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CNN Live Saturday

Rumsfeld Meets With Asian Security Officials; Bush, Chirac Vow To Come Together On Iraq; Pope Continues Travels, Visits Switzerland

Aired June 05, 2004 - 16:00   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.


FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: 60 years after D-Day, President Bush lands in France. Can his visit restore damaged Franco-American relations?
LESLIE BURKE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Leslie Burke at Belmont Park. Coming up, we will take a look ahead to the Belmont Stakes and Smarty Jones run for history. We'll also take a look back at the horses roots.

WHITFIELD: And in 30 minutes, what to do before you say I do. That's our topic today on "Dollar Signs." Call us at 1-800-807-2620 or you can e-mail your questions at dollarsigns@cnn.com. "Dollar Signs" starts in 30 minutes, but first here are the headlines.

They're downplaying their differences and predicting more agreement on Iraq in the future; that's the message from a joint news conference by President Bush and French president Jacques Chirac in Pairs. Mr. Bush is on a European trip to drum up support for the war in Iraq and commemorate the 60th anniversary of D-Day.

And President Bush is calling a letter from Iraq a positive step forward. He's referring to the letter by Iraq's new prime minister Allawi. He wrote to U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell and all U.N. members detailing the security arrangements that will take place after the June 30 transfer of power.

U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is wrapping up an Asian tour seeking support for Iraq and the war on terror. In Singapore, Rumsfeld told a security conference the U.S. is winning some battles against terrorism, but may be losing the broader war against Islamic extremism.

And already a winner, Smarty Jones will try to run for a spot in history. The undefeated 3-year-old is all set to begin the Belmont Stakes race in about two and a half hours. If he wins, Smarty Jonse becomes the first Triple Crown winner in 26 years.

Hello, I'm Fredricka Whitfield at the CNN center in Atlanta. Former president Ronald Reagan may be close to death. According to the Associated Press, Nancy Reagan told CBS News correspondent Mike Wallace quote, "this is it." And she went on to say Reagan could pass on this weekend.

Sources familiar with the situation say his health is deteriorating and his children are gathering at his Bel-Air home. Raegan, who is 93, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease about 10 years ago.

And now to France where President Bush has arrive on the eve of the 60th anniversary of D-Day. The invasion that hastened the end of World War II is one focus of his trip to Europe, but it is the current conflict, the war in Iraq, that's also dominating President Bush's agenda.

Earlier, he held a joint news conference with French president Jacques Chirac. The French leader was a staunch opponent of the U.S. led invasion of Iraq. Today, the two men tried to move beyond their bitter differences. President Bush highlighted a letter from Iraq's new prime minister outlining security arrangements after the hand over of sovereignty.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: One of the issues I had been asked about quite frequently was whether or not the Iraqi government would be able to determine its security needs. I said absolutely. That's the definition of sovereignty.

And I also assured the American people at several news conferences that we have entered into these kind of security agreements in the past that recognize the sovereignty of the host government. And the exchange of letters does just that. The exchange of letters between the prime minister and the coalition lays out the parameters of security, of the security cooperation in Iraq. And this is a positive step forward

JAQUES CHIRAC, PRESIDENT OF FRANCE (through translator): And the discussions taking place within the U.N. Security Council basically aimed at adopting a resolution which given the present state of affairs in Iraq must say loud and clear that the international community is hell bent on achieving one objective, which is returning to -- returning sovereignty to an Iraqi government which will give hope to Iraqis and the people of Iraq.

So we're entirely like minded on that. And I believe that things are moving in the right direction.

BUSH: Free Iraq deserves the full support of the international community. And I appreciate our discussions. The Iraqi people want and deserve freedom, peace and prosperity. And the nations of the world have a responsibility to help them achieve that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: In Iraq today, the U.S. death toll is rising again. A roadside bomb flipped a U.S. military vehicle in Baghdad. One soldier was killed and three were wounded. The death brings the number of U.S. troops kill in Iraq to 826 since the war began. A spokesman for the coalition says the situation in Najaf has, quote, improved significantly. His comments come a day after a truce was announced between Shiite authorities and the forces of radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. Thousands of U.S. soldiers are in Iraq with children back at home. It's tough enough when one military parent faces deployment, but what happens if both mom and dad are sent to the war zone? CNN's Thelma Gutierrez has the story of one marine family doing double duty.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ERIC SMITH, MARINE CORPS: One, two, three, four.

THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): He is a U.S. marine staff sergeant and a dad.

E. SMITH: My Marine corps came alive.

GUTIERREZ: She is a U.S. marine sergeant and a mom.

E. SMITH: First it came was the color green, showed the world that we were mean.

GUTIERREZ: In the Smith home, a marching cadence is as common as a lullaby.

E. SMITH: One, two, three, and four.

You're either a Marine or you're not. And I cannot imagine wanting to be anything else. It's what we do.

GUTIERREZ: Eric and Liz Smith have been married 5 years. They have two children, Jeffrey and Victoria.

The Smiths received their marching orders: they and the kids are head for Japan. From there, both could be sent to war at any time.

E. SMITH: Actually, I'm more afraid of her deploying and me being left at home with the kids for six months, six, seven months.

GUTIERREZ: Eric has already been to Iraq once. It would be Liz's first.

LIZ SMITH, MARINE CORPS: The idea of being both deployed to Iraq or getting both deployed is sometimes scary.

GUTIERREZ: Scary and complicated, because it raises all sorts of legal issues.

L. SMITH: I want to know the rest of my life that my children are taken care of in some fashion where I don't have to worry about them, and if something ever happens to us.

E. SMITH: Do you look real good.

GUTIERREZ: Amidst the headaches, the Smiths bought a Web cam to stay in touch with family.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I love you very much.

E. SMITH: Talk to you soon.

GUTIERREZ: And they had to file a family care plan with the military in case they're deployed and have to leave within 24 hours.

E. SMITH: You have to wield special power of attorney.

L. SMITH: A letter of understanding. This is the temporary custody.

E. SMITH: Transportation arrangements, how your kids get there.

GUTIERREZ: They had to decide who would care for their children if they were killed in action.

L. SMITH: Mentally, it was kind of a take back because I never thought about doing a will before or I guess it was reality that you know, you're not immortal anything could happen at any time to you.

GUTIERREZ: These are legal details that are not negotiable.

L. SMITH: If you don't have a family care plan and not prepare, then the Marine Corps will not deploy you, and you will be asked to leave.

GUTIERREZ: The Smiths say it won't be ease if they're deployed at the same time, especially for the kids. Eric remembers the last time he went to Iraq.

E. SMITH: It is absolutely the worst thing I have ever done. To put them in the car, to kiss them all and to send them -- send them home, and you just -- you downtown think about it until it's time to do it, and then do you it.

GUTIERREZ: Eric came home, Jeffrey wouldn't leave his side.

E. SMITH: While I was sleeping, my son came into the bedroom and sat there quietly with me.

GUTIERREZ: Now it may be mom's turn to go to war. The Smiths say they're ready.

E. SMITH: A one, two, three, four.

GUTIERREZ: Thelma Gutierrez, CNN, 29 Palms, California.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has some blunt talk about terrorism.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD RUMSFELD, DEFENSE SECRETARY: Let there be no doubt more is to come.

(END VIDEO CLIP) WHITFIELD: And Rumsfeld told 21 U.S. allies what he needs from them in the war on terror. The details straight ahead.

And what gives a frail Pope John Paul II an energy boost? Stay tuned and find out.

And coming up at the half hour, what to do before you say "I Do." "Dollar Signs" for anyone about to get married. Just e-mail your questions to dollarsigns@CNN.com or call us at 1-800-807-2620. We'll be right back.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is pressing nations in Asia to become more engaged in war and in Iraq. He is now in Bangladesh after attending a regional security conference in Singapore. CNN's Maria Ressa has more on that.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARIA RESSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): His message is simple: talking to about 200 security officials from 21 nations, Donald Rumsfeld said there is no way to beat terrorism alone.

RUMSFELD: The reality is that we remain closer to the beginning of this struggle than to its end. And terrorists continue to inflict violence and death across the globe. But let there be no doubt, more is to come.

RESSA: To win the terror war, Rumsfeld outlined U.S. priorities, to strengthen allies, break down regional barriers, redeploy troops and resources. Here in Asia, which has nearly a quarter of the world's Muslims, anti-American sentiment has never been higher, partly because of the way the U.S. used its power in Iraq. But the concern here is about the future.

BARRY DESKEA, INSITUTE OF DEFENSE AND STRATEGIC STUDIES: The concern was about the need for the U.S. to stay course in Iraq. The debate was not so much about the whyes and wherefores of the U.S. decision to go to war.

RESSA: There is a sense of pragmatism, that no matter how Iraq began, it is now in the world's interests to make sure the U.S. succeeds in stabilizing Iraq.

TONY TAN, SINGAPORE DEP. PRIME MINISTER: If the U.S. were to be seen, to be driven out of Iraq by the insurgent forces without completing the job of stabilizing Iraq, then it is a tremendous blow to the war on terrorism worldwide.

RESSA: Still on the sidelines, a representative from Indonesia, which has the world's largest Muslim population, said it would be easier to support the U.S. if weapons of mass destruction had been found in Iraq.

(on camera): Iraq has now become the primary focus of a global war on terror. Partly because there, analysts say, al-Qaeda fighters can meet U.S. troops in combat. Victory, many here say, must begin with a free, stable and Democratic Iraq. Maria Rassa, CNN, Singapore.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Well, you just heard Secretary Rumsfeld saying al- Qaeda is focusing on Iraq, but the U.S. government is also warning Americans to be prepared for possible terror attack on U.S. soil this summer. Almost three years after the September 11 attacks, how prepared is the U.S. for a strike? CNN's Susan Kelly reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SUSAN KELLY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's just a drill. A dirty bomb explodes in the middle of a major U.S. city, but if a real attack were launched, how ready are we to respond?

DR. CHARLES A. SCHABLE, CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL: I think the major lesson that we learned from 9/11 is that the nation is prepared to deal with these events, but it is much better prepared to deal with the events post 9/11 than it was before then.

KELLY: Dr. Charles Schable of the Centers for Disease Controll in Atlanta says progress has been made when it comes to communication between agencies and first reponders and in the important task of getting information out to the public should an attack occur. He even testified last month before a congressional committee saying, "every state has developed an emergency preparedness and response plan and nearly 90 percent of states have trained public health practitioners in responding to terrorism."

But where do we stand to one place you likely need the most in the immediate moments after a terror attack?

SCHABLE: It's every single hospital in the United States perfectly prepared? I would be silly if I said yes.

DR. ARTHUR KELLERMANN, E.R. PHYSICIAN: The public should not only be concerned, they should be damned angry about this.

RESSA: Dr. Arthur Kellerman is on the frontline, a prominent ER physician. He said too little attention is being paid to emergency rooms. The first place victims would go for help.

KELLERMANN: We simply don't have the resources to meet this threat, not at this time. In fact, I would argue that we are less prepared today than we were on September 11, 2001 to respond to any form of terrorist attack, much less a bioterror attack.

RESSA: The doctor cites a number of problems: namely lack of funding, unadequate facilities and training of hospital staff and no proper measures in place to keep the hospital staff safe as they attend potential victims. He predicts if an attack happened today, emergency services including: ambulances, ER care and trauma care would all be completely overwhelmed. KELLERMANN: We have better information technology than your typical Wal-Mart or grocery store than we have in a typical U.S. hospital.

RESSA: As a member of the Board of American College of Emergency Medicine, he says it's a problem echoed across the country. Even with the enhanced level of national preparation. And he remains committed to try and make sure that in light of a potential terror attack, one catastrophe isn't followed by another. Susan Kelly, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Some hOther news around the world now. And from the bottom of the North Atlantic, a group of scientists is trying to figure out why the ill-fated Titanic is decaying more quickly than expected. Researchers are on a voyage back to the majestic liner, taking television viewers on a tour of the sunken grave site. One scientist says it's not clear whether items had decomposed, fallen, or been stolen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CAPT. CRAIG MCLEAN, NOAA: We're not touching anything on this mission. We're really engaged in purely a look but don't touch operation.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: For a deeper look, the National Geographic Channel is presenting a special "Return to Titanic." That' Monday night.

And in Southwestern France, two men exchange marriage vows for the first time, triggering applause from supporters and quick condemnation from the government. The city's mayor wed the two in defiance of the prime minister. Now the interior minister says the marriage is illegal and says the mayor might face legal action for breaking the law.

Pope John Paul II is in Switzerland for a two-day visit. Despite his failing health, the 84 year-old Pope says he feels compelled to keep traveling to spread the message of the Catholic Church. But some people are asking, is it time for him to step aside? Our Chris Burns reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRIS BURNS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): At a youthful gathdering, Pope John Paul II is energized. Struggling with Parkinson's Disease and other ailments, the 84-year-old pontiff swats at a bishop who thinks he needs help. The kids go wild.

Despite his continued fraility, he's staying in a Catholic retirement home during his visit here in Bern, it appears to be a different picture from his last foreign trip nine months ago to Slovakia. Back then, some Catholic figures suggested he was approaching death.

(on camera): In spite of the apparent improvement, 40 Catholic figures here in Switzerland signed this open letter to the Pope last month saying that he quote, moved the world over his 25 years as the world's most traveled Pope, that he helped to unify Europe by supporting those who cracked the Soviet bloc, but that now it's time to retire because of his health.

Swiss bishops called the letter quote, disgusting and disloyal. The one poll indicate three fourths of Swiss Catholics agree with the growing number of international calls for the Pope to quit. One analyst says John Paul sees his ailments another way.

JOHN ALLEN, NATIONAL CATHOLIC REPORTER: By sharing his suffering with the world, the Pope is, in effect, offering a model of how to bear these impediments with dignity.

BURNS (voice-over): In Switzerland, a bastion of the 16th Century Protestant Reformation, the Pope pushed ahead with his effort to reconcile the Vatican with other religions. The Swiss government has decided to send a full ambassador to the Vatican for the first time. But Protestant congregations rejected an invitation to mass on Sunday, because they're barred from communion.

There was a small collection of anti-papal protesters. And there are Catholics too, who are at odds with the Pope over his blanket opposition to birth control to fight AIDS, over abortion, gay marriage, women clergy, married priests.

All that seems to melt away in gatherings like these as the Pope feels rejuvenated among his adoring flock. Chris Burns, CNN, Bern, Switzerland.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Well here's a question, what has four legs and flies like the wind? The answer is a horse named Smarty Jones. And if he's fast enough, he'll gallop right into history about an hour from now. We'll take you out to the track live.

And coming up at the half hour, what to do before you say I do. E-mail your questions to dollarsigns@CNN.com or you can call us 1-800- 807-2620. We'll be back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: "Dollar Signs" is about to start, don't forget to e- mail your questions to dollarsigns@CNN.com or call us at 1-800-807- 2620.

Well, the final race of the Triple Crown is about two hours -- maybe an hour away actually. Race fans are wondering if Smarty Jones has the legs to make it into the history books as the 12th horse to take coveted title.

Our Josie Burke is at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York -- Josie. JOSIE BURKE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Fredricka, you can tell that the excitement and anticipation is building here by the size of the crowd. I don't know if you can see right behind me, people are really starting to fill in and the crowd is growing by the hour. They actually anticipate a record up number of people will come out to Belmont Park today to watch Smarty Jones try to make history. The record as it stands right now for attendance is 103,200. So they anticipate more than that many here.

And a large portion, I've gotten some anecdotal evidence of flyers and Sixers Jerseys is who made up of people who have made the short drive from Philadelphia. That is a city that is watching every move Smarty Jones makes with a very unique blend of hope and dread.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BURKE (voic-over): When Smarty Jones enters the starting gate at Belmont Park Saturday to try to win the Triple Crown, the thoroughbred will be saddled with expectations.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It would break a drought, I think, in terms of morale.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Does that count, does that count as like a sports championship? If it does, then I'll be rooting for him.

BURKE: Smarty hails from Philadelphia, the home of some of sports greatest athletes, most storied franchises, and lately, biggest disappointments.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a lift from the Flyers, the Sixers, the Eagles losing three years in a row and Smarty Jones is bringing life back to Philadelphia.

IKE REESE, EAGLE'S LINEBACKER: I'm like everybody else in the city of Philadelphia, we're pulling for him. We need a champion here. We need something to hang our hat on and say this is a winning team.

BURKE: In January, the Eagles came up one win shy of the Super Bowl for the third straight season. And when the Flyers were recently knocked out a win away from the Stanley Cup finals, it marked the 34th time in 21 years that a Philadelphia playoff team failed to win a championship. It's a drought that the city of Brotherly Love has begun to hate.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He'll just be another Philly horse if he doesn't win the Triple Crown.

RANDY WOLF, PHILLIES PITCHER: Chicago has the goat which is an animal that caused a curse, so maybe a horse can reverse Philadelphia's curse.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: As a horse, I don't even know if he knows he's from Philly. Maybe he's got that going for him.

BURKE: But could winning the first Triple Crown in 26 years be enough to satisfy the city's championship desire?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: By asking that question, you probably jinxed us.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm kind of hoping it's the Phillies a little bit over the horse. But it may take a horse. It may take a filly.

BURKE: Alas, Smarty is a Philadelphiaian, but should he realize the hopes of a title starved town, it seems anything might be possible.

JIM O'BRIEN, 76ERS HEAD COACH: Well if he wins the Triple Crown, I'm going to have him talk to my team at training camp.

BURKE: That would be winning advice straight from the horse's mouth.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BURKE: In Philadelphia and in other cities and here at the track, Smarty Jones souvenirs are selling like hot cakes to the point where you can't even get them. But I have something here that's a souvenir that anyone at the track can get who has $2, it's a betting voucher and it says race number 11, Belmont Stakes and this is $2 to win on the number 9 horse. And what's interesting about this voucher is that nowhere does it say Smarty Jones. So if you're going to get one of these, take it home and the horse wins and you want to show off to your friends, you'd better have a program, Fredricka, with you to prove that yes, Smarty Jones is the number 9 horse in the 11 race -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: Thanks a lot, Josie, appreciate it.

Well June is the month of weddings. And straight ahead on "Dollar Signs," what to do before you say I do. Send your questions to us at dollarsigns@CNN.com or call us at 1-800-807-2620. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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Aired June 5, 2004 - 16:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: 60 years after D-Day, President Bush lands in France. Can his visit restore damaged Franco-American relations?
LESLIE BURKE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Leslie Burke at Belmont Park. Coming up, we will take a look ahead to the Belmont Stakes and Smarty Jones run for history. We'll also take a look back at the horses roots.

WHITFIELD: And in 30 minutes, what to do before you say I do. That's our topic today on "Dollar Signs." Call us at 1-800-807-2620 or you can e-mail your questions at dollarsigns@cnn.com. "Dollar Signs" starts in 30 minutes, but first here are the headlines.

They're downplaying their differences and predicting more agreement on Iraq in the future; that's the message from a joint news conference by President Bush and French president Jacques Chirac in Pairs. Mr. Bush is on a European trip to drum up support for the war in Iraq and commemorate the 60th anniversary of D-Day.

And President Bush is calling a letter from Iraq a positive step forward. He's referring to the letter by Iraq's new prime minister Allawi. He wrote to U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell and all U.N. members detailing the security arrangements that will take place after the June 30 transfer of power.

U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is wrapping up an Asian tour seeking support for Iraq and the war on terror. In Singapore, Rumsfeld told a security conference the U.S. is winning some battles against terrorism, but may be losing the broader war against Islamic extremism.

And already a winner, Smarty Jones will try to run for a spot in history. The undefeated 3-year-old is all set to begin the Belmont Stakes race in about two and a half hours. If he wins, Smarty Jonse becomes the first Triple Crown winner in 26 years.

Hello, I'm Fredricka Whitfield at the CNN center in Atlanta. Former president Ronald Reagan may be close to death. According to the Associated Press, Nancy Reagan told CBS News correspondent Mike Wallace quote, "this is it." And she went on to say Reagan could pass on this weekend.

Sources familiar with the situation say his health is deteriorating and his children are gathering at his Bel-Air home. Raegan, who is 93, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease about 10 years ago.

And now to France where President Bush has arrive on the eve of the 60th anniversary of D-Day. The invasion that hastened the end of World War II is one focus of his trip to Europe, but it is the current conflict, the war in Iraq, that's also dominating President Bush's agenda.

Earlier, he held a joint news conference with French president Jacques Chirac. The French leader was a staunch opponent of the U.S. led invasion of Iraq. Today, the two men tried to move beyond their bitter differences. President Bush highlighted a letter from Iraq's new prime minister outlining security arrangements after the hand over of sovereignty.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: One of the issues I had been asked about quite frequently was whether or not the Iraqi government would be able to determine its security needs. I said absolutely. That's the definition of sovereignty.

And I also assured the American people at several news conferences that we have entered into these kind of security agreements in the past that recognize the sovereignty of the host government. And the exchange of letters does just that. The exchange of letters between the prime minister and the coalition lays out the parameters of security, of the security cooperation in Iraq. And this is a positive step forward

JAQUES CHIRAC, PRESIDENT OF FRANCE (through translator): And the discussions taking place within the U.N. Security Council basically aimed at adopting a resolution which given the present state of affairs in Iraq must say loud and clear that the international community is hell bent on achieving one objective, which is returning to -- returning sovereignty to an Iraqi government which will give hope to Iraqis and the people of Iraq.

So we're entirely like minded on that. And I believe that things are moving in the right direction.

BUSH: Free Iraq deserves the full support of the international community. And I appreciate our discussions. The Iraqi people want and deserve freedom, peace and prosperity. And the nations of the world have a responsibility to help them achieve that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: In Iraq today, the U.S. death toll is rising again. A roadside bomb flipped a U.S. military vehicle in Baghdad. One soldier was killed and three were wounded. The death brings the number of U.S. troops kill in Iraq to 826 since the war began. A spokesman for the coalition says the situation in Najaf has, quote, improved significantly. His comments come a day after a truce was announced between Shiite authorities and the forces of radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. Thousands of U.S. soldiers are in Iraq with children back at home. It's tough enough when one military parent faces deployment, but what happens if both mom and dad are sent to the war zone? CNN's Thelma Gutierrez has the story of one marine family doing double duty.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ERIC SMITH, MARINE CORPS: One, two, three, four.

THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): He is a U.S. marine staff sergeant and a dad.

E. SMITH: My Marine corps came alive.

GUTIERREZ: She is a U.S. marine sergeant and a mom.

E. SMITH: First it came was the color green, showed the world that we were mean.

GUTIERREZ: In the Smith home, a marching cadence is as common as a lullaby.

E. SMITH: One, two, three, and four.

You're either a Marine or you're not. And I cannot imagine wanting to be anything else. It's what we do.

GUTIERREZ: Eric and Liz Smith have been married 5 years. They have two children, Jeffrey and Victoria.

The Smiths received their marching orders: they and the kids are head for Japan. From there, both could be sent to war at any time.

E. SMITH: Actually, I'm more afraid of her deploying and me being left at home with the kids for six months, six, seven months.

GUTIERREZ: Eric has already been to Iraq once. It would be Liz's first.

LIZ SMITH, MARINE CORPS: The idea of being both deployed to Iraq or getting both deployed is sometimes scary.

GUTIERREZ: Scary and complicated, because it raises all sorts of legal issues.

L. SMITH: I want to know the rest of my life that my children are taken care of in some fashion where I don't have to worry about them, and if something ever happens to us.

E. SMITH: Do you look real good.

GUTIERREZ: Amidst the headaches, the Smiths bought a Web cam to stay in touch with family.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I love you very much.

E. SMITH: Talk to you soon.

GUTIERREZ: And they had to file a family care plan with the military in case they're deployed and have to leave within 24 hours.

E. SMITH: You have to wield special power of attorney.

L. SMITH: A letter of understanding. This is the temporary custody.

E. SMITH: Transportation arrangements, how your kids get there.

GUTIERREZ: They had to decide who would care for their children if they were killed in action.

L. SMITH: Mentally, it was kind of a take back because I never thought about doing a will before or I guess it was reality that you know, you're not immortal anything could happen at any time to you.

GUTIERREZ: These are legal details that are not negotiable.

L. SMITH: If you don't have a family care plan and not prepare, then the Marine Corps will not deploy you, and you will be asked to leave.

GUTIERREZ: The Smiths say it won't be ease if they're deployed at the same time, especially for the kids. Eric remembers the last time he went to Iraq.

E. SMITH: It is absolutely the worst thing I have ever done. To put them in the car, to kiss them all and to send them -- send them home, and you just -- you downtown think about it until it's time to do it, and then do you it.

GUTIERREZ: Eric came home, Jeffrey wouldn't leave his side.

E. SMITH: While I was sleeping, my son came into the bedroom and sat there quietly with me.

GUTIERREZ: Now it may be mom's turn to go to war. The Smiths say they're ready.

E. SMITH: A one, two, three, four.

GUTIERREZ: Thelma Gutierrez, CNN, 29 Palms, California.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has some blunt talk about terrorism.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD RUMSFELD, DEFENSE SECRETARY: Let there be no doubt more is to come.

(END VIDEO CLIP) WHITFIELD: And Rumsfeld told 21 U.S. allies what he needs from them in the war on terror. The details straight ahead.

And what gives a frail Pope John Paul II an energy boost? Stay tuned and find out.

And coming up at the half hour, what to do before you say "I Do." "Dollar Signs" for anyone about to get married. Just e-mail your questions to dollarsigns@CNN.com or call us at 1-800-807-2620. We'll be right back.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is pressing nations in Asia to become more engaged in war and in Iraq. He is now in Bangladesh after attending a regional security conference in Singapore. CNN's Maria Ressa has more on that.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARIA RESSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): His message is simple: talking to about 200 security officials from 21 nations, Donald Rumsfeld said there is no way to beat terrorism alone.

RUMSFELD: The reality is that we remain closer to the beginning of this struggle than to its end. And terrorists continue to inflict violence and death across the globe. But let there be no doubt, more is to come.

RESSA: To win the terror war, Rumsfeld outlined U.S. priorities, to strengthen allies, break down regional barriers, redeploy troops and resources. Here in Asia, which has nearly a quarter of the world's Muslims, anti-American sentiment has never been higher, partly because of the way the U.S. used its power in Iraq. But the concern here is about the future.

BARRY DESKEA, INSITUTE OF DEFENSE AND STRATEGIC STUDIES: The concern was about the need for the U.S. to stay course in Iraq. The debate was not so much about the whyes and wherefores of the U.S. decision to go to war.

RESSA: There is a sense of pragmatism, that no matter how Iraq began, it is now in the world's interests to make sure the U.S. succeeds in stabilizing Iraq.

TONY TAN, SINGAPORE DEP. PRIME MINISTER: If the U.S. were to be seen, to be driven out of Iraq by the insurgent forces without completing the job of stabilizing Iraq, then it is a tremendous blow to the war on terrorism worldwide.

RESSA: Still on the sidelines, a representative from Indonesia, which has the world's largest Muslim population, said it would be easier to support the U.S. if weapons of mass destruction had been found in Iraq.

(on camera): Iraq has now become the primary focus of a global war on terror. Partly because there, analysts say, al-Qaeda fighters can meet U.S. troops in combat. Victory, many here say, must begin with a free, stable and Democratic Iraq. Maria Rassa, CNN, Singapore.

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WHITFIELD: Well, you just heard Secretary Rumsfeld saying al- Qaeda is focusing on Iraq, but the U.S. government is also warning Americans to be prepared for possible terror attack on U.S. soil this summer. Almost three years after the September 11 attacks, how prepared is the U.S. for a strike? CNN's Susan Kelly reports.

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SUSAN KELLY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's just a drill. A dirty bomb explodes in the middle of a major U.S. city, but if a real attack were launched, how ready are we to respond?

DR. CHARLES A. SCHABLE, CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL: I think the major lesson that we learned from 9/11 is that the nation is prepared to deal with these events, but it is much better prepared to deal with the events post 9/11 than it was before then.

KELLY: Dr. Charles Schable of the Centers for Disease Controll in Atlanta says progress has been made when it comes to communication between agencies and first reponders and in the important task of getting information out to the public should an attack occur. He even testified last month before a congressional committee saying, "every state has developed an emergency preparedness and response plan and nearly 90 percent of states have trained public health practitioners in responding to terrorism."

But where do we stand to one place you likely need the most in the immediate moments after a terror attack?

SCHABLE: It's every single hospital in the United States perfectly prepared? I would be silly if I said yes.

DR. ARTHUR KELLERMANN, E.R. PHYSICIAN: The public should not only be concerned, they should be damned angry about this.

RESSA: Dr. Arthur Kellerman is on the frontline, a prominent ER physician. He said too little attention is being paid to emergency rooms. The first place victims would go for help.

KELLERMANN: We simply don't have the resources to meet this threat, not at this time. In fact, I would argue that we are less prepared today than we were on September 11, 2001 to respond to any form of terrorist attack, much less a bioterror attack.

RESSA: The doctor cites a number of problems: namely lack of funding, unadequate facilities and training of hospital staff and no proper measures in place to keep the hospital staff safe as they attend potential victims. He predicts if an attack happened today, emergency services including: ambulances, ER care and trauma care would all be completely overwhelmed. KELLERMANN: We have better information technology than your typical Wal-Mart or grocery store than we have in a typical U.S. hospital.

RESSA: As a member of the Board of American College of Emergency Medicine, he says it's a problem echoed across the country. Even with the enhanced level of national preparation. And he remains committed to try and make sure that in light of a potential terror attack, one catastrophe isn't followed by another. Susan Kelly, CNN, Atlanta.

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WHITFIELD: Some hOther news around the world now. And from the bottom of the North Atlantic, a group of scientists is trying to figure out why the ill-fated Titanic is decaying more quickly than expected. Researchers are on a voyage back to the majestic liner, taking television viewers on a tour of the sunken grave site. One scientist says it's not clear whether items had decomposed, fallen, or been stolen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CAPT. CRAIG MCLEAN, NOAA: We're not touching anything on this mission. We're really engaged in purely a look but don't touch operation.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: For a deeper look, the National Geographic Channel is presenting a special "Return to Titanic." That' Monday night.

And in Southwestern France, two men exchange marriage vows for the first time, triggering applause from supporters and quick condemnation from the government. The city's mayor wed the two in defiance of the prime minister. Now the interior minister says the marriage is illegal and says the mayor might face legal action for breaking the law.

Pope John Paul II is in Switzerland for a two-day visit. Despite his failing health, the 84 year-old Pope says he feels compelled to keep traveling to spread the message of the Catholic Church. But some people are asking, is it time for him to step aside? Our Chris Burns reports.

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CHRIS BURNS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): At a youthful gathdering, Pope John Paul II is energized. Struggling with Parkinson's Disease and other ailments, the 84-year-old pontiff swats at a bishop who thinks he needs help. The kids go wild.

Despite his continued fraility, he's staying in a Catholic retirement home during his visit here in Bern, it appears to be a different picture from his last foreign trip nine months ago to Slovakia. Back then, some Catholic figures suggested he was approaching death.

(on camera): In spite of the apparent improvement, 40 Catholic figures here in Switzerland signed this open letter to the Pope last month saying that he quote, moved the world over his 25 years as the world's most traveled Pope, that he helped to unify Europe by supporting those who cracked the Soviet bloc, but that now it's time to retire because of his health.

Swiss bishops called the letter quote, disgusting and disloyal. The one poll indicate three fourths of Swiss Catholics agree with the growing number of international calls for the Pope to quit. One analyst says John Paul sees his ailments another way.

JOHN ALLEN, NATIONAL CATHOLIC REPORTER: By sharing his suffering with the world, the Pope is, in effect, offering a model of how to bear these impediments with dignity.

BURNS (voice-over): In Switzerland, a bastion of the 16th Century Protestant Reformation, the Pope pushed ahead with his effort to reconcile the Vatican with other religions. The Swiss government has decided to send a full ambassador to the Vatican for the first time. But Protestant congregations rejected an invitation to mass on Sunday, because they're barred from communion.

There was a small collection of anti-papal protesters. And there are Catholics too, who are at odds with the Pope over his blanket opposition to birth control to fight AIDS, over abortion, gay marriage, women clergy, married priests.

All that seems to melt away in gatherings like these as the Pope feels rejuvenated among his adoring flock. Chris Burns, CNN, Bern, Switzerland.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Well here's a question, what has four legs and flies like the wind? The answer is a horse named Smarty Jones. And if he's fast enough, he'll gallop right into history about an hour from now. We'll take you out to the track live.

And coming up at the half hour, what to do before you say I do. E-mail your questions to dollarsigns@CNN.com or you can call us 1-800- 807-2620. We'll be back.

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WHITFIELD: "Dollar Signs" is about to start, don't forget to e- mail your questions to dollarsigns@CNN.com or call us at 1-800-807- 2620.

Well, the final race of the Triple Crown is about two hours -- maybe an hour away actually. Race fans are wondering if Smarty Jones has the legs to make it into the history books as the 12th horse to take coveted title.

Our Josie Burke is at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York -- Josie. JOSIE BURKE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Fredricka, you can tell that the excitement and anticipation is building here by the size of the crowd. I don't know if you can see right behind me, people are really starting to fill in and the crowd is growing by the hour. They actually anticipate a record up number of people will come out to Belmont Park today to watch Smarty Jones try to make history. The record as it stands right now for attendance is 103,200. So they anticipate more than that many here.

And a large portion, I've gotten some anecdotal evidence of flyers and Sixers Jerseys is who made up of people who have made the short drive from Philadelphia. That is a city that is watching every move Smarty Jones makes with a very unique blend of hope and dread.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BURKE (voic-over): When Smarty Jones enters the starting gate at Belmont Park Saturday to try to win the Triple Crown, the thoroughbred will be saddled with expectations.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It would break a drought, I think, in terms of morale.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Does that count, does that count as like a sports championship? If it does, then I'll be rooting for him.

BURKE: Smarty hails from Philadelphia, the home of some of sports greatest athletes, most storied franchises, and lately, biggest disappointments.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a lift from the Flyers, the Sixers, the Eagles losing three years in a row and Smarty Jones is bringing life back to Philadelphia.

IKE REESE, EAGLE'S LINEBACKER: I'm like everybody else in the city of Philadelphia, we're pulling for him. We need a champion here. We need something to hang our hat on and say this is a winning team.

BURKE: In January, the Eagles came up one win shy of the Super Bowl for the third straight season. And when the Flyers were recently knocked out a win away from the Stanley Cup finals, it marked the 34th time in 21 years that a Philadelphia playoff team failed to win a championship. It's a drought that the city of Brotherly Love has begun to hate.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He'll just be another Philly horse if he doesn't win the Triple Crown.

RANDY WOLF, PHILLIES PITCHER: Chicago has the goat which is an animal that caused a curse, so maybe a horse can reverse Philadelphia's curse.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: As a horse, I don't even know if he knows he's from Philly. Maybe he's got that going for him.

BURKE: But could winning the first Triple Crown in 26 years be enough to satisfy the city's championship desire?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: By asking that question, you probably jinxed us.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm kind of hoping it's the Phillies a little bit over the horse. But it may take a horse. It may take a filly.

BURKE: Alas, Smarty is a Philadelphiaian, but should he realize the hopes of a title starved town, it seems anything might be possible.

JIM O'BRIEN, 76ERS HEAD COACH: Well if he wins the Triple Crown, I'm going to have him talk to my team at training camp.

BURKE: That would be winning advice straight from the horse's mouth.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BURKE: In Philadelphia and in other cities and here at the track, Smarty Jones souvenirs are selling like hot cakes to the point where you can't even get them. But I have something here that's a souvenir that anyone at the track can get who has $2, it's a betting voucher and it says race number 11, Belmont Stakes and this is $2 to win on the number 9 horse. And what's interesting about this voucher is that nowhere does it say Smarty Jones. So if you're going to get one of these, take it home and the horse wins and you want to show off to your friends, you'd better have a program, Fredricka, with you to prove that yes, Smarty Jones is the number 9 horse in the 11 race -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: Thanks a lot, Josie, appreciate it.

Well June is the month of weddings. And straight ahead on "Dollar Signs," what to do before you say I do. Send your questions to us at dollarsigns@CNN.com or call us at 1-800-807-2620. We'll be right back.

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