Return to Transcripts main page

Anderson Cooper 360 Degrees

Zarqawi Threatens to Kill Iraqi Prime Minister; Is Internet Becoming a Weapon for al Qaeda?; Juror Booted Off Peterson Case

Aired June 23, 2004 - 19:00   ET

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

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


ANDERSON COOPER, HOST: Good evening. Live from Baghdad, I'm Anderson Cooper. A new threat from an al Qaeda against the new leader of Iraq's interim government.
360 starts now.

ANNOUNCER: Al-Zarqawi makes another death threat one day after his group beheads South Korean hostage Kim Il-Sun (sic). He says he'll try to kill the new Iraqi prime minister.

The Saudis say time is running out for terrorists. Surrender yourselves or face serious consequences.

Grisly beheadings and hostage horrors. Is the Internet becoming al Qaeda's most effective weapon?

A juror is booted from the Scott Peterson case. What is behind the move?

Red-hot suburbia. Is neighborhood spouse-swapping making a comeback?

Mary-Kate Olsen's life-threatening secret. Has the pressure become too much for this American teen queen?

This is a special edition of ANDERSON COOPER 360 with Anderson Cooper reporting from Iraq, and Heidi Collins from New York.

COOPER: Good evening.

One of the biggest challenges in fighting this war here in Iraq is figuring out not only where the enemy is but also who the enemy is. One day in one place, it's the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) the militia of a radical Shi'ite cleric, another day, another place, it's elements of the former Saddam Hussein Still another day, another place, it is foreign terrorists.

In the days we've been here in Iraq, the focus has been on the terror group led by the man known as Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, a terrorist linked to al Qaeda. Now yesterday, they apparently beheaded a South Korean contractor here, even rigging his headless body to explode when it was found.

Today, threats of more attacks were released on the Internet, audiotapes in which a terrorist tells Iraq's new leader, quote, "We have found for you a useful poison and a sure sword."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER (voice-over): The voice, familiar to CNN linguists, believed to be that of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. On an audiotape released today, he calls for the killing of the most powerful member of the new Iraqi government, interim prime minister Iyad Allawi.

"You don't even know how you have repeatedly escaped from our attempts," he says, "but we promise you, we will continue the match with you until the end."

When told of the threat, Prime Minister Allawi had this to say, according to a spokesman, quote, "Zarqawi is not the enemy of Iyad Allawi only, but he is the enemy of all Iraqis."

In recent days, the hunt for Zarqawi seems to have intensified. Late Tuesday, the U.S. bombed a suspected Zarqawi safe house in Fallujah, the second such strike in that city.

BRIG. GEN. MARK KIMMITT, U.S. ARMY: Like all of these operations, we get multiple sources of intelligence, all confirming at the same time. Give us the opportunity to recognize that's it's a target out there, and maybe a very fleeting target. That information came in and intelligence corroborated. There was some quick calculations done on central collateral damage, and the strike was executed.

COOPER: The U.S. said they believe 20 foreign fighters were killed in Tuesday's attack.

Zarqawi's group has most recently claimed responsibility for the beheading of South Korean contractor Kim Sun-Il. And in Seoul, South Korea, today thousands turned out for a candlelight vigil to mourn his death, and oppose the sending of more troops to Iraq, and to bring home those already there.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: I'm going to have more on my interview with Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt here in Baghdad later on on 360.

It is admittedly not much of a paper trail, what just one letter, one in a short form with two check marks on it. But Saddam Hussein's Jordanian lawyer said it is all the proof that he needs. He says his client is or has been abused.

CNN's Kathleen Koch reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Red Cross officials met with Saddam Hussein roughly a month after his December 13 capture. A Red Cross form just released by his lawyer shows both "good health" and "slightly wounded" were marked to indicate Saddam's condition. Attorney Mohammad Rashdan tells CNN, "He's being abused, just like the prisoners of Abu Ghraib were abused." The military denies that, a senior Pentagon official insisting Saddam is being treated within the guidelines of the Geneva Convention.

Lawmakers also question the claim of abuse.

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: I doubt it, the, given the high visibility that he has, but I believe that he will get the reward that he deserves for his brutal torture and mistreatment of the Iraqi people and...

KOCH (on camera): Both coalition and Pentagon officials say come June 30, it is expected Iraq will request legal custody of Saddam Hussein. But the plan is for him to remain in the physical custody of the military coalition.

(voice-over): Saddam will no then longer be a prisoner of war, but a suspected criminal with new rights.

PAUL WILLIAMS, AMERICAN UNIVERSITY, WASHINGTON COLLEGE OF LAW: And Saddam Hussein is likely to use those, access to lawyer, access to his family, access to preparing his defense case, his defense case, to restart his campaign for the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people.

KOCH: Also released by the attorney, a letter from Saddam to his daughter, most of it blacked out. In the remaining text, Saddam writes, "As far as my soul and my morale, they are twinkling in the great Lord's blessing. My regards to everybody, Saddam Hussein."

Kathleen Koch, CNN, the Pentagon.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: "Regards to everybody, Saddam Hussein." Wow.

Well, moving on, a quick news note for you. The United States now says it will not seek a resolution to keep American soldiers outside the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court. Now, that would have prevented them from being tried for war crimes. But the action was dropped reportedly because there was insufficient support for it among other member nations.

A surprising, some might even say startling, message today from the government of Saudi Arabia directed toward al Qaeda supporters and other militants inside the Saudi Arabia kingdom.

Nic Robertson is standing by live in the capital, Riyadh. Nic?

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Anderson, the announcement, when it came today on Saudi television, as unexpected as it was unusual, a formal address by the de facto ruler here, Crown Prince Abdullah, telling members of al Qaeda that they have one month to turn themselves in and either to have committed no crimes can expect fair treatment, any with blood on their hands can expect trial in an Islamic court. However, he said, time running out. The offer lasts just one month.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CROWN PRINCE ABDULLAH, SAUDI DEFENSE MINISTER (through translator): Everyone who belongs to the group that did itself such a disservice, including those who were not arrested during the recent terror attacks, will have the chance to go back to God and review themselves. Whoever admits of guilt and gives himself in willingly during a period of one month from the date of this speech, that person is safe and will be treated based on God's law.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROBERTSON: The message went on to say that anyone that doesn't take this opportunity of an amnesty will face the full force of the government.

Sources here say that the government is trying to send a message to the younger members of al Qaeda, quickly following on the killings just last week of the former head of al Qaeda here, Abdul Aziz al- Muqrin. The Saudi government believing that the organization is leaderless, rudderless, and this is a time to appeal to younger members who have yet to commit major crimes, Anderson.

COOPER: All right, senior international correspondent Nic Robertson, thanks very much. Live from Riyadh.

Here's a quick fast fact for you. Terrorists caught by the Saudi government could face some severe punishment. In 2003, the Saudi government publicly beheaded at least 50 people for crimes ranging from drugs to murder, according to Amnesty International. Women facing execution used to be shot in private. They are now beheaded just the same as men.

And here's today's buzz question for you, a simple question it is. What do you think? Is the war, is the U.S. Winning the war on terror? Log on to CNN.com/360. Cast your vote. We'll have results at the end of the program.

I'll be back a little bit later on in the program with more of my interview with Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt. Details on how the U.S. is going after terrorist mastermind here in Iraq, Abu Musab al- Zarqawi. We'll also talk more about this Saudi amnesty deal, see what is behind it and whether or not it is actually going to work or if it's a good deal. Some are saying it's a sign of appeasement by the Saudi government. We'll talk about that all ahead.

First, other day's top stories. Let's go back to New York and Heidi Collins. Hi, Heidi.

HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: All right, Anderson, we look forward to all of those stories. Thanks so much.

Dealing to end a nuclear crisis tops our look at global stories in the uplink. Beijing, China, extending an olive branch. At talks in China's capital, the U.S. offers North Korea a deal to dismantle its nuclear weapons program. If North Korea accepts, the U.S. would provide the country with energy aid and grant a provisional guarantee not to attack the communist nation.

Russia, hot pursuit. Police are looking for whoever is behind a series of attacks that killed 92 people and wounded more than 100 near Chechnya early Tuesday. Officials Believe about 1,000 militants dressed in black masks and camouflage ambushed Russian army and police.

Iran, where are they? Iran says it is no longer holding eight British troops detained on Monday, but they haven't been handed over to British custody. And Britain says that the sailors are still being held.

Dresden, Germany, making amends. A British-built cross is lifted atop a church hard hit by British and Allied bombers during a World War II attack that killed thousands of people and destroyed most of the city. The man who designed the cross is the son of one of those bombers.

And Indonesia, crazy days of haze. Get a look at this. On Indonesia's Sumatra island, the thick air is raising health concerns now. Many people are wearing masks. The haze is caused when farmers slash and burn their lands to clear them for planting, despite laws against it.

And that's tonight's uplink.

360 next, Peterson juror given the boot. He says the judge cut him loose for being a distraction. So is Scott Peterson guilty or not guilty? Find out what verdict this juror would have reached.

Plus, dying to be skinny. Mary-Kate Olsen reportedly gets treatment for an eating disorder. Could it happen to your daughter?

And a car chase ends with some punch. LAPD on tape again.

But first, your picks, the most popular stories on CNN.com right now.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: Sending aid tops our look at stories cross-country tonight. Philadelphia, fighting AIDS. Comparing it to public health enemy number one, President Bush says he wants an extra $17 billion to be spent on fighting the disease. The money would be spent on care, research, prevention, and treatment.

California, John Kerry wants his right to vote. The presidential hopeful says he left campaigning and went back to Washington to cast his vote on a veteran's health care bill, but Republicans went elsewhere to prevent the vote. Republicans spokesman calls Kerry's claim baseless. Washington, taking the cap off your privacy. At a Senate hearing, it's revealed that Delta, Continental, America West, and Frontier Airlines secretly gave the government private information about their passengers. Privacy advocates are calling for an investigation.

West Virginia, first-of-a-kind settlement. A gun store agrees to pay two New Jersey police officers $1 million. The reason, in 2001, the officers were shot with a gun bought at the store. The gun store says it is not admitting guilt.

Los Angeles, this is not a movie. Take a look at this now. What began as a car chase in Compton ended with this. Police chased down a man suspected of stealing a car, then seemingly beat him with a flashlight after he appears to surrender. One officer involved said the man had been resisting arrest.

That's a look at stories cross-country tonight.

Justin Falconer is a 28-year-old airport screener, but at the Scott Peterson trial, he was known as something else, juror number five. Today juror number five was thrown off the case. A little later, Justin Falconer will join us for a live interview.

But first, CNN's Rusty Dornin with the very latest now on a surprising day in court.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This was the encounter that started it all. Brent Rocha, Laci Peterson's brother, had a very brief conversation with juror number five last week after going through security. According to court transcripts, what he said was, "You're not going to be on the news today." To many, it sounded like, "You're going to lose today." That started a furor about possible misconduct.

On Monday, the judge ruled there was no problem. But on Wednesday, things changed. After three hours behind closed doors, the judge announced that juror number five had been removed. Moments later, 28-year-old Justin Falconer stepped in front of the microphones.

JUSTIN FALCONER, DISMISSED JUROR: Because of the attention that I was getting, he didn't -- he felt like it was too much of a distraction.

DORNIN: But some court observers believe there was more to it than that.

MICHAEL CARDOZA, LEGAL ANALYST: It's much more than that. Because that was past, that was gone. This trial would have moved on had something else not have happened.

DORNIN: Falconer, an airport screener, says he thought prosecutors were doing a poor job of presenting their case. If he had to vote in the jury room today, he knew what his verdict would be.

FALCONER: Oh, he'd be innocent. The prosecution hasn't shown us any reason to believe otherwise.

DORNIN: As if to underscore that point, defense attorney Mark Geragos jumped up after the juror was excused and asked for a mistrial. The motion was denied.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

DORNIN: Falconer, of course, became an immediate media celebrity following his dismissal. But after persistent questioning by reporters, he refused to say whether he knew how other jurors might vote. In his place, alternate juror number one, a white man, middle- aged, both a doctor and a lawyer, Heidi.

COLLINS: All right, Rusty Dornin, thanks so much for that.

360 next. An Olsen twin dilemma. Mary-Kate seeks treatment reportedly for an eating disorder. Is the glare of Hollywood lights fueling a food obsession? We'll take a closer look at that.

Also tonight, the Saudi ultimatum. Terrorists are given one month to turn themselves in. But does this government threat have any teeth?

And a little later, al Qaeda on the Web, spreading terror through unsuspecting Web sites.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: Eating disorders, since thin is so very in, many young women are taking the battle of the bulge to dangerous new levels. It is being reported that Mary-Kate of the Olsen twins is undergoing treatment for an eating disorder. Pictures like these are fueling that rumor, though it has not been confirmed.

CNN's Jason Bellini with more now on this week's midweek crisis.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JASON BELLINI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): From tots to teenagers, America has watched Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen grow up. They are always, always, always together. After the twins celebrated their 18th birthday, the red flag went up with celebrity watchers. Ashley Olsen celebrated in Mexico, sans sister.

"US Weekly" reports Mary-Kate is in treatment for anorexia.

SHIRLEY HALPERIN, STAFF EDITOR, "US" MAGAZINE: We have a lot of reporting on the twins just in the last few months, where they go, who they hang out with, and especially what they eat. And what we have learned is that at most events where there's food being served, Mary- Kate does not eat, she only drinks.

BELLINI: Mary-Kate's publicist only says she is seeking treatment for a health-related issue.

In May the twins made light of the speculation on "Saturday Night Live," playing the paparazzi.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE," NBC)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE), you're too skinny, eat a sandwich.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BELLINI: Doctors who treat anorexia say it's no joke.

MARCI GLUCK, ST. LUKE'S ROOSEVELT HOSPITAL: It's one of the most deadly psychiatric illnesses, and a lot of young women die from the complications of anorexia.

BELLINI: Most susceptible, according to experts, adolescent girls.

We met this group of Olsen twins fans visiting New York from Texas.

(on camera): Is there a lot of pressure on girls your age to be skinny?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.

BELLINI: Even if you're not on TV?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, because, like, like, you see, like, all the skinny people, and you want to be like them, like, in, be, in, like, bikinis and all that stuff, like they are. So you want to be skinny like that.

BELLINI (voice-over): Mary-Kate and Ashley plan to attend NYU this fall. Back in the spotlight, together.

Jason Bellini, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: We want to talk more about this problem tonight so that so many women suffer from in silence.

So joining me now is Dr. Doug Bunnell of the National Eating Disorders Association. He is joining us live from Stanford, Connecticut.

Good evening to you, doctor. Thanks for being with us tonight.

DOUG BUNNELL, PH.D., NATIONAL EATING DISORDERS ASSOCIATION: Thank you.

COLLINS: Want to go ahead and look at some of the warning signs right off the bat here. They include dramatic weight loss, refusal to eat certain foods, frequent comments about feeling fat, denial of hunger, and an excessive or rigid exercise regime. But how hard is it to actually tell the difference between someone who is suffering from anorexia and somebody who's just simply dieting?

BUNNELL: Well, at the early stages of the disease, it's quite difficult. And the real critical variables at the early stages are more internal or subjective, and have to do with the individual's sense of her self-worth being intimately tied to her weight, or to her concerns about being fat.

At the extremes, when people become emaciated, it is obviously easier to differentiate. But at the beginning, it is quite hard. And it -- even after 20 years of practice, I can't always figure out who is going to be at risk with a diet and who may actually go on to develop a more serious disorder.

COLLINS: All right, it's frightening, I'm sure. Mary-Kate Olsen is 18 years old, as we said in the piece, extraordinarily successful, planning to go to college. And she has been described as competitive. Does that really fit the profile for an eating disorder?

BUNNELL: Well, I think it's really important to stress, and a short answer is yes. People do not develop eating disorders, particularly anorexia nervosa, solely because of cultural or media messages about thinness. That's a contributing factor. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) the emerging science on the disease really is focused now on genetic inherited qualities or components of these diseases.

And one of the components, the most likely component, is this characterological or temperamental trait of perfectionism. We do know that girls who are perfectionistic, a little obsessional, somewhat harm- or novelty-avoidant, are at much increased risk for developing anorexia nervosa.

COLLINS: Something I think we should point out too, this is not necessarily a -- it's an obvious physical disease, that, as you've already said, is something that most people see right off the bat. But this is a psychological disease. How many people are curable from this?

BUNNELL: Well, I think the good news is that most people who receive adequate amounts of quality specialized treatment for anorexia nervosa will fully recover. That's absolutely the good news. The not-so-good news is that only a minority of patients in our country can access quality care or adequate amounts of care.

It's one of the crises that the National Eating Disorders Association is most focused on, which is treatment access. We have treatments that work for eating disorders, and that message needs to get out there. Unfortunately, many people can't afford it.

COLLINS: Oh, that is unfortunate. All right. Dr. Doug Bunnell, thanks so much for your time on this tonight.

BUNNELL: Thank you.

ANNOUNCER: Grisly beheadings and hostage horrors. Is the Internet becoming al Qaeda's most effective weapon?

A juror is booted from the Scott Peterson case. What is behind the move?

Red-hot suburbia, is neighborhood spouse-swapping making a comeback?

This special edition of ANDERSON COOPER 360 continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: I'm Anderson Cooper, live from Baghdad.

The U.S. hunting down a terror cell here in Iraq. How are they doing it? I'll have details of the operation.

And a Saudi ultimatum to terrorists in that kingdom, amnesty or else. Will the deal work? Find out. I'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: In the next half hour here on 360, al Qaeda on the Web, spreading their message of hate, and looking for new recruits through hijacked Internet sites.

Plus, Iraq's most-wanted terrorist. I'll ask Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt what the U.S. is doing to stop him.

Earlier today, Saudi Arabia made a strange, some would say very strange, offer to terrorists in that kingdom. They offered a limited amnesty to Islamic militants, including al Qaeda killers. A limited amnesty saying basically, Give up or else. They promised that those who do give up will, quote, "be safe."

Exactly what does that mean? And will such a deal work? For that, let's turn to CNN terrorism analyst Peter Bergen.

Peter, thanks for being with us.

How surprised were you by this Saudi offer?

PETER BERGEN, CNN TERRORISM ANALYST: Quite surprised. It's sort of the first kind of offer of this kind that I've heard of. They have done something a little bit similar in the past, which is the following, which is that they've taken Saudi clerics into prisons and had them talk to the militants in an order, in a way to sort of jawbone out of their militant attitude.

So maybe this call for sort of repentance and an amnesty is part of a -- this sort of program to, you know, deal with the terrorists and get them to kind of repent their beliefs or change their beliefs in religious terms.

But certainly, an unusual offer.

COOPER: And the offer sort of couched in terms which are kind of hard to understand. I mean I read the transcript of the statements. It said that people who do turn themselves in will be safe. But I mean under Saudi law there are certain penalties and certain requirements for how people will be dealt with under Islamic law. Are you clear on exactly what happens to someone who comes forward and says, "all right, I have done these things?"

BERGEN: Well, I think going to this example of this Saudi cleric talking to the militants in prison. There is -- Saudi society feels that this has been a kind of a successful program, that people have repented or have changed their views. They have been -- the clerics tell them, look, from a religious perspective what you are doing is wrong and you need to change your views. So perhaps this repentance idea is similar in a sense that if these people genuinely repent that they won't be charged with previous crimes.

How this will play out, I don't know. The other thing also is maybe this is an appeal to Saudi public opinion in a sense, look, we have given these guys one more chance. After all we just had an opinion poll in the Saudi Kingdom, about 50 percent of the Saudis are somewhat or very sympathetic to bin Laden's ideas. So by extending this amnesty saying we really tried everything now we're going to do it hard, maybe this is a way of kind of mollifying Saudi public opinion, as well.

COOPER: I talked to the Saudi foreign adviser about a week or so ago Adel al-Jubeir and he said that he felt that al Qaeda was on the run in Saudi Arabia. Do you think that's true?

BERGEN: I don't think so. You know, certainly the Saudi government is in a very different posture than it was before May of 2003 when the first attacks happened. On the run, they have caught the main leader, Muqrin, who killed the hostage Johnson, Paul Johnson. But I think al Qaeda is a pretty large movement in the Saudi Kingdom. There's a large pool of people who are sympathetic to bin Laden's ideas. There are clearly hundreds if not thousands of members or associates of al Qaeda out there. The Saudis have arrested, by their own account, several hundred but these arrests haven't prevented the attacks from keeping going on. So on the run I think might be a stretch.

COOPER: A stretch indeed. As you point out, they have actually already named another alleged leader of al Qaeda in Saudi Arabia. So we'll obviously see if any action is done against him or if he's able to be brought into justice any time soon. Peter Bergen, thanks. Good to talk to you as always.

If you had access to the Internet here in Iraq, as more and more Iraqis do, you would quickly see that the war on terror is not just a fight being waged on battlefields, it's also being waged in audio files online across the world on the global World Wide Web.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER (voice-over): If it wasn't Abu Musab al-Zarqawi today issuing a threat online against Iraq's interim prime minister, then it was Zarqawi's group posting a video yesterday showing the execution of Korean hostage Kim Sun-Il. Threats made and carried out on the Internet.

OCTAVIA NASH, CNN SENIOR EDITOR, ARAB AFFAIRS: Their messages are reaching millions of people around the world within seconds. The media are watching. The world's media are watching them and reporting on what they are saying.

COOPER: It's not just groups in Iraq catching our attention as the Saudi video of American hostage Paul Johnson so graphically showed. Many terrorist groups around the globe are using the medium and in a twist, sometimes hacking the sites of unsuspecting companies to distribute their message. According to the company, the website of the Silicon Valley Land Surveying company was hacked by Johnson's kidnappers to post the first images of his capture. The government- funded United States Institute of Peace used to monitor just 12 terrorist websites, today they say the number is 4,000 and growing.

GABRIEL WEIMANN, U.S. INSTITUTE OF PEACE: For propaganda purposes it's an ideal medium. Nobody is censoring them. Nobody is blocking them. There's no way to block them.

COOPER: A report by the Institute points out that the most easily reached sites are generally about propaganda. But as users delve deeper they find the sites are used to raise money, recruit followers and exchange information about tactics and targets.

WEIMANN: They can use it not only to train, teach, but to look for information. What we call dot minding (ph). We can actually look at the Internet as a huge library. Very useful also for terrorists.

COOPER: That library is growing bigger by the nanosecond. These images of insurgent attacks here in Iraq were just posted for anyone with the right web address to see and to learn from.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: Well, today's "Buzz" question is this, what do you think? "Is the U.S. winning the war on terror?" Log on to CNN.com/360. Cast your vote. We'll have results at the end of the program tonight.

Events in Iraq are moving fast here on the ground. Yesterday we reported the brutal beheading of the South Korean contractor, his body dumped, actually rigged to explode like an improvised explosive device by those people who killed him. Also there was a U.S. air strike against a suspected terror site in the city of Fallujah, the second such strike in that city against the man the U.S. believes the terrorist mastermind here, Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi.

Earlier today I spoke to U.S. army officer Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt about the strike, was trying to get as much details as possible. Let's show part of that conversation.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: How significant a threat is Abu Musab al-Zarqawi? BRIG. GEN. MARK KIMMITT, DEP. DIR. OPERATIONS, U.S. ARMY, IRAQ: He is probably the most important terrorist target in Iraq today. He's been responsible for numerous car bombs, explosions throughout this country. This is a guy who we believe has admitted to the killing of Nic Berg and probably has a significant responsibility for the killing of the Korean hostage last night. This guy has been responsible for a campaign of intimidation throughout this country. He is responsible for trying to promote an atmosphere of fear throughout this country. And I think it's to the point now where the people of this country finally recognize him for the danger that he is. That may be as the Iraqis fall off the fence, jump off the fence, and provide us more and more intelligence, while we've been so much more successful of late.

COOPER: Do you know how big his operation is? I mean, how many foot soldiers, if you will, does he have?

KIMMITT: You know, I don't think you can really measure the Zarqawi network in terms of sheer numbers. They are by and large well trained and their capacity to wreaking violence within this country is probably not anywhere correlated to the numbers that they have on the ground.

COOPER: So is the purpose to kill Abu Musab al-Zarqawi?

KIMMITT: The purpose is to end the Zarqawi network to include its leaders. We'll capture them if we have to, we'll kill them if we have to.

COOPER: Zarqawi is the same man whose letter coalition forces intercepted sometime back. What did you learn from that letter?

KIMMITT: What we learned from the letter back in February was he had a game plan. He had a business plan, a campaign plan, to try to disrupt this entire process in Iraq. He is intentionally trying to drive a wedge between the different sects within this country, between the Shias and the Sunnis. He is a Sunni and believes that the Shias are even worse than Christians. He is intentionally trying to promote civil war, fracture this country and try to create a Taliban-like nation, one that knows nothing but chaos. This is a guy that hasn't built a school, he hasn't built a health clinic, he hasn't offered anything constructive. All that he and his network know are fear and intimidation and that's why it's so important to take this network out.

COOPER: General Kimmitt, there are some skeptics who said, look, early on the coalition forces were blaming fighting against coalition forces on Saddam Fedayeen or Fedayeen elements, then they were saying that Saddam himself or his sons were paying out people to operate against the United States, against coalition forces. Now Zarqawi seems to be the name that comes up the most.

I mean, is this guy really terrorist number one?

KIMMITT: He certainly is terrorist number one inside this country. There's no doubt about it. But it's also important to understand that when we caught Saddam that didn't end the violence. Even if we're to kill or capture Zarqawi tonight that wouldn't end the violence. Like the capture of Saddam it would bring the violence down significantly but it wouldn't end it until we sort of eliminated his entire terrorist network and all the other terrorists that we know are operating inside this country.

COOPER: Do you believe you will kill or capture Abu Musab al- Zarqawi.

KIMMITT: I do.

COOPER: General Kimmitt, thanks very much.

KIMMITT: Thank you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: General Kimmitt said that he believes as many as 20 foreign fighters were killed in yesterday's attack. Let's go back to New York and Heidi Collins for the rest of the day's top stories -- Heidi.

COLLINS: All right, Anderson. Thanks so much. He's the juror who some say almost caused a mistrial of the Scott Peterson trial. Just ahead, that man Justin Falconer joins us live to tell us what happened in the court and whether he thinks Peterson is guilty or innocent.

Also tonight, swaying and swinging. Swapping couples, once a fad, seems to be back in fashion.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: Want to give you an update now to a story we've been following here on 360. A softball coach and a teenage girl missing since September have been found. That's according to the Associated Press.

16 year-old Michelle Mimi Smith disappeared along with her 38 year-old coach, Andrew Garver after leaving a note saying she was running away. We of course, are going to have more details on this story just as soon as they become available.

Well today was by far the most surprising day at the Scott Peterson murder trial. What made it so surprising was juror No. 5. His name is Justin Falconer and today the judge threw him off the case. Justin Falconer joins us now from Redwood City, California, tonight. Justin, thanks for being with us.

Let me ask you this, based on what you have said earlier today and what you have seen in the Scott Peterson case, you say that there's no way that you would have convicted Scott Peterson. Why do you think the prosecution's case is so weak?

JUSTIN FALCONER, FRM SCOTT PETERSON JUROR: It's still really early in the case. And what information I have gotten from testimony and from the evidence presented you can't possibly have convicted him on that. That's what I'm basing that on. I didn't get to see everything else and, you know, I wish I could have, but I'm not getting that opportunity. So -- but from what I have gotten so far there's no way you could convict him.

COLLINS: Do you think the rest of the jury would agree with you on that?

FALCONER: I don't know. I can't comment on what they are thinking and just because I don't know.

COLLINS: All right. If you don't think that Scott Peterson committed these murders who did?

FALCONER: I don't know. I honestly don't know. If it wasn't him, then you know obviously somebody else did it. But nothing was ever presented, at least not yet, that was concrete enough to sit there and say, yes, he did it. So...

COLLINS: Surely you are aware of the defense's theory that a transient may have killed Laci Peterson, a transient in the neighborhood, I should say. Your thoughts on that?

FALCONER: Well, I mean, it's possible. You know, it gets into the who done it if Scott didn't. I don't know. But, you know, the prosecution has it on their table that they need to like show us, or show me, anyway, at the time, how he did it, and how he managed to do it. Honestly, I'm not worried about who did it, at this point, I just want to know if he did it the way the prosecution says he did and I wasn't -- so far I wasn't getting that.

COLLINS: Well, let's talk about the issue of talking to family members here now for a moment. You were told by the judge that you were not supposed to have any contact whatsoever with anyone involved in the case. Why did you talk with Laci Peterson's brother?

FALCONER: Well, that was after -- the original instructions were you know not to talk about the case to anybody. And we didn't talk about the case, we exchanged pleasantries in the morning and then went on our way. That was it.

COLLINS: What were those pleasantries?

FALCONER: There was a news camera sitting right next to us and I had commented that I was in the shot and that he wasn't going to be on the news tonight, because I was ruining the shot for the cameraman. And so it was a news comment. Had nothing to do with lose.

COLLINS: Do you see why even an innocent comment like that could be seen as inappropriate in a case like this?

FALCONER: I do now, especially with this much media coverage. You know, it was blown out of proportion, I understand that now. It's a small place. We see each other every single day. We're eating lunch across from each other. We're seeing each other in the courtroom, in the hallways, in the elevators in the bathrooms. It's hard not to acknowledge them there. When someone says good morning, you say good morning back. Maybe have a good day or something. It's just very difficult to do when you are in such close quarters.

COLLINS: Justin Falconer, we appreciate your time tonight. Live from Redwood City, California. Juror No. 5. Thanks again.

Covering the case for us is 360 legal analyst Kimberly Guilfoyle Newsom. What are the impact of this? I mean, this was huge.

KIMBERLY GUILFOYLE NEWSOM, 360 LEGAL ANALYST: Huge news. I think it's the most important development in the case thus far. It was a bombshell to lose a juror this early on. To have the opportunity to hear from him what so far the prosecution has done right or done wrong and I'll tell you today the prosecution had a golden opportunity to say, when Geragos asked to dismiss the trial, that he didn't really want, he was just trying to preserve the record, we stipulate and declare a mistrial give him a chance to start over. I think the jury pool has been tainted, the judge questioned all the other jurors and then this guy was removed. After initially the judge said no misconduct. So, something else happened when he questioned the jurors. I think there was some discussion about the case.

COLLINS: That's what I was wondering about the case. Quickly, how about an appeal?

NEWSOM: Basically what's going to happen is, this preserves the issue for Mark Geragos for appeal. I think, already, the writing is on the wall. I think a lot of the others jurors feels the same way that this juror feels, the prosecution is in deep trouble.

COLLINS: Kimberly Guilfoyle Newsom, thanks so much tonight.

NEWSOM: Thank you.

COLLINS: A cult of sensuality that gained notoriety back in the 1970s is now getting back in the swing of things. Up next how swinging spouse swappers are making a big come comeback.

And later, taking homage and humility to the "Nth Degree." Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Would you care to play?

(UNINTELLIGIBLE) here. It's strictly volunteer, of course.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: Kevin Kline at a key party in the movie "The Ice Storm." It gave us a peek into the 70s subculture of so called swingers. It faded after awhile, but it didn't necessarily die out. In fact, it's alive and well right now. And anyone interested can pair up simply by logging on to one of several Web sites. An article in this month's edition of "Details" magazine looks at the resurgence of swingers. Executive editor Andrew Essex joining us now. We are also joined by Alex Robboy, a sex therapist in Philadelphia.

Thanks to the both of you coming in tonight. Andrew, the "Details" magazine article says there are an estimated three million or so people, we don't know the exact number, maybe some people aren't admitting to it, right here in the United States say they might be involved. It could be somebody you know. In fact, this is what it reads in the magazine. They are nurses, teachers, bikers, CEOs, they are eating lunch in the next booth at Arby's, running your company, caring for your kids or your sick mom, the wives of soldiers fighting in Iraq.

What is the attraction here?

ANDREW ESSEX, EXECUTIVE EDITOR, DETAILS MAGAZINE: And you thought all the great sex was in the city. It's the suburban boredom, you know, people have nothing to do. They are driving along the interstate in SUVs, and they have lives. You know, they want to do something. They have the Internet. They have a way of reaching other people.

COLLINS: Are they worried about let's say HIV, AIDS, pregnancy, STDS?

ESSEX: Well, usually at these things there are condom available and it's completely legal. They are not worried because they know who they are dealing with.

COLLINS: How well do they really know these people?

ESSEX: That's a good question. They have ways of checking on them. You know, they look for diseases and you stuff like that. And there's no incident of anyone getting any transmitted disease, which is amazing.

COLLINS: That is pretty amazing.

Why are these people married?

ESSEX: Well, apparently, you know, they're happy in their marriages; they just want to expand. Someone said it's like having the same peppermint gum all the time, you want to try a little cinnamon once in a while.

COLLINS: OK, Alex, let me ask you a couple of questions about this now. Critics, of course, are saying this has the potential to be absolutely devastating to marriages.

Do you agree with that?

ALEX ROBBOY, SEX THERAPIST: I would agree that it has the potential, but I also think that it has the potential to be an amazing enhancement to marriages.

COLLINS: You do? How so? ROBBOY: I think swinging forces couples to have very direct communication with one another. So it enhances your ability to understand what the other person wants and suddenly you have access to many other people sexually.

COLLINS: OK. How often is it that these couples who are swinging are staying together for many years after the incident or incidents?

ROBBOY: The same rate as traditional monogamous couples.

COLLINS: The same rate?

OK, interesting.

Well, Andrew, you say, you know, this is an interesting fact I thought out of the magazine article that hotels and tour groups are actually looking to these sorts of groups and marketing towards them.

ESSEX: Yes, absolutely. It's completely legal, they are not soliciting or anything like that. So, they had the hospitality suite with little warm hot dogs or something like that and they're bringing 60 people in who are paying for the rooms. It's actually very good for business.

COLLINS: All right, as you said, we always think of big cities for sort of breaking ground for the unconventional.

So, why is it that this is out of the suburbs? You said boredom before.

Is that really all there is to it?

ESSEX: I think there's a lot of people with basic access to the Internet. A lot of a like minded people who don't want to be perceived as ossified. You know, they are not dead just because they live in the suburbs and they want to prove they have some kind of edge which you don't get in the city.

COLLINS: Maybe they should play golf.

ESSEX: Golf might be good.

COLLINS: I don't know. Well for the both of you, thanks so much Andrew and Alex, we appreciate your time.

Millions of Iraqis are looking to their faith for resolve. Just ahead, taking prayer in Iraq to "The Nth Degree."

But first, today's "Buzz," is the U.S. winning the war on terror?

Look on -- or log on, that is, to cnn.com/360 to make your vote. Results when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: Time now for "The Buzz." Earlier we asked you is the U.S. winning the war on terror?

More than 27,000 of you voted. Twenty-six percent of you said, yes, 74 percent, no. Not a scientific poll but it is your "Buzz." Thanks for voting.

Tonight taking prayer to "The Nth Degree." In common with Muslims everywhere, the people of Iraq pray five times a day, in the darkness before the sun comes up, again at noon, a third time in the late afternoon, once more at the setting of the sun, and then again finally in the evening before retiring. Not much more than a few hours ever go by without a supplication to God. The day is built around supplications. No matter what else they are doing, washing up in the morning and at night, getting ready to lunch, picking the kids up from school, watching the sun go down, the people of Iraq stop to pray for a bit. It is an obligation, actually a commandment. This has been part of their religion since the very beginning, of course. But just now, just at this point in time, it suddenly seems to make especially good sense after all, there is so much to pray for.

I'm Anderson Cooper live from Baghdad, thanks very much for joining us. And I appreciate Heidi Collins for filling in as well. I'll be back here in Baghdad tomorrow night. I hope you join me for that. I'm going on a patrol right now. For you, "PAULA ZAHN NOW" is next.

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


Aired June 23, 2004 - 19:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDERSON COOPER, HOST: Good evening. Live from Baghdad, I'm Anderson Cooper. A new threat from an al Qaeda against the new leader of Iraq's interim government.
360 starts now.

ANNOUNCER: Al-Zarqawi makes another death threat one day after his group beheads South Korean hostage Kim Il-Sun (sic). He says he'll try to kill the new Iraqi prime minister.

The Saudis say time is running out for terrorists. Surrender yourselves or face serious consequences.

Grisly beheadings and hostage horrors. Is the Internet becoming al Qaeda's most effective weapon?

A juror is booted from the Scott Peterson case. What is behind the move?

Red-hot suburbia. Is neighborhood spouse-swapping making a comeback?

Mary-Kate Olsen's life-threatening secret. Has the pressure become too much for this American teen queen?

This is a special edition of ANDERSON COOPER 360 with Anderson Cooper reporting from Iraq, and Heidi Collins from New York.

COOPER: Good evening.

One of the biggest challenges in fighting this war here in Iraq is figuring out not only where the enemy is but also who the enemy is. One day in one place, it's the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) the militia of a radical Shi'ite cleric, another day, another place, it's elements of the former Saddam Hussein Still another day, another place, it is foreign terrorists.

In the days we've been here in Iraq, the focus has been on the terror group led by the man known as Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, a terrorist linked to al Qaeda. Now yesterday, they apparently beheaded a South Korean contractor here, even rigging his headless body to explode when it was found.

Today, threats of more attacks were released on the Internet, audiotapes in which a terrorist tells Iraq's new leader, quote, "We have found for you a useful poison and a sure sword."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER (voice-over): The voice, familiar to CNN linguists, believed to be that of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. On an audiotape released today, he calls for the killing of the most powerful member of the new Iraqi government, interim prime minister Iyad Allawi.

"You don't even know how you have repeatedly escaped from our attempts," he says, "but we promise you, we will continue the match with you until the end."

When told of the threat, Prime Minister Allawi had this to say, according to a spokesman, quote, "Zarqawi is not the enemy of Iyad Allawi only, but he is the enemy of all Iraqis."

In recent days, the hunt for Zarqawi seems to have intensified. Late Tuesday, the U.S. bombed a suspected Zarqawi safe house in Fallujah, the second such strike in that city.

BRIG. GEN. MARK KIMMITT, U.S. ARMY: Like all of these operations, we get multiple sources of intelligence, all confirming at the same time. Give us the opportunity to recognize that's it's a target out there, and maybe a very fleeting target. That information came in and intelligence corroborated. There was some quick calculations done on central collateral damage, and the strike was executed.

COOPER: The U.S. said they believe 20 foreign fighters were killed in Tuesday's attack.

Zarqawi's group has most recently claimed responsibility for the beheading of South Korean contractor Kim Sun-Il. And in Seoul, South Korea, today thousands turned out for a candlelight vigil to mourn his death, and oppose the sending of more troops to Iraq, and to bring home those already there.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: I'm going to have more on my interview with Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt here in Baghdad later on on 360.

It is admittedly not much of a paper trail, what just one letter, one in a short form with two check marks on it. But Saddam Hussein's Jordanian lawyer said it is all the proof that he needs. He says his client is or has been abused.

CNN's Kathleen Koch reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Red Cross officials met with Saddam Hussein roughly a month after his December 13 capture. A Red Cross form just released by his lawyer shows both "good health" and "slightly wounded" were marked to indicate Saddam's condition. Attorney Mohammad Rashdan tells CNN, "He's being abused, just like the prisoners of Abu Ghraib were abused." The military denies that, a senior Pentagon official insisting Saddam is being treated within the guidelines of the Geneva Convention.

Lawmakers also question the claim of abuse.

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: I doubt it, the, given the high visibility that he has, but I believe that he will get the reward that he deserves for his brutal torture and mistreatment of the Iraqi people and...

KOCH (on camera): Both coalition and Pentagon officials say come June 30, it is expected Iraq will request legal custody of Saddam Hussein. But the plan is for him to remain in the physical custody of the military coalition.

(voice-over): Saddam will no then longer be a prisoner of war, but a suspected criminal with new rights.

PAUL WILLIAMS, AMERICAN UNIVERSITY, WASHINGTON COLLEGE OF LAW: And Saddam Hussein is likely to use those, access to lawyer, access to his family, access to preparing his defense case, his defense case, to restart his campaign for the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people.

KOCH: Also released by the attorney, a letter from Saddam to his daughter, most of it blacked out. In the remaining text, Saddam writes, "As far as my soul and my morale, they are twinkling in the great Lord's blessing. My regards to everybody, Saddam Hussein."

Kathleen Koch, CNN, the Pentagon.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: "Regards to everybody, Saddam Hussein." Wow.

Well, moving on, a quick news note for you. The United States now says it will not seek a resolution to keep American soldiers outside the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court. Now, that would have prevented them from being tried for war crimes. But the action was dropped reportedly because there was insufficient support for it among other member nations.

A surprising, some might even say startling, message today from the government of Saudi Arabia directed toward al Qaeda supporters and other militants inside the Saudi Arabia kingdom.

Nic Robertson is standing by live in the capital, Riyadh. Nic?

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Anderson, the announcement, when it came today on Saudi television, as unexpected as it was unusual, a formal address by the de facto ruler here, Crown Prince Abdullah, telling members of al Qaeda that they have one month to turn themselves in and either to have committed no crimes can expect fair treatment, any with blood on their hands can expect trial in an Islamic court. However, he said, time running out. The offer lasts just one month.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CROWN PRINCE ABDULLAH, SAUDI DEFENSE MINISTER (through translator): Everyone who belongs to the group that did itself such a disservice, including those who were not arrested during the recent terror attacks, will have the chance to go back to God and review themselves. Whoever admits of guilt and gives himself in willingly during a period of one month from the date of this speech, that person is safe and will be treated based on God's law.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROBERTSON: The message went on to say that anyone that doesn't take this opportunity of an amnesty will face the full force of the government.

Sources here say that the government is trying to send a message to the younger members of al Qaeda, quickly following on the killings just last week of the former head of al Qaeda here, Abdul Aziz al- Muqrin. The Saudi government believing that the organization is leaderless, rudderless, and this is a time to appeal to younger members who have yet to commit major crimes, Anderson.

COOPER: All right, senior international correspondent Nic Robertson, thanks very much. Live from Riyadh.

Here's a quick fast fact for you. Terrorists caught by the Saudi government could face some severe punishment. In 2003, the Saudi government publicly beheaded at least 50 people for crimes ranging from drugs to murder, according to Amnesty International. Women facing execution used to be shot in private. They are now beheaded just the same as men.

And here's today's buzz question for you, a simple question it is. What do you think? Is the war, is the U.S. Winning the war on terror? Log on to CNN.com/360. Cast your vote. We'll have results at the end of the program.

I'll be back a little bit later on in the program with more of my interview with Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt. Details on how the U.S. is going after terrorist mastermind here in Iraq, Abu Musab al- Zarqawi. We'll also talk more about this Saudi amnesty deal, see what is behind it and whether or not it is actually going to work or if it's a good deal. Some are saying it's a sign of appeasement by the Saudi government. We'll talk about that all ahead.

First, other day's top stories. Let's go back to New York and Heidi Collins. Hi, Heidi.

HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: All right, Anderson, we look forward to all of those stories. Thanks so much.

Dealing to end a nuclear crisis tops our look at global stories in the uplink. Beijing, China, extending an olive branch. At talks in China's capital, the U.S. offers North Korea a deal to dismantle its nuclear weapons program. If North Korea accepts, the U.S. would provide the country with energy aid and grant a provisional guarantee not to attack the communist nation.

Russia, hot pursuit. Police are looking for whoever is behind a series of attacks that killed 92 people and wounded more than 100 near Chechnya early Tuesday. Officials Believe about 1,000 militants dressed in black masks and camouflage ambushed Russian army and police.

Iran, where are they? Iran says it is no longer holding eight British troops detained on Monday, but they haven't been handed over to British custody. And Britain says that the sailors are still being held.

Dresden, Germany, making amends. A British-built cross is lifted atop a church hard hit by British and Allied bombers during a World War II attack that killed thousands of people and destroyed most of the city. The man who designed the cross is the son of one of those bombers.

And Indonesia, crazy days of haze. Get a look at this. On Indonesia's Sumatra island, the thick air is raising health concerns now. Many people are wearing masks. The haze is caused when farmers slash and burn their lands to clear them for planting, despite laws against it.

And that's tonight's uplink.

360 next, Peterson juror given the boot. He says the judge cut him loose for being a distraction. So is Scott Peterson guilty or not guilty? Find out what verdict this juror would have reached.

Plus, dying to be skinny. Mary-Kate Olsen reportedly gets treatment for an eating disorder. Could it happen to your daughter?

And a car chase ends with some punch. LAPD on tape again.

But first, your picks, the most popular stories on CNN.com right now.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: Sending aid tops our look at stories cross-country tonight. Philadelphia, fighting AIDS. Comparing it to public health enemy number one, President Bush says he wants an extra $17 billion to be spent on fighting the disease. The money would be spent on care, research, prevention, and treatment.

California, John Kerry wants his right to vote. The presidential hopeful says he left campaigning and went back to Washington to cast his vote on a veteran's health care bill, but Republicans went elsewhere to prevent the vote. Republicans spokesman calls Kerry's claim baseless. Washington, taking the cap off your privacy. At a Senate hearing, it's revealed that Delta, Continental, America West, and Frontier Airlines secretly gave the government private information about their passengers. Privacy advocates are calling for an investigation.

West Virginia, first-of-a-kind settlement. A gun store agrees to pay two New Jersey police officers $1 million. The reason, in 2001, the officers were shot with a gun bought at the store. The gun store says it is not admitting guilt.

Los Angeles, this is not a movie. Take a look at this now. What began as a car chase in Compton ended with this. Police chased down a man suspected of stealing a car, then seemingly beat him with a flashlight after he appears to surrender. One officer involved said the man had been resisting arrest.

That's a look at stories cross-country tonight.

Justin Falconer is a 28-year-old airport screener, but at the Scott Peterson trial, he was known as something else, juror number five. Today juror number five was thrown off the case. A little later, Justin Falconer will join us for a live interview.

But first, CNN's Rusty Dornin with the very latest now on a surprising day in court.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This was the encounter that started it all. Brent Rocha, Laci Peterson's brother, had a very brief conversation with juror number five last week after going through security. According to court transcripts, what he said was, "You're not going to be on the news today." To many, it sounded like, "You're going to lose today." That started a furor about possible misconduct.

On Monday, the judge ruled there was no problem. But on Wednesday, things changed. After three hours behind closed doors, the judge announced that juror number five had been removed. Moments later, 28-year-old Justin Falconer stepped in front of the microphones.

JUSTIN FALCONER, DISMISSED JUROR: Because of the attention that I was getting, he didn't -- he felt like it was too much of a distraction.

DORNIN: But some court observers believe there was more to it than that.

MICHAEL CARDOZA, LEGAL ANALYST: It's much more than that. Because that was past, that was gone. This trial would have moved on had something else not have happened.

DORNIN: Falconer, an airport screener, says he thought prosecutors were doing a poor job of presenting their case. If he had to vote in the jury room today, he knew what his verdict would be.

FALCONER: Oh, he'd be innocent. The prosecution hasn't shown us any reason to believe otherwise.

DORNIN: As if to underscore that point, defense attorney Mark Geragos jumped up after the juror was excused and asked for a mistrial. The motion was denied.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

DORNIN: Falconer, of course, became an immediate media celebrity following his dismissal. But after persistent questioning by reporters, he refused to say whether he knew how other jurors might vote. In his place, alternate juror number one, a white man, middle- aged, both a doctor and a lawyer, Heidi.

COLLINS: All right, Rusty Dornin, thanks so much for that.

360 next. An Olsen twin dilemma. Mary-Kate seeks treatment reportedly for an eating disorder. Is the glare of Hollywood lights fueling a food obsession? We'll take a closer look at that.

Also tonight, the Saudi ultimatum. Terrorists are given one month to turn themselves in. But does this government threat have any teeth?

And a little later, al Qaeda on the Web, spreading terror through unsuspecting Web sites.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: Eating disorders, since thin is so very in, many young women are taking the battle of the bulge to dangerous new levels. It is being reported that Mary-Kate of the Olsen twins is undergoing treatment for an eating disorder. Pictures like these are fueling that rumor, though it has not been confirmed.

CNN's Jason Bellini with more now on this week's midweek crisis.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JASON BELLINI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): From tots to teenagers, America has watched Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen grow up. They are always, always, always together. After the twins celebrated their 18th birthday, the red flag went up with celebrity watchers. Ashley Olsen celebrated in Mexico, sans sister.

"US Weekly" reports Mary-Kate is in treatment for anorexia.

SHIRLEY HALPERIN, STAFF EDITOR, "US" MAGAZINE: We have a lot of reporting on the twins just in the last few months, where they go, who they hang out with, and especially what they eat. And what we have learned is that at most events where there's food being served, Mary- Kate does not eat, she only drinks.

BELLINI: Mary-Kate's publicist only says she is seeking treatment for a health-related issue.

In May the twins made light of the speculation on "Saturday Night Live," playing the paparazzi.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE," NBC)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE), you're too skinny, eat a sandwich.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BELLINI: Doctors who treat anorexia say it's no joke.

MARCI GLUCK, ST. LUKE'S ROOSEVELT HOSPITAL: It's one of the most deadly psychiatric illnesses, and a lot of young women die from the complications of anorexia.

BELLINI: Most susceptible, according to experts, adolescent girls.

We met this group of Olsen twins fans visiting New York from Texas.

(on camera): Is there a lot of pressure on girls your age to be skinny?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.

BELLINI: Even if you're not on TV?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, because, like, like, you see, like, all the skinny people, and you want to be like them, like, in, be, in, like, bikinis and all that stuff, like they are. So you want to be skinny like that.

BELLINI (voice-over): Mary-Kate and Ashley plan to attend NYU this fall. Back in the spotlight, together.

Jason Bellini, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: We want to talk more about this problem tonight so that so many women suffer from in silence.

So joining me now is Dr. Doug Bunnell of the National Eating Disorders Association. He is joining us live from Stanford, Connecticut.

Good evening to you, doctor. Thanks for being with us tonight.

DOUG BUNNELL, PH.D., NATIONAL EATING DISORDERS ASSOCIATION: Thank you.

COLLINS: Want to go ahead and look at some of the warning signs right off the bat here. They include dramatic weight loss, refusal to eat certain foods, frequent comments about feeling fat, denial of hunger, and an excessive or rigid exercise regime. But how hard is it to actually tell the difference between someone who is suffering from anorexia and somebody who's just simply dieting?

BUNNELL: Well, at the early stages of the disease, it's quite difficult. And the real critical variables at the early stages are more internal or subjective, and have to do with the individual's sense of her self-worth being intimately tied to her weight, or to her concerns about being fat.

At the extremes, when people become emaciated, it is obviously easier to differentiate. But at the beginning, it is quite hard. And it -- even after 20 years of practice, I can't always figure out who is going to be at risk with a diet and who may actually go on to develop a more serious disorder.

COLLINS: All right, it's frightening, I'm sure. Mary-Kate Olsen is 18 years old, as we said in the piece, extraordinarily successful, planning to go to college. And she has been described as competitive. Does that really fit the profile for an eating disorder?

BUNNELL: Well, I think it's really important to stress, and a short answer is yes. People do not develop eating disorders, particularly anorexia nervosa, solely because of cultural or media messages about thinness. That's a contributing factor. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) the emerging science on the disease really is focused now on genetic inherited qualities or components of these diseases.

And one of the components, the most likely component, is this characterological or temperamental trait of perfectionism. We do know that girls who are perfectionistic, a little obsessional, somewhat harm- or novelty-avoidant, are at much increased risk for developing anorexia nervosa.

COLLINS: Something I think we should point out too, this is not necessarily a -- it's an obvious physical disease, that, as you've already said, is something that most people see right off the bat. But this is a psychological disease. How many people are curable from this?

BUNNELL: Well, I think the good news is that most people who receive adequate amounts of quality specialized treatment for anorexia nervosa will fully recover. That's absolutely the good news. The not-so-good news is that only a minority of patients in our country can access quality care or adequate amounts of care.

It's one of the crises that the National Eating Disorders Association is most focused on, which is treatment access. We have treatments that work for eating disorders, and that message needs to get out there. Unfortunately, many people can't afford it.

COLLINS: Oh, that is unfortunate. All right. Dr. Doug Bunnell, thanks so much for your time on this tonight.

BUNNELL: Thank you.

ANNOUNCER: Grisly beheadings and hostage horrors. Is the Internet becoming al Qaeda's most effective weapon?

A juror is booted from the Scott Peterson case. What is behind the move?

Red-hot suburbia, is neighborhood spouse-swapping making a comeback?

This special edition of ANDERSON COOPER 360 continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: I'm Anderson Cooper, live from Baghdad.

The U.S. hunting down a terror cell here in Iraq. How are they doing it? I'll have details of the operation.

And a Saudi ultimatum to terrorists in that kingdom, amnesty or else. Will the deal work? Find out. I'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: In the next half hour here on 360, al Qaeda on the Web, spreading their message of hate, and looking for new recruits through hijacked Internet sites.

Plus, Iraq's most-wanted terrorist. I'll ask Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt what the U.S. is doing to stop him.

Earlier today, Saudi Arabia made a strange, some would say very strange, offer to terrorists in that kingdom. They offered a limited amnesty to Islamic militants, including al Qaeda killers. A limited amnesty saying basically, Give up or else. They promised that those who do give up will, quote, "be safe."

Exactly what does that mean? And will such a deal work? For that, let's turn to CNN terrorism analyst Peter Bergen.

Peter, thanks for being with us.

How surprised were you by this Saudi offer?

PETER BERGEN, CNN TERRORISM ANALYST: Quite surprised. It's sort of the first kind of offer of this kind that I've heard of. They have done something a little bit similar in the past, which is the following, which is that they've taken Saudi clerics into prisons and had them talk to the militants in an order, in a way to sort of jawbone out of their militant attitude.

So maybe this call for sort of repentance and an amnesty is part of a -- this sort of program to, you know, deal with the terrorists and get them to kind of repent their beliefs or change their beliefs in religious terms.

But certainly, an unusual offer.

COOPER: And the offer sort of couched in terms which are kind of hard to understand. I mean I read the transcript of the statements. It said that people who do turn themselves in will be safe. But I mean under Saudi law there are certain penalties and certain requirements for how people will be dealt with under Islamic law. Are you clear on exactly what happens to someone who comes forward and says, "all right, I have done these things?"

BERGEN: Well, I think going to this example of this Saudi cleric talking to the militants in prison. There is -- Saudi society feels that this has been a kind of a successful program, that people have repented or have changed their views. They have been -- the clerics tell them, look, from a religious perspective what you are doing is wrong and you need to change your views. So perhaps this repentance idea is similar in a sense that if these people genuinely repent that they won't be charged with previous crimes.

How this will play out, I don't know. The other thing also is maybe this is an appeal to Saudi public opinion in a sense, look, we have given these guys one more chance. After all we just had an opinion poll in the Saudi Kingdom, about 50 percent of the Saudis are somewhat or very sympathetic to bin Laden's ideas. So by extending this amnesty saying we really tried everything now we're going to do it hard, maybe this is a way of kind of mollifying Saudi public opinion, as well.

COOPER: I talked to the Saudi foreign adviser about a week or so ago Adel al-Jubeir and he said that he felt that al Qaeda was on the run in Saudi Arabia. Do you think that's true?

BERGEN: I don't think so. You know, certainly the Saudi government is in a very different posture than it was before May of 2003 when the first attacks happened. On the run, they have caught the main leader, Muqrin, who killed the hostage Johnson, Paul Johnson. But I think al Qaeda is a pretty large movement in the Saudi Kingdom. There's a large pool of people who are sympathetic to bin Laden's ideas. There are clearly hundreds if not thousands of members or associates of al Qaeda out there. The Saudis have arrested, by their own account, several hundred but these arrests haven't prevented the attacks from keeping going on. So on the run I think might be a stretch.

COOPER: A stretch indeed. As you point out, they have actually already named another alleged leader of al Qaeda in Saudi Arabia. So we'll obviously see if any action is done against him or if he's able to be brought into justice any time soon. Peter Bergen, thanks. Good to talk to you as always.

If you had access to the Internet here in Iraq, as more and more Iraqis do, you would quickly see that the war on terror is not just a fight being waged on battlefields, it's also being waged in audio files online across the world on the global World Wide Web.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER (voice-over): If it wasn't Abu Musab al-Zarqawi today issuing a threat online against Iraq's interim prime minister, then it was Zarqawi's group posting a video yesterday showing the execution of Korean hostage Kim Sun-Il. Threats made and carried out on the Internet.

OCTAVIA NASH, CNN SENIOR EDITOR, ARAB AFFAIRS: Their messages are reaching millions of people around the world within seconds. The media are watching. The world's media are watching them and reporting on what they are saying.

COOPER: It's not just groups in Iraq catching our attention as the Saudi video of American hostage Paul Johnson so graphically showed. Many terrorist groups around the globe are using the medium and in a twist, sometimes hacking the sites of unsuspecting companies to distribute their message. According to the company, the website of the Silicon Valley Land Surveying company was hacked by Johnson's kidnappers to post the first images of his capture. The government- funded United States Institute of Peace used to monitor just 12 terrorist websites, today they say the number is 4,000 and growing.

GABRIEL WEIMANN, U.S. INSTITUTE OF PEACE: For propaganda purposes it's an ideal medium. Nobody is censoring them. Nobody is blocking them. There's no way to block them.

COOPER: A report by the Institute points out that the most easily reached sites are generally about propaganda. But as users delve deeper they find the sites are used to raise money, recruit followers and exchange information about tactics and targets.

WEIMANN: They can use it not only to train, teach, but to look for information. What we call dot minding (ph). We can actually look at the Internet as a huge library. Very useful also for terrorists.

COOPER: That library is growing bigger by the nanosecond. These images of insurgent attacks here in Iraq were just posted for anyone with the right web address to see and to learn from.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: Well, today's "Buzz" question is this, what do you think? "Is the U.S. winning the war on terror?" Log on to CNN.com/360. Cast your vote. We'll have results at the end of the program tonight.

Events in Iraq are moving fast here on the ground. Yesterday we reported the brutal beheading of the South Korean contractor, his body dumped, actually rigged to explode like an improvised explosive device by those people who killed him. Also there was a U.S. air strike against a suspected terror site in the city of Fallujah, the second such strike in that city against the man the U.S. believes the terrorist mastermind here, Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi.

Earlier today I spoke to U.S. army officer Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt about the strike, was trying to get as much details as possible. Let's show part of that conversation.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: How significant a threat is Abu Musab al-Zarqawi? BRIG. GEN. MARK KIMMITT, DEP. DIR. OPERATIONS, U.S. ARMY, IRAQ: He is probably the most important terrorist target in Iraq today. He's been responsible for numerous car bombs, explosions throughout this country. This is a guy who we believe has admitted to the killing of Nic Berg and probably has a significant responsibility for the killing of the Korean hostage last night. This guy has been responsible for a campaign of intimidation throughout this country. He is responsible for trying to promote an atmosphere of fear throughout this country. And I think it's to the point now where the people of this country finally recognize him for the danger that he is. That may be as the Iraqis fall off the fence, jump off the fence, and provide us more and more intelligence, while we've been so much more successful of late.

COOPER: Do you know how big his operation is? I mean, how many foot soldiers, if you will, does he have?

KIMMITT: You know, I don't think you can really measure the Zarqawi network in terms of sheer numbers. They are by and large well trained and their capacity to wreaking violence within this country is probably not anywhere correlated to the numbers that they have on the ground.

COOPER: So is the purpose to kill Abu Musab al-Zarqawi?

KIMMITT: The purpose is to end the Zarqawi network to include its leaders. We'll capture them if we have to, we'll kill them if we have to.

COOPER: Zarqawi is the same man whose letter coalition forces intercepted sometime back. What did you learn from that letter?

KIMMITT: What we learned from the letter back in February was he had a game plan. He had a business plan, a campaign plan, to try to disrupt this entire process in Iraq. He is intentionally trying to drive a wedge between the different sects within this country, between the Shias and the Sunnis. He is a Sunni and believes that the Shias are even worse than Christians. He is intentionally trying to promote civil war, fracture this country and try to create a Taliban-like nation, one that knows nothing but chaos. This is a guy that hasn't built a school, he hasn't built a health clinic, he hasn't offered anything constructive. All that he and his network know are fear and intimidation and that's why it's so important to take this network out.

COOPER: General Kimmitt, there are some skeptics who said, look, early on the coalition forces were blaming fighting against coalition forces on Saddam Fedayeen or Fedayeen elements, then they were saying that Saddam himself or his sons were paying out people to operate against the United States, against coalition forces. Now Zarqawi seems to be the name that comes up the most.

I mean, is this guy really terrorist number one?

KIMMITT: He certainly is terrorist number one inside this country. There's no doubt about it. But it's also important to understand that when we caught Saddam that didn't end the violence. Even if we're to kill or capture Zarqawi tonight that wouldn't end the violence. Like the capture of Saddam it would bring the violence down significantly but it wouldn't end it until we sort of eliminated his entire terrorist network and all the other terrorists that we know are operating inside this country.

COOPER: Do you believe you will kill or capture Abu Musab al- Zarqawi.

KIMMITT: I do.

COOPER: General Kimmitt, thanks very much.

KIMMITT: Thank you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: General Kimmitt said that he believes as many as 20 foreign fighters were killed in yesterday's attack. Let's go back to New York and Heidi Collins for the rest of the day's top stories -- Heidi.

COLLINS: All right, Anderson. Thanks so much. He's the juror who some say almost caused a mistrial of the Scott Peterson trial. Just ahead, that man Justin Falconer joins us live to tell us what happened in the court and whether he thinks Peterson is guilty or innocent.

Also tonight, swaying and swinging. Swapping couples, once a fad, seems to be back in fashion.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: Want to give you an update now to a story we've been following here on 360. A softball coach and a teenage girl missing since September have been found. That's according to the Associated Press.

16 year-old Michelle Mimi Smith disappeared along with her 38 year-old coach, Andrew Garver after leaving a note saying she was running away. We of course, are going to have more details on this story just as soon as they become available.

Well today was by far the most surprising day at the Scott Peterson murder trial. What made it so surprising was juror No. 5. His name is Justin Falconer and today the judge threw him off the case. Justin Falconer joins us now from Redwood City, California, tonight. Justin, thanks for being with us.

Let me ask you this, based on what you have said earlier today and what you have seen in the Scott Peterson case, you say that there's no way that you would have convicted Scott Peterson. Why do you think the prosecution's case is so weak?

JUSTIN FALCONER, FRM SCOTT PETERSON JUROR: It's still really early in the case. And what information I have gotten from testimony and from the evidence presented you can't possibly have convicted him on that. That's what I'm basing that on. I didn't get to see everything else and, you know, I wish I could have, but I'm not getting that opportunity. So -- but from what I have gotten so far there's no way you could convict him.

COLLINS: Do you think the rest of the jury would agree with you on that?

FALCONER: I don't know. I can't comment on what they are thinking and just because I don't know.

COLLINS: All right. If you don't think that Scott Peterson committed these murders who did?

FALCONER: I don't know. I honestly don't know. If it wasn't him, then you know obviously somebody else did it. But nothing was ever presented, at least not yet, that was concrete enough to sit there and say, yes, he did it. So...

COLLINS: Surely you are aware of the defense's theory that a transient may have killed Laci Peterson, a transient in the neighborhood, I should say. Your thoughts on that?

FALCONER: Well, I mean, it's possible. You know, it gets into the who done it if Scott didn't. I don't know. But, you know, the prosecution has it on their table that they need to like show us, or show me, anyway, at the time, how he did it, and how he managed to do it. Honestly, I'm not worried about who did it, at this point, I just want to know if he did it the way the prosecution says he did and I wasn't -- so far I wasn't getting that.

COLLINS: Well, let's talk about the issue of talking to family members here now for a moment. You were told by the judge that you were not supposed to have any contact whatsoever with anyone involved in the case. Why did you talk with Laci Peterson's brother?

FALCONER: Well, that was after -- the original instructions were you know not to talk about the case to anybody. And we didn't talk about the case, we exchanged pleasantries in the morning and then went on our way. That was it.

COLLINS: What were those pleasantries?

FALCONER: There was a news camera sitting right next to us and I had commented that I was in the shot and that he wasn't going to be on the news tonight, because I was ruining the shot for the cameraman. And so it was a news comment. Had nothing to do with lose.

COLLINS: Do you see why even an innocent comment like that could be seen as inappropriate in a case like this?

FALCONER: I do now, especially with this much media coverage. You know, it was blown out of proportion, I understand that now. It's a small place. We see each other every single day. We're eating lunch across from each other. We're seeing each other in the courtroom, in the hallways, in the elevators in the bathrooms. It's hard not to acknowledge them there. When someone says good morning, you say good morning back. Maybe have a good day or something. It's just very difficult to do when you are in such close quarters.

COLLINS: Justin Falconer, we appreciate your time tonight. Live from Redwood City, California. Juror No. 5. Thanks again.

Covering the case for us is 360 legal analyst Kimberly Guilfoyle Newsom. What are the impact of this? I mean, this was huge.

KIMBERLY GUILFOYLE NEWSOM, 360 LEGAL ANALYST: Huge news. I think it's the most important development in the case thus far. It was a bombshell to lose a juror this early on. To have the opportunity to hear from him what so far the prosecution has done right or done wrong and I'll tell you today the prosecution had a golden opportunity to say, when Geragos asked to dismiss the trial, that he didn't really want, he was just trying to preserve the record, we stipulate and declare a mistrial give him a chance to start over. I think the jury pool has been tainted, the judge questioned all the other jurors and then this guy was removed. After initially the judge said no misconduct. So, something else happened when he questioned the jurors. I think there was some discussion about the case.

COLLINS: That's what I was wondering about the case. Quickly, how about an appeal?

NEWSOM: Basically what's going to happen is, this preserves the issue for Mark Geragos for appeal. I think, already, the writing is on the wall. I think a lot of the others jurors feels the same way that this juror feels, the prosecution is in deep trouble.

COLLINS: Kimberly Guilfoyle Newsom, thanks so much tonight.

NEWSOM: Thank you.

COLLINS: A cult of sensuality that gained notoriety back in the 1970s is now getting back in the swing of things. Up next how swinging spouse swappers are making a big come comeback.

And later, taking homage and humility to the "Nth Degree." Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Would you care to play?

(UNINTELLIGIBLE) here. It's strictly volunteer, of course.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: Kevin Kline at a key party in the movie "The Ice Storm." It gave us a peek into the 70s subculture of so called swingers. It faded after awhile, but it didn't necessarily die out. In fact, it's alive and well right now. And anyone interested can pair up simply by logging on to one of several Web sites. An article in this month's edition of "Details" magazine looks at the resurgence of swingers. Executive editor Andrew Essex joining us now. We are also joined by Alex Robboy, a sex therapist in Philadelphia.

Thanks to the both of you coming in tonight. Andrew, the "Details" magazine article says there are an estimated three million or so people, we don't know the exact number, maybe some people aren't admitting to it, right here in the United States say they might be involved. It could be somebody you know. In fact, this is what it reads in the magazine. They are nurses, teachers, bikers, CEOs, they are eating lunch in the next booth at Arby's, running your company, caring for your kids or your sick mom, the wives of soldiers fighting in Iraq.

What is the attraction here?

ANDREW ESSEX, EXECUTIVE EDITOR, DETAILS MAGAZINE: And you thought all the great sex was in the city. It's the suburban boredom, you know, people have nothing to do. They are driving along the interstate in SUVs, and they have lives. You know, they want to do something. They have the Internet. They have a way of reaching other people.

COLLINS: Are they worried about let's say HIV, AIDS, pregnancy, STDS?

ESSEX: Well, usually at these things there are condom available and it's completely legal. They are not worried because they know who they are dealing with.

COLLINS: How well do they really know these people?

ESSEX: That's a good question. They have ways of checking on them. You know, they look for diseases and you stuff like that. And there's no incident of anyone getting any transmitted disease, which is amazing.

COLLINS: That is pretty amazing.

Why are these people married?

ESSEX: Well, apparently, you know, they're happy in their marriages; they just want to expand. Someone said it's like having the same peppermint gum all the time, you want to try a little cinnamon once in a while.

COLLINS: OK, Alex, let me ask you a couple of questions about this now. Critics, of course, are saying this has the potential to be absolutely devastating to marriages.

Do you agree with that?

ALEX ROBBOY, SEX THERAPIST: I would agree that it has the potential, but I also think that it has the potential to be an amazing enhancement to marriages.

COLLINS: You do? How so? ROBBOY: I think swinging forces couples to have very direct communication with one another. So it enhances your ability to understand what the other person wants and suddenly you have access to many other people sexually.

COLLINS: OK. How often is it that these couples who are swinging are staying together for many years after the incident or incidents?

ROBBOY: The same rate as traditional monogamous couples.

COLLINS: The same rate?

OK, interesting.

Well, Andrew, you say, you know, this is an interesting fact I thought out of the magazine article that hotels and tour groups are actually looking to these sorts of groups and marketing towards them.

ESSEX: Yes, absolutely. It's completely legal, they are not soliciting or anything like that. So, they had the hospitality suite with little warm hot dogs or something like that and they're bringing 60 people in who are paying for the rooms. It's actually very good for business.

COLLINS: All right, as you said, we always think of big cities for sort of breaking ground for the unconventional.

So, why is it that this is out of the suburbs? You said boredom before.

Is that really all there is to it?

ESSEX: I think there's a lot of people with basic access to the Internet. A lot of a like minded people who don't want to be perceived as ossified. You know, they are not dead just because they live in the suburbs and they want to prove they have some kind of edge which you don't get in the city.

COLLINS: Maybe they should play golf.

ESSEX: Golf might be good.

COLLINS: I don't know. Well for the both of you, thanks so much Andrew and Alex, we appreciate your time.

Millions of Iraqis are looking to their faith for resolve. Just ahead, taking prayer in Iraq to "The Nth Degree."

But first, today's "Buzz," is the U.S. winning the war on terror?

Look on -- or log on, that is, to cnn.com/360 to make your vote. Results when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: Time now for "The Buzz." Earlier we asked you is the U.S. winning the war on terror?

More than 27,000 of you voted. Twenty-six percent of you said, yes, 74 percent, no. Not a scientific poll but it is your "Buzz." Thanks for voting.

Tonight taking prayer to "The Nth Degree." In common with Muslims everywhere, the people of Iraq pray five times a day, in the darkness before the sun comes up, again at noon, a third time in the late afternoon, once more at the setting of the sun, and then again finally in the evening before retiring. Not much more than a few hours ever go by without a supplication to God. The day is built around supplications. No matter what else they are doing, washing up in the morning and at night, getting ready to lunch, picking the kids up from school, watching the sun go down, the people of Iraq stop to pray for a bit. It is an obligation, actually a commandment. This has been part of their religion since the very beginning, of course. But just now, just at this point in time, it suddenly seems to make especially good sense after all, there is so much to pray for.

I'm Anderson Cooper live from Baghdad, thanks very much for joining us. And I appreciate Heidi Collins for filling in as well. I'll be back here in Baghdad tomorrow night. I hope you join me for that. I'm going on a patrol right now. For you, "PAULA ZAHN NOW" is next.

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