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Thailand Faces Coup Attempt; President Bush Addresses United Nations General Assembly; No Progress in Abby Woods Disappearance

Aired September 19, 2006 - 15:00   ET

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

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Turmoil in Thailand, and President Bush's message to a divided United Nations, both are topping the agenda right now at U.N. headquarters.
Let's get straight to our senior U.N. correspondent, Richard Roth -- Richard.

RICHARD ROTH, CNN SENIOR U.N. CORRESPONDENT: Kyra, a very turbulent day here at the United Nations.

President Bush addressed the General Assembly a couple of hours ago. And he said warned the rulers of Syria and Iran not to mess with nuclear weapons. He said that Iran, in effect, would face sanctions, if it continues down this road. The United Nations has hosted now many leaders today, the big day.

But, amidst all of the tumult, you have news of a coup in Thailand. And, thus, one of the honored guests did not attend a big lunch that is held every year here at the General Assembly. Prime Minister Thaksin of Thailand was not at his place.

You see the invitation. You see an empty seat at one of tables inside U.N. headquarters, where the world leaders gathered to listen to toasts from President Bush and Kofi Annan.

Kofi Annan told the world leaders, don't forget me, because it's his last few months in office here. President Bush also warned on Sudan and what he called a genocide occurring there. The president and many other world leaders here think U.N. peacekeepers should be allowed into Sudan to police Darfur, where at least 240,000 people have died and two million people have been displaced.

The president of Sudan, in a rare appearance here at the U.N., will hold a press conference within the hour. No meeting is set between the two men. The United States said the other day, the message coming out of Khartoum was not very satisfactory, so, there really was no point in any type of meeting, since Sudan is not bending on its access to U.N. peacekeepers.

The prime minister of Thailand -- getting back to that crisis -- is still scheduled, according to the U.N., to address the General Assembly this evening, a rearranged schedule, so he can head home to face an uncertain future back in Thailand -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Is the sense that he's safe to go back home, Richard? ROTH: I don't think he's going to wait it out here, as long as there isn't mass violence in the streets there. The word was they moved his schedule up from yesterday -- from tomorrow to today, so that he can return home.

PHILLIPS: All right, Richard Roth at the U.N., following a lot of things for us out of there today, a pretty exciting day from the U.N. -- thanks, Richard.

Well, the Security Council is the heart of the United Nations -- a closer look now at the council's duties and membership. Under the U.N. charter, the council's main responsibility is maintaining international peace and security. While it usually meets at U.N. headquarters in New York, the panel can hold sessions elsewhere. It did meet in Ethiopia in 1972, and the following year in Panama.

Five countries are permanent members of the 15-member Security Council. The United States, China, France, Russia, and Great Britain each has veto power. And there are 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms. Right now, the non-permanent members are Argentina, Congo, Peru, Denmark, Ghana, Greece, Japan, Qatar, Slovakia, and Tanzania.

Dozens of world leaders are inside U.N. headquarters, and now hundreds of Iraq war protesters are outside.

CNN's Aneesh Raman is on that story -- Aneesh.

ANEESH RAMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kyra, good afternoon.

Thousands, actually, of protesters taking to the streets against President Bush against the Iraq war, they came down a number of blocks, ending beyond just the camera from where I stand. We know, from the New York Police Department, that at least 15 protesters have been arrested for misdemeanors, for disorderly conduct, some for resisting arrest.

You see some video there of the protest. Now, there were two other protests, subjects-wise at least, that we could count today. The next one, in terms of size to the anti-Bush protest, was an anti- Ahmadinejad protest against Iran's president, against the regime that is in Tehran.

That protest, we understand, numbered in a couple of hundred. A number of speeches were given, people warning that Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapon, and that dramatic change has to take place within Iran, within its regime.

A third protest took place against Thailand's prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, which is interesting, given, of course, the news of today -- that even smaller in number. But, of course, Thailand's prime minister has faced criticism all along for corruption within his government. That followed him here today, as did news of that potential coup -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Meanwhile, Iran's president -- Aneesh, maybe you can help our viewers out, and just give me a cultural context to this -- didn't attend the luncheon there at the U.N., not necessarily a snub to the president. But these are his religious beliefs. Wine was served on the menu, so he wasn't going to attend.

RAMAN: Exactly.

Because alcohol was being served, Iran's president not going to sit there at that luncheon. It was important, because this would have been the only moment, really, that the two leaders would have been physically in the same room, which is interesting, given, of course, the context of the issue, the nuclear dispute.

Iran, of course, within that country, it is forbidden for people to have alcohol, Muslims specifically. There are some Christians there who have it at home.

The government, though, just to give some context on it, is pretty lax about enforcement. At home, a lot of Iranians have liquor cabinets. When they go to each other's houses, they have drinks. A lot of Iranians have told me, since prohibition, the consumption of alcohol has actually gone up, and that it is not at all impossible, if not easy, to gain within Iran.

But, again, Iran's president not attending that luncheon because alcohol was being served -- instead, we will see him tonight, as he addresses the U.N. General Assembly. It likely will be about Iran's nuclear program. And he will likely give more emphasis to U.S. policies in the Middle East than President Bush did in mention of Iran in his speech.

If you noticed in President Bush's speech, it was just one of a number of countries. He does not want, President Bush, this to be about U.S. vs. Iran -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Aneesh Raman, thanks so much. You're on the outside.

In the inside, now a live picture -- you can see, inside the U.N., the president of the United States greeting former President Clinton. You can also see the president's secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice, right behind him. As you can imagine, it's a tremendous day for him to be able to mingle with all the various leaders here at the U.N.

It's sort of an unprecedented picture. We don't usually get to see such casual coordination and meet-and-greet with the president here inside the U.N. Our correspondents can't even go live from these areas. They have to be back in their specific offices.

So, now we're just being -- we're able to follow along with the president, as he makes his way out of that luncheon at the U.N., after getting -- giving his speech.

And, as you know, Aneesh Raman outside the U.N. -- it looks like we're going to go ahead and stay with this live picture, Aneesh, assuming maybe, possibly, that the president might step up to the mikes. If not, he is continuing to work his way -- it looks like work his way out, after attending a luncheon, giving a speech. And I guess what we're waiting for now is to hear from the president of Iran, correct?

RAMAN: Exactly. We will hear from him tonight. We should, as well, hear from Thailand's prime minister, which will be interesting, as well.

Behind me, really, you can see the lights starting to flash. This is where the president's motorcade will depart from the United Nations -- as you mentioned, a very interesting image to see President Bush mingling among world leaders.

The U.S. image abroad, of course, is of critical concern, not just for him, but for his legacy, given what is happening in Iraq, given what is happening within the -- the Muslim streets, the anger that exists against the United States. And that has been a key element to the support for Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, not just within his country, but broader, within the Muslim world, in Malaysia and Indonesia, in Iran, in Iraq, in Pakistan, because he has become the most forceful voice within the Muslim world against President Bush.

As often as he can, he likes to engage President Bush, suggesting a debate, of course, if you will recall a few weeks ago, when I was actually in Iran. He continues to do that. And he might do that tonight.

But what we will hear, Kyra, from him is a softer tone. Iran is eager for dialogue to commence on its nuclear issue, not to have sanctions. It is unlikely that we will hear some of the more controversial statements, such as Israel should be wiped off the map, that we have heard earlier from Iran's president. They are keen to keep the talk going, to keep dialogue, and to keep sanctions at bay -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right, Aneesh Raman, there just outside the U.N., it looks like the president -- is the president making his way out, Aneesh?

RAMAN: Yes. I'm going to step out of the shot.

You can see the motorcade that is departing now. This is the front entrance of the U.N. All day long, we have seen various leaders sort of exit through. We saw the president arrive earlier before his speech.

He will hope, President Bush, that, in his speech, he gave resolve to the world community to issue sanctions against Iran, and to take a firm stance against governments that he lumped Iran with, Sudan, Syria, just to name a few.

Within his speech, President Bush spoke not to the governments of those countries, but, instead, directly to the people. For the Iranian people, he mentioned the economic potential that exists. That is important, because Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, when he won election -- and keep in mind, it's only been about a year since Iran's president has been in power -- he won as a populist figure, a guy that said: Look, I'm going to give money back to the poor.

He wears inexpensive suits. He was driving his own car as recently as two weeks after his election as president. Then, his security said, it's time for that to stop.

During the campaign, he wore a trash man's uniform, picked up trash for a day. He was seen as a guy of the people, a guy that would bring about economic reform. He hasn't really done that. Instead, he has taken on this role as an international figure.

So, President Bush today mentioning that, reminding the Iranian people the promise that their president may, a promise he hasn't really delivered upon, but this was a key moment for President Bush to try and continue to rally support against his policies that are increasingly being met with skepticism in -- in the world, but, more specifically, in the Middle East -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Aneesh, you're remarkable. The entire motorcade made its way out, and you kept us well-informed.

(LAUGHTER)

PHILLIPS: Aneesh Raman, just outside the U.N., thank you so much.

RAMAN: And it's raining now, just to update you on the weather.

(LAUGHTER)

PHILLIPS: All right.

The next -- the next report from the U.N., Aneesh Raman and the weather. He has covered Thailand, Iran, world issues, and now the weather.

Thanks, Aneesh. What a pleasure.

RAMAN: Thanks.

PHILLIPS: A bold move in Bangkok, but is it a coup? Thailand's army took advantage of the prime minister's absence today to try to keep him out, and his government, too. The prime minister is in New York, taking part in the U.N. General Assembly, and insisting that he is still in charge.

CNN's Dan Rivers joins me now from the Thai capital.

We have been talking so much, Dan, from here at the U.N. with Aneesh Raman, Richard Roth, all our correspondents, about what is happening in Thailand from a political standpoint, with the prime minister here.

Tell us what is happening on the streets. DAN RIVERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, there are tanks on the streets. You can probably see one of them right behind me, soldiers and tanks and armored personnel carriers who have seized the center of the city. They say they now have control of all of Bangkok and the surrounding area.

We're being told that the commander of the armed forces has now taken over as a caretaker prime minister, General Sondhi, that Thaksin has been sacked as prime minister, that the 1997 constitution has been revoked, that martial law has been imposed.

Also, we can tell you that CNN and the BBC's signals to this country have been blocked. People can no longer receive international news services such as ours here. The signal has been cut. So, clearly, there is a concerted attempt to control and manage the situation and manage the information that's going out to the people.

PHILLIPS: Dan Rivers, live from Bangkok, Thailand, we appreciate the update on the breaking story out of there. We will follow up with you.

Now I'm getting word that we're getting live pictures from Budapest, the situation there. Hungary's prime minister calls it the longest and darkest night since the fall of the Iron Curtain. Thousand of protesters right now have stormed the state-run TV overnight. Dozens of people have been hurt, as were more than 100 police officers, we're being told, all because of a leaked recording.

In it, the prime minister admits that his government -- quote -- "lied morning, evening and night about the economy to win elections back in April." The prime minister says he won't resign.

And, as you know, what is happening in Thailand right now is over a dispute about its elections that took place in April -- protesters there, the military, carrying on that coup, saying that the prime minister carried out a corrupt election. Now we're seeing protests in Budapest over controversy concerning those elections in April as well -- so far, peaceful. We plan to stay on top of this story as well.

Another story developing, this one out of Saint Cloud, Minnesota. We're just getting word there has been a lockdown at a local school there. Saint Cloud Technical High School was locked down after getting word about a male student with a loaded gun. Police said they responded -- responded to a 911 call from an anonymous caller.

Then, teams of officers entered to search the building -- no reports of shots or injuries, no immediate confirmation of a gun at this point. But the superintendent said the school moved immediately to lockdown after getting word of the report.

We will keep you updated out of Saint Cloud, Minnesota., the technical high school there.

Well, for now, it's a standoff, but could it turn into something worse? Iran and the U.S. are trading barbs, amid growing fears that they are going to end up trading missiles. Coming up, we are going to talk with our security expert, who is getting rare access to the Iranian president.

That is straight ahead from the CNN NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Well, we have just gotten word that Colorado has one confirmed and three suspected E. coli cases linked to fresh spinach. That brings the total number of affected states to 22. More than 100 people have gotten sick. And there's one confirmed E. coli death in Wisconsin. A second death is being investigated in Ohio.

Meanwhile, investigators take their search for killer bacteria to California spinach farms. So far, that's where all of the implicated brands are -- are located.

Now, some consumer groups say that more regulation is still needed. Leafy vegetables are the second leading source of E. coli infections in the U.S., behind ground beef. But, at this point, most safety measures are voluntary.

The space shuttle Atlantis has some unexpected company high above Earth. And that's one of the reasons it won't be landing tomorrow.

CNN technology correspondent Daniel Sieberg is at Kennedy Space Center in Florida with all the details -- Daniel.

DANIEL SIEBERG, CNN TECHNOLOGY CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Kyra. That's right.

Let's tell you what we know, first of all. That is that the landing of shuttle Atlantis has been delayed from tomorrow, just before 6:00 a.m. Eastern, to no sooner than Thursday morning at 6:21 Eastern time. The reason is because of this mysterious debris or object that is in the vicinity of shuttle Atlantis.

We can show you some pictures now of what they're seeing. About 2:45 a.m. Eastern time, flight controllers on the ground were aware of this. They spotted this object. What they are having to do now, of course, is try and identify what it is, where it came from, whether it's harmless or critical to the operations, both to the landing, and, of course, to the shuttle operation itself.

It happened at a time shortly after they were firing up some of the jets, the maneuvering jets. This is standard procedure prior to the landing.

And, a short time ago, Wayne Hale, the shuttle program manager, talked about what could be the possible source for this debris.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WAYNE HALE, NASA SHUTTLE PROGRAM MANAGER: We have all this vibration going on in the ship. And, apparently, something shook loose. I say, apparently, because it is co-orbiting with the shuttle. Now, the question is, what is it?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SIEBERG: The question is also whether it's ice, whether it's some sort of piece has come off the shuttle.

And one thing that they're considering doing tomorrow would be to get out the -- the orbital boom sensor system, or the sort of extended arm of the shuttle itself -- this has got a camera on it, some sensors -- and get a really close look at the heat shield. This is what they have done prior, of course, to the -- the -- any sort of landing, to make sure that no debris has hit, micro-meteorites.

This is, of course, because of the Columbia disaster in 2003, when some foam or debris pierced the heat shield during the launch. So, they're considering this as a possibility tomorrow to get a better look at what is going on.

Something else I should note is that, shortly after noon, we heard Commander Brent Jett talking to the ground about a second object, a second piece of debris that another one of the astronauts spotted out of the window of Atlantis. Again, this is a separate, possibly independent object.

They got some pictures of it. We have not seen those pictures yet, but there are possibly two objects in play here that they're going to have to identify, at least get a better understanding, to clear the shuttle for a safe landing. There will be a mission management team briefing some time tonight. We may learn more at that.

The weather here wasn't going to cooperate tomorrow anyway. So, they have got this time. They're going to look through the data and see if they can clear it to land on Thursday -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right, Daniel Sieberg, thanks so much.

Well, for now, it's a standoff, but could it turn into something worse? Iran and the U.S. trading barbs, amid growing fears they will end up trading missiles.

Coming up, we are going to talk with our security expert, who is getting rare access to the Iranian president.

That's straight ahead from the CNN NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Well, this was just moments ago -- the president of the United States greeting former President Clinton, as all the major world leaders are gathering at the U.N. today.

We have been focusing on that relationship between the president and Iran and the battle over nuclear weapons in Iran, hopefully going to see some negotiations and clear talk come out of these various meetings today.

And then, of course, the military coup in Thailand -- we have been hearing from the prime minister, who is there in New York, trying to head back to his nation to deal with the unrest that's taking place there -- so, a lot happening out of the U.N., and we're following it all for you today.

Meanwhile, an unthinkable war -- Well, think again. There's plenty of thought going into a potential U.S. military conflict with Iran, some of it at the Pentagon, some of it by international security analyst Jim Walsh. He is part of a small group meeting tomorrow -- a special group, I want to say -- with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who is speaking at the U.N. tonight.

Jim joins me from Watertown, Massachusetts.

Good to see you, Jim.

JIM WALSH, INTERNATIONAL SECURITY ANALYST, MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY: Good to see you, Kyra.

PHILLIPS: So, you have got all these talks going on at the U.N., and all these talks with peace and negotiations, and can we reach a deal. But then "TIME" magazine comes out with this intense article about all the war plans to -- to bomb Iran.

So, what is the message here?

WALSH: Well, it's -- that "TIME" magazine article was quite the eye-opener. It suggests that the U.S. is more actively preparing for a possible attack on Iran than -- than maybe people suspected.

But I think the central message in that article is that it is a very risky endeavor, that, no matter what you do, no matter how you slice this pie, you're running big risks, that there are costs associated with it that you might, if it's 100 percent successful, slow down the program for two, three, four years, but, then, at what cost?

A worsening Iraq, retaliation by Iran, and then, ultimately, if you attack them, that may make them more determined to get a nuclear weapon than they are right now.

PHILLIPS: Now, you make a great point. And let me actually pull the quote from that "TIME" magazine: "There are 1,500 different aim points. A campaign of several days involving hundreds, or even thousands, of sorties could set back Iran's nuclear program by two to three years.'"

Now, I have talked with sources within the military, and they say they have got the war plans, and they can launch those jets, and -- and take out these nuke sites. But two or three years, is that worth it? Is -- is it worth the potential cost of a major rift? Already dealing with Iraq and Afghanistan. Just imagine what that could create with Iran.

WALSH: My -- my own view, Kyra, is, no, that is not worth it at all. I mean, our hands are full with Iraq and Afghanistan. Kofi Annan, the head of the U.N., came out this week and said that he feared that Iraq was descending into civil war. If we go and attack Iran, that makes the job in Iraq even more difficult. That means we would have to put more U.S. troops in Iraq to defend ourselves against a possible Iranian retaliation, and they would have to stay longer in Iraq.

I don't think there are many Americans who are -- like the idea of more troops for longer periods of time in Iraq. I just think the cost and benefits don't work out here.

PHILLIPS: Let me ask you, Jim. I was able to interview the former crown prince of Iran a couple weeks ago. And he said the U.S. should be supporting that -- that large segment of the population in Iran that wants democracy, that wants a change in government, sort of that underground movement.

Do you think that's the way to go? Instead of talking about war plans, should resources and money go into helping those that want change in Iran?

WALSH: Well, my answer is yes and no.

I say, yes, because, of course, the U.S. should be supportive, generally supportive, of people who want democracy in their own countries. And that is what the president spoke about today at the U.N.

The problem is, if the United States goes in, and with a heavy hand, directly tries to help those people, that discredits them. That makes them look like traitors. You don't want a foreign power coming in, telling local people what to do. If someone tried to do that in the U.S., we would get pretty upset about it. And it would discredit any ability of those people to try to lead change.

If you want change in Iran, it's going to have to come from Iranians themselves, and they're going to have to take the leadership themselves. We can't do that. We need to stand back and let the natural process happen on its own.

PHILLIPS: All right, now, you're going to be in the special meeting with the president of Iran, with a handful of other people. I think you said it was up to 20 people.

Now, you are -- you write about it. You talk about it. You influence people. You advise people. You make a tremendous influence.

I'm curious what you're going to say to the president of the Iran. What do you want to hear from the president of Iran? And what is going to make you feel good about this situation as you walk out of the U.N.?

WALSH: Well, Kyra, those are -- those are tough questions. I should expect those. I don't know about my influence. I mean, I -- I had the ability to have lunch with President Khatami when he came to MIT last week. I -- I will have breakfast tomorrow with President Ahmadinejad.

The only thing I know for sure is that I'm going to be gaining weight. That is the only thing that I can guarantee.

(LAUGHTER)

WALSH: But I will be asking questions. I think all of us are going to ask questions about the nuclear program, about the Iranian policy towards Israeli, about where this president wants to lead Iran.

No president in Iran has been able to forge a relationship, a positive relationship, with the United States. If that happens, he would be the first to be able to do it. It would be quite an achievement. So, I think there are many topics to discuss. And we will have two full hours to do it. So, I'm looking very -- I'm looking forward to it very much.

PHILLIPS: What do you want to make -- what do you want to make clear to him? What -- what is it that you either want to definitely say to him or something that you want to hear from him?

WALSH: Well, you know, Kyra, I don't want to lay out all my cards in advance.

But I do think it's important that he understand where the U.S. is coming from on this, the reasons why the U.S. is skeptical about Iran. And -- and, frankly, we have to be honest with him, and say, we understand why Iran is skeptical about the U.S.

Listen, Iran thinks the U.S. wants to topple the government, that it wants regime change. We say we don't want it, but they think we do. And, you know, they have some reasons for thinking that, you know, the "TIME" magazine article, for one.

Alternatively, they say their nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, but we are deeply skeptical about that. And the real issue is, both sides have legitimate skepticism. How do we get to a point where both sides have more confidence and trust? And -- and I want to see if President Ahmadinejad understands the nature of that problem.

PHILLIPS: So when you come back tomorrow, you're going to debrief us on that entire conversation? That is his way of getting out of answering my question. Actually, Jim Walsh is going to join us tomorrow after he meets with the Iranian president. We'll find out how that discussion went.

Well he is out of the country, but is the Thai prime minister also out of a job? More on the breaking news in Bangkok, where the military launched a coup attempt today while the prime minister was at the U.N. general assembly in New York. Thaksin Shinawatra declared a state of emergency and is expected to rush home tonight. If he does, he'll confront the army's top general, who's backed by the opposition party of democratic reform. Both have declared their loyalty to Thailand's king. Tanks and troops are out and about, marshal law is in effect, but so far we've heard no reports of violence and by the way, CNN, BBC and other foreign news agencies have been taken off the air.

Now turning to business news, online video sites like YouTube are all the rage and now Microsoft is trying to join the party. Cheryl Casone live from the New York Stock Exchange with all the details. Hey, Cheryl.

(BUSINESS HEADLINES)

PHILLIPS: Well fear from frustration in Union, Missouri. Despite hundreds of leads, police say they still don't have much to go on in the search for an alleged kidnapper and no sign of 11-day-old Abby Woods. CNN's Jonathan Freed has the latest.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JONATHAN FREED, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We learned a few things today after talking to a spokesperson for the family. First of all, they told us that the father of the baby James Woods underwent a polygraph test on Sunday and at the end of the exam, asked if he passed it and was told he did.

Now police have not confirmed this for us yet. They have been hesitant to talk to any details of this sort but at least from a spokesperson for the family, they are saying that the father of the child submitted to and passed a polygraph test.

Now, the spokesperson also told us that the mother Stephanie Ochsenbine had a C-section when she gave birth about a week and a half ago and the spokesperson is telling us that the mother, this is contributing to her overall emotional and physical state, saying that she is unable to get more than a few words out at any one time, really feeling the weight of what is going on.

Police continue to look for a suspect. A composite sketch was put together and released yesterday. The suspect is described as a white female between 30 and 40 years old, about 5'8, weighing 200 pounds with dark hair that was pulled back under a baseball cap.

Now police are also telling us that they have some 300 leads that have been phoned in at this point and some of those leads coming from as far away as Texas, Oklahoma, and Virginia. Jonathan Freed, CNN, Union, Missouri.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: Well another arrest in the shooting spree at Duquesne University. Pittsburgh police say that 19-year-old Brandon Baynes may be one of the men who opened fire at that school dance early Sunday. Another suspect William Holmes, still at large. Police consider him armed and dangerous. Duquesne student face charges for allegedly helping the suspects get into the dance. The shootings reportedly arose from a fight over a woman. Five Duquesne basketball players were hurt, three are still hospitalized. The cops called her resourceful, but she must have had nerves of steel as well. The 14-year-old South Carolina girl who saved herself from an underground bunker with a text message shows up in court to see her alleged captor charged with a litany of crimes.

CNN's Drew Griffin has more from Camden, South Carolina.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DREW GRIFFIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Her parents heard not one word until last Wednesday evening when Madeline Shoaf saw a blinking message on her cell phone and knew it was her 14-year-old daughter Elizabeth.

MADELINE SHOAF, MOTHER: "Hey, Mom, it's Lizzie." She told me exactly where she was down the road, which road it was. And put down where the big trucks come out. Get the police.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She's in a hole.

SHOAF: She's in a hole.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And something about a bomb.

SHOAF: Yes. Get the police.

GRIFFIN: Lizzie Shoaf was sending that text message from a stolen cell phone, stolen, she tells police, from her captor, Vincent Filyaw, as he fell asleep inside this underground bunker where she was being held.

Police traced the phone to Filyaw and, with Elizabeth's description, along with cell phone location techniques, found the girl early Saturday morning, alone and alive inside the underground bunker, where she had been held captive for 10 days. It was only a mile from her home.

SHERIFF STEVE MCCASKILL, KERSHAW COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA: Through probably the happiest 20-something fellows you ever saw Saturday morning when we got a look at that young lady. I know I just felt like the world had been lifted off my shoulders when she walked out of there alive.

GRIFFIN (on camera): The sheriff said this girl had as much to do with rescuing herself.

SHOAF: She sat there and said I found the phone.

GRIFFIN (voice-over): Filyaw was caught a day later walking along the side of the highway, dressed in camouflage clothing and carrying a pellet gun, allegedly after a failed carjacking.

Wanted since last November for the alleged rape of his 12-year- old stepdaughter, Filyaw had been running from the law for months, but not very far. According to the sheriff here, they searched his home, couldn't find him and thought he had fled. But Filyaw was digging holes in the ground, as many as five, fully stocked bunkers, the sheriff says, he using to elude capture. It was in a heavy stocked bunker he is accused of taking the 14-year- old and sexual assaulting her.

MCCASKILL: Just from what we've been able to father she was just living in this hole in this bunker in the ground, sleeping there on a little makeshift cot or bed that Filyaw had made down there. And, of course, he was feeding her. He had food and stuff, so he was feeding her.

GRIFFIN: In yet another bizarre twist, the 14-year-old victim and her family were in court this afternoon as Vincent Filyaw was officially charged. A judge would not allow pictures of the girl, who sat huddled with her mother behind the man who allegedly held her captive. He was denied bond.

Filyaw appeared with no attorney, and his only comment to the court was that his family had nothing to do with his crimes.

VINCENT FILYAW, ACCUSED OF KIDNAPPING GIRL: I just would like to say that nobody in my family was involved in this in any way.

GRIFFIN: Filyaw's girlfriend also has been arrested and charged with aiding and abetting. She is the mother of a 12-year-old girl whom police say Filyaw sexual assaulted last year.

Drew Griffin, CNN, Camden, South Carolina.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: President Bush's strategy on terror suspects, some in the military fear it will backfire on U.S. troops. That story straight ahead on the CNN NEWSROOM.

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PHILLIPS: If we do it, they'll do it, not in so many words.

The argument against redefining, or as President Bush puts it, clarifying the Geneva Convention. Critics fear U.S. adversaries will feel free to tinker with POW protections if Washington does. And politicians aren't the only ones up in arms. Here is Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr.

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BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): President Bush's plan for interrogating al Qaeda detainees has led to a new round of criticism. This time, it's coming from inside the military, legal officers who say the president's plan puts U.S. troops at risk by opening the door to redefining how personnel are treated under the Geneva Conventions.

It's a technical legal issue that some say underscores more broadly the senior officers' frustration with the Bush administration over the course of the war.

Growing questions of history. Has the military learned what it believes was an essential lesson of Vietnam? Did this Iraqi war generation of generals speak up about this war soon enough?

LT. GENERAL DAVID CHRISTMAN: Yes. I think the generals think about the legacy of Vietnam and the dereliction of duty mantle. And they don't want to be shackled with that.

STARR: Three retired chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff also object to the interrogation plan.

General Colin Powell, "The world is beginning to doubt the moral basis of our fight against terrorism."

General John Vessey, "It could give opponents a legal argument for the mistreatment of Americans being held prisoner in time of war."

General John Shalikashvili, the administration proposal "... poses a grave threat to American service members."

And more questions about whether there were ever enough troops in Iraq. Brigadier General John Kelly says when he was on the frontline from 2003 to 2004, he often had to move his troops around.

BRIG. GENERAL JOHN KELLY, U.S. MARINE CORPS: We're thankful that things didn't get too ugly too quickly, because we literally didn't have a marine or sailor to spare.

STARR: And General Binford Peay, retired head of the Central Command, says he believes far too troops were sent to Iraq. Peay now the third recent CentCom chief to criticize the war plan.

(on camera): This past spring we saw several retired generals essentially revolt, calling for the Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to resign. If what we are now seeing a second revolt, analysts say it reflects a deeper unhappiness with the war is going.

Barbara Starr, CNN, the Pentagon.

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PHILLIPS: Getting bigger, getting stronger. What's ahead for Hurricanes Helen and Gordon. Jackie Jeras updates us from the "Weather Center" next. You're watching the CNN NEWSROOM.

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(WEATHER REPORT)

PHILLIPS: Champagne wishes and caviar dreams. The megamillions way. Just ahead, the world's newest megamillionaire shares his plan.

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PHILLIPS: Well, from the Vietnam War to shock and awe in Iraq. The U.S. Navy's F-14 strike fighter has made history, even going Hollywood in the famous movie "Top Gun."

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And I'm getting on the hand salute. And we are just about to go. And here it comes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, it gets kind of addicting, doesn't it?

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PHILLIPS: Well, I got a chance to fly in an F-14 at the beginning of the war in Iraq, and on Thursday I'll do it again for the last time. The Navy is set to retire the legendary Tomcats and I'll have the honor of being part of those last flights, and I'm going to take you with me. We're going to have live coverage of the final flights beginning at 1:00 p.m. Eastern on Thursday right here in the CNN NEWSROOM.

Time now to check in with CNN's Wolf Blitzer. He's standing by in New York to tell us what's coming up at the top of the hour. Hey, Wolf.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Hi, Kyra. Good luck with that flight.

President Bush and the president of Iran at the United Nations. I'll speak live, coming up, with the United States ambassador to the U.N., John Bolton.

Plus nuclear intelligence. What proof does the White House have Iran is pursuing a bomb? We'll take a closer look at the hard facts.

Plus, concerns about the space shuttle. Flying debris creates a dangerous situation in space.

And out of the closet, the former governor of New Jersey talks about sex, corruption and dirty politics.

All that, Kyra, coming up right here in "THE SITUATION ROOM."

PHILLIPS: Now, Wolf, I'm going to have a little F-14 action for you, too, in "SITUATION ROOM," but it's kind of hard to trump your big interview with the president.

BLITZER: Tomorrow we'll be speaking to the president of the United States here in New York. Kyra, it will be very exciting.

PHILLIPS: We'll be watching. Thanks, Wolf.

The trading bell and a wrap of action on Wall Street, straight ahead. Don't go away.

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PHILLIPS: All he has to maintain now is composure. A maintenance worker -- make that retired maintenance worker -- who won a megamillions jackpot worth $163 million. Ben Chason chose to take his winnings in a lump sum, and a great lump it is, $95 million before taxes. In Atlanta yesterday, he relived the moment that he realized he won.

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BEN CHASON, LOTTERY WINNER: I just -- I says -- I said, man, I believe I won the Lottery. And he stuck it in the machine and he says, yes, you did! And so I says I got to go, he says what's your name? I says I don't...

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't have a name.

CHASON: I don't have a name!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Well, Chason says that he plans to spend some his new wealth, roughly $66 million after taxes, on his and his girlfriend's families. All right. That's pretty generous.

Ali Velshi, what would you do with $65 million?

ALI VELSHI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I wouldn't be here. I mean, I'd come and talk to you just for the fun of it. I'm not one of these guys -- you're not going to ever hear that me, I just like the job, I'm going to stick around because I just like it. No, uh-uh.

PHILLIPS: Yes, but you love your work.

VELSHI: I do! That's true, I do. In fact, I'd...

PHILLIPS: You'd be bored with all that money.

VELSHI: I kind of like coming to work and spending extra time here.

PHILLIPS: There you go. All right, so Hamid Karzai ringing the bell?

VELSHI: He's ringing the bell at the New York Stock Exchange. You know, it was this week five years ago -- you'll remember as the stock market opened, which was then September 17th, and we got those first reports of aircraft leaving to head toward Afghanistan. And in that time, so much has changed. Hamid Karzai has got a big, big issue on his hands. And Afghanistan, as we just know recently, is very unsettled.

But I must say, Kabul and Afghanistan have actually been great recipients of foreign investment. There are hotels going up. There are new cell phone services. There's actually a lot of hope on the economic side that Hamid Karzai and the new developments in Afghanistan will be -- will sustain peace for the long-term. It's just in the last month or so, the last few months, we've seen an increase in violence. PHILLIPS: Well, and it's struggling with the opium as well.

VELSHI: Yes.

PHILLIPS: I mean, that's going back on the market. It's funneling the insurgents. And that's tough, too. And that's playing a part of the economy.

VELSHI: Yes. And that is -- and this is the problem. In an economy which is so informal and so many people make money in ways that are not sort of above board, it's very hard to change that into a working economy. But Hamid Karzai, whether you like him or not, this guy works really hard and here he is, pressing the flesh and meeting people here. So, you know, I think we all wish him luck.

PHILLIPS: Well, who is meeting with? Do you know? Do you know exactly what his itinerary...

VELSHI: I don't know specifically who's he meeting with. I know that he's just made some comments a few minutes ago at the New York Stock Exchange which we'll only hear in a little while. But he's here to encourage investment in Afghanistan and to, I suppose, you know, make sure that the support that he's got from world leaders continues.

PHILLIPS: Yes, it's been five years since 9/11. Pretty amazing. All right, have a great rest of the day.

VELSHI: You, too. You have a fantastic afternoon.

PHILLIPS: OK. And we'll see you tomorrow.

VELSHI: Absolutely. Markets are about to close, the bell's going to ring in two seconds and all that talk about a coup in Thailand did turn markets lower.

Lots of news about the economy, too. Housing starts slower. Oil down to almost a six month low, at $61.66 a barrel. So we've got a Dow closing 12 points lower. There's Hamid Karzai. The closing number is 11,500.

Here's Wolf.

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