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CNN Live Saturday
Truck Drivers Learn How To Figh Terrorism; 2 Men Strive To Play For Greek Olympic Baseball Team
Aired August 07, 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.
DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The Iraqi government extends an olive branch in the form of amnesty. But in Najaf, civilian casualties mount as the battle enters day three.
Plus, highway watch: Thousands of truck drivers get a lesson in fighting terrorism.
And then:
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All we ask is that one small opportunity to represent our country, our heritage and our parents and grandparents.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FEYERICK: Olympic dreams at any age. Meet two men who are hoping to make the Greek Olympic baseball team. Hello and welcome to CNN LIVE SATURDAY. I'm Deborah Feyerick. In half an hour, we're going to have saving for college, what you need to know. That's our topic, today on "Dollar Signs." Call us at 1 800 807-2620 or e-mail your questions to dollarsigns@cnn.com. "Dollar Signs" starts in half an hour, but first the headlines.
Florida sheriff's deputies are interviewing two people who they believe quote have some knowledge of who's responsible for a mass homicide in the town of Deltona. Six people died in what one investigator said was a very brutal killing. The bodies were found early Friday morning when one of the residents did not show up for work.
Five escapes from a privately run prison in Texas are still on the run today. The five were seen crawling under fences at the Correctional Services Corporation facility about 50 miles outside of San Antonio. They were Federal prisoners. One of the men is believed to be a high ranking member of the Mexican mafia.
A military hearing continues today for Private Lynndie England, accused in the Abu Ghraib abuse scandal. A judge is mulling over a defense witness list that includes Vice President Cheney and Defense Secretary Rumsfeld. Keeping you informed, CNN, the most trusted name in news.
The worst fighting in Najaf, Iraq, in months is diminishing but it is not over. The interim government is hoping a partial amnesty will help cool things off there and throughout the war torn country. CNN's John Vause has all the latest from Baghdad.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOHN VAUSE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Day three of the battle for Najaf and the mufti (ph) army, the militia loyal to the radical Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr is holding out against U.S. Marines and Iraqi forces. Casualties are mounting, especially civilians. Doctors say at least 21 have been killed so far, more than 120 wounded. After fierce fighting too in Sadr city, a poor neighborhood in Baghdad, the mufti army remains defiant and to the south in Basra and Amara (ph), British troops have also come under fire.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): The mehdi army launched an attack and hit with an iron fist all the plotters against Moqtada al-Sadr now Amara province is under our full control.
VAUSE: But Iraq's interim prime minister says these men are either common street criminals or foreign fighters.
AYAD ALLAWI, IRAQI INTERIM PRIME MINISTER (Through Translator): What has occurred in Najaf throughout the past 48 hours is quite pitiful at a time when we are endlessly working on improving our nation's economy and security.
VAUSE: The outbreak of fighting is the worst in Iraq in months and a leading Shiite cleric says, so far, no one is talking cease- fire.
ALLAWI (through translator): People were killed. Public and private properties were looted. We must do something. We must act, put an end to what is going on.
VAUSE: To try and bring an end to the lawlessness and chaos, the government here is offering an amnesty, those involved in minor crimes, possession of weapons, explosives, withholding information, now have 30 days to turn themselves in to receive a pardon.
ALLAWI (through translator): This order has been established to allow our citizen to rejoin a civil society and participate in the reconstruction of their country.
VAUSE (on-camera): The amnesty is unlikely to convince Iraqi insurgents to lay down their weapons. Those who committed serious crimes like murder or kidnap will not be pardoned but rather the interim Iraqi prime minister says they'll face prosecution. John Vause, CNN, Baghdad.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FEYERICK: Al-Jazeera won't be reporting from its Baghdad headquarters on the latest strife in Iraq. The government confirms it has closed the Arab TV network's office in the capital in the interest of national security. Iraqi accuses al-Jazeera of being a mouthpiece for terrorists and criminal groups. Al-Jazeera calls the shutdown a disappointing, unwarranted and unjustifiable breach of press freedom and free expression in Iraq. A network spokesman denies al-Jazeera incites violence.
An Indian diplomat said the way has reportedly been cleared for the release of seven hostages in Iraq, but he adds there's no word that the captives from India, Kenya and Egypt are actually free. Militants who kidnapped the seven truckers last month have several demands. One is a promise by the hostages' Kuwaiti employer to stop doing business in Iraq.
U.S. government sources tell CNN intercepted chatter between suspected terrorists has dropped off but that it's not reassuring. The same thing happened before 9/11. The new concern comes as investigators pursue fresh leads from the latest arrest of terror suspects. CNN's Tom Foreman has the wrap up.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TOM FOREMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In what appears to be a very big week in the war on terror, suspects have been snatched up around the globe. In Pakistan and Britain more than a dozen men identified as al Qaeda operatives were grabbed including one described as the head of operations in the U.K. and authorities reveal that they have found phone numbers, e-mail addresses and hundreds of leads to other suspected terrorists.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The threats we're dealing with are real. Therefore we must do everything we can to ferret out the truth and follow leads.
FOREMAN: The week started awkwardly, with new warnings about possible attacks on U.S. financial institutions, triggering additional security measures and fears.
TOM RIDGE, HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: This afternoon, we do have new and unusually specific information about where al Qaeda would like to attack.
FOREMAN: When word got out that some of the information was three years old, the president was accused of political fear mongering.
HOWARD DEAN (D) FMR PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The president himself has said that he ought to be reelected because of the terrible terrorist danger. I don't see what's the big deal about this. It's obvious that politics has something to do with this.
FOREMAN: The administration flatly denies that accusation and says terrorists have been updating their information on potential U.S. targets this year. In addition, information was released about possible terrorist surveillance of an American warship. And government sources say the intelligence taken from the suspected terrorists includes pictures of five financial institutions in the U.S. The arrests in Pakistan were key to all of this information but it is not clear how much further this latest intelligence may lead.
TOM SANDERSON, CENTER FOR STRATEGIC INTL STUDIES: This could be blowing the cover of one small cell that happened to have a unit in Pakistan and a unit in London or it could be a network of 15 cells and at this point we have taken down two of the 15 remains to be seen.
FOREMAN: And then there were the wildcards. In Albany, New York, two men were arrested at a local mosque as part of an FBI sting implicated in a plot to sell a shoulder-fired missile. In Chicago an allegedly plan to blow up a Federal building was revealed and in Britain, a man appeared in court on charges to using the Internet to finance terrorism. Tom Foreman, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FEYERICK: The code orange security alert for Washington D.C. has disrupted traffic downtown and angered some local officials. Plans have now been announced by the Secret Service for more traffic clogging security around the White House and Treasury building. CNN's Brian Todd has that.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Just about everyday there seems to be a new barricade up somewhere, a sidewalk closed, a couple of streets blocked off. Capitol Hill police are working 12- hour shifts with one day off a week. There are 14 checkpoints just on Capitol Hill and every vehicle is being stopped. Of course traffic gets bogged down at certain points, but that's not unusual under normal circumstances and most residents and commuters we spoke to are taking it all in stride.
DAVE WALKER, CAPITOL HILL INTERN: There's stuff you got to do. I mean it's a pain for everybody. But even if it stops one single attack, it's definitely worth it.
TODD: But there is tension at high levels. City officials have been irate all week charging the Federal government didn't consult them about some high-profile security moves and railing about the economic impact.
ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON (D) D.C. DELEGATE: You do those checkpoints long enough, you will bring down the economy of the District of Columbia. This is a tourist town. What we're doing is sending signals, hey, don't come here. You can't get around. Besides it must be dangerous or they wouldn't be doing that. No such thing, they're doing it to cover their rear end.
TODD: Capitol Hill police had no comment on Norton's assertion. D.C. police chief Charles Ramsey has voiced concern about some of the moves by Federal officials, but he says the increased level of alert and its results so far have to be seen as positive.
CHIEF CHARLES RAMSEY, D.C. METROPOLITAN POLICE: But you also have to bear in mind that the whole object of an orange alert or higher, the whole object of our putting in extra security measure is to keep something from happening. So it's good news when nothing blows up, not bad news.
TODD: But Chief Ramsey and homeland security officials make it clear this higher level of alert may well extend past the November elections, possibly even longer. Brian Todd, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FEYERICK: Government officials say the latest terror threats include the possibility of car or truck bombs and searching for suspects in a nation filled with cars, trucks and highways is a daunting task. But now a novel program is adding several hundred thousand pairs of eyes to the nation's first line of defense. Alina Cho reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Every time Scott Harris climbs into his truck, every time he's on the road, he's watching for anything that seems suspicious.
SCOTT HARRIS: A truck that would be underneath this railroad trestle, you would keep an eye out for that.
CHO: Harris has been driving trucks for 19 years. He knows what to watch for because he's been through this.
UNIDENTIFIED TEACHER: We're looking to make you more aware of security threats.
CHO: Highway watch, a class for truck drivers, teaching them what to look out for when they're on the road.
UNIDENTIFIED TEACHER: If you spot suspicious activity we want to know about it.
CHO: Everything from a lesson on chemical threats...
UNIDENTIFIED TEACHER: Serin is a nerve type gas.
CHO: ... to getting in the mind of a terrorist.
UNIDENTIFIED TEACHER: This is what the bad guys are up to.
CHO: Take this al Qaeda training tape.
UNIDENTIFIED TEACHER: When driving down the road, are you going to see a pickup truck with a tarp over it? Who knows? Who knows. These kind of things, just to kind of put a spark in your mind.
CHO: The goal is simple.
JOHN WILLARD, AMERICAN TRUCKING ASSOCIATION: Make the trucking industry safe, try to ensure that no truck is ever used as a weapon.
CHO: Trucks have been used as weapons before. The first World Trade Center attack, Oklahoma City. Now police are hoping watchful drivers can be a first line of defense, like in 2002 when a trucker called in a tip that led to the arrest of the Washington D.C. sniper.
(on-camera): So far 10,000 truckers have gone through this program. The Department of Homeland Security recently announced a $19 million grant to train 400,000 more truckers and as many pairs of eyes.
(voice-over): There are more than 3 million truckers in the U.S. people like Tim Maryniak, who says truck drivers work 24/7.
TIM MARYNIAK, TRUCKER: So we sort of become a security blanket for people while they're asleep.
CHO: Others says post 9/11 patriotism plays a roll. Joe Todd drives for Wal-Mart
JOE TODD, TRUCKER: I'm American and I have a lot of pride and I take a lot of pride in what I do.
CHO: Scott Harris says --
HARRIS: He more observant of your surroundings.
CHO: It could help save lives. Alina Cho, CNN, Albany, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FEYERICK: Where are all the jobs and why have stocks headed south? Up next, the somber July job report and what it could mean for President Bush.
Plus, signing up to serve. You'd think dangerous times would mean low turnout but some young folks are out to prove that's not the case.
And later, saving for college, how to make it work for you or your child. Just e-mail your questions to dollarsigns@cnn.com or call us here at 1-800-807-2620. We look forward to hearing from you.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
FEYERICK: President Bush used his weekly radio address today for a grim public reminder that the war against terror is far from over. He's spending the weekend in Kennebunkport, Maine where he'll attend his nephew's wedding. Our Jill Dougherty is there. Jill, a little R&R, but maybe a good weekend to be out of Washington.
JILL DOUGHERTY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: A little Deborah, but it's really a brief respite because he'll be back on the campaign trail again, you can rest assured. There's no rose garden strategy here. As you mentioned, he is in town for this family wedding but first he went off fishing this morning and went off with his father, the former president and also with two of his daughters and lo and behold, his daughter, Jenna was the one who caught the fish, a 38 inch striped bass.
And they're here for the wedding - that's the wedding of George P. Bush. He is the nephew of the president, the son of the governor of Florida, Jeb Bush. As you mentioned, he is not campaigning today, but that situation came up obviously, his radio address and once again, he was talking about the issue of terrorism, saying that the nation is more secure than it was -- safer that it was on 9/11 but still not safe enough.
Also the economy, another issue that the president continues to talk about on the campaign trail. And a recent poll, a new "Time" magazine poll in fact shows that most voters, 27 percent of voters think the economy is the key issue in this election, 18 percent said the war on terrorism. And with those bad job numbers this week, that's very much on the president's mind. He has been admitting that it's not where he wants it to be either, but saying that his policies can create some type of improvement.
As I mentioned, on Tuesday, he'll be back on the campaign trail. He's be off on a seven day swing through the country. Deborah.
FEYERICK: Jill, a lot of stamina needed for that campaign. Thank you very much. Appreciate it.
Well, this programming note. Our Larry King will have an exclusive interview with President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush on Thursday. It's expected to be a very special hour of live candid talk with the first couple. The show starts as always, Thursday at 9:00 Eastern.
The Democrats say they're not taking any votes for granted. John Kerry and John Edwards are on a campaign swing through the southwest this weekend. Their train trip, which started in Missouri, roared into Colorado today. Kerry campaign officials say the presidential hopefuls wants to show rural communities that he cares and he's doing it by bus, by train, by boat. Kerry and Edwards planning to go coast- to-coast, visiting voters in 21 states. From Colorado the Democratic duo heads to New Mexico for another rally tonight.
Checking other news across America, the FAA says there were no survivors when two private planes collided over Kinnelon, New Jersey today. The crash killed three people in one plane and two in another. No one was hurt on the ground.
Police in Phoenix, Arizona say a convenience store surveillance video hasn't yet helped them nab a suspect in a robbery last month. Take a look at this, but it did give them a disturbing glimpse of public apathy. During the hold-up, two customers kept browsing in the store, third waited for the hooded armed robber to finish so he could buy his items. An employee held the door for the hold up man and nobody tried to call for help.
Police in Los Angeles are investigating a break-in at Paris Hilton's rented home in the Hollywood hills. The media celeb says burglars cleaned her out of cash and jewelry.
A jobs bombshell for the White House and Wall Street, lower than expected job numbers triggered a major sell-off in the stock market and sent the White House scrambling to put a positive spin on the figures. Kathleen Hays reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KATHLEEN HAYS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Shock, disbelief and a swift sell-off in the stock market, the reaction to a stunningly small increase of new jobs in July. Just 32,000 when in an increase of more than 200,000 was widely expected.
PHIL FLYNN, ALARON TRADING: It was unbelievable. It's like somebody ran a truck through here.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well if June was a disappointment, July is downright depressing.
HAYS: The job market which looked bright last spring, has suddenly run out of steam. As for the past four months, the jobs increases have been getting smaller.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's going to be pretty hard to put a smiley face on this one.
HAYS: The president's top advisers insisted the economy is moving in the right direction.
JOHN SNOW, TREASURY SECRETARY: As we've seen for the last year, 11 straight months of job creation, the highest GDP growth rates in 20 years. So the American economy remains strong and sound and on a good path.
HAYS: The unemployment rate, which is calculated separately from the numbers on job creation, inched down to 5.5 percent.
ELAINE CHAO, LABOR SECRETARY: This is lower than the average unemployment rate in the decade of the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.
HAYS: But even the Labor Department says the number of new jobs is a better barometer of where the economy is heading and with hourly wages growing less than 2 percent over the past year and soaring energy prices eating away at people's paychecks, some speculate that the lack of jobs may be George Bush's Achilles heel come November.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: With these wage trends, with these price trends, with these oil trends, with these job trends, this makes it a tough argument for the incumbent.
HAYS: Here's a potential plus for the president, an increase in manufacturing jobs in July. That's a big deal in many of the battleground states where so many factory jobs have disappeared. Kathleen Hays, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FEYERICK: Finding a few good men and women, a not so easy mission for the U.S military. But up next, see some of the young people who say they're up to the task.
Plus, eye on (ph) Athens, two friends, one passion heading to their homeland for an Olympic dream.
And coming up at 4:30 Eastern, 1:30 Pacific, saving for your child's education. E-mail your questions to us here at dollarsigns@cnn.com or call 1-800-807-2620. We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
FEYERICK: "Dollar Signs" will start in about five minutes. So keep on e-mailing us your questions at dollarsigns@cnn.com or call us at 1 800 807-2620.
The United States has lost nearly 1,000 troops in Iraq, more than 100 in Afghanistan. It has thousands of men and women who put their lives at risk everyday. How do ongoing conflicts affect recruiting? CNN senior Pentagon correspondent Jamie McIntyre has been looking into that.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN SR. PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Who wants a job that requires long days far from home under uncomfortable conditions? Oh, and you could also die at any time. It turns out, quite a few do. Take 17-year-old Joshua Brunais, a high school senior, who, despite his slight build, aspires to be an Army ranger.
JOSHUA BRUNAIS, U.S. ARMY RECRUIT: Joining the army, as you know, there is a possibility that you can be deployed. So I have no worries.
MCINTYRE: There is also a possibility you can be killed.
BRUNAIS: At least I know I'm serving my country (INAUDIBLE).
MCINTYRE: 21-year-old David Williams also walked into the Army recruiting station in Woodbridge, Virginia and walked out a private first class.
PFC DAVID WILLIAMS, U.S. ARMY: My dad has raised me to love this country. I love the freedoms we enjoy and I'm ready to defend them.
MCINTYRE: The Army insists Williams is the rule not an exception. Still, worried the stress of combat will scare off fresh recruits and prompt an exodus of battle weary veterans, the Army is adding some 300 recruiters to offices across the country, an arming them with higher bonuses, up to $15,000 in some cases they can use to lure potential prospects. While the active army and reserve are on track to meet or exceed recruiting goals, the National Guard is lagging by several thousand soldiers.
SANDRA POWELL: These are the individuals that have actually already joined the military.
MCINTYRE: And recruiters like Sergeant First Class Sandra Powell could face bigger challenges next year because the army has been drawing on its pool of delayed entry recruits to make up for shortages this year. Still, Powell insists it's not mission impossible. Is it tougher recruiting when there are actual wars going on and people are actually dying in a war zone?
POWELL: I haven't seen our recruiting change either way. It hasn't gone up and it hasn't gone down. This is our principal at Hilton high school. They're very very helpful to us.
MCINTYRE: So why are young people buying the Army's pitch? Same reasons they always have says veteran recruiter Sergeant Amy Cervantes.
AMY CERVANTES: A lot of times it's for that college money, a lot of times it's to travel to get away from the area, the place that they grew up, lived in their whole lives.
MCINTYRE: Or as new recruit 21-year old Aaron Chandler put it, it's about living a life that matters.
AARON CHANDLER, U.S. ARMY RECRUIT: It's something I want to have and it will provide meaning so that when I am dying, I can look back and say my live had purpose.
MCINTYRE: Despite its continued recruiting success in a time of war, the Army is not complacent. It's well aware that too much strain on the force now could result in a crisis in the future. Army leaders insist the have their finger on the pulse of the all volunteer force and can do what's needed to make sure that doesn't happen. Jamie McIntrye, CNN, the Pentagon.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FEYERICK: Checking some stories from around the world. Kenya is observing the sixth anniversary of the 1998 U.S. embassy bombing that killed more than 288 people. Hundreds gathered at the site today to honor loved ones lost or wounded in the car bombing. Al Qaeda has been blamed for the attack.
Don't try to tell these Chinese soccer fans it's just a game. Hundreds gave riot police trouble after Japan won the Asia cup this evening in Beijing. Japan defended the politically charged cup with a 3-1 victory at workers' stadium.
Two Boston baseball fans are hoping to get a starring role in the big show, the Olympic show that is. They're trying to get a spot on the Greek team but they're facing some serious challenges. Neither one plays baseball professionally and they're both well, let's just say a little bit older than the average Olympian. Dan Lothian reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DAN LOTHIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Bill Galaitis is 50.
Life doesn't end at 50.
LOTHIAN: Chuck Samiotis (ph) is 48.
I feel like I'm 25.
LOTHIAN: Two best friends, business partners, diehard Red Sox fans and major league Olympic dreamers trying to prove that youth isn't the only ticket to Athens.
BILL GALAITIS, OLYMPIC HOPEFUL: I want to march out with that team in the opening ceremonies. I want to be able to play an inning.
CHUCK SAMIOTIS, OLYMPIC HOPEFUL: Single up the middle, that's my hit and then Bill comes up and Bill hits the home run and we both walk in across the plate.
LOTHIAN: They are pitching to make the Greek Olympic baseball team and play at least one inning even though they're just weekend athletes.
SAMIOTIS: All we ask is that one small opportunity to represent our country, heritage, and our parents and grandparents.
LOTHIAN: Galaitis and Samiotis have been instrumental in developing baseball in Greece, not a popular sport there. They built a field, trained young people, helped to recruit the country's top players, but they also love to play the game. For the past six years, it's been their passion to make the team. They got the idea after spotting an ad in a Greek-American newspaper. They talked about that moment over lunch at the Boston area restaurant both men own.
SAMIOTIS: And I put this article over his head just like this that said Greek seeks U.S. baseball players. He just looks at me and says we're doing it.
LOTHIAN: Even though their organized baseball experience is limited to Babe Ruth league, a couple of years of high school ball and a year of intercity play, they were undeterred. They began weight training four days a week. They hit hundreds of high speed baseballs on weekends. They've attended fantasy camps, even played in an all- star game in Greece.
Coaches were impressed. But despite their best efforts appealing to Greek baseball and Olympic officials, their letter writing campaigns, their high-powered friends, the dream of these business partners and best friends remains a long shot. The final cut is next week.
SAMIOTIS: We don't think we're going to embarrass anyone here.
GALAITIS: We can do it. All we're asking for is the chance.
LOTHIAN: A chance to turn their fantasy into reality on their Olympic field of dreams. Dan Lothian, CNN, Boston.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
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Aired August 7, 2004 - 16:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The Iraqi government extends an olive branch in the form of amnesty. But in Najaf, civilian casualties mount as the battle enters day three.
Plus, highway watch: Thousands of truck drivers get a lesson in fighting terrorism.
And then:
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All we ask is that one small opportunity to represent our country, our heritage and our parents and grandparents.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FEYERICK: Olympic dreams at any age. Meet two men who are hoping to make the Greek Olympic baseball team. Hello and welcome to CNN LIVE SATURDAY. I'm Deborah Feyerick. In half an hour, we're going to have saving for college, what you need to know. That's our topic, today on "Dollar Signs." Call us at 1 800 807-2620 or e-mail your questions to dollarsigns@cnn.com. "Dollar Signs" starts in half an hour, but first the headlines.
Florida sheriff's deputies are interviewing two people who they believe quote have some knowledge of who's responsible for a mass homicide in the town of Deltona. Six people died in what one investigator said was a very brutal killing. The bodies were found early Friday morning when one of the residents did not show up for work.
Five escapes from a privately run prison in Texas are still on the run today. The five were seen crawling under fences at the Correctional Services Corporation facility about 50 miles outside of San Antonio. They were Federal prisoners. One of the men is believed to be a high ranking member of the Mexican mafia.
A military hearing continues today for Private Lynndie England, accused in the Abu Ghraib abuse scandal. A judge is mulling over a defense witness list that includes Vice President Cheney and Defense Secretary Rumsfeld. Keeping you informed, CNN, the most trusted name in news.
The worst fighting in Najaf, Iraq, in months is diminishing but it is not over. The interim government is hoping a partial amnesty will help cool things off there and throughout the war torn country. CNN's John Vause has all the latest from Baghdad.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOHN VAUSE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Day three of the battle for Najaf and the mufti (ph) army, the militia loyal to the radical Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr is holding out against U.S. Marines and Iraqi forces. Casualties are mounting, especially civilians. Doctors say at least 21 have been killed so far, more than 120 wounded. After fierce fighting too in Sadr city, a poor neighborhood in Baghdad, the mufti army remains defiant and to the south in Basra and Amara (ph), British troops have also come under fire.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): The mehdi army launched an attack and hit with an iron fist all the plotters against Moqtada al-Sadr now Amara province is under our full control.
VAUSE: But Iraq's interim prime minister says these men are either common street criminals or foreign fighters.
AYAD ALLAWI, IRAQI INTERIM PRIME MINISTER (Through Translator): What has occurred in Najaf throughout the past 48 hours is quite pitiful at a time when we are endlessly working on improving our nation's economy and security.
VAUSE: The outbreak of fighting is the worst in Iraq in months and a leading Shiite cleric says, so far, no one is talking cease- fire.
ALLAWI (through translator): People were killed. Public and private properties were looted. We must do something. We must act, put an end to what is going on.
VAUSE: To try and bring an end to the lawlessness and chaos, the government here is offering an amnesty, those involved in minor crimes, possession of weapons, explosives, withholding information, now have 30 days to turn themselves in to receive a pardon.
ALLAWI (through translator): This order has been established to allow our citizen to rejoin a civil society and participate in the reconstruction of their country.
VAUSE (on-camera): The amnesty is unlikely to convince Iraqi insurgents to lay down their weapons. Those who committed serious crimes like murder or kidnap will not be pardoned but rather the interim Iraqi prime minister says they'll face prosecution. John Vause, CNN, Baghdad.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FEYERICK: Al-Jazeera won't be reporting from its Baghdad headquarters on the latest strife in Iraq. The government confirms it has closed the Arab TV network's office in the capital in the interest of national security. Iraqi accuses al-Jazeera of being a mouthpiece for terrorists and criminal groups. Al-Jazeera calls the shutdown a disappointing, unwarranted and unjustifiable breach of press freedom and free expression in Iraq. A network spokesman denies al-Jazeera incites violence.
An Indian diplomat said the way has reportedly been cleared for the release of seven hostages in Iraq, but he adds there's no word that the captives from India, Kenya and Egypt are actually free. Militants who kidnapped the seven truckers last month have several demands. One is a promise by the hostages' Kuwaiti employer to stop doing business in Iraq.
U.S. government sources tell CNN intercepted chatter between suspected terrorists has dropped off but that it's not reassuring. The same thing happened before 9/11. The new concern comes as investigators pursue fresh leads from the latest arrest of terror suspects. CNN's Tom Foreman has the wrap up.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TOM FOREMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In what appears to be a very big week in the war on terror, suspects have been snatched up around the globe. In Pakistan and Britain more than a dozen men identified as al Qaeda operatives were grabbed including one described as the head of operations in the U.K. and authorities reveal that they have found phone numbers, e-mail addresses and hundreds of leads to other suspected terrorists.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The threats we're dealing with are real. Therefore we must do everything we can to ferret out the truth and follow leads.
FOREMAN: The week started awkwardly, with new warnings about possible attacks on U.S. financial institutions, triggering additional security measures and fears.
TOM RIDGE, HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: This afternoon, we do have new and unusually specific information about where al Qaeda would like to attack.
FOREMAN: When word got out that some of the information was three years old, the president was accused of political fear mongering.
HOWARD DEAN (D) FMR PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The president himself has said that he ought to be reelected because of the terrible terrorist danger. I don't see what's the big deal about this. It's obvious that politics has something to do with this.
FOREMAN: The administration flatly denies that accusation and says terrorists have been updating their information on potential U.S. targets this year. In addition, information was released about possible terrorist surveillance of an American warship. And government sources say the intelligence taken from the suspected terrorists includes pictures of five financial institutions in the U.S. The arrests in Pakistan were key to all of this information but it is not clear how much further this latest intelligence may lead.
TOM SANDERSON, CENTER FOR STRATEGIC INTL STUDIES: This could be blowing the cover of one small cell that happened to have a unit in Pakistan and a unit in London or it could be a network of 15 cells and at this point we have taken down two of the 15 remains to be seen.
FOREMAN: And then there were the wildcards. In Albany, New York, two men were arrested at a local mosque as part of an FBI sting implicated in a plot to sell a shoulder-fired missile. In Chicago an allegedly plan to blow up a Federal building was revealed and in Britain, a man appeared in court on charges to using the Internet to finance terrorism. Tom Foreman, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FEYERICK: The code orange security alert for Washington D.C. has disrupted traffic downtown and angered some local officials. Plans have now been announced by the Secret Service for more traffic clogging security around the White House and Treasury building. CNN's Brian Todd has that.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Just about everyday there seems to be a new barricade up somewhere, a sidewalk closed, a couple of streets blocked off. Capitol Hill police are working 12- hour shifts with one day off a week. There are 14 checkpoints just on Capitol Hill and every vehicle is being stopped. Of course traffic gets bogged down at certain points, but that's not unusual under normal circumstances and most residents and commuters we spoke to are taking it all in stride.
DAVE WALKER, CAPITOL HILL INTERN: There's stuff you got to do. I mean it's a pain for everybody. But even if it stops one single attack, it's definitely worth it.
TODD: But there is tension at high levels. City officials have been irate all week charging the Federal government didn't consult them about some high-profile security moves and railing about the economic impact.
ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON (D) D.C. DELEGATE: You do those checkpoints long enough, you will bring down the economy of the District of Columbia. This is a tourist town. What we're doing is sending signals, hey, don't come here. You can't get around. Besides it must be dangerous or they wouldn't be doing that. No such thing, they're doing it to cover their rear end.
TODD: Capitol Hill police had no comment on Norton's assertion. D.C. police chief Charles Ramsey has voiced concern about some of the moves by Federal officials, but he says the increased level of alert and its results so far have to be seen as positive.
CHIEF CHARLES RAMSEY, D.C. METROPOLITAN POLICE: But you also have to bear in mind that the whole object of an orange alert or higher, the whole object of our putting in extra security measure is to keep something from happening. So it's good news when nothing blows up, not bad news.
TODD: But Chief Ramsey and homeland security officials make it clear this higher level of alert may well extend past the November elections, possibly even longer. Brian Todd, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FEYERICK: Government officials say the latest terror threats include the possibility of car or truck bombs and searching for suspects in a nation filled with cars, trucks and highways is a daunting task. But now a novel program is adding several hundred thousand pairs of eyes to the nation's first line of defense. Alina Cho reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Every time Scott Harris climbs into his truck, every time he's on the road, he's watching for anything that seems suspicious.
SCOTT HARRIS: A truck that would be underneath this railroad trestle, you would keep an eye out for that.
CHO: Harris has been driving trucks for 19 years. He knows what to watch for because he's been through this.
UNIDENTIFIED TEACHER: We're looking to make you more aware of security threats.
CHO: Highway watch, a class for truck drivers, teaching them what to look out for when they're on the road.
UNIDENTIFIED TEACHER: If you spot suspicious activity we want to know about it.
CHO: Everything from a lesson on chemical threats...
UNIDENTIFIED TEACHER: Serin is a nerve type gas.
CHO: ... to getting in the mind of a terrorist.
UNIDENTIFIED TEACHER: This is what the bad guys are up to.
CHO: Take this al Qaeda training tape.
UNIDENTIFIED TEACHER: When driving down the road, are you going to see a pickup truck with a tarp over it? Who knows? Who knows. These kind of things, just to kind of put a spark in your mind.
CHO: The goal is simple.
JOHN WILLARD, AMERICAN TRUCKING ASSOCIATION: Make the trucking industry safe, try to ensure that no truck is ever used as a weapon.
CHO: Trucks have been used as weapons before. The first World Trade Center attack, Oklahoma City. Now police are hoping watchful drivers can be a first line of defense, like in 2002 when a trucker called in a tip that led to the arrest of the Washington D.C. sniper.
(on-camera): So far 10,000 truckers have gone through this program. The Department of Homeland Security recently announced a $19 million grant to train 400,000 more truckers and as many pairs of eyes.
(voice-over): There are more than 3 million truckers in the U.S. people like Tim Maryniak, who says truck drivers work 24/7.
TIM MARYNIAK, TRUCKER: So we sort of become a security blanket for people while they're asleep.
CHO: Others says post 9/11 patriotism plays a roll. Joe Todd drives for Wal-Mart
JOE TODD, TRUCKER: I'm American and I have a lot of pride and I take a lot of pride in what I do.
CHO: Scott Harris says --
HARRIS: He more observant of your surroundings.
CHO: It could help save lives. Alina Cho, CNN, Albany, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FEYERICK: Where are all the jobs and why have stocks headed south? Up next, the somber July job report and what it could mean for President Bush.
Plus, signing up to serve. You'd think dangerous times would mean low turnout but some young folks are out to prove that's not the case.
And later, saving for college, how to make it work for you or your child. Just e-mail your questions to dollarsigns@cnn.com or call us here at 1-800-807-2620. We look forward to hearing from you.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
FEYERICK: President Bush used his weekly radio address today for a grim public reminder that the war against terror is far from over. He's spending the weekend in Kennebunkport, Maine where he'll attend his nephew's wedding. Our Jill Dougherty is there. Jill, a little R&R, but maybe a good weekend to be out of Washington.
JILL DOUGHERTY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: A little Deborah, but it's really a brief respite because he'll be back on the campaign trail again, you can rest assured. There's no rose garden strategy here. As you mentioned, he is in town for this family wedding but first he went off fishing this morning and went off with his father, the former president and also with two of his daughters and lo and behold, his daughter, Jenna was the one who caught the fish, a 38 inch striped bass.
And they're here for the wedding - that's the wedding of George P. Bush. He is the nephew of the president, the son of the governor of Florida, Jeb Bush. As you mentioned, he is not campaigning today, but that situation came up obviously, his radio address and once again, he was talking about the issue of terrorism, saying that the nation is more secure than it was -- safer that it was on 9/11 but still not safe enough.
Also the economy, another issue that the president continues to talk about on the campaign trail. And a recent poll, a new "Time" magazine poll in fact shows that most voters, 27 percent of voters think the economy is the key issue in this election, 18 percent said the war on terrorism. And with those bad job numbers this week, that's very much on the president's mind. He has been admitting that it's not where he wants it to be either, but saying that his policies can create some type of improvement.
As I mentioned, on Tuesday, he'll be back on the campaign trail. He's be off on a seven day swing through the country. Deborah.
FEYERICK: Jill, a lot of stamina needed for that campaign. Thank you very much. Appreciate it.
Well, this programming note. Our Larry King will have an exclusive interview with President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush on Thursday. It's expected to be a very special hour of live candid talk with the first couple. The show starts as always, Thursday at 9:00 Eastern.
The Democrats say they're not taking any votes for granted. John Kerry and John Edwards are on a campaign swing through the southwest this weekend. Their train trip, which started in Missouri, roared into Colorado today. Kerry campaign officials say the presidential hopefuls wants to show rural communities that he cares and he's doing it by bus, by train, by boat. Kerry and Edwards planning to go coast- to-coast, visiting voters in 21 states. From Colorado the Democratic duo heads to New Mexico for another rally tonight.
Checking other news across America, the FAA says there were no survivors when two private planes collided over Kinnelon, New Jersey today. The crash killed three people in one plane and two in another. No one was hurt on the ground.
Police in Phoenix, Arizona say a convenience store surveillance video hasn't yet helped them nab a suspect in a robbery last month. Take a look at this, but it did give them a disturbing glimpse of public apathy. During the hold-up, two customers kept browsing in the store, third waited for the hooded armed robber to finish so he could buy his items. An employee held the door for the hold up man and nobody tried to call for help.
Police in Los Angeles are investigating a break-in at Paris Hilton's rented home in the Hollywood hills. The media celeb says burglars cleaned her out of cash and jewelry.
A jobs bombshell for the White House and Wall Street, lower than expected job numbers triggered a major sell-off in the stock market and sent the White House scrambling to put a positive spin on the figures. Kathleen Hays reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KATHLEEN HAYS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Shock, disbelief and a swift sell-off in the stock market, the reaction to a stunningly small increase of new jobs in July. Just 32,000 when in an increase of more than 200,000 was widely expected.
PHIL FLYNN, ALARON TRADING: It was unbelievable. It's like somebody ran a truck through here.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well if June was a disappointment, July is downright depressing.
HAYS: The job market which looked bright last spring, has suddenly run out of steam. As for the past four months, the jobs increases have been getting smaller.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's going to be pretty hard to put a smiley face on this one.
HAYS: The president's top advisers insisted the economy is moving in the right direction.
JOHN SNOW, TREASURY SECRETARY: As we've seen for the last year, 11 straight months of job creation, the highest GDP growth rates in 20 years. So the American economy remains strong and sound and on a good path.
HAYS: The unemployment rate, which is calculated separately from the numbers on job creation, inched down to 5.5 percent.
ELAINE CHAO, LABOR SECRETARY: This is lower than the average unemployment rate in the decade of the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.
HAYS: But even the Labor Department says the number of new jobs is a better barometer of where the economy is heading and with hourly wages growing less than 2 percent over the past year and soaring energy prices eating away at people's paychecks, some speculate that the lack of jobs may be George Bush's Achilles heel come November.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: With these wage trends, with these price trends, with these oil trends, with these job trends, this makes it a tough argument for the incumbent.
HAYS: Here's a potential plus for the president, an increase in manufacturing jobs in July. That's a big deal in many of the battleground states where so many factory jobs have disappeared. Kathleen Hays, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FEYERICK: Finding a few good men and women, a not so easy mission for the U.S military. But up next, see some of the young people who say they're up to the task.
Plus, eye on (ph) Athens, two friends, one passion heading to their homeland for an Olympic dream.
And coming up at 4:30 Eastern, 1:30 Pacific, saving for your child's education. E-mail your questions to us here at dollarsigns@cnn.com or call 1-800-807-2620. We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
FEYERICK: "Dollar Signs" will start in about five minutes. So keep on e-mailing us your questions at dollarsigns@cnn.com or call us at 1 800 807-2620.
The United States has lost nearly 1,000 troops in Iraq, more than 100 in Afghanistan. It has thousands of men and women who put their lives at risk everyday. How do ongoing conflicts affect recruiting? CNN senior Pentagon correspondent Jamie McIntyre has been looking into that.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN SR. PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Who wants a job that requires long days far from home under uncomfortable conditions? Oh, and you could also die at any time. It turns out, quite a few do. Take 17-year-old Joshua Brunais, a high school senior, who, despite his slight build, aspires to be an Army ranger.
JOSHUA BRUNAIS, U.S. ARMY RECRUIT: Joining the army, as you know, there is a possibility that you can be deployed. So I have no worries.
MCINTYRE: There is also a possibility you can be killed.
BRUNAIS: At least I know I'm serving my country (INAUDIBLE).
MCINTYRE: 21-year-old David Williams also walked into the Army recruiting station in Woodbridge, Virginia and walked out a private first class.
PFC DAVID WILLIAMS, U.S. ARMY: My dad has raised me to love this country. I love the freedoms we enjoy and I'm ready to defend them.
MCINTYRE: The Army insists Williams is the rule not an exception. Still, worried the stress of combat will scare off fresh recruits and prompt an exodus of battle weary veterans, the Army is adding some 300 recruiters to offices across the country, an arming them with higher bonuses, up to $15,000 in some cases they can use to lure potential prospects. While the active army and reserve are on track to meet or exceed recruiting goals, the National Guard is lagging by several thousand soldiers.
SANDRA POWELL: These are the individuals that have actually already joined the military.
MCINTYRE: And recruiters like Sergeant First Class Sandra Powell could face bigger challenges next year because the army has been drawing on its pool of delayed entry recruits to make up for shortages this year. Still, Powell insists it's not mission impossible. Is it tougher recruiting when there are actual wars going on and people are actually dying in a war zone?
POWELL: I haven't seen our recruiting change either way. It hasn't gone up and it hasn't gone down. This is our principal at Hilton high school. They're very very helpful to us.
MCINTYRE: So why are young people buying the Army's pitch? Same reasons they always have says veteran recruiter Sergeant Amy Cervantes.
AMY CERVANTES: A lot of times it's for that college money, a lot of times it's to travel to get away from the area, the place that they grew up, lived in their whole lives.
MCINTYRE: Or as new recruit 21-year old Aaron Chandler put it, it's about living a life that matters.
AARON CHANDLER, U.S. ARMY RECRUIT: It's something I want to have and it will provide meaning so that when I am dying, I can look back and say my live had purpose.
MCINTYRE: Despite its continued recruiting success in a time of war, the Army is not complacent. It's well aware that too much strain on the force now could result in a crisis in the future. Army leaders insist the have their finger on the pulse of the all volunteer force and can do what's needed to make sure that doesn't happen. Jamie McIntrye, CNN, the Pentagon.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FEYERICK: Checking some stories from around the world. Kenya is observing the sixth anniversary of the 1998 U.S. embassy bombing that killed more than 288 people. Hundreds gathered at the site today to honor loved ones lost or wounded in the car bombing. Al Qaeda has been blamed for the attack.
Don't try to tell these Chinese soccer fans it's just a game. Hundreds gave riot police trouble after Japan won the Asia cup this evening in Beijing. Japan defended the politically charged cup with a 3-1 victory at workers' stadium.
Two Boston baseball fans are hoping to get a starring role in the big show, the Olympic show that is. They're trying to get a spot on the Greek team but they're facing some serious challenges. Neither one plays baseball professionally and they're both well, let's just say a little bit older than the average Olympian. Dan Lothian reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DAN LOTHIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Bill Galaitis is 50.
Life doesn't end at 50.
LOTHIAN: Chuck Samiotis (ph) is 48.
I feel like I'm 25.
LOTHIAN: Two best friends, business partners, diehard Red Sox fans and major league Olympic dreamers trying to prove that youth isn't the only ticket to Athens.
BILL GALAITIS, OLYMPIC HOPEFUL: I want to march out with that team in the opening ceremonies. I want to be able to play an inning.
CHUCK SAMIOTIS, OLYMPIC HOPEFUL: Single up the middle, that's my hit and then Bill comes up and Bill hits the home run and we both walk in across the plate.
LOTHIAN: They are pitching to make the Greek Olympic baseball team and play at least one inning even though they're just weekend athletes.
SAMIOTIS: All we ask is that one small opportunity to represent our country, heritage, and our parents and grandparents.
LOTHIAN: Galaitis and Samiotis have been instrumental in developing baseball in Greece, not a popular sport there. They built a field, trained young people, helped to recruit the country's top players, but they also love to play the game. For the past six years, it's been their passion to make the team. They got the idea after spotting an ad in a Greek-American newspaper. They talked about that moment over lunch at the Boston area restaurant both men own.
SAMIOTIS: And I put this article over his head just like this that said Greek seeks U.S. baseball players. He just looks at me and says we're doing it.
LOTHIAN: Even though their organized baseball experience is limited to Babe Ruth league, a couple of years of high school ball and a year of intercity play, they were undeterred. They began weight training four days a week. They hit hundreds of high speed baseballs on weekends. They've attended fantasy camps, even played in an all- star game in Greece.
Coaches were impressed. But despite their best efforts appealing to Greek baseball and Olympic officials, their letter writing campaigns, their high-powered friends, the dream of these business partners and best friends remains a long shot. The final cut is next week.
SAMIOTIS: We don't think we're going to embarrass anyone here.
GALAITIS: We can do it. All we're asking for is the chance.
LOTHIAN: A chance to turn their fantasy into reality on their Olympic field of dreams. Dan Lothian, CNN, Boston.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
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