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Talks Under Way For Transfer of Saddam Hussein to Iraq; National Veterans Wheelchair Games Begin

Aired June 15, 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.


KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back to LIVE FROM. I'm Kyra Phillips.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Miles O'Brien. Here's what is happening at this hour.

Soothing words for the markets today, fed Chairman Alan Greenspan issuing them at his confirmation hearing for a fifth term in office. Greenspan said, despite a big jump in inflation last month, the all- but-certain jump in interest rates is likely to be restrained, the stock market indices all running higher as a result.

John Kerry criticizes the Bush administration for running up the federal deficit. And he said, if elected president, he won't present the bill for the debt to middle Americans. Kerry spoke to the AFL-CIO in Atlantic City.

And President Bush salutes Afghanistan and its president, Hamid Karzai. After hosting the Afghan leader, Mr. Bush hailed Afghanistan's steps towards democracy. He also praised the progress of Afghan women, who were brutally repressed under the Taliban regime that the United States forces evicted.

PHILLIPS: We'll begin this hour in the not-too-distant future, 15 days, to be exact. Iraq has sovereignty again and preparing for, but probably not exercising control over Saddam Hussein.

Talks are under way between U.S. and Iraqi officials, some of whom seem to think the transfer will happen on or before the formal end of the U.S. occupation, June 30. But, the Bush administration says, not so fast. At a Rose Garden appearance with the visiting president of Afghanistan, President Bush says, today, security, not sovereignty, is paramount.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We're working with the Iraqi government on a couple of issues. One is the appropriate time for the transfer of Saddam Hussein. And, secondly, we're going to make sure there's appropriate security.

I mean, one thing, obviously, is that we don't want and I know the Iraqi interim government doesn't want is there to be lax security and for Saddam Hussein to somehow not stand trial for the horrendous murders and torture that he inflicted upon the Iraqi people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Holding and trying the fallen dictator is high on the incoming government's priority list, but so is stopping the brazen daily attacks on Iraqis, Iraqi infrastructure, and foreign contractors who are helping to rebuild it.

CNN's Christiane Amanpour is in Baghdad.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: There has been a great deal of confusion and controversy about the status of Saddam Hussein come June 30.

The ICRC, which monitors the status of prisoners of war and the compliance with the Geneva Convention, says that, in fact, the U.S. does have some grace period after the handover if, indeed, as the U.S. has determined, that hostilities continue, Saddam Hussein can be kept as a POW. But, if that is the case, then all the appropriate protections under the Geneva Conventions have to be fully accorded to him.

The U.S. could also certainly put him on trial or bring him to trial and charge him with any crimes that he may have committed either in custody or before. The U.S. could also hand him over to the interim Iraqi government. But that does not seem likely any time soon, even though the new interim Iraqi prime minister has made it very clear that that's what Iraq wants.

IYAD ALLAWI, IRAQI PRIME MINISTER-DESIGNATE: Definitely, we'll be trying our best to get custody of Saddam and the other criminals. We have so far some definite promises from the coalition this will be the case. The negotiations are under way and are progressing well.

AMANPOUR: Well, the coalition authorities here say that, in fact, there aren't negotiations on this issue. There are some discussions about it. And they just say, noncommittally, that they do hope to be able to hand Saddam over some time after June 30, after the transfer of sovereignty to the Iraqis.

The ICRC says that, eventually, the U.S. is going to have to hand him over unless -- because it might become politically unpalatable to keep holding Saddam Hussein once sovereignty and occupation -- once the occupation has officially ended. But we're told by human rights officials that, even if Saddam was handed over, they, the Iraqis, are not yet ready to put him on trial, because none of the trial process has been completed, right down from gathering forensic evidence to interviewing any potential witnesses against Saddam Hussein.

Now, at the same time, as the handover draws near, two weeks from now, there has been more violence. This has been already a very bloody week, and it's only its second day. Today, there was an attack on an international convoy, yet another one, near Baghdad Airport. This is what the occupation briefers told us today.

BRIG. GEN. MARK KIMMITT, U.S. DEPUTY CHIEF OF OPERATIONS: There was an attack against a three-vehicle convoy west of Baghdad over near the airport where two of the vehicles, I believe, had some persons in it that were killed. And there was a third vehicle which was able to continue driving towards the coalition base at -- nearby. I know that the persons in that vehicle were all safe. The vehicle was shot up a bit. We don't have the full report yet.

AMANPOUR: There was also violence in the south, some 16 kilometers away from the main southern town, city of Basra, near the port there.

There was an insurgent attack, we're told by the Oil Ministry, on a main Iraqi oil pipeline, severely disrupting the flow of Iraqi oil and, at the same time, affecting the imports that Iraq can get from its flow of oil to the outside. According to the Iraqi Oil Ministry, it could take seven to 10 days to fix it. It's not the first attack on the oil infrastructure, and it's causing severe disruptions on electricity and all sorts of utilities as well in this country.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: CNN's Christiane Amanpour in Baghdad.

The economy takes center stage on Capitol Hill, meanwhile. Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan spoke today about the future of the nation's economy before the Senate Banking Committee, which is considering his nomination for a fifth term in office. Greenspan made specific mention of one threat.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ALAN GREENSPAN, FEDERAL RESERVE CHAIRMAN: Going forward, we must remain prepared to deal with a wide range of events. Particularly notable in this regard is the fortunately low, but still deeply disturbing, possibility of another significant terrorist attack in the United States.

Our economy was able to absorb the shock of the attacks of September 11th and to recover, though remnants of the effects remain.

We at the Federal Reserve learned a good deal from that tragic episode with respect to the impact of policy and, of no less importance, the functioning under stress of the sophisticated payment system that supports our economy.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O'BRIEN: On the subject of -- oh, is he done? He's done.

On the subject of interest rates, Greenspan says any increase will likely be gradual. Analysts widely expected Fed policy-makers to raise rates when they meet later this month.

PHILLIPS: The eulogies for Ronald Reagan included details of the firing of the nation's air traffic controllers in 1982 and the scramble to replace them. A new scramble could be on the horizon, as many of those replacements are now ready to move on. Kathleen Koch has that.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: One hundred clear to land, 107.

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In hundreds of towers and radar centers around the country, the clock is ticking toward retirement. Nearly half of the nation's air traffic controllers, some 7,000, are expected to leave over the next nine years, most hired in 1982 to replace the striking controllers fired by President Ronald Reagan.

LEWIS STEPHENSON, AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER: We picked up the ball and ran with it, and I think we did pretty well. And we're starting to turn to hand it off to anybody, and we don't see anybody there.

KOCH: A new study by the Transportation Department inspector general finds the FAA hasn't yet determined precisely how many new controllers it will need, where or when.

The FAA insists it has the situation under control.

MARION BLAKEY, FAA ADMINISTRATOR: The FAA has been very accurate in predicting the numbers over time. So we believe we've got a pretty good feel for it, and it's hardly a crisis at this point.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Rocket 1-1, check wheels down. Flight low pressure. Runway 1-9 at estimated 230 at 8.

KOCH: The FAA says not all controllers who become eligible will want to retire. It suggests a crisis could also be delayed by giving waivers to work past the mandatory retirement age of 56.

Two controllers who help guide Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base have such wavers.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think I'm the best controller here.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I've seen everything that can happen, happened at least once before, and I know how to react to it.

KOCH: But the controllers' union warns of dire consequences if the government doesn't start training and hiring new controllers now.

RUTH MARLIN, KATL AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL ASSOCIATION: We won't have certified controllers. We won't be able to operate the air space. And when there is a severe shortage, you only have two choices. And that is to curtail services or to reduce the margin of safety.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KOCH: ... doesn't like either of those choices any more than the American public. So, today, the House is having a hearing to begin to try to figure this out, because if the FAA underestimates the number of retirements, there is simply no quick fix. Training an air traffic controller at least three years and sometimes as many as seven -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Well, obviously, this could be pretty frightening for our safety when we fly. How are these jobs going to be filled?

KOCH: Well, that's the real question here, Kyra.

Over the last eight years, the FAA hired some 2,100 controllers. Now, over the next nine years, they'll have to hire 7,100. So they're going to have to triple the rate at which they're hiring people. They don't know if they can pull some of them from the military. That's a lot of empty spaces to fill.

PHILLIPS: Yes, not an easy job.

Kathleen Koch, thanks.

O'BRIEN: All right, the Mars rovers are still going, folks.

Playing in the Martian dirt, spirit is climbing towards the hills, Opportunity dealing with a big crater. And with that, let's start the clock on yet another Mars minute.

First of all, we're going to take you to Spirit's site. These are the famous Columbia Hills. And as Spirit hones in on them -- there are seven of them named after the crew members of the Space Shuttle Columbia -- more tantalizing signs, possibly some ancient water there. And this is the specifics of that. If you take a look at this area right here in this rock, you'll see these little blue things in here, right in that area there.

And it looks very much like those so-called blueberries that Opportunity found some on the other side of the planet, which basically amount to just little pockets of concrete. Concrete, of course, requires water.

Big wide shot of that Endurance crater that Opportunity is testing the -- well, not the waters, but taking a toe-dip in, nevertheless. There's a good shot of it there. The distance across this thing is about the distance of the Rose Bowl, big stadium-like thing, very tantalizing for the scientists. The question is, will this vehicle get stuck in there? If it gets stuck, it's not a bad place to die, so to speak.

(BELL RINGING)

O'BRIEN: So far, it has gone down, and it has gone up. And the slippage was within their parameters, thus making them feel there's a high likelihood they'll have some success as they enter into Endurance.

PHILLIPS: Minute-plus, Mars minute. All right.

O'BRIEN: Always a plus.

PHILLIPS: Well, they put it all on the line for their country. Now they're giving it all they've got at the games. We're going to talk with a veteran of the war in Iraq who's not going to let a wheelchair keep him from being a champion.

And beauty is definitely in the eye of the beholder. What did you think of this presidential portrait? Some of your answers ahead on LIVE FROM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: He went to Iraq to win a war. Now he's home conquering a different battle. It's a fight for confidence that hundreds of men and women in the military face every time they come home with devastating injuries. But a lot of veterans aren't letting their losses slow their competitive fires.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yah!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Go. Chalk one up.

Disabled vets from the 50 states, Puerto Rico and Britain are in Saint Louis right now taking part in the 24th National Veterans Wheelchair Games, one of them Kenneth Dixon, paralyzed while on duty in Iraq. He joins us now to talk about the games.

Kenneth, what a pleasure to have you with us.

KENNETH DIXON, IRAQ WAR VETERAN: It's a pleasure to be here.

PHILLIPS: Well, Kenneth, first of all, take me and our viewers back to March 2003, when you were on that night mission in Iraq, and tell us what happened.

DIXON: Well, we was out clearing the path for the task force to move through. On the way back, we were doing -- they put us out on a second mission. We was out patrolling the perimeter. And about 15 minutes into that mission, my Bradley Fighting Vehicle plunged into a hole, which I sustained a spinal cord injury in that accident.

PHILLIPS: Kenneth, did you realize what had happened? Did anything say anything to you? What was going through your mind when all that happened so quickly?

DIXON: At the time, I thought maybe we was -- we had got engaged by the enemy, because my mind state was in wartime. So that's where my mind was.

I didn't think that I was seriously injured because I was conscious the whole time. I pretty much talked the sergeants that was there at the scene of the accident, talking through what was going on at the time of the accident.

PHILLIPS: Well, Kenneth, you talk about your mind-set. And it definitely had to change once you came back home. And I want to know how you turned the corner. I know you were a very dedicated soldier. You remain to be a very dedicated soldier.

But life is different for you now. How did you get the confidence and the fortitude to look forward and, OK, it's different?; I'm going to make -- I'm not going to use the wheelchair as an excuse and I'm going to do something that's positive?

DIXON: Pretty much, I wasn't going to make no excuses, just got a positive attitude. And that's how I looked at it. There was no need to make no excuses, just going to go forward.

And that's how I looked at it. And that's how I've been looking at it. And I'm going to keep it that way, and stay positive. That's the only way I'm going to maintain a good sanity.

PHILLIPS: And you know what? And you're doing that. You're an incredible athlete.

Tell us about the sports you're participating in and what you'll be competing in during the Olympics.

DIXON: Well, I'm going to be competing in about seven events.

PHILLIPS: Only seven?

DIXON: Yes, only seven.

(LAUGHTER)

PHILLIPS: You're so humble.

DIXON: Softball, weight lifting, javelin, air guns, trap shooting, bowling, the javelin, and I did basketball this morning, an exhibition basketball game.

PHILLIPS: My gosh. So, tell me about the competition. What has it been doing for you and other men and women who have come back from various wars with an injury? How are you feeling now about the mission in Iraq and how life has changed?

DIXON: With the mission in Iraq, I'm pleased we've -- I feel like we accomplished what we set out to do. And now I have another mission that I have to accomplish. And that's competing. I've always been a competitor. I was a competitor -- I was a competitor before I was injured. So I'm going to continue to be that way.

PHILLIPS: Kenneth, I found a picture of you and your wife, Allescia. I know she's been a tremendous support to you. I know you've been doing therapy together and you're working on your house and making it accessible for your wheelchair. Tell me, where are you getting this determination? Where are you getting this courage? And what do you say to other men and women who are coming back from this war with an injury?

DIXON: Well, I'm just keeping a positive outlook on everything, just -- I have a fire that's burning inside of me, and I'm going to keep that fire burning. I can't let that flame go out. And with the support of my family, like my wife, support from different organizations like PVA, it makes it a lot easier.

PHILLIPS: All right, are you coming home with the gold? Tell me right now. What are you bringing home?

DIXON: I'm bringing home all the gold.

(LAUGHTER)

PHILLIPS: All right. That's what I want to hear. So you'll come back and brag about your wins, then?

DIXON: Oh, definitely.

PHILLIPS: Kenneth Dixon, well, we thank you for what you've done for our country. And you're an even stronger role model and example for every soldier as you come back and compete. Thank you so much for your time.

DIXON: Thank you.

PHILLIPS: All right, Kenneth Dixon.

We'll take a quick break. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(FINANCIAL UPDATE)

O'BRIEN: A picture may speak 1,000 words, but when the picture in question is the portrait of a politician, most everyone feels entitled to add a few colorful remarks of their own.

PHILLIPS: And when you're not talking about not one, but two of the most controversial figures of our time, you need Jeanne Moos to monitor public reaction.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's bad enough having your picture taken. But having your portrait publicly unveiled?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think the artist is being extraordinarily kind.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Bill looks about 20 years younger.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He looks a little dry. Like -- maybe he had a bad night.

MOOS: But the Clintons had a good day at the White House though George W. Did joke about Mr. Clinton's optimism.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I mean after all, you got to be optimistic to give six months of your life running the McGovern campaign in Texas. MOOS: Bill Clinton turned red laughing. Laughter is not something one sees in presidential portraits, except Ronald Reagan's.

Mr. Clinton was painted by the artist Simmie Knox, the first African-American to paint an official presidential portrait.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's a really stupid color tie.

MOOS: Mr. Clinton was dressed practically like his portrait. The president told of getting offers from plastic surgeons while he was in the White House.

BILL CLINTON, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Saying, if you would just let me straighten your nose and take the bags out from under your eyes. It was like if you only had a different face you'd be handsome.

MOOS: The first lady broke with tradition in two ways -- the big smile, and...

(on camera): ... this is the first first lady ever painted in a paints suit.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Maybe she wears pants in the relationship.

MOOS (voice-over): All the other first ladies are dressed in dainty gowns, looking a little like, dare we say, Stepford wives?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We always want to look our very best.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: On her best day, she never looked that good.

MOOS (on camera): You don't think? I think on her best day she looked this good.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's the way all that stuff there -- it takes that...

MOOS: What stuff are we talking about?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, you know are the chin stuff.

MOOS (voice-over): Being a famous portrait means having to take it on the chin and everywhere else.

Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: And that wraps up this edition of LIVE FROM.

PHILLIPS: We're going to go take our portraits now, hanging in the hallway.

O'BRIEN: Oh, are they hanging in the hallway? Really? I thought they were taken down for construction purposes.

PHILLIPS: The one next to the bathroom.

O'BRIEN: Oh, bathroom.

(LAUGHTER)

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 15, 2004 - 15:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back to LIVE FROM. I'm Kyra Phillips.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Miles O'Brien. Here's what is happening at this hour.

Soothing words for the markets today, fed Chairman Alan Greenspan issuing them at his confirmation hearing for a fifth term in office. Greenspan said, despite a big jump in inflation last month, the all- but-certain jump in interest rates is likely to be restrained, the stock market indices all running higher as a result.

John Kerry criticizes the Bush administration for running up the federal deficit. And he said, if elected president, he won't present the bill for the debt to middle Americans. Kerry spoke to the AFL-CIO in Atlantic City.

And President Bush salutes Afghanistan and its president, Hamid Karzai. After hosting the Afghan leader, Mr. Bush hailed Afghanistan's steps towards democracy. He also praised the progress of Afghan women, who were brutally repressed under the Taliban regime that the United States forces evicted.

PHILLIPS: We'll begin this hour in the not-too-distant future, 15 days, to be exact. Iraq has sovereignty again and preparing for, but probably not exercising control over Saddam Hussein.

Talks are under way between U.S. and Iraqi officials, some of whom seem to think the transfer will happen on or before the formal end of the U.S. occupation, June 30. But, the Bush administration says, not so fast. At a Rose Garden appearance with the visiting president of Afghanistan, President Bush says, today, security, not sovereignty, is paramount.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We're working with the Iraqi government on a couple of issues. One is the appropriate time for the transfer of Saddam Hussein. And, secondly, we're going to make sure there's appropriate security.

I mean, one thing, obviously, is that we don't want and I know the Iraqi interim government doesn't want is there to be lax security and for Saddam Hussein to somehow not stand trial for the horrendous murders and torture that he inflicted upon the Iraqi people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Holding and trying the fallen dictator is high on the incoming government's priority list, but so is stopping the brazen daily attacks on Iraqis, Iraqi infrastructure, and foreign contractors who are helping to rebuild it.

CNN's Christiane Amanpour is in Baghdad.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: There has been a great deal of confusion and controversy about the status of Saddam Hussein come June 30.

The ICRC, which monitors the status of prisoners of war and the compliance with the Geneva Convention, says that, in fact, the U.S. does have some grace period after the handover if, indeed, as the U.S. has determined, that hostilities continue, Saddam Hussein can be kept as a POW. But, if that is the case, then all the appropriate protections under the Geneva Conventions have to be fully accorded to him.

The U.S. could also certainly put him on trial or bring him to trial and charge him with any crimes that he may have committed either in custody or before. The U.S. could also hand him over to the interim Iraqi government. But that does not seem likely any time soon, even though the new interim Iraqi prime minister has made it very clear that that's what Iraq wants.

IYAD ALLAWI, IRAQI PRIME MINISTER-DESIGNATE: Definitely, we'll be trying our best to get custody of Saddam and the other criminals. We have so far some definite promises from the coalition this will be the case. The negotiations are under way and are progressing well.

AMANPOUR: Well, the coalition authorities here say that, in fact, there aren't negotiations on this issue. There are some discussions about it. And they just say, noncommittally, that they do hope to be able to hand Saddam over some time after June 30, after the transfer of sovereignty to the Iraqis.

The ICRC says that, eventually, the U.S. is going to have to hand him over unless -- because it might become politically unpalatable to keep holding Saddam Hussein once sovereignty and occupation -- once the occupation has officially ended. But we're told by human rights officials that, even if Saddam was handed over, they, the Iraqis, are not yet ready to put him on trial, because none of the trial process has been completed, right down from gathering forensic evidence to interviewing any potential witnesses against Saddam Hussein.

Now, at the same time, as the handover draws near, two weeks from now, there has been more violence. This has been already a very bloody week, and it's only its second day. Today, there was an attack on an international convoy, yet another one, near Baghdad Airport. This is what the occupation briefers told us today.

BRIG. GEN. MARK KIMMITT, U.S. DEPUTY CHIEF OF OPERATIONS: There was an attack against a three-vehicle convoy west of Baghdad over near the airport where two of the vehicles, I believe, had some persons in it that were killed. And there was a third vehicle which was able to continue driving towards the coalition base at -- nearby. I know that the persons in that vehicle were all safe. The vehicle was shot up a bit. We don't have the full report yet.

AMANPOUR: There was also violence in the south, some 16 kilometers away from the main southern town, city of Basra, near the port there.

There was an insurgent attack, we're told by the Oil Ministry, on a main Iraqi oil pipeline, severely disrupting the flow of Iraqi oil and, at the same time, affecting the imports that Iraq can get from its flow of oil to the outside. According to the Iraqi Oil Ministry, it could take seven to 10 days to fix it. It's not the first attack on the oil infrastructure, and it's causing severe disruptions on electricity and all sorts of utilities as well in this country.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: CNN's Christiane Amanpour in Baghdad.

The economy takes center stage on Capitol Hill, meanwhile. Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan spoke today about the future of the nation's economy before the Senate Banking Committee, which is considering his nomination for a fifth term in office. Greenspan made specific mention of one threat.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ALAN GREENSPAN, FEDERAL RESERVE CHAIRMAN: Going forward, we must remain prepared to deal with a wide range of events. Particularly notable in this regard is the fortunately low, but still deeply disturbing, possibility of another significant terrorist attack in the United States.

Our economy was able to absorb the shock of the attacks of September 11th and to recover, though remnants of the effects remain.

We at the Federal Reserve learned a good deal from that tragic episode with respect to the impact of policy and, of no less importance, the functioning under stress of the sophisticated payment system that supports our economy.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O'BRIEN: On the subject of -- oh, is he done? He's done.

On the subject of interest rates, Greenspan says any increase will likely be gradual. Analysts widely expected Fed policy-makers to raise rates when they meet later this month.

PHILLIPS: The eulogies for Ronald Reagan included details of the firing of the nation's air traffic controllers in 1982 and the scramble to replace them. A new scramble could be on the horizon, as many of those replacements are now ready to move on. Kathleen Koch has that.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: One hundred clear to land, 107.

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In hundreds of towers and radar centers around the country, the clock is ticking toward retirement. Nearly half of the nation's air traffic controllers, some 7,000, are expected to leave over the next nine years, most hired in 1982 to replace the striking controllers fired by President Ronald Reagan.

LEWIS STEPHENSON, AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER: We picked up the ball and ran with it, and I think we did pretty well. And we're starting to turn to hand it off to anybody, and we don't see anybody there.

KOCH: A new study by the Transportation Department inspector general finds the FAA hasn't yet determined precisely how many new controllers it will need, where or when.

The FAA insists it has the situation under control.

MARION BLAKEY, FAA ADMINISTRATOR: The FAA has been very accurate in predicting the numbers over time. So we believe we've got a pretty good feel for it, and it's hardly a crisis at this point.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Rocket 1-1, check wheels down. Flight low pressure. Runway 1-9 at estimated 230 at 8.

KOCH: The FAA says not all controllers who become eligible will want to retire. It suggests a crisis could also be delayed by giving waivers to work past the mandatory retirement age of 56.

Two controllers who help guide Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base have such wavers.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think I'm the best controller here.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I've seen everything that can happen, happened at least once before, and I know how to react to it.

KOCH: But the controllers' union warns of dire consequences if the government doesn't start training and hiring new controllers now.

RUTH MARLIN, KATL AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL ASSOCIATION: We won't have certified controllers. We won't be able to operate the air space. And when there is a severe shortage, you only have two choices. And that is to curtail services or to reduce the margin of safety.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KOCH: ... doesn't like either of those choices any more than the American public. So, today, the House is having a hearing to begin to try to figure this out, because if the FAA underestimates the number of retirements, there is simply no quick fix. Training an air traffic controller at least three years and sometimes as many as seven -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Well, obviously, this could be pretty frightening for our safety when we fly. How are these jobs going to be filled?

KOCH: Well, that's the real question here, Kyra.

Over the last eight years, the FAA hired some 2,100 controllers. Now, over the next nine years, they'll have to hire 7,100. So they're going to have to triple the rate at which they're hiring people. They don't know if they can pull some of them from the military. That's a lot of empty spaces to fill.

PHILLIPS: Yes, not an easy job.

Kathleen Koch, thanks.

O'BRIEN: All right, the Mars rovers are still going, folks.

Playing in the Martian dirt, spirit is climbing towards the hills, Opportunity dealing with a big crater. And with that, let's start the clock on yet another Mars minute.

First of all, we're going to take you to Spirit's site. These are the famous Columbia Hills. And as Spirit hones in on them -- there are seven of them named after the crew members of the Space Shuttle Columbia -- more tantalizing signs, possibly some ancient water there. And this is the specifics of that. If you take a look at this area right here in this rock, you'll see these little blue things in here, right in that area there.

And it looks very much like those so-called blueberries that Opportunity found some on the other side of the planet, which basically amount to just little pockets of concrete. Concrete, of course, requires water.

Big wide shot of that Endurance crater that Opportunity is testing the -- well, not the waters, but taking a toe-dip in, nevertheless. There's a good shot of it there. The distance across this thing is about the distance of the Rose Bowl, big stadium-like thing, very tantalizing for the scientists. The question is, will this vehicle get stuck in there? If it gets stuck, it's not a bad place to die, so to speak.

(BELL RINGING)

O'BRIEN: So far, it has gone down, and it has gone up. And the slippage was within their parameters, thus making them feel there's a high likelihood they'll have some success as they enter into Endurance.

PHILLIPS: Minute-plus, Mars minute. All right.

O'BRIEN: Always a plus.

PHILLIPS: Well, they put it all on the line for their country. Now they're giving it all they've got at the games. We're going to talk with a veteran of the war in Iraq who's not going to let a wheelchair keep him from being a champion.

And beauty is definitely in the eye of the beholder. What did you think of this presidential portrait? Some of your answers ahead on LIVE FROM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: He went to Iraq to win a war. Now he's home conquering a different battle. It's a fight for confidence that hundreds of men and women in the military face every time they come home with devastating injuries. But a lot of veterans aren't letting their losses slow their competitive fires.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yah!

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PHILLIPS: Go. Chalk one up.

Disabled vets from the 50 states, Puerto Rico and Britain are in Saint Louis right now taking part in the 24th National Veterans Wheelchair Games, one of them Kenneth Dixon, paralyzed while on duty in Iraq. He joins us now to talk about the games.

Kenneth, what a pleasure to have you with us.

KENNETH DIXON, IRAQ WAR VETERAN: It's a pleasure to be here.

PHILLIPS: Well, Kenneth, first of all, take me and our viewers back to March 2003, when you were on that night mission in Iraq, and tell us what happened.

DIXON: Well, we was out clearing the path for the task force to move through. On the way back, we were doing -- they put us out on a second mission. We was out patrolling the perimeter. And about 15 minutes into that mission, my Bradley Fighting Vehicle plunged into a hole, which I sustained a spinal cord injury in that accident.

PHILLIPS: Kenneth, did you realize what had happened? Did anything say anything to you? What was going through your mind when all that happened so quickly?

DIXON: At the time, I thought maybe we was -- we had got engaged by the enemy, because my mind state was in wartime. So that's where my mind was.

I didn't think that I was seriously injured because I was conscious the whole time. I pretty much talked the sergeants that was there at the scene of the accident, talking through what was going on at the time of the accident.

PHILLIPS: Well, Kenneth, you talk about your mind-set. And it definitely had to change once you came back home. And I want to know how you turned the corner. I know you were a very dedicated soldier. You remain to be a very dedicated soldier.

But life is different for you now. How did you get the confidence and the fortitude to look forward and, OK, it's different?; I'm going to make -- I'm not going to use the wheelchair as an excuse and I'm going to do something that's positive?

DIXON: Pretty much, I wasn't going to make no excuses, just got a positive attitude. And that's how I looked at it. There was no need to make no excuses, just going to go forward.

And that's how I looked at it. And that's how I've been looking at it. And I'm going to keep it that way, and stay positive. That's the only way I'm going to maintain a good sanity.

PHILLIPS: And you know what? And you're doing that. You're an incredible athlete.

Tell us about the sports you're participating in and what you'll be competing in during the Olympics.

DIXON: Well, I'm going to be competing in about seven events.

PHILLIPS: Only seven?

DIXON: Yes, only seven.

(LAUGHTER)

PHILLIPS: You're so humble.

DIXON: Softball, weight lifting, javelin, air guns, trap shooting, bowling, the javelin, and I did basketball this morning, an exhibition basketball game.

PHILLIPS: My gosh. So, tell me about the competition. What has it been doing for you and other men and women who have come back from various wars with an injury? How are you feeling now about the mission in Iraq and how life has changed?

DIXON: With the mission in Iraq, I'm pleased we've -- I feel like we accomplished what we set out to do. And now I have another mission that I have to accomplish. And that's competing. I've always been a competitor. I was a competitor -- I was a competitor before I was injured. So I'm going to continue to be that way.

PHILLIPS: Kenneth, I found a picture of you and your wife, Allescia. I know she's been a tremendous support to you. I know you've been doing therapy together and you're working on your house and making it accessible for your wheelchair. Tell me, where are you getting this determination? Where are you getting this courage? And what do you say to other men and women who are coming back from this war with an injury?

DIXON: Well, I'm just keeping a positive outlook on everything, just -- I have a fire that's burning inside of me, and I'm going to keep that fire burning. I can't let that flame go out. And with the support of my family, like my wife, support from different organizations like PVA, it makes it a lot easier.

PHILLIPS: All right, are you coming home with the gold? Tell me right now. What are you bringing home?

DIXON: I'm bringing home all the gold.

(LAUGHTER)

PHILLIPS: All right. That's what I want to hear. So you'll come back and brag about your wins, then?

DIXON: Oh, definitely.

PHILLIPS: Kenneth Dixon, well, we thank you for what you've done for our country. And you're an even stronger role model and example for every soldier as you come back and compete. Thank you so much for your time.

DIXON: Thank you.

PHILLIPS: All right, Kenneth Dixon.

We'll take a quick break. We'll be right back.

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(FINANCIAL UPDATE)

O'BRIEN: A picture may speak 1,000 words, but when the picture in question is the portrait of a politician, most everyone feels entitled to add a few colorful remarks of their own.

PHILLIPS: And when you're not talking about not one, but two of the most controversial figures of our time, you need Jeanne Moos to monitor public reaction.

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JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's bad enough having your picture taken. But having your portrait publicly unveiled?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think the artist is being extraordinarily kind.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Bill looks about 20 years younger.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He looks a little dry. Like -- maybe he had a bad night.

MOOS: But the Clintons had a good day at the White House though George W. Did joke about Mr. Clinton's optimism.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I mean after all, you got to be optimistic to give six months of your life running the McGovern campaign in Texas. MOOS: Bill Clinton turned red laughing. Laughter is not something one sees in presidential portraits, except Ronald Reagan's.

Mr. Clinton was painted by the artist Simmie Knox, the first African-American to paint an official presidential portrait.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's a really stupid color tie.

MOOS: Mr. Clinton was dressed practically like his portrait. The president told of getting offers from plastic surgeons while he was in the White House.

BILL CLINTON, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Saying, if you would just let me straighten your nose and take the bags out from under your eyes. It was like if you only had a different face you'd be handsome.

MOOS: The first lady broke with tradition in two ways -- the big smile, and...

(on camera): ... this is the first first lady ever painted in a paints suit.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Maybe she wears pants in the relationship.

MOOS (voice-over): All the other first ladies are dressed in dainty gowns, looking a little like, dare we say, Stepford wives?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We always want to look our very best.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: On her best day, she never looked that good.

MOOS (on camera): You don't think? I think on her best day she looked this good.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's the way all that stuff there -- it takes that...

MOOS: What stuff are we talking about?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, you know are the chin stuff.

MOOS (voice-over): Being a famous portrait means having to take it on the chin and everywhere else.

Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: And that wraps up this edition of LIVE FROM.

PHILLIPS: We're going to go take our portraits now, hanging in the hallway.

O'BRIEN: Oh, are they hanging in the hallway? Really? I thought they were taken down for construction purposes.

PHILLIPS: The one next to the bathroom.

O'BRIEN: Oh, bathroom.

(LAUGHTER)

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