Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live Saturday

Season's First Tropical Depression; Zarqawi Hideout Obliterated; President Bush Vowing To Keep Pressure On Insurgents In Iraq; Father Of Marine Says Son Is Being Treated Like A Criminal; Craig Newmark Interview

Aired June 10, 2006 - 12:00   ET

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

FREDRICK WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Nothing but rubble, that's all that is left of the hideout used by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi as seen in these latest pictures. The two 500-pound bombs that obliterated the dwelling Wednesday also cut a wide swath of destruction in the immediate area. The leader of al Qaeda in Iraq died moments after the U.S. attack.
In Pakistan, security forces backed by artillery and helicopter gunships destroy a military training site near the Afghan border today. An Army spokesman says 15 to 20 suspected militants and local supporters were killed.

Carrying out a vow of revenge, Hamas militants fire a barrage of rockets at Israeli targets today, Israel says there are no casualties reported. The attack came hours after Hamas called off a cease-fire in response to an Israeli artillery strike in Gaza that killed seven civilians on the beach.

A nuclear plan counteroffer in the works from Iran, the foreign minister says it's in response to a Western incentives package aimed at persuading Iran to suspend enrichment and restart talks over its nuclear program. No word on what might be included in that proposal.

We update the top stories every 15 minutes on CNN LIVE SATURDAY. Your next update is coming up at 12:15 Eastern.

Straight ahead this hour, a warning for web surfer, we'll talk to the man behind Craigslist about what he says could be a slowdown on the internet.

Also dollars and deal, we're got money saving ideas and tips to survive the summer travel season.

From the CNN Center in Atlanta, I'm Fredericka Whitfield, welcome to CNN LIVE SATURDAY.

ANNOUNCER: You're watching CNN, your severe weather headquarters.

WHITFIELD: We're watching the first tropical depression at the start of the Atlantic hurricane season. Our Reynolds Wolf is in the weather center with a close watch on it --Reynolds.

(WEATHER REPORT) WHITFIELD: All right, Cuba, one of the first places that are being threatened by this tropical depression. Our Havana bureau chief, Morgan Neill, is on the line with us right now.

And Morgan what are you seeing, experiencing, anticipating?

MORGAN NEILL, CNN HAVANA BUREAU CHIEF: Well, Fredericka, here in Havana, what we've seen the skies have gotten steadily darker throughout the day, steady rains have began last night, and picked up a lot of momentum and for the last couple of hours it's really been coming down. I've just spoken to someone in the western city of Pinar Del Rio and says the streets have already flooded there.

Now, we've talked to the head of Cuba's forecast center says he's expecting intense rains to continue, both in the capital and Western Cuba, but there have been no emergency measures announced. While authorities say that could change at any point, so far, none of those evacuations ordered.

WHITFIELD: And Morgan, tropical depressions, big heavy rains, something that Cubans are very much accustomed, but why is this one different in terms of heightening any kind of nerves?

NEILL: Well, I tell you, the main reason this one is different here, at least, is that it's the first real test of the season. This is something Cubans have been preparing for months. You see drills in various towns throughout the country, they drill medical emergencies, evacuations, neighborhood leaders, make sure they know where everyone is, so while the storm may not be different in and of itself, it is the first, so it's the first test of the season -- Fredericka.

WHITFIELD: All right. Havana bureau chief, Morgan Neill, thanks so much.

Now to Iraq, a roadside bomb exploded in Baghdad today killing at least three people. The attack underscores warnings that the death of terrorist leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi would not end widespread violence. Right now, officials are awaiting results of DNA analysis that would definitively confirm that the man killed in a U.S. air strike on Wednesday was that of the al Qaeda leader in Iraq.

Matched fingerprints and other evidence already indicate it was al-Zarqawi. Since the attack, U.S. forces have carried out dozens of raids against insurgents in an effort to take advantage of the vacuum left by al-Zarqawi's death.

The two 500-pound bombs dropped on al-Zarqawi's hideout, obliterated the dwelling and immediate area. CNN's John Vause is at the scene.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN VAUSE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: This is all that's left of Zarqawi's safe house, a house made of concrete and steel. All of this destruction caused by two 500 pound bombs. The impact from the blast was so powerful, we're told by the U.S. military, that initially this hole in the ground, about 35, maybe 40 feet deep. Now after the air strike the rubble around the area was mostly cleared and bulldozed into that crater, it's still more than 10 feet deep, as well.

It was an incredibly powerful blast. Rubble is strewn around this area, 600 feet maybe even 1,000 feet away and signs of the people who once lived in this house. Over here is a towel left behind, thrown clear as part of the debris. Just over here as well, we can see a pillow and just next to it, a blanket as well.

They say this was a safe house in an isolated area and indeed it was very isolated. Take a look at the trees, the palm trees and the date trees, which surround this area. At the time of the air strike, a top level al Qaeda meeting was underway. Zarqawi and five others including this spiritual advisor, the man who was traced to this house and ultimately led to Zarqawi's downfall. And after this powerful blast, we're told somehow, Zarqawi managed to survive if only for a few moments.

John Vause, CNN near the city of Baqubah.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: President Bush is vowing to keep the pressure on insurgents in Iraq. The tough talk came during his weekly radio address. Elaine Quijano is at the White House with the latest in...

Why, Elaine, did the president feel this was so important to do this?

ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, good afternoon to you, Fredricka. President Bush, first of all, saying this has been a good week in the cause for freedom, but once again temper his comments warning of more difficult days ahead.

Now, the president is at Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland, where yesterday he hosted Denmark's prime minister, but in this weekly radio address this morning, the president called the killing of terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in Iraq, an important victory in the war on terror. At the same time, though, he also cautioned that the fighting is expected to continue.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: In the weeks ahead, violence in Iraq may escalate. The terrorists and insurgents will seek to prove they can carry on without Zarqawi. And coalition and Iraqi forces are seizing this moment to strike the enemies of freedom in Iraq at this time for uncertain for their cause. The work ahead will require more sacrifice, and the continued patience of the American people.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

QUIJANO: Yet, Senate democratic leader, Harry Reid says that President Bush must find the political solutions necessary so U.S. forces can start returning home. (BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

SEN. HARRY REID (D), NEVADA: Our troops and the American people have been exceedingly patient as previous mile posts in the lack have passed without progress. The president is asking too much if he expects to us did it again. With Zarqawi gone and the cabinet filled, we need more than platitudes next week when the president convenes a conference with Iraq's leader and his war cabinet. He must present a concrete plan, a plan for Iraqis to take control of their own security.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

QUIJANO: Now, as for those meetings Monday at Camp David, the president will huddle with his national security team as well as key members of his cabinet and then on Tuesday they will be joined via video conference by their Iraqi counterparts.

The president says that the focus will be on the way forward in Iraq and also how best to deploy America's resources there. A senior administration official says that it is not expected they will discuss U.S. troop drawdowns, but rather looking at the way U.S. forces are configured in Iraq. Back to you, Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right, Elaine Quijano at the White House thanks so much.

Well, tonight at 7:00 CNN's correspondents from around the world bring you the only in-depth look at major events in the war on terror, including the strike on al-Zarqawi in Iraq. Wolf Blitzer hosts "Iraq a Week at War" beginning at 7:00 p.m. Eastern, 4:00 Pacific only right here on CNN.

Now to the Middle East and revenge attacks against Israel. Hamas called off its year long cease-fire by firing rockets at Israeli targets. Israel reports no casualties. The action was in retaliation for an Israeli artillery attack yesterday that killed at least seven Palestinian civilians having a picnic on a Gaza beach. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the attack as a genocidal crime and called for international intervention. Israel apologized and said an investigation is underway.

A father speaks out to CNN about the treatment of his son, who is being investigated for his actions in Iraq.

Also, if you bought, sold, or perhaps even shopped for anything on-line, you probably heard of Craigslist. Well coming up you'll meet the real life Craig. He's joining us to talk about a major issue for anyone who uses the internet.

And could your old teddy bear really be a cash cow?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: We are watching the first tropical depression of the season take shape in e Caribbean. It could become a tropical storm later on today. Let's check in again with Reynolds Wolf -- Reynolds.

(WEATHER REPORT)

WHITFIELD: Also in the news, Hamas fires rockets from Gaza into Israel. The group's military wing says the action is in retaliation for an Israeli artillery attack yesterday in Gaza. At least seven Palestinian civilians were killed on the beach.

In Afghanistan, the U.S. military reports killing dozens of insurgents in the country's Southern provinces, this week. A military spokesman says Taliban extremists have been damaging schools, assassinating teachers, and intimidating school children.

And in Georgia, in this country, a state-wide search for these two boys is over. Our local affiliates reports their father has turn them over to police. Police say Baker Clark took off with his children following an argument with their mother and her boyfriend.

We update the top stories every 15 minutes on CNN LIVE SATURDAY. Your next update is coming up at 12:30 Eastern.

Guilty until proven innocent? The father of a marine says his son is being treated like a criminal and the military doesn't even know yet if a crime has been committed, he says. Private First Class John Jodka is among eight Marines being held in brig as the military investigates the shooting of an Iraqi civilian in Hamandija (ph), Iraq.

CNN's Ted Rowlands spoke with Jodka's father in an interview for "The Situation Room."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN JODKA, JAILED MARINE'S FATHER: They have served honorably and served well.

TED ROWLANDS: CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Sitting in his living room with a copy of his son's dog tags around his neck, John Jodka talks about getting a collect call two weeks ago from the military prison in camp Pendleton from his son.

JODKA: I was in disbelief that a person under investigation would be held under confinement.

ROWLANDS: Jodka says his son, who's also named John, and the others being investigated, six Marines an a Navy Corpsman, are being held in solitary confinement while they wait possible charges that could include murder following the death of a 52-year-old Iraqi civilian in the town of Hamandija, Iraq.

JODKA: He is being treated like a convicted murder. He's not even being treated like a potential murder. Potential murders are often out on bail and most often are not in solitary confinement.

ROWLANDS: Jadka's says he's also upset with what he says is a lack of support from the Marine Corps. JODKA: While they're being investigated, they deserve to be treated like the heroes they are, like the combat Marines that they are. But I know I'm very disappointed. I think the Marine leadership has turned their backs on these men.

ROWLANDS: Jadka says his son hasn't talked to him about what happened but is confident that he's innocent and has hired a private lawyer. Private First Class Jodka and the others in the brig are under the investigation for not only the civilian death, but for a possible cover-up as well.

(on camera): Are you worried?

JODKA: I'm terribly worried. I'm terribly worried.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: The marine corps has responded saying service members in pretrial confinement are afford all their rights. Ted Rowlands reporting originally aired on "The Situation Room." And you can catch Wolf Blitzer week nights in "THE SITUATION ROOM" at 7:00 p.m. Eastern, 4:00 Pacific.

A quick check of "News Across America," now. Pit Bulls, terrorize students inside a middle school in the San Fernando, California area. Police say two of them invaded the school and mauled an 11-year-old girl. She's going to recover, the dogs are in lockup, their owner is under arrest.

In Detroit, two 911 operators plead not guilty to charges of willful neglect of duty. They are the women who decided distress calls from 5-year-old boy were just a prank. The child's mother had collapsed. By the time police were dispatched, the boy's mother had died.

Police in long island, New York want to know who painted this 24 foot swastika in a neighborhood cul-de-sac. Authorities say it doesn't appear anyone in particular is being targeted, however, but they are treating it a hate crime.

And what makes an Albino Alligator tick? This one was blinded, wrapped up and put through CT Scan in Orlando, Florida, the look inside is a part of a documentary. The patient is a rare breed. There are fewer than 100 known Albino Alligators in the world.

Well, he put the Craig in Craigslist. And now he's talking about another big issue facing everyone had uses the internet. We'll talk to Craig himself next.

Plus if you haven't made your final summer travel plans, we got some tips on good deals straight ahead on CNN LIVE SATURDAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: The Bush administration's wiretapping program gets a boost from a federal appeals court. The court ruled in favor of the FCC. The ruling allows police's request to request information about what Americans are doing on-line.

And here's another issue that affects anyone who surfs the internet. Right now, when you go on-line, you can get to any Web site pretty fast, right, well, what if high-speed only applied to certain Web sites? Craig Newmark is the founder of Craigslist the hugely popular Web site that allows free internet classified ads.

So Craig, we're talking about this being more than just a hypothetical. This is a battle that's already heating up in Congress. What does it mean exactly to go from fast to slower access?

CRAIG NEWMARK, CRAIGSLIST FOUNDER: Well, the deal is that right now the internet is a level playing field. It's about, well American ethics, you play fair, you work hard get ahead, but the deal now is that some big telecoms, their execs, are trying to get the right to extend special privileges to their favorite customer, to the ones who will pay them extra so their sites are guaranteed to run fast and maybe everyone else will start to run slow.

WHITFIELD: So give me an example, you go on-line, you know, you're doing to your favorite Web site, you're used to getting there in, you know, a nanosecond. What could potentially happen?

NEWMARK: Well, what could happen is that when you're going to your favorite site, maybe Google, maybe eBay, all of a sudden you realize that the sites are lot slower than they used to be, but you know, if you go to someone else who's paying the extra cash, maybe they're operating at top speed, just doesn't seem fair.

WHITFIELD: Hmm. So some internet providers are saying, we want to do this because we've got to recoup some of our investments?

NEWMARK: The investment's been made some time ago. You know, if they were serious about getting the internet up to speed and doing things like that, they would have implemented some of the new internet protocols a couple of years ago. I talk to people inside the telecoms all the time, since I do full-time customer service and they're telling me they're trying to get their own people to do the right thing and it's really tough.

WHITFIELD: All right, well, Mike McCurry, who people used to familiar with, seeing him at the White House as a spokesman, now he's a partner with a public strategies group out of Washington providing strategic communications council, he has written in an editorial this comment, "Under their self-proclaimed banner of 'neutrality,' Google, eBay and other big on-line companies are lobbying for what amounts to a federal exemption from paying. Unfortunately, their thinly disguised effort at self-interest would dramatically shift the financial burden of paying for these upgrades into the backs of ordinary consumers."

He's a backer of this neutrality proposal. How do you respond to that?

NEWMARK: Well, it's just not true. What they're trying to do is just keep the internet fair and, oh, fair on that level playing field I talked about. There's no effort to do any of this stuff he's talked about. Mike is a great guy, but you know, he's acting as a lobbyist for these companies. He's a lot better at truthiness than any of us are, again me, I'm an engineer and a customer service rep.

WHITFIELD: So, if I'm on-line, I'm a consume, I pay my monthly, you know, fee to get on-line to get that service. I want to know what does this mean for me directly? Does this mean I'm going to start paying more per month? Does this mean that there are certain Web sites I'm no longer going to be go to at will, and as instantly as I once did? What's the bottom-line for me?

NEWMARK: Well basically what is means is that your favorite sites may suddenly become a lot slower than they used to be and maybe...

WHITFIELD: And what kind of timeline are we talking about?

NEWMARK: It's hard to say. But when you're dealing with the big guys they operate at their own pace, sometimes very fast, sometimes slow, I'm just trying to help out consumer but also the line workers and middle managers at these big companies, they want to do the right thing.

WHITFIELD: Craig Newmark, we're just at the beginning of this debate, at the tip of the iceberg, as they say. Thanks so much for your time as founder of Craig's List.

WHITFIELD: Hey, it's my pleasure. Thanks.

And you can read more about the battle over internet neutrality including commentary on both sides of the issue from Craig Newmark, who you just heard from, and on the other side of the issue, former White House press secretary, Mike McCurry. You can read more about his comments, as I read you a portion, he's a spokesman for handsoff.org. Again, read both commentaries on CNN.com.

Arnold Schwarzenegger, well he's hitting the campaign trail. And one person he's not happy with is President Bush. We'll explain.

And are there any airline bargains left for this summer travel? We'll get some straight answer for straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com