Return to Transcripts main page

Live From...

Iran's Role in 9/11; Medicare Will Now Cover Obesity; Apple Reduces IPods' Cost

Aired July 19, 2004 - 14:30   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: Welcome back from the CNN center in Atlanta. This is LIVE FROM. I'm Miles O'Brien.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Kyra Phillips. Here's what's all new this half hour. Coalition crumble: Pressure to pull out of Iraq is getting to be too much for some of America's allies.

Connecting the dots between Iran and the al Qaeda terrorists who attacked America. We're in depth on the 9/11 Commission report.

O'BRIEN: And making the case to keep cameras out of the court: Both sides in the Kobe Bryant trial don't want to you see it.

But first, here's what is happening now in the news.

Although the CIA discounts it, President Bush says the U.S. is looking into whether Iran had any role in 9/11. While hosting the president of Chile today, Mr. Bush underscored his concerns about Iran.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I have made it clear that if the Iranians would like to have better relations with the United States, there's some things they must do.

For example, they're harboring al Qaeda leadership there. And we've asked that they be turned over to their respective countries.

Secondly, they've got a nuclear weapons program that they need to dismantle. We're working with other countries to encourage them to do so.

Thirdly, they have to stop funding terrorist organizations, such as Hezbollah, that create great dangers in parts of the world.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O'BRIEN: Professor Rob Sobhani will join us to explore the possibility of an Iranian link to 9/11 about five minutes from now. Stay with us for that.

Heat and wind could make for another tough day for crews fighting the foothill fire in southern California. It has burned more than 5,000 acres; forced hundreds from their homes already.

CNN's Miguel Marquez reports live from the scene after the top of the hour. Stay with us for that, as well.

Iraqi officials say a suicide attack on a police station in southern Baghdad killed eight people and the bomber today. The blast wounded 60. The bomber detonated a truck full of explosives near the station. We'll have more details a little bit later, as well.

PHILLIPS: Well, the Philippines finished pulling out of Iraq today. They are trying to save the life of a Filipino truck driver held hostage. CNN Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr looks at how many in the international coalition are still willing.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BARBARA STARR, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The international coalition of 32 nations that sent troops to Iraq is feeling the strain. Hostage taking, violence and political pressure on the home front are making several countries rethink their support.

Some changes in troop levels were certain after the transition to Iraqi sovereignty, but experts say the coalition must remain broad based.

GEORGE JOULWAN, FMR. NATO COMMANDER: I think it's very important that we maintain an international force in Iraq, and these pull-outs -- for whatever reason -- I think are not good for the perception that this is an international coalition.

STARR: Most countries have sent relatively small numbers of troops; 32 countries totalling just 23,000 troops. Now, Norway, New Zealand, Thailand, and The Netherlands are either bringing some of the troops home or planning to withdraw in the months ahead.

Honduras and the Dominican Republic also have brought their troops home. After the Madrid train bombings, the new Spanish government withdrew its 1,300 troops.

But others are still going to Iraq. Despite a South Korean hostage being beheaded, Seoul still plans to send 3,000 fresh troops.

SCOTT MCCLELLAN, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: Australia has just recently made a commitment to expand the number of troops they have in Iraq. You have a commitment from El Salvador to move forward on a proposal that would extend their troop presence there for up to another year.

STARR (on camera): More than 200,000 Iraqi forces are now the largest security contingent in the country. But experts say it's important that it never becomes just Iraqis and Americans.

Barbara Starr, CNN, the Pentagon.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: All right. We have just a little bit of information for you, but some video that just came in here to CNN out of Fayetteville, North Carolina. We're being told that a truck rolled through this restaurant here in Fayetteville -- Peggy's Seafood Restaurant.

As you can see, emergency crews are responding to this incident. Obviously, there are people injured. We don't know if it's the individual who is driving the vehicle or if, indeed, it was somebody or other individuals inside the restaurant.

But we're working this story right now: A semitruck striking a car and then barreling into Peggy's Seafood Restaurant in Fayetteville, North Carolina. These pictures coming to us courtesy WTVD, one of our CNN affiliates. We are working the story, trying to get as much information possible. We'll bring it to you when we have it.

O'BRIEN: Now, let's talk about some questions about another member of President Bush's so-called Axis of Evil. The 9/11 Commission is about to suggest as many as 10 of the September 11th hijackers passed through Iran on their way to the United States. Their passports deliberately not stamped.

Now the president says the U.S. is looking into whether Iran was involved in the attacks. Let's talk about this a little bit more with Rob Sobhani. He's an adjunct professor at Georgetown University, President of the Caspian Energy Consulting Company.

Professor Sobhani, good to have you back with us.

ROB SOBHANI, ADJUNCT PROFESSOR, GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY: Thanks a lot, Miles.

O'BRIEN: First of all, we've been talking so much about bad intelligence. Do you believe this report at all?

SOBHANI: Well, it shouldn't come as a surprise, because the government of Iran has been engaged and supporting terrorist organizations all the way back to the 1980s. And the United States has suffered as a result.

So, this report should not come as a surprise, and that's why the government of Iran is on the State Department's number one sponsor of terrorist organizations. So, this puts a lot of pressure on Washington and President Bush, Miles, in terms of coming up finally with an Iran policy.

O'BRIEN: If the al Qaeda link is to Iran and not Iraq, one has to ask the question as to whether the U.S. Military went to the wrong country?

SOBHANI: Well, I think there is probably no official link between al Qaeda and Iran. These are probably indirect links, and I think it would be very unwise and frankly foolish for us to contemplate any military action against Iran, because the population in Iran is very pro-American. The young people in Iran are very pro- American. So, it would really be detrimental to us if we even contemplated military action against Iran.

O'BRIEN: Let's talk a little bit more about that. How do we know, first of all, that -- rank and file, young people in Iran are so pro-American? And why is that?

SOBHANI: Well, because in the age of Internet -- in the age where you can watch CNN in Tehran live off your computer, it brings America to the homes of millions of young Iranians. The population of Iran is overwhelmingly: 70% under the age of 25.

They see America as a beacon of hope. And it's not the Britney Spears of America that they're looking for. They're looking for American education. They're looking for American opportunities. After all, the Iranian-American community in the United States is a successful community. And they look to that community as an example.

And that's why there is such a liking for the United States, and that's why the United States has a unique and historic opportunity in the Middle East to cultivate relations with a young population in Iran.

O'BRIEN: All right. Well, that leads us to a question of U.S. policy, though. If there's a way of leveraging that support on the street, so to speak, the U.. Has a good chance of perhaps affecting some change without use of military force in any way, shape, or form.

But adding to the mix here are the nuclear ambitions of the Iranian regime. Throw that all together and give us a sense of what U.S. policy should be.

SOBHANI: The nuclear element, Miles, as you mention, is a very critical element, because nuclear weapons in the hands of the government of Iran could be very dangerous to U.S. interests. The Middle East is home to 67% of the world's oil, to 50% of the world's natural gas.

What the United States probably should do immediately -- whether it's President Bush or Mr. Kerry down the line -- it should very clearly state to the Iranian government that we will not tolerate a nuclear Iran. We will not tolerate terrorism, and that we stand by the principle of supporting the people of Iran. We support Democratic change. We support free and fair elections.

I think the United States should be very clear and not veer away from this very principled message.

O'BRIEN: All right. But if it is in fact true that for some reason Iran is aiding al Qaeda actively, perhaps even today, is that enough?

SOBHANI: I think then the matter should be taken up with the United Nations. We should form a coalition of European countries, Asian countries, and put economic appreciate on the government of Iran.

But make it very clear that our economic pressure is not tied to the people of Iran -- we have nothing against the people of Iran -- but it is to simply put pressure on the government of Iran to change its very detrimental behavior. O'BRIEN: Professor Rob Sobhani, lectures at Georgetown University. Always a pleasure having your insights. We appreciate your time.

SOBHANI: Thanks a lot.

O'BRIEN: Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Well, some food for thought -- literally. More evidence that eating your veggies pays off in the long run.

And be careful how you shoo away those mosquitoes. Swatting at them could just make it worse.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Kobe Bryant still in the news -- not over staying with the L.A. Lakers this time, but because of today's hearings on the sexual allegations he faces in Colorado.

CNN's Adrian Baschuk joining us now live from Eagle with the latest. Hello, Adrian.

ADRIAN BASCHUK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon, Miles.

Now, earlier this morning, the attorney for the alleged victim revealed in open court that in the past his client has considered dropping the charges against Kobe Bryant altogether. Now, this is the first time we have heard about this.

Now, granted, we must say that the case is still moving forward, but he did say in court, quote, "She's considered removing herself from this case when the people who are sworn to protect her rights have failed." Now, that charge coming in light of the fact that the court mistakenly published her name online earlier this year and most recently sent sealed transcripts of last month's rape shield hearing to seven media outlets.

Now, the judge originally ordered the seven media outlets to destroy those transcripts, but the issue went to the Colorado Supreme Court. And today, the high court ruled that those transcripts must remain sealed, but not destroyed.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CRAIG SILVERMAN, FMR. DENVER DEPUTY D.A.: I wouldn't be surprised if the media would try to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. This is sort of an unprecedented prior restraint, and they're telling the judge, "Hurry up and make a detailed rape shield ruling, and maybe some of this issue will be rendered moot."

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BASCHUK: Now, earlier today, the question was: To ban, or not to ban? And that's cameras in the courtroom during trial. Well, now both sides -- the defense and prosecution -- have asked the judge to ban the presence of cameras. The D.A., Mark Hurlbert, saying earlier that if cameras were allowed in, it would turn the case into a, quote, "reality show, and turn this case from the People versus Kobe Bryant to 'Survivor in Eagle County'" -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Adrian Baschuk. Thank you very much. Kyra?

PHILLIPS: A new study suggests that eating right protects your brain as you age. Researchers say that green vegetables -- like broccoli, spinach, romaine lettuce -- helped women retain memory as they got older. Women eating more veggies in their 60s did better on memory and verbal tests in their 70s than women who didn't That study was presented today at the Alzheimer's Conference.

And calling it a problem growing as fast as our waistlines. Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson promised an immediate impact now that Medicare will cover obesity as a medical problem.

He talked about that change earlier today on CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TOMMY THOMPSON, HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY: The big change is that we've got such a huge problem in America with people that are overweight and obese. 65% of Americans are either in one of those two categories.

And the kind of diseases that are affected by obesity -- such as strokes and heart attacks and some cancers -- are causing such a tremendous problem, we decided we have to do something about it. And that's why the government has decided to change its policy, Heidi.

HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: How soon do you think we can expect to actually see this impact on the Medicare coverage?

THOMPSON: Well, you're going to see an impact very quickly, because we're changing the coverage right now. It's going to be based upon individual cases. It's going to be for the first time doctors are going to be able to analyze an individual and find out what sort of treatment he needs -- he or she needs. And then, they can apply for reimbursement through Medicare.

And Medicare will analyze each one of these cases on an individual basis based upon the medical and scientific evidence. We're also going to empanel a group of experts this fall to take a look at the whole subject, to see how we might be able to combat it even more effectively than we have in the past.

COLLINS: You mentioned these weight loss tools. And we've heard a lot in the past -- oh, gosh -- several months about gastric bypass and several other different types of different treatments.

What do you expect Medicare will cover on the front? THOMPSON: Well, we're going to be covering things on an individual basis. A doctor is going to analyze somebody that's morbidly obese and decide maybe that they're going to have an operation. And they'll submit that kind of information to Medicare. And we will take a look at it, and more than likely we'll be covering some of those.

Because we have such a huge problem -- $118 billion in America and over 400,000 Americans died last year because of obesity related illnesses. And we want to make sure we start solving this problem. The problem is growing as fast as our waistlines are in America.

COLLINS: Well, that being said, Secretary Thompson, what do you say to critics who are really feeling strongly about taxpayers not having to pay for this type of treatment?

THOMPSON: Well, the problem is -- that it's such a large problem already; $118 billion is growing faster than tobacco related illnesses. And it's time the government stands up and does everything we possibly can to alert Americans about the problems of obesity.

And this is one way in which we can do it. This is not the only thing we're doing. We're having a whole panoply of ideas and things that the government is doing, trying to get people to exercise more, to eat more nutrition foods, more fruits and vegetables and to take into consideration the calorie counts.

And so, we're trying to do a lot of things, not just this one thing.

COLLINS: All right. Quickly before we let you go, sir, I want to ask you a little bit about a "TIME" magazine report that is talking about faulty intelligence and the threat that Iraq had weaponized smallpox. That whole threat was overblown, they're saying.

Will you continue to push for civilian smallpox vaccinations?

THOMPSON: Oh, we're going to continue to alert Americans about the problem of smallpox. We also, of course, have got in our inventory 400 million doses so that we can vaccinate every man, woman, and child.

We put in plans in which if smallpox did break out, we could vaccinate every American within 10 days. So, we're doing all the preparatory work, but we're not actually pushing as hard to vaccinate people at this point in time.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: Well, it may be better to flick than to smash -- at least when it comes to mosquitoes, that is. That conclusion from researchers who focused on a woman who died in Pennsylvania from a fungal infection.

She had been in contact with mosquitoes. The scientist concluded the woman must have swatted the bug, and its body parts were smashed into her skin -- we're so sorry if you're eating lunch -- and that caused an infection.

They say if a pesky mosquito is in mid bite, flick it away and then feel free to stomp on it with your shod foot, if you like, to get even.

PHILLIPS: All right. We're talking about great expectations for a growing genre of chick lit -- not the gum, but actually chick literature. We'll tell you about that.

O'BRIEN: Yes. More important, we're going to talk about iPods.

PHILLIP: iPod. You pray for iPod?

O'BRIEN: iPods. Their fans ought to listen up, because those prices -- which are very high on those iPods; I've been watching them myself, almost like the stock market -- finally, they are going down. So, you might want to check in on that.

PHILLIPS: And don't forget, the top of the hour, the once missing Marine Wassef Ali Hassoun is supposed to come out and talk to reporters. Not going to take questions, though. It's going to be the first time we've heard from him since he surfaced in Lebanon. We're going to bring that to you live.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Apple, slashing prices, adding battery life on some of its iPods today.

PHILLIPS: Rhonda Schaffler joins us live with the details from the New York Stock Exchange -- new lighting and all. Hi, Rhonda.

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

Well, if you waited to buy an iPod, that move might have paid off for you. Apple today introducing the latest generation of its iPod music player. And both the 20 and 40 gigabyte models are 100 bucks cheaper than the older models.

These new iPods also feature a battery that can last up to 12 hours, four hours longer than before. Another new feature will be a click wheel to help scroll through songs. That's going to replace the separate buttons that are on the current iPod.

The iPod, we know, is extremely popular with consumers, and Apple's profit the latest quarter tripled from a year ago thanks in large part to sales of those iPods -- Kyra.

O'BRIEN: All right. We've just got to be clear, because we showed the wrong video. It's not the mini. Everybody's going to get excited that the mini has got new features and new prices.

SCHAFFLER: No, no, no...

O'BRIEN: You can't get the mini. We showed VIO of the mini -- VIO, that's TV term for... PHILLIPS: For voice...

O'BRIEN: ... pictures on the screen. Excuse me for that, but it's the regular sized one, OK? Just to clarify. Don't call operators, because they are not standing by. All right, next.

PHILLIPS: Now, she's going to show the proper numbers on Wall Street right now.

O'BRIEN: Let's do that.

SCHAFFLER: Yes.

PHILLIPS: OK.

SCHAFFLER: Let's do that, because there's quite an improvement since last time we checked. And there's still some stocks that are struggling. For instance, 3M is retreating. It had a less-than- stellar forecast.

Also, keep in mind that Wall Street's been pretty, pretty quiet today. Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan is going to be talking tomorrow about the state of the economy, so you know what that means. A lot of times, Wall Street will wait to hear Greenspan out.

But ahead of that, the Dow making a comeback from its lows. Still retreating, but at this point only by 15 points. And the Nasdaq's moving higher now, up half a percent.

That's the very latest from here. Kyra, Miles, all yours.

PHILLIPS: All right, Rhonda. Rhonda, you know this, right, that there's an Iraqi stock market?

SCHAFFLER: What about Iraqi stock market?

PHILLIPS: Yes, we're going to talk about it. If you're looking for a cutting edge investment, were going to check it out.

SCHAFFLER: I will check it out with you, then.

PHILLIPS: There you go. She'll do a follow-up tomorrow. Thanks, Rhonda.

O'BRIEN: It's an explosive market. We'll leave it at that.

The Marine who mysteriously disappeared in Iraq and turned up in Lebanon is supposed to speak to the media for the first time in a few minutes. We're told he won't be taking questions. Nevertheless, we'd love to hear what he has to say. And of course, we'll bring it to you live from Quantico, Virginia, as soon as it begins. There you see the preparations of said event.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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 July 19, 2004 - 14:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back from the CNN center in Atlanta. This is LIVE FROM. I'm Miles O'Brien.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Kyra Phillips. Here's what's all new this half hour. Coalition crumble: Pressure to pull out of Iraq is getting to be too much for some of America's allies.

Connecting the dots between Iran and the al Qaeda terrorists who attacked America. We're in depth on the 9/11 Commission report.

O'BRIEN: And making the case to keep cameras out of the court: Both sides in the Kobe Bryant trial don't want to you see it.

But first, here's what is happening now in the news.

Although the CIA discounts it, President Bush says the U.S. is looking into whether Iran had any role in 9/11. While hosting the president of Chile today, Mr. Bush underscored his concerns about Iran.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I have made it clear that if the Iranians would like to have better relations with the United States, there's some things they must do.

For example, they're harboring al Qaeda leadership there. And we've asked that they be turned over to their respective countries.

Secondly, they've got a nuclear weapons program that they need to dismantle. We're working with other countries to encourage them to do so.

Thirdly, they have to stop funding terrorist organizations, such as Hezbollah, that create great dangers in parts of the world.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O'BRIEN: Professor Rob Sobhani will join us to explore the possibility of an Iranian link to 9/11 about five minutes from now. Stay with us for that.

Heat and wind could make for another tough day for crews fighting the foothill fire in southern California. It has burned more than 5,000 acres; forced hundreds from their homes already.

CNN's Miguel Marquez reports live from the scene after the top of the hour. Stay with us for that, as well.

Iraqi officials say a suicide attack on a police station in southern Baghdad killed eight people and the bomber today. The blast wounded 60. The bomber detonated a truck full of explosives near the station. We'll have more details a little bit later, as well.

PHILLIPS: Well, the Philippines finished pulling out of Iraq today. They are trying to save the life of a Filipino truck driver held hostage. CNN Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr looks at how many in the international coalition are still willing.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BARBARA STARR, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The international coalition of 32 nations that sent troops to Iraq is feeling the strain. Hostage taking, violence and political pressure on the home front are making several countries rethink their support.

Some changes in troop levels were certain after the transition to Iraqi sovereignty, but experts say the coalition must remain broad based.

GEORGE JOULWAN, FMR. NATO COMMANDER: I think it's very important that we maintain an international force in Iraq, and these pull-outs -- for whatever reason -- I think are not good for the perception that this is an international coalition.

STARR: Most countries have sent relatively small numbers of troops; 32 countries totalling just 23,000 troops. Now, Norway, New Zealand, Thailand, and The Netherlands are either bringing some of the troops home or planning to withdraw in the months ahead.

Honduras and the Dominican Republic also have brought their troops home. After the Madrid train bombings, the new Spanish government withdrew its 1,300 troops.

But others are still going to Iraq. Despite a South Korean hostage being beheaded, Seoul still plans to send 3,000 fresh troops.

SCOTT MCCLELLAN, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: Australia has just recently made a commitment to expand the number of troops they have in Iraq. You have a commitment from El Salvador to move forward on a proposal that would extend their troop presence there for up to another year.

STARR (on camera): More than 200,000 Iraqi forces are now the largest security contingent in the country. But experts say it's important that it never becomes just Iraqis and Americans.

Barbara Starr, CNN, the Pentagon.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: All right. We have just a little bit of information for you, but some video that just came in here to CNN out of Fayetteville, North Carolina. We're being told that a truck rolled through this restaurant here in Fayetteville -- Peggy's Seafood Restaurant.

As you can see, emergency crews are responding to this incident. Obviously, there are people injured. We don't know if it's the individual who is driving the vehicle or if, indeed, it was somebody or other individuals inside the restaurant.

But we're working this story right now: A semitruck striking a car and then barreling into Peggy's Seafood Restaurant in Fayetteville, North Carolina. These pictures coming to us courtesy WTVD, one of our CNN affiliates. We are working the story, trying to get as much information possible. We'll bring it to you when we have it.

O'BRIEN: Now, let's talk about some questions about another member of President Bush's so-called Axis of Evil. The 9/11 Commission is about to suggest as many as 10 of the September 11th hijackers passed through Iran on their way to the United States. Their passports deliberately not stamped.

Now the president says the U.S. is looking into whether Iran was involved in the attacks. Let's talk about this a little bit more with Rob Sobhani. He's an adjunct professor at Georgetown University, President of the Caspian Energy Consulting Company.

Professor Sobhani, good to have you back with us.

ROB SOBHANI, ADJUNCT PROFESSOR, GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY: Thanks a lot, Miles.

O'BRIEN: First of all, we've been talking so much about bad intelligence. Do you believe this report at all?

SOBHANI: Well, it shouldn't come as a surprise, because the government of Iran has been engaged and supporting terrorist organizations all the way back to the 1980s. And the United States has suffered as a result.

So, this report should not come as a surprise, and that's why the government of Iran is on the State Department's number one sponsor of terrorist organizations. So, this puts a lot of pressure on Washington and President Bush, Miles, in terms of coming up finally with an Iran policy.

O'BRIEN: If the al Qaeda link is to Iran and not Iraq, one has to ask the question as to whether the U.S. Military went to the wrong country?

SOBHANI: Well, I think there is probably no official link between al Qaeda and Iran. These are probably indirect links, and I think it would be very unwise and frankly foolish for us to contemplate any military action against Iran, because the population in Iran is very pro-American. The young people in Iran are very pro- American. So, it would really be detrimental to us if we even contemplated military action against Iran.

O'BRIEN: Let's talk a little bit more about that. How do we know, first of all, that -- rank and file, young people in Iran are so pro-American? And why is that?

SOBHANI: Well, because in the age of Internet -- in the age where you can watch CNN in Tehran live off your computer, it brings America to the homes of millions of young Iranians. The population of Iran is overwhelmingly: 70% under the age of 25.

They see America as a beacon of hope. And it's not the Britney Spears of America that they're looking for. They're looking for American education. They're looking for American opportunities. After all, the Iranian-American community in the United States is a successful community. And they look to that community as an example.

And that's why there is such a liking for the United States, and that's why the United States has a unique and historic opportunity in the Middle East to cultivate relations with a young population in Iran.

O'BRIEN: All right. Well, that leads us to a question of U.S. policy, though. If there's a way of leveraging that support on the street, so to speak, the U.. Has a good chance of perhaps affecting some change without use of military force in any way, shape, or form.

But adding to the mix here are the nuclear ambitions of the Iranian regime. Throw that all together and give us a sense of what U.S. policy should be.

SOBHANI: The nuclear element, Miles, as you mention, is a very critical element, because nuclear weapons in the hands of the government of Iran could be very dangerous to U.S. interests. The Middle East is home to 67% of the world's oil, to 50% of the world's natural gas.

What the United States probably should do immediately -- whether it's President Bush or Mr. Kerry down the line -- it should very clearly state to the Iranian government that we will not tolerate a nuclear Iran. We will not tolerate terrorism, and that we stand by the principle of supporting the people of Iran. We support Democratic change. We support free and fair elections.

I think the United States should be very clear and not veer away from this very principled message.

O'BRIEN: All right. But if it is in fact true that for some reason Iran is aiding al Qaeda actively, perhaps even today, is that enough?

SOBHANI: I think then the matter should be taken up with the United Nations. We should form a coalition of European countries, Asian countries, and put economic appreciate on the government of Iran.

But make it very clear that our economic pressure is not tied to the people of Iran -- we have nothing against the people of Iran -- but it is to simply put pressure on the government of Iran to change its very detrimental behavior. O'BRIEN: Professor Rob Sobhani, lectures at Georgetown University. Always a pleasure having your insights. We appreciate your time.

SOBHANI: Thanks a lot.

O'BRIEN: Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Well, some food for thought -- literally. More evidence that eating your veggies pays off in the long run.

And be careful how you shoo away those mosquitoes. Swatting at them could just make it worse.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Kobe Bryant still in the news -- not over staying with the L.A. Lakers this time, but because of today's hearings on the sexual allegations he faces in Colorado.

CNN's Adrian Baschuk joining us now live from Eagle with the latest. Hello, Adrian.

ADRIAN BASCHUK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon, Miles.

Now, earlier this morning, the attorney for the alleged victim revealed in open court that in the past his client has considered dropping the charges against Kobe Bryant altogether. Now, this is the first time we have heard about this.

Now, granted, we must say that the case is still moving forward, but he did say in court, quote, "She's considered removing herself from this case when the people who are sworn to protect her rights have failed." Now, that charge coming in light of the fact that the court mistakenly published her name online earlier this year and most recently sent sealed transcripts of last month's rape shield hearing to seven media outlets.

Now, the judge originally ordered the seven media outlets to destroy those transcripts, but the issue went to the Colorado Supreme Court. And today, the high court ruled that those transcripts must remain sealed, but not destroyed.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CRAIG SILVERMAN, FMR. DENVER DEPUTY D.A.: I wouldn't be surprised if the media would try to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. This is sort of an unprecedented prior restraint, and they're telling the judge, "Hurry up and make a detailed rape shield ruling, and maybe some of this issue will be rendered moot."

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BASCHUK: Now, earlier today, the question was: To ban, or not to ban? And that's cameras in the courtroom during trial. Well, now both sides -- the defense and prosecution -- have asked the judge to ban the presence of cameras. The D.A., Mark Hurlbert, saying earlier that if cameras were allowed in, it would turn the case into a, quote, "reality show, and turn this case from the People versus Kobe Bryant to 'Survivor in Eagle County'" -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Adrian Baschuk. Thank you very much. Kyra?

PHILLIPS: A new study suggests that eating right protects your brain as you age. Researchers say that green vegetables -- like broccoli, spinach, romaine lettuce -- helped women retain memory as they got older. Women eating more veggies in their 60s did better on memory and verbal tests in their 70s than women who didn't That study was presented today at the Alzheimer's Conference.

And calling it a problem growing as fast as our waistlines. Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson promised an immediate impact now that Medicare will cover obesity as a medical problem.

He talked about that change earlier today on CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TOMMY THOMPSON, HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY: The big change is that we've got such a huge problem in America with people that are overweight and obese. 65% of Americans are either in one of those two categories.

And the kind of diseases that are affected by obesity -- such as strokes and heart attacks and some cancers -- are causing such a tremendous problem, we decided we have to do something about it. And that's why the government has decided to change its policy, Heidi.

HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: How soon do you think we can expect to actually see this impact on the Medicare coverage?

THOMPSON: Well, you're going to see an impact very quickly, because we're changing the coverage right now. It's going to be based upon individual cases. It's going to be for the first time doctors are going to be able to analyze an individual and find out what sort of treatment he needs -- he or she needs. And then, they can apply for reimbursement through Medicare.

And Medicare will analyze each one of these cases on an individual basis based upon the medical and scientific evidence. We're also going to empanel a group of experts this fall to take a look at the whole subject, to see how we might be able to combat it even more effectively than we have in the past.

COLLINS: You mentioned these weight loss tools. And we've heard a lot in the past -- oh, gosh -- several months about gastric bypass and several other different types of different treatments.

What do you expect Medicare will cover on the front? THOMPSON: Well, we're going to be covering things on an individual basis. A doctor is going to analyze somebody that's morbidly obese and decide maybe that they're going to have an operation. And they'll submit that kind of information to Medicare. And we will take a look at it, and more than likely we'll be covering some of those.

Because we have such a huge problem -- $118 billion in America and over 400,000 Americans died last year because of obesity related illnesses. And we want to make sure we start solving this problem. The problem is growing as fast as our waistlines are in America.

COLLINS: Well, that being said, Secretary Thompson, what do you say to critics who are really feeling strongly about taxpayers not having to pay for this type of treatment?

THOMPSON: Well, the problem is -- that it's such a large problem already; $118 billion is growing faster than tobacco related illnesses. And it's time the government stands up and does everything we possibly can to alert Americans about the problems of obesity.

And this is one way in which we can do it. This is not the only thing we're doing. We're having a whole panoply of ideas and things that the government is doing, trying to get people to exercise more, to eat more nutrition foods, more fruits and vegetables and to take into consideration the calorie counts.

And so, we're trying to do a lot of things, not just this one thing.

COLLINS: All right. Quickly before we let you go, sir, I want to ask you a little bit about a "TIME" magazine report that is talking about faulty intelligence and the threat that Iraq had weaponized smallpox. That whole threat was overblown, they're saying.

Will you continue to push for civilian smallpox vaccinations?

THOMPSON: Oh, we're going to continue to alert Americans about the problem of smallpox. We also, of course, have got in our inventory 400 million doses so that we can vaccinate every man, woman, and child.

We put in plans in which if smallpox did break out, we could vaccinate every American within 10 days. So, we're doing all the preparatory work, but we're not actually pushing as hard to vaccinate people at this point in time.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: Well, it may be better to flick than to smash -- at least when it comes to mosquitoes, that is. That conclusion from researchers who focused on a woman who died in Pennsylvania from a fungal infection.

She had been in contact with mosquitoes. The scientist concluded the woman must have swatted the bug, and its body parts were smashed into her skin -- we're so sorry if you're eating lunch -- and that caused an infection.

They say if a pesky mosquito is in mid bite, flick it away and then feel free to stomp on it with your shod foot, if you like, to get even.

PHILLIPS: All right. We're talking about great expectations for a growing genre of chick lit -- not the gum, but actually chick literature. We'll tell you about that.

O'BRIEN: Yes. More important, we're going to talk about iPods.

PHILLIP: iPod. You pray for iPod?

O'BRIEN: iPods. Their fans ought to listen up, because those prices -- which are very high on those iPods; I've been watching them myself, almost like the stock market -- finally, they are going down. So, you might want to check in on that.

PHILLIPS: And don't forget, the top of the hour, the once missing Marine Wassef Ali Hassoun is supposed to come out and talk to reporters. Not going to take questions, though. It's going to be the first time we've heard from him since he surfaced in Lebanon. We're going to bring that to you live.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Apple, slashing prices, adding battery life on some of its iPods today.

PHILLIPS: Rhonda Schaffler joins us live with the details from the New York Stock Exchange -- new lighting and all. Hi, Rhonda.

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

Well, if you waited to buy an iPod, that move might have paid off for you. Apple today introducing the latest generation of its iPod music player. And both the 20 and 40 gigabyte models are 100 bucks cheaper than the older models.

These new iPods also feature a battery that can last up to 12 hours, four hours longer than before. Another new feature will be a click wheel to help scroll through songs. That's going to replace the separate buttons that are on the current iPod.

The iPod, we know, is extremely popular with consumers, and Apple's profit the latest quarter tripled from a year ago thanks in large part to sales of those iPods -- Kyra.

O'BRIEN: All right. We've just got to be clear, because we showed the wrong video. It's not the mini. Everybody's going to get excited that the mini has got new features and new prices.

SCHAFFLER: No, no, no...

O'BRIEN: You can't get the mini. We showed VIO of the mini -- VIO, that's TV term for... PHILLIPS: For voice...

O'BRIEN: ... pictures on the screen. Excuse me for that, but it's the regular sized one, OK? Just to clarify. Don't call operators, because they are not standing by. All right, next.

PHILLIPS: Now, she's going to show the proper numbers on Wall Street right now.

O'BRIEN: Let's do that.

SCHAFFLER: Yes.

PHILLIPS: OK.

SCHAFFLER: Let's do that, because there's quite an improvement since last time we checked. And there's still some stocks that are struggling. For instance, 3M is retreating. It had a less-than- stellar forecast.

Also, keep in mind that Wall Street's been pretty, pretty quiet today. Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan is going to be talking tomorrow about the state of the economy, so you know what that means. A lot of times, Wall Street will wait to hear Greenspan out.

But ahead of that, the Dow making a comeback from its lows. Still retreating, but at this point only by 15 points. And the Nasdaq's moving higher now, up half a percent.

That's the very latest from here. Kyra, Miles, all yours.

PHILLIPS: All right, Rhonda. Rhonda, you know this, right, that there's an Iraqi stock market?

SCHAFFLER: What about Iraqi stock market?

PHILLIPS: Yes, we're going to talk about it. If you're looking for a cutting edge investment, were going to check it out.

SCHAFFLER: I will check it out with you, then.

PHILLIPS: There you go. She'll do a follow-up tomorrow. Thanks, Rhonda.

O'BRIEN: It's an explosive market. We'll leave it at that.

The Marine who mysteriously disappeared in Iraq and turned up in Lebanon is supposed to speak to the media for the first time in a few minutes. We're told he won't be taking questions. Nevertheless, we'd love to hear what he has to say. And of course, we'll bring it to you live from Quantico, Virginia, as soon as it begins. There you see the preparations of said event.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com