know what they're looking at. And you've got to make sure that you're keeping your pc safe.

KAGAN: Speaking of kids, the lesson we learned is sharing but not on your computer. Don't share.

WILLIS: Well, file sharing, you know, I can sit here and talk about the 12-year-old boy in the household. But the possibility, it's pretty high that it's maybe your husband or a grownup who is file sharing. It's illegal and what's more, you can get some really bad stuff on your computer. So be sure you pay for music, pay for movies.

Look, Daryn, people are swapping TV shows now. So you've got to be really careful about what you pick up. And make sure you understand what your kids are doing in the back room with your Pc or your laptop, because that's where the problems come in.

KAGAN: Don't download that free "Top 5 Tips."

(LAUGHTER)

KAGAN: It will only bring in evil things to your computer.

WILLIS: That's right, Daryn.

KAGAN: Thank you. See you later in the week.

WILLIS: OK, Daryn. Thank you. All righty.

KAGAN: Well, keeping on computers, bloggers use the Internet to get their message across. Now there are other techniques. Blogging, that is like so last week. New techniques, we're talking podcasting just ahead.

But first, some finger pointing at the U.N. Another critical report about abuse in the Oil for Food program, details on that with Richard Roth, straight ahead.

(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 16, 2005 - 10:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN CO-ANCHOR: North returns to six-nation nuclear talks. There were no details on that deal. National Security advisor Steven Hadley tells CNN the U.S. has evidence that North Korea may be preparing for a nuclear test.
Nuclear talks between Iran and the European Union are set for next Monday in Brussels. But Iranian officials are expressing little confidence there will be an agreement. Iran has said it would give talks one last shot before resuming plutonium enrichment.

And Microsoft founder Bill Gates is doing more to save lives around the world. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation just announced a quarter billion-dollar funding boost for global health research. The foundation has been working to speed up the development and deployment of health intervention in Third World countries.

Well, good morning on this Monday morning. I'm Daryn Kagan.

Let's get our week started with a story about a U.S. newsmagazine admitting mistakes that have had deadly consequences. The "Newsweek" report featured charges that ignited outrage and violence among Muslims in Pakistan and Afghanistan. The magazine reported that U.S. interrogators at Guantanamo bay desecrated the Islamic holy book, Koran, and flushed one down the toilet. Now the magazine is backing away from that report. "Newsweek" says the U.S. government source behind the allegation can no longer vouch for its certainty. The Pentagon denounces the reporting as irresponsible. It's launching its own investigation.

Our White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux has details.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Two weeks ago, "Newsweek" magazine reported that U.S. interrogators at the Guantanamo Bay prison had flushed the Muslim's holy book, the Koran, down the toilet to rattle terror suspects.

MICHAEL ISIKOFF, "NEWSWEEK" REPORTER: The specific allegations about desecration of the Koran did surface.

MALVEAUX: The article by "Newsweek" reporters Michael Isikoff and John Berry was quickly picked up in newspapers in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Rage and riots erupted throughout the Middle East, leaving 15 dead in Afghanistan and scores injured. U.S. officials, already tarnished by the Abu Ghraib prison abuse scandal, pledged to get to the bottom of it.

CONDOLEEZZA RICE, SECRETARY OF STATE: I want to speak directly to Muslims in America and throughout the world. Disrespect for the Holy Koran is not now, has it ever been, nor ever be tolerated by the United States.

SCOTT MCCLELLAN, WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN: The detainees at this base are treated humanely.

MALVEAUX: Pentagon officials said there was no corroboration of "Newsweek's report that the Koran was being desecrated.

GEN. RICHARD MEYERS, CHMN., JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF: There's several of the logged entries that show that the Koran may have been moved. And detainees became irritated about it, but never an incident where it was thrown in the toilet.

MALVEAUX: Now it turns out the Pentagon was right and "Newsweek" was wrong.

David KLAIDMAN, WASHINGTON BUREAU CHIEF, "NEWSWEEK: This was an honest mistake. We are obviously not very happy about it.

MALVEAUX: In this week's issue the magazine writes how it happened, explaining, "On Saturday, Isikoff spoke with his original source, the senior government official who said that he clearly recalled reading investigative reports about mishandling the Koran, including a toilet incident. But the official could no longer be sure these concerns had surfaced in the Southern Command report."

Told of what the "Newsweek" source said, Defense Department spokesman Larry Dirita exploded. "People are dead because of what this son of a B said. How could he be credible now? Dirita confirmed to CNN his quote in "Newsweek" and separately said to CNN, "People are dying, they are burning American flags. Our forces are in danger because of this."

"Newsweek's" Washington bureau chief offered a public apology.

KLAIDMAN: We extend our sympathies to the victims here and we think it's a terribly unfortunate.

MALVEAUX (on camera): National Security Adviser Steve Hadley, who at the time was not aware of "Newsweek's admission, said on CNN's "LATE EDITION," the political damage is already done. Suzanne Malveaux, CNN, the White House.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: And this "Newsweek" blunder goes straight to the issue of trust. How much journalists place in a source and how much the public places in journalists?

In September, a Gallup poll measured public trust in the media. Then, 43 percent have had a great deal or fair amount of trust in the news. That was down 11 percent from a year earlier. And it was the lowest point since Gallup started asking that question in 1972.

And now to the fight for Iraq and its growing death toll. Police in Baghdad trying to identify the 12 men who were executed and then discarded in two separate locations. Two survivors say the gunmen posed as Iraqi soldiers. Over the weekend, the bodies of 34 Iraqis were found in three separate locations around Iraq.

In Baquba, a roadside bomb struck a military convoy as it passed. Five soldiers were killed. Seven soldiers and three civilians were wounded.

And South of Baghdad, gunmen ambushed and killed two-Iraqi journalists and their driver. The attack occurred in a violence- plagued area known as the Triangle of Death. The journalists worked for a Kuwaiti newspaper.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice used her surprise one-day visit to Iraq to praise the efforts of that country's government and the American troops who are helping to secure it. Rice is seen here posing for photos for some of those forces. She says the administration recognizes their sacrifices and their mission.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RICE: This is a tough environment sometimes, maybe all the time. But I want to you stay focused on what it is that we're doing here. You see, this war came to us, not the other way around. The United States of America, when it was attacked on September 11, realized that we lived in a world where you couldn't let threats gather. And that we lived in a world in which we had to have a different kind of Middle East, if we were ever going to have a permanent peace.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Rice also traveled to the northern Kurdish region and met with officials. She urged Iraqis to remain patient with the country's fledging government.

The effects of the military base closings here in the U.S. are trickling down. Still to come a look at why the downsizing is proposed and who is affected, plus how the Pentagon plans to defend its recommendations.

And talk about being up the creek, it's a runway landing that went too far. Details ahead on that.

And the damage still lingers from last year and those who live on the coast. Time to pay attention again. A look at the 2005 hurricane season is coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: We are watching decisions coming out of the Supreme Court today. This one might be of interest to you if you enjoy wine. The Supreme Court ruling that states may not pass laws that prohibit wineries from shipping from customers in other states. A number of states have that rule that if you, let's say you're in California, you can't have your wine shipped home. The Supreme Court says those laws cannot stand.

Much more from the Supreme Court just ahead and more news also. Right now a quick break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Let's now get to the much talked about effort to close several military bases around the country. In just a little over three hours, top Pentagon official will testify before a congressional commission to explain why they want to close or scale back more than 60 bases.

Our Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr joins us with more.

Barbara, good morning.

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. Well you know, last week we had the big news about the Pentagon's proposed base closure list. But now, as they say, let the games begin, because the independent commission that is reviewing that list now will open for business today, officially with its first round of congressional hearings --of commission hearings on the Pentagon's proposal up on Capitol Hill.

Now, later today, they will hear from Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who will explain why he thinks it's a good idea to close 29 major military bases, and consolidate operations at more than 700 other locations.

Some of the major bases to be closed, as we reported, there are some pretty popular names that people will recognize. The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and New London Submarine Base in New England, Fort Gillem and Fort McPherson in Georgia, Fort Monroe, Virginia, Pascagoula Naval Station in Mississippi, Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota and Cannon Air Force Base in new Mexico.

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is going to make the point he believes all of this is tied together, that this comprehensive plan needs an up or down vote, that the commission can't piecemeal it, that it really all has to hang together.

One of the most historic changes that they want to make is the closing down of Walter Reed Army Medical Center here in Washington D.C., which has treated the wounded from wars for generations. Move it all over to Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland, and then build a new hospital here in the area. So that's getting a lot of attention here in Washington D.C. the Pentagon says this plan will save the military eventually $50 billion in operating costs -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Eventually, but meanwhile, there's a cost involved with closing.

STARR: There is, indeed. That's all still to be calculated, depending on how many bases they do close. But you're exactly right. It costs a lot of money to clean these bases up, shut them down, turn the land back over to local government entities, who will try and, as they say, reuse it, redevelop it, bring new business in. But in a lot of places, that's been a pretty big problem in the past.

Sometimes it works well. They are able to bring in new business into a community. But in some cases they have found that it is not. And some local towns and communities across the country certainly say they have suffered from the base closure process. So as you would expect, this is the first commission hearing. There's going to be a lot more hearings. A lot of state and local governments complaining that they will suffer, and really strongly trying to save their military bases -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Barbara Starr at the Pentagon. Barbara, thank you.

Now I want to get back to our story regarding the apology from "Newsweek." "Newsweek" magazine a couple weeks ago printing a story that U.S. interrogators at Guantanamo Bay had desecrated the Islamic holy book, the Koran by actually flushing one down a toilet. Well, now they're saying that that can't bee -- they can't back up that story and they are apologizing after a lot of riots and deaths taking place in Afghanistan and in Pakistan as well.

Joining us now on the phone is Nick Meo. He's a freelance journalist. He went to this morning a news conference by the commander of the U.S. forces in eastern Afghanistan. He's joining us by phone from Kabul.

Nick, hello.

NICK MEO, FREE LANCE JOURNALIST: Hi.

KAGAN: What was said at this news conference?

MEO: Well, U.S. commanders said that they're going to be reviewing their operating tactics on the ground in Afghanistan, after these devastating riots. There are many complaints made, especially in eastern and southern Afghanistan about tactics used by U.S. troops. In particular, about intrusive house searches by troops looking for weapons. That can be extremely insulting in tribal costumed culture. Also, complaints like arresting innocent people and taking them to Guantanamo Bay. Afghans complain about that a lot.

And these are the kinds of Afghan concerns that the military says it's now going to be looking at more closely. U.S. commanders also say they're willing to work more closely with the Afghan government when it comes to planning U.S. military operations.

KAGAN: And so, Nick, this report, this false report by "Newsweek" a problem. But sounds like it was a match igniting other boiling frustrations in Afghanistan between some Afghans and the U.S. military.

MEO: Well, yes, certainly there was huge offense calls here amongst not just the extremists, even the moderates. Afghans felt that their religion had been insulted. But underlying that, I think that there are other problems, other grievances in these tribal areas. And a lot of that was feeding into what really became the worst rioting in Afghanistan since the end of the Taliban and with a very strong anti-American flavor to it.

KAGAN: So what do you think it's going to take to calm things down?

MEO: Well, things have been fairly quiet over the last 48 hours. It seems a lot of the anger has burnt out. There are a lot of Afghans who still have -- whose feelings are still running rather high over this. It does seem, from Afghans I've been speaking to today, that this apparent retraction will calm things a bit. I think it will do something to soothe feelings, at least amongst the moderates here.

KAGAN: All right. Nick reporting to us from Kabul, Afghanistan. Thank you.

Sixteen minutes past the hour, let's switch gears and focus here on the U.S. Big day in weather, not just by what might be happening today, but looking at the upcoming hurricane season.

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: For a map retracing the 2004 hurricane season, information on how the storms form and what you can do in a hurricane, in other words, get out of town, log onto cnn.com/hurricanes.

Investigators looking into the crash of a corporate jet that ran off a runway in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Take a look at these pictures. The plane landed belly down in a bay. All four people on board survived the crash and suffered only minor injuries. The pilot says he had brake problems. A witness described the crash on CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KEN YASHENCHOCK, WITNESSED PLANE CRASH: Then out of the corner of my eye, my son was in the van and said, "Dad, the plane's trying to land." The plane came across this runway straight down behind us, OK, at a very high rate of speed, couldn't stop. At the end of the runway there was this little mound of dirt they use for fly stopping the planes. He hit that, bounced up into the air and went into the creek.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Boaters helped rescue the people on the plane. Investigators will likely focus on why the pilot tried to land on a runway that is considered too short for the jet.

Turned away at the altar. Still to come, why dozens of people were denied Holy Communion during Sunday Mass.

Plus, Gerri Willis is here to help us out.

Hi, Ger. GERRI WILLIS, CNN-FN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: Hey, Daryn. Good to see you. How do you keep your PC or laptop safe from worms? We'll tell you how when CNN LIVE TODAY continues.

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KAGAN: Let's talk about your personal computer. It is your on- ramp onto the information super highway. But it can also provide dangerous inroads to thieves trying to steal your personal information or your identity.

Our personal finance editor Gerri Willis joins us with her "Top 5 Tips " on how to protect yourself.

Hi, Ger.

WILLIS: Hey there, Daryn. Tip No. 1, patch and update. Look, software companies are finding holes in their software all the time, usually because they're pointed out by hackers. So you need to get the patches and the updates that are put out all the time by the people who produce the operating systems. If you're windows, microsoft.com/security is the place to go. And if you've got a Mac, it's mac.com/support. But you got to do it all the time, like once a month.

KAGAN: Now, one of the coolest new developments that's out -- it's not that new. Wi-fi can also be a huge problem.

WILLIS: Yes. This is really interesting. It's such a cool technology. It means you can surf the web from anywhere. Maybe your favorite coffee shop, you can sit down and play. But look, there are evil twins out there, Daryn.

KAGAN: Ooh!

WILLIS: Yes. Who are masquerading as legitimate hot spots and what they're trying to do is steal your information.

KAGAN: Lovely.

WILLIS: Yes. So when you sit down in that coffee shop and you're thinking about surfing the web, be sure and talk to someone who works there. And say OK, what is the name of the legitimate wi-fi system. And they'll tell you and you can play and not worry about it. But you've really got to be careful about it because it can be a big problem.

KAGAN: I learned this lesson last week when my hard drive went to a happier place in the universe.

WILLIS: Oh, no.

KAGAN: Back up your information.

WILLIS: Oh, I'm so sorry for you.

KAGAN: Everything's OK.

WILLIS: It's no fun, I got to tell you. Back up. Look, if you have got important stuff on your laptop or your PC, and who doesn't? You have got your family's pictures, you've got maybe some work items, you don't want to lose that stuff. You got to back it up and buy a second hard drive, an external hard drive and put it on. And I've done this before myself. And make sure that that material is there when you need it, because let me tell you, anything can happen.

KAGAN: Yes. Now, also when you're looking at things on your Internet in your e-mail, you want to be suspicious.

WILLIS: Yes, virus worms, they hide in e-mail and instant messages, pop-up ads, you name it. You've got to be really careful when you're surfing the webs and not play in places that could be potentially dangerous. And the real deal here, Daryn, is that you've got to watch your kids, because they're often the ones who kind of go everywhere, don't know what they're looking at. And you've got to make sure that you're keeping your pc safe.

KAGAN: Speaking of kids, the lesson we learned is sharing but not on your computer. Don't share.

WILLIS: Well, file sharing, you know, I can sit here and talk about the 12-year-old boy in the household. But the possibility, it's pretty high that it's maybe your husband or a grownup who is file sharing. It's illegal and what's more, you can get some really bad stuff on your computer. So be sure you pay for music, pay for movies.

Look, Daryn, people are swapping TV shows now. So you've got to be really careful about what you pick up. And make sure you understand what your kids are doing in the back room with your Pc or your laptop, because that's where the problems come in.

KAGAN: Don't download that free "Top 5 Tips."

(LAUGHTER)

KAGAN: It will only bring in evil things to your computer.

WILLIS: That's right, Daryn.

KAGAN: Thank you. See you later in the week.

WILLIS: OK, Daryn. Thank you. All righty.

KAGAN: Well, keeping on computers, bloggers use the Internet to get their message across. Now there are other techniques. Blogging, that is like so last week. New techniques, we're talking podcasting just ahead.

But first, some finger pointing at the U.N. Another critical report about abuse in the Oil for Food program, details on that with Richard Roth, straight ahead.

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