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French Intelligence Claims Osama Bin Laden Dead; Saudi Intelligence Claims Bin Laden Sick; Violence Continues in Iraq as Ramadan Begins

Aired September 23, 2006 - 17:00   ET

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

CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: A mysterious memo with a major message.
Is 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden dead?

Hello and welcome to the CNN NEWSROOM.

I'm Carol Lin.

Our top story in just a moment.

But first, I'm going to give you the headlines of the day to catch you up.

Now, the hours leading up to the Muslim holy month of Ramadan filled with violence in Baghdad. A pair of car bombings yesterday injuring more than 20 people. Well, today a bomb at a gas station killed 34 others.

And safer spinach could be back in stores soon. Federal health officials say spinach grown outside California's Salinas Valley is OK to eat now. Spinach contaminated with E. coli has made 166 people in 25 states sick. Food companies are still trying to recall all the tainted spinach.

And parts of Southern Illinois have been getting heavy winds and strong rains this weekend. A funnel cloud was spotted near the town of Murphysboro yesterday. Take a look at that. It's huge. Two people were hurt and lots of trees and homes damaged.

And reality TV's "Dog" the bounty hunter wants to work out a deal to avoid being extradited to Mexico. Dwayne Chapman tracked down and captured a rape suspect there three years ago. But bounty hunting is illegal in Mexico-and he was arrested.

A Nation of Islam followers are dealing with the news that their leader is seriously ill. Minister Louis Farrakhan gave them the news in a letter. He writes that he is battling serious infection and inflammation.

And widespread doubt greets the story out of France claiming Osama bin Laden is dead. A French newspaper report says bin Laden died of an illness a month ago today. Now, no credible sources confirming the story, but a Saudi source tells CNN bin Laden is apparently ill.

So we pick up the story from London with CNN's Nic Robertson.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It began here, a regional French newspaper reports Osama bin Laden died of typhoid in Pakistan a month ago. Layed Samarai (ph), the journalist who wrote the article, claims he saw a confidential French government document quoting Saudi authorities getting the news from a "usually reliable source" on September 4th.

French President Jacques Chirac responded quickly, ordering an investigation into the leak, adding he could not confirm the information.

A Saudi source close to Saudi intelligence said bin Laden was, indeed, suffering from a water-borne illness, but is not dead.

Pakistani officials, who have long denied bin Laden is in their country said they had no knowledge of bin Laden's death and if they were aware he was in Pakistan, they would have tried to capture him.

A senior Saudi official offered similar guidance, as did a senior U.S. official, with access to intelligence documents, saying they have not developed intelligence worthy of putting on the president's desk.

Bin Laden's family, according to friends and a Saudi source, has no knowledge of his death. When bin Laden's deputy, Ayman el- Zawahiri's wife, was killed in U.S. bombing after 9/11, the first indication came when the family took out notices of death in Egyptian newspapers.

So far, intelligence information points to bin Laden still being alive, although possibly not well.

There is always the possibility that this information has been leaked into the public domain to try and goad Osama bin Laden to appear on camera. The last time that that happened was almost two years ago. Since then, he has released audio messages, the last one on the 30th of June.

How would that benefit intelligence officials is not clear. But at this stage it seems these reports have to be treated with a healthy degree of skepticism.

Nic Robertson, CNN, London.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

LIN: More on this story later. I'm going to be talking with terrorism analyst Ken Robinson, who has reported from the region. He has worked in the region for special ops. Hear why he thinks bin Laden is still alive.

Now, at 10:00 Eastern tonight, "CNN PRESENTS: IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF BIN LADEN." It is a two-hour special investigation and it's only right here on CNN. Grief and anger in Baghdad after a brutal attack today. A car bomb explodes at a gas station packed with Shiites getting ready for the holy month of Ramadan, and 34 people were killed.

Now, civilian attacks like this one are affecting many Iraqis' Ramadan plans.

Here's CNN's Arwa Damon.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

ARWA DAMON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): On the last Thursday before Ramadan, a wedding guest commented that it was celebrations like these that would eventually change the tide in Iraq.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): The terrorists have to understand, all those that are detonating themselves, let them look to Thursday and see someone getting married, see a man with his bride. They will remember humanity."

DAMON: But far from any act of humanity, the first Ramadan weekend brought a familiar Iraqi sight -- another car bomb. Again, in the Shia slum of Sadr City, as residents were stocking up on necessary fuel.

Ramadan is normally a month of kindness and peace, a time of compassion. These images, now common, seared into Iraqis' minds, keep many at home, away from crowds.

During better times, this popular Baghdad marketplace would be packed with people. Now, Iraqis only hit the street out of necessity. This marketplace has been hit before. So it's not hard to imagine what a single bomb here can do.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): Ramadan used to be fun--- families shopping. Now, with no security, it's just like every other day in Iraq -- bombs and death.

DAMON: Shop owners have noticed a significant change from Ramadans past. "Each Ramadan, the shopping is less and less," he says.

(on camera): Normally the streets during Ramadan would be filled with people, large gatherings to break the fast, even parties. But this year, due to the ongoing violence, many Iraqis will remain where they feel safest -- in the relative security of their own homes.

Arwa Damon, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

LIN: Now, Ramadan begins today for some Muslims, tomorrow for others. The timing is determined by the sighting of the new moon and the methods used to spot it. That's why the dates can vary between different countries and even different ethnic groups. Ramadan is considered the most spiritual time on the Muslim calendar. Now, the number of U.S. troops killed in Iraq and Afghanistan has surpassed the number of victims of the 9/11 attacks. The Associated Press is citing Pentagon figures, saying 2,974 American personnel have been killed in the war on terror. Two thousand nine hundred seventy- three people died on September 11 in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington.

All right, have you gotten a chance to check out this massive tornado? It was spotted yesterday in Murphysboro, Illinois. It's part of a deadly line of storms stretching across the Midwest, from Cincinnati, Ohio to Dallas, Texas. And at least six deaths are blamed on the severe weather.

Another tornado touched down in Missouri, knocking down gas pumps and signs and trees. Many houses and cars were also damaged.

Two of those storm deaths happened in Lexington, Kentucky. Two women there were swept away as they tried to cross a flooded roadway.

More wet, windy weather also on tap today and much of the state is under a flood watch.

In neighboring Indiana, more flooding around Evansville. The storm, in fact, knocked out power to homes and businesses and rapidly flooding streets stranded motorists.

So let's get the latest on the severe weather.

Don't go anywhere without listening to meteorologist Jacqui Jeras -- Jacqui, more coming this weekend?

JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Absolutely. And it's going to be ongoing through tonight. And, unfortunately, some of those same areas that you showed that video from, Carol, are going to be getting hit hard again for tonight.

Now, we do expect things are going to improve a little bit into Evansville. But until this cold front drops all the way through, you're still going to continue to get wet weather. And we've had so much rain that any little drop certainly not welcome and aggravating the situation.

We still have the threat of tornadoes tonight, but the tornado threat is a little bit diminished compared to yesterday. But still a serious situation for those of you living in central parts of Tennessee on up into south central parts of Kentucky. This watch in effect, we think, until about 8:00 local time for tonight.

The yellow box is that severe thunderstorm watches, where your threat is probably going to be more damaging wind and hail rather than the tornadoes.

Nashville just getting hit hard now with a line of very strong thunderstorms pushing off to the east now. Downtown Nashville just expired now a severe thunderstorm warning. But still some very heavy downpours. I know you want to go out. It's a Saturday night. But use a lot of caution. This might be the night, if you live in the Tennessee Valley -- look at that, they just reissued the severe thunderstorm warning. We've got to love that automatic update on our severe weather system here. So Davison County back under a severe thunderstorm warning for those damaging winds and the torrential downpours at this time.

Now, tomorrow the storm system continues to head eastward. And we'll be watching cities like Atlanta, on up toward Raleigh, into Washington, D.C. Philadelphia, even New York, Boston, and even up into Bangor, Maine could be seeing some severe weather.

We don't expect as many tornadoes tomorrow even as what we're seeing tonight compared to what we see tomorrow. So progressively, this system is weakening as it pushes eastward.

But one big thing to keep in mind -- Sunday a big travel day for everybody. And unfortunately it's going to be hitting all those big cities where people like to travel in and out of.

The West has been having severe weather of its own in the form of some very strong winds. The Santa Ana winds have been setting up here across parts of California. Strong down sloping winds, those hot, dry winds that aggravate the fire situation. So that is a big concern for folks out to the west for tonight.

And taking a look at the tropics, we still have a hurricane out there, just to keep an eye on things for you. We have Hurricane Helene not bothering anybody, but we're watching very closely a new tropical disturbance here east of the Leeward Islands that does have the potential to turn into something very slowly over the next couple of days.

We'll keep you up to date on that -- Carol.

LIN: Good heavens, I think we've covered the entire map, the entire Western Hemisphere.

JERAS: Trying.

LIN: Jacqui, thank you.

JERAS: OK.

LIN: All right, coming up, will Boston give a local landmark the boot?

Why this Citgo sign could soon be history. It plays into current events, believe it or not.

Plus, a call to arms against Katrina evacuees.

Has one Houston business owner gone too far?

Wait until you hear what he says. Plus...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I love him because he's my father, but I still don't think I could forgive him. I really want him back behind bars.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LIN: Ditched by his own dad. But finally some good news for this teen. You're in the CNN NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LIN: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is back home, but he's still bad mouthing President Bush, after calling him a devil at the United Nations this week. Now Chavez wants him to resign.

Mr. Chavez's fiery comments could spell the end of a famous sign in Boston.

CNN's Dan Lothian explains.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

DAN LOTHIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The Citgo sign has been a Boston landmark since 1965, towering over the city and historic Fenway Park.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Basically, that's how I know I'm home.

LOTHIAN: But Boston City Council Member Jerry McDermott wants the sign removed.

JERRY MCDERMOTT, BOSTON CITY COUNCIL: I'd like to see the biggest American flag that we could put there.

LOTHIAN: The sign is owned by Citgo, which is a subsidiary of Venezuela's oil company. McDermott, a Democrat, is still hot under the collar after that country's president, Hugo Chavez, blasted President Bush at the United Nations, calling him the devil.

MCDERMOTT: I thought it was disgusting to see a head of state come to our country, on our soil, and basically spit on America and insult our president.

LOTHIAN: The Chavez Citgo sign controversy heated up on talk radio.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP FROM WRKO AM RADIO)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Should we change the Citgo sign?

(END AUDIO CLIP)

LOTHIAN: Like Boston's WRKO.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP FROM WRKO AM RADIO)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think that the sign should stay.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I say get rid of the sign. I just feel that way.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What if we just put a -- draped a black cloth over it until there's a newly elected president of Venezuela?

(END AUDIO CLIP)

LOTHIAN: Council Member McDermott, who was on the show, told listeners his proposal is attracting attention beyond Boston.

MCDERMOTT: We got congratulatory calls from Arizona, Pittsburgh. It was really impressive, you know? I didn't think it would take off like this.

LOTHIAN: Citgo tried to remove the sign more than 20 years ago, but the city fought to keep it. It has since undergone a $1 million face lift.

In a statement to CNN, a Citgo official said the company is proud of its American heritage, that goes back nearly a century. And he added that the Citgo sign is an important part of that heritage.

(on camera): Chances are the sign will stay put. But the Boston City Council will take up the matter at its next meeting on Wednesday. A public hearing could soon follow.

Dan Lothian, CNN, Boston.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

LIN: Well, we want to hear what you think about this.

Should Boston remove its Citgo sign?

E-mail us at weekends@cnn.com and we're going to read some of your responses later this hour.

Now, in other Stories Across America, a search continues today in a field in East St. Louis, Illinois. Police are looking for Jimella Tunstall's three children. Tunstall's body was found two days ago, a fetus cut from her body. Police are holding a woman, but have not charged her with anything. And right now they're ruling out any charges against Tunstall's relatives.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CAPT. CRAIG KOEHLER, ILLINOIS STATE POLICE: We have spoken with family members of the children and none of the family members of the children are considered suspects in their disappearance in any way.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LIN: The search also continues around the U.S. for John Woodring. Police believe he forced his way into a domestic violence shelter in North Carolina on Monday and killed his wife Bonnie. Woodring was already wanted on domestic violence charges. He was accused of violating a protective order and trying to strangle his wife.

And a conference on helping gays turn straight draws protests in southern California. Hundreds were at the meeting, held by Focus On The Family. Now others were unhappy with the conservative Christian group's message and demonstrated outside the church in Indian Wells.

Coming up, Houston residents have had enough. As the crime rate rises, they're arming themselves. Residents blame Hurricane Katrina evacuees for the new crime wave.

Plus, conflicting reports on the death of Osama bin Laden. Despite those rumors, the hunt for al Qaeda continues, that leader continues. We are going to look at the Pakistan connection. That's coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LIN: For the past few weeks, we've been telling you how some Hurricane Katrina evacuees have worn out their welcome in Houston, Texas. Even the police union blames a new crime wave on Katrina evacuees. And now a local celebrity is calling for people in Houston to arm themselves.

CNN's Sean Callebs explains.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Houston gun-shop owner Jim Pruett is fed up with the rise in violent crime in the city.

JIM PRUETT, GUN SHOP OWNER, HOUSTON TALK SHOW HOST: This is called a looter shooter.

CALLEBS: A spike in robberies, assaults and murders Houston police blame, in part, on Katrina evacuees. For Pruett, the final straw was listening to a radio interview with an evacuee who he says dropped a not so veiled threat.

PRUETT: He said that if he doesn't get some rent money, if the FEMA money runs out, then the level of crime is going to go up in this neighborhood because I'm going to have to get me some money.

CALLEBS: Part gun-enthusiast and part showman, Pruett is also a local talk radio host. He put out a commercial warning Houstonians to arm themselves.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM COMMERCIAL)

PRUETT: When the "Katricians" themselves are quoted as saying, the crime rate is going to go up if they don't get more free rent, then it's time to get your concealed handgun-license.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CALLEBS: It's no secret that most of the so-called "Katricians" are evacuees from New Orleans. People like David Turner who proudly boast a tattoo reading "6th Ward."

DAVID TURNER, KATRINA EVACUEE: This is my 'hood where, you know, where I grew up in New Orleans.

CALLEBS: It's an area near the French Quarter. Turner says when people in Houston see his dreadlocks and tattoos, they think one thing.

TURNER: It's -- they be like thug. That's the first thing come in their mind, like thug.

CALLEBS: And that's something echoed by Tanishia Nicholas, who says evacuees are being unfairly singled out.

TANISHIA NICHOLAS, KATRINA EVACUEE: If there's three guys from New Orleans causing trouble and there's 100,000 people here, I mean you can't -- you just can't have a weapon for everybody.

CALLEBS: A large majority of the 130,000 or so Katrina evacuees in Houston are unemployed, according to the city.

TURNER: See, I'm willing to work. I'm willing to get, you know, a nice job out here, but I don't have like transportation.

NICHOLAS: You can't find a job and you just really don't know what to do.

CALLEBS: And the last of the government benefits are running out.

(on camera): Is that loaded?

PRUETT: This is loaded. It's cocked and locked.

CALLEBS (voice-over): After handing out about 8,000 concealed weapons permits in both 2004 and 2005, Harris County, home to Houston, is on track to issue 11,000 so far this year. Pruett offers no apologies, only a final salvo.

PRUETT: In Texas, we don't carry handguns because we have to, it's because we get to.

CALLEBS: Sean Callebs, CNN, Houston.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LIN: So let's get both sides of the debate now.

Joining us is talk show host and gun-shop owner Jim Pruett, whom you just saw in that report, and Tyrone Graves, a storm evacuee now living in Houston.

Gentlemen, thanks for joining us.

Jim, let me begin with you.

So, since the ad campaign started, what's happened to gun-sales at your place?

PRUETT: Actually, since the ad started -- the commercial was running for about three weeks and nobody paid any attention. Then suddenly CNN picked it up and the business is going crazy. I couldn't get out of the store today for the number of people getting the -- registering for the canceled handgun-class and buying handguns.

LIN: So, Tyrone, what is your reaction to this ad campaign?

TYRONE GRAVES, EVACUEE RESIDING IN HOUSTON: Well, first of all, I would like to thank the people here in Houston for accepting us in their city. Also, I would like to thank ACORN, one of the first responders that went down to the shelters to meet the people that came in on the buses.

LIN: So, Tyrone, what are you saying?

GRAVES: Also...

LIN: Are you saying that -- because Houston was very welcoming initially for the Katrina evacuees. But then you've got people like Jim Pruett who are telling people to arm themselves.

So what do you make of all this?

GRAVES: But when you have people like Mayor White and his housing assistant, John Walsh, who went out to respond to over 100,000 people and found over 35,000 apartments to house these people in. People like this that are, you know, the heroic things that they did to...

LIN: Well, I'm glad to hear that.

GRAVES: ... to (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

LIN: I'm glad to hear that you have felt welcome.

GRAVES: Very much so.

LIN: So, Mr. Pruett, you're not talking about people like Tyrone, are you?

But you really don't think that there's going to be this shootout between Houston residents and Katrina evacuees, do you?

PRUETT: Oh, no, not at all.

GRAVES: I am... PRUETT: The majority of the evacuees are law abiding citizens. They have come here, they got jobs. Down the street we have a couple from Louisiana that moved in.

LIN: So why doesn't that come across in your ad campaign?

I mean you've come up with an -- you've come up with the name of Katricians. You say, you make them...

PRUETT: May I define that?

LIN: Yes, because you make it sound like they're a bunch of Martians who are ready to rob you.

PRUETT: Absolutely not. I wish I would have coined the phrase Katrician, but actually I got it from a policeman. They use it to describe the criminal element of the evacuees. And, you know, if you've got a job here and you're working, you've got -- you're in the community, you're a Houstonian now. God bless you. And we have a bunch of them. And that's what makes this city great.

LIN: So, Tyrone, do you think that Katrina evacuees are the cause of this crime wave that Houston police are talking about?

GRAVES: I am a law abiding -- a law abiding American citizen. All my friends, neighbors, are law abiding American citizens. My sisters, my brothers and their children are all law abiding American citizens. There are crimes. People commit crimes. And I think they should pay. And that's final.

LIN: So are you going to take up Jim Pruett's offer to sell you a weapon, then?

GRAVES: I am a law abiding citizen. We are victims. We are victims and I think what's happening, we have been blamed for our own victimization.

LIN: What does that mean?

GRAVES: That means that people, you know, kids are going to be frightened. I'm frightened just by hearing, you know, people arming themselves against Katrina victims. I mean there are so many people that really don't know how to even handle guns. And you're going to have kids, you're going to have women, elderly people that are not -- you know, it's just going to be so much -- so many unsafe acts, people getting shot for nothing.

LIN: Well, Tyrone Graves, I know that you and your wife are going to school. You're trying to make a life for yourself in Houston. You dream of the day of going back to New Orleans. So I wish you well.

Jim Pruett, it wasn't CNN's intent to increase your gun-sales. But, appreciate the time that you're giving us today.

PRUETT: Hey, our pleasure. This is a great city. We don't have a crime problem, we have a cash problem.

LIN: OK...

PRUETT: But because it's a bustling city and a lot of people come here to make their money.

LIN: I understand...

PRUETT: Also...

LIN: Jim Pruett...

PRUETT: ... (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

LIN: Jim Pruett, we're going to leave it there.

I just feel like I'm talking to a different man than the man who advertised and, you know, exploited the fact that you own a gun-shop and you were asking people to buy weapons in your city.

But it's one of the reasons why we wanted you on the program today.

PRUETT: I'm not asking them to buy weapons. Getting their canceled handgun license legally so they can carry a handgun-on their person or in their car...

LIN: OK.

PRUETT: ... and defend themselves against criminals.

LIN: All right.

PRUETT: We're not going to be victims anymore.

LIN: Yes, I hear you.

PRUETT: It ends now.

LIN: I hear you.

You specifically said Houstonians had better pack some serious heat. I think that's an appeal to buy weapons.

Jim Pruett, thank you very much.

Tyrone Graves, good luck to you.

Well, some say that he's dead, but my next guest believes he is still alive.

Coming up, terrorism expert Ken Robinson tells us why the leaked memo about Osama bin Laden is likely false. And his life was on the line -- a teen in desperate need of a kidney. But the one person who was supposed to help him skipped town. An update on a story CNN has followed. That's later.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LIN: Conflicting accounts on the death of alleged terror mastermind, Osama bin Laden. A French newspaper reports the Al Qaeda leader died last month in Pakistan, but Saudi intelligence officials refute the claim, noting bin Laden is alive, but sick.

And bloodshed on the streets of Baghdad; a car bomb detonated at this Sadr City gas station, 34 people were killed, and another 29 wounded. The attack coincides with the holy month of Ramadan.

And in California, strong Santa Ana winds are fueling the three- week old Day (ph) Fire, with winds as high as 70 miles per hour in the forecast. Residents are planning to evacuate.

And the FDA is recommending routine HIV tests for teens and senior citizens. Doctors say such a plan could minimize the spread of AIDS. An estimated 250,000 Americans have the human immune deficiency virus, but they don't know it.

And the Food and Drug Administration needs more staff, and better funding, to better police the safety of medicines. That is the synopsis of a new report released by the Institute of Medicine.

Dead or alive, that is the big question surrounding Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. A French newspaper report says Osama bin Laden died a month ago, today, in Pakistan from suspected typhoid poisoning.

But intelligence officials in bin Laden's native Saudi Arabia say that is not the case. Their best information suggests bin Laden is sick, with some type of waterborne disease.

Some believe Osama bin Laden is hiding in Pakistan. If he is there, the U.S. says it will go after him, with or without Pakistan's permission. CNN's Senior Pentagon Correspondent Jamie McIntyre reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (voice over): U.S. intelligence generally believes Osama bin Laden is hiding among sympathizers in the tribal areas of Pakistan, that border southern Afghanistan. But U.S. commanders say if they knew exactly where, they wouldn't wait for Pakistani permission to go after him -- or for other most wanted terrorists, for that matter.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I would tell you, that when we get good targeting information, that we'll go where we need to go, to go find him, and go get him.

LT. GEN. KARL EIKENBERRY, COMBINED FORCES CMD., AFGHANISTAN: Intent of our commander in chief, President Bush is very clear to commanders at every level, including my level, and down.

MCINTYRE: It wouldn't be the first time the U.S. crossed the line in Pakistan. Back in January, the CIA fired a missile at a compound near the border, hoping to kill bin Laden's number two, Ayman al Zawahiri. He was not among the dead.

And in 1998, the U.S. sent cruise missiles through Pakistani airspace to try to get bin Laden at an Al Qaeda training camp in Afghanistan. The Pakistani government was told only after the missiles were en route. The rules of engagement are not written in stone.

EIKENBERRY: They allow me the authorities that are needed, and the flexibility that's needed to, as we say, take the fight to international terrorism.

MCINTYRE: Take this recent surveillance photograph of a Taliban funeral in Afghanistan. Funerals are usually off limits because of the risk to innocent non-combatants, but if bin Laden had been there, commanders, who held their fire, might well have ordered an air strike.

THOMAS DONNELLY, CTR. FOR STRATEGIC & INT'L. STUDIES: I wouldn't imagine there's going to be a lot -- going to be a lot of teeth gnashing, you know, if you have Osama in your crosshairs, I'm sure that pretty much, any American would be anxious to pull the trigger.

MCINTYRE: The options boil down to two, a cross border snatch mission by CIA or U.S. military special forces, or air strikes from manned or unmanned planes.

DONNELLY: Perfect universe, I'd much rather capture him. He still has huge intelligence value.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MCINTYRE (on camera): One reason the U.S. might want to rely on getting forgiveness from Pakistan is the long-held suspicion that too many people in the Pakistani government would be willing to tip Al Qaeda off to any U.S. operation. Jamie McIntyre, CNN, The Pentagon.

LIN: So let's bring in Ken Robinson now, he is a military intelligence analyst. He served in the U.S. Special Forces, specifically in Afghanistan, and he's reported for some time for CNN. He joins us from Los Angeles today.

Ken, good to have you.

KEN ROBINSON, U.S. MILITARY ANALYST: Hi, Carol.

LIN: All right, so let's say that this initial report that bin Laden is dead came from a French newspaper, citing an intelligence source. They are still standing by that source. Who would leak this kind of information? Do you sense that there is an agenda here?

ROBINSON: Well, you know, in the intelligence community and in international politics, leaking is part of the game. The question will always be, whose motives and what was operating?

When you leak information like this, typically it comes from someone who's disgruntled, who wants a policy maker to act, and act faster, or sometimes the information could be leaked by a Saudi intelligence source who is being manipulated -- that is sympathetic toward Al Qaeda.

There's multiple reasons to do it, to either make the intelligence community work faster and harder, or sometimes it's a government leak, to make a source who is hiding in the field, act, to have him communicate, or have people who know where he is to communicate. A friend, a relative, or an acquaintance, and then be able to find information out, further actionable intelligence, so they can send a missile.

LIN: Well, because who would know if bin Laden is dead or alive? I mean, there's no body. We don't know if there ever will be a body. Only his Ayman al Zawahiri, his number two, might know. But he wouldn't be the leak necessarily, again, do you think?

ROBINSON: Well, it would be very, very difficult to keep the death of bin Laden a secret. The information would spread really rapidly. When we were in Pakistan back in 2003 and 2004, you know, the hints of Zawahiri being potentially captured, it rippled around the world in a matter of minutes.

The rumors of bin Laden's death have occurred many times. It's very routine. You never really know, though, in the intelligence world where the motives are coming from, whether it's coming from the people on the ground who are trying to manipulate the U.S., or whether it's coming from the U.S. trying to manipulate the people they are trying to capture.

LIN: Well, let's say Al Qaeda leaked this information. What would be Al Qaeda's motive?

ROBINSON: For an Al Qaeda to leak something like, this it would be to exercise and wear out the intelligence community, and the hunters who are looking for them. It might be to cause a reaction to see who in Pakistan, who in Afghanistan, who in the border areas are reacting differently based on the information that's being led into the public domain.

LIN: So --

ROBINSON: This happened in Colombia a lot, when Pablo Escobar was being chased --

LIN: The drug lord, uh-huh.

ROBINSON: Yes, the drug lord, Pablo would put information into the public domain and from it, he would say things like where certain people were going to be or where certain Americans might be targeted. And then he would sit back and watch those Americans peel out of a hotel.

LIN: Uh-huh.

ROBINSON: And to do this, he was -- he was manipulating the community's ability to chase him.

LIN: So let's -- so let's say bin Laden or Zawahiri leaked this information. What are they watching for, then? What do they gain by watching the world reaction?

ROBINSON: Well, if I was to make an educated guess, I would say that that's probably not the case, that they did it. I'm saying that's a realm of possibility.

LIN: Uh-huh.

ROBINSON: More likely the information is, as it's being reported, is coming from a Saudi source, who feels he's confident in the information he's receiving from Waziristan. Because there are Arabs, there are Sunni Arabs in Waziristan, in the tribal areas, who are with the Taliban. And the Taliban, of course, are Pashtuns, not ethically related at all. And information comes out of there, and often, as we say in the intelligence community, the first reports are often wrong.

So what happens is you get these knee jerks, where the whole world talks about it for 24 hours, but sometimes there is a sponsor behind the leak that has a hidden hand.

LIN: Uh-huh. Do you think he's alive? Or do you think he's dead?

ROBINSON: I think he's alive. I think it's like the biggest secret in the world. You just couldn't keep it. The -- the information, though, that would be very important would be where's he buried? Because that's a shrine, and they know that they want to collect DNA to confirm that he's dead or alive, for the political ramification of it, not for an impact. Whether he's dead or alive, make no difference in the war on terror. If he was gone tomorrow, it would make no difference in jihadist movement that has spread to 60 country, it would not.

LIN: That we have learned. The war on terror has expanded. Ken Robinson, good to see you. Thank you.

ROBINSON: Thank you.

LIN: Here's another reminder, at 10:00 Eastern tonight, "CNN Presents: In the Footsteps of bin Laden". It's a two-hour special investigation, and it's only right here on CNN.

In other news around the world, a videotape posted on Islamic websites purportedly shows the new leader of Al Qaeda in Iraq, killing a Turkish hostage. An on-screen caption identifies a masked gunman as Abu Ayyub al Masri. The authenticity of this tape has not been verified.

And Israel is condemning a fiery and defiant speech by Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. In Beirut yesterday, Nasrallah vowed his militants will never surrender their weapons and he also boasted Hezbollah is stronger than ever, armed with an arsenal of more than 25,000 missiles.

Investigators are trying to determine if human error is to blame for a deadly train crash in Germany. Twenty-three people were killed when a high-speed magnetic train slammed into a maintenance vehicle on the same elevated track. Officials say they are focusing on the track's control center, where the train is powered up and cleared for travel.

Now, coming up, a matter of life and death for a young boy. Yet, his own father skipped out on him.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Do you think you could ever forgive him?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Forgive him, probably not.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LIN: In spite of the odds, happy news for this teen. Coming up, in the CNN NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LIN: This just in to the CNN Center; we are monitoring this news conference that you're seeing out of East St. Louis that we have learned that investigators there are charging a 26-year-old woman, who was in custody right now, in the death of an acquaintance.

This is in the case where a woman, 23-year-old woman, Jimella Tunstall's (ph) body was found. Her body cut open, and her fetus stolen. They are still searching a heavily wooded area there. They are not revealing what evidence they have found. But this woman's other three children are also still missing.

And so police are trying to find out exactly what happened. But the wording of it is that the death of an acquaintance. So it appears that this 26-year-old woman knew 23-year-old Jimella Tunstall (ph).

That's what we know right now. The news conference is still going on. We're still monitoring, and as soon as we learn more, we'll keep you posted.

An update now on a Kentucky teenager who desperately need a kidney. His dad was let out of jail to donate one of his. Instead, he took off. Now, despite his deadbeat dad, the boy got what he need. Here's CNN's Susan Candiotti.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DESTIN PERKINS, KIDNEY TRANSPLANT PATIENT: See what I mean!

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN CORRESPONDENT, CNN NEWSROOM (voice over): Like any new golfer, Destin Perkins admits he needs some work on his swing.

PERKINS: I shanked it.

CANDIOTTI: But for him, that's not what playing golf is all about.

PERKINS: It's just fun. Especially when you got your friends with you, it means a lot to me.

CANDIOTTI: Fun is not what Destin was having last winter. The 16-year-old was badly in need of a kidney transplant. And the man he counted on for help skipped out on him.

(On camera): Do you think you could ever forgive him?

PERKINS: Forgive him? Probably not. It's pretty bad thing that he did to me.

CANDIOTTI (voice over): That "he" is Destin's own father U.S. Marshals called Destin's dad, Byron Perkins, the most hated man in America.

(On camera): Are you any closer to catching Byron Perkins?

DEP. DAWN IZGARJAN, U.S. MARSHALL SERVICE: We are no closer to catching Byron Perkins, or Leanne Howard.

CANDIOTTI (voice over): Perkins took off with his fugitive girlfriend Leanne Howard last January. He was temporarily freed from jail, while awaiting a maximum life sentence, so he could donate a kidney to his son.

After CNN first ran the story last February, American tourists vacationing near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico told police they recognized the couple, but not before Mexican villagers say they bought Perkins sob story that his money was stolen. And were never repaid for bailing him out. Though they run down leads from Canada to Kansas, U.S. Marshals suspect the couple is still in Mexico, pulling off scams.

IZGARJAN: I don't want the public to forget about Byron Perkins and Leanne Howard, just because Destin is doing great right now. We need to catch him, and we need to bring him, and face the charges.

This is my working file.

CANDIOTTI (on camera): These two.

IZGARJAN: On Perkins and Howard.

CANDIOTTI (voice over): Authorities say they hope the publicity will generate fresh leads.

(On camera): You think they'll just slip up?

IZGARJAN: Everybody makes a mistake, and he will eventually make a mistake. And we'll just wait. CANDIOTTI (voice over): Destin's mother also is waiting for that day.

ANGELA HAMMOND, DESTIN'S MOTHER: He will mess up. He always did.

CANDIOTTI (on camera): Do you still love him, because he's still your father?

PERKINS: I love him because he's my father, but I still don't think I could forgive him. I really want him back behind bars.

CANDIOTTI: You think he should be punished?

PERKINS: Yeah.

CANDIOTTI: Put behind bars?

(Voice over): The person who gets credit for saving Destin Perkins? An anonymous organ donor who died in California.

(On camera): Do you think this has made you a stronger person?

PERKINS: I think I could probably do anything now.

CANDIOTTI (voice over): Including showing off his transplant scar that may fade faster than the emotional wounds left by his fugitive father. Susan Candiotti, CNN, Jamestown, Kentucky.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LIN: Anderson Cooper is going to continue to follow this story and report on any updates. "AC 360" airs weeknights at 10:00 Eastern, only on CNN.

(WEATHER REPORT)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LIN: All right, North Carolina police say he is armed and dangerous, and on the loose. John "Woody" Woodring is accused of forcing his way into a domestic violence shelter and fatally shooting his estranged wife. A nationwide manhunt is underway at this hour. We have more from Fredricka Whitfield.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT, CNN NEWSROOM (voice over): Bonnie Woodring was looking for help, and she hoped to find it here at the domestic violence shelter in the small town of Silva, North Carolina.

But police say her husband, John Raymond Woodring, barged into the shelter and shot her Monday night. The shelter's executive director says the safety measures in place were no match for Woodring. JEAN BOCKSTAHLER, SHELTER'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: A man like this particular man, who has both the background and the determination to pursue, this kind of murder. I wish we had a way of protecting her more.

WHITFIELD: Police say the victim's son, from a previous marriage, heard the shooting from a nearby room. The suspect is a teaching assistant at Western Carolina University, earning his master's degree in counseling. He's also the author of a book titled "The Convict Speaks" about notorious criminals. Police are now reading that book for clues.

Police say Woodring could face charges of first-degree murder, as well as charges stemming from a September 14th incident, when he is accused of violating a protective order and attempting to strangle his wife.

After that alleged confrontation earlier in the month, this posting on the couple's website. Quote, "Bonnie, I am so very sorry for everything that has happened. I will do anything for a chance to turn things around," end quote.

Police believe Woodring is driving a stolen electric blue Honda Civic with a North Carolina license plate number JRY2108. He is 5'9" and weighs 190 pounds. Woodring is believed to be armed and dangerous.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LIN: Almost the whole horizon, a massive gray twister touched down in Murphysboro, Illinois yesterday, it's part of a deadly line of storms stretching way across from the Midwest to Cincinnati, Ohio, to Dallas, Texas. And another tornado touched down in Missouri, knocking down gas pump signs and trees. So far, six deaths are blamed on the stormy weather across the region.

If only some of that rain could be directed out West to Southern California. Take a look at this fire. It's still burning. Fire crews are battling the giant blaze in the Los Padres National Forest. Santa Ana winds are stoking those flames. Those are the hot, dry desert winds that blow towards the West, sometimes around this time of year.

And the 70-mile-an-hour gusts are threatening to ground firefighting aircraft now. So Jacqui Jeras, when are they going to get a break in the weather?

(WEATHER REPORT)

LIN: We've also been receiving I-reports on severe weather hits parts of the country, and we've seen tornadoes and thunderstorms and flooding. So let's take a look at this picture from Chicago. Take a look at these dark storms clouds over Chicago's skyline. This was sent to us by I-reporter Eric Grant.

And check out this video, a tornado touches down in Russell, Kansas. It was sent to us by Paul Brock, he's a manager at the nearby Russell Inn. And he says, a couple of the barns in the area lost their roofs and was -- one was even destroyed. Now, luckily there was no damage to his hotel.

And don't forget, you can send us an I-report, just log on to CNN.com and scroll down to the I-report section. We'd love to hear from the viewers.

Also we asked you earlier what you thought about a Boston politician urging that his city remove the giant CITGO sign, you know, the oil company. We heard from a ton of you.

For example, Kate from Rochester, Massachusetts writes: "I think a better message would be sent if a large black sash would be placed across the sign in the shape of an X."

CITGO is a subsidiary of Venezuela and as you know the Venezuelan president was bashing the U.S. president, just a few days ago at the United Nations; that's where all this started from.

Now, Skip writes in: "When a Boston Red Sox player hits a home run to left field the fans yell, "C-IT-GO" as the ball soars toward the sign. It isn't subject to politics or world opinion, it is ours, and we embrace it."

Samuel from Venezuela, all right, Samuel. He says: "I believe the sign should be taken down. I am a citizen of Venezuela and I feel embarrassed by our president's behavior. A clear message must be sent and it must be sent now."

Janice from Houston, Texas, writes: "Yes, the CITGO sign should be removed in Boston. I will NOT purchase any more gasoline or goods from a CITGO gas station."

And Andrea writes: "I am a Boston resident and I say leave the sign. Our president constantly criticizes heads of sate of other countries and does not know the meaning of diplomacy."

Ouch, Andrea.

Anyway, good to hear from all the viewers.

There is still much more ahead on CNN. Up next, in fact, "This Week At War", CNN correspondents from around the globe examine the war of words at the United Nations. And an extended tour of duty for U.S. troops in Iraq, "This Week At War," in about four minutes.

But first, the day's top stories after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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