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Commission: No Credible Evidence Iraq Involved in 9/11 Attacks; Family Pleads for Safety of U.S. Hostage

Aired June 16, 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: A chilling report from the 9/11 Commission. It concludes there was no credible evidence Iraq cooperated with al Qaeda in plotting terror attacks against the U.S. And it includes information not hear until now about those attacks.
Our Sean Callebs in Washington watching all of this for us. Hello, Sean.

SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Miles.

Indeed, a lot of information in the first of a two-day public hearing, the last public hearings in the 9/11 commission. Perhaps some of the information that jumps out the most is, devastating as the attacks on September 11 were, the initial plans were far more sinister. It -- they involved as many as 10 aircraft and were -- the plan were initially back in 1996 involving Khalid Shaikh Mohammed as well as Osama bin Laden.

Initially, it was Mohammed who pitched the idea to bin laden. They plan to use those 10 aircraft to slam them into cities in the East Coast, as well as the West Coast -- the U.S. Capitol, the White House, FBI, CIA headquarters, as well as an unnamed nuclear facility somewhere in the U.S. and -- quote -- "tall buildings" in California and Washington state -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Sean, any link found between Iraq and al Qaeda?

CALLEBS: That's one thing that came up very clear. In fact, a blunt no. The testimony today did indicate that Osama bin Laden had approached Iraqi authorities and asked for assistance with weapons and training for his terrorists, but it apparently ended there. There was no connection, according to the testimony today, between Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden regarding the attacks of September 11.

Also, Mohammed Atta -- you may remember him from the lead hijacker. Some U.S. officials had maintained that he had a secret meeting in Prague in April of 2001 with Iraqi operatives. Well, according to the testimony today, Atta was here in the United States taking money out of an ATM. Cell phone records also show that he was in the U.S. at that time, Miles.

O'BRIEN: All right. A lot of talk about the training camps in Afghanistan used by al Qaeda. What did the findings come back on that?

CALLEBS: Findings came back that these are very thorough training camps that these people are well funded, they're well trained. These are the people that -- virtually all of the hijackers were trained in this facility. Also, those involved in the attacks on the USS Cole. And also information coming out today that al Qaeda was involved in the attack on Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia. They were trained there as well. So this is something that was very thorough, very well thought out, and these people left these camps as trained killers and their goal was to simply wreak havoc on the United States and U.S. citizens around the world.

O'BRIEN: Sean Callebs in Washington, thanks much -- Kyra.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Testimony resumed in Scott Peterson's murder trial today. Police looking into the disappearance of Laci Peterson testified that her husband was cooperative as their investigation began. That didn't stop them from checking out his story.

Ted Rowlands is live with more on what's going on in the 10th day of the trial -- Ted.

TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kyra, today, the bulk of the -- bilk of the testimony centered around Ron Cloward. He is the sergeant that was in charge of the search of Laci Peterson from the beginning. The prosecution had him come up and basically give the jury a feel for the extent of the search. He said it was the most extensive search he had ever been associated with. Hundreds of people involved including people from the community, searching parks and areas around Modesto and throughout Northern California looking for Laci Peterson.

The defense has just started the cross. They had about a half hour in before the lunch break. And Mark Geragos used this witness to establish that people come up with tips that they saw Laci Peterson and the family dog in the park, which is what Scott Peterson had basically told police he thought his wife was going to be doing. So Geragos again using a prosecution witness to get his side of the story out. That will continue as cross continues when the lunch break is over.

Meanwhile, this morning, as the families walked into court, Laci Peterson's family, the Rochas, lashed out at Geragos because he repeatedly tells jokes in the courtroom and basically sometimes the courtroom erupts in laughter. They said this morning that that is inappropriate to do in a courtroom.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SHARON ROCHA, LACI PETERSON'S MOTHER: I think that Mr. Geragos needs to stop joking so much. This is not funny. There is nothing humorous about the fact that my daughter was murdered.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROWLANDS: And that was this something from Sharon Rocha, Laci Peterson's mother. Court is adjourned for the lunch recess and will be back in session at 1:30 this afternoon -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Ted Rowlands live from the Scott Peterson trial.

Well, an agonizing wait under the worst circumstances. Four days after Paul Johnson Jr. was kidnapped in Saudi Arabia, his captors are threatening to kill him by the week's end. Today, his sister and son accompanied by the grandson Johnson never met, issued a tearful plea for his release in an exclusive interview with our Deborah Feyerick.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Is there any doubt that the man in the video is Paul Johnson Jr.?

PAUL JOHNSON III, SON OF KIDNAP VICTIM: Yes, that's my father.

FEYERICK: You see him captive. How does he appear to you? How does he sound to you?

JOHNSON III: He sounds good. It looks like he's not being mistreated or anything.

DONNA MAYEUX, PAUL JOHNSON JR.'S SISTER: When we viewed the video, we were able to see that this is serious. And I just would like to say that my brother is an honorable man. He's always treated people with dignity and respect and I'm sure they were able to see that as they've spoken with him and our family just pleads for his safe return.

FEYERICK: You see the kidnappers. One is behind him, clearly one is there shooting the video. What goes through your mind?

MAYEUX: For me, it's disbelief. My brother always felt safe in Saudi Arabia. He never feared living there.

FEYERICK: Did he ever consider listening to the embassy warnings for Americans to leave Riyadh, to leave Saudi Arabia?

JOHNSON III: He's been there for over 10 years and he likes working with the Saudis. He respects their culture and there is never a problem. He respected everything they believed in.

FEYERICK: With the recent attacks, did you speak to him over the last couple of weeks? Did he ever say, "Things are getting bad?" You know, I'm beginning to perhaps maybe be fearful for my safety. I'm looking over my shoulder more. Did he ever say any of those things to you when you spoke?

JOHNSON III: No.

MAYEUX: No.

FEYERICK: The last conversation you had with him, what was his demeanor? What was he saying to you?

JOHNSON III: The last conversation I had with him, we were all supposed to be reunited later this year in Thailand, because he's building a house over there and we were just all going to get together for the holidays and all be together as a family. And that's the last I've heard from my father.

FEYERICK: So you were going to spend Christmas there? That was the plan.

He has a wife in Riyadh. Have you spoken with her?

JOHNSON III: Yes, and she's waiting for my father to come through the front door. And it's hard for her being so far and we're here. And I'm thinking about her constantly. I know what she's going through. And we're trying to get through this.

FEYERICK: He was taken on Saturday. How have you been spending your days since that abduction?

JOHNSON III: I've been constantly on the phone trying to get a hold of senators and just try to get a hold of somebody that can give me answers and that's all -- that's all I want.

FEYERICK: Paul's mom is not well -- your mom, your grandmother. Does she know that there is a 72-hour deadline?

MAYEUX: No, she does not. We -- she has not viewed the video. I told her that he's alive and that this is serious, but we did not discuss any demands with her because her health is fragile.

FEYERICK: Donna, you've watched the video of previous captives and now you're in that position. Can you describe that?

MAYEUX: It's disbelief. It's -- I guess it's something that you never think is going to be home to your own family. We kind of feel numb.

FEYERICK: The U.S. government, the Saudi government says that their policy is not to negotiate with terrorists. What do you say to the governments?

JOHNSON III: The governments -- you know, we know what they want and my father, I know -- he's an innocent victim in this whole matter. And I plead with the Saudi government and the group of men that are holding my father to please let him return home safely. He will leave your country. You will never see him again. I just plead with them to get him home safely.

FEYERICK: The kidnappers who are holding him, what do you want them to know about your dad and about his family?

JOHNSON III: My father is a loving father. He's a grandfather. He would give his shirt off the back to them if he knew them, and he respected -- he respected the Saudis.

FEYERICK: What is...

MAYEUX: He's an innocent man. Killing him is not going to solve anything. We would just like his safe return. My mother, his wife, my niece, and my three girls -- we would just like a safe return. FEYERICK: Now, Paul, we know that you've brought your son here. He's 3 years old. He's never seen his grandfather. I guess the Christmas was going to be when he saw him.

What is the message that you have for your dad right now?

JOHNSON III: I just want him brought home safely.

MAYEUX: We're doing everything we can to bring him home. Everybody is trying to help. We appreciate that.

JOHNSON III: I just plead with the Saudis to please do whatever you take. If you got to -- we're all human. Just please, he's done a lot for your country. I respect your country. I respect -- I respect everything that everybody has done. And I just want to see my father brought home safely. And the Saudis, you can make it happen. And I'm just asking you, please make this happen.

He's -- he does not deserve this. And he was just doing his job and let's -- please, just bring him home and the group of people holding him, just please -- he don't deserve this.

MAYEUX: We just -we just ask that they treat him with the dignity and respect that he's often talked about, that they have in their culture. Just please, please don't murder them -- murder him.

FEYERICK: OK. Your son is here. He seems a little bit upset. I know that you want to show him to your father if, in fact, your father is watching or perhaps the men who are holding him are watching. But I don't know if he wants to come over.

JOHNSON III: Paul, come here.

FEYERICK: And, Paul, this is your wife?

JOHNSON III: This is my wife, Jody (ph).

FEYERICK: What do you want to say to your father about....

JOHNSON III: I want to say I know the group of men that got my father. You guys are probably fathers. And just please let him come home and be a grandfather.

And this is Paul Marshal Johnson IV. I -- my father gave me his name and I honor my father so much I gave him my son his name. And I just want to a safe return and I'm optimistic with the Saudis can get him home safely.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: Saudi Arabia says it doesn't negotiate with terrorists but is considering its next step.

O'BRIEN: SUV drivers are not only saving money at the pump, but also at the dealership.

And isn't it ironic? Their love began through e-mail but will it end at the altar?

More entertainment headlines when LIVE FROM continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Hopscotching "Across America" we go.

Twenty million dollars. That's reportedly how much Michael Jackson paid to settle a 1993 civil case with a boy who'd accused him of molestation. Under terms of the agreement obtained by Court TV, the settlement was not an admission of wrongdoing. Jackson representatives did not return CNN calls to comment on that report.

From Jacko to a jackpot, and something that might make you believe in karma. A few years ago, a Virginia woman was inspired to donate a kidney to someone she didn't even know. Now, Monday, she won a half million bucks in the lottery. Get what you give, huh? Mitzi Nichols says she'll use part of the money to help repair the car of the man who got her the kidney. My goodness! This woman is a saint!

And it was the scream heard round the political world but now, Howard Dean says it didn't happen that way. It was replayed and replayed and replayed, as you know. Dean told broadcasters meeting in Washington he was only shouting to be heard above the Iowa crowd! He didn't say it that way, but the tape got edited without the crowd noise and it made him stand out. And I've heard that mix with the crowd noise. It does sound different for what it's worth. A lot of good it does him now.

PHILLIPS: OK. Even though the prices -- sorry, just had to clear out my ears there/

O'BRIEN: Sorry.

PHILLIPS: OK, there we go.

O'BRIEN: You were tuning me out again. You unplugged me!

PHILLIPS: Rhonda Schaffler, we're not unplugging you, that's for darn sure.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER, CNNfn CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Kyra and Miles.

We're going to talk actually about prices for cars. We've talked so much about gas prices being on the rise. At least prices for cars holding somewhat steady. That's the case with the large SUVs. The prices are continuing to fall a bit from last month. According to the auto Web site edmunds.com, it's the third straight monthly decline for SUVs.

The drop in prices could be due to consumers driving some hard bargains. Automakers have had to offer a record number of incentives on vehicles to stay competitive, and that, of course, has led to lower prices.

But the falling prices may be helping the carmakers. GM and Ford saw higher sales for SUVs last month despite the higher gas prices. Edmunds index shows the average new car costs slightly less now than it did at the start of 2002.

As far as where stock prices are going, markets stuck in neutral here. Investors didn't pay too too much attention to a generally upbeat series of economic reports today. The fed's basebook indicates employment activity improved in April and May as the overall economy continues to improve. Another report shows the starts of new housing units dipped a bit in May.

Wall Street, though, not finding that enough to send the markets significantly higher. Dow is only up four points, Nasdaq slightly higher.

That's the very latest from Wall Street. Kyra and Miles, we'll see you tomorrow.

O'BRIEN: All right.

PHILLIPS: Thanks, Rhonda.

O'BRIEN: Thank you, Rhonda. Always a pleasure having you drop by.

Here's the burning question of the day: will Britney dance again? The pop sensation has been forced to shut down her summer tour.

PHILLIPS: And why is that?

O'BRIEN: I think she's sore.

PHILLIPS: What happens when a couple of young hot Canadians get together? Find out in entertainment headlines.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Checking entertainment headlines this Wednesday.

Heads up, all you Alanis Morisette fans. You oughta know she's engaged to actor Ryan Reynolds. Some might say isn't it ironic that Alanis, who often sings about love's failings, is altar bound with a 2.5 carat diamond ring to prove it. Hello.

Meanwhile, not a ring but a brace for Britney Spears. Her North American concert tour has been nixed after a severe knee injury. Spears was hurt while shooting a video last week.

And finally, another new man for Jennifer Lopez? OK, relax. Her interest in Tommy Mottola is purely business. She's talking to her former Sony boss about becoming her new manager. Mottola already manages her new hubby, Marc Anthony.

O'BRIEN: Remember when summer meant a steady diet of TV reruns? Well thanks to reality TV, there's new stuff to watch instead of old stuff. Of course, we can't guarantee it's good stuff but it is new. After distinguishing themselves down on the farm in "The Simple Life," Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie take their act on the road in one of those air-stream trailers. The simple life -- dah -- dah -- deux --or two, debuts tonight and surely Charles Kuralt somewhere is rolling over in his grave.

Oh, we're not finished with you yet. Will that Simpson lightning strike twice, you ask? MTV hopes so. They're giving Ashley Simpson, sister of Jessica Simpson, her own show. She's already got a record deal and a debut album coming out next month. As for the show, it debuts tonight.

PHILLIPS: Are you going to be watching?

O'BRIEN: I'm going to TiVo that thing. Absolutely.

PHILLIPS: Really?

O'BRIEN: No.

PHILLIPS: Tuning in?

O'BRIEN: That's all for this edition of CNN's LIVE FROM.

Have no interest. Watching CNN all night.

PHILLIPS: There you go.

Well, sticking with the blue theme today, our Judy Woodruff heading up political headlines today.

O'BRIEN: Every day is blue theme for me.

PHILLIPS: There you go. That's right -- when are you going to -- oh, all right.

JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: Kyra and Miles, thank you both.

And despite the recent comments by President Bush and Vice President Cheney linking al Qaeda and Iraq, a new 9/11 commission report says there is no evidence that Iraq cooperated in the attacks on the U.S. Our Bill Schneider takes a look at the contradictory statements.

Plus, a group of retired diplomats and military officers is calling for Americans to vote President Bush out of office. I'll take a look at what it's saying when "INSIDE POLITICS" starts in just a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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Aired June 16, 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: A chilling report from the 9/11 Commission. It concludes there was no credible evidence Iraq cooperated with al Qaeda in plotting terror attacks against the U.S. And it includes information not hear until now about those attacks.
Our Sean Callebs in Washington watching all of this for us. Hello, Sean.

SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Miles.

Indeed, a lot of information in the first of a two-day public hearing, the last public hearings in the 9/11 commission. Perhaps some of the information that jumps out the most is, devastating as the attacks on September 11 were, the initial plans were far more sinister. It -- they involved as many as 10 aircraft and were -- the plan were initially back in 1996 involving Khalid Shaikh Mohammed as well as Osama bin Laden.

Initially, it was Mohammed who pitched the idea to bin laden. They plan to use those 10 aircraft to slam them into cities in the East Coast, as well as the West Coast -- the U.S. Capitol, the White House, FBI, CIA headquarters, as well as an unnamed nuclear facility somewhere in the U.S. and -- quote -- "tall buildings" in California and Washington state -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Sean, any link found between Iraq and al Qaeda?

CALLEBS: That's one thing that came up very clear. In fact, a blunt no. The testimony today did indicate that Osama bin Laden had approached Iraqi authorities and asked for assistance with weapons and training for his terrorists, but it apparently ended there. There was no connection, according to the testimony today, between Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden regarding the attacks of September 11.

Also, Mohammed Atta -- you may remember him from the lead hijacker. Some U.S. officials had maintained that he had a secret meeting in Prague in April of 2001 with Iraqi operatives. Well, according to the testimony today, Atta was here in the United States taking money out of an ATM. Cell phone records also show that he was in the U.S. at that time, Miles.

O'BRIEN: All right. A lot of talk about the training camps in Afghanistan used by al Qaeda. What did the findings come back on that?

CALLEBS: Findings came back that these are very thorough training camps that these people are well funded, they're well trained. These are the people that -- virtually all of the hijackers were trained in this facility. Also, those involved in the attacks on the USS Cole. And also information coming out today that al Qaeda was involved in the attack on Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia. They were trained there as well. So this is something that was very thorough, very well thought out, and these people left these camps as trained killers and their goal was to simply wreak havoc on the United States and U.S. citizens around the world.

O'BRIEN: Sean Callebs in Washington, thanks much -- Kyra.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Testimony resumed in Scott Peterson's murder trial today. Police looking into the disappearance of Laci Peterson testified that her husband was cooperative as their investigation began. That didn't stop them from checking out his story.

Ted Rowlands is live with more on what's going on in the 10th day of the trial -- Ted.

TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kyra, today, the bulk of the -- bilk of the testimony centered around Ron Cloward. He is the sergeant that was in charge of the search of Laci Peterson from the beginning. The prosecution had him come up and basically give the jury a feel for the extent of the search. He said it was the most extensive search he had ever been associated with. Hundreds of people involved including people from the community, searching parks and areas around Modesto and throughout Northern California looking for Laci Peterson.

The defense has just started the cross. They had about a half hour in before the lunch break. And Mark Geragos used this witness to establish that people come up with tips that they saw Laci Peterson and the family dog in the park, which is what Scott Peterson had basically told police he thought his wife was going to be doing. So Geragos again using a prosecution witness to get his side of the story out. That will continue as cross continues when the lunch break is over.

Meanwhile, this morning, as the families walked into court, Laci Peterson's family, the Rochas, lashed out at Geragos because he repeatedly tells jokes in the courtroom and basically sometimes the courtroom erupts in laughter. They said this morning that that is inappropriate to do in a courtroom.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SHARON ROCHA, LACI PETERSON'S MOTHER: I think that Mr. Geragos needs to stop joking so much. This is not funny. There is nothing humorous about the fact that my daughter was murdered.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROWLANDS: And that was this something from Sharon Rocha, Laci Peterson's mother. Court is adjourned for the lunch recess and will be back in session at 1:30 this afternoon -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Ted Rowlands live from the Scott Peterson trial.

Well, an agonizing wait under the worst circumstances. Four days after Paul Johnson Jr. was kidnapped in Saudi Arabia, his captors are threatening to kill him by the week's end. Today, his sister and son accompanied by the grandson Johnson never met, issued a tearful plea for his release in an exclusive interview with our Deborah Feyerick.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Is there any doubt that the man in the video is Paul Johnson Jr.?

PAUL JOHNSON III, SON OF KIDNAP VICTIM: Yes, that's my father.

FEYERICK: You see him captive. How does he appear to you? How does he sound to you?

JOHNSON III: He sounds good. It looks like he's not being mistreated or anything.

DONNA MAYEUX, PAUL JOHNSON JR.'S SISTER: When we viewed the video, we were able to see that this is serious. And I just would like to say that my brother is an honorable man. He's always treated people with dignity and respect and I'm sure they were able to see that as they've spoken with him and our family just pleads for his safe return.

FEYERICK: You see the kidnappers. One is behind him, clearly one is there shooting the video. What goes through your mind?

MAYEUX: For me, it's disbelief. My brother always felt safe in Saudi Arabia. He never feared living there.

FEYERICK: Did he ever consider listening to the embassy warnings for Americans to leave Riyadh, to leave Saudi Arabia?

JOHNSON III: He's been there for over 10 years and he likes working with the Saudis. He respects their culture and there is never a problem. He respected everything they believed in.

FEYERICK: With the recent attacks, did you speak to him over the last couple of weeks? Did he ever say, "Things are getting bad?" You know, I'm beginning to perhaps maybe be fearful for my safety. I'm looking over my shoulder more. Did he ever say any of those things to you when you spoke?

JOHNSON III: No.

MAYEUX: No.

FEYERICK: The last conversation you had with him, what was his demeanor? What was he saying to you?

JOHNSON III: The last conversation I had with him, we were all supposed to be reunited later this year in Thailand, because he's building a house over there and we were just all going to get together for the holidays and all be together as a family. And that's the last I've heard from my father.

FEYERICK: So you were going to spend Christmas there? That was the plan.

He has a wife in Riyadh. Have you spoken with her?

JOHNSON III: Yes, and she's waiting for my father to come through the front door. And it's hard for her being so far and we're here. And I'm thinking about her constantly. I know what she's going through. And we're trying to get through this.

FEYERICK: He was taken on Saturday. How have you been spending your days since that abduction?

JOHNSON III: I've been constantly on the phone trying to get a hold of senators and just try to get a hold of somebody that can give me answers and that's all -- that's all I want.

FEYERICK: Paul's mom is not well -- your mom, your grandmother. Does she know that there is a 72-hour deadline?

MAYEUX: No, she does not. We -- she has not viewed the video. I told her that he's alive and that this is serious, but we did not discuss any demands with her because her health is fragile.

FEYERICK: Donna, you've watched the video of previous captives and now you're in that position. Can you describe that?

MAYEUX: It's disbelief. It's -- I guess it's something that you never think is going to be home to your own family. We kind of feel numb.

FEYERICK: The U.S. government, the Saudi government says that their policy is not to negotiate with terrorists. What do you say to the governments?

JOHNSON III: The governments -- you know, we know what they want and my father, I know -- he's an innocent victim in this whole matter. And I plead with the Saudi government and the group of men that are holding my father to please let him return home safely. He will leave your country. You will never see him again. I just plead with them to get him home safely.

FEYERICK: The kidnappers who are holding him, what do you want them to know about your dad and about his family?

JOHNSON III: My father is a loving father. He's a grandfather. He would give his shirt off the back to them if he knew them, and he respected -- he respected the Saudis.

FEYERICK: What is...

MAYEUX: He's an innocent man. Killing him is not going to solve anything. We would just like his safe return. My mother, his wife, my niece, and my three girls -- we would just like a safe return. FEYERICK: Now, Paul, we know that you've brought your son here. He's 3 years old. He's never seen his grandfather. I guess the Christmas was going to be when he saw him.

What is the message that you have for your dad right now?

JOHNSON III: I just want him brought home safely.

MAYEUX: We're doing everything we can to bring him home. Everybody is trying to help. We appreciate that.

JOHNSON III: I just plead with the Saudis to please do whatever you take. If you got to -- we're all human. Just please, he's done a lot for your country. I respect your country. I respect -- I respect everything that everybody has done. And I just want to see my father brought home safely. And the Saudis, you can make it happen. And I'm just asking you, please make this happen.

He's -- he does not deserve this. And he was just doing his job and let's -- please, just bring him home and the group of people holding him, just please -- he don't deserve this.

MAYEUX: We just -we just ask that they treat him with the dignity and respect that he's often talked about, that they have in their culture. Just please, please don't murder them -- murder him.

FEYERICK: OK. Your son is here. He seems a little bit upset. I know that you want to show him to your father if, in fact, your father is watching or perhaps the men who are holding him are watching. But I don't know if he wants to come over.

JOHNSON III: Paul, come here.

FEYERICK: And, Paul, this is your wife?

JOHNSON III: This is my wife, Jody (ph).

FEYERICK: What do you want to say to your father about....

JOHNSON III: I want to say I know the group of men that got my father. You guys are probably fathers. And just please let him come home and be a grandfather.

And this is Paul Marshal Johnson IV. I -- my father gave me his name and I honor my father so much I gave him my son his name. And I just want to a safe return and I'm optimistic with the Saudis can get him home safely.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: Saudi Arabia says it doesn't negotiate with terrorists but is considering its next step.

O'BRIEN: SUV drivers are not only saving money at the pump, but also at the dealership.

And isn't it ironic? Their love began through e-mail but will it end at the altar?

More entertainment headlines when LIVE FROM continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Hopscotching "Across America" we go.

Twenty million dollars. That's reportedly how much Michael Jackson paid to settle a 1993 civil case with a boy who'd accused him of molestation. Under terms of the agreement obtained by Court TV, the settlement was not an admission of wrongdoing. Jackson representatives did not return CNN calls to comment on that report.

From Jacko to a jackpot, and something that might make you believe in karma. A few years ago, a Virginia woman was inspired to donate a kidney to someone she didn't even know. Now, Monday, she won a half million bucks in the lottery. Get what you give, huh? Mitzi Nichols says she'll use part of the money to help repair the car of the man who got her the kidney. My goodness! This woman is a saint!

And it was the scream heard round the political world but now, Howard Dean says it didn't happen that way. It was replayed and replayed and replayed, as you know. Dean told broadcasters meeting in Washington he was only shouting to be heard above the Iowa crowd! He didn't say it that way, but the tape got edited without the crowd noise and it made him stand out. And I've heard that mix with the crowd noise. It does sound different for what it's worth. A lot of good it does him now.

PHILLIPS: OK. Even though the prices -- sorry, just had to clear out my ears there/

O'BRIEN: Sorry.

PHILLIPS: OK, there we go.

O'BRIEN: You were tuning me out again. You unplugged me!

PHILLIPS: Rhonda Schaffler, we're not unplugging you, that's for darn sure.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER, CNNfn CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Kyra and Miles.

We're going to talk actually about prices for cars. We've talked so much about gas prices being on the rise. At least prices for cars holding somewhat steady. That's the case with the large SUVs. The prices are continuing to fall a bit from last month. According to the auto Web site edmunds.com, it's the third straight monthly decline for SUVs.

The drop in prices could be due to consumers driving some hard bargains. Automakers have had to offer a record number of incentives on vehicles to stay competitive, and that, of course, has led to lower prices.

But the falling prices may be helping the carmakers. GM and Ford saw higher sales for SUVs last month despite the higher gas prices. Edmunds index shows the average new car costs slightly less now than it did at the start of 2002.

As far as where stock prices are going, markets stuck in neutral here. Investors didn't pay too too much attention to a generally upbeat series of economic reports today. The fed's basebook indicates employment activity improved in April and May as the overall economy continues to improve. Another report shows the starts of new housing units dipped a bit in May.

Wall Street, though, not finding that enough to send the markets significantly higher. Dow is only up four points, Nasdaq slightly higher.

That's the very latest from Wall Street. Kyra and Miles, we'll see you tomorrow.

O'BRIEN: All right.

PHILLIPS: Thanks, Rhonda.

O'BRIEN: Thank you, Rhonda. Always a pleasure having you drop by.

Here's the burning question of the day: will Britney dance again? The pop sensation has been forced to shut down her summer tour.

PHILLIPS: And why is that?

O'BRIEN: I think she's sore.

PHILLIPS: What happens when a couple of young hot Canadians get together? Find out in entertainment headlines.

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PHILLIPS: Checking entertainment headlines this Wednesday.

Heads up, all you Alanis Morisette fans. You oughta know she's engaged to actor Ryan Reynolds. Some might say isn't it ironic that Alanis, who often sings about love's failings, is altar bound with a 2.5 carat diamond ring to prove it. Hello.

Meanwhile, not a ring but a brace for Britney Spears. Her North American concert tour has been nixed after a severe knee injury. Spears was hurt while shooting a video last week.

And finally, another new man for Jennifer Lopez? OK, relax. Her interest in Tommy Mottola is purely business. She's talking to her former Sony boss about becoming her new manager. Mottola already manages her new hubby, Marc Anthony.

O'BRIEN: Remember when summer meant a steady diet of TV reruns? Well thanks to reality TV, there's new stuff to watch instead of old stuff. Of course, we can't guarantee it's good stuff but it is new. After distinguishing themselves down on the farm in "The Simple Life," Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie take their act on the road in one of those air-stream trailers. The simple life -- dah -- dah -- deux --or two, debuts tonight and surely Charles Kuralt somewhere is rolling over in his grave.

Oh, we're not finished with you yet. Will that Simpson lightning strike twice, you ask? MTV hopes so. They're giving Ashley Simpson, sister of Jessica Simpson, her own show. She's already got a record deal and a debut album coming out next month. As for the show, it debuts tonight.

PHILLIPS: Are you going to be watching?

O'BRIEN: I'm going to TiVo that thing. Absolutely.

PHILLIPS: Really?

O'BRIEN: No.

PHILLIPS: Tuning in?

O'BRIEN: That's all for this edition of CNN's LIVE FROM.

Have no interest. Watching CNN all night.

PHILLIPS: There you go.

Well, sticking with the blue theme today, our Judy Woodruff heading up political headlines today.

O'BRIEN: Every day is blue theme for me.

PHILLIPS: There you go. That's right -- when are you going to -- oh, all right.

JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: Kyra and Miles, thank you both.

And despite the recent comments by President Bush and Vice President Cheney linking al Qaeda and Iraq, a new 9/11 commission report says there is no evidence that Iraq cooperated in the attacks on the U.S. Our Bill Schneider takes a look at the contradictory statements.

Plus, a group of retired diplomats and military officers is calling for Americans to vote President Bush out of office. I'll take a look at what it's saying when "INSIDE POLITICS" starts in just a moment.

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