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CNN Live Saturday
American Worker Found Dead Near U.S. Embassy In Saudi Arabia; President George Bush Sr. Celebrates 80th Birthday Tomorrow; Remembering Ronald Reagan
Aired June 12, 2004 - 14:00 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.
COLLINS SPENCER, CNN ANCHOR: It's 2:00 p.m. in Miami, 1:00 p.m. in Crawford, Texas, 10:00 p.m. in Baghdad. I'm Collins Spencer at CNN Center in Atlanta.
Ahead this hour, remembering the great communicator. Preparations begin for the public's viewing of the Reagan Library.
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Elaine Quijano, in Crawford, Texas, where after a day of mourning yesterday, President Bush is getting ready to celebrate his father's 80th birthday. I'll have that story coming up.
SPENCER: And securing the summer games. We're just about two months away from Athens. Security remains a top priority for the Olympiad.
Details ahead, but first, stories making headlines this hour.
An ambush in Saudi Arabia leaves an American dead in Riyadh. Shot while getting into his car. This is the third killing of a westerner in Saudi Arabia this week. Today's attack took place in a neighborhood where government officials and members of the royal family live. We'll have more in just a minute.
Iran is rejecting any further restrictions on its nuclear program. France, Germany and Britain say Tehran is refusing to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency. Iran insists its nuclear intentions are peaceful and that it must be taken seriously.
A shooting at a mosque in Yemen leaves four dead, six other wounded. Local news reports say a gunman broke into the building and started firing. Security forces moved in and killed the man.
Well, we begin with breaking news from Saudi Arabia. In addition to the killing of an American citizen in the Saudi Capital, we're getting word of another incident in Riyadh. Local media reports say police have found a car rigged weeks explosives. We have more on all of this.
On the phone Caroline Faraj is in Dubai in neighboring United Arab Emirates.
Hi Caroline.
CAROLINE FARAJ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (via telephone): Hi, Collins.
Yes, indeed, in less than three hours, reports came from Saudi Arabia confirmed by the officials as well as the embassy, the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh that one American was killed in the midst -- in the center of Riyadh.
Another incident took place after that, two and a half hours after that in the northern part of Riyadh, we don't have any details about the nationality or what happened. And also after that, we heard that about this car which is full of explosives and the security forces in Riyadh, they're on high alert and they are trying to figure out exactly how they can capture the car as well as arrest the militants -- Collins.
SPENCER: OK, thank Caroline. Thank you Caroline Faraj in Dubai.
Well, it was an afternoon and evening of family-focused emotions as Ronald Wilson Reagan was laid to rest. The ceremony in California covered a painful range from sadness to grief, to a touch of humor. Miguel Marquez is live in Simi Valley, California. Hi, Miguel.
MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: How are you there Collins.
Yes, for as much as this was a solemn occasion, it certainly was a celebratory occasion as well, celebrating the life of the 40th president and his tenure in office. The library today is closed, but a very busy place cleaning up and trying to make preparations for its reopening on Monday. It's been closed all week. The ceremony certainly was a week-long state funeral. Part of that was the airplane that carried the former president, SAM 28,000, Special Air Mission 28,000. Normally people see it as Air Force One, it's a 747 that when the president is on it, it is Air Force One.
As it flew over the presidential library here it, it lowered -- went down to 32 feet and tipped its wing to the library to indicate that the president, President Reagan would soon be on his way. It landed a short time later at Point Mugu Naval Air Station where a procession took the presidents hearse and his body to the library here where 700 friends and family members gathered. It was a somewhat more intimate affair than we had seen earlier in the week. Most of these friends and family were from California. A lot of them from his Hollywood days, a lot of them from his gubernatorial days here in California. His three remaining children spoke at the ceremony last night. One of them, Michael Reagan, his adopted son from a previous marriage says that Ronald Reagan made him feel like part of the family.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAEL REAGAN, SON OF RONALD REAGAN: You know my father as governor, as president, but I knew him as dad. I want to tell you a little bit about my dad. A little bit about Cameron and Ashley's grandfather. Because not a whole lot is ever spoken about that side of Ronald Reagan. Ronald Reagan adopted me into his family in 1945. I was the chosen one. I was the lucky one. In all of his years, he never mentioned that I was adopted either behind my back or in front of me. I was his son.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MARQUEZ: Ronald Wilson's body is now interred here at the national library that bears his name. And it will be back open for business on Monday -- Collins.
SPENCER: All right. Thanks, Miguel. Miguel Marquez in Simi Valley, California.
It was Ronald Reagan who started the weekly radio address on April 3, 1982. He got the idea from Franklin Roosevelt's fireside chats in the 1930s. President Bush continued that tradition today with a tribute to the man a courageous patriot.
Elaine Quijano is near the president's ranch in Texas. Hi, Elaine.
QUIJANO: Good afternoon, Collins. President Bush in that radio address remembered Ronald Reagan as a gentle, decent man whose leadership transformed the country. President Bush's comments come one day after Ronald Reagan as we saw a moment ago was laid to rest in California, certainly a poignant emotional service there at sunset at the presidential library in California. A service that President Bush did not attend but one which was deeply personal. Earlier in the day, at a funeral service in Washington, at Washington's National Cathedral, President Bush offered comfort to Nancy Reagan. And today during his radio address, President Bush said America was better off for having had Ronald Reagan as its president.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Now that Nancy Reagan has taken her husband to his place of rest, we offer our gratitude. Our country is stronger and our world is freer for the brave leadership of this modest son of America. Ronald Reagan always told us that for America, our best was yet to come. We know that is true for him, too. His work is done. And now, a shining city awaits him.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
QUIJANO: And here in Texas, the president turns his attention to a happier event, celebrating his father's birthday. George Herbert Walker Bush turns 80-years-old this weekend at a number of events planned here in Texas. Tonight, a gala dinner to be held in Houston and tomorrow, the birthday celebrant will actually be marking the occasion by doing something he has done before and that is parachuting out of a plane. Now, this elder Bush was a navy pilot, you might recall, who during World War II had to bail out of his aircraft and that was the very first time he jumped. Since then, he has decided to mark a couple of other birthdays by doing this. This time around, of course, at 80-years-old saying that he wants to show that older people can still do things. He had a sprained thumb, we understand, and he was a little concerned about that, but as far as we know that jump still slated this continue. This, by the way, the weekend of events marking the elder Bush's birthday are charity events designed to raise they hope some $30 million for three different charities -- Collins.
SPENCER: All right. Parachuting at 80. Thanks Elaine. Elaine Quijano, near the president's ranch in Texas.
About two weeks before the return of Iraq's sovereignty, violence remains a troubling concern for the U.S. lead coalition. Insurgents killed an Iraqi governing official.
The latest from Harris Whitbeck in Baghdad.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HARRIS WHITBECK, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Shards of glass from a shattered car window, bullet holes in the car seat, a Baghdad mortgage once again the repository of an Iraqi government official, victim of an assassination. This time it was Bassam Kubba, deputy foreign minister, the most senior career diplomat on the staff of the Iraqi Foreign Ministry. Witnesses and government officials say he was gunned down as he headed for work on Saturday morning just days after he returned home from a diplomatic mission in the United States.
Last Wednesday, gunmen opened fire on Deputy Health Minister Ammar al-Safar as left his home for work. He escaped unharmed, but shaken.
And last April 17, Izzedine Salim, then president of the governing council, died when his car was hit by a bomb at a checkpoint a week ago. Other government officials and family members have been attacked, some killed. Al-Safar told CNN security for ministry deputies can be spotty because each ministry is responsible for its own security, there is no centralized organized effort to safeguard mid level officials. Coalition spokesman Dan Senor, said it cannot provide security personnel for all.
DAN SENOR, COALITION AUTHORITY SPOKESMAN: We either provide security ourselves or we training and funding for security for the Iraqi officials administer security.
WHITBECK: Iraqi Interim Prime Minister, Iyad Allawi, condemned the latest attack. In a statement, he said, once again, the shedders of innocent blood, the dwarfs who have only known, treachery, treason and aggression have perpetrated a new crime.
(on camera): The fear is more crimes will be committed. As the June 30 handover data approaches, U.S. and Iraqi officials predict a spike in attacks on representatives of the new government.
Harris Whitbeck, CNN, Baghdad.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COLLINS: Push turns to shove in the preparations for the Olympic Games. We'll check on the progress to make Athens safe from terror for the world's top athletes.
In this country, an FBI terror alert. We'll tell you how environmentalists could be involved.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't think I can deal with myself, because I advised them of this abuse before it got to this point, and nobody listened.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SPENCER: A Florida mother is charged in the killing of her own daughter. We'll tell you why some are pointing a finger of blame at the state.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SPENCER: Taking a look at news across America, the FBI issued an alert on possible acts an of environmental terrorism this weekend. The bulletin says radical groups may be plotting acts of vandalism in the 10 U.S. cities. The groups apparently want Jeff Luers released from prison. He's serving 22 years for burning Sport Utilities Vehicles in Oregon.
Convicted bomb maker Terry Nichols escapes execution. The jury considering the death penalty for Nichols was split over the issue 5 to 7. The judge can now only sentence him to life in prison. Nichols was already serving life for his previous federal convictions.
Tornadoes strict Midwest again. A string of twisters and thunderstorms scattered across the northern part of Iowa yesterday. No one was hurt, but windows were blown out and crops were damaged.
A Florida mother is charged with second degree for the death of her child. The tragic irony, she just gave birth this week to a second child.
As John Zarrella, reports, officials say, the case shows how abuse in the system often repeats itself.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN MIAMI CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): 20-year-old Yusimil Herrera, gave birth in jail less than a month after prosecutors say she allegedly murdered another of her children, daughter Angel.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A public defense has already been appointed to represent you, and based on the charge itself, he's telling you not to talk to anybody.
ZARRELLA: Police found 3-year-old Angel Herrera lying in the hallway of her mother's apartment in north Miami. In part, the police report said the victim had visible signs of abuse. The tragic irony, Yusimil Herrera was herself the victim of brutal abuse for 16 years in Florida's foster care system.
KAREN GIEVERS, CHILD WELFARE ADVOCATE: Was in multiple places that they put her that she was abused, raped, beaten, several years in a locked ward at a psychiatric hospital.
ZARRELLA: Karen Gievers represented Yusimil Herrera in a lawsuit against the state DCF, Department of Children and Families. Gievers says the same agency that ignored her client for so long ignored Angel, too. Ann Mitchell agrees.
ANN MITCHELL, ANGEL HERRERA'S CAREGIVER: I don't think I can deal with myself because, I advised them of this abuse before it got to this point and nobody listened.
ZARRELLA: Mitchell had an informal arrangement with Yusimil Herrera to raise Angel. Periodically Yusimil would come and get her child. Mitchell says she told DCF of bruises on Angel the last time Yusimil brought her back. The state agency did go to court seeking to take the child into protective custody, but the court did not find probable cause. That Yusimil Herrera once the abused may have become an abuser, expert say is not an aberration.
STEVEN GOLD, NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY: These are the cases that catch our attention. What's sad is how many people out there are silently struggling without enough support in the way of psychological assistance to recover from the effects of this upbringing.
ZARRELLA: The courts have now moved quickly to keep Herrera away from her newborn, giving custody to her husband, the child's father. But ruling she can have no contact with the infant, not even visits.
(on camera): A Department of Health and Human Services study found an estimated 30 percent of abusive parents were themselves physically abused as children. Prosecutors say that's the case of Yusimil Herrera.
But in this case, they say the cycle ended in death.
John Zarrella, CNN, Miami.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SPENCER: Security concerns of Olympian proportions, immature athletes on alert. Straight ahead, we'll examine the tough task of keeping the summer games safe from terrorists.
Also, a special look back at the events honoring President Ronald Reagan.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SPENCER: Two months from tomorrow, the Olympic Games return to their roots. The Summer Games in Athens begin August 13 and with thousands of athletes and 10s of thousands of spectators descending on the Greek capital, security will be a major concern. Greek officials are putting the finishing touches on a massive security plan. "U.S. News and World Reports" Kim Clark recently traveled to Athens and she's with us now from Baltimore.
Hi, Kim. KIM CLARK, "U.S. NEWS AND WORLD REPORTS": How are you doing?
SPENCER: Good, thank you.
Well, you were in Athens not too long ago. What was your impression of the security situation over there?
CLARK: Well, what's remarkable is that three months ago, you and I would have had a conversation about whether the Greeks would be finished with the projects, finished with the sporting venues. So they've made remarkable progress in finishing the most of the venues, but the $64 billion question for everyone now is, will the games be safe?
And the Greeks are certainly throwing a lot of money, they are throwing about $1 billion into the security system. That will buy 70,000 soldiers and police officers, who will be patrolling every vulnerable spot that you can imagine. Not only sporting venues, but power plants, hotel lobbies, railway tunnels, alleys. It will pay for frogmen to swim in the harbor to try to make sure that the yachts that are going to be docked there are safe. It will pay for AWACS and actually a security blimp to scour the skies. It will pay for 1,500 security cameras and microphones to monitor activity in all the sporting venues. They're really trying to create a total security net over the city of Athens.
SPENCER: Right. Let's talk about the construction over there. There's been a number of delays.
Is everything going to be up and ready for game time?
CLARK: Well, when I was there, the jackhammer started before dawn and they went all -- most of the night. I mean, they are working day and night to try to get everything done. You know, they've had to give up on some of their more ambitious projects such as putting a roof over the swimming pool. But, they'll at least have the sporting venues done. Definitely there will be -- the Olympics will go on. The games will go on. But I have to tell you that that late construction is one of the biggest security concerns I heard from American and European security experts. Several people pointed out to me the recent assassination of the Chechen president, what happened there was a terrorist got -- worked his way on to one of the construction crews that was renovating a stadium. This was months ago. While he was working on the crew, he managed to apparently place a bomb in the stadium somewhere in one of the pillars or something, and he was very patient. And waited and until the president decided to go to an event in the stadium and then set off the bomb. You look at all these construction crews in Athens, and you know, although the Greeks insist they've done -- they've vetted the workers, you can't help but think that that is a vulnerability.
SPENCER: We have only a few seconds left, Kim. In taking with various officials were there any specific threats made against the Olympic Games?
CLARK: No, there is in fact no specific threat that anybody knows about against the games. They certainly are a target, as we learned in 1972. But Senator Gordon Smith, who is a member of the committee that over sees the Olympics, I think summed it up brilliantly when he told me, I asked him this very question, are the games going to be safe, and he said he is not so pessimistic. So, he thinks that the athletes ought to go. He thinks the games will be safe.
SPENCER: Good. That's -- I'm glad to hear that. Thanks for your time, Kim. Kim Clark of "U.S. News and World Reports."
Well, friends and family knew him as Dutch. Others remember him as the 40th president of the United States. Another look at the life and times of Ronald Reagan.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SPENCER: The headlines.
Seven Turkish men held hostage in Iraq are said to be in good condition after their release. The men who worked for a construction firm were kidnapped earlier this week.
Insurgents have killed Iraq's most senior career diplomat. Deputy Foreign Minister Bassam Salih Kubba was assassinated outside his home in Baghdad. Attackers opened fire on the deputy health ministry Wednesday, but he escaped.
Royal pageantry in the heart of London today, as Britain officially marks Queen Elizabeth II's birthday. The 78-year-old monarch, actually turned 78 in late April, but public celebrations marking her birthday are always held on a Saturday in June.
It was six days that changed America and Americans, and we're going to spend the rest of this hour recalling the commemoration of Ronald Reagan's life and death. His passing brought political division to an end. At least for a week, people could agree on his strength of character and his style. And it was a time when all Americans, old and young poured out their love and their sorrow.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RONALD REAGAN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Good-bye, God bless you. And God bless the United States of America.
BUSH: This is a sad hour in the life of America. A great American life has come to an end. Ronald Reagan won America's respect with his greatness, and won its love with his goodness. He always told us, that for America the best was yet to come. We comfort ourselves in the knowledge that this is true for him, too. His work is done. And now, a shining city awaits him.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I loved Ronald Reagan. I voted for him the first time I could vote. And he just brought hope back to America for me, and I just feel like he brought respect back to our nation.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ronald Reagan was more than a president, Ronald Reagan was America. And we're going to miss him.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have come this day to begin the preparation of our final respects. We thank you that this world is a better place because he was here.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Left, halt. Present arms.
(MUSIC)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: God bless you, Nancy.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This capital building is, for many, the greatest symbol of democracy and freedom in the world. It is the right place to honor a man who so faithfully defended our freedom and so successfully helped extend the blessings of liberty to millions of people around the world.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My husband Kevin is a very big fan of his, and when he first became sick with Alzheimer's back in 1994 or something, he said as soon as he dies, I'd like to make a trip down to Washington, D.C. So that day has come.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: A lot of people that loved him, and I feel really honored, honored to be here.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It was quiet, it was ceremonial, and it was regal. It was beautiful.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's very moving. It's -- he was such a great man, such a great president. He made us all feel better again. And it was just very moving to be there and see it.
(MUSIC)
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS SPENCER, CNN ANCHOR, CNN SATURDAY: The long journey home for Ronald Reagan would not have been complete without a remembrance in Washington. The president's state funeral was held in part in the great National Cathedral not far from Embassy Row. Heads of state from across the world and all living former presidents gathered to honor him.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(MUSIC)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: With faith in Jesus Christ, we receive the body of our brother, Ronald, for burial. Let us pray with confidence to God, the giver of life through Jesus Christ, our lord. Amen.
(SINGING)
MARGARET THATCHER, FORMER BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: Others prophesied the decline of the west, he inspired America and its allies with renewed faith in their mission of freedom. Others saw only limits to growth, he transformed a stagnant economy into an engine of opportunity. Others hoped at best for an easy cohabitation with the Soviet Union, he won the Cold War, not only without firing a shot, but also, by inviting enemies out of their fortress and turning them into friends.
BRIAN MULDRONEY, FMR. CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER: He possessed a rare and prized gift called leadership that ineffable and magical quality that sets some men and women apart so that millions will follow them as they conjure up grand visions and invite their countrymen to dream big and exciting dreams.
GEORGE H.W. BUSH, FMR. PRESIDENT OF THE U.S: As his vice president for eight years, I learned more from Ronald Reagan than from anyone I encountered in all my years of public life. I learned kindness, we all did. I also learned courage, the nation did.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE U.S: In his last years, he saw through a glass darkly. Now he sees his savior face to face. And we look to that fine day when we will see him again all weariness gone, clear of mind, strong, and sure and smiling again and the sorrow of this parting gone forever. May God bless Ronald Reagan and the country he loved.
(MUSIC)
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SPENCER: Welcome back. If you were anywhere in the United States yesterday, chances are, you heard church bells. The bells tolled 40 times in memory of the country's 40th president. It was just one-way America said good-bye. Let's listen.
(BELLS TOLLING)
(AMAZING GRACE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SPENCER: He is home now. He is free. That was the sentiment from Ronald Reagan Junior as his father was laid to rest. A week of mourning ended where it began, Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(GOD BLESS AMERICA)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have come from sea to shining sea, to this soil which he loved so much and where his body will remain.
MICHAEL REAGAN, SON: He sent me a letter about marriage and how important it was to be faithful to the woman you love, with a p.s. you'll never get in trouble if you say "I love you" at least once a day. And I'm sure he told Nancy every day, I love you.
PATTI DAVIS, DAUGHTER: At his last moment, when he opened his eyes, eyes that had not opened for many, many days and looked at my mother, he showed us that neither disease nor death can conquer love.
RON REAGAN, SON: Those of us who knew him well will have no trouble imagining his paradise. Golden fields will spread beneath a blue dome of a western sky. Live oaks will shadow the rolling hillsides and someplace, flowing from years long past, a river will wind towards the sea. Across those fields, he will ride a gray mare he calls Nancy D. They will sail over jumps he has built with his own hands. He will let the river carry him over the shining stones. He will rest in the shade of the trees.
Our cares are no longer his. We meet him now only in memory. But we will join him soon enough, all of us, when we are home, when we are free.
(AMAZING GRACE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ready, aim, fire. Ready, aim, fire.
(MUSIC)
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SPENCER: The news and information continues on CNN SATURDAY. Straight ahead "Next@CNN."
At 4:00 Eastern CNN LIVE SATURDAY and "Dollar Signs." How to avoid family fights over property after death or divorce.
At 5:00 Eastern "PEOPLE IN THE NEWS" profiling the heroes of the D-Day invasion, but first, Daniel Sieberg with a preview of "NEXT@CNN."
DANIEL SIEBERG, CNN ANCHOR: Ahead on "NEXT@CNN," an underwater round-up. Scientists set out to capture a couple of invader fish in the Florida Keys. We'll show you how it went.
Plus, you CDs and DVDs may not be as permanent as you think. We'll look at the problem of CD rot.
Those stories and a lot more coming up, right after a check of the headlines from the CNN newsroom.
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Aired June 12, 2004 - 14:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
COLLINS SPENCER, CNN ANCHOR: It's 2:00 p.m. in Miami, 1:00 p.m. in Crawford, Texas, 10:00 p.m. in Baghdad. I'm Collins Spencer at CNN Center in Atlanta.
Ahead this hour, remembering the great communicator. Preparations begin for the public's viewing of the Reagan Library.
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Elaine Quijano, in Crawford, Texas, where after a day of mourning yesterday, President Bush is getting ready to celebrate his father's 80th birthday. I'll have that story coming up.
SPENCER: And securing the summer games. We're just about two months away from Athens. Security remains a top priority for the Olympiad.
Details ahead, but first, stories making headlines this hour.
An ambush in Saudi Arabia leaves an American dead in Riyadh. Shot while getting into his car. This is the third killing of a westerner in Saudi Arabia this week. Today's attack took place in a neighborhood where government officials and members of the royal family live. We'll have more in just a minute.
Iran is rejecting any further restrictions on its nuclear program. France, Germany and Britain say Tehran is refusing to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency. Iran insists its nuclear intentions are peaceful and that it must be taken seriously.
A shooting at a mosque in Yemen leaves four dead, six other wounded. Local news reports say a gunman broke into the building and started firing. Security forces moved in and killed the man.
Well, we begin with breaking news from Saudi Arabia. In addition to the killing of an American citizen in the Saudi Capital, we're getting word of another incident in Riyadh. Local media reports say police have found a car rigged weeks explosives. We have more on all of this.
On the phone Caroline Faraj is in Dubai in neighboring United Arab Emirates.
Hi Caroline.
CAROLINE FARAJ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (via telephone): Hi, Collins.
Yes, indeed, in less than three hours, reports came from Saudi Arabia confirmed by the officials as well as the embassy, the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh that one American was killed in the midst -- in the center of Riyadh.
Another incident took place after that, two and a half hours after that in the northern part of Riyadh, we don't have any details about the nationality or what happened. And also after that, we heard that about this car which is full of explosives and the security forces in Riyadh, they're on high alert and they are trying to figure out exactly how they can capture the car as well as arrest the militants -- Collins.
SPENCER: OK, thank Caroline. Thank you Caroline Faraj in Dubai.
Well, it was an afternoon and evening of family-focused emotions as Ronald Wilson Reagan was laid to rest. The ceremony in California covered a painful range from sadness to grief, to a touch of humor. Miguel Marquez is live in Simi Valley, California. Hi, Miguel.
MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: How are you there Collins.
Yes, for as much as this was a solemn occasion, it certainly was a celebratory occasion as well, celebrating the life of the 40th president and his tenure in office. The library today is closed, but a very busy place cleaning up and trying to make preparations for its reopening on Monday. It's been closed all week. The ceremony certainly was a week-long state funeral. Part of that was the airplane that carried the former president, SAM 28,000, Special Air Mission 28,000. Normally people see it as Air Force One, it's a 747 that when the president is on it, it is Air Force One.
As it flew over the presidential library here it, it lowered -- went down to 32 feet and tipped its wing to the library to indicate that the president, President Reagan would soon be on his way. It landed a short time later at Point Mugu Naval Air Station where a procession took the presidents hearse and his body to the library here where 700 friends and family members gathered. It was a somewhat more intimate affair than we had seen earlier in the week. Most of these friends and family were from California. A lot of them from his Hollywood days, a lot of them from his gubernatorial days here in California. His three remaining children spoke at the ceremony last night. One of them, Michael Reagan, his adopted son from a previous marriage says that Ronald Reagan made him feel like part of the family.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAEL REAGAN, SON OF RONALD REAGAN: You know my father as governor, as president, but I knew him as dad. I want to tell you a little bit about my dad. A little bit about Cameron and Ashley's grandfather. Because not a whole lot is ever spoken about that side of Ronald Reagan. Ronald Reagan adopted me into his family in 1945. I was the chosen one. I was the lucky one. In all of his years, he never mentioned that I was adopted either behind my back or in front of me. I was his son.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MARQUEZ: Ronald Wilson's body is now interred here at the national library that bears his name. And it will be back open for business on Monday -- Collins.
SPENCER: All right. Thanks, Miguel. Miguel Marquez in Simi Valley, California.
It was Ronald Reagan who started the weekly radio address on April 3, 1982. He got the idea from Franklin Roosevelt's fireside chats in the 1930s. President Bush continued that tradition today with a tribute to the man a courageous patriot.
Elaine Quijano is near the president's ranch in Texas. Hi, Elaine.
QUIJANO: Good afternoon, Collins. President Bush in that radio address remembered Ronald Reagan as a gentle, decent man whose leadership transformed the country. President Bush's comments come one day after Ronald Reagan as we saw a moment ago was laid to rest in California, certainly a poignant emotional service there at sunset at the presidential library in California. A service that President Bush did not attend but one which was deeply personal. Earlier in the day, at a funeral service in Washington, at Washington's National Cathedral, President Bush offered comfort to Nancy Reagan. And today during his radio address, President Bush said America was better off for having had Ronald Reagan as its president.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Now that Nancy Reagan has taken her husband to his place of rest, we offer our gratitude. Our country is stronger and our world is freer for the brave leadership of this modest son of America. Ronald Reagan always told us that for America, our best was yet to come. We know that is true for him, too. His work is done. And now, a shining city awaits him.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
QUIJANO: And here in Texas, the president turns his attention to a happier event, celebrating his father's birthday. George Herbert Walker Bush turns 80-years-old this weekend at a number of events planned here in Texas. Tonight, a gala dinner to be held in Houston and tomorrow, the birthday celebrant will actually be marking the occasion by doing something he has done before and that is parachuting out of a plane. Now, this elder Bush was a navy pilot, you might recall, who during World War II had to bail out of his aircraft and that was the very first time he jumped. Since then, he has decided to mark a couple of other birthdays by doing this. This time around, of course, at 80-years-old saying that he wants to show that older people can still do things. He had a sprained thumb, we understand, and he was a little concerned about that, but as far as we know that jump still slated this continue. This, by the way, the weekend of events marking the elder Bush's birthday are charity events designed to raise they hope some $30 million for three different charities -- Collins.
SPENCER: All right. Parachuting at 80. Thanks Elaine. Elaine Quijano, near the president's ranch in Texas.
About two weeks before the return of Iraq's sovereignty, violence remains a troubling concern for the U.S. lead coalition. Insurgents killed an Iraqi governing official.
The latest from Harris Whitbeck in Baghdad.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HARRIS WHITBECK, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Shards of glass from a shattered car window, bullet holes in the car seat, a Baghdad mortgage once again the repository of an Iraqi government official, victim of an assassination. This time it was Bassam Kubba, deputy foreign minister, the most senior career diplomat on the staff of the Iraqi Foreign Ministry. Witnesses and government officials say he was gunned down as he headed for work on Saturday morning just days after he returned home from a diplomatic mission in the United States.
Last Wednesday, gunmen opened fire on Deputy Health Minister Ammar al-Safar as left his home for work. He escaped unharmed, but shaken.
And last April 17, Izzedine Salim, then president of the governing council, died when his car was hit by a bomb at a checkpoint a week ago. Other government officials and family members have been attacked, some killed. Al-Safar told CNN security for ministry deputies can be spotty because each ministry is responsible for its own security, there is no centralized organized effort to safeguard mid level officials. Coalition spokesman Dan Senor, said it cannot provide security personnel for all.
DAN SENOR, COALITION AUTHORITY SPOKESMAN: We either provide security ourselves or we training and funding for security for the Iraqi officials administer security.
WHITBECK: Iraqi Interim Prime Minister, Iyad Allawi, condemned the latest attack. In a statement, he said, once again, the shedders of innocent blood, the dwarfs who have only known, treachery, treason and aggression have perpetrated a new crime.
(on camera): The fear is more crimes will be committed. As the June 30 handover data approaches, U.S. and Iraqi officials predict a spike in attacks on representatives of the new government.
Harris Whitbeck, CNN, Baghdad.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COLLINS: Push turns to shove in the preparations for the Olympic Games. We'll check on the progress to make Athens safe from terror for the world's top athletes.
In this country, an FBI terror alert. We'll tell you how environmentalists could be involved.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't think I can deal with myself, because I advised them of this abuse before it got to this point, and nobody listened.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SPENCER: A Florida mother is charged in the killing of her own daughter. We'll tell you why some are pointing a finger of blame at the state.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SPENCER: Taking a look at news across America, the FBI issued an alert on possible acts an of environmental terrorism this weekend. The bulletin says radical groups may be plotting acts of vandalism in the 10 U.S. cities. The groups apparently want Jeff Luers released from prison. He's serving 22 years for burning Sport Utilities Vehicles in Oregon.
Convicted bomb maker Terry Nichols escapes execution. The jury considering the death penalty for Nichols was split over the issue 5 to 7. The judge can now only sentence him to life in prison. Nichols was already serving life for his previous federal convictions.
Tornadoes strict Midwest again. A string of twisters and thunderstorms scattered across the northern part of Iowa yesterday. No one was hurt, but windows were blown out and crops were damaged.
A Florida mother is charged with second degree for the death of her child. The tragic irony, she just gave birth this week to a second child.
As John Zarrella, reports, officials say, the case shows how abuse in the system often repeats itself.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN MIAMI CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): 20-year-old Yusimil Herrera, gave birth in jail less than a month after prosecutors say she allegedly murdered another of her children, daughter Angel.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A public defense has already been appointed to represent you, and based on the charge itself, he's telling you not to talk to anybody.
ZARRELLA: Police found 3-year-old Angel Herrera lying in the hallway of her mother's apartment in north Miami. In part, the police report said the victim had visible signs of abuse. The tragic irony, Yusimil Herrera was herself the victim of brutal abuse for 16 years in Florida's foster care system.
KAREN GIEVERS, CHILD WELFARE ADVOCATE: Was in multiple places that they put her that she was abused, raped, beaten, several years in a locked ward at a psychiatric hospital.
ZARRELLA: Karen Gievers represented Yusimil Herrera in a lawsuit against the state DCF, Department of Children and Families. Gievers says the same agency that ignored her client for so long ignored Angel, too. Ann Mitchell agrees.
ANN MITCHELL, ANGEL HERRERA'S CAREGIVER: I don't think I can deal with myself because, I advised them of this abuse before it got to this point and nobody listened.
ZARRELLA: Mitchell had an informal arrangement with Yusimil Herrera to raise Angel. Periodically Yusimil would come and get her child. Mitchell says she told DCF of bruises on Angel the last time Yusimil brought her back. The state agency did go to court seeking to take the child into protective custody, but the court did not find probable cause. That Yusimil Herrera once the abused may have become an abuser, expert say is not an aberration.
STEVEN GOLD, NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY: These are the cases that catch our attention. What's sad is how many people out there are silently struggling without enough support in the way of psychological assistance to recover from the effects of this upbringing.
ZARRELLA: The courts have now moved quickly to keep Herrera away from her newborn, giving custody to her husband, the child's father. But ruling she can have no contact with the infant, not even visits.
(on camera): A Department of Health and Human Services study found an estimated 30 percent of abusive parents were themselves physically abused as children. Prosecutors say that's the case of Yusimil Herrera.
But in this case, they say the cycle ended in death.
John Zarrella, CNN, Miami.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SPENCER: Security concerns of Olympian proportions, immature athletes on alert. Straight ahead, we'll examine the tough task of keeping the summer games safe from terrorists.
Also, a special look back at the events honoring President Ronald Reagan.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SPENCER: Two months from tomorrow, the Olympic Games return to their roots. The Summer Games in Athens begin August 13 and with thousands of athletes and 10s of thousands of spectators descending on the Greek capital, security will be a major concern. Greek officials are putting the finishing touches on a massive security plan. "U.S. News and World Reports" Kim Clark recently traveled to Athens and she's with us now from Baltimore.
Hi, Kim. KIM CLARK, "U.S. NEWS AND WORLD REPORTS": How are you doing?
SPENCER: Good, thank you.
Well, you were in Athens not too long ago. What was your impression of the security situation over there?
CLARK: Well, what's remarkable is that three months ago, you and I would have had a conversation about whether the Greeks would be finished with the projects, finished with the sporting venues. So they've made remarkable progress in finishing the most of the venues, but the $64 billion question for everyone now is, will the games be safe?
And the Greeks are certainly throwing a lot of money, they are throwing about $1 billion into the security system. That will buy 70,000 soldiers and police officers, who will be patrolling every vulnerable spot that you can imagine. Not only sporting venues, but power plants, hotel lobbies, railway tunnels, alleys. It will pay for frogmen to swim in the harbor to try to make sure that the yachts that are going to be docked there are safe. It will pay for AWACS and actually a security blimp to scour the skies. It will pay for 1,500 security cameras and microphones to monitor activity in all the sporting venues. They're really trying to create a total security net over the city of Athens.
SPENCER: Right. Let's talk about the construction over there. There's been a number of delays.
Is everything going to be up and ready for game time?
CLARK: Well, when I was there, the jackhammer started before dawn and they went all -- most of the night. I mean, they are working day and night to try to get everything done. You know, they've had to give up on some of their more ambitious projects such as putting a roof over the swimming pool. But, they'll at least have the sporting venues done. Definitely there will be -- the Olympics will go on. The games will go on. But I have to tell you that that late construction is one of the biggest security concerns I heard from American and European security experts. Several people pointed out to me the recent assassination of the Chechen president, what happened there was a terrorist got -- worked his way on to one of the construction crews that was renovating a stadium. This was months ago. While he was working on the crew, he managed to apparently place a bomb in the stadium somewhere in one of the pillars or something, and he was very patient. And waited and until the president decided to go to an event in the stadium and then set off the bomb. You look at all these construction crews in Athens, and you know, although the Greeks insist they've done -- they've vetted the workers, you can't help but think that that is a vulnerability.
SPENCER: We have only a few seconds left, Kim. In taking with various officials were there any specific threats made against the Olympic Games?
CLARK: No, there is in fact no specific threat that anybody knows about against the games. They certainly are a target, as we learned in 1972. But Senator Gordon Smith, who is a member of the committee that over sees the Olympics, I think summed it up brilliantly when he told me, I asked him this very question, are the games going to be safe, and he said he is not so pessimistic. So, he thinks that the athletes ought to go. He thinks the games will be safe.
SPENCER: Good. That's -- I'm glad to hear that. Thanks for your time, Kim. Kim Clark of "U.S. News and World Reports."
Well, friends and family knew him as Dutch. Others remember him as the 40th president of the United States. Another look at the life and times of Ronald Reagan.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SPENCER: The headlines.
Seven Turkish men held hostage in Iraq are said to be in good condition after their release. The men who worked for a construction firm were kidnapped earlier this week.
Insurgents have killed Iraq's most senior career diplomat. Deputy Foreign Minister Bassam Salih Kubba was assassinated outside his home in Baghdad. Attackers opened fire on the deputy health ministry Wednesday, but he escaped.
Royal pageantry in the heart of London today, as Britain officially marks Queen Elizabeth II's birthday. The 78-year-old monarch, actually turned 78 in late April, but public celebrations marking her birthday are always held on a Saturday in June.
It was six days that changed America and Americans, and we're going to spend the rest of this hour recalling the commemoration of Ronald Reagan's life and death. His passing brought political division to an end. At least for a week, people could agree on his strength of character and his style. And it was a time when all Americans, old and young poured out their love and their sorrow.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RONALD REAGAN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Good-bye, God bless you. And God bless the United States of America.
BUSH: This is a sad hour in the life of America. A great American life has come to an end. Ronald Reagan won America's respect with his greatness, and won its love with his goodness. He always told us, that for America the best was yet to come. We comfort ourselves in the knowledge that this is true for him, too. His work is done. And now, a shining city awaits him.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I loved Ronald Reagan. I voted for him the first time I could vote. And he just brought hope back to America for me, and I just feel like he brought respect back to our nation.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ronald Reagan was more than a president, Ronald Reagan was America. And we're going to miss him.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have come this day to begin the preparation of our final respects. We thank you that this world is a better place because he was here.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Left, halt. Present arms.
(MUSIC)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: God bless you, Nancy.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This capital building is, for many, the greatest symbol of democracy and freedom in the world. It is the right place to honor a man who so faithfully defended our freedom and so successfully helped extend the blessings of liberty to millions of people around the world.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My husband Kevin is a very big fan of his, and when he first became sick with Alzheimer's back in 1994 or something, he said as soon as he dies, I'd like to make a trip down to Washington, D.C. So that day has come.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: A lot of people that loved him, and I feel really honored, honored to be here.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It was quiet, it was ceremonial, and it was regal. It was beautiful.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's very moving. It's -- he was such a great man, such a great president. He made us all feel better again. And it was just very moving to be there and see it.
(MUSIC)
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS SPENCER, CNN ANCHOR, CNN SATURDAY: The long journey home for Ronald Reagan would not have been complete without a remembrance in Washington. The president's state funeral was held in part in the great National Cathedral not far from Embassy Row. Heads of state from across the world and all living former presidents gathered to honor him.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(MUSIC)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: With faith in Jesus Christ, we receive the body of our brother, Ronald, for burial. Let us pray with confidence to God, the giver of life through Jesus Christ, our lord. Amen.
(SINGING)
MARGARET THATCHER, FORMER BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: Others prophesied the decline of the west, he inspired America and its allies with renewed faith in their mission of freedom. Others saw only limits to growth, he transformed a stagnant economy into an engine of opportunity. Others hoped at best for an easy cohabitation with the Soviet Union, he won the Cold War, not only without firing a shot, but also, by inviting enemies out of their fortress and turning them into friends.
BRIAN MULDRONEY, FMR. CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER: He possessed a rare and prized gift called leadership that ineffable and magical quality that sets some men and women apart so that millions will follow them as they conjure up grand visions and invite their countrymen to dream big and exciting dreams.
GEORGE H.W. BUSH, FMR. PRESIDENT OF THE U.S: As his vice president for eight years, I learned more from Ronald Reagan than from anyone I encountered in all my years of public life. I learned kindness, we all did. I also learned courage, the nation did.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE U.S: In his last years, he saw through a glass darkly. Now he sees his savior face to face. And we look to that fine day when we will see him again all weariness gone, clear of mind, strong, and sure and smiling again and the sorrow of this parting gone forever. May God bless Ronald Reagan and the country he loved.
(MUSIC)
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SPENCER: Welcome back. If you were anywhere in the United States yesterday, chances are, you heard church bells. The bells tolled 40 times in memory of the country's 40th president. It was just one-way America said good-bye. Let's listen.
(BELLS TOLLING)
(AMAZING GRACE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SPENCER: He is home now. He is free. That was the sentiment from Ronald Reagan Junior as his father was laid to rest. A week of mourning ended where it began, Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(GOD BLESS AMERICA)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have come from sea to shining sea, to this soil which he loved so much and where his body will remain.
MICHAEL REAGAN, SON: He sent me a letter about marriage and how important it was to be faithful to the woman you love, with a p.s. you'll never get in trouble if you say "I love you" at least once a day. And I'm sure he told Nancy every day, I love you.
PATTI DAVIS, DAUGHTER: At his last moment, when he opened his eyes, eyes that had not opened for many, many days and looked at my mother, he showed us that neither disease nor death can conquer love.
RON REAGAN, SON: Those of us who knew him well will have no trouble imagining his paradise. Golden fields will spread beneath a blue dome of a western sky. Live oaks will shadow the rolling hillsides and someplace, flowing from years long past, a river will wind towards the sea. Across those fields, he will ride a gray mare he calls Nancy D. They will sail over jumps he has built with his own hands. He will let the river carry him over the shining stones. He will rest in the shade of the trees.
Our cares are no longer his. We meet him now only in memory. But we will join him soon enough, all of us, when we are home, when we are free.
(AMAZING GRACE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ready, aim, fire. Ready, aim, fire.
(MUSIC)
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SPENCER: The news and information continues on CNN SATURDAY. Straight ahead "Next@CNN."
At 4:00 Eastern CNN LIVE SATURDAY and "Dollar Signs." How to avoid family fights over property after death or divorce.
At 5:00 Eastern "PEOPLE IN THE NEWS" profiling the heroes of the D-Day invasion, but first, Daniel Sieberg with a preview of "NEXT@CNN."
DANIEL SIEBERG, CNN ANCHOR: Ahead on "NEXT@CNN," an underwater round-up. Scientists set out to capture a couple of invader fish in the Florida Keys. We'll show you how it went.
Plus, you CDs and DVDs may not be as permanent as you think. We'll look at the problem of CD rot.
Those stories and a lot more coming up, right after a check of the headlines from the CNN newsroom.
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