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CNN Live Saturday

Phil Mickelson Tops Leaderboard At U.S. Open; A Look At The Maui Film Festival

Aired June 19, 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: Hello, I'm Fredricka Whitfield at the CNN center in Atlanta. Coming up on CNN LIVE SATURDAY, the artist known as Madonna takes on a new name. And we'll have a live report from the Maui Film Festival, it's a tough job, but someone has to do it.
And in 30 minutes from now, "Dollar Signs." It's a consumer show today, so send your e-mails to dollarsigns@CNN.com. Or call us at 4:30 pm Eastern at 1-800-807-2620. First, here are the headlines.

Officials in Saudi Arabia say an overnight raid killed the self- proclaimed leader of an al Qaeda group believed to have been behind beheading of American Paul Johnson. We'll have much more on this story in a moment.

A bipartisan group of U.S. Senators met with Iraq's interim prime minister today in Baghdad. Senate minority leader Tom Daschle, fellow Democratic Senator Joe Biden and Republican Lindsay Graham of South Carolina came away from the meeting praising efforts to restore democracy in Iraq.

At least 18 Iraqis are reported dead after a coalition airstrike on a house in Fallujah. Officials say it was a safe house used by followers of insurgent leader Abu Masab al-Zarqawi.

Well, now, a closer look at our top story. The reaction in both words and deeds to Friday's beheading of American contractor Paul johnson in Saudi Arabia. Shortly after his killing, Saudi security forces killed or captured a number of wanted terrorists. U.S. officials are praising the Saudis. And some are rather bluntly pointing out they should have acted sooner.

The Saudis are going out of their way to assure the world they are doing all they can to fight terrorism. Let's begin with our White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fred, in dueling press conferences today, we heard from both U.S. and Saudi officials, what is becoming more clearer is the political fallout of all of this and of course new details about the beheading of American Paul Johnson. What we have learned is that it was yesterday, just an hour after Saudi officials confirmed the death of Johnson, that Crown Prince Abdullah called President Bush, not to offer his condolences, but also to tell him that they had killed the alleged perpetrators, including the country's top al Qaeda, al Muqrin. Now today, we have heard from both Saudi and U.S. officials. Saudi officials arguing that the 30,000 some Americans are still safe in that country. They believe that these were random acts of violence. U.S. officials, however, still issuing that stern warning. They believe Americans should get out as quickly as possible.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ADEL AL-JUBEIR, SAUDI FORGIEN POLICY ADVISER: Careful. We believe with this blow to al Qaeda in Saudi Arabia yesterday we have substantially weakened their organization. We will continue to pursue them with vigor until we eliminate them from our midst.

JAMES OBERWETTER, U.S. ABM TO SAUDI ARABIA: Not everyone who is a threat has been removed from the list and there may be many more. That is why the warnings that we have given it Americans strongly urging them to leave will remain in effect for the foreseeable future.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: We have also learned new details about the body of Paul Johnson. Saudi officials telling us that they did not actually discover his remains, that despite some reports from the last 24 hours. They are still looking for his body. They say that, however, they were able to confirm his death, because of analyts, intelligence analysts who looked at that tape of the beheading and they were positively able to identify what they believe to be Paul Johnson. Obviously a very difficult time for this family -- Fred.

WHITFIELD: And Suzanne, the foreign adviser to the Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah in that press conference earlier said that no two countries are closer, are working closer in the war on terrorism than Saudi Arabia and the U.S. But you have to wonder if at all the relations strained, particularly, because of the recent deaths involving westerners there now?

MALVEAUX: Well, certainly White House officials are publicly expressing a great deal of confidence, even privately when you talk to them they say the same thing, taht certainly the Saudis have improved. There is, of course, a lot more that could be done. What you are hearing, however, is much more wanted criticism coming from members of Congress, Republicans, as well as Democrats, who believe that it was just too late for the Saudis to act when it comes to fighting these terrorists. U.S. officials believe that they're doing as much as they can, at this time, but, of course, there are improvements that can be made.

WHITFIELD: And is there discension within the State Department, or perhaps even just the Bush administration as a whole as to the urging of Americans getting out of saudi Arabia, because we're getting conflicting messages coming from Colin Powell and others within the administration as well as Saudi officials.

MALVEAUX: Well, there are certainly mixed messages, Fred, about this, because on the one hand you did hear Secretary of State Colin Powell saying that perhaps this would play into the terrorists hands, because they do know the one thing that al Qaeda would like to achieve, Osama bin Laden would like to achieve, is to get western, Americans out of that region. That is also something that al-Jubeir had mentioned, as well.

At the same time, they recognize it is a very dangerous situation for Americans. They need to look out for themselves. They are also urging them to leave the region. Perhaps they can return at another time. So as you can see, it's really is a catch 22.

WHITFIELD: Suzanne Malveaux in the White House, thanks very much.

Well, Saudi officials say they are doing all they can to fight terrorism, but what do the Saudi people themselves think about America and the west as a whole? Kathleen Koch has been looking into Saudi perception of the U.S. and she joins us now from Washington with more on that. Hello, Kathleen.

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDETN: Hi, Fredricka. The Saudi government insists its citizens are outraged and saddened by the murder of Paul Johnson. It is, of course, just the latest in a growing number of attacks against westerners in Saudi Arabia, but yet the most recent poll of Saudis, it was conducted last year and interviewing more than 15,000 of them, found there were support for terrorist views. And strong anti-American tendencies.

The poll was taken between August and November of 2003. And it found that nearly half of Saudis had a favorable opinion of the sermons and to the rhetoric of Osama bin Laden. That while 57 percent had an unfavorable view of strong and close ties with the United States. A Saudi spokesman today insisted that its citizens are firmly aligned against terrorism.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AL-JUBEIR: No person with a sense of decency and humanity can support murderers. If you ask me if the Saudi people support American policy towards the Palestinians or towards Iraq, the answer is clearly no. We have seen that in those polls. Where America ranks very high in terms of how they feel about the American people, how they feel about American culture, how they feel about American educational system, very high positives.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KOCH: Much of the Saudi population of some 20 million people is struggling. It is quite young, facing high unemployment, some 25 percent. And experts say that that could indeed, explain resentment of westerners working in their country. The poll also found that most Saudis, 85 percent, are very interested in seeing political reform.

So, experts say that when saudis at the polls say they back up Osama bin Laden's views, it may very well be his views condemning the policies of the wealthy Saudi royal family that they're referring to -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: Kathleen Koch in Washington, thanks very much.

Well, more now on the al Qaeda ringleader the Saudis killed last night. Here's CNN's senior international correspondent Nic Robertson.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTL. CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Disguised and posing for the camera, Adul Aziz al-Muqrin, the man behind Paul Johnson's murder. Behind him, a life apparently destined to reach this point. A high school dropout, seen here in a rare photo, was in his mid 30s.

NAWAF OBEID, SAUDI SECURITY ANALYST: All his life, especially since the age of 17, he's been in this jihad world. I mean, he's gone from training to civil war to another civil war.

ROBERTSON: According to sources close to Saudi intelligence, al- Muqrin received most of his military training at al Qaeda camps in Afghanistan, before going on to fight for radical Islamic groups in Algeria, Somalia and Bosnia.

At one time al-Muqrin spent two years in a Saudi jail after being arrested in Ethiopia, but was released for good behavior.

OBEID: It's not hard for someone like him to make believe that he's actually a changed man. And this is what he did. And he did it, more importantly, not towards the government, he did it towards his family. And his family inherently believed he was a changed man.

ROBERTSON: He became a key player in Saudi terror attacks with this bombing last November in Riyadh that killed 17 people, many of them Arabs from Lebanon and Egypt. By the next major attack, just last month, his followers had refined their tactics, going door to door in a western workers' compound killing only the nonMuslims.

On Web sites like this one, al-Muqrin and his Fallujah brigades trumpeted their successes and provided instructions on how to kidnap and kill, saying that in Saudi Arabia, Americans were the best targets. But within hours of the announcement of Johnson's killing, confirmation that al-Muqrin and three key associates had been killed by Saudi authorities. Question now, will Johnson's be the last violent death of a westerner in Saudi Arabia? Nic Robertson, CNN, London.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: And we have plenty of other news to tell you about. Actress Winona Ryder is closing a troubled chapter in her life.

Professional golf's cream of the crop have a major to worry about.

And if you want to do star gazing, don't go to Hollywood, just stay right where you are and take a look at this. Does this not make you sick? That's Maui. Don't you wish you were there? Well, we'll take you there, via satellite of course. And coming up in less than half an hour, we'll take your consumer calls and e-mails today on "Dollar Signs." That's 1-800-807-2620. Or you can email us at dollarsigns@cnn.com. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Now some stories across America. In Los Angeles the performer known as Madonna can also be called Esther. The Catholic born singer/actress said her study of the jewish mysticism called Kabbalah helped inspire her to adopt the Hebrew name.

Also in Los Angeles, the performer known as Winona Ryder is no long a felon. The actress was convicted in 2002 of stealing thousands of dollars worth of goods from Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hill's. Well, the judge yesderday reduced her convictions to misdemeanors.

And the Olympic flame is in New York City, the final U.S. stop on its way to the summer games this August in Athens, Greece. We're proud to say CNN anchor, there she is, Paula Zahn was among those of today's torch bearers. Next up for the torch, Montreal.

Well, the world's top golfers are on the course at Chinnecock Hills in Long Island. It's round three of the U.S. Open. And a fan favorite is on top of the leader board.

Josie Burke is covering it for us. And she joins us with an update. And of course, everyone is pulling for Phil Mickelson, he is everyone's favorite.

JOSIE BURKE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, you say that with some certainty, Fredricka, and that's actually the way it is out here. It is like he's the mayor at Southampton at this point in time. Every hole you go to, you hear cheer after cheer after cheer for Phil Mickelson. And you have to wonder what it's going to be like tomorrow if he's still atop that leaderboard for his playing partner. You have to pity whoever that is, because he really seems to have become even more of a fan favorite than he was last time he was here in 2002 for the U.S. Open on Long Island. People really buying into the underdog role. They still have him, Fredricka, even though he became a favorite, he broke through and finally won a major.

WHIFEILD: Well, he's looking fit, there too. And that, in part, may really be part of his game plan.

BURKE: Yes, he actually went on a diet before this season. One of those low carb craze diets that really worked for him. But it's also, it's mentally, as well. He is mentally fit and physically fit. He really seems, especially since that win in Augusta, to have lightened some sort of burden, some sort of load. And he says he doesn't feel so much relief now in majors as he feels anticipation. He said he was so excited to get hear, because he really felt like his game was in great shape -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: Oh, it seemed like he was haunted for so many years, everyone was pulling for him, but something would happen close to the end, you know, he just wouldn't be able to pull it through until the Masters.

Let's talk about somebody who we're used to seeing at the top of the leaderboard, we're not this time, Tiger Woods. What's going on with his game?

BURKE: Everyone wants to know. I wish I could answer that, I'd probably get a million dollars or something if I could...

WHITFIELD: He'd pay you personally, too.

(CROSSTALK)

BURKE: ...what's wrong with Tiger Woods. But I can tell you, he is struggling today. Now, he had an overpar round in round one, yesterday he finished at 1 under. Today he was all over the place. He had a double bogey on number 10. At one point he was 12 shots off the lead. It does not look like this is going to be the week, Fredricka, where he will break that drought in majors. Remember he's 0 for his last 7. It looks like we can say with some certainty he will be 0 for 8 going into the British Open.

WHITFIELD: Now, what about the fans? Sometimes, they're always part of the story too. Last year was security and the measures that some of these fans had to take. And this year, I remember a great picture of seeing everybody outside the gates using the cell phones, because cell phones are forbidden. But I understand an aweful lot of fans are really kind of grumpy about all that.

BURKE: Well, I haven't heard too much complaining, because once the people actually get in, they get through the lines, they get through security, they put their cell phone away and everyone seems to be having a good time. And again, we cannot overstate the fact that it's really unprecedented. You have about 35,000 people out here and I would say 34,999 are all rooting for Phil Mickelson.

WHITFIELD: Wow. And this Japanese player, Maruyama, somebody that not a whole lot of players knew about, but he's giving Mickelson a little bit of a run for his money, isn't he?

BURKE: He sure is. You know, they came in tied going into the third round. They're right now, still co-leaders along with Jeff Maggert. And Maruyama is a guy in the U.S. Open, hasn't had a lot of success. This is his fourth U.S. Open. And the previous three he missed the cut twice. And you had some questions about how would he hold up, how would he withstand the all pressure? But he got a litle bit of a learning experience playing with Tiger Woods in the first two rounds, so he looks like he's doing pretty well.

WHITFIELD: Yeah, he doesn't look like he's sweating it out there at all. It looks like, indeed, he's having a good time. Josie Burke, thanks a lot.

Well, so if golf isn't your game, how about a movie? Better yet, how about a movie in Maui of all places, with Woody Harristen, perhaps? Well stick right here. We're going to take you out to Maui to the film festival. And what's the latest consumer scam, and are you a victim? We're taking any and all consumer questions today on "Dollar Signs." So, e- mail us at dollarsigns@CNN.com or call us at 1-800-807-2620. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: "Dollar Signs" is about to start. We're talking about being a smart consumer. What do lifetime warranties mean? And are the best deals really at outlet malls? Don't forget to e-mail your questions to dollarsigns@CNN.com or call us at 1-800-807-2620.

Well, movie fans have flocked to a tropical paradise to rub elbows with the newest crop of independent filmmakers. It's all part of the Maui Film Festival which runs through tomorrow. And our Sibila Vargas has her toes in the sand there. And I see with the surf kicking up, you need a surf board, Sibila.

SIBILA VARGAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Fredricka. I'm not sure if you can hear me, but how are you? I am doing great out here in Maui. Beautiful beaches behind me. The festival has gotten off to a wonderful start. It's day 4. Last night I watched a wonderful film by Zack Braff, NBC's "Scrubs," you might have heard of him, an actor. He'd turned writer and director and he got to introduce his film at the Celestial Cinemas. I got to see it along with 1,000 people. It was really spectacular.

But it was also a night of awards. Angela Basset received a pathfinder award for her contributions as an actress who has overcome obstacles. And she is just so tremendous. I got to talk to her, you might have seen it, it was just a wonderful interview.

But also Woody Harrelson also received an award. He got the navigator award which -- he's gotten because he's accomplished so many things, especially with the environment. And it's very interesting, because he's got a movie out here, it's called "Go Further," and it tackles a lot of environmental issues. It's sort of documentary, cinema verite style. And I got to see it and it was pretty good.

But you know, the wonderful thing about Maui and this location is it's so beautiful. It's so spectacular. I mean, just look at the beautiful beaches behind me. It has been the inspiration for so many movies. And I got a chance to meet a man who helps Hollywood in their production on filming some of this beautiful lush foliage and beautiful beach scenes.

His name is Dave Chevalier. And he took me on a tour. And, let me tell you, Fredricka, it was just breathtaking.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

VARGAS (voice-over): Maui from ground level, breathtaking. Maui from above: even more spectacular. Hollywood is well aware of the beauty of Hawaii. It's lush landscape has been featured in films like "Flight of the Intruder," and "Six Days, Seven Nights." But who shoots those arials? A company called Blue Hawaiian owned and run by Dave Chevalier has worked on major Hollywood productions for over a decade.

DAVE CHEVALIER, CEO, BLUE HAWAIIAN: There's no place like Hawaii, valleys meandered the heart of the mountain, waterfalls spinning right up the middle. Beautiful beach with all different kinds of plant species that aren't found anywhere else on Earth.

VARGAS: So, I decided to see for myself.

It's beautiful, spectacular.

Remember this scene from "Jurrasic Park?"

That's the famous "Jurrasic Park" shot.

CHEVALIER: This is the one that goes on in the window. I had to get right up next to is and just hover straight down.

VARGAS: Although he didn't shoot this famous scene from the 1973 classic "Papillion," Chevalier showed me the cliff where the character, played by Steve McQueen, took his famous plunge.

Taking the tour, I got a bird's eye view of the vast landscape that Hollywood finds so attractive. And if Hollywood needs a few more beautiful locations to shoot, we spotted some.

CHEVALIER: This particular shot wasn't in any movies that we've done, although, it should be.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

VARGAS: And Chevalier has also worked on "George of the Jungle" and "Pearl Harbor." He he says that he and his crew have done so many commercials, that it's hard to keep track. Back to you, Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right. Sibila Vargas, we are all envying you. Have a good time out there. The film festival ends tomorrow.

Well, it looks like one of David Letterson's will it float stunts is on a grand scale now. On the lawn of the National Building Museum in Washington D.C, engineering students are dropping their concrete canoes into a giant tank one by one to see if they'll float when filled with water. The canoes that pass the test will race tomorrow in the American Society of Civil Engineer's 17th Annual National Concrete Canoe Competition. We'll know, then, which contestant's legend for engineering brilliance will be written in cement.

Well, it's that time again and straight ahead on "Dollar Signs" your question for our consumer guests, frequent flier miles, credit cards, ATM accounts, scams, all of that. Send your questions to us at dollarsigns@CNN.com or call us at 1-800-807-2620. We'll be right back.

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


Aired June 19, 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: Hello, I'm Fredricka Whitfield at the CNN center in Atlanta. Coming up on CNN LIVE SATURDAY, the artist known as Madonna takes on a new name. And we'll have a live report from the Maui Film Festival, it's a tough job, but someone has to do it.
And in 30 minutes from now, "Dollar Signs." It's a consumer show today, so send your e-mails to dollarsigns@CNN.com. Or call us at 4:30 pm Eastern at 1-800-807-2620. First, here are the headlines.

Officials in Saudi Arabia say an overnight raid killed the self- proclaimed leader of an al Qaeda group believed to have been behind beheading of American Paul Johnson. We'll have much more on this story in a moment.

A bipartisan group of U.S. Senators met with Iraq's interim prime minister today in Baghdad. Senate minority leader Tom Daschle, fellow Democratic Senator Joe Biden and Republican Lindsay Graham of South Carolina came away from the meeting praising efforts to restore democracy in Iraq.

At least 18 Iraqis are reported dead after a coalition airstrike on a house in Fallujah. Officials say it was a safe house used by followers of insurgent leader Abu Masab al-Zarqawi.

Well, now, a closer look at our top story. The reaction in both words and deeds to Friday's beheading of American contractor Paul johnson in Saudi Arabia. Shortly after his killing, Saudi security forces killed or captured a number of wanted terrorists. U.S. officials are praising the Saudis. And some are rather bluntly pointing out they should have acted sooner.

The Saudis are going out of their way to assure the world they are doing all they can to fight terrorism. Let's begin with our White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fred, in dueling press conferences today, we heard from both U.S. and Saudi officials, what is becoming more clearer is the political fallout of all of this and of course new details about the beheading of American Paul Johnson. What we have learned is that it was yesterday, just an hour after Saudi officials confirmed the death of Johnson, that Crown Prince Abdullah called President Bush, not to offer his condolences, but also to tell him that they had killed the alleged perpetrators, including the country's top al Qaeda, al Muqrin. Now today, we have heard from both Saudi and U.S. officials. Saudi officials arguing that the 30,000 some Americans are still safe in that country. They believe that these were random acts of violence. U.S. officials, however, still issuing that stern warning. They believe Americans should get out as quickly as possible.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ADEL AL-JUBEIR, SAUDI FORGIEN POLICY ADVISER: Careful. We believe with this blow to al Qaeda in Saudi Arabia yesterday we have substantially weakened their organization. We will continue to pursue them with vigor until we eliminate them from our midst.

JAMES OBERWETTER, U.S. ABM TO SAUDI ARABIA: Not everyone who is a threat has been removed from the list and there may be many more. That is why the warnings that we have given it Americans strongly urging them to leave will remain in effect for the foreseeable future.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: We have also learned new details about the body of Paul Johnson. Saudi officials telling us that they did not actually discover his remains, that despite some reports from the last 24 hours. They are still looking for his body. They say that, however, they were able to confirm his death, because of analyts, intelligence analysts who looked at that tape of the beheading and they were positively able to identify what they believe to be Paul Johnson. Obviously a very difficult time for this family -- Fred.

WHITFIELD: And Suzanne, the foreign adviser to the Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah in that press conference earlier said that no two countries are closer, are working closer in the war on terrorism than Saudi Arabia and the U.S. But you have to wonder if at all the relations strained, particularly, because of the recent deaths involving westerners there now?

MALVEAUX: Well, certainly White House officials are publicly expressing a great deal of confidence, even privately when you talk to them they say the same thing, taht certainly the Saudis have improved. There is, of course, a lot more that could be done. What you are hearing, however, is much more wanted criticism coming from members of Congress, Republicans, as well as Democrats, who believe that it was just too late for the Saudis to act when it comes to fighting these terrorists. U.S. officials believe that they're doing as much as they can, at this time, but, of course, there are improvements that can be made.

WHITFIELD: And is there discension within the State Department, or perhaps even just the Bush administration as a whole as to the urging of Americans getting out of saudi Arabia, because we're getting conflicting messages coming from Colin Powell and others within the administration as well as Saudi officials.

MALVEAUX: Well, there are certainly mixed messages, Fred, about this, because on the one hand you did hear Secretary of State Colin Powell saying that perhaps this would play into the terrorists hands, because they do know the one thing that al Qaeda would like to achieve, Osama bin Laden would like to achieve, is to get western, Americans out of that region. That is also something that al-Jubeir had mentioned, as well.

At the same time, they recognize it is a very dangerous situation for Americans. They need to look out for themselves. They are also urging them to leave the region. Perhaps they can return at another time. So as you can see, it's really is a catch 22.

WHITFIELD: Suzanne Malveaux in the White House, thanks very much.

Well, Saudi officials say they are doing all they can to fight terrorism, but what do the Saudi people themselves think about America and the west as a whole? Kathleen Koch has been looking into Saudi perception of the U.S. and she joins us now from Washington with more on that. Hello, Kathleen.

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDETN: Hi, Fredricka. The Saudi government insists its citizens are outraged and saddened by the murder of Paul Johnson. It is, of course, just the latest in a growing number of attacks against westerners in Saudi Arabia, but yet the most recent poll of Saudis, it was conducted last year and interviewing more than 15,000 of them, found there were support for terrorist views. And strong anti-American tendencies.

The poll was taken between August and November of 2003. And it found that nearly half of Saudis had a favorable opinion of the sermons and to the rhetoric of Osama bin Laden. That while 57 percent had an unfavorable view of strong and close ties with the United States. A Saudi spokesman today insisted that its citizens are firmly aligned against terrorism.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AL-JUBEIR: No person with a sense of decency and humanity can support murderers. If you ask me if the Saudi people support American policy towards the Palestinians or towards Iraq, the answer is clearly no. We have seen that in those polls. Where America ranks very high in terms of how they feel about the American people, how they feel about American culture, how they feel about American educational system, very high positives.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KOCH: Much of the Saudi population of some 20 million people is struggling. It is quite young, facing high unemployment, some 25 percent. And experts say that that could indeed, explain resentment of westerners working in their country. The poll also found that most Saudis, 85 percent, are very interested in seeing political reform.

So, experts say that when saudis at the polls say they back up Osama bin Laden's views, it may very well be his views condemning the policies of the wealthy Saudi royal family that they're referring to -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: Kathleen Koch in Washington, thanks very much.

Well, more now on the al Qaeda ringleader the Saudis killed last night. Here's CNN's senior international correspondent Nic Robertson.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTL. CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Disguised and posing for the camera, Adul Aziz al-Muqrin, the man behind Paul Johnson's murder. Behind him, a life apparently destined to reach this point. A high school dropout, seen here in a rare photo, was in his mid 30s.

NAWAF OBEID, SAUDI SECURITY ANALYST: All his life, especially since the age of 17, he's been in this jihad world. I mean, he's gone from training to civil war to another civil war.

ROBERTSON: According to sources close to Saudi intelligence, al- Muqrin received most of his military training at al Qaeda camps in Afghanistan, before going on to fight for radical Islamic groups in Algeria, Somalia and Bosnia.

At one time al-Muqrin spent two years in a Saudi jail after being arrested in Ethiopia, but was released for good behavior.

OBEID: It's not hard for someone like him to make believe that he's actually a changed man. And this is what he did. And he did it, more importantly, not towards the government, he did it towards his family. And his family inherently believed he was a changed man.

ROBERTSON: He became a key player in Saudi terror attacks with this bombing last November in Riyadh that killed 17 people, many of them Arabs from Lebanon and Egypt. By the next major attack, just last month, his followers had refined their tactics, going door to door in a western workers' compound killing only the nonMuslims.

On Web sites like this one, al-Muqrin and his Fallujah brigades trumpeted their successes and provided instructions on how to kidnap and kill, saying that in Saudi Arabia, Americans were the best targets. But within hours of the announcement of Johnson's killing, confirmation that al-Muqrin and three key associates had been killed by Saudi authorities. Question now, will Johnson's be the last violent death of a westerner in Saudi Arabia? Nic Robertson, CNN, London.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: And we have plenty of other news to tell you about. Actress Winona Ryder is closing a troubled chapter in her life.

Professional golf's cream of the crop have a major to worry about.

And if you want to do star gazing, don't go to Hollywood, just stay right where you are and take a look at this. Does this not make you sick? That's Maui. Don't you wish you were there? Well, we'll take you there, via satellite of course. And coming up in less than half an hour, we'll take your consumer calls and e-mails today on "Dollar Signs." That's 1-800-807-2620. Or you can email us at dollarsigns@cnn.com. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Now some stories across America. In Los Angeles the performer known as Madonna can also be called Esther. The Catholic born singer/actress said her study of the jewish mysticism called Kabbalah helped inspire her to adopt the Hebrew name.

Also in Los Angeles, the performer known as Winona Ryder is no long a felon. The actress was convicted in 2002 of stealing thousands of dollars worth of goods from Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hill's. Well, the judge yesderday reduced her convictions to misdemeanors.

And the Olympic flame is in New York City, the final U.S. stop on its way to the summer games this August in Athens, Greece. We're proud to say CNN anchor, there she is, Paula Zahn was among those of today's torch bearers. Next up for the torch, Montreal.

Well, the world's top golfers are on the course at Chinnecock Hills in Long Island. It's round three of the U.S. Open. And a fan favorite is on top of the leader board.

Josie Burke is covering it for us. And she joins us with an update. And of course, everyone is pulling for Phil Mickelson, he is everyone's favorite.

JOSIE BURKE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, you say that with some certainty, Fredricka, and that's actually the way it is out here. It is like he's the mayor at Southampton at this point in time. Every hole you go to, you hear cheer after cheer after cheer for Phil Mickelson. And you have to wonder what it's going to be like tomorrow if he's still atop that leaderboard for his playing partner. You have to pity whoever that is, because he really seems to have become even more of a fan favorite than he was last time he was here in 2002 for the U.S. Open on Long Island. People really buying into the underdog role. They still have him, Fredricka, even though he became a favorite, he broke through and finally won a major.

WHIFEILD: Well, he's looking fit, there too. And that, in part, may really be part of his game plan.

BURKE: Yes, he actually went on a diet before this season. One of those low carb craze diets that really worked for him. But it's also, it's mentally, as well. He is mentally fit and physically fit. He really seems, especially since that win in Augusta, to have lightened some sort of burden, some sort of load. And he says he doesn't feel so much relief now in majors as he feels anticipation. He said he was so excited to get hear, because he really felt like his game was in great shape -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: Oh, it seemed like he was haunted for so many years, everyone was pulling for him, but something would happen close to the end, you know, he just wouldn't be able to pull it through until the Masters.

Let's talk about somebody who we're used to seeing at the top of the leaderboard, we're not this time, Tiger Woods. What's going on with his game?

BURKE: Everyone wants to know. I wish I could answer that, I'd probably get a million dollars or something if I could...

WHITFIELD: He'd pay you personally, too.

(CROSSTALK)

BURKE: ...what's wrong with Tiger Woods. But I can tell you, he is struggling today. Now, he had an overpar round in round one, yesterday he finished at 1 under. Today he was all over the place. He had a double bogey on number 10. At one point he was 12 shots off the lead. It does not look like this is going to be the week, Fredricka, where he will break that drought in majors. Remember he's 0 for his last 7. It looks like we can say with some certainty he will be 0 for 8 going into the British Open.

WHITFIELD: Now, what about the fans? Sometimes, they're always part of the story too. Last year was security and the measures that some of these fans had to take. And this year, I remember a great picture of seeing everybody outside the gates using the cell phones, because cell phones are forbidden. But I understand an aweful lot of fans are really kind of grumpy about all that.

BURKE: Well, I haven't heard too much complaining, because once the people actually get in, they get through the lines, they get through security, they put their cell phone away and everyone seems to be having a good time. And again, we cannot overstate the fact that it's really unprecedented. You have about 35,000 people out here and I would say 34,999 are all rooting for Phil Mickelson.

WHITFIELD: Wow. And this Japanese player, Maruyama, somebody that not a whole lot of players knew about, but he's giving Mickelson a little bit of a run for his money, isn't he?

BURKE: He sure is. You know, they came in tied going into the third round. They're right now, still co-leaders along with Jeff Maggert. And Maruyama is a guy in the U.S. Open, hasn't had a lot of success. This is his fourth U.S. Open. And the previous three he missed the cut twice. And you had some questions about how would he hold up, how would he withstand the all pressure? But he got a litle bit of a learning experience playing with Tiger Woods in the first two rounds, so he looks like he's doing pretty well.

WHITFIELD: Yeah, he doesn't look like he's sweating it out there at all. It looks like, indeed, he's having a good time. Josie Burke, thanks a lot.

Well, so if golf isn't your game, how about a movie? Better yet, how about a movie in Maui of all places, with Woody Harristen, perhaps? Well stick right here. We're going to take you out to Maui to the film festival. And what's the latest consumer scam, and are you a victim? We're taking any and all consumer questions today on "Dollar Signs." So, e- mail us at dollarsigns@CNN.com or call us at 1-800-807-2620. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: "Dollar Signs" is about to start. We're talking about being a smart consumer. What do lifetime warranties mean? And are the best deals really at outlet malls? Don't forget to e-mail your questions to dollarsigns@CNN.com or call us at 1-800-807-2620.

Well, movie fans have flocked to a tropical paradise to rub elbows with the newest crop of independent filmmakers. It's all part of the Maui Film Festival which runs through tomorrow. And our Sibila Vargas has her toes in the sand there. And I see with the surf kicking up, you need a surf board, Sibila.

SIBILA VARGAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Fredricka. I'm not sure if you can hear me, but how are you? I am doing great out here in Maui. Beautiful beaches behind me. The festival has gotten off to a wonderful start. It's day 4. Last night I watched a wonderful film by Zack Braff, NBC's "Scrubs," you might have heard of him, an actor. He'd turned writer and director and he got to introduce his film at the Celestial Cinemas. I got to see it along with 1,000 people. It was really spectacular.

But it was also a night of awards. Angela Basset received a pathfinder award for her contributions as an actress who has overcome obstacles. And she is just so tremendous. I got to talk to her, you might have seen it, it was just a wonderful interview.

But also Woody Harrelson also received an award. He got the navigator award which -- he's gotten because he's accomplished so many things, especially with the environment. And it's very interesting, because he's got a movie out here, it's called "Go Further," and it tackles a lot of environmental issues. It's sort of documentary, cinema verite style. And I got to see it and it was pretty good.

But you know, the wonderful thing about Maui and this location is it's so beautiful. It's so spectacular. I mean, just look at the beautiful beaches behind me. It has been the inspiration for so many movies. And I got a chance to meet a man who helps Hollywood in their production on filming some of this beautiful lush foliage and beautiful beach scenes.

His name is Dave Chevalier. And he took me on a tour. And, let me tell you, Fredricka, it was just breathtaking.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

VARGAS (voice-over): Maui from ground level, breathtaking. Maui from above: even more spectacular. Hollywood is well aware of the beauty of Hawaii. It's lush landscape has been featured in films like "Flight of the Intruder," and "Six Days, Seven Nights." But who shoots those arials? A company called Blue Hawaiian owned and run by Dave Chevalier has worked on major Hollywood productions for over a decade.

DAVE CHEVALIER, CEO, BLUE HAWAIIAN: There's no place like Hawaii, valleys meandered the heart of the mountain, waterfalls spinning right up the middle. Beautiful beach with all different kinds of plant species that aren't found anywhere else on Earth.

VARGAS: So, I decided to see for myself.

It's beautiful, spectacular.

Remember this scene from "Jurrasic Park?"

That's the famous "Jurrasic Park" shot.

CHEVALIER: This is the one that goes on in the window. I had to get right up next to is and just hover straight down.

VARGAS: Although he didn't shoot this famous scene from the 1973 classic "Papillion," Chevalier showed me the cliff where the character, played by Steve McQueen, took his famous plunge.

Taking the tour, I got a bird's eye view of the vast landscape that Hollywood finds so attractive. And if Hollywood needs a few more beautiful locations to shoot, we spotted some.

CHEVALIER: This particular shot wasn't in any movies that we've done, although, it should be.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

VARGAS: And Chevalier has also worked on "George of the Jungle" and "Pearl Harbor." He he says that he and his crew have done so many commercials, that it's hard to keep track. Back to you, Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right. Sibila Vargas, we are all envying you. Have a good time out there. The film festival ends tomorrow.

Well, it looks like one of David Letterson's will it float stunts is on a grand scale now. On the lawn of the National Building Museum in Washington D.C, engineering students are dropping their concrete canoes into a giant tank one by one to see if they'll float when filled with water. The canoes that pass the test will race tomorrow in the American Society of Civil Engineer's 17th Annual National Concrete Canoe Competition. We'll know, then, which contestant's legend for engineering brilliance will be written in cement.

Well, it's that time again and straight ahead on "Dollar Signs" your question for our consumer guests, frequent flier miles, credit cards, ATM accounts, scams, all of that. 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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