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CNN Wolf Blitzer Reports

New Information Starts New Search in Aruba; Close Guantanamo?; Contractors Claim Abuse by Marines in Iraq; Keeping Kids Safe

Aired June 14, 2005 - 17:00   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.


WOLF BLITZER, HOST "WOLF BLITZER REPORTS": Happening now, police in Aruba are searching an area near Natalee Holloway's hotel. The 18- year-old honor student from Alabama has been missing for two weeks. There are new developments.
Also happening now, the debate over the U.S. naval base in Guantanamo Bay in Cuba is heating up. Should the terror suspects be removed?

Stand by for hard news on WOLF BLITZER REPORTS.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER (voice-over): Close Gitmo? Critics want to shut down the U.S. prison camp in Cuba, but is there an alternative?

DONALD RUMSFELD, DEFENSE SECRETARY: As long as there remains a need to keep terrorists from striking again, a facility will continue to be needed.

BLITZER: Deserter -- 40 years ago, he fled to North Korea. Now he's home. But what kind of welcome can he expect?

Keeping kids safe, from the earliest days.

JOHN WALSH, HOST, "AMERICA'S MOST WANTED": Hot tip. Don't speak to people you don't know.

BLITZER: The host of "America's Most Wanted," John Walsh says it's never too soon to start.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANNOUNCER: This is WOLF BLITZER REPORTS for Tuesday, June 14th, 2005.

BLITZER (on camera): Thanks for joining us.

A flurry of new developments today in the search for Natalee Holloway, the Alabama teenager who disappeared on Aruba more than two weeks ago. Karl Penhaul is near the scene of an intense new search, but we begin with John Zarrella also nearby with new details on the case.

What's going on, John? JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, well, perhaps finally a break in the case, perhaps another dead end. It's unclear at this particular point. But for past three hours today, authorities have been searching an area which is a couple of hundred yards up the beach from the Marriott Hotel. Now, the Marriott Hotel is about a mile-and- a-half from where we are here at the Holiday Inn, which is where Natalee Holloway was last seen and where she was staying with friends when she was down here on that school vacation.

Now, what this all may have come from is this: the two security guards originally arrested on June 5th were released last night, suddenly. They were supposed to have a hearing today. That did not take place. Instead they were released. One of the two security guards said that he had had a conversation while he was in jail with one of three young men who are now currently being detained, and during that conversation with those three young men, they told -- one of the young men told the security guard he was sorry that they had been -- that the security guards had been arrested, that the boys had lied. These young men had lied about that, and he told the security guard -- in his words, he described what happened the night Natalee disappeared.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICKEY JOHN, SECURITY GUARD: He said that he picked the girl up at Carlos 'N Charlie's. They drove to the light house. He was driving. They park. His brother was sitting in the front. The missing girl was sitting in the back seat, behind the passenger -- the driver, and the Dutch guy was sitting in the back seat, behind his brother. They drove to the light house. He didn't explain to me what took place at the light house, and on the way back up from the light house, they dropped the Dutch guy and Natalee close to the Marriott Hotel. He say he showed the police where he dropped them off.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ZARRELLA: Now, that area where we just heard that description is where they are searching now. Whether they are searching based on this information that came from the security guard, whether it came from somebody else, is unclear.

What we can say is that authorities did tell us today that the three youths, the three young men that they have in custody, have been formally accused of murder, manslaughter and the kidnapping with fatal results. But, be cautious there because that does not mean they have been charged. They have just been accused, which is the same thing the two security guards were. They were accused, as well.

But again, the late developments, a search going on right now, Wolf, for Natalee Holloway or at least something that may belong to Natalee Holloway.

BLITZER: All right, John Zarrella. Stand by. Karl Penhaul is right there on the scene, the cordoned off area which being searched. He's joining us live now via video phone. Karl, tell our viewers what is happening. It looks like it's very intense. KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, what we'll do, Wolf, for you, so that you and the viewers can get a better look, I'm going to stand out of the way and I'll tell you what's happening here on camera. This is an area adjacent to the Marriott Hotel. About 500 yards from where I'm standing stretching out from here is an area that has been cordoned off about 500 yards long, about 150 yards wide at its widest point. It has been cordoned off by police -- it's been cordoned off now for about four hours.

Police arrived here. They've also brought in a fire truck, and that appears to have off loaded at least one pump and possibly two pumps and connected that with hoses in an area where there is a small pond and drainage ditch. Not clear from here what it is pumping or how much water may be pumping from that area. But over the last four or five days, it has been raining heavily so it could be that they're pumping off some of that water or out of the drainage ditch to get a better look at an area there.

Beyond that, the kind of area that this is is between a main highway that leads around the coast and the beach area, the beach area adjacent to the Marriott on the beach, a lot of wind surfing going on, kite surfing, and pleasure boats there. The area inbetween, the green area there is an area of mangrove bushes, other shrubs and scrub area and I would say (ph) probably one or two pond and culvert areas.

I talked to somebody on the ground there, Wolf, and he said that it was him that had given a tip to police saying that he had found some items there that should be investigated. He said as a result of that, that police arrived shortly after. They're not clear whether the police are acting only on that tipoff or as John was saying there, possibly based on some of the remarks made by the freed security guard, Mickey John, Wolf?

BLITZER: All right, Karl Penhaul on the scene for us. John Zarrella, also in Aruba. We'll check back with both of you as soon as we get more information.

A leading human rights group called it a modern-day gulag and in some quarters, it's being compared to the notorious Devil's Island. That type of talk is angrily dismissed by the Bush administration. But even some members of Congress on both sides of the aisle say it may be time to close the U.S. prison camp at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld today launched a spirited defense of the facility saying it plays a vital role in keeping Americans safe.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RUMSFELD: The kind of people held at Guantanamo include terrorist trainers, bomb makers, extremist recruiters and financiers, bodyguards of Osama bin Laden, and would-be suicide bombers. They are not common car thieves. They are believed to be determined killers.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Secretary Rumsfeld says the military has instituted numerous reforms at Guantanamo and he argues that no detention facility, in his words, "in the history of warfare has been more transparent or received more scrutiny." Still, even President Bush hasn't formally ruled out closing it. Is there an alternative though to Guantanamo? Joining us now, CNN's Brian Todd. He's been looking into that question. Brian?

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Right, Wolf.

Several different scenarios have been discussed, but top U.S. officials still believe this facility meets some very complex needs in a very different war.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(voice-over): Amid continuing calls to simply shut it down, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld holds the line on Guantanamo.

RUMSFELD: But as long as there remains a need to keep terrorists from striking again, a facility will continue to be needed.

TODD: But experts say alternatives to this facility are limited.

MAJ. GEN. DON SHEPPERD (RET.), CNN MILITARY ANALYST: I don't know any better place to do it other than a good, specially constructed facility that's offshore of the United States. You can move them to another federal prison or you could do it in another foreign country, but that's a whole set of problems.

TODD: Potential problems at a U.S.-based federal prison? Space would have to be cleared and a Pentagon spokesman tells CNN logistical and law enforcement issues might compromise the ability to gather intelligence from detainees. Potential problems with sending them to detention facilities in war zones like Abu Ghraib? Security and oversight lapses that have cropped up in the past.

One former military intelligence officer suggests another option: placing them in large, secure military bases within the United States like Ft. Hood, Texas, or Ft. Riley in Kansas. But one Pentagon official said flatly, what Senator or congressman would you convince to send suspected terrorists to their home state? The defense secretary spoke of unprecedented difficulties in the war on terror.

RUMSFELD: The problem is that to a large extent, we are in unexplored territory with this unconventional and complex struggle against extremism.

TODD: That includes barely explored legal territory. The attraction of Guantanamo initially was its location. Detainees held offshore wouldn't be able to challenge the basis of their imprisonment. The Supreme Court has since held otherwise, ruling that the detainees are under the jurisdiction of U.S. federal courts, the same rights they would have if brought to the United States.

But the situation would become more complex if the U.S. sent detainees to a third country with no on-going conflict.

LEE CASEY, INTERNATIONAL ATTORNEY: If they are still under U.S. control, it would have to be under -- based on some agreement between the United States and the country concerned. And that agreement would, basically, establish the bounds of their rights.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TODD: And according to American law and policy, U.S. officials are not supposed to send detainees to countries where it's likely they'd be tortured. The definition of that, in many countries as at Guantanamo, is up for debate -- Wolf.

BLITZER: All right. Brian Todd, with that report. Thanks, Brian, very much.

And to our viewers, please stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security.

Contractor arrest: 16 Americans accused of endangering the lives of U.S. military members in Iraq. Now, some of those detained are alleging mistreatment by United States marines.

Back on American soil, an Army deserter comes home for the first time in 40 years, to see his 91-year-old mother.

And later, safety for kids. The host of "America's Most Wanted" helps educate and protect your children. He'll join us -- John Walsh.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: In Iraq today, an all-out assault by the insurgents. At least 19 people died, and dozens were wounded in the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk.

The Iraqi military says a suicide bomber blew himself up in a busy market area. Most of the victims had gathered outside a bank to receive their paychecks. Earlier, near the city of Baquba, insurgents launched a coordinated mortar, and car bomb attack on a police station. The blasts came minutes apart. Police say five people were killed, including members of the security forces.

The U.S. military says an American soldier was killed by a rocket-propelled grenade today, in Baghdad. The military also announced that two American soldiers were killed yesterday when their vehicle was struck by an explosive, near Ramadi.

That brings the number of U.S. troops killed in the war to 1,702.

Sixteen American contractors say they were unjustly arrested last month by U.S. Marines in Iraq, and then treated as if they were the enemy. The contractors say they were detained then deported. The Marines say the matter is tied to a wild ride through an Iraqi city.

Let's go live to our senior Pentagon correspondent, Jamie McIntyre --he's standing by.

JAMIE MCINTYRE, SR. PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, the U.S. military is investigating the whole affair, but a spokesman denies that the contractors were mistreated, or that their arrest was unwarranted.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MCINTYRE (voice-over): This video, shot by a civilian contractor May 28th, documents part of a dusty, dangerous convoy ride through Fallujah. A routine mission that ended with 16 Americans arrested, and treated, they claim, like Iraq insurgents.

ROBERT SCHAVER, CONTRACTOR: They had us strip down to our underwear and basically, we had to sit in the dirt just with our underwear on, and our hands behind our backs with our heads down. We were given a Quran, a prayer rug, a blue mat to lay on the concrete floor to sleep on.

MCINTYRE: The 16 Americans and three Iraqis were working for Zapata Engineering, out of North Carolina, helping to dispose of stockpiles of old munitions when U.S. marines stopped their convoy, and took them into custody.

SCHAVER: Basically, we were kept for three days -- three-and-a- half days, in a six-by-eight cell, and solitary confinement.

MCINTYRE: SCHAVER is a former Marine. So is his co-worker, Matt Raiche.

MATT RAICHE, CONTRACTOR: I didn't know what was going on. I had no clue. We asked them every day, every time someone came in, "Hey, what's going on? What are we in here for?"

Nothing.

MCINTYRE: All 16 contractors were released May 31st, and kicked out of Iraq. A letter issued by a Marine general barring their return, accused the convoy of speeding through the city and firing shots indiscriminately. Actions, it said, that endangered the lives of innocent Iraqis and U.S. service members.

The contractors insist they followed standard procedure to ward off a suspected suicide car bomber, firing warning shots into the ground. And they argue, if the Marines had checked their video, it would back up their version of events. But they say they never got to tell their side of the story.

SCHAVER: The Marines never heard of what we had to say. They never took a statement. They just automatically put us in a detainment facility.

MCINTYRE: The treatment was particularly galling since eight of the contractors had served in the Marines. Now they were feeling abused by Marines who seemed to resent their high salaries.

SCHAVER: Some were -- had cameras, some were taunting us, and there was a comment meant toward us about, "how do you like your contract money now?"

(END VIDEOTAPE) MCINTYRE: A U.S. military spokesman, reached by phone in Fallujah, disputed the account of the contractors, saying that the U.S. Marines witnessed them firing around and near civilian vehicles, and that some of the bullets even hit Marine checkpoints. The contractors say the Marines must be mixing them up with somebody else. For now, it's all under investigation -- Wolf?

BLITZER: And Jamie, when I was there, it clearly was evident to me the discrepancy in the salaries between U.S. Marine soldiers on the ground as opposed to private American contractors is enormous.

Do you have any idea how big of a gap there is in those kinds of salaries.

MCINTYRE: Well, some of those contractors make upwards of $100,000 a year, and that can be as much, again, as about six times what, say, a soldier doing the same job might be. And you're right. When I was there too, I certainly noticed that there was some resentment about those high salaries.

BLITZER: All right, Jamie McIntyre, at the Pentagon, following that story.

Good work, Jamie.

Thanks, very much.

An Army deserter is back in America. Almost 40 years in North Korea, Charles Jenkins visits his family in North Carolina for the first time.

And prison rape: We'll hear from a victim who found a way to fight back.

Corporate split: Why CBS is changing channels.

We'll have those stories and more.

All that, and more coming up.

Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: An emotional new chapter today in a saga of international intrigue that began 40 years ago. CNN's Mary Snow is joining us now, live from New York, with more of the homecoming of U.S. army deserter Charles Jenkins. Mary?

MARY SNOW, CORRESPONDENT: And Wolf, it was a closely watched homecoming. Charles Jenkins arrived at his sister's home this afternoon in `Weldon, North Carolina. Some residents there are angry, others, indifferent.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) (voice-over): After spending most of his life in obscurity, Charles Jenkins returned to the U.S. with notoriety. Police in Washington, D.C., helped shield him from reporters and cameras where he touched down on American soil for the first time since defecting to North Korea in 1965. Accompanied by his wife and two children, Jenkins said little as he made his way to visit his elderly mother in North Carolina.

CHARLES JENKINS, U.S. ARMY DESERTER: After 40 years, I'm very happy to go to visit my mother and my family in America, but only one week. I'm going back to Japan to live with my dear wife and her family.

SNOW: His story became one of international intrigue. Forty years ago, he disappeared when he was an Army sergeant patrolling the border between North and South Korea. Jenkins has said he feared he would be reassigned to Vietnam.

In the 1980s, he was seen in a North Korean propaganda film, denouncing the U.S. Last year, Jenkins turned himself over to U.S. authorities. He was sentenced to a month in military prison and received a dishonorable discharge.

JENKINS: As you know, have I made peace with the U.S. Army and I have been shown great mercy and compassion.

SNOW: Jenkins' surrender allowed him to be reunited with his wife in Japan, which is a story in itself. As a teenager, she was kidnapped by North Korea. She met and married Jenkins there, and in 2002, she was allowed to return to Japan. Now, Jenkins is being reunited with his 91-year-old mother in North Carolina where she is in a nursing home. Not everyone is happy about it.

WILLIAM EASON, ROANOKE RAPIDS, N.C.: I don't want him to be a (INAUDIBLE). I want him to be what he was. He was a coward.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think he's a disgrace to his uniform and his country, and I feel he should be allowed to come home for a few days to see his parents, but I think he ought to go back where he come from.

SNOW: Michael Cook is eager to see Jenkins, who remembers playing soldiers with as a child. He says he was shocked to learn of Jenkins' defection, but has kept in touch with him over the years. He calls Jenkins by his middle name, Robert. Until now, he hasn't been able to ask the one question on his mind.

MICHAEL COOK, FRIEND OF CHARLES JENKINS: I haven't asked him anything heavy or serious, you know, like, why'd you do it. Why'd you do it, Robert?

SNOW: It's a question many in this small town are wondering.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SNOW (on camera): Jenkins and his family plan to leave the U.S. on June 22nd and he has already said he plans to spend the rest of his days in Japan. Wolf?

BLITZER: All right, Mary Snow, thanks very much.

Other news we're following including prison rape. It's a very ugly subject but an all too common occurrence. There was a hearing here in Washington today on the very subject. CNN's Kimberly Osias joining us now live with more.

KIMBERLY OSIAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, of course, rape is a crime of violence and power, power of one person over another. Never is that more vividly illustrated than in the American prison population. But, because of the stigma and the nature of the crime, it's often underreported or in some cases never reported at all. Today, a handful of men and women testified before the National Prison Rape Elimination Commission, sharing their experiences, hoping to make a difference.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(voice-over): Marilyn Shirley, married, mother of four, was sentenced to four years behind bars for her part in a methamphetamine drug transaction.

MARILYN SHIRLEY, PRISON RAPE VICTIM: I accepted what I did. I did wrong. I was doing my time.

OSIAS: By all accounts, a model prisoner. Her sentence was reduced. She claimed that made her vulnerable to prison authority. Specifically, the man in charge of solitary confinement, senior officer Michael Miller.

SHIRLEY: And he just wrapped his hands around my hair and he grabbed my head. He forced my head down on him and I wouldn't and then that's when it really made him mad and he turned me around and he throwed me up against the wall and started banging my head, started banging it to the side, and I just went numb. My whole body went limp. I couldn't believe what was happening to me.

OSIAS: Raped, kicked and threatened that if she told, she wouldn't get out.

SHIRLEY: I'm in prison. This is the man that is over me, you know?

OSIAS: And a man she alleges raped other prisoners, too. She says Officer Miller told her so, and other guards were in the know, signaling Miller during the rape.

SHIRLEY: You know, it was a "Ahem! Ahem!" real loud over his radio. That meant someone was coming.

OSIAS: With only seven months to go in her sentence, Shirley went back to her cell and kept silent, hiding evidence of her attack. It was the semen-stained sweatpants she kept hidden in her locker until her release that eventually was used to convict Officer Miller. He's now serving 12-and-a-half years for rape and aggravated assault. Marilyn Shirley still struggles with the memories and a sentence she says was much more than she deserved.

SHIRLEY: But rape was not a part of my punishment.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

OSIAS (on camera): I spoke with the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Officials there declined to comment on this case specifically because of ongoing litigation. The bureau did say that these occurrences are rare. They wouldn't comment about any current or future rape protocol. The Bureau of Justice Statistics is conducting a review of records. That will establish a baseline of the number of reported sexual assaults. According to Congress, prior to 2003, more than 1 million prisoners were sexually assaulted. And Wolf, of course, you know, as we mentioned before, this is often an underreported crime, if reported at all.

BLITZER: You're afraid -- these prisoners -- to even talk about it because that could hurt their chances of getting out.

OSIAS: That's exactly right.

BLITZER: Kimberly Osias, shocking information. Thanks very much for that.

Much is at stake in the Iranian elections, now only three days away. Our senior international correspondent Christiane Amanpour is in Tehran talking to the front-runner about U.S. relations, reform in Iran, and nuclear weapons. This is a report from Christiane, and you will see it only here on CNN.

Also, a site-seeing helicopter crashes into New York's East River. We'll show you who survived, how it happened, what's going on.

Plus, this...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Here's another hot tip.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hot tip!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Keeping kids on the safe side. The host of "America's Most Wanted," John Walsh joins us to talk about his new cause. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back. Inside Iran, our Christiane Amanpour is in Tehran days ahead of the country's presidential election. I'll speak with her coming up. First though, let's get a quick check of some other stories "Now in the News." All seven people board a sight-seeing helicopter survived when the craft plunged into New York's East River moments after taking off this afternoon. The six international tourists and the pilot were quickly rescued by police harbor units, which were conducting drills nearby. The NTSB is now investigating what exactly happened.

Viacom's board has voted to split the media giant into two separate companies. One will keep the name and consist of MTV Networks, Paramount Pictures and BET, among others. The CBS and UPN networks will be combined with Showtime and other holdings into a company called CBS Corporation.

Phil Jackson is coming back to coach the Los Angeles Lakers. A team spokesman says Jackson has agreed to a three-year contract. No details were given. The announcement comes almost one year to the day after the Lakers let him go following three NBA championships in five years.

Iran holds an election Friday and former president Hashemi Rafsanjani, who led the Islamic republic a decade ago, is running for a new term. In an exclusive interview today with CNN's Christiane Amanpour, Rafsanjani said the United States has taken, in what he says, steps in the right direction, but also said the United States must prove it has dropped its, quote, "hostile attitude" toward Iran.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HASHEMI RAFSANJANI (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): If Americans are sincere in the cooperation in working with Iran, I think the time is right to open new chapter in our relations with the United States, but if the United States wants to continue its obstructions and hostility, then the previous -- the past conditions will persist.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Shortly after that interview, Christiane Amanpour spoke with me about not only the interview but the overall situation in Iran.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Christiane Amanpour in Tehran, thanks very much for joining us. You've been there before. What's different, if anything, this time?

CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CHIEF INT'L. CORRESPONDENT: Well, I think in terms of what the voters are feeling during this presidential election period, it's very -- it's a lot of disillusion, a lot of apathy with the political process. However, we just talked to Rafsanjani who has been president before -- has basically held just about every high office in this country since the revolution and stands to win again. He is, as of today, the front-runner and he spoke about meeting the needs of the young people, understanding that much more needs to be done in terms of helping them economically find jobs, helping them in terms of their desire for more democracy and freedom at home, but also very importantly, talking about what he would do with the outside world if he were president, including the United States of America, and he made some very interesting observations on that issue, Wolf.

BLITZER: I've heard a senior administration official here in Washington say in the last few months that their main, long-term goal for Iran is a peaceful resol -- a revolution, if you will, a peaceful overthrow of the current clerical regime there.

Based on what you see on the streets of Tehran, the young people, the attitudes, that are unfolding right now, is that realistic, that hope from the U.S. perspective?

AMANPOUR: Well, my view is that that is a very, very long-term prognosis. The Iranian people have talked very loudly about their desire for reform. You know that they've voted overwhelmingly in two big elections in '97 and 2001, overwhelming turnout and overwhelming vote for reform and democracy.

The issue now, though, is how to make their lives more comfortable, how to be sure of employment, how to have more freedom and democracy at home, and people like Rafsanjani are listening to that and are basically answering that during their campaign and during their election campaign.

There is no talk of Islam in this campaign, or religion. It's all about meeting the expectations and the demands of the youth. But very importantly, he talked about relations with the United States and certainly many around the world are looking to see how he will mend that last standout, if possible. Iranian people want it to happen, and they believe that if anybody can make it happen, he will make it happen. They recall that back during Ronald Reagan's presidency, it was he who had that brief moment of detente in which he received arms to fight Iraq in return for freeing the American hostages in Lebanon.

Mr. Rafsanjani has said that he believes that the Bush administration are not barring Iran's application to the World Trade Organization, the Bush administration agreeing to send spare parts for aircraft, a good will sign. This is quite an important statement from Rafsanjani because he's always said it depends on signs from the United States. So, he's saying that he believes the American administration, the Bush administration, has made positive gestures, and he has suggested that he would respond in kind and keep the dialogue going.

On the issue of the nuclear issue, which is the outstanding, major bone of contention between the United States, Europe, and Iran, he has said that he wants to provide absolute guarantees that what Iran is doing is peaceful and not for military purposes. They point out that under the NPT, Iran does have the legitimate right for some nuclear activity but he wants to assure the United States that this is for peaceful purposes.

BLITZER: Although there's widespread, as you well know, Christiane, skepticism here in Washington. Christiane Amanpour joining us from Tehran. She'll be there for next several days and we'll be checking in with her every day. Christiane, thanks very much.

Disney death, a boy dies after taking a thrill ride at Epcot.

Also ahead, the host of "America's Most Wanted" tries to keep your children safe. We'll talk to him. He's standing by.

And how the pilots of a vintage aircraft were able to crashland on a residential street without causing any injuries. Their harrowing tale, that's coming up, as well.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: The sheriff's department in Orlando, Florida, is investigating the death of a 4-year-old boy at Disney's Epcot Center. According to a police report, the boy passed out on a ride that simulates a rocket blasting off, Mission: Space, subjecting riders to twice the force of gravity. Paramedics performed CPR on the boy, but he was pronounced dead when he arrived at the hospital.

Seems lots of people are talking about Michael Jackson's acquittal on child molestation charge except Michael Jackson himself. He made no public comment as he left court yesterday and has been -- has not been heard from since, as jurors, observers and other pundits have taken to the airwaves to talk about the case. But Michael Jackson did put out a written statement on his Web site comparing his acquittal to such historic events as the birth of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the fall of the Berlin Wall. Jackson's lawyer, Thomas Mesereau, talked to CNN's Soledad O'Brien about what may change for Jackson in the wake of the trial.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

THOMAS MESEREAU, JACKSON'S ATTORNEY: As far as his entertainment career goes, I'm not the expert on that. I haven't talked to him about it. But as far as Neverland and his home, he's been too nice to too many people. You know, people get to Michael with a sad story about their life, and he's so generous, he's so kind-hearted, he takes people in and does nice things for them, and they suddenly decide they want to get rich off of Michael Jackson.

And that has to change. He has to be a lot tougher with who he lets into his life and who he allows to run around his home. And that will happen.

SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Does that mean the sleepovers are over?

MESEREAU: Well, it means that he's going to be a lot more careful about who he lets into his life.

O'BRIEN: I'm not sure that you answered my question. Does that mean that the sleepovers are over?

MESEREAU: I don't know what you mean by sleepover, because he's allowed to have his own children in his room, he's allowed to have friends come into his room if he chooses, but he's not going to allow people like the ones who accused him of this to enter his life.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: This programming note: Tom Mesereau will speak more about the case, the acquittal, how Michael Jackson is doing. That airs tonight on "LARRY KING LIVE," 9:00 p.m. Eastern tonight on "LARRY KING." And Jackson's prosecutor, Tom Sneddon, will be a guest on "PAULA ZAHN NOW." That airs tonight 8:00 p.m. Eastern.

A recent string of abductions and disappearances leave many parents and grandparents asking this question -- how can you protect your children?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN WALSH, HOST, "AMERICA'S MOST WANTED": Prepare yourself for a pretty crazy show, where you'll learn some things about being smart, cool and safe.

It's going to be a little...

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: The host of "America's Most Wanted," John Walsh, has some advice. When we come back, he'll join us.

Plus, find out why this plane -- check it out -- this plane crash could have been much worse.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Recent high-profile cases of missing and abducted children are serving as an important reminder to parents and grandparents, it's never too early to teach kids about safety. And a new DVD series called "The Safe Side" aims to do just that. It's the creation of John Walsh, the host of "America's Most Wanted," and Julie Clark, the creator of the popular "Baby Einstein" video series. Here's a brief excerpt.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WALSH: Prepare yourself for a pretty crazy show, where you'll learn some things about being smart, cool and safe.

It's going to be a little different than you expect.

JULIE CLARK, CO-CREATOR, "THE SAFE SIDE": But important. So have fun, laugh, and learn some awesome ways to stay on the safe side.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: John Walsh is joining us here in Washington. Julie Clark is joining us in Denver. Thanks to both of you. John, I'll start with you. What -- how young should kids be when you start teaching them about the dangers lurking out there? WALSH: Well, I think you can never start too early, because it could be anybody that exploits them. I mean, we've had cases -- we are having a profile on a guy on "America's Most Wanted" who molested a six-month-old baby and videotaped it. How sick is that? But I think you have to open those lines of communication really early. As soon as your kids can talk to you, and just start talking about the possibilities.

But this video is geared for younger children. And of course, Julie Clark is a genius at doing these things. I mean, "Baby Einstein" has, you know, broken all kinds of records as an educational video for young people. But this is really serious stuff.

BLITZER: All right, Julie, talk a little bit of how you do this. The video is very compelling. Parents watching right now or grandparents, for that matter, when should they start showing this video to young kids?

CLARK: Well, we recommended it for elementary school age kids. We think that "The Safe Side" is incredibly important. There's really, like John said, not any certain time you should start talking to your kids about this, but this video is really appropriate for elementary school age kids, and it's really fun and really engaging, and it's a great way for parents to open up the lines of communication.

BLITZER: John, how do you balance educating the kids and making them aware of the dangers out there without frightening them, and they're going to have nightmares, let's say? It's a delicate little tightrope.

WALSH: It is a tightrope, and I think we walk it very well. I mean, the video is well made, it's funny, there's lots of music to it. And you know, we just had a couple horrible cases in Florida that you covered, Jessica Lunsford and Sarah Lunde. Sarah Lunde was murdered, allegedly, by a repeat offender, a convicted sex offender that her mother brought into the house, that her mother knew.

And this video talks about "kinda-knows" and "don't knows" and it educates kids on how to differentiate. I mean, I believe that Sara Lunde felt uncomfortable with this guy. She didn't know that he was somebody that might hurt her. And that's what this video does.

We know that we don't need to terrorize our kids. We don't tell them: You don't cross the street or you'll be splattered all over a 18-wheeler. We tell them: Look both ways.

There's appropriate ways to do this and I think Julie has hit the nail right on the head with this video.

BLITZER: All right. Julie, there's other things parents should be doing now beyond looking at this video, as useful as the video might be.

CLARK: Absolutely. I mean, the video's great, but it has to be something that parents talk about on a daily basis or at least a weekly basis. It has to be something that is part of conversations that goes on and that you're comfortable talking about.

So, like John said, talking about people that you kind of know, people that maybe live in your neighborhood or cut your grass or, you know, you see at the grocery store -- these are people that kids need to be aware of. And they need to know that people that they know a little bit may not be safe.

But again, "The Safe Side" is such a fun way to teach this to your kids, that we hope that this will really open the lines of communication with parents and kids.

BLITZER: One of the things that you have to always worry about -- these young kids, John, I mean, you know this from all the bad guys that you've reported on over the years -- sometimes they're intimidated, very often they're afraid to even tell their parents that, you know, an uncle may have been touching them inappropriately.

WALSH: Oh, absolutely.

I mean, we have done thousands of cases where it's somebody that they know. I mean, look at all the pedophile priests that have been arrested over the years; I mean, talking to the Catholic Church -- and I'm a Catholic -- talking about 10,000 pedophile priests and kids being terrorized to tell somebody.

This video reinforces that. It says: Look, you've opened the lines of communication with mom and dad. Don't be intimidated or scared. Tell mom or dad, and we'll do something about it. We'll take you very seriously and do something about it.

BLITZER: There's a lot of times, Julie, these kids think they're going to be punished if they speak out like that.

CLARK: Absolutely.

And that's one thing we have to tell our kids: It's OK. You can always tell mom and dad anything that you want. Another really important message to teach kids is, you know, if somebody tells you that they're going to hurt your parents -- if something happens -- if you don't do what they say, they need to know that's not true.

You need to just, again, constantly be talking to your kids. There's no more important message that we can teach our kids than how to be safe.

BLITZER: The older kids -- there's other problems that come as the kids get older. I mean, we've all been following this Natalee Holloway story in Aruba, right now -- 18 years old. She's still a young teenager, if you will. But this video that you're doing is geared toward much younger elementary school kids.

WALSH: Absolutely, Wolf. But, you know, the Justice Department says the largest category of victims are women between the ages of 12 and 25. It seems to me that young women in the United States think they're invincible, that they're immortal, et cetera. But yet, they are the largest victimized category.

I have a 22-year-old daughter. I told her as she was growing up: Don't think it can't happen to you. We're already the family of a murdered child. We're already the parents of a murdered child.

And I sat down and talked to that girl all along. And as a country, I don't know why we don't do more as it relates to young women, especially teenage women, but it can happen to boys too.

BLITZER: What else do you want the country to do?

WALSH: Well, I really believe that these programs should be part of the school curriculum. I've heard parents all over say to me, "I don't know what to tell my kids. I don't know what to tell my teenage daughter. I'm terrified that she's got a driver's license and she's going out now."

I really think that the schools have a responsibility and they should be on the curriculum, absolutely.

BLITZER: Julie, you agree with that?

CLARK: Absolutely.

I agree completely, and I think that if we start teaching this lesson to our kids when they're young, hopefully they'll remember when they're teenagers. Our next video for "The Safe Side" is going to be on Internet safety which, of course, affects more teenagers than it does elementary-aged kids.

So real important stuff.

BLITZER: All right.

Julie Clark and John Walsh, as usual, thanks, to both of you for the good work and important work.

We'll continue this discussion down the road.

WALSH: Thank you, Wolf.

CLARK: Thank you.

BLITZER: When we come back, close call: A cargo plane goes down just missing homes and a major intersection.

We'll hear from the lucky survivors -- who they were, what happened.

That's coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) BLITZER: A fiery airplane crash in Florida, yesterday, could have been much worse. A fire broke out in one of the two engines of an elderly DC-3 cargo plane just after it took off from a Fort Lauderdale airport.

The plane sheared off treetops as it went down, and two people on the ground were seriously injured. But the crashing DC-3 missed several homes and a major intersection. And all three people aboard the plane survived.

Here's what the pilot, the co-pilot and witnesses are saying.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I could see him going like this, and I could just see him cutting it hard left. And I said to my son that he's going to crash it in the middle of the highway so nobody gets hurt.

And that's what he did.

CHARLES RIGGS, PILOT: There was no terror. It was, you know -- we were going for the biggest, widest spot that we could aim for. And we saw a tree, and that was good to hit, as well. And, you know, I'm really thankful for not hitting anybody on the ground -- some innocent pedestrian.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A couple of guys had pushed open a window on top of the cockpit, OK, and they -- I think it was only two guys -- climbed out, got away. Within five to ten seconds -- no more than five to ten seconds -- the plane had exploded.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It looked like a battle zone, and it just went up in flames.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is my second time, I hope my last time. Of course, I had a little mishap in Vietnam and lived through it.

CHARLES WIRT, CO-PILOT: It's a matter of where skill and luck, I don't know which one ends where.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He put it down in the center line of this road without hurting anybody on the ground. I'd say the guy's definitely in a hero category.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Doctors say the pilot, the co-pilot and their passenger all should be released from the hospital within the next few days.

Thanks, very much, for joining us.

This program note for tomorrow: Among my guests, the former Solicitor General Ted Olson, as well as Ken Feinberg, the former special master in charge of the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund.

END 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 June 14, 2005 - 17:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
WOLF BLITZER, HOST "WOLF BLITZER REPORTS": Happening now, police in Aruba are searching an area near Natalee Holloway's hotel. The 18- year-old honor student from Alabama has been missing for two weeks. There are new developments.
Also happening now, the debate over the U.S. naval base in Guantanamo Bay in Cuba is heating up. Should the terror suspects be removed?

Stand by for hard news on WOLF BLITZER REPORTS.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER (voice-over): Close Gitmo? Critics want to shut down the U.S. prison camp in Cuba, but is there an alternative?

DONALD RUMSFELD, DEFENSE SECRETARY: As long as there remains a need to keep terrorists from striking again, a facility will continue to be needed.

BLITZER: Deserter -- 40 years ago, he fled to North Korea. Now he's home. But what kind of welcome can he expect?

Keeping kids safe, from the earliest days.

JOHN WALSH, HOST, "AMERICA'S MOST WANTED": Hot tip. Don't speak to people you don't know.

BLITZER: The host of "America's Most Wanted," John Walsh says it's never too soon to start.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANNOUNCER: This is WOLF BLITZER REPORTS for Tuesday, June 14th, 2005.

BLITZER (on camera): Thanks for joining us.

A flurry of new developments today in the search for Natalee Holloway, the Alabama teenager who disappeared on Aruba more than two weeks ago. Karl Penhaul is near the scene of an intense new search, but we begin with John Zarrella also nearby with new details on the case.

What's going on, John? JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, well, perhaps finally a break in the case, perhaps another dead end. It's unclear at this particular point. But for past three hours today, authorities have been searching an area which is a couple of hundred yards up the beach from the Marriott Hotel. Now, the Marriott Hotel is about a mile-and- a-half from where we are here at the Holiday Inn, which is where Natalee Holloway was last seen and where she was staying with friends when she was down here on that school vacation.

Now, what this all may have come from is this: the two security guards originally arrested on June 5th were released last night, suddenly. They were supposed to have a hearing today. That did not take place. Instead they were released. One of the two security guards said that he had had a conversation while he was in jail with one of three young men who are now currently being detained, and during that conversation with those three young men, they told -- one of the young men told the security guard he was sorry that they had been -- that the security guards had been arrested, that the boys had lied. These young men had lied about that, and he told the security guard -- in his words, he described what happened the night Natalee disappeared.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICKEY JOHN, SECURITY GUARD: He said that he picked the girl up at Carlos 'N Charlie's. They drove to the light house. He was driving. They park. His brother was sitting in the front. The missing girl was sitting in the back seat, behind the passenger -- the driver, and the Dutch guy was sitting in the back seat, behind his brother. They drove to the light house. He didn't explain to me what took place at the light house, and on the way back up from the light house, they dropped the Dutch guy and Natalee close to the Marriott Hotel. He say he showed the police where he dropped them off.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ZARRELLA: Now, that area where we just heard that description is where they are searching now. Whether they are searching based on this information that came from the security guard, whether it came from somebody else, is unclear.

What we can say is that authorities did tell us today that the three youths, the three young men that they have in custody, have been formally accused of murder, manslaughter and the kidnapping with fatal results. But, be cautious there because that does not mean they have been charged. They have just been accused, which is the same thing the two security guards were. They were accused, as well.

But again, the late developments, a search going on right now, Wolf, for Natalee Holloway or at least something that may belong to Natalee Holloway.

BLITZER: All right, John Zarrella. Stand by. Karl Penhaul is right there on the scene, the cordoned off area which being searched. He's joining us live now via video phone. Karl, tell our viewers what is happening. It looks like it's very intense. KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, what we'll do, Wolf, for you, so that you and the viewers can get a better look, I'm going to stand out of the way and I'll tell you what's happening here on camera. This is an area adjacent to the Marriott Hotel. About 500 yards from where I'm standing stretching out from here is an area that has been cordoned off about 500 yards long, about 150 yards wide at its widest point. It has been cordoned off by police -- it's been cordoned off now for about four hours.

Police arrived here. They've also brought in a fire truck, and that appears to have off loaded at least one pump and possibly two pumps and connected that with hoses in an area where there is a small pond and drainage ditch. Not clear from here what it is pumping or how much water may be pumping from that area. But over the last four or five days, it has been raining heavily so it could be that they're pumping off some of that water or out of the drainage ditch to get a better look at an area there.

Beyond that, the kind of area that this is is between a main highway that leads around the coast and the beach area, the beach area adjacent to the Marriott on the beach, a lot of wind surfing going on, kite surfing, and pleasure boats there. The area inbetween, the green area there is an area of mangrove bushes, other shrubs and scrub area and I would say (ph) probably one or two pond and culvert areas.

I talked to somebody on the ground there, Wolf, and he said that it was him that had given a tip to police saying that he had found some items there that should be investigated. He said as a result of that, that police arrived shortly after. They're not clear whether the police are acting only on that tipoff or as John was saying there, possibly based on some of the remarks made by the freed security guard, Mickey John, Wolf?

BLITZER: All right, Karl Penhaul on the scene for us. John Zarrella, also in Aruba. We'll check back with both of you as soon as we get more information.

A leading human rights group called it a modern-day gulag and in some quarters, it's being compared to the notorious Devil's Island. That type of talk is angrily dismissed by the Bush administration. But even some members of Congress on both sides of the aisle say it may be time to close the U.S. prison camp at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld today launched a spirited defense of the facility saying it plays a vital role in keeping Americans safe.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RUMSFELD: The kind of people held at Guantanamo include terrorist trainers, bomb makers, extremist recruiters and financiers, bodyguards of Osama bin Laden, and would-be suicide bombers. They are not common car thieves. They are believed to be determined killers.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Secretary Rumsfeld says the military has instituted numerous reforms at Guantanamo and he argues that no detention facility, in his words, "in the history of warfare has been more transparent or received more scrutiny." Still, even President Bush hasn't formally ruled out closing it. Is there an alternative though to Guantanamo? Joining us now, CNN's Brian Todd. He's been looking into that question. Brian?

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Right, Wolf.

Several different scenarios have been discussed, but top U.S. officials still believe this facility meets some very complex needs in a very different war.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(voice-over): Amid continuing calls to simply shut it down, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld holds the line on Guantanamo.

RUMSFELD: But as long as there remains a need to keep terrorists from striking again, a facility will continue to be needed.

TODD: But experts say alternatives to this facility are limited.

MAJ. GEN. DON SHEPPERD (RET.), CNN MILITARY ANALYST: I don't know any better place to do it other than a good, specially constructed facility that's offshore of the United States. You can move them to another federal prison or you could do it in another foreign country, but that's a whole set of problems.

TODD: Potential problems at a U.S.-based federal prison? Space would have to be cleared and a Pentagon spokesman tells CNN logistical and law enforcement issues might compromise the ability to gather intelligence from detainees. Potential problems with sending them to detention facilities in war zones like Abu Ghraib? Security and oversight lapses that have cropped up in the past.

One former military intelligence officer suggests another option: placing them in large, secure military bases within the United States like Ft. Hood, Texas, or Ft. Riley in Kansas. But one Pentagon official said flatly, what Senator or congressman would you convince to send suspected terrorists to their home state? The defense secretary spoke of unprecedented difficulties in the war on terror.

RUMSFELD: The problem is that to a large extent, we are in unexplored territory with this unconventional and complex struggle against extremism.

TODD: That includes barely explored legal territory. The attraction of Guantanamo initially was its location. Detainees held offshore wouldn't be able to challenge the basis of their imprisonment. The Supreme Court has since held otherwise, ruling that the detainees are under the jurisdiction of U.S. federal courts, the same rights they would have if brought to the United States.

But the situation would become more complex if the U.S. sent detainees to a third country with no on-going conflict.

LEE CASEY, INTERNATIONAL ATTORNEY: If they are still under U.S. control, it would have to be under -- based on some agreement between the United States and the country concerned. And that agreement would, basically, establish the bounds of their rights.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TODD: And according to American law and policy, U.S. officials are not supposed to send detainees to countries where it's likely they'd be tortured. The definition of that, in many countries as at Guantanamo, is up for debate -- Wolf.

BLITZER: All right. Brian Todd, with that report. Thanks, Brian, very much.

And to our viewers, please stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security.

Contractor arrest: 16 Americans accused of endangering the lives of U.S. military members in Iraq. Now, some of those detained are alleging mistreatment by United States marines.

Back on American soil, an Army deserter comes home for the first time in 40 years, to see his 91-year-old mother.

And later, safety for kids. The host of "America's Most Wanted" helps educate and protect your children. He'll join us -- John Walsh.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: In Iraq today, an all-out assault by the insurgents. At least 19 people died, and dozens were wounded in the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk.

The Iraqi military says a suicide bomber blew himself up in a busy market area. Most of the victims had gathered outside a bank to receive their paychecks. Earlier, near the city of Baquba, insurgents launched a coordinated mortar, and car bomb attack on a police station. The blasts came minutes apart. Police say five people were killed, including members of the security forces.

The U.S. military says an American soldier was killed by a rocket-propelled grenade today, in Baghdad. The military also announced that two American soldiers were killed yesterday when their vehicle was struck by an explosive, near Ramadi.

That brings the number of U.S. troops killed in the war to 1,702.

Sixteen American contractors say they were unjustly arrested last month by U.S. Marines in Iraq, and then treated as if they were the enemy. The contractors say they were detained then deported. The Marines say the matter is tied to a wild ride through an Iraqi city.

Let's go live to our senior Pentagon correspondent, Jamie McIntyre --he's standing by.

JAMIE MCINTYRE, SR. PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, the U.S. military is investigating the whole affair, but a spokesman denies that the contractors were mistreated, or that their arrest was unwarranted.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MCINTYRE (voice-over): This video, shot by a civilian contractor May 28th, documents part of a dusty, dangerous convoy ride through Fallujah. A routine mission that ended with 16 Americans arrested, and treated, they claim, like Iraq insurgents.

ROBERT SCHAVER, CONTRACTOR: They had us strip down to our underwear and basically, we had to sit in the dirt just with our underwear on, and our hands behind our backs with our heads down. We were given a Quran, a prayer rug, a blue mat to lay on the concrete floor to sleep on.

MCINTYRE: The 16 Americans and three Iraqis were working for Zapata Engineering, out of North Carolina, helping to dispose of stockpiles of old munitions when U.S. marines stopped their convoy, and took them into custody.

SCHAVER: Basically, we were kept for three days -- three-and-a- half days, in a six-by-eight cell, and solitary confinement.

MCINTYRE: SCHAVER is a former Marine. So is his co-worker, Matt Raiche.

MATT RAICHE, CONTRACTOR: I didn't know what was going on. I had no clue. We asked them every day, every time someone came in, "Hey, what's going on? What are we in here for?"

Nothing.

MCINTYRE: All 16 contractors were released May 31st, and kicked out of Iraq. A letter issued by a Marine general barring their return, accused the convoy of speeding through the city and firing shots indiscriminately. Actions, it said, that endangered the lives of innocent Iraqis and U.S. service members.

The contractors insist they followed standard procedure to ward off a suspected suicide car bomber, firing warning shots into the ground. And they argue, if the Marines had checked their video, it would back up their version of events. But they say they never got to tell their side of the story.

SCHAVER: The Marines never heard of what we had to say. They never took a statement. They just automatically put us in a detainment facility.

MCINTYRE: The treatment was particularly galling since eight of the contractors had served in the Marines. Now they were feeling abused by Marines who seemed to resent their high salaries.

SCHAVER: Some were -- had cameras, some were taunting us, and there was a comment meant toward us about, "how do you like your contract money now?"

(END VIDEOTAPE) MCINTYRE: A U.S. military spokesman, reached by phone in Fallujah, disputed the account of the contractors, saying that the U.S. Marines witnessed them firing around and near civilian vehicles, and that some of the bullets even hit Marine checkpoints. The contractors say the Marines must be mixing them up with somebody else. For now, it's all under investigation -- Wolf?

BLITZER: And Jamie, when I was there, it clearly was evident to me the discrepancy in the salaries between U.S. Marine soldiers on the ground as opposed to private American contractors is enormous.

Do you have any idea how big of a gap there is in those kinds of salaries.

MCINTYRE: Well, some of those contractors make upwards of $100,000 a year, and that can be as much, again, as about six times what, say, a soldier doing the same job might be. And you're right. When I was there too, I certainly noticed that there was some resentment about those high salaries.

BLITZER: All right, Jamie McIntyre, at the Pentagon, following that story.

Good work, Jamie.

Thanks, very much.

An Army deserter is back in America. Almost 40 years in North Korea, Charles Jenkins visits his family in North Carolina for the first time.

And prison rape: We'll hear from a victim who found a way to fight back.

Corporate split: Why CBS is changing channels.

We'll have those stories and more.

All that, and more coming up.

Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: An emotional new chapter today in a saga of international intrigue that began 40 years ago. CNN's Mary Snow is joining us now, live from New York, with more of the homecoming of U.S. army deserter Charles Jenkins. Mary?

MARY SNOW, CORRESPONDENT: And Wolf, it was a closely watched homecoming. Charles Jenkins arrived at his sister's home this afternoon in `Weldon, North Carolina. Some residents there are angry, others, indifferent.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) (voice-over): After spending most of his life in obscurity, Charles Jenkins returned to the U.S. with notoriety. Police in Washington, D.C., helped shield him from reporters and cameras where he touched down on American soil for the first time since defecting to North Korea in 1965. Accompanied by his wife and two children, Jenkins said little as he made his way to visit his elderly mother in North Carolina.

CHARLES JENKINS, U.S. ARMY DESERTER: After 40 years, I'm very happy to go to visit my mother and my family in America, but only one week. I'm going back to Japan to live with my dear wife and her family.

SNOW: His story became one of international intrigue. Forty years ago, he disappeared when he was an Army sergeant patrolling the border between North and South Korea. Jenkins has said he feared he would be reassigned to Vietnam.

In the 1980s, he was seen in a North Korean propaganda film, denouncing the U.S. Last year, Jenkins turned himself over to U.S. authorities. He was sentenced to a month in military prison and received a dishonorable discharge.

JENKINS: As you know, have I made peace with the U.S. Army and I have been shown great mercy and compassion.

SNOW: Jenkins' surrender allowed him to be reunited with his wife in Japan, which is a story in itself. As a teenager, she was kidnapped by North Korea. She met and married Jenkins there, and in 2002, she was allowed to return to Japan. Now, Jenkins is being reunited with his 91-year-old mother in North Carolina where she is in a nursing home. Not everyone is happy about it.

WILLIAM EASON, ROANOKE RAPIDS, N.C.: I don't want him to be a (INAUDIBLE). I want him to be what he was. He was a coward.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think he's a disgrace to his uniform and his country, and I feel he should be allowed to come home for a few days to see his parents, but I think he ought to go back where he come from.

SNOW: Michael Cook is eager to see Jenkins, who remembers playing soldiers with as a child. He says he was shocked to learn of Jenkins' defection, but has kept in touch with him over the years. He calls Jenkins by his middle name, Robert. Until now, he hasn't been able to ask the one question on his mind.

MICHAEL COOK, FRIEND OF CHARLES JENKINS: I haven't asked him anything heavy or serious, you know, like, why'd you do it. Why'd you do it, Robert?

SNOW: It's a question many in this small town are wondering.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SNOW (on camera): Jenkins and his family plan to leave the U.S. on June 22nd and he has already said he plans to spend the rest of his days in Japan. Wolf?

BLITZER: All right, Mary Snow, thanks very much.

Other news we're following including prison rape. It's a very ugly subject but an all too common occurrence. There was a hearing here in Washington today on the very subject. CNN's Kimberly Osias joining us now live with more.

KIMBERLY OSIAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, of course, rape is a crime of violence and power, power of one person over another. Never is that more vividly illustrated than in the American prison population. But, because of the stigma and the nature of the crime, it's often underreported or in some cases never reported at all. Today, a handful of men and women testified before the National Prison Rape Elimination Commission, sharing their experiences, hoping to make a difference.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(voice-over): Marilyn Shirley, married, mother of four, was sentenced to four years behind bars for her part in a methamphetamine drug transaction.

MARILYN SHIRLEY, PRISON RAPE VICTIM: I accepted what I did. I did wrong. I was doing my time.

OSIAS: By all accounts, a model prisoner. Her sentence was reduced. She claimed that made her vulnerable to prison authority. Specifically, the man in charge of solitary confinement, senior officer Michael Miller.

SHIRLEY: And he just wrapped his hands around my hair and he grabbed my head. He forced my head down on him and I wouldn't and then that's when it really made him mad and he turned me around and he throwed me up against the wall and started banging my head, started banging it to the side, and I just went numb. My whole body went limp. I couldn't believe what was happening to me.

OSIAS: Raped, kicked and threatened that if she told, she wouldn't get out.

SHIRLEY: I'm in prison. This is the man that is over me, you know?

OSIAS: And a man she alleges raped other prisoners, too. She says Officer Miller told her so, and other guards were in the know, signaling Miller during the rape.

SHIRLEY: You know, it was a "Ahem! Ahem!" real loud over his radio. That meant someone was coming.

OSIAS: With only seven months to go in her sentence, Shirley went back to her cell and kept silent, hiding evidence of her attack. It was the semen-stained sweatpants she kept hidden in her locker until her release that eventually was used to convict Officer Miller. He's now serving 12-and-a-half years for rape and aggravated assault. Marilyn Shirley still struggles with the memories and a sentence she says was much more than she deserved.

SHIRLEY: But rape was not a part of my punishment.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

OSIAS (on camera): I spoke with the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Officials there declined to comment on this case specifically because of ongoing litigation. The bureau did say that these occurrences are rare. They wouldn't comment about any current or future rape protocol. The Bureau of Justice Statistics is conducting a review of records. That will establish a baseline of the number of reported sexual assaults. According to Congress, prior to 2003, more than 1 million prisoners were sexually assaulted. And Wolf, of course, you know, as we mentioned before, this is often an underreported crime, if reported at all.

BLITZER: You're afraid -- these prisoners -- to even talk about it because that could hurt their chances of getting out.

OSIAS: That's exactly right.

BLITZER: Kimberly Osias, shocking information. Thanks very much for that.

Much is at stake in the Iranian elections, now only three days away. Our senior international correspondent Christiane Amanpour is in Tehran talking to the front-runner about U.S. relations, reform in Iran, and nuclear weapons. This is a report from Christiane, and you will see it only here on CNN.

Also, a site-seeing helicopter crashes into New York's East River. We'll show you who survived, how it happened, what's going on.

Plus, this...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Here's another hot tip.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hot tip!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Keeping kids on the safe side. The host of "America's Most Wanted," John Walsh joins us to talk about his new cause. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back. Inside Iran, our Christiane Amanpour is in Tehran days ahead of the country's presidential election. I'll speak with her coming up. First though, let's get a quick check of some other stories "Now in the News." All seven people board a sight-seeing helicopter survived when the craft plunged into New York's East River moments after taking off this afternoon. The six international tourists and the pilot were quickly rescued by police harbor units, which were conducting drills nearby. The NTSB is now investigating what exactly happened.

Viacom's board has voted to split the media giant into two separate companies. One will keep the name and consist of MTV Networks, Paramount Pictures and BET, among others. The CBS and UPN networks will be combined with Showtime and other holdings into a company called CBS Corporation.

Phil Jackson is coming back to coach the Los Angeles Lakers. A team spokesman says Jackson has agreed to a three-year contract. No details were given. The announcement comes almost one year to the day after the Lakers let him go following three NBA championships in five years.

Iran holds an election Friday and former president Hashemi Rafsanjani, who led the Islamic republic a decade ago, is running for a new term. In an exclusive interview today with CNN's Christiane Amanpour, Rafsanjani said the United States has taken, in what he says, steps in the right direction, but also said the United States must prove it has dropped its, quote, "hostile attitude" toward Iran.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HASHEMI RAFSANJANI (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): If Americans are sincere in the cooperation in working with Iran, I think the time is right to open new chapter in our relations with the United States, but if the United States wants to continue its obstructions and hostility, then the previous -- the past conditions will persist.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Shortly after that interview, Christiane Amanpour spoke with me about not only the interview but the overall situation in Iran.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Christiane Amanpour in Tehran, thanks very much for joining us. You've been there before. What's different, if anything, this time?

CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CHIEF INT'L. CORRESPONDENT: Well, I think in terms of what the voters are feeling during this presidential election period, it's very -- it's a lot of disillusion, a lot of apathy with the political process. However, we just talked to Rafsanjani who has been president before -- has basically held just about every high office in this country since the revolution and stands to win again. He is, as of today, the front-runner and he spoke about meeting the needs of the young people, understanding that much more needs to be done in terms of helping them economically find jobs, helping them in terms of their desire for more democracy and freedom at home, but also very importantly, talking about what he would do with the outside world if he were president, including the United States of America, and he made some very interesting observations on that issue, Wolf.

BLITZER: I've heard a senior administration official here in Washington say in the last few months that their main, long-term goal for Iran is a peaceful resol -- a revolution, if you will, a peaceful overthrow of the current clerical regime there.

Based on what you see on the streets of Tehran, the young people, the attitudes, that are unfolding right now, is that realistic, that hope from the U.S. perspective?

AMANPOUR: Well, my view is that that is a very, very long-term prognosis. The Iranian people have talked very loudly about their desire for reform. You know that they've voted overwhelmingly in two big elections in '97 and 2001, overwhelming turnout and overwhelming vote for reform and democracy.

The issue now, though, is how to make their lives more comfortable, how to be sure of employment, how to have more freedom and democracy at home, and people like Rafsanjani are listening to that and are basically answering that during their campaign and during their election campaign.

There is no talk of Islam in this campaign, or religion. It's all about meeting the expectations and the demands of the youth. But very importantly, he talked about relations with the United States and certainly many around the world are looking to see how he will mend that last standout, if possible. Iranian people want it to happen, and they believe that if anybody can make it happen, he will make it happen. They recall that back during Ronald Reagan's presidency, it was he who had that brief moment of detente in which he received arms to fight Iraq in return for freeing the American hostages in Lebanon.

Mr. Rafsanjani has said that he believes that the Bush administration are not barring Iran's application to the World Trade Organization, the Bush administration agreeing to send spare parts for aircraft, a good will sign. This is quite an important statement from Rafsanjani because he's always said it depends on signs from the United States. So, he's saying that he believes the American administration, the Bush administration, has made positive gestures, and he has suggested that he would respond in kind and keep the dialogue going.

On the issue of the nuclear issue, which is the outstanding, major bone of contention between the United States, Europe, and Iran, he has said that he wants to provide absolute guarantees that what Iran is doing is peaceful and not for military purposes. They point out that under the NPT, Iran does have the legitimate right for some nuclear activity but he wants to assure the United States that this is for peaceful purposes.

BLITZER: Although there's widespread, as you well know, Christiane, skepticism here in Washington. Christiane Amanpour joining us from Tehran. She'll be there for next several days and we'll be checking in with her every day. Christiane, thanks very much.

Disney death, a boy dies after taking a thrill ride at Epcot.

Also ahead, the host of "America's Most Wanted" tries to keep your children safe. We'll talk to him. He's standing by.

And how the pilots of a vintage aircraft were able to crashland on a residential street without causing any injuries. Their harrowing tale, that's coming up, as well.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: The sheriff's department in Orlando, Florida, is investigating the death of a 4-year-old boy at Disney's Epcot Center. According to a police report, the boy passed out on a ride that simulates a rocket blasting off, Mission: Space, subjecting riders to twice the force of gravity. Paramedics performed CPR on the boy, but he was pronounced dead when he arrived at the hospital.

Seems lots of people are talking about Michael Jackson's acquittal on child molestation charge except Michael Jackson himself. He made no public comment as he left court yesterday and has been -- has not been heard from since, as jurors, observers and other pundits have taken to the airwaves to talk about the case. But Michael Jackson did put out a written statement on his Web site comparing his acquittal to such historic events as the birth of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the fall of the Berlin Wall. Jackson's lawyer, Thomas Mesereau, talked to CNN's Soledad O'Brien about what may change for Jackson in the wake of the trial.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

THOMAS MESEREAU, JACKSON'S ATTORNEY: As far as his entertainment career goes, I'm not the expert on that. I haven't talked to him about it. But as far as Neverland and his home, he's been too nice to too many people. You know, people get to Michael with a sad story about their life, and he's so generous, he's so kind-hearted, he takes people in and does nice things for them, and they suddenly decide they want to get rich off of Michael Jackson.

And that has to change. He has to be a lot tougher with who he lets into his life and who he allows to run around his home. And that will happen.

SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Does that mean the sleepovers are over?

MESEREAU: Well, it means that he's going to be a lot more careful about who he lets into his life.

O'BRIEN: I'm not sure that you answered my question. Does that mean that the sleepovers are over?

MESEREAU: I don't know what you mean by sleepover, because he's allowed to have his own children in his room, he's allowed to have friends come into his room if he chooses, but he's not going to allow people like the ones who accused him of this to enter his life.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: This programming note: Tom Mesereau will speak more about the case, the acquittal, how Michael Jackson is doing. That airs tonight on "LARRY KING LIVE," 9:00 p.m. Eastern tonight on "LARRY KING." And Jackson's prosecutor, Tom Sneddon, will be a guest on "PAULA ZAHN NOW." That airs tonight 8:00 p.m. Eastern.

A recent string of abductions and disappearances leave many parents and grandparents asking this question -- how can you protect your children?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN WALSH, HOST, "AMERICA'S MOST WANTED": Prepare yourself for a pretty crazy show, where you'll learn some things about being smart, cool and safe.

It's going to be a little...

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: The host of "America's Most Wanted," John Walsh, has some advice. When we come back, he'll join us.

Plus, find out why this plane -- check it out -- this plane crash could have been much worse.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Recent high-profile cases of missing and abducted children are serving as an important reminder to parents and grandparents, it's never too early to teach kids about safety. And a new DVD series called "The Safe Side" aims to do just that. It's the creation of John Walsh, the host of "America's Most Wanted," and Julie Clark, the creator of the popular "Baby Einstein" video series. Here's a brief excerpt.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WALSH: Prepare yourself for a pretty crazy show, where you'll learn some things about being smart, cool and safe.

It's going to be a little different than you expect.

JULIE CLARK, CO-CREATOR, "THE SAFE SIDE": But important. So have fun, laugh, and learn some awesome ways to stay on the safe side.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: John Walsh is joining us here in Washington. Julie Clark is joining us in Denver. Thanks to both of you. John, I'll start with you. What -- how young should kids be when you start teaching them about the dangers lurking out there? WALSH: Well, I think you can never start too early, because it could be anybody that exploits them. I mean, we've had cases -- we are having a profile on a guy on "America's Most Wanted" who molested a six-month-old baby and videotaped it. How sick is that? But I think you have to open those lines of communication really early. As soon as your kids can talk to you, and just start talking about the possibilities.

But this video is geared for younger children. And of course, Julie Clark is a genius at doing these things. I mean, "Baby Einstein" has, you know, broken all kinds of records as an educational video for young people. But this is really serious stuff.

BLITZER: All right, Julie, talk a little bit of how you do this. The video is very compelling. Parents watching right now or grandparents, for that matter, when should they start showing this video to young kids?

CLARK: Well, we recommended it for elementary school age kids. We think that "The Safe Side" is incredibly important. There's really, like John said, not any certain time you should start talking to your kids about this, but this video is really appropriate for elementary school age kids, and it's really fun and really engaging, and it's a great way for parents to open up the lines of communication.

BLITZER: John, how do you balance educating the kids and making them aware of the dangers out there without frightening them, and they're going to have nightmares, let's say? It's a delicate little tightrope.

WALSH: It is a tightrope, and I think we walk it very well. I mean, the video is well made, it's funny, there's lots of music to it. And you know, we just had a couple horrible cases in Florida that you covered, Jessica Lunsford and Sarah Lunde. Sarah Lunde was murdered, allegedly, by a repeat offender, a convicted sex offender that her mother brought into the house, that her mother knew.

And this video talks about "kinda-knows" and "don't knows" and it educates kids on how to differentiate. I mean, I believe that Sara Lunde felt uncomfortable with this guy. She didn't know that he was somebody that might hurt her. And that's what this video does.

We know that we don't need to terrorize our kids. We don't tell them: You don't cross the street or you'll be splattered all over a 18-wheeler. We tell them: Look both ways.

There's appropriate ways to do this and I think Julie has hit the nail right on the head with this video.

BLITZER: All right. Julie, there's other things parents should be doing now beyond looking at this video, as useful as the video might be.

CLARK: Absolutely. I mean, the video's great, but it has to be something that parents talk about on a daily basis or at least a weekly basis. It has to be something that is part of conversations that goes on and that you're comfortable talking about.

So, like John said, talking about people that you kind of know, people that maybe live in your neighborhood or cut your grass or, you know, you see at the grocery store -- these are people that kids need to be aware of. And they need to know that people that they know a little bit may not be safe.

But again, "The Safe Side" is such a fun way to teach this to your kids, that we hope that this will really open the lines of communication with parents and kids.

BLITZER: One of the things that you have to always worry about -- these young kids, John, I mean, you know this from all the bad guys that you've reported on over the years -- sometimes they're intimidated, very often they're afraid to even tell their parents that, you know, an uncle may have been touching them inappropriately.

WALSH: Oh, absolutely.

I mean, we have done thousands of cases where it's somebody that they know. I mean, look at all the pedophile priests that have been arrested over the years; I mean, talking to the Catholic Church -- and I'm a Catholic -- talking about 10,000 pedophile priests and kids being terrorized to tell somebody.

This video reinforces that. It says: Look, you've opened the lines of communication with mom and dad. Don't be intimidated or scared. Tell mom or dad, and we'll do something about it. We'll take you very seriously and do something about it.

BLITZER: There's a lot of times, Julie, these kids think they're going to be punished if they speak out like that.

CLARK: Absolutely.

And that's one thing we have to tell our kids: It's OK. You can always tell mom and dad anything that you want. Another really important message to teach kids is, you know, if somebody tells you that they're going to hurt your parents -- if something happens -- if you don't do what they say, they need to know that's not true.

You need to just, again, constantly be talking to your kids. There's no more important message that we can teach our kids than how to be safe.

BLITZER: The older kids -- there's other problems that come as the kids get older. I mean, we've all been following this Natalee Holloway story in Aruba, right now -- 18 years old. She's still a young teenager, if you will. But this video that you're doing is geared toward much younger elementary school kids.

WALSH: Absolutely, Wolf. But, you know, the Justice Department says the largest category of victims are women between the ages of 12 and 25. It seems to me that young women in the United States think they're invincible, that they're immortal, et cetera. But yet, they are the largest victimized category.

I have a 22-year-old daughter. I told her as she was growing up: Don't think it can't happen to you. We're already the family of a murdered child. We're already the parents of a murdered child.

And I sat down and talked to that girl all along. And as a country, I don't know why we don't do more as it relates to young women, especially teenage women, but it can happen to boys too.

BLITZER: What else do you want the country to do?

WALSH: Well, I really believe that these programs should be part of the school curriculum. I've heard parents all over say to me, "I don't know what to tell my kids. I don't know what to tell my teenage daughter. I'm terrified that she's got a driver's license and she's going out now."

I really think that the schools have a responsibility and they should be on the curriculum, absolutely.

BLITZER: Julie, you agree with that?

CLARK: Absolutely.

I agree completely, and I think that if we start teaching this lesson to our kids when they're young, hopefully they'll remember when they're teenagers. Our next video for "The Safe Side" is going to be on Internet safety which, of course, affects more teenagers than it does elementary-aged kids.

So real important stuff.

BLITZER: All right.

Julie Clark and John Walsh, as usual, thanks, to both of you for the good work and important work.

We'll continue this discussion down the road.

WALSH: Thank you, Wolf.

CLARK: Thank you.

BLITZER: When we come back, close call: A cargo plane goes down just missing homes and a major intersection.

We'll hear from the lucky survivors -- who they were, what happened.

That's coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) BLITZER: A fiery airplane crash in Florida, yesterday, could have been much worse. A fire broke out in one of the two engines of an elderly DC-3 cargo plane just after it took off from a Fort Lauderdale airport.

The plane sheared off treetops as it went down, and two people on the ground were seriously injured. But the crashing DC-3 missed several homes and a major intersection. And all three people aboard the plane survived.

Here's what the pilot, the co-pilot and witnesses are saying.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I could see him going like this, and I could just see him cutting it hard left. And I said to my son that he's going to crash it in the middle of the highway so nobody gets hurt.

And that's what he did.

CHARLES RIGGS, PILOT: There was no terror. It was, you know -- we were going for the biggest, widest spot that we could aim for. And we saw a tree, and that was good to hit, as well. And, you know, I'm really thankful for not hitting anybody on the ground -- some innocent pedestrian.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A couple of guys had pushed open a window on top of the cockpit, OK, and they -- I think it was only two guys -- climbed out, got away. Within five to ten seconds -- no more than five to ten seconds -- the plane had exploded.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It looked like a battle zone, and it just went up in flames.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is my second time, I hope my last time. Of course, I had a little mishap in Vietnam and lived through it.

CHARLES WIRT, CO-PILOT: It's a matter of where skill and luck, I don't know which one ends where.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He put it down in the center line of this road without hurting anybody on the ground. I'd say the guy's definitely in a hero category.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Doctors say the pilot, the co-pilot and their passenger all should be released from the hospital within the next few days.

Thanks, very much, for joining us.

This program note for tomorrow: Among my guests, the former Solicitor General Ted Olson, as well as Ken Feinberg, the former special master in charge of the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund.

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