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President Bush Shown More Photos of Iraqi Prisoner Abuse; War in Afghanistan; Separate Lives: One School, Three Proms

Aired May 10, 2004 - 15:00   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.


MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: We begin this hour with praise and abuse, words and pictures in public and behind closed doors. President Bush today offered his embattled secretary of defense a public salute while promising a full accounting of the mistreatment of some Iraqi prisoners by some U.S. soldiers or interrogators. In private today, the president was shown more photographic evidence of that abuse, which will be the subject tomorrow of yet another round of hearings on Capitol Hill.
CNN's Dana Bash brings us up to date from the White House -- Dana.

DANA BASH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Miles. And aside from what the president had already seen that was in the media, this is the first time today that he actually did see some of the classified color photos of the Iraqi abuse, and he was shown those photos by the defense secretary and other officials while at the Pentagon.

Now, we are told that he saw more than a dozen photographs of images of abuse in Iraq. And a Pentagon official described them as humiliating, and even as pictures -- some of them as inappropriate behavior in sexual nature. But we are also told that he didn't see anything that would actually look like an act that is an actual rape, we are told, by the senior Pentagon official.

Now, back here at the White House, Mr. Bush's spokesman described the president's reaction this way...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Thank you for your leadership. You are courageously leading our nation in the war against terror. You are doing a superb job. You are a strong secretary of defense. And our nation owes you a debt of gratitude.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BASH: Now, that obviously was the president, and he was talking about his defense secretary, Donald Rumsfeld. Now, once again, let's listen to Scott McClellan, the White House press secretary, describing President Bush's reaction to seeing for the first time the color photographs at the Pentagon this morning.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) SCOTT MCCLELLAN, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: The president's reaction was one of deep disgust and disbelief that anyone who wears our uniform would engage in such shameful and appalling acts. It does not represent our United States military, and it does not represent the United States of America.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BASH: Now, during that meeting this morning, we are told that the president and top Pentagon officials did discuss the issue that's really been vexing both the White House and the Pentagon. That is, whether or not to release some or all of these photographs to the public. The issue at hand is whether or not to try to get ahead of the story, if you will, or to wait. And they understand many of these photographs will continue to leak out.

So the White House is saying essentially today that they are taking their cues from the Pentagon. That the Pentagon has issues they have to deal with, issues of privacy, issues about the fact that this is an ongoing investigation. So those are some of the things that the White House and the Pentagon are dealing with as they discuss this very important issue.

As Joe Johns was reporting earlier, Congress is likely to see these pictures in a short order. The White House is saying that they are trying to make them available to members of Congress to have them at least oversee these issues because that is obviously something that has been a problem in the past.

And last, Miles, you just heard earlier the president saying that he fully supports Secretary Rumsfeld. He stood by him in words and in images today at the Pentagon. But from the Pentagon, we are certainly hearing from aides to the defense secretary that he, certainly at this point, has no intention of resigning, but he is keeping his options open as he weighs whether or not he can be effective -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: CNN's Dana Bash at the White House -- thanks.

BASH: Thank you.

O'BRIEN: Kyra.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: No TV cameras or other recording devices will be allowed for the first court-martial connected to the prison scandal. Specialist Jeremy Sivits faces trial May 19 on charges that include mistreatment of prisoners and dereliction of duty. The trial is expected to last one or two days. Sivits is one of seven soldiers charged so far in the scandal at Abu Ghraib prison. His maximum possible sentence includes one year in prison and a bad conduct discharge.

Also today, lawyers representing another accused soldier are saying that their client was following orders. The attorneys appeared on "AMERICAN MORNING" on behalf of Private first Class Lynndie England.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GIORGIO RA'SHADD, PFC. ENGLAND'S ATTORNEY: What was going on was the prison command was taken over by the military intelligence and the civilian intelligence infrastructure, who were giving the instructions. And they told the folks there, the kids who were the actual MPs and the people in charge, that it was their responsibility, their duty to soften up the prisoners so that we would ensure there would not be another 9/11, so that we would ensure that another one of the military units would not be hit.

Those photos, many of the photos that you see involving our client are staged. They're psychological operation photos. Those were instructed, and the ones that weren't specifically instructed were inferred by the civilian intelligence people who essentially took control.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: The Army's official position is the abuse in Iraq was carried out by individuals, but there's several investigations now under way, which include a probe of military intelligence.

O'BRIEN: On the ground in Iraq, all that remains of an office belonging to radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr now on your screen. It is in the Baghdad suburb of Sadr City, where U.S. troops clashed with some of his followers overnight. Military officials say 35 members of the cleric's Mehdi militia were killed, a number disputed by that group.

In Fallujah, meanwhile, it looked more like a military parade today than a joint patrol. Coalition troops led by flag-waving members of the new Iraqi Civil Defense Corps. The group was formed in the hopes of convincing insurgents still hiding in Fallujah to lay down their weapons.

In southern Iraq, the pipeline's on fire, but oil is still flowing, we're told. Coalition officials say it was damaged in a terror attack on Wednesday. On average, 1.6 million barrels of oil pump through the pipeline on any given day. It's now down to about a million barrels a day.

PHILLIPS: Lest you forget, U.S. forces are also at war in Afghanistan. Two and a half years after the U.S. invasion and the Taliban's ouster, sizable chunks of that country are still or once again Taliban territory. And one of those is now being contested by U.S. Marines.

CNN's Nic Robertson is traveling with them and filed this remarkable report.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SR. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Tossed fields pink with opium-producing poppies across dusty deserts. And through ambush-prone mountain passes, U.S. Marines push deeper into Afghanistan's interior than they've ever been before to set up base where Taliban have been murdering government officials.

This day, though, the biggest battle, vehicle failure due to the tough terrain. At journey's end, a curious reception. No coalition force this size has been here chasing the Taliban before.

CAPT. JEFF BUFFA, U.S. MARINE CORPS: We've come up here to extend the security and stability of the area and to push further north into traditional strongholds and force them to think twice about trying to interfere with the Afghan way of life.

ROBERTSON: Flown in to aid the Marines, soldiers of the Afghan National Army. Their presence critical to help legitimatize the Afghan government. Provincial Governor Jan Mohammad, a battle-scarred former Mujahadin commander, also brought in to underline Afghan government control and marginalize the Taliban.

JAN MOHAMMAD, PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR (through translator): When we came, we found a burnt school here last night. This is Taliban policy. They don't want children to go to school.

ROBERTSON: The first steps, small, low-key patrols, getting to know the town.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They get rice and potatoes that go through this guy...

ROBERTSON: And bargaining in the bazaar for supplies, all designed to show they're here to stay and help. Within hours, Afghan flags not visible when the Marines arrive, flying over the town.

(on camera): Marine commanders describe this town as being a high-threat, high-risk environment. The real risk, they say, however, is that if they don't come here, they won't be able to convince Afghans they're serious about providing security.

(voice-over): At their new base, moving in has an urgency, with known Taliban strongholds not far away. The next few days will be the most vulnerable for these Marines.

Nic Robertson, CNN, Afghanistan.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: One school, three separate proms. One for White students, one for black students, and this year, one for Hispanic students. Truly remarkable.

PHILLIPS: Also ahead, the $213 million question: who's holding America's remarkable winning powerball ticket?

O'BRIEN: And later, not your everyday FedEx delivery. This one apparently has nine lives. Beyond remarkable.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: News across America now. Trial date set. Sources are telling CNN the judge has set an August trial date for the Kobe Bryant rape case. Bryant is expected to enter a not guilty plea at the end of a three-day hearing that began today.

A reported confession in New Jersey. A prosecutor says former nurse Charles Cullen has confessed to killing a 91-year-old woman at a New Jersey hospital 11 years ago. Cullen pleaded guilty last month to 13 counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder.

Late honors for a Vietnam POW. Captain Edward Brodno's (ph) name was added to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington today. It wasn't without controversy. Brodno (ph) committed suicide months after returning from Vietnam.

Some didn't think he deserved the honor. But Brodo's (ph) brother argued his death was directly related to his capture.

PHILLIPS: Prom night, an evening for corsages, rented tuxes, dancing, and all-night after parties. But in one small Georgia town, race is casting a shadow (ph) over hallowed high school tradition. CNN's Eric Philips reports from the town with three proms.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ERIC PHILIPS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): April 24th was prom night for students at Toombs County High School in Lions, Georgia. So was May 7th, and also May 8th. One school, three proms. One predominantly African-American. The second, predominantly White. The last, catering to Hispanic students.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's just the way it's always been here.

PHILIPS: Well, almost. For years, people in this rural town in southeast Georgia sponsored two private proms. One drawing a White crowd, the other, mostly black. This year, a third private prom was added for Hispanics. A move some believe to be both positive and negative.

YURI FLORES, JUNIOR TOOMBS COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL: I'm glad because we just have our own, and sad because it has to be this way. It can't be just one together.

PHILIPS: The spark to organize the Hispanic prom was ignited when high school junior Yuri Flores says a member of the committee sponsoring the predominantly White prom made a racist comment.

FLORES: "What part of 'White prom' don't you understand?"

PHILIPS: Prom committee member Ashley Rallins says she's not been able to identify anyone in the group who made that comment. But, she says, three promise is not a bad thing.

ASHLEY RALLINS, JUNIOR, TOOMBS CO. HIGH SCHOOL: It offers us more of an opportunity to experience different atmospheres. If we're all at three separate parties, we have the option to go to all three. ANNA ROSA PEREZ, JUNIOR, TOOMBS, CO. HIGH SCHOOL: You don't feel right, you know, going somewhere where you don't feel wanted. You can tell when you don't feel wanted.

PHILIPS: The problem is one result of rapidly changing demographics and lines, as Mexican migrant workers harvesting vidalia onions and other crops are settling here and making it home.

Many believe there are two possible solutions. The first is to have one school-sponsored prom. But the principal says he's under no obligation by the school board to act.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We don't have a policy. And until they establish sufficient a policy, I will not get involved.

PHILIPS: Another way the situation could change is if the community came together and sponsored one prom. Students we spoke with say they'd like that.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think it's time they should be changed.

PHILIPS: But they say some parents would take issue.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You got them certain people in school whose parents are, you know, racist, and it just wouldn't happen.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's a hidden thing, and it's exposed in times like these.

PHILIPS: Times like these when one night, or in this case, three nights, will create memories that last a lifetime.

Eric Philips, CNN, Lions, Georgia.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

O'BRIEN: Well, still no word on that lucky winner of Saturday's $213 million Powerball jackpot. Are you in?

PHILLIPS: I am not in. I have bad luck.

O'BRIEN: Because you've got to play to win.

A single winning ticket was purchased in eastern Pennsylvania. The winner will have to decide whether to take the full amount spread over 29 years or, as we always tell you, take the lump sum, $110 million and change. Of course, you'll have to pay a little to Uncle Sam -- no, you'll pay a lot to Uncle Sam. But so what? You'll still be rich.

All right. They're saying so long to the sausage lady in Milwaukee. I'm getting misty just thinking about it.

She's retiring from the annual sausage race. Actually, it's more than annual. They run that frequently throughout the season there in Milwaukee.

Of course, you'll remember Mandy Block. She was inside the sausage suit when the player gave her the "Sopranos" treatment as she scurried by, giving the bratwurst the lead there. Her assailant, first baseman Randall Simon, apologized several times, suspended for three days, and was fined inexplicably $432.

Mandy Block says she is going off to study psychology at the University of Wisconsin. Worry not. Someone less qualified will undoubtedly fill her shoes.

PHILLIPS: All right. Checking entertainment headlines this Monday, May 10, was it an episode or "Survivor" or "The Bachelorette?" Miles, weren't you watching?

O'BRIEN: No. Hate this show.

PHILLIPS: She won $1 million during "Survivor's" all-stars. Now, the guy who came in second place, Boston Rob Marino (ph)...

O'BRIEN: And they love each other because it says "I love Rob" on her T-shirt.

PHILLIPS: He proposed. She said yes, blah, blah, blah. You know that old saying, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em?

O'BRIEN: And you were watching it?

PHILLIPS: I've actually never seen it.

O'BRIEN: You TiVo'd it?

PHILLIPS: No, no.

O'BRIEN: OK.

PHILLIPS: I've never seen it.

O'BRIEN: All right. Onward.

PHILLIPS: A lot of people happy, though, obviously.

O'BRIEN: Yes.

PHILLIPS: I love Miles. I'm going to wear a T-shirt like that.

O'BRIEN: Would you?

PHILLIPS: Hugh Jackman getting ready for double duty. Not only is he hosting the Tony Awards on June 6, he's been nominated in the outstanding actor category for the musical "The Boy from Oz." I want to see this.

The musical's "Wicked" and it's picked up the most nominations. They have 17 among them. And if you didn't think (UNINTELLIGIBLE) was animated enough, he may be lampooning himself for the Cartoon Network. Outkast (UNINTELLIGIBLE) once worked as an illustrator. What's that they say about art imitating life?

O'BRIEN: All right.

All right, this is the kind of story Kyra and I love when we toil in the vineyards of local news. The assignment editor tells us to go get the story of the FedExed cat. We roll our eyes and roll out the door, hoping it will be all right. Well, Erin Cox of WTNH in Connecticut got that assignment the other day, and she came back with the goods.

PHILLIPS: Poor thing.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ERIN COX, WTNH (voice-over): Juliana (ph) is always looking for her cats, 12 in all, each one rescued.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Some of them are not so fortunate to find homes for, and they end up staying here.

COX: This cat tale begins Juliana (ph) packing a box, returning furniture. The cats were curious.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The cats decided that would be a really fun place to play, being cats. And they're jumping in and out of the box.

COX: She thought the box was feline free.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Shut the box, looked around, saw Belle (ph), saw Squeak (ph), and sealed the box up.

COX: So FedEx takes the box from the front steps. And with three black and white cats, it's 24 hours before Juliana (ph) realizes Pip (ph) is missing.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: All of a sudden, it just hit me, oh my god, he's in the box.

COX: A frantic call to FedEx.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I sealed my cat up in a box, and he has been FedExed. I spent a very nervous day, said a lot of prayers.

COX: The box carrying the cat is traced to Indianapolis.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Opened the box and rescued Pip (ph). Two days he was in the box. It was a big box, though.

COX (on camera): So once Pip (ph) is rescued from the box, FedEx can't just send it back. So the FedEX employee brings Pip (ph) to his Indianapolis home and then to a veterinarian so the cat has the right paperwork to be put on a plane and flown to Providence, Rhode Island. Then Pip (ph) is picked up and driven back here.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He's gotten around. He's been in more states than I have.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: All right. I tried to quiet the news room for Judy Woodruff.

PHILLIPS: After seeing that piece a few times, you sort of get a little distracted. OK.

O'BRIEN: Yes, I was trying to help out, because Judy is right across the news room.

PHILLIPS: Now, Judy, if it gets loud, just throw things at people.

O'BRIEN: I was just sending a message to somebody near you to kind of quiet down a little, because it is a little distracting there. It's not a problem for me because I'm already distracted, as everybody knows.

JUDY WOODRUFF, HOST: We're all distracted.

O'BRIEN: All right, Judy.

WOODRUFF: Miles, Kyra, thank you.

O'BRIEN: All right.

WOODRUFF: Moving right along, President Bush standing by his defense secretary. But what do Americans think about Donald Rumsfeld? And how shocked are they over the Iraqi prisoner abuse scandal? I'll take a look at brand new poll numbers when I go "INSIDE POLITICS" in three minutes.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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Aired May 10, 2004 - 15:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: We begin this hour with praise and abuse, words and pictures in public and behind closed doors. President Bush today offered his embattled secretary of defense a public salute while promising a full accounting of the mistreatment of some Iraqi prisoners by some U.S. soldiers or interrogators. In private today, the president was shown more photographic evidence of that abuse, which will be the subject tomorrow of yet another round of hearings on Capitol Hill.
CNN's Dana Bash brings us up to date from the White House -- Dana.

DANA BASH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Miles. And aside from what the president had already seen that was in the media, this is the first time today that he actually did see some of the classified color photos of the Iraqi abuse, and he was shown those photos by the defense secretary and other officials while at the Pentagon.

Now, we are told that he saw more than a dozen photographs of images of abuse in Iraq. And a Pentagon official described them as humiliating, and even as pictures -- some of them as inappropriate behavior in sexual nature. But we are also told that he didn't see anything that would actually look like an act that is an actual rape, we are told, by the senior Pentagon official.

Now, back here at the White House, Mr. Bush's spokesman described the president's reaction this way...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Thank you for your leadership. You are courageously leading our nation in the war against terror. You are doing a superb job. You are a strong secretary of defense. And our nation owes you a debt of gratitude.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BASH: Now, that obviously was the president, and he was talking about his defense secretary, Donald Rumsfeld. Now, once again, let's listen to Scott McClellan, the White House press secretary, describing President Bush's reaction to seeing for the first time the color photographs at the Pentagon this morning.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) SCOTT MCCLELLAN, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: The president's reaction was one of deep disgust and disbelief that anyone who wears our uniform would engage in such shameful and appalling acts. It does not represent our United States military, and it does not represent the United States of America.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BASH: Now, during that meeting this morning, we are told that the president and top Pentagon officials did discuss the issue that's really been vexing both the White House and the Pentagon. That is, whether or not to release some or all of these photographs to the public. The issue at hand is whether or not to try to get ahead of the story, if you will, or to wait. And they understand many of these photographs will continue to leak out.

So the White House is saying essentially today that they are taking their cues from the Pentagon. That the Pentagon has issues they have to deal with, issues of privacy, issues about the fact that this is an ongoing investigation. So those are some of the things that the White House and the Pentagon are dealing with as they discuss this very important issue.

As Joe Johns was reporting earlier, Congress is likely to see these pictures in a short order. The White House is saying that they are trying to make them available to members of Congress to have them at least oversee these issues because that is obviously something that has been a problem in the past.

And last, Miles, you just heard earlier the president saying that he fully supports Secretary Rumsfeld. He stood by him in words and in images today at the Pentagon. But from the Pentagon, we are certainly hearing from aides to the defense secretary that he, certainly at this point, has no intention of resigning, but he is keeping his options open as he weighs whether or not he can be effective -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: CNN's Dana Bash at the White House -- thanks.

BASH: Thank you.

O'BRIEN: Kyra.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: No TV cameras or other recording devices will be allowed for the first court-martial connected to the prison scandal. Specialist Jeremy Sivits faces trial May 19 on charges that include mistreatment of prisoners and dereliction of duty. The trial is expected to last one or two days. Sivits is one of seven soldiers charged so far in the scandal at Abu Ghraib prison. His maximum possible sentence includes one year in prison and a bad conduct discharge.

Also today, lawyers representing another accused soldier are saying that their client was following orders. The attorneys appeared on "AMERICAN MORNING" on behalf of Private first Class Lynndie England.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GIORGIO RA'SHADD, PFC. ENGLAND'S ATTORNEY: What was going on was the prison command was taken over by the military intelligence and the civilian intelligence infrastructure, who were giving the instructions. And they told the folks there, the kids who were the actual MPs and the people in charge, that it was their responsibility, their duty to soften up the prisoners so that we would ensure there would not be another 9/11, so that we would ensure that another one of the military units would not be hit.

Those photos, many of the photos that you see involving our client are staged. They're psychological operation photos. Those were instructed, and the ones that weren't specifically instructed were inferred by the civilian intelligence people who essentially took control.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: The Army's official position is the abuse in Iraq was carried out by individuals, but there's several investigations now under way, which include a probe of military intelligence.

O'BRIEN: On the ground in Iraq, all that remains of an office belonging to radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr now on your screen. It is in the Baghdad suburb of Sadr City, where U.S. troops clashed with some of his followers overnight. Military officials say 35 members of the cleric's Mehdi militia were killed, a number disputed by that group.

In Fallujah, meanwhile, it looked more like a military parade today than a joint patrol. Coalition troops led by flag-waving members of the new Iraqi Civil Defense Corps. The group was formed in the hopes of convincing insurgents still hiding in Fallujah to lay down their weapons.

In southern Iraq, the pipeline's on fire, but oil is still flowing, we're told. Coalition officials say it was damaged in a terror attack on Wednesday. On average, 1.6 million barrels of oil pump through the pipeline on any given day. It's now down to about a million barrels a day.

PHILLIPS: Lest you forget, U.S. forces are also at war in Afghanistan. Two and a half years after the U.S. invasion and the Taliban's ouster, sizable chunks of that country are still or once again Taliban territory. And one of those is now being contested by U.S. Marines.

CNN's Nic Robertson is traveling with them and filed this remarkable report.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SR. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Tossed fields pink with opium-producing poppies across dusty deserts. And through ambush-prone mountain passes, U.S. Marines push deeper into Afghanistan's interior than they've ever been before to set up base where Taliban have been murdering government officials.

This day, though, the biggest battle, vehicle failure due to the tough terrain. At journey's end, a curious reception. No coalition force this size has been here chasing the Taliban before.

CAPT. JEFF BUFFA, U.S. MARINE CORPS: We've come up here to extend the security and stability of the area and to push further north into traditional strongholds and force them to think twice about trying to interfere with the Afghan way of life.

ROBERTSON: Flown in to aid the Marines, soldiers of the Afghan National Army. Their presence critical to help legitimatize the Afghan government. Provincial Governor Jan Mohammad, a battle-scarred former Mujahadin commander, also brought in to underline Afghan government control and marginalize the Taliban.

JAN MOHAMMAD, PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR (through translator): When we came, we found a burnt school here last night. This is Taliban policy. They don't want children to go to school.

ROBERTSON: The first steps, small, low-key patrols, getting to know the town.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They get rice and potatoes that go through this guy...

ROBERTSON: And bargaining in the bazaar for supplies, all designed to show they're here to stay and help. Within hours, Afghan flags not visible when the Marines arrive, flying over the town.

(on camera): Marine commanders describe this town as being a high-threat, high-risk environment. The real risk, they say, however, is that if they don't come here, they won't be able to convince Afghans they're serious about providing security.

(voice-over): At their new base, moving in has an urgency, with known Taliban strongholds not far away. The next few days will be the most vulnerable for these Marines.

Nic Robertson, CNN, Afghanistan.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: One school, three separate proms. One for White students, one for black students, and this year, one for Hispanic students. Truly remarkable.

PHILLIPS: Also ahead, the $213 million question: who's holding America's remarkable winning powerball ticket?

O'BRIEN: And later, not your everyday FedEx delivery. This one apparently has nine lives. Beyond remarkable.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: News across America now. Trial date set. Sources are telling CNN the judge has set an August trial date for the Kobe Bryant rape case. Bryant is expected to enter a not guilty plea at the end of a three-day hearing that began today.

A reported confession in New Jersey. A prosecutor says former nurse Charles Cullen has confessed to killing a 91-year-old woman at a New Jersey hospital 11 years ago. Cullen pleaded guilty last month to 13 counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder.

Late honors for a Vietnam POW. Captain Edward Brodno's (ph) name was added to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington today. It wasn't without controversy. Brodno (ph) committed suicide months after returning from Vietnam.

Some didn't think he deserved the honor. But Brodo's (ph) brother argued his death was directly related to his capture.

PHILLIPS: Prom night, an evening for corsages, rented tuxes, dancing, and all-night after parties. But in one small Georgia town, race is casting a shadow (ph) over hallowed high school tradition. CNN's Eric Philips reports from the town with three proms.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ERIC PHILIPS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): April 24th was prom night for students at Toombs County High School in Lions, Georgia. So was May 7th, and also May 8th. One school, three proms. One predominantly African-American. The second, predominantly White. The last, catering to Hispanic students.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's just the way it's always been here.

PHILIPS: Well, almost. For years, people in this rural town in southeast Georgia sponsored two private proms. One drawing a White crowd, the other, mostly black. This year, a third private prom was added for Hispanics. A move some believe to be both positive and negative.

YURI FLORES, JUNIOR TOOMBS COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL: I'm glad because we just have our own, and sad because it has to be this way. It can't be just one together.

PHILIPS: The spark to organize the Hispanic prom was ignited when high school junior Yuri Flores says a member of the committee sponsoring the predominantly White prom made a racist comment.

FLORES: "What part of 'White prom' don't you understand?"

PHILIPS: Prom committee member Ashley Rallins says she's not been able to identify anyone in the group who made that comment. But, she says, three promise is not a bad thing.

ASHLEY RALLINS, JUNIOR, TOOMBS CO. HIGH SCHOOL: It offers us more of an opportunity to experience different atmospheres. If we're all at three separate parties, we have the option to go to all three. ANNA ROSA PEREZ, JUNIOR, TOOMBS, CO. HIGH SCHOOL: You don't feel right, you know, going somewhere where you don't feel wanted. You can tell when you don't feel wanted.

PHILIPS: The problem is one result of rapidly changing demographics and lines, as Mexican migrant workers harvesting vidalia onions and other crops are settling here and making it home.

Many believe there are two possible solutions. The first is to have one school-sponsored prom. But the principal says he's under no obligation by the school board to act.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We don't have a policy. And until they establish sufficient a policy, I will not get involved.

PHILIPS: Another way the situation could change is if the community came together and sponsored one prom. Students we spoke with say they'd like that.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think it's time they should be changed.

PHILIPS: But they say some parents would take issue.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You got them certain people in school whose parents are, you know, racist, and it just wouldn't happen.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's a hidden thing, and it's exposed in times like these.

PHILIPS: Times like these when one night, or in this case, three nights, will create memories that last a lifetime.

Eric Philips, CNN, Lions, Georgia.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

O'BRIEN: Well, still no word on that lucky winner of Saturday's $213 million Powerball jackpot. Are you in?

PHILLIPS: I am not in. I have bad luck.

O'BRIEN: Because you've got to play to win.

A single winning ticket was purchased in eastern Pennsylvania. The winner will have to decide whether to take the full amount spread over 29 years or, as we always tell you, take the lump sum, $110 million and change. Of course, you'll have to pay a little to Uncle Sam -- no, you'll pay a lot to Uncle Sam. But so what? You'll still be rich.

All right. They're saying so long to the sausage lady in Milwaukee. I'm getting misty just thinking about it.

She's retiring from the annual sausage race. Actually, it's more than annual. They run that frequently throughout the season there in Milwaukee.

Of course, you'll remember Mandy Block. She was inside the sausage suit when the player gave her the "Sopranos" treatment as she scurried by, giving the bratwurst the lead there. Her assailant, first baseman Randall Simon, apologized several times, suspended for three days, and was fined inexplicably $432.

Mandy Block says she is going off to study psychology at the University of Wisconsin. Worry not. Someone less qualified will undoubtedly fill her shoes.

PHILLIPS: All right. Checking entertainment headlines this Monday, May 10, was it an episode or "Survivor" or "The Bachelorette?" Miles, weren't you watching?

O'BRIEN: No. Hate this show.

PHILLIPS: She won $1 million during "Survivor's" all-stars. Now, the guy who came in second place, Boston Rob Marino (ph)...

O'BRIEN: And they love each other because it says "I love Rob" on her T-shirt.

PHILLIPS: He proposed. She said yes, blah, blah, blah. You know that old saying, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em?

O'BRIEN: And you were watching it?

PHILLIPS: I've actually never seen it.

O'BRIEN: You TiVo'd it?

PHILLIPS: No, no.

O'BRIEN: OK.

PHILLIPS: I've never seen it.

O'BRIEN: All right. Onward.

PHILLIPS: A lot of people happy, though, obviously.

O'BRIEN: Yes.

PHILLIPS: I love Miles. I'm going to wear a T-shirt like that.

O'BRIEN: Would you?

PHILLIPS: Hugh Jackman getting ready for double duty. Not only is he hosting the Tony Awards on June 6, he's been nominated in the outstanding actor category for the musical "The Boy from Oz." I want to see this.

The musical's "Wicked" and it's picked up the most nominations. They have 17 among them. And if you didn't think (UNINTELLIGIBLE) was animated enough, he may be lampooning himself for the Cartoon Network. Outkast (UNINTELLIGIBLE) once worked as an illustrator. What's that they say about art imitating life?

O'BRIEN: All right.

All right, this is the kind of story Kyra and I love when we toil in the vineyards of local news. The assignment editor tells us to go get the story of the FedExed cat. We roll our eyes and roll out the door, hoping it will be all right. Well, Erin Cox of WTNH in Connecticut got that assignment the other day, and she came back with the goods.

PHILLIPS: Poor thing.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ERIN COX, WTNH (voice-over): Juliana (ph) is always looking for her cats, 12 in all, each one rescued.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Some of them are not so fortunate to find homes for, and they end up staying here.

COX: This cat tale begins Juliana (ph) packing a box, returning furniture. The cats were curious.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The cats decided that would be a really fun place to play, being cats. And they're jumping in and out of the box.

COX: She thought the box was feline free.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Shut the box, looked around, saw Belle (ph), saw Squeak (ph), and sealed the box up.

COX: So FedEx takes the box from the front steps. And with three black and white cats, it's 24 hours before Juliana (ph) realizes Pip (ph) is missing.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: All of a sudden, it just hit me, oh my god, he's in the box.

COX: A frantic call to FedEx.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I sealed my cat up in a box, and he has been FedExed. I spent a very nervous day, said a lot of prayers.

COX: The box carrying the cat is traced to Indianapolis.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Opened the box and rescued Pip (ph). Two days he was in the box. It was a big box, though.

COX (on camera): So once Pip (ph) is rescued from the box, FedEx can't just send it back. So the FedEX employee brings Pip (ph) to his Indianapolis home and then to a veterinarian so the cat has the right paperwork to be put on a plane and flown to Providence, Rhode Island. Then Pip (ph) is picked up and driven back here.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He's gotten around. He's been in more states than I have.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: All right. I tried to quiet the news room for Judy Woodruff.

PHILLIPS: After seeing that piece a few times, you sort of get a little distracted. OK.

O'BRIEN: Yes, I was trying to help out, because Judy is right across the news room.

PHILLIPS: Now, Judy, if it gets loud, just throw things at people.

O'BRIEN: I was just sending a message to somebody near you to kind of quiet down a little, because it is a little distracting there. It's not a problem for me because I'm already distracted, as everybody knows.

JUDY WOODRUFF, HOST: We're all distracted.

O'BRIEN: All right, Judy.

WOODRUFF: Miles, Kyra, thank you.

O'BRIEN: All right.

WOODRUFF: Moving right along, President Bush standing by his defense secretary. But what do Americans think about Donald Rumsfeld? And how shocked are they over the Iraqi prisoner abuse scandal? I'll take a look at brand new poll numbers when I go "INSIDE POLITICS" in three minutes.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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