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New Video of Bin Laden Released; Two Muslims Pulled from Plane; Memphis Braces for Record Flood

Aired May 07, 2011 - 22:00   ET

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

DREW GRIFFIN, CNN ANCHOR: It's Osama Bin Laden like you've never seen him before, watching videos of himself on TV. Just one of several videos we've seen for the first time in just the last few hours captured during that U.S. Military raid that killed the most wanted man in the world.

American prejudice or American fear? Two Muslims removed from a plane. Were other passengers scared to fly with them? They will join us live minutes from now.

And a slow moving disaster in the making. The Mississippi River topping its banks sending thousands rushing to higher ground, and the worst of it may still be days away.

Plus a comedian cracking jokes about the death of Osama bin Laden. But there's a twist. The comedian is Muslim. He joins us live to talk about how bin Laden changed his life as an Arab-American.

I'm Drew Griffin in tonight for Don Lemon. You are in the CNN NEWSROOM.

And tonight we are getting a look at new videos seized from Osama bin Laden's hideout. Five different videos of the man who was the world's most wanted terrorist. Released today by U.S. intelligence officials. Each of them with the sound removed to avoid spreading bin Laden's words.

Some are surprisingly candid. One of the video shows bin Laden watching himself on TV holding a remote control. Another said to be a message to the U.S., recorded last October or November. They are just part of the treasure trove of intelligence gathered from that compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan.

Our own Barbara Starr was called in for a special briefing today when intelligence officials released these new videos. She walks us through the images you're about to see.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's the Osama bin Laden you've never seen, huddled in front of a television in a modestly furnished room intently watching broadcasts of himself. This is bin Laden obsessed with monitoring and controlling his image, a U.S. intelligence official told reporters. In more formal tapes, he dyed his hair black -- projecting the image he wanted the world to see the feared leader of al Qaeda.

FRANCES FRAGOS TOWNSEND, FORMER HOMELAND SECURITY ADVISOR: I think the overall message is the U.S. government picked these very carefully, very deliberately, to show they're in control, and that bin Laden was vain, he was not in very good circumstances, and that they're now in control of his image.

STARR: The U.S. government distributed a portion of five videos taken from the compound. The U.S. stripped off the audio. The official said the U.S. doesn't want to be broadcasting bin Laden messages.

The official said the videos, thumb drives, disks and documents taken from the compound make up the single largest collection of terrorist materials ever seized. It's all being analyzed for clues about new threats.

Releasing the video was part of the Obama administration's effort to show material that could have only been taken from the raid. The armoire on this tape identified as being inside the compound. If some doubt he is dead, the administration says the DNA match had a one in 11.8 quadrillion chance of being wrong.

This video begins with the title from Osama bin Laden to the American people. The U.S. believes it was made between October 9th and November 5th of last year, around the time of the American midterm elections. In it, bin Laden criticizes the U.S.

The U.S. conclusion about bin Laden: the al Qaeda leader was far from a figurehead in the weeks and months before he was killed. The U.S. intelligence official noted that, quote, "He was an active player, making a recent operation even more essential for our nation's security."

TOWNSEND: Clearly, he had views on operational ideas, operational plans, and he was about trying to send and use these couriers and these thumb drives that were captured in order to send his directions, his ideas, back to operatives who would actually execute those plans.

STARR: But for an American audience at least, the videos show some of bin Laden's vulnerability -- a wrinkled sheet for a background, a missed queue during a taping and a room with hanging wires and few furnishings where an old man stares at a television.

(on camera): So, what happens next? A U.S. official says they do believe al Qaeda has been damaged by the killing of Osama bin Laden. But they are watching very carefully to see who emerges as the next leader of the terrorist network.

Barbara Starr, CNN, the Pentagon.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

GRIFFIN: Well, how are these videotapes being perceived in Pakistan's capital? Reza Sayah is in Islamabad.

Reza?

REZA SAYAH, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Drew, the newly released images of Osama bin Laden aired on Pakistani TV late Saturday night. Some of these images could certainly convince some skeptics here in Pakistan that Osama bin Laden is dead. But will they convince everyone?

Some here in Pakistan already pointing to the one video clip that purportedly shows Osama bin Laden sitting on the floor, covered by a blanket, remote control in hand, flipping through a television set. That particular image only shows a partial profile and some here could say that they cannot conclude definitively that's indeed Osama bin Laden. It's a sign of the deep trust many here in Pakistan have for planes coming out of Washington and the U.S. Government.

In the meantime, the Pakistan security establishment cannot be thrilled with the publicity that continues to surround Osama bin Laden's death and the raid on this compound. The Pakistani army, of course, behind the scene, the most powerful institution in Pakistan, an institution that is rarely questioned by the public here, but not only is Pakistan's security establishment being questioned, globally by senior firms in Washington but now the Pakistani public is questioning Pakistan's spy agencies. And the army here asking how is it possible that Osama bin Laden managed for years to hide out in a compound right under the noses of the Pakistani military?

The army doing some damage control over the past few days, insisting that they had no idea that Osama bin Laden was in this compound. But not everyone here in Pakistan is convinced -- Drew?

GRIFFIN: Reza, thank you.

And coming up next, two Muslim imams removed from an Atlantic Southeast Airlines flight. There are conflicting reports whether passengers said they were uncomfortable with them being on the plane or was it the pilot.

The two men join us next to tell their side of the story. And we'll have reaction from the airline.

Also ahead, we'll talk with an Arab-American comedian who uses humor to make a serious point.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

GRIFFIN: This has been the breaking news all day. The release by U.S. Intelligence officials of five videotapes of Osama bin Laden. Tapes taken from his compound after he was killed. Tapes removed by navy S.E.A.L.S as we've been analyzing them.

We are getting some news of an incident that happened here in this country. Last night an Atlantic Southeast jet, on the tarmac, about to take off when all of a sudden it just turn around and returned to the gate. Why? So TSA agents could remove two Muslim men on board.

It happened in Memphis. The flight scheduled to go to Charlotte, North Carolina. The men are imams. Muslim religious leaders. They were told at the time that other passengers were uncomfortable with them being on board.

Imams Masudur Rahman and Mohamed Zaghloul join me now live from Charlotte along with their attorney - Mo Idlibi.

Imam Rahman, why don't you just describe for us what actually happened? You were on the plane, you were going out to the runway, and I guess from what I'm hearing the pilot made an announcement?

IMAM MASUDUR RAHMAN, REMOVED PASSENGER: Yes. Over there, a pilot made an announcement that I had to take the plane back to the gate, and he came to the gate. After then, a Delta agent and some TSA agent came to us and he said, sir, we have to check you again. And they are very polite. They were very helpful. And we help them. And we let them check our stuff, and our luggage, our bag, our body. Everything they did in few minutes. After then they said OK, you guys are good. You can go.

When we are entering to the plane, the over there supervisor, Mr. Russell, he said, Mr. Rahman, I'm sorry, I was pleading to the pilot to let you go on this flight, but he is not allowing you to go. I said, can you say the reason, what is the reason? So he said, OK, I'm asking him the reason, but he's not giving any reason. I can ask him again. So he went to him again. And he was, you know, agreeing with him maybe more than ten minutes he came back again, he said I'm sorry, he's not allowing and he's not giving me any reason. So what can we do?

(CROSSTALK)

GRIFFIN: So this was the pilot's decision. I just want to ask you, because in other times we've had two sides of this kind of story when we had similar things in the past.

Was there anything, Imam Rahman, that you did or could have been mistakenly construed as to be suspicious. Were you overtly praying on the tarmac? Were you changing seats? Was there anything that you can think of that somehow drew attention to you and your friend?

RAHMAN: Nothing. Nothing. We are OK. And TSA people and agent was very happy with us and they appreciated us by our conduct.

(CROSSTALK)

MO IDLIBI, IMAM'S ATTORNEY: Atlantic Southeast --

GRIFFIN: Yes, go ahead, Mo.

IDLIBI: Just to add to that, there actually, there was no additional -- any kind of action that could have been misconstrued that took place in the previous case out in Minneapolis back in 2006. The imams were not praying. They weren't chanting. They weren't saying anything.

(CROSSTALK)

GRIFFIN: Well, let me just, Mo -- let me just talk about this particular case.

Where were you guys seated? This was a small plane.

IDLIBI: They were in rows 10 and 5, Drew.

GRIFFIN: 10 and 5. So separate rows?

Let me read you -- Atlantic Southeast Airline has a statement out tonight talking about this. Saying basically you were taken back to the gate for additional screening of a passenger and the passenger's companion, that's you two guys, obviously.

"We take security and safety very seriously, and the event is currently under investigation. Compensation and re-accommodation on the next available flight were immediately offered to the passenger and the passenger's traveling companion. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience that this may have caused."

Do you accept the apology?

RAHMAN: That is not the case. The supervisor of Delta Airline, he went and he asked the pilot near about more than ten minutes, and he didn't allow - he didn't give him any reason and he said, Mr. Rahman, I'm sorry, pilot is not giving any reason. After then, Mr. Russell said, what can we do? We can call our manager, Mr. John O'Toole (ph). And John O'Toole (ph), he called and he was coming, and pilot left the gate. After that, Mr. John called pilot back to the gate and pilot came to the gate, and Mr. John went to him and Mr. John was talking to him more than 30 minutes.

GRIFFIN: So you think it's this pilot. You had nothing do with the other passengers. It was this pilot that kept you from flying last night?

RAHMAN: Yes. I can add you with some more. When Mr. John came out and his face is red and he was upset, and he said, I apologize, you guys. I'm watching you from beginning to the end, you are very polite, very nice, very cooperative, very helpful. We appreciate your patience. And some lady there appreciate our patience who are in TSA. And we appreciate them. And they were very good with us. Their conduct, really, they were professional. But he said, you know, the pilot is not allowing you to go.

GRIFFIN: OK. Listen, guys, we want to thank you so much for talking with us. We want to just mention to our viewers that Mohamed Zaghloul doesn't speak very good English and was only participating visually there.

Mo, very quickly, are you going to be seeking legal action?

IDLIBI: Well, at this point, Drew, we're keeping all options open. We are going to be -- we have contacted Delta and Atlantic Southeast. We haven't gotten a response back from them. We'll keep all options open. We do want to make sure that there is accountability, Drew.

GRIFFIN: All right.

IDLIBI: We want to make sure that the pilot is held accountable for his actions, and Delta and Atlantic implement those.

(CROSSTALK)

GRIFFIN: Guys, thank you all very much. Good luck. I understand you're at an Islamophobia Conference over in Charlotte. The airline says it's under investigation. We'll continue to follow this story. Thanks for joining us.

The Mississippi River floods, neighborhoods and towns with levels not seen in more than 70 years. This is big news. A report from Memphis next.

Plus, Jacqui Jeras here with the latest on the forecast.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

GRIFFIN: 1,000 homes in Memphis, Tennessee have been ordered evacuated because of the rising Mississippi River. The water there not expected to crest until Wednesday, and it could be historic.

CNN's David Mattingly has the latest as that city braces for the worst.

DAVID MATTINGLY, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Just a little over a day ago, I would have been standing here on dry land. But now this area along the Mississippi River in Memphis, completely under water, as the water continues to rise. Memphis now is one big city trying to hold off one very big flood.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MATTINGLY (voice-over): City parks already flooded and water creeping closer to houses by the day. People of Memphis watch the rising Mississippi River and wonder.

LEE STREATER, MEMPHIS RESIDENT: How high will the water get, you know? Who is most at risk? Which land sits lower?

MATTINGLY: The Mississippi River floods of 2011 are expected to break records to the north of Memphis this weekend, and then continue setting high watermarks as far south as Baton Rouge. The river is expected to crest in Memphis at 48 feet above flood stage, the highest it's been in generations.

(on camera): Memphis hasn't seen that much water since the disastrous floods of 1937. Back then, city officials tell me the river rose all the way to here, where I'm standing, which is four blocks away from the river banks. (voice-over): But there have since been big changes to keep the river back. A system of flood walls, gates and levees developed since the 1950s should keep the city dry. But it's a system that's never been hit with this much water.

BOB NATIONS, SHELBY COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: They have never been tested. But all of the subject matter experts are telling us, we can have a high confidence level.

MATTINGLY: Army Corps of Engineers blowing levees to divert floodwaters into Missouri farmland slowed the flood's arrival downriver. Officials around Memphis are using the time to prepare. A call has gone out to volunteers to fill sandbags for government buildings and hospitals. The hope is they won't be needed.

(on camera): The greatest concern around Memphis isn't for areas like this that are right up next to the river, but rather the rivers that are around Memphis, the tributaries that flow into the Mississippi. Water is backing up through those rivers as well now and flooding communities along there. Officials now today will be going to individual property owners saying this could be the time that you want to pack up. You don't want to wait for this river to be in your front yard before you make a decision to move.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

GRIFFIN: David Mattingly today in Memphis. When the Mississippi River does crest next week, it's expected to be 14 feet above flood stage.

And Jacqui Jeras, it's not just Memphis, not just Tennessee, but everything up and down the Mississippi.

JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes, this is really widespread, Drew. And this is going to be ongoing all the way down the river in the weeks and even in the months ahead, believe it or not.

Now the river has crested in New Madrid. That happened just fresh this weekend. And so we got all this way to go down that Mississippi River before all is said and done, and that's likely not going happen until sometime in June, believe it or not.

Take a look at some of the pictures that we have. These are aerials to give you a better idea of just how wide and how extensive this is. You know, the Mississippi River, that's widest right now in some area, just north of Memphis is about two miles wide. So that is way out of its banks. You can see this is impacting people, their homes. This is impacting businesses.

A huge impact on agriculture and part of the navigation channels had to be shut down yesterday. Now they are opened very restricted, but they are open so this is really very widespread.

Now down river from Memphis, we're also watching those waters rise in Mississippi. This is video to show you out of Tunica, where they have casinos in the area. Nine of them, all of which, have had to shut down because of the rising waters. They expect that they are going to be closed for the next three to six weeks.

Now today you got pretty lucky in terms of the rainfall. But the next five days we're looking at the potential for maybe another one to two inches on top of what you already have. So that could potentially aggravate that flood situation.

Take a look at some of the crests that were expected, and when they are going to be down the line. Memphis, we're looking at Tuesday night or Wednesday, 14 feet above flood stage. Vicksburg on the 20th about 15 feet above flood stage. Natchez, May 22nd, 16 feet about flood stage. Red River Landing on the 23rd and Baton Rouge on the 23rd as well.

And many of these rivers, Drew, are going to be staying in flood for at least seven to ten days. That's at the high crest level and then it will slowly recede for weeks beyond that.

They are also talking about opening some of the spillways. We saw the explosion. I heard about that in David's piece. They will likely be opening the spillway on Monday morning down near New Orleans to help relieve a little pressure there.

GRIFFIN: All right, Jacqui, thank so you much.

And Arab-American comedian pokes fun at himself. To illustrate a serious point about Osama bin Laden. Dean Obeidallah is next.

Hey, Dean.

DEAN OBEIDALLAH, CO-FOUNDER, ARAB-AMERICAN COMEDY FESTIVAL: Hey.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TED AGOGLIA, CNN HERO: When a disaster strikes, you don't really know what you are going to need. That's why we've packaged up four tractor-trailers loaded with just about every type of tool and gear and piece of equipment.

We got the generator running. We're going to power up this church.

We roll those rigs all across this country.

We decided to come to Ringgold, Georgia, because it's a small community. And most likely, they didn't have the resources that they would need.

All these homes were completely destroyed.

My team has been to about 38 mega-storms at this point, but we've never seen anything like this before.

It's all gone. Almost like the whole city went through a blender. When we first got here, we started powering up the shelter, clearing the roads and we wanted to just help stabilize the situation.

We will have him come straight in and grab these trees right off of these two stones right here.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They went over and cleared the cemetery. That's why I am able to bury my father today.

AGOGLIA: We're going to keep working until this is done.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He then came over and offered his services again.

AGOGLIA: We just joined with the family members on our hands and knees looking for things.

There's some more photos in here.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We found a wedding picture of my dad and mom. These guys are angels.

Thank you so much for you and your team.

AGOGLIA: When we see people suffering and struggling, it is our responsibility to come and to help. This is part of being human, to see a need and to do something about it.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

GRIFFIN: Ted Agoglia is the 2008 CNN Hero. He and his team of first responders has been responded to 39 communities all over the world, bringing their services free of charge. That's what makes him a hero.

If you want to nominate somebody who is making a big difference in your community, of course, you can go to CNNHeroes.com.

The big news today was the release of the videos of Osama bin Laden and those releases remind us that he had multiple titles. The leader of al Qaeda, the mastermind of 9/11, the FBI's most wanted fugitive. Here's one you probably haven't heard, though. Osama bin Laden, the father of American Islamophobia.

That's the label Arab-American comedian, Dean Obeidallah, gave him in an opinion piece he wrote for CNN.com. It got a lot of attention. He explains that bin Laden's actions on September 11th made people see Obeidallah as an Arab first and an American second.

He joins us live from New York.

Dean, why do you call him bin Laden the father of Islamophobia.

DEAN OBEIDALLAH, CO-FOUNDER, ARAB-AMERICAN COMEDY FESTIVAL: Well, I think, clearly, he is the master mind of 9/11. And that's the event that set the whole chain of motion to where we are today. Where Islamophobia today is part of the main, the normal discourse of conversation.

You can have candidates running for office dehumanizing Muslims and there's not a backlash. In fact, that could raise them in the polls, it gets them more visibility.

So don't forget, we had the World Trade Center attack in 1993. America did not turn to what it is today, in relation to Muslims and Arabs in American. So I look at bin Laden, and I certainly hold him responsible for that action and people in myself and people in our community despise him for that.

GRIFFIN: When you look at him today, when we saw those tapes released today, this man who really change your life on September 11th, what was your reaction to how he was portraying himself and how he was using these videotapes to try to get his message out?

OBEIDALLAH: Well, I mean, again as a comedian you can't help to look at him a little differently. I mean, I looked at it first and I saw the video of him with, you know, gray beard and gray hair, and then dark hair. And it looked like a before and after picture for Just For Men commercial at some point there.

And the only thing you could hope is thank goodness his sex tape didn't come out in that treasury shelf of videos they found. But he was definitely living a different life. He portrayed himself as a leader of a great movement. Almost like a CEO of a major corporation. Yet living in relative squalor, to be quite honest, watching an old tube top TV. It wasn't even a flat panel. And I hate to make light of it, but that was the reality where he was living.

And you know, certainly, he's not the only person in the world to dye his beard. I mean, certainly, there are many Arab leader and Americans who dye their hair and beard to look good. But this sense of machismo, I think, was really undermined by that video.

GRIFFIN: Let me read you a response we got to your op-ed piece. This one takes a little bit issue with you. It says, "Bin Laden himself, 9/11 alone made me wary about the Arab world. It's the fact that nine out of ten times for the last 30 years when you hear a terrorist, or hear of an act of terrorism, it's a Muslim. It's also the way they treat women, the honor killings, the violent behavior, non-acceptance of anything other than exactly what they believe. That is what makes me wary of them."

What would you like to say to the person who wrote that?

OBEIDALLAH: I would have to only ask if they have an open mind and hear us out. I'm really hoping this is a reset time. That we have a chance now to build some bridges.

I can understand people thinking that. They hear the news. But if you look at the facts, and recently I was at Peter King's hearing where the sheriff of LA testified. Lee Baca testified that last year there were 20 terrorist attacks by non-Muslims and ten terrorist threats by non-Muslims and ten by Muslims in America. You know, the numbers are going down. In fact the numbers show the threat is really coming with non-Muslims in America against us. It's going to take time. I mean, there's nothing in the Koran in any way, whatsoever, sanctions honor killing. It's wrong. They are murders. Every Muslim-American organization has said that. And no honor killings are justified at all in Islam. But it's going to be education. And we have to go out there.

You know, I'm just hoping people now give us a chance to have this dialogue. Let's take this time now where we're all unified to work together and work on our communality.

GRIFFIN: Well, look, this guy is dead. Does it now improve? Does it have to improve?

OBEIDALLAH: I hope it does. I mean, I really hoping it's closer to 9/11. I really feared this 10th anniversary of 9/11. Maybe the death of bin Laden will give us a chance over the next few months to work together.

You know, to say how together, let's stand against al Qaeda, against any terrorist regardless of their religion or faith. We're all Americans -- Muslim, Jewish, Christian, Atheist. Whatever they might be.

We're Americans first, and we treasure what we have in this country. You know, my father came here, he is Palestinian, for a better life in America. No Muslim I know has come to America and said, you know, I love America, but you know what would make it better more laws like Afghanistan. That's not happening. We have no intent to impose Sharia Law.

One percent of America is Muslim. We're never imposing 99 percent, on the rest to Sharia Law and we don't want it. You know, Muslim-Americans, there's nobody in the American-Muslim community advocating that. It's only people on the right that raise this phantom menace that were out there doing this lurking about. It's not accurate. I'm doing my best. We're doing our best to spell that notion.

GRIFFIN: All right, Dean Obeidallah, thanks for joining us. We always appreciate it. And see you around.

OBEIDALLAH: Thanks.

GRIFFIN: Revelations from the raid on Osama bin Laden's compound in Pakistan. We'll show you more of the never before seen tapes of the form al Qaeda leader.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

GRIFFIN: We're going to bring you up-to-date with our developing news about Osama bin Laden's videos. U.S. government releasing five tapes confiscated by those Navy SEALS in their raid on Osama bin Laden's compound. This one certainly wasn't meant for the public release. It shows the al Qaeda leader old, gray hair, watching a TV that's showing pictures of himself. There were others as well, like this one that showed bin Laden in a pose intended for broadcast. The U.S. government edited these videos for release today. Deleted the audio. We're told to avoid spreading any al-Qaeda message they may have contained.

Other headlines today. At least six people killed, 120 injured, clashes between Muslims and Christians in Cairo, Egypt. Witnesses said Muslims attacked a Christian church trying to free a Christian woman they said was being held against her will because she wanted to convert to Islam. A parish priest said those killed were members of the Saint Mina Coptic Church.

Protest turned deadly once again in Syria. Today, government tanks and troops storm the village on the Mediterranean Coast. People had formed a human chain trying to block soldiers. Witnesses say security forces just opened fire. At least four women killed, several others injured when they demanded the release of family members who had been arrested.

The sports world mourning one of the greatest players in modern golf, Spaniard Seve Ballesteros has died of complications from a cancerous brain tumor. Ballesteros wrote his charisma and creative shot making to 87 victories worldwide, including British opens and two Masters. He's also credited with reviving the Ryder Cup Competition between the U.S. and Europe. Seve Ballesteros dead at the age of just 54 years old.

We knew the winner of the Kentucky derby would come from the animal kingdom. Did you know it was named Animal Kingdom. Yep. That's the name of the horse. The 20-1 long shot ran in the middle of the pack for most of the race. Then that happened. Storming on front in the final turn and lead the rest of the way to the bench. Animal kingdom had won his previous start on a synthetic surface, but today's race was his first start ever on a dirt course.

The father of an American soldier captured in Afghanistan is speaking out by way of home video and making a direct appeal to his son's captors. Our Ed Lavandera has more on the video, and why the soldier's father decided to go public with his comments.

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The family of Army Specialist Bowe Bergdahl is making a dramatic video appeal for their son's safe return. Bergdahl was captured by the Afghan-Taliban almost two years ago. His family has kept a quiet silent vigil in Idaho, never speaking out about their son's capture in hopes that he would be returned safely. But now the family is speaking out, making a direct appeal to the head of the Pakistani military and to the head of the Pakistani intelligence agency asking for their son's safe return.

This is significant because it comes just days after the death of Osama bin Laden, and on the same day that al Qaeda is vowing revenge for bin Laden's death.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BOB BERGDAHL, BOWE BERGDAHL'S FATHER: We know our son is a prisoner and at the same time a guest in your home. We understand the rationale the Islamic Emirate has made through its videos. No family in the United States understands the detainee issue like ours. Our son's safe return will only heighten public awareness of this.

That said, our son is being exploited. It's past time for Bowe and the others to come home.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LAVANDERA: You heard in Robert Bergdahl's statement that he alluded to Mullah Sangeen and the group called Haqqani. That is a group that is in Pakistan, loosely believed to be affiliated with the Afghan-Taliban. The belief here possibly is that Bowe Bergdahl was moved around between these groups and could now be in Pakistan. And that's why the family is making a direct appeal to the head of the Pakistani military and its intelligence agency.

Robert Bergdahl ends the video statement by speaking directly to his son saying we have been quiet in public, but we have not been quiet behind-the-scenes. Continue to be patient and kind to those around you.

That was a message from Robert Bergdahl to his son who has been missing and captured for almost two years.

Ed Lavandera, CNN, Dallas.

GRIFFIN: You've heard a lot about Navy SEALS. in the last few days. No one is getting a rare honor. We're going to look at the latest ship being commissioned by the U.S. Navy and how they are honoring one of their own.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

GRIFFIN: While we may never know the name of the man who took down Osama bin Laden, the U.S. Navy is making sure the name of another SEAL, one killed in the line of duty, will live on. CNN's Susan Candiotti has more from Maine.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He gave his all.

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's a distinction rarely bestowed on someone so young. Dedicating a ship in the name of 29-year-old Navy SEAL Lieutenant Michael Murphy.

(on camera) What do you think your son would say to you and his mother about this honor?

DAN MURPHY, MICHAEL MURPHY'S DAD: Michael would say would you cut it out and stop it.

CANDIOTTI (voice-over): His parents are as proud of their son as he was humble.

(on camera) Lieutenant Murphy and two members ever his team were fatally ambushed in Afghanistan in 2005. Despite two bullets in his back, another heavy enemy fire, Murphy tried to save his fellow SEALS by running into a clearing to call for help. Incredibly, his final calm words to his command were, thank you, sir.

Sixteen other would-be rescuers also died in that operation. It remains the worst single day loss in the SEALS history. Murphy's parents received a medal of honor on behalf of their sign 2007, the nation's highest award for valor.

And now a 500-foot long, five story high Navy Destroyer is named the USS Michael Murphy. The ship's dedication comes during the same week another elite SEAL team killed Osama bin Laden.

MURPHY: This was payback time without a doubt.

CANDIOTTI (voice-over): An Air Force reserve flight surgeon who recovered Murphy's body in the mountains say he could not miss this day.

JOSH APPEL, FLIGHT SURGEON, AIR FORCE RESERVES: It's quite an honor. You know, I'm humbled just to be a part of it.

CANDIOTTI: Lieutenant Murphy's pride and devotion to the SEALS is expected to mean something special to sailors.

REAR ADM. GARRY BONELLI, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, NAVAL SPECIAL WARFARE COMMAND: He was taking care of his teammates. And I think that's what will really resonate with the ship's crew.

CANDIOTTI: For Murphy's parents seeing their son's name on the ship's stern was overwhelming.

MURPHY: Maureen started to cry. I started to shake. And it -- it hit both of us. You know, just right in the heart. Just kind of, mom, dad, I'm still here. And I'm still leading the fight. And I'm still out there protecting people.

CANDIOTTI: A tribute to his generation and those to come. Susan Candiotti, CNN, Bath, Maine.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

GRIFFIN: Elementary students learn Mandarin not as a second language, but a third language. Does that sound like a failing school to you? Federal guidelines say it is. We'll tell you why.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

GRIFFIN: You know, when it comes to public education these days, the very definition of success and failure are up for debate. Education Secretary Arnie Duncan says 82 percent of the nation's public schools will soon be categorized as failing under the "No Child Left Behind" Law. But critics say the definition of failure is what's flawed.

Our Allan Chernoff traveled to Stanford, Connecticut, where officials say the law has glaring flaws.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Sun.

UNIDENTIFIED CHILDREN: Sun.

ALLAN CHERNOFF, CNN SENIOR CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Third graders learning Mandarin Chinese. It's their third language. They also take Spanish. Stamford, Connecticut's Rogers International School is a member of the prestigious International Baccalaureate program. It receives more than four applicants for every seat in the entry year kindergarten class.

(on camera) Academic performance here at Rogers International is on the rise, with double-digit gains in math, reading and writing proficiency tests. But according to the way that the federal government reads those exams, this is a failing school.

JOSHUA STARR, SUPERINTENDENT, STAMFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS: It's pretty ridiculous.

CHERNOFF (voice-over): Stamford schools' superintendent, Joshua Starr, says Rogers International epitomizes the distortions of No Child Left Behind. Why? Because some students, particularly children of immigrants, have not shown enough improvement in reading and writing. The No Child Left Behind law grades the school with an F.

STARR: The standardized test is important but it shouldn't be annual. And it shouldn't be the sole measure of whether or not a school is serving its children.

CHERNOFF: No Child Left Behind calls on every public school to achieve 100 percent proficiency in math and English by 2014. An idealistic goal the Obama administration intends to ditch.

ARNE DUNCAN, EDUCATION SECRETARY: There's so much that's broken with the current law, far too punitive.

CHERNOFF: Education Secretary Arne Duncan wants to put less emphasis on standardized tests and measuring schools, though they would still measure teachers. That could spell trouble for teachers at Stamford's Stark Elementary School.

UNIDENTIFIED CHILDREN: Count to 100.

CHERNOFF: They're working hard to raise performance on standardized tests.

WILLIAM JOHNSON, PRINCIPAL, STARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: I've had children come here 9 years old, they don't know any English, and they have received no formal education. But the expectation still is to bring them up to snuff. CHERNOFF: An unrealistic one, say Stamford's educators.

STARR: There isn't a one size fits all, and that's what the federal government has tried to do with No Child Left Behind.

CHERNOFF: Allan Chernoff, CNN, Stamford, Connecticut.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

GRIFFIN: And Soledad O'Brien will be examining the prices in our public education system, and why America's financial future is at risk in a CNN special report called "Don't Fail Me: Education in America," premiering Sunday, May 15th, 8:00 p.m. Eastern right here on CNN.

Today the world can't forget and it's especially poignant for a group of American teenagers. We're going to hear how they remembered President Bush in their classroom that morning of 9/11.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

GRIFFIN: American college student Amanda Knox went to Italy in 2007 to study and immerse herself in Italian culture. Instead, she became embroiled in a shocking murder that made headlines around the world.

Doubts about the case surfaced almost immediately. With her conviction now being appealed, I went to Italy to review the evidence for myself.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GRIFFIN (voice-over): Almost immediately after police say she confessed to her crime, Amanda Knox recants. She tells her parents she broke under stress. In court, she would tell jurors how a police officer struck her from behind, how she was denied water, food, a translator.

And how, she says, under pressure by police, she was asked repeatedly to dream up, imagine scenarios for how it could have happened.

In a rare interview, the prosecutor of Amanda Knox, Giuliano Mignini agrees to sit down for an extensive on-camera discussion of the evidence. It was an interview he later appeared to regret.

(on camera): Nobody hit her?

GIULIANO MIGNINI, PROSECUTOR (through translator): No, absolutely not.

GRIFFIN: Was she asked to imagine scenarios? So she's lying?

MIGNINI: Absolutely. You either see the person or not. I can't ask a person what he or she imagines. This question would make no sense. GRIFFIN (voice-over): That's not all that wouldn't make sense because it turns out virtually everything Amanda Knox told her interrogators the night of her so-called confession, was a lie.

Amanda Knox in this statement told police she was in the house the night of the murder and saw her boss, night club owner Patrick Lamumba and Meredith Curcher, go into Meredith's room and she heard screams.

Amanda's statement adds, I am very confused. I imagined what could have happened. Police apparently didn't bother to check the facts about Lamumba. They immediately arrested Amanda Knox, Raphael Solichito and Patrick Lamumba for the murder of Meredith Curcher.

Italian police announcing to the public, case solved. Giuliano Mignini admitted to us, even without any evidence, he knew almost the moment he arrived and laid eyes on Amanda Knox and Raphael Solichito, they were involved in the murder.

(on camera): Prior to the forensic investigation, prior to everything, really, your intuition or your detective knowledge led you to Amanda Knox and Raphael Solichito?

MIGNINI (through translator): After the first few weeks, we were convinced because of the behavior of the two people and especially Amanda, that they were both involved in the crime.

GRIFFIN (voice-over): But almost immediately after the arrests, Mignini had a problem. The third suspect, Patrick Lamumba had an airtight alibi. He was in his crowded bar that night. He could not have been involved then the actual forensic tests came back.

GREG HAMPIKIAN, FORENSIC BIOLOGIST: When I looked at it, I was horrified.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

GRIFFIN: You can watch the entire special, "MURDER ABROAD: THE AMANDA KNOX STORY," that's tomorrow night at 8:00 p.m. Eastern right here on CNN. >

Checking our top stories today, none bigger than this one. New images of Osama bin Laden seized from his hideout in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Five different videos of the man who was the most wanted terrorist released today by U.S. Intelligence officials. Each of them with the sound removed to avoid spreading bin Laden's words.

At least six people have been killed and 120 injured in clashes between Muslims and Christians in Cairo, Egypt. Muslims attacked a church trying to free a Christian woman they say was being held against her will because she wanted to convert to Islam. A parish priest said those killed were members of the Saint Mina Coptic Church.

Protest turned deadly once again in Syria. Today, government tanks and troops storm the village on the Mediterranean Coast. People had formed a human chain trying to block soldiers. Witnesses say security forces just opened fire. At least four women were killed and several others injured when they demanded the release of family members who had been arrested.

An Atlantic Southeast jet was about to take off last night in Memphis, Tennessee when two Muslim men were removed from the flight. Earlier this hour, one of the men, Imam Masadur Rahman, told me the pilot refused to accept him and his companion, another Imam named Mohamed Zaghloul. But an airline official would not explain why. The imams were wearing Muslim clothing and headed to a conference on Islamophobia in Charlotte, North Carolina. Atlantic Southeast Airlines has apologized and tells us they are investigating.

I'm Drew Griffin at the CNN World Headquarters in Atlanta. We'll see you back here tomorrow night at 6:00 and 10:00 Eastern Time.