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CNN Live Saturday

Passengers Missing After Plane Goes Down Off Coast of Sicily; Rescuers Working Against the Clock to Save Seven Russian Sailors

Aired August 06, 2005 - 14:00   ET

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

GERRI WILLIS, CNN ANCHOR; Unfolding this hour, passengers still missing after a plane goes down off the coast of Sicily, Italy. New pictures and a live report.
Also, a race against time. Rescuers working against the clock to save seven Russian sailors stuck to the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. This hour, a live update on their efforts.

And 40 years ago, the Voting Rights Act was passed. This hour, why activists are taking to the streets again.

Welcome to CNN LIVE SATURDAY. I'm Gerri Willis, in for Fredricka Whitfield.

Those stories in a moment. But first, other headlines now in the news.

At least 19 people have been rescued from the crash of a passenger plane off the coast of Sicily. Ten deaths are reported. And 10 other people are still missing. That word from Italian authorities. The Tunisair flight went down in the sea about 19 miles north of Palermo after reporting engine trouble. A live update on rescue efforts. That's just ahead.

And American Marines and Iraqi troops are putting the heat on insurgents and foreign fighters in western Iraq. The new offensive in Anbar province, Operation Quick Strike is now in its fourth day. Earlier this week, nearly two dozen U.S. Marines were killed in the region.

And in London, three more men are now in custody as Scotland Yard continues its wide-ranging terror investigation. The suspects are accused of withholding information in connection with the July 21st attempted bombings in the British capital. All three are from Brighton in Southern England. They were arrested last Sunday, and officially charged yesterday.

This hour, crews have rescued nearly half of the people on board a plane that went down in the Mediterranean Sea today. But some did not survive and others are missing. As we've been reporting, 39 people are on the Tunisair flight when it crash off the coast of Sicily. And it had tried to make an emergency landing in Palermo.

Alessio Vinci joins us now on the phone from Italy with the latest -- Alessio.

ALESSIO VINCI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Gerri.

Well, the latest numbers that we had here from Italian officials who are quoted in the Italian media is that a to the am of 20 people have been rescued, five are still missing, and 14 are now confirmed dead. So, again, 14 confirmed dead, 20 rescued, but still five people remain missing now. Now a little over three hours since the plane crashed off the coast of Palermo in Sicily.

The cause of the crash still unknown at this time. We do know, however, from Italian aviation officials is that around 4:20 p.m. local time the pilot sent a first SOS signal to the air-traffic control tower at Palermo reporting engine trouble, and 20 minutes later that plane then eventually not making it to the main land, but crashing or attempting to land at sea. And we understand the rescue operation started shortly thereafter, a rescue operation still ongoing at this time, because again, five people still remain missing, but incredibly so perhaps, 20 are reported to be alive and rescue rescued -- Gerri.

WILLIS: Thank you for that report, Alessio.

Another rescue in the works today, the rush to pluck seven sailers from the depths of the Pacific where they were trapped in a mini-sub. These Russians with a limited supply of air. The Russians are lifting the sub. Crews and equipment from the U.S., Britain and Japan are rushing to the area to join the rescue attempt. U.S. Navy robotic vehicles and crews have reached Russia and are headed to the site of the sunken mini-sub.

Kathleen Koch picks up the coverage of this developing story from the Pentagon -- Kathleen.

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Gerri, first off, there is no word yet on whether or not the Russians have been successful in their efforts to lift the submarine themselves. The top Russian Navy official says they've looped cables around it. They're trying to pull it up to a depth of some, 200 feet. What they hope is that when it reaches 200 feet, they can then send divers into the water who can cut the nets, the cables, the other items that are ensnaring that mini sub, and have since Thursday.

Now if that doesn't work, headed there and due to arrive, according to the navy in its latest update, is an unmanned rescue submarine that belongs to Great Britain. It should be arriving about 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. It left port about three hours ago, heading for the site in Berezovaya Bay, where the seven Russian sailors are stranded. It's similar to a U.S. submarine, called a Super Scorpio. And the U.S. Navy -- there you see it -- sent a couple of them to the region. It will be lowered into the water with the help of a team of U.S. Navy divers.

Now the two U.S. unmanned subs are right now being loaded on to a separate Russian ship, and then will be headed in a couple of hours following the British unmanned sub. Now all of these, as you can see, they have lights on them, they have cameras, and they have robotic arms, very strong robotic arms, that can cut through one inch metal cables. And finally, the U.S. Navy also sent from New Orleans several atmospheric diving system suits, very heavy suits, weighing some 500 pounds each. also seven some civilian divers, and they will also be on hand there, though a bit later, to try and help extricate this mini- sub.

Finally still in the air, not yet on the ground, is a drone, something called a Deep Drone 8,000 that goes down 8,000 feet. It's got very strong manipulator arms, usually used for ship salvage and for underwater welding.

But the question is, how much time do we have? The Russian officials say the last time they talked to the was at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time, that they're in satisfactory condition. And according to the Russians' calculations, they believe the men have enough air to survive until Sunday night Eastern Time.

Back to you.

WILLIS: Kathleen Koch, thank you very much for that report.

Its resupply and repair mission complete, the Shuttle Discovery detached from the International Space Station this morning. There will still be some anxious moments before the Discovery's return to space ends with a planned landing on Monday. Now NASA has ruled out one more repair job, saying they didn't think it was necessary.

John Zarrella has the update from the Johnson Space Center -- John.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The 12-day mission of the Space Shuttle Discovery is winding down now. The astronauts are in a sleep period, which will last until late this evening, and then they will get up and begin the preparations of -- for landing at the Kennedy Space Center, early Monday morning. Much of the next 36 hours will be spent in the final preparations, and some much needed rest for the crew after a busy mission.

They undocked from the International Space Station very early this morning, a successful undocking and then a fly-around of the International Space Station to take some pictures. And if they are able to land on their first try, Orbit 201, at the Kennedy Space Center, it should be quite a show for people over Florida. At first, the space shuttle, it's path of entry will take it over Central America, then over Cuba, very close to Havana, west of Key West, then inland over Florida, between Naples and Fort Myers, up over Lake Okeechobee, before coming down at the Kennedy Space Center.

If for whatever reason they need to waive off on that first opportunity, the second opportunity the vehicle will come across the Gulf of Mexico, the Bay of Campeche, very close to Progresso, Mexico, and then right over Tampa Bay, straight shot into the Kennedy Space Center.

So if you live in Florida, Monday morning, you want to get up very early hours of the morning, a good chance you may see the Shuttle Discovery streaking overhead. Mission managers here say the vehicle is in excellent shape for return to Earth. And the crew is ready for that return to Earth, and weather at the Kennedy Space Center is expected to be good for that predawn landing.

John Zarrella, CNN, at the Johnson Space Center in Houston.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WILLIS: Well, we'll all want to see that. Stay with CNN for complete coverage of Monday's return of the shuttle.

CNN's space correspondent Miles O'Brien will be live from the Kennedy Space Center. That's Monday morning at 4:00 Eastern.

The struggle of the new South. It has been 40 years since the voting rights act was passed. So why are marchers today taking to the streets? Also, two men exonerated of rape charges after their DNA proved them innocent. Should other cases be reopened?

And a gift for girls. The importance of education for women. That's all coming up on CNN LIVE SATURDAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WILLIS: This just in: Robin Cook, the former British foreign secretary, collapsed and died while walking today. He resigned in 2003 because of opposition, his opposition, to the Iraq war. We'll have more details on that story.

Welcome back to CNN LIVE SATURDAY. I'm Gerri Willis. Marchers on the streets of Atlanta today. Forty years after the Voting Rights Act became law, activists want President Bush to reauthorize key provisions of the act. They're set to expire in just two years. Now one requires federal approval for congressional redistricting in certain states. And on CNN this morning, the Reverend Jesse Jackson urged the president to meet with civil rights leaders to discuss the extension. He called today's rally the beginning of the new South struggle.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JESSE JACKSON, RAINBOW/PUSH COALITION: We were denied the right to vote for 346 years before Selma, 246 without citizenship. Another 100 years after Civil War, where they promised the right to vote, and the promise was broken. So this is the first time after 346 years.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WILLIS: The Bloody Sunday March in Selma, Alabama in 1965 served as a catalyst for the Voting Rights Act. Alabama troopers stormed civil rights marchers near the Edmund Pettis Bridge, sparking national outrage. Five months later, the Voting Rights Act became law.

Checking some other stories making stories across America, there is no word yet on what caused this morning's crash of a sheriff's department helicopter in New Mexico. The helicopter went down in the backyard of an Albuquerque home. Two people were onboard the aircraft, the pilot and a sheriff's deputy. Neither of them suffered any serious injuries.

And in Southern California, an investigation into an accident involving an Amtrak train is under way. The train collided with a dump truck last night at a rail crossing in Somis. Nineteen people were taken to hospitals. Three of them were seriously injured.

And in Montana, firefighters are on the front lines this weekend as several big wildfires burn out of control. One fire has shut down a 90-mile stretch of a major highway. That's Interstate 90. That blaze has scorched at least 7,000 acres.

And in Florida, thousands of sex offenders on probation may be headed back to prison if they're ordered to evacuate their homes during a hurricane. The state is considering that option. The proposal came up after authorities started planning ways to keep sex offenders out of public shelters during evacuations.

And in Japan, a nation remembers a day that changed the world. That's when CNN LIVE SATURDAY returns.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WILLIS: In the Western Iraqi desert, Operation Quick Strike, U.S. Marines and Iraqi soldiers are carrying out another day of raids against insurgents. The Marines say they discovered three cars filled with bombs and two roadside explosives. All were safely destroyed in controlled explosions.

A memorial service is planned Monday night in Cleveland. The city will honor a dozen base Marines killed this week in Western Iraq.

Brian Todd reports on a community and its grief.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A Marine colonel recently told CNN there's no preparation for looking into the eyes of a father and mother and telling them their son was killed in action. That horrible ritual, repeated more than 20 times this week for the families of young Marines killed in separate attacks within the span of three days in northern Iraq.

(SINGING)

TODD: In downtown Cleveland, city officials tried to offer solace with a vigil service. In this area, the pain is especially severe. One Marine unit, the 3rd Battalion, 25th Regiment, has Reserve centers in Ohio, where at least 13 of the Marines killed were assigned.

At this service, Columbus, Ohio, Mayor Michael Coleman mourns his neighbors and prays for his son, a lance corporal still with that unit in Iraq. MAYOR MICHAEL COLEMAN, COLUMBUS, OHIO: Stay with them now and forever more. May we always support our troops, particularly in these difficult times. May God bless them now and forever more. Let us remember them.

TODD: They remember Lance Corporal Timothy Bell of West Chesterfield, Ohio, 22 years old, nephew of a major league baseball manager, killed when a roadside bomb struck his amphibious vehicle near Haditha. A Marine through and through, says his dad, who recalls a final wrenching image of his son.

TIM BELL, SON KILLED IN IRAQ: The last time I saw Timmy is when I dropped him off before he left for Iraq. And as I turned away he grabbed me and told me, "Hey, Dad, hold on here a second." He says, "I want you to wear this ring. But I want it back when I get home." It's a Marine ring. So I guess I'll be wearing it.

TODD: Nineteen-year-old Lance Corporal Christopher Dyer, killed in the same explosion, told his dad, "Don't worry. I'm going to come home." Now, a father's anguish is almost too much to bear.

JOHN DYER, SON KILLED IN IRAQ: I keep telling myself he put more into those 19 1/2 years than I have in my 51. I keep wanting to reach back and change things and say, "No, son, you can't go into the Marine Corps." I think that would have killed him. He may have lived to be 80, and I think for him not to have reached for his dreams would have killed him just as much as that bomb in Iraq.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WILLIS: Here's what is making news now. Italian officials have ruled out terrorism in a crash of a passenger plane off the coast of Sicily. CNN's Alessio Vinci says at least 20 of the 39 people on board survived the crash, and 14 were killed. Air-traffic control officials say the plane reported engine trouble just before the crash.

And a British plane loaded with rescue equipment has arrived in Russia. U.S. Naval vessels are steaming to the site where seven Russian sailors are trapped inside a mini-sub. Right now, the sub is being raised on cables to a depth accessible to divers, yet oxygen is limited and could run out within 24 hours.

Iran says it will reject a European plan to end the dispute over its nuclear program. Iran's foreign minister says the offer denies his country's right to enriched uranium. Enriched uranium could be used to produce nuclear weapons.

And the world's first atomic bomb attack is being remembered today in Japan. Sixty years ago today, the United States dropped an A-bomb on Hiroshima, killing more than 140,000 people and flattening much of the city. This morning at Hiroshima's Peace Park, a bronze bell rang out to mark the bombing, and the victims were remembered in a moment of silence. Also on the schedule, a wreath-laying ceremony attended by Japan's prime minister. Later, organizers released a flock of doves.

During today's events, Hiroshima's mayor called for the world's nuclear powers to give up their arsenals. Three days after the Hiroshima attacks, the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Nagasaki, Japan. That bombing killed about 80,000 people.

Just days after the two nuclear attack on Japan, the country surrendered and World War II drew to a close.

And while American officials say the bombings were a major reason for the surrender, the attacks have always stirred controversy. In a new Gallup poll here in the United States, 57 percent of the respondents approve of the 1945 bombings, 38 percent disapprove. When asked whether using the A-bomb on the two Japanese cities saved American lives by avoiding the need for a land mission, 80 percent say yes; 16 percent say no.

The horror of the 1945 bombing of Hiroshima still weight heavily on the mind of a Los Angeles man. He was visiting a Japanese City when the bomb went off.

CNN's Ted Rowlands has his story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JUNJI SARASHINA, HIROSHIMA SURVIVOR: The flash was so bright, so strong.

TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Junji Serashino was 16 on August 6th, 1945. Born in Hawaii to Japanese parents, he had returned to Hiroshima to study Japanese.

SARASHINA: I didn't hear the explosion itself. Maybe because I was so close to the flash center that I didn't hear that boom, the explosion.

ROWLANDS: Junji says he was just over a mile from ground zero when the bomb was dropped.

SARASHINA: To tell you the truth, I didn't know I thought I was dead or alive at that particular moment.

ROWLANDS: Now 76, Junji says he remembers that morning like it was yesterday.

SARASHINA: Bridges were blocked with wounded, burn victims. It's no way you can cross. Some of the people were in the river, because they were all burned. And they tried to escape from the heat, and they went in the water. Some of them are dead. Some of them barely surviving. I must have seen about 500, 600 of them right around that bridge.

ROWLANDS: Junji says those like himself that could walk didn't know where to go or what to do.

SARASHINA: Most of the people were burned, so you can't tell if it is a male or female. It is a scene of hell, while you're still alive.

ROWLANDS: Of all of the images seared in Junji's mind, one stands out. SARASHINA: Infant clinging on to mother. Mother is either dead or wounded but baby was still alive. Just hanging on to the mother. That type of thing you will never forget.

ROWLANDS: Over 100,000 people died in Hiroshima. Another 40,000 died in Nagasaki where a second bomb was dropped. Many victims died after unknowingly exposing themselves to radiation.

SARASHINA: They all came into the city of Hiroshima not knowing that there is radiation effect on human being. And they were all around that area for a few days or so, just trying to find sisters or brothers or mother or somebody.

ROWLANDS: Junji says he's in good health, receives a medical checkup every other year as part of a special program that tracks the health of A-bomb survivors. After the war, Junji returned home and end up fighting for the U.S. in Korea. He says he has no ill will against his homeland for dropping the bomb, but with the horror of that day still clear in his mind, Junji says he is convinced that it should never be used again.

SARASHINA: I wish there was some other way that we could have resolved this type of conflict. But when you see innocent babies getting killed, it is tough to swallow. After 60 years, I can remember all of the details. When you say what did you have for dinner last night, I got to think twice. And yet what happened 60 years ago, I could write every little thing. I could see every little thing.

ROWLANDS: Ted Rowlands, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

GERRI WILLIS, CNN ANCHOR: An amazing story. After 26 years in prison, a Florida man is cleared of rape by DNA evidence. But is time running out for other inmates to get the same opportunity. Our legal eagles weigh in.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WILLIS: Florida Governor Jeb Bush has signed an executive order requiring DNA evidence be preserved in some criminal cases. Now he says the DNA could help resolve tragic mistakes in the justice system. The order was signed two days after DNA evidence absolved a man of rape. But not before he had spent 26 years in prison. CNN's Susan Candiotti has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You are free to go.

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Cheers for a man who spent 26 years in prison as a convicted serial rapist until DNA tests proved conclusively that Luis Diaz, now 67, wasn't the attacker in at least two cases. Later, Diaz, clean shaven and wearing street clothes for the first time in two decades, celebrated with family and friends.

JOSE DIAZ, SON: Can you please pinch me? Am I having a dream? Because we're finally here.

LUIS DIAZ, EXONERATED BY DNA: I feel free. I feel free.

CANDIOTTI: Diaz speaks only a few words in English. One reason his trial attorneys in 1980 argued he could not have been the attacker of up to 25 women in the late '70s, witnesses described an English speaking heavier, taller man. Yet the night shift cook was convicted in seven cases.

J. DIAZ: He understood that.

CANDIOTTI: In 1993, two victims recanted and those convictions were vacated. Two years ago, the Innocence Project pushed for DNA testing that cleared the way for Diaz to walk out of prison. Prosecutors did not oppose the challenge. Yet stopped short of admitting a mistake.

DON HORN, CHIEF ASSISTANT STATE ATTORNEY: We've still got victims who have reaffirmed that this is a person who assaulted them a number of years ago, but as we indicated there in court, when there is a doubt in our mind, that benefit has to go to the defendant.

CANDIOTTI: Attorney Barry Scheck who heads the DNA Innocence Project insists when eight witnesses get it wrong, there is a need to reform the way eyewitnesses identify suspects.

BARRY SCHECK, INNOCENCE PROJECT: And if one thing comes out of Luis Diaz's case it ought to be the nation says, wow, we really want to catch serial rapists. And we don't want the wrong people locked up.

CANDIOTTI: Since Diaz went behind bars, his three children have grown up, married and given him three grandchildren. His wife of 19 years remarried, but was at his side this day.

J. DIAZ: Not only have the women been a victim, we feel sorry for the women, but dad has been a victim.

CANDIOTTI: At an age when most men are ready to retire, Diaz says he's ready to start a new life, free of anger, free of bitterness. Susan Candiotti, CNN, Miami.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WILLIS: Okay, that leads perfectly into our legal brief today. I want to welcome again two attorneys, Avery Friedman and Richard Herman. Welcome, guys.

AVERY FRIEDMAN, LAW PROFESSOR: Hi, Gerri.

RICHARD HERMAN, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Hi, Gerri.

WILLIS: I'm great. You know, this DNA story, simply amazing. It sounds more like a Hollywood movie than reality. People's cases being overturned because of DNA evidence. Turns out these people were never prosecuted well in first place. What does it say about our legal system? Avery, let's start with you.

FRIEDMAN: I think that the Innocence Project which really is the major part of DNA and the awareness of it has been the main impetus in making government understand that we really do want to get our hands on the murderers and the rapists and we are now looking at legislation to continue to use DNA to make sure that innocent people don't go jail. These two cases, this case and other case in Pennsylvania, couldn't tell the story more clearly. And I think we are going to see more and more of this.

WILLIS: Richard what I'm asking, though, is what does it say about the fairness of our system? What does it say about how well our system works if these people are going to jail and they're not guilty?

HERMAN: Well, Gerri, let me wipe the tear away from my eye first. Let me tell you that the other dilemma to satisfy society's need for closure, in a horrific criminal case, or to protect society and put real criminals away, there is enormous pressure on the prosecutors, who are charged with seeking the truth, finding the truth. But sometimes I'm telling you, I've seen it, there is motivation to get that conviction no matter what. At any cost, get the conviction.

And sometimes our system is without a doubt the best criminal justice system in the world. But it is not perfect. And this is a classic example, these gentlemen being released because they're innocent and should not be in jail and there are other innocent people who have been convicted who are in jail.

WILLIS: Avery, you were suggesting earlier that maybe we used DNA evidence more often. Is there -- who should there be a wholesale change of policy, though?

FRIEDMAN: Well, it is difficult to call it a policy, Gerri. The difficulty is that we neither have the resources, including lawyers or money, to do what is necessary to protect the innocent. The fact is, I hate to agree with Richard, but there are innocent people going to jail now and the difficulty is that until such time as either the Congress or the state legislatures make budget available, we're going to continue to see this problem and the only way we protect innocent people, Gerri is on a case by case basis which is not an effective way of doing things.

WILLIS: Richard?

HERMAN: Well, you know, here we are, in unison. It is horrible that we have to agree on this. And I try to be able to fight with Avery on this issue and the following issues.

WILLIS: Don't do that. Don't worry, Richard.

HERMAN: He's right, though. Please. Gerri, there are innocent people getting convicted. Some of the procedures -- you heard Barry Scheck refer to some of the lineup procedures. They're horrible. This is what happens. Innocent people go down. This guy was six feet tall and that was the projected person and this gentleman, Diaz, is 5'6', come on. And Spanish speaking, the other person was English speaking. How can people convict in how can the judge remark afterwards ...

FRIEDMAN: Lousy defense lawyers is the answer, I think, in part.

HERMAN: You're right.

WILLIS: Okay, guys. Let's move on to another topic I know our viewers must be very interested in. This is eminent domain. We're seeing states try to counter the Supreme Court's decision on eminent domain in which they basically open the floodgates for cities and localities to take the property of private citizens. I guess that's one possible read of this discussion. But, Richard, let's start with you here. What is the answer or the solution here? What do you make of the whole debate?

HERMAN: You know something? I think that Congress is going to have to get involved here. This is just -- I don't believe the eminent domain statute was intended to remove people from their homes in order to build high rise condos near the ocean. I don't think that was one of their reasons behind it. The Supreme Court was a 5-4 decision. I think it is going to be revisited in the future. And there is gut wrenching stories. All you have to do is put the television on these days and you see people losing their life homes like this family right now from New Jersey. I saw them yesterday. There is no mortgage left. They paid off the house, they lived there all their lives, they want to retire there and they're going to get thrown out.

WILLIS: But Avery, some of these cases probably are legitimate. They're truly projects, people take over personal properties to put together projects that really do revitalize areas. What is the right answer here?

FRIEDMAN: Well, I think the right answer is exactly what the Supreme Court did. And there is a huge amount of controversy about that. Five to four, the Supreme Court said that the purpose section of the takings clause of the United States Constitution affords local government that four revitalize. And you know what? It is a correct decision. Individuals, anecdotally, may wind up losing their house. But they're paid for it, Gerri. So when it comes to zoning, when it comes to housing, when it comes to revitalization, this decision is absolutely correct.

WILLIS: But, Avery, the states seem to be overturning the court's decision. Tell me, what does this tell you about the U.S. Supreme Court? Is it losing power?

HERMAN: It is not absolutely correct.

FRIEDMAN: Well, anyway, listen, some of the states in overreaction and misunderstanding of 5-4 decision are now writing laws to limit the discretion of your local government in making these decisions. Listen, you don't like eminent domain, don't like what your city is doing, you can elect people to your city council. But I have trust in the political process and the democratic process. It is the right decision. There is no doubt.

WILLIS: Richard, you want to respond quickly, we have one more topic to get to.

HERMAN: It is not absolutely correct. That's why the states are stepping in to try to outdo the Supreme Court here. They're trying to protect the citizens because they're horrific situations ...

FRIEDMAN: Horrific?

HERMAN: By saying they're getting paid, they're getting paid for their property. They're not getting paid the right value for those properties, please, Avery. It is horrible. It is really horrible.

WILLIS: Hold your fire for a second. I want to see if we can get to this story out of Hawaii where a private school is being asked to accept non-Hawaiian residents ...

HERMAN: White people.

WILLIS: I'm sorry?

HERMAN: White people.

WILLIS: Non-native Hawaiians as students. And this private school, I should say this is not a public school, doesn't take federal funding, Avery?

FRIEDMAN: Yeah. This was an easy one. In 1866, after the civil war, Congress enacted a law to protect all Americans irrespective of race. That law has been applied to private schools, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, made the right decision, two to one, in protecting all children irrespective of white what that private school does was to discriminate. It was wrong. The decision was correct.

WILLIS: Richard?

HERMAN: You know something? Avery is right here. I try to argue with him on this one too. But I can't. Once we allow schools to discriminate in this manner, we're going to open up a hotbed. But I'm telling you, Gerri, that a good draftsman will be able to redraft their charter and I'm sure they will end up getting the result they want.

FRIEDMAN: No way. Not going to happen.

WILLIS: No way?

FRIEDMAN: This violates federal law. It will wind up going to the Supreme Court. Either the court will not take it or it will affirm the vitality of this post Civil War law to protect all American children, no matter what color they are. WILLIS: Well, we're going to leave it there. As always, so enjoy talking to Avery Friedman and Richard Herman. Thank you very much for your time.

HERMAN: Nice to see you, Gerri. Take care.

FRIEDMAN: Nice to see you.

WILLIS: You talk about stumbling on to a fortune ...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (video clip): When I open the box, I closed the box right away. I couldn't believe my eyes.

WILLIS: Coming up, what this cabbie found in his trunk when CNN LIVE SATURDAY continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WILLIS: Inspiring the next generation of girls is a challenge presented by our next guests. Shirley Washington is the author of "A Gift for Girls: Words of Wisdom from Successful Women". She joins us from Dallas, Texas. And among her successful women in the book is Dr. E. Connie Mariano. She served as physician for former President George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton and current president George Bush. She joins us from San Diego. Welcome to both of you.

SHIRLEY WASHINGTON, AUTHOR: Thank you so much Gerri, for having us.

WILLIS: Shirley, I want to start with you. So interesting this book describing the need for education to young women. Why is it necessary today, now to describe the need for education?

WASHINGTON: I think it is important, Gerri, for young girls to realize the opportunities that are available to them, the career opportunities. And, of course, that starts with getting an education. You would be absolutely surprised how many young girls are opting not to go to college and for various reasons, they're choosing not to pursue a higher education. I think it is important for us, especially women, who have a successful career, who have an education, to motivate and inspire young girls to follow in their footsteps. Make them realize the importance of an education. Make them realize that an education can be their ticket out of poverty. An education could introduce them to a world that they never imagined, never dreamed possible. So I think it is very, very important that girls and boys, for that matter, take advantage of the opportunities that are available.

WILLIS: Shirley, the obstacles are the ones we always talk about, money, maybe want to get married and think they can't go to school at the same time. What are the kinds of things are they encountering that make them think an education is not the way to go?

WASHINGTON: Gerri, research shows a lot of girls choose not to go to college because they have low self-esteem, they don't think they're smart enough to go college. And then there are some girls who choose not to go because they get pregnant or they get married. And then you have those who don't have the financial resources or the support from family or educators in school.

But the reality is everyone can go to college. You to have that determination, you to have that desire to do so. There are resources available. You would be surprised the kinds of programs that are available to encourage students, to inspire them to go to school, and to make sure that they have a successful academic career.

WILLIS: Turning to you now, Dr. Mariano, you're one of the people featured in the book along with the president of Southwest Airlines and the owner of the Colorado Rockies. Why did you decide to be part of it?

DR. E. CONNIE MARIANO, FORMER PRESIDENTIAL PHYSICIAN: Whether Shirley approached me about the book and said this was something that was a labor of love for her that was written to inspire girls to be successful in their life, I couldn't refuse her. This is something that will inspire all children who always underestimated themselves who thought they were the wrong color, the wrong sex, the wrong type, always thought they had no chance at all. By showing them examples of women who succeed despite the odds, it gave them great hope and inspiration to do something with their lives.

WILLIS: Doctor, tell us about your personal story. Were you -- did you think that maybe the school wasn't the right thing for you? Did you have to be convinced? Were you motivated to do it on your own?

MARIANO: I think growing up where education was always the important thing in my family and my family came from the Philippines, my father was a navy serviceman, and when I came to America, I didn't speak English. I didn't know anything about the English language. I grew up, I went to public school, and I realized early on that the children who got the top grades, the straight as, the ones who went to college, went beyond their wildest dreams. And you don't have to be wealthy. You have to just work hard, go to school, go to college, get your education. And pursue your dream.

WILLIS: Well, Shirley, that sounds like a good recipe for success. What did you find were the commonalities between the people in your book and the ones that are succeeding?

WASHINGTON: Well, Gerri, I can tell you that the women that are featured in "A Gift for Girls,: they come from vastly different backgrounds. They have power. They have prestige. They have prosperity. But the one thing that I noticed from talking with all of these different women is they are driven by the passion that they have for their respective careers. And not only that, all of these women have a college education. All of these women knew that in order for them to make it, in order for them to be successful, they had to have an education. It is something as simple as going to college. Now, granted, it is tough. It is going to take a lot of hard work. But young girls need to know that they can do it. They can make it. And all you to do is put forth that effort. WILLIS: The effort is so important. And doctor, I wanted to ask you, at what point did you realize, my goodness, I have to have this education to do what I want to do, what I dream of doing?

MARIANO: I think in junior high when they had brought in a military doctor to talk to us about what he did for a living. I sat there and listened, I thought, gee, that's what I want to do. I want to go into medicine. So in order to do that, that means going to school.

WILLIS: It is an amazing job you had. Serving as physician to the presidents. Tell us a little bit about that.

MARIANO: It is an awesome job. I think in the beginning it is very intimidating that you're taking care of the leader of the free world and their family and all the people that go around it. But I think the thing that keeps you focused on is your job is being the doctor. And if you do your best being a good doctor, then you're in longer intimidated.

WILLIS: Words of wisdom. The book is called "A Gift for Girls: Words of Wisdom from Successful Women." My guests, the author, Shirley Washington and one of the people in the book, Dr. Connie Mariano. Thanks to both of you.

MARIANO: Thank you.

WASHINGTON: Thank you, Gerri.

WILLIS: It is a priceless good deed -- you won't believe what one New York cabbie did in this gem of a story. That's coming up next.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WILLIS: Now the story of the absentminded jeweler and the Honest as Abe New York cabbie. Glenn Thompson from affiliate WPIX reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: For returning priceless diamonds, you are a priceless driver.

GLENN THOMPSON, WPIX CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Cabbie Hossam Abdala is one very special New Yorker. The Brooklyn cabbie stumbling across nearly a million dollars in jewelry left in his cab's trunk by Canadian gem dealers.

HOSSAM ABDALA, HONEST CAB DRIVER: When I opened the box, I closed it right away. I couldn't believe my eyes. I couldn't believe it. I start looking left and right. Is there anyone watching me.

THOMPSON: Hossam had picked up the jewelers at the Hilton before taking them to the Javits Center. From there, they headed to La Guardia Airport for a flight back to Canada. When he opened all of the boxes he found left behind in the trunk, he couldn't believe what he saw.

ABDALA: I was surprised. It was 20 diamond wedding rings in this box. And when I open, and then I got like hysterical. I couldn't believe it. I start opening every box, opening every box. Opening every box. I opened all the boxes, I don't know what's in it and I found myself sitting in the middle of a treasure.

THOMPSON: Hossam contacted the jeweler in Canada after finding his card in one of the boxes. The jeweler, afraid the cabbie wouldn't return the goods.

ABDALA: He started crying. I said you don't have to cry. Everything is fine. I found your jewelry. I'll give it back to you. He said, are you sure you're going give it back to me?

THOMPSON: The jewelers, Orthodox Jews, said they prayed for a safe return of their jewelry. The Muslim driver saying believes in the power of prayer. I'm Glenn Thompson, "Fox 61 News at 10:00."

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WILLIS: What a great story! Stay with CNN at the top of the hour. CNN PRESENTS, "Is Anybody Out There?" Are scientists on the verge of a major breakthrough for the search for life on other planets?

And at 4:00 Eastern, CNN LIVE SATURDAY answers the burning question, why do men have nipples? And other compelling medical notes of interest.

And at 5:00 Eastern, PEOPLE IN THE NEWS takes an inside look at singer sisters Jessica and Ashlee Simpson and their father, Joe Simpson, who helped shape their rise to fame. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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