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Live From...
Iraq Trying to Build Bridges With European Union; Interview With Matt Damon
Aired July 12, 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: No sweat, that's how Greek officials are reacting to today's blackout. It knocked out traffic lights, air conditioners in Athens, and all across southern Greece in 104-degree heat. The government blamed it on mismanagement of the electrical grid and promised the country is ready for the summer Olympics next month.
Up first this hour, a safer America post-Saddam Hussein, that's the view from Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where President Bush today defended his administration's "steady, confident, systematic campaign against the dangers of our time."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Although we have not found stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction, we were right to go into Iraq. We removed a declared enemy of America who had the capability of producing weapons of mass murder and could have passed that capability to terrorists bent on acquiring them. In the world after September 11, that was a risk we could not afford to take.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: The view from Kerry-Edwards is very different. The Democratic ticket is defending its Senate votes to authorize war in Iraq while attacking the war's execution.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: What I voted for was a -- an authority for the president to go to war as a last resort if Saddam Hussein did not disarm and we needed to go to war. I think the way he went to war was a mistake.
SEN. JOHN EDWARDS (D-NC), VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I mean, I know you want to make this black and white...
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well...
EDWARDS: But the difference is...
KERRY: I don't...
EDWARDS: I want to finish this. The difference is, if John Kerry were president of the United States, we would never be in this place, he would never have done what George Bush did, he would have done the hard work to build the alliances and the support system.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: How to help get Iraq back on its feet: members of the European Union are putting in a little bit more than their two cents worth. CNN's Matthew Chance joins us now from Brussels, where he's monitoring those talks -- Matthew.
MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Thanks, Kyra.
And since the Iraq government was handed sovereignty a few weeks ago, it's been trying very hard to build bridges, not just with its immediate neighbors, Iran and Syria and Saudi Arabia, but now also here in the European Union as well. The visit by the country's foreign minister, Hoshyar Zebari, is the first by a member of the new Iraqi interim government. It was billed very much as a first opportunity for the two sides, Iraq and the European Union, to exchange thoughts on a range of issues, how Europe can contribute more to the democratic process in the new Iraq, even how it can help train Iraq's fledgling security services.
So when I sat down with the Iraqi foreign minister, the first thing I asked him was what Europe could offer his country. Here's what he said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HOSHYAR ZEBARI, IRAQI FOREIGN MINISTER: We need from the European Union to have more visible presence inside Iraq. They cannot do, OK, any programs from a distance by remote control.
We requested -- I requested formally that we expect the EU to have an office in Baghdad, to liaise, to coordinate, and to administer the EU assistance to the Iraqi government. We expect them to help us in the political process, in the electoral process, in the monitoring process of the elections that we have.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHANCE: All right. Well, a lot of things are being requested by the Iraqi interim government from the European Union, but the European Union was also addressing some of the things it wants as well.
One of the issues that's emerged between the two sides is the issue of the death penalty. Now, you may know that in Europe, one of the cornerstones of the region's human rights policy is the absence of the death penalty. None of the 25 countries in the European Union have it.
They used this as an opportunity to press the Iraqi government not to adopt the death penalty, even in cases of Saddam Hussein. But again, the Iraqi foreign minister saying that, although he agreed in principle with some of the reservations of European Union members about the use of the death penalty, in a country where it's been so terribly abused in the past, he felt very much, along with his partners in the Iraqi interim government, the security situation was so tough in Iraq at the moment, they needed very tough measures to address it, including the death penalty, particularly for people like Saddam Hussein -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Matthew Chance, live from Brussels.
Other "News Across America" now.
The clock starts. Lea Fastow, the wife of former Enron CFO, Andrew Fastow, reported to prison today to begin serving her year-long sentence. Fastow is serving time for helping her husband hide millions of dollars in Enron money.
A new study could give ammunition to proponents of a federal cap on medical malpractice awards. The study finds California's landmark law cut awards in malpractice trials by about 30 percent. But patients only saw a 15 percent drop in net recovery because of a cap on attorneys' fees. President Bush has cited the law as a model for federal legislation.
Testimony resumes in the Scott Peterson murder case. Up first today, a police sergeant who discussed numerous searches of San Francisco Bay after the remains of Peterson's wife and unborn son washed ashore. Peterson's former mistress, Amber Frey, could take the stand this week.
Courtney Love not feeling the love, as a trip to the hospital on one coast gets her in trouble with a judge on the other. Details ahead.
And...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: I've got to ask you about the love life. Everyone's talk about Luciana.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: And I asked actor Matt Damon the question every woman in America wants to know about. The LIVE FROM interview straight ahead.
And, where's the beef? One fast-food company is sprinting ahead in the burger wars but without the burger. Where's the burger?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: It was hugs and kiss all around for Alabama National Guard members as they returned to the states last night from Iraq.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: ... and being there for us, and your love and your patriotism.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Give me a kiss. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I just gave you one.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I love you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Nothing like kiss going through the fence. More than 100 members of the -- 165th Military Police Company, rather, arrived in Fort Benning, Georgia, after 14 months in Iraq. They'll return to Alabama on Saturday. Some of the troops say that they were looking forward to liver and onions and sweet tea.
Checking our entertainment headlines this Monday, June 12, bi- coastal problems for Courtney Love. The troubled rock star spent her 40th birthday Friday in a New York hospital while a judge in California issued a warrant for her arrest because she missed a court date. Her attorney says she was confused about whether she had to be there.
Wanted: film director for the latest "Superman" movie. Hollywood director Joseph McGinty Nichol, known as "McG," has left the Warner Brothers project. Squabbles over the budget estimated to be hovering around $200 million, and differences over casting, shooting locations are cited as reasons for that split.
Web-spinning marvel "Spider-Man 2" is still casting a wide net. The superhero sequel captured the box office again, taking in $46 million. In the last two weeks, the film recouped its $200 million price tag and then some.
Well, the low-carb craze certainly threw fast food for a loop. But after some menu adjustments, the industry is fired up for yet another food fight. Rhonda Schaffler joins us live from the New York Stock Exchange with that story.
(STOCK MARKET REPORT)
PHILLIPS: Rhonda, thanks so much.
Well, Oscar-winning screenwriter and actor Matt Damon gets ready to thrill audiences in a new spy movie. He certainly thrilled all of us when he dropped by the LIVE FROM set and every single intern in the building. He explains to me why he has sweaty palms. That's right, sweaty palms. That's just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Now the story you've been waiting for: producer Vicki Russell's (ph) LIVE FROM bonus story of the day. Elsits (ph), daffies, nose and tail wheelies, it's all in a day's fun for a group of free-spirited moms who know their way around a skate park. Donna Tetrault is on the roll in southern California.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DONNA TETRAULT, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The look of skateboarding isn't what it used to be, girls are carving and doing ollies just like the boys. But these are, well, mature girls.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I've always been kind of obsessed with skateboarding.
TETRAULT: This woman is leading a revolution: skateboarding moms. She's written a book, she's set up a Web site, and now women as far away as New Zealand are visiting it, and rolling into her world.
BARBARA ODANAKA, SKATEBOARDING MOM: When we step on these planks of wood, it's like total freedom. And I'm just ten all over again.
TETRAULT (on camera): When Barbara Odanaka is climbing the walls at home she says she would rather be crawling the walls at a skate park. And she's not alone.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Each trick, each thing that you accomplish just makes you feel so good for the rest of the day.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Skateboarding is absolutely my favorite sport.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's usually a 12-year-old boy who's trying to show me how to do it, just do this.
TETRAULT (voice-over): And while some women shop for shoes, Odanaka and her friends spend thousands on skateboarding equipment.
ODANAKA: This is my latest toy. It's great finding a big long hill. And you carve it just like you would be carving snow.
TETRAULT: They show off their moves, bringing the next generation along.
ODANAKA: I'm no Tony Hawk. I'm a mom. So I do have to be a little careful. But ultimately I'd like to be a mom who can do things that Tony Hawk does on a skateboard.
TETRAULT: It's off to try the gymbo and avoid the asphalt hankie. Donna Tetrault for CNN, Laguna Niguel.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "THE BOURNE SUPREMACY")
UNIDENTIFIED MALE, "THE BOURNE SUPREMACY": Where is he?
MATT DAMON, ACTOR, "THE BOURNE SUPREMACY": Right next to you.
(END VIDEO CLIP, "THE BOURNE SUPREMACY")
PHILLIPS: Oh, yeah, he's back, the spy with the identity crisis, Jason Bourne. Actor Matt Damon brings him to life again in the second installment of the thriller series, "The Bourne Supremacy." It's out in theaters July 23, but the Oscar winner is where -- here, right with me, right here, right now -- can I get this? We're talking being ADD, right, with all these monitors and everything going on.
DAMON: I'm not hearing anything. I'm just looking at the world go by.
PHILLIPS: Are you hearing me? Do I...
DAMON: Yeah -- no, no. I have you. I have the ear piece, so...
PHILLIPS: And I like how everybody in the newsroom happened to come down once you entered. You know, no one ever comes to watch the newscast.
DAMON: Really?
PHILLIPS: But you show up and -- yes, look at this place, it's packed.
DAMON: The background always looks pretty much the same on television.
PHILLIPS: OK.
DAMON: It seems pretty -- pretty into back there.
PHILLIPS: I'm impressed with the NPR shirt. Maybe we can get you to wear a CNN T--shirt next time.
DAMON: Yes. I was there this morning in D.C., and...
PHILLIPS: Excellent. So you'll leave with a CNN shirt after this.
DAMON: Sure. I'll put it around my head when I -- when I go out.
PHILLIPS: All right. Let's talk about the movie. Do you just love playing such a super stud? I've got to ask you that. This is like every guy's fantasy to be, you know, firing off guns and saving the day and being covert.
DAMON: Yeah, I guess it's fun. It's kind of like wishful filming, or whatever. But the reality is, when you're making it, you know, you're messing up most of the time when you're trying to do this stuff. So you don't really feel that cool when you're -- when you're actually doing it.
When it all comes together in the end, I guess it looks -- it looks a little more slick than you feel when you're -- when you're doing it. I mean, all this stuff, you know...
PHILLIPS: The driving, the shooting. I mean, did you...
DAMON: I almost killed Franka and I at least three times in this car chase.
PHILLIPS: You were actually doing the car chase? DAMON: Yeah, yeah. She did some of it, too. She was driving.
PHILLIPS: Really?
DAMON: Yeah, yeah.
PHILLIPS: Now, did you meet with like special forces guys and, they said, OK, now, Matt, this is how you look like a sniper, this is how you sit, this is the look, this is...
DAMON: Yeah. I mean, I did a lot of it on the first one, training in martial arts and boxing, and -- and all these different kinds of, you know, guns, you know, rifles, M-16s, AK-47s.
PHILLIPS: Minor weaponry.
DAMON: Yeah, all that stuff. And -- and, yeah, and talking to people and getting advice. I mean, the key to these movies is that -- is that we try and do things that are slightly different from -- from what you normally see. And we always want the action to kind of grow out of the story it seems, you know, and develop the characters and -- and not just be kind of gratuitous.
You know, because in Hollywood movies -- I'll say this as the explosion goes -- in Hollywood movies...
PHILLIPS: A couple of explosions.
DAMON: ... generally, there's one of those explosions every five minutes. And in the Bourne movies, you know, we've got two of them now. And so far, just two explosions. So we're doing pretty well.
PHILLIPS: Well, now do you come home at night, and after, you know, doing these type of scenes and learning how to, I don't know, be a (UNINTELLIGIBLE), do you feel more safe at home? I mean, do you have a security system? Do you think if anyone breaks in and enters, it's OK, you've got it handled?
DAMON: Well, the guys who trained me, actually, after -- you know, for the first movie, after all the training was done, and I was in the best shape of my life, and they -- they looked at me, and they sat me down, and they said, "Now, if anything ever happens to you, what's the first thing you do?" And I'm like, "Well, I put this move on and" -- what's the first thing you do?
PHILLIPS: Call 911.
DAMON: I looked at them and, yeah, run.
PHILLIPS: All right. We're going to lose the eye piece -- or the ear piece.
DAMON: It's not working?
PHILLIPS: Yeah, don't worry about it. You don't need it anymore because you know the movie. You don't have to hear anything, right? DAMON: I know. Oh, yeah, was that just for that?
PHILLIPS: Yes, that was just for that.
DAMON: I just thought it was -- I thought they were going to give me breaking news.
PHILLIPS: Oh, no. I mean, if you have breaking news, I'm going to tell you, and you're just going to go with it. Is that OK?
DAMON: All right, great, yes. I'll fill in for Miles here.
PHILLIPS: There you go. Ooh, don't tell him that. He got really nervous when you arrived here, yes.
DAMON: Is that why he ran out of here suddenly?
PHILLIPS: That's why he bolted. He's from Boston, by the way. But that's another story.
So how's your friend, Ben?
DAMON: He's good.
PHILLIPS: Yes?
DAMON: Yes, he's great.
PHILLIPS: You talk to J.Lo often?
DAMON: No, but I...
PHILLIPS: Have lunch, dinner, double date?
DAMON: I haven't spoken to her. But I haven't -- I didn't speak to them much when they were together. I was off a lot and they were off a lot.
I mean, I -- she was really, really nice, I have to say. I mean, I don't know, it's such a weird thing seeing people you know and seeing them in that -- you know, seeing the kind of public side of that. And it's never really the same as the people you kind of know on the private side. You know what I mean?
PHILLIPS: He's still your best friend, right?
DAMON: Yeah.
PHILLIPS: Yeah?
DAMON: Yeah.
PHILLIPS: What do you guys do? Do you guys go bowling? Do you sing karaoke?
DAMON: We sing together. No. You know, I -- kind of normal, normal buddy things.
You know, we've still got all our buddies back in Boston, you know? When we're home, we hang out with those guys. And, you know, we see each other, we talk about work, we talk about -- obviously, we've known each other for 20 -- 23 years now, so, you know, there's a lot of history, a lot of kind of overlapping family connections, stuff like that.
PHILLIPS: Let's talk about Project Greenlight. This is pretty -- these are for all the struggling writers of the world. Maybe we should start with "Goodwill Hunting," because that was such a -- that was pretty much what helped -- well, "Mystic Pizza," but this really launched you as a writer and producer and actor.
And you and Ben, obviously, your relationship and working on that project. Talk about Project Greenlight, and how you're trying to do the same for others.
DAMON: Yes, well it was -- after the -- after "Goodwill Hunting" came out, it was a pretty -- oh, wow, they've got the thing in there, huh?
PHILLIPS: So there you go. Your favorite bit. Look how young you look. Wow.
DAMON: Yes, look at how old I am now.
PHILLIPS: No, you're not old.
DAMON: That's six or seven years ago.
PHILLIPS: (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Yeah, he's older.
DAMON: He's great (UNINTELLIGIBLE). God, that's one of the greatest moments in Boston history right there.
PHILLIPS: We're going to have to talk about that. That's true, you went to the Boston -- you went to the game not long ago.
DAMON: I went to the game the other night, yeah.
PHILLIPS: Are you related to Johnny Damon?
DAMON: He's my brother.
PHILLIPS: That is your brother. We were taking -- oh -- we were taking...
DAMON: I'm sorry, you just believed me.
PHILLIPS: I know.
DAMON: I would have done it but we're on TV, and I didn't want to embarrass you. Had the cameras not been on, I would have -- I would have run with it. But no, he's not my brother. I tell everyone he's my brother. PHILLIPS: Big baseball fan.
DAMON: Big baseball fan. And he's -- yeah, he's great. He's a really good guy, too. I had my nephews there the other night and he came over and hung out with them for a little bit.
PHILLIPS: The one you sing "Afternoon Delight," too.
DAMON: Exactly. This is the same one.
PHILLIPS: Right. Back to Project Greenlight. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) we're ADD...
(CROSSTALK)
DAMON: We're good.
PHILLIPS: ... in this interview, aren't we? Do you like this?
DAMON: You know, there's 10 percent of the country is following us perfectly.
PHILLIPS: It's incredible. And my brother's got a screenplay, by the way. I'm going to send it your way for Project Greenlight, all right?
DAMON: Perfect.
PHILLIPS: Chip Phillips, you look for it.
DAMON: Chip Phillips.
PHILLIPS: He is my brother. He's not a baseball player.
DAMON: OK.
PHILLIPS: But he loves baseball.
DAMON: So no relation to Chipper Jones?
PHILLIPS: No, no relation. Back to Project Greenlight.
DAMON: Yeah, well, a question we got a lot after "Goodwill Hunting" came out was -- was, how did you guys do it? You know, how can I get my screenplay through kind of the standard gatekeeper system in Hollywood?
And we didn't really have an answer for anybody because everybody kind of goes about it a different way. But -- but we didn't really have kind of one answer to give people, and these were really well- intentioned people who put a lot of work into their screenplay. So Greenlight came about as kind of an answer to, you know, how to circumnavigate that standard gatekeeper system that does tend to shut out some -- some good work.
PHILLIPS: And we're going to show the Web site, too, and talk about that...
DAMON: Great.
PHILLIPS: ... so folks can send you another 50 million screenplays to take a look at.
DAMON: Fifty million screenplays? We'll take it.
PHILLIPS: Yeah, there -- now, since we're hitting every part of your life, what's it like living on a commune with your mom? I've always wanted to ask you that.
DAMON: Well, it was a community house. It wasn't -- it wasn't -- it wasn't really a commune in the sense that people would think a commune. It was more families that -- it was a six-family house that people bought together, and everyone had their own space.
It was like a -- a coop, but it was -- the people who bought it were politically aligned and kind of had the same pretty similar set of values and, you know, social values, I'd say. So -- so it was an interesting way to grow up. There were a lot of really smart people there and really good people with some different perspectives and, you know, just a lot of -- a lot of good kind of parental figures to be around.
PHILLIPS: Do you ever go back in that time and think of what you learned, maybe conversations you had with your mom? And does it incorporate into your writing, or maybe ideas for movies and...
DAMON: Sure. I think that stuff plays a huge part in -- in how -- how we take in all the information we take in, you know, the filter through which we're looking at life as it's going by.
PHILLIPS: As life goes by, you notice that all the beautiful young women showed up in the newsroom today. I've got to ask you about the love life. Everyone's been talking about Luciana. Am I saying that -- is that good?
DAMON: Yeah, yeah, yeah. That's about all we'll say.
PHILLIPS: Oh. You're like Ben and J.Lo. You don't give anything up.
DAMON: No, no, no. I -- yeah, I mean, but you notice we're ducking under the radar, which is how we like it.
PHILLIPS: You're happy?
DAMON: Very, yes.
PHILLIPS: All right. So you'll let us know when you buy the big ring and maybe come on...
DAMON: I'm going to come and tell you first.
PHILLIPS: Really? DAMON: Yes.
PHILLIPS: You've got a deal. Shake on that. I can't wait for the movie. You're hands are sweating.
DAMON: No, are they?
PHILLIPS: Yeah. Thanks, Matt.
DAMON: Yeah, you're welcome.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: Well, Matt's new movie, sweaty palms and all, "The Bourne Supremacy," releases nationwide on July 23.
"JUDY WOODRUFF'S INSIDE POLITICS" is just ahead. The politically-charged issue of same-sex marriage takes center stage in the Senate today. Judy will talk to Republican Senator Wayne Allard, as well as the former President Carter's son, Chip, about a proposed constitutional amendment.
Plus, what do recent polls show about the bounce for senators Kerry and Edwards? We'll take a look at where the race stands now that Kerry has his running mate. "INSIDE POLITICS" begins in just one moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: In the news now, Palestinians plan to go to the U.N. general assembly to stop Israel's construction of a barrier that cuts into the West Bank. They're seeking emergency session to force Israel to comply with court opinion that the barrier is illegal.
In the news now, she'll forever be remembered as Weezie by fans. Actress Isabel Sanford has died of natural causes in Los Angeles. Sanford is best known for her role as Louise or Weezie Jefferson in "All in the Family" and "The Jefferson," which ran a record 11 seasons. She was 86 years old.
A soldier accused in the Iraqi prisoner abuse scandal gets a new court date today. The Article 32 hearing for Private First Class Lynndie England has been scheduled for August 3. That hearing will determine whether England will face a court-martial.
Now, "JUDY WOODRUFF'S INSIDE POLITICS."
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Aired July 12, 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: No sweat, that's how Greek officials are reacting to today's blackout. It knocked out traffic lights, air conditioners in Athens, and all across southern Greece in 104-degree heat. The government blamed it on mismanagement of the electrical grid and promised the country is ready for the summer Olympics next month.
Up first this hour, a safer America post-Saddam Hussein, that's the view from Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where President Bush today defended his administration's "steady, confident, systematic campaign against the dangers of our time."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Although we have not found stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction, we were right to go into Iraq. We removed a declared enemy of America who had the capability of producing weapons of mass murder and could have passed that capability to terrorists bent on acquiring them. In the world after September 11, that was a risk we could not afford to take.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: The view from Kerry-Edwards is very different. The Democratic ticket is defending its Senate votes to authorize war in Iraq while attacking the war's execution.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: What I voted for was a -- an authority for the president to go to war as a last resort if Saddam Hussein did not disarm and we needed to go to war. I think the way he went to war was a mistake.
SEN. JOHN EDWARDS (D-NC), VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I mean, I know you want to make this black and white...
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well...
EDWARDS: But the difference is...
KERRY: I don't...
EDWARDS: I want to finish this. The difference is, if John Kerry were president of the United States, we would never be in this place, he would never have done what George Bush did, he would have done the hard work to build the alliances and the support system.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: How to help get Iraq back on its feet: members of the European Union are putting in a little bit more than their two cents worth. CNN's Matthew Chance joins us now from Brussels, where he's monitoring those talks -- Matthew.
MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Thanks, Kyra.
And since the Iraq government was handed sovereignty a few weeks ago, it's been trying very hard to build bridges, not just with its immediate neighbors, Iran and Syria and Saudi Arabia, but now also here in the European Union as well. The visit by the country's foreign minister, Hoshyar Zebari, is the first by a member of the new Iraqi interim government. It was billed very much as a first opportunity for the two sides, Iraq and the European Union, to exchange thoughts on a range of issues, how Europe can contribute more to the democratic process in the new Iraq, even how it can help train Iraq's fledgling security services.
So when I sat down with the Iraqi foreign minister, the first thing I asked him was what Europe could offer his country. Here's what he said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HOSHYAR ZEBARI, IRAQI FOREIGN MINISTER: We need from the European Union to have more visible presence inside Iraq. They cannot do, OK, any programs from a distance by remote control.
We requested -- I requested formally that we expect the EU to have an office in Baghdad, to liaise, to coordinate, and to administer the EU assistance to the Iraqi government. We expect them to help us in the political process, in the electoral process, in the monitoring process of the elections that we have.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHANCE: All right. Well, a lot of things are being requested by the Iraqi interim government from the European Union, but the European Union was also addressing some of the things it wants as well.
One of the issues that's emerged between the two sides is the issue of the death penalty. Now, you may know that in Europe, one of the cornerstones of the region's human rights policy is the absence of the death penalty. None of the 25 countries in the European Union have it.
They used this as an opportunity to press the Iraqi government not to adopt the death penalty, even in cases of Saddam Hussein. But again, the Iraqi foreign minister saying that, although he agreed in principle with some of the reservations of European Union members about the use of the death penalty, in a country where it's been so terribly abused in the past, he felt very much, along with his partners in the Iraqi interim government, the security situation was so tough in Iraq at the moment, they needed very tough measures to address it, including the death penalty, particularly for people like Saddam Hussein -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Matthew Chance, live from Brussels.
Other "News Across America" now.
The clock starts. Lea Fastow, the wife of former Enron CFO, Andrew Fastow, reported to prison today to begin serving her year-long sentence. Fastow is serving time for helping her husband hide millions of dollars in Enron money.
A new study could give ammunition to proponents of a federal cap on medical malpractice awards. The study finds California's landmark law cut awards in malpractice trials by about 30 percent. But patients only saw a 15 percent drop in net recovery because of a cap on attorneys' fees. President Bush has cited the law as a model for federal legislation.
Testimony resumes in the Scott Peterson murder case. Up first today, a police sergeant who discussed numerous searches of San Francisco Bay after the remains of Peterson's wife and unborn son washed ashore. Peterson's former mistress, Amber Frey, could take the stand this week.
Courtney Love not feeling the love, as a trip to the hospital on one coast gets her in trouble with a judge on the other. Details ahead.
And...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: I've got to ask you about the love life. Everyone's talk about Luciana.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: And I asked actor Matt Damon the question every woman in America wants to know about. The LIVE FROM interview straight ahead.
And, where's the beef? One fast-food company is sprinting ahead in the burger wars but without the burger. Where's the burger?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: It was hugs and kiss all around for Alabama National Guard members as they returned to the states last night from Iraq.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: ... and being there for us, and your love and your patriotism.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Give me a kiss. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I just gave you one.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I love you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Nothing like kiss going through the fence. More than 100 members of the -- 165th Military Police Company, rather, arrived in Fort Benning, Georgia, after 14 months in Iraq. They'll return to Alabama on Saturday. Some of the troops say that they were looking forward to liver and onions and sweet tea.
Checking our entertainment headlines this Monday, June 12, bi- coastal problems for Courtney Love. The troubled rock star spent her 40th birthday Friday in a New York hospital while a judge in California issued a warrant for her arrest because she missed a court date. Her attorney says she was confused about whether she had to be there.
Wanted: film director for the latest "Superman" movie. Hollywood director Joseph McGinty Nichol, known as "McG," has left the Warner Brothers project. Squabbles over the budget estimated to be hovering around $200 million, and differences over casting, shooting locations are cited as reasons for that split.
Web-spinning marvel "Spider-Man 2" is still casting a wide net. The superhero sequel captured the box office again, taking in $46 million. In the last two weeks, the film recouped its $200 million price tag and then some.
Well, the low-carb craze certainly threw fast food for a loop. But after some menu adjustments, the industry is fired up for yet another food fight. Rhonda Schaffler joins us live from the New York Stock Exchange with that story.
(STOCK MARKET REPORT)
PHILLIPS: Rhonda, thanks so much.
Well, Oscar-winning screenwriter and actor Matt Damon gets ready to thrill audiences in a new spy movie. He certainly thrilled all of us when he dropped by the LIVE FROM set and every single intern in the building. He explains to me why he has sweaty palms. That's right, sweaty palms. That's just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Now the story you've been waiting for: producer Vicki Russell's (ph) LIVE FROM bonus story of the day. Elsits (ph), daffies, nose and tail wheelies, it's all in a day's fun for a group of free-spirited moms who know their way around a skate park. Donna Tetrault is on the roll in southern California.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DONNA TETRAULT, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The look of skateboarding isn't what it used to be, girls are carving and doing ollies just like the boys. But these are, well, mature girls.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I've always been kind of obsessed with skateboarding.
TETRAULT: This woman is leading a revolution: skateboarding moms. She's written a book, she's set up a Web site, and now women as far away as New Zealand are visiting it, and rolling into her world.
BARBARA ODANAKA, SKATEBOARDING MOM: When we step on these planks of wood, it's like total freedom. And I'm just ten all over again.
TETRAULT (on camera): When Barbara Odanaka is climbing the walls at home she says she would rather be crawling the walls at a skate park. And she's not alone.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Each trick, each thing that you accomplish just makes you feel so good for the rest of the day.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Skateboarding is absolutely my favorite sport.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's usually a 12-year-old boy who's trying to show me how to do it, just do this.
TETRAULT (voice-over): And while some women shop for shoes, Odanaka and her friends spend thousands on skateboarding equipment.
ODANAKA: This is my latest toy. It's great finding a big long hill. And you carve it just like you would be carving snow.
TETRAULT: They show off their moves, bringing the next generation along.
ODANAKA: I'm no Tony Hawk. I'm a mom. So I do have to be a little careful. But ultimately I'd like to be a mom who can do things that Tony Hawk does on a skateboard.
TETRAULT: It's off to try the gymbo and avoid the asphalt hankie. Donna Tetrault for CNN, Laguna Niguel.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "THE BOURNE SUPREMACY")
UNIDENTIFIED MALE, "THE BOURNE SUPREMACY": Where is he?
MATT DAMON, ACTOR, "THE BOURNE SUPREMACY": Right next to you.
(END VIDEO CLIP, "THE BOURNE SUPREMACY")
PHILLIPS: Oh, yeah, he's back, the spy with the identity crisis, Jason Bourne. Actor Matt Damon brings him to life again in the second installment of the thriller series, "The Bourne Supremacy." It's out in theaters July 23, but the Oscar winner is where -- here, right with me, right here, right now -- can I get this? We're talking being ADD, right, with all these monitors and everything going on.
DAMON: I'm not hearing anything. I'm just looking at the world go by.
PHILLIPS: Are you hearing me? Do I...
DAMON: Yeah -- no, no. I have you. I have the ear piece, so...
PHILLIPS: And I like how everybody in the newsroom happened to come down once you entered. You know, no one ever comes to watch the newscast.
DAMON: Really?
PHILLIPS: But you show up and -- yes, look at this place, it's packed.
DAMON: The background always looks pretty much the same on television.
PHILLIPS: OK.
DAMON: It seems pretty -- pretty into back there.
PHILLIPS: I'm impressed with the NPR shirt. Maybe we can get you to wear a CNN T--shirt next time.
DAMON: Yes. I was there this morning in D.C., and...
PHILLIPS: Excellent. So you'll leave with a CNN shirt after this.
DAMON: Sure. I'll put it around my head when I -- when I go out.
PHILLIPS: All right. Let's talk about the movie. Do you just love playing such a super stud? I've got to ask you that. This is like every guy's fantasy to be, you know, firing off guns and saving the day and being covert.
DAMON: Yeah, I guess it's fun. It's kind of like wishful filming, or whatever. But the reality is, when you're making it, you know, you're messing up most of the time when you're trying to do this stuff. So you don't really feel that cool when you're -- when you're actually doing it.
When it all comes together in the end, I guess it looks -- it looks a little more slick than you feel when you're -- when you're doing it. I mean, all this stuff, you know...
PHILLIPS: The driving, the shooting. I mean, did you...
DAMON: I almost killed Franka and I at least three times in this car chase.
PHILLIPS: You were actually doing the car chase? DAMON: Yeah, yeah. She did some of it, too. She was driving.
PHILLIPS: Really?
DAMON: Yeah, yeah.
PHILLIPS: Now, did you meet with like special forces guys and, they said, OK, now, Matt, this is how you look like a sniper, this is how you sit, this is the look, this is...
DAMON: Yeah. I mean, I did a lot of it on the first one, training in martial arts and boxing, and -- and all these different kinds of, you know, guns, you know, rifles, M-16s, AK-47s.
PHILLIPS: Minor weaponry.
DAMON: Yeah, all that stuff. And -- and, yeah, and talking to people and getting advice. I mean, the key to these movies is that -- is that we try and do things that are slightly different from -- from what you normally see. And we always want the action to kind of grow out of the story it seems, you know, and develop the characters and -- and not just be kind of gratuitous.
You know, because in Hollywood movies -- I'll say this as the explosion goes -- in Hollywood movies...
PHILLIPS: A couple of explosions.
DAMON: ... generally, there's one of those explosions every five minutes. And in the Bourne movies, you know, we've got two of them now. And so far, just two explosions. So we're doing pretty well.
PHILLIPS: Well, now do you come home at night, and after, you know, doing these type of scenes and learning how to, I don't know, be a (UNINTELLIGIBLE), do you feel more safe at home? I mean, do you have a security system? Do you think if anyone breaks in and enters, it's OK, you've got it handled?
DAMON: Well, the guys who trained me, actually, after -- you know, for the first movie, after all the training was done, and I was in the best shape of my life, and they -- they looked at me, and they sat me down, and they said, "Now, if anything ever happens to you, what's the first thing you do?" And I'm like, "Well, I put this move on and" -- what's the first thing you do?
PHILLIPS: Call 911.
DAMON: I looked at them and, yeah, run.
PHILLIPS: All right. We're going to lose the eye piece -- or the ear piece.
DAMON: It's not working?
PHILLIPS: Yeah, don't worry about it. You don't need it anymore because you know the movie. You don't have to hear anything, right? DAMON: I know. Oh, yeah, was that just for that?
PHILLIPS: Yes, that was just for that.
DAMON: I just thought it was -- I thought they were going to give me breaking news.
PHILLIPS: Oh, no. I mean, if you have breaking news, I'm going to tell you, and you're just going to go with it. Is that OK?
DAMON: All right, great, yes. I'll fill in for Miles here.
PHILLIPS: There you go. Ooh, don't tell him that. He got really nervous when you arrived here, yes.
DAMON: Is that why he ran out of here suddenly?
PHILLIPS: That's why he bolted. He's from Boston, by the way. But that's another story.
So how's your friend, Ben?
DAMON: He's good.
PHILLIPS: Yes?
DAMON: Yes, he's great.
PHILLIPS: You talk to J.Lo often?
DAMON: No, but I...
PHILLIPS: Have lunch, dinner, double date?
DAMON: I haven't spoken to her. But I haven't -- I didn't speak to them much when they were together. I was off a lot and they were off a lot.
I mean, I -- she was really, really nice, I have to say. I mean, I don't know, it's such a weird thing seeing people you know and seeing them in that -- you know, seeing the kind of public side of that. And it's never really the same as the people you kind of know on the private side. You know what I mean?
PHILLIPS: He's still your best friend, right?
DAMON: Yeah.
PHILLIPS: Yeah?
DAMON: Yeah.
PHILLIPS: What do you guys do? Do you guys go bowling? Do you sing karaoke?
DAMON: We sing together. No. You know, I -- kind of normal, normal buddy things.
You know, we've still got all our buddies back in Boston, you know? When we're home, we hang out with those guys. And, you know, we see each other, we talk about work, we talk about -- obviously, we've known each other for 20 -- 23 years now, so, you know, there's a lot of history, a lot of kind of overlapping family connections, stuff like that.
PHILLIPS: Let's talk about Project Greenlight. This is pretty -- these are for all the struggling writers of the world. Maybe we should start with "Goodwill Hunting," because that was such a -- that was pretty much what helped -- well, "Mystic Pizza," but this really launched you as a writer and producer and actor.
And you and Ben, obviously, your relationship and working on that project. Talk about Project Greenlight, and how you're trying to do the same for others.
DAMON: Yes, well it was -- after the -- after "Goodwill Hunting" came out, it was a pretty -- oh, wow, they've got the thing in there, huh?
PHILLIPS: So there you go. Your favorite bit. Look how young you look. Wow.
DAMON: Yes, look at how old I am now.
PHILLIPS: No, you're not old.
DAMON: That's six or seven years ago.
PHILLIPS: (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Yeah, he's older.
DAMON: He's great (UNINTELLIGIBLE). God, that's one of the greatest moments in Boston history right there.
PHILLIPS: We're going to have to talk about that. That's true, you went to the Boston -- you went to the game not long ago.
DAMON: I went to the game the other night, yeah.
PHILLIPS: Are you related to Johnny Damon?
DAMON: He's my brother.
PHILLIPS: That is your brother. We were taking -- oh -- we were taking...
DAMON: I'm sorry, you just believed me.
PHILLIPS: I know.
DAMON: I would have done it but we're on TV, and I didn't want to embarrass you. Had the cameras not been on, I would have -- I would have run with it. But no, he's not my brother. I tell everyone he's my brother. PHILLIPS: Big baseball fan.
DAMON: Big baseball fan. And he's -- yeah, he's great. He's a really good guy, too. I had my nephews there the other night and he came over and hung out with them for a little bit.
PHILLIPS: The one you sing "Afternoon Delight," too.
DAMON: Exactly. This is the same one.
PHILLIPS: Right. Back to Project Greenlight. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) we're ADD...
(CROSSTALK)
DAMON: We're good.
PHILLIPS: ... in this interview, aren't we? Do you like this?
DAMON: You know, there's 10 percent of the country is following us perfectly.
PHILLIPS: It's incredible. And my brother's got a screenplay, by the way. I'm going to send it your way for Project Greenlight, all right?
DAMON: Perfect.
PHILLIPS: Chip Phillips, you look for it.
DAMON: Chip Phillips.
PHILLIPS: He is my brother. He's not a baseball player.
DAMON: OK.
PHILLIPS: But he loves baseball.
DAMON: So no relation to Chipper Jones?
PHILLIPS: No, no relation. Back to Project Greenlight.
DAMON: Yeah, well, a question we got a lot after "Goodwill Hunting" came out was -- was, how did you guys do it? You know, how can I get my screenplay through kind of the standard gatekeeper system in Hollywood?
And we didn't really have an answer for anybody because everybody kind of goes about it a different way. But -- but we didn't really have kind of one answer to give people, and these were really well- intentioned people who put a lot of work into their screenplay. So Greenlight came about as kind of an answer to, you know, how to circumnavigate that standard gatekeeper system that does tend to shut out some -- some good work.
PHILLIPS: And we're going to show the Web site, too, and talk about that...
DAMON: Great.
PHILLIPS: ... so folks can send you another 50 million screenplays to take a look at.
DAMON: Fifty million screenplays? We'll take it.
PHILLIPS: Yeah, there -- now, since we're hitting every part of your life, what's it like living on a commune with your mom? I've always wanted to ask you that.
DAMON: Well, it was a community house. It wasn't -- it wasn't -- it wasn't really a commune in the sense that people would think a commune. It was more families that -- it was a six-family house that people bought together, and everyone had their own space.
It was like a -- a coop, but it was -- the people who bought it were politically aligned and kind of had the same pretty similar set of values and, you know, social values, I'd say. So -- so it was an interesting way to grow up. There were a lot of really smart people there and really good people with some different perspectives and, you know, just a lot of -- a lot of good kind of parental figures to be around.
PHILLIPS: Do you ever go back in that time and think of what you learned, maybe conversations you had with your mom? And does it incorporate into your writing, or maybe ideas for movies and...
DAMON: Sure. I think that stuff plays a huge part in -- in how -- how we take in all the information we take in, you know, the filter through which we're looking at life as it's going by.
PHILLIPS: As life goes by, you notice that all the beautiful young women showed up in the newsroom today. I've got to ask you about the love life. Everyone's been talking about Luciana. Am I saying that -- is that good?
DAMON: Yeah, yeah, yeah. That's about all we'll say.
PHILLIPS: Oh. You're like Ben and J.Lo. You don't give anything up.
DAMON: No, no, no. I -- yeah, I mean, but you notice we're ducking under the radar, which is how we like it.
PHILLIPS: You're happy?
DAMON: Very, yes.
PHILLIPS: All right. So you'll let us know when you buy the big ring and maybe come on...
DAMON: I'm going to come and tell you first.
PHILLIPS: Really? DAMON: Yes.
PHILLIPS: You've got a deal. Shake on that. I can't wait for the movie. You're hands are sweating.
DAMON: No, are they?
PHILLIPS: Yeah. Thanks, Matt.
DAMON: Yeah, you're welcome.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: Well, Matt's new movie, sweaty palms and all, "The Bourne Supremacy," releases nationwide on July 23.
"JUDY WOODRUFF'S INSIDE POLITICS" is just ahead. The politically-charged issue of same-sex marriage takes center stage in the Senate today. Judy will talk to Republican Senator Wayne Allard, as well as the former President Carter's son, Chip, about a proposed constitutional amendment.
Plus, what do recent polls show about the bounce for senators Kerry and Edwards? We'll take a look at where the race stands now that Kerry has his running mate. "INSIDE POLITICS" begins in just one moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: In the news now, Palestinians plan to go to the U.N. general assembly to stop Israel's construction of a barrier that cuts into the West Bank. They're seeking emergency session to force Israel to comply with court opinion that the barrier is illegal.
In the news now, she'll forever be remembered as Weezie by fans. Actress Isabel Sanford has died of natural causes in Los Angeles. Sanford is best known for her role as Louise or Weezie Jefferson in "All in the Family" and "The Jefferson," which ran a record 11 seasons. She was 86 years old.
A soldier accused in the Iraqi prisoner abuse scandal gets a new court date today. The Article 32 hearing for Private First Class Lynndie England has been scheduled for August 3. That hearing will determine whether England will face a court-martial.
Now, "JUDY WOODRUFF'S INSIDE POLITICS."
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