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Media Target for Terror in Boston?; Swimming With Manatees

Aired July 23, 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: Now in the news, an Egyptian diplomat has been taken hostage in Iraq. The captive is the third highest official at the Egyptian Embassy in Baghdad. This videotape aired on the Arab TV network Al-Jazeera. A group calling itself the Lion of God Brigade says that he was taken because Egypt offered to help Iraq with security matters.
A new videotape and new demands from another militant group in Iraq. This tape showing seven kidnapped truck drivers aired on Al- Jazeera. A group which calls itself the Black Banners is demanding that the driver's employer pay the families of those killed in Fallujah within 48 hours. It also wants all prisoners freed from U.S. prisons.

A homeporting party for the USS Ronald Reagan, the Navy's newest aircraft carrier named after the former president. It arrived at its home port of San Diego just a short time ago. Thousands of well- wishers were there to welcome the ship, including former first lady Nancy Reagan. We are expecting her to speak. We'll take it live in a few minutes.

Back on the trail, the two Johns, Kerry and Edwards, are campaigning in Colorado at this hour. They're appearing at an event in Denver, getting momentum going ahead of Monday's start of the Democratic National Convention in Boston.

MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Up first this hour, the combustible and frightening mix of politics and terrorism on the cusp of the first major political convention since 9/11, a lot of talk about what a tempting target such an event may be.

In fact there are some rather vague reports out today that the media may in fact be a target for terror in Boston. But we emphasize those are vague and unsubstant -- unsubstantiated.

CNN national correspondent Bob Franken is in Boston and hopefully can pronounce unsubstantiated better than me.

Hello, Bob.

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Miles, it's usually we in the media who give the vague and unsubstantiated reports.

The reports, of course, have to do with the possibility that there might be an attack against the media complex here. Of course, there's the large group of trailers or some other media vehicle. Unsubstantiated, uncorroborated, just an advisory to be alert to that, that domestic groups have -- there's been some evidence that some domestic group or other might decide to make its splash by taking on the media.

Of course, there are larger concerns, much larger concerns here, and that is the threat of an international terrorist attack at this highly visible event. So, Miles, the security here is quite massive.

O'BRIEN: Well, it's been massive. A lot of talk about maybe it being too massive, to the point where it just constrains the city and constrains the event itself. Obviously, the folks in the security department are not going to be telling you what they're going to be doing. But do you have any sense, specifically, especially since we know the media might be a target here, as to what might be done to ratchet things up, if at all?

FRANKEN: Well, quite frankly, one of the first rules of security is to do too much, to do more than you need to do. And we've seen that perhaps in airports and that type of thing.

But it's interesting. As you drive along, you see these encampments that are filled with the media trailers, various media vehicles. You see just a large, large group of media forces around. And probably more important is what you don't see, people who are not out so visible, surveillance that is not at all visible. That is the kind of thing that is going here.

We do know that it is massive. We do know that it manifests itself in searches that are beginning on the subways now and the shutting down of the subway station by the FleetCenter. We do know that perhaps the most significant effect will be the shutting down of the highway in back of me, which goes right by the FleetCenter. But it happens to be the major in-and-out artery for Boston. And so people are being asked to stay home.

We know that is going to have a huge effect on the economy. And people who benefit from this economy are anything but happy about that.

O'BRIEN: It's enough to make Bostonians consider the GOP, I would think, given all of what's going on there with the Democrats.

FRANKEN: Well that would be a first, but, yes.

(LAUGHTER)

O'BRIEN: All right, Bob.

FRANKEN: That would definitely be a first, yes.

O'BRIEN: That would be some news.

Bob Franken, thank you very much -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Well, just days before the start of the Democratic Convention, Senator John Kerry is about to begin a bus tour from Denver, Colorado. He's expected to speak before he shoves off. And we'll bring you his remarks, which could occur at any moment.

Speaking today in Detroit, President Bush touted his commitment to racial diversity in remarks to the Urban League. Mr. Bush recited a list of African-Americans he has appointed to high office. He also conceded the Republican Party has some work to do to attract black voters. Some civil rights leaders took offense at Mr. Bush for refusing an invitation to speak at the NAACP.

Speaking of politics, how about a dash of political incorrectness from the former host of the show of roughly the same name. He's Bill Maher, of course, appearing last night on "LARRY KING LIVE."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "LARRY KING LIVE")

LARRY KING, HOST: Do you think this is going to be a very rough, abusive kind of campaign?

BILL MAHER, COMEDIAN: It's already been a rough, abusive kind of campaign.

KING: Going to get worse?

MAHER: The way these guys can -- and the right can level the playing field on any issue because the American public does not pay a great deal of attention. I mean, that's the whole Sandy Berger thing. You know, I mean was Sandy Berger wrong to take those documents? Of course he was wrong. But the key question is, is he a spy?

KING: Is he a spy?

MAHER: So why was he doing it?

KING: To get more information for himself when he testified.

MAHER: Right. Because he couldn't do all the cramming at the government building, he had to take it home at night. So the question becomes not, gee, was Iran the right country to attack? I mean, Iraq or Iran? Or the question becomes what does Sandy Berger have in his pants?

You know, it's -- it's a way to distract us. And that's what they're very good at. I mean, they did it with John Kerry. John Kerry who, you know, is a legitimate war hero. Somehow it became, you know, John Kerry threw his medals away. Is John Kerry a coward because he had the nerve to come back from Vietnam alive? They're able to make the argument look like it's on a level playing field when it's not. John Kerry was the guy whose Swift boat was on the Mekong Delta and he had literally charged the shore and killed the guy in the spider hole. George Bush is the guy who when the aide says, sir, the country is under attack, sits there for seven minutes, frozen. He choked. That's what's called choking in sports. When you can't move.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Live to the USS Ronald Reagan, Nancy Reagan now addressing the crowd on the carrier. (JOINED IN PROGRESS)

NANCY REAGAN, FORMER FIRST LADY: I've been kept updated as she took her long journey, leaving the East Coast, rounding the tip of South America and working her way to San Diego.

And although the last six weeks have been difficult and today is very bittersweet, I am so honored to be here as the USS Ronald Reagan comes into home port. Ronnie would have loved the sight of this great ship coming into his beloved California. I know how proud he was to have this ship named after him. And, in my heart, I know he's looking down on us today and smiling.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

REAGAN: May God bless each and every one of you as you serve aboard the USS Ronald Reagan.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you, Mrs. Reagan.

And, finally...

PHILLIPS: Short, but very sweet remarks on behalf of Nancy Reagan there, saying this is quite a bittersweet moment for her. Yet she said Ronnie would have loved the sight of the ship. He did know that USS Ronald Reagan was a carrier that was named after him. He had the chance to learn of that before the Alzheimer's went into a deep level.

She said that she's very honored to be there, proud to see this carrier named after her husband. And the ceremony, of course, continues for the homeporting of the USS Ronald Reagan there off the coast.

Well, they're registering in Tokyo now to send their man to Washington, a voter registration drive thousands of miles from home. We'll have details.

And every day is a winding road for Lance Armstrong. He just might wind up with yet another Tour de France win. Details on Lance's chances as LIVE FROM pedals on.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(WEATHER UPDATE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Live pictures now, Bosnia-Herzegovina, the town of Mostar, where late into the night they are celebrating the reopening of a fabled and famous bridge. That country torn by civil war celebrating what hoping now is an era of peace.

Leaders from around the world on hand for the inauguration of the rebuilt Old Bridge. The bridge was built under Ottoman Empire and ultimately the city of Mostar was named for it. It was destroyed during the civil war of the '90s. After years of work, about $15 million, it's now restored to its former glory. And they're dancing into the night there to celebrate.

News around the world to tell you about.

Speeding toward disaster. Turkey's transportation minister says a high-speed train was going too fast yesterday when it crashed east of Istanbul, 36 killed. The government is still investigating whether speed or a technical problem caused the crash.

Terror suspect in court. An extradition hearing begins in London for a radical Muslim cleric. The U.S. says Abu Hamza al-Masri worked to set up a terrorist training camp in Oregon and took part in a deadly kidnapping in Yemen. The hearing was put on hold to give the defense more time.

And it's being called a new era in the history of Bosnia- Herzegovina. We just told you about it. We'll tell you about it one more time. The Old Bridge in Mostar is open. There's Prince Charles earlier in the day. No doubt, he's in the crowd enjoying that wonderful dancing you just saw a few moments ago.

For centuries, as we told you, the bridge -- well, there's the bridge blowing up. So we're taking you back in time to just a few seconds ago, a bit of a flashback. Once again, the Old Bridge in Mostar is now back. There's those live pictures.

PHILLIPS: You can never get enough.

O'BRIEN: You can't get enough of a bridge like that.

PHILLIPS: It's historical. It's a great celebration.

O'BRIEN: It's an historical bridge. They're dancing. They're having fun. We've got the live pictures and there it is.

PHILLIPS: And the historical look back.

O'BRIEN: And that, too.

PHILLIPS: And Prince Charles.

O'BRIEN: And Prince Charles.

(LAUGHTER)

O'BRIEN: Onward we go, Kyra. Please, bail me out.

PHILLIPS: Every vote counts, as we all saw in the 2000 presidential election. That's why a group of American Democrats living in Japan is doing its part to get out to vote in November.

CNN's Atika Shubert reports from Tokyo.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ATIKA SHUBERT, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): On the eve of the Democratic Convention, Democrats in Japan are having their own humble affair, voter registration alongside a screening of "Fahrenheit 9/11," a film likely to galvanize voters, love it or hate it.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're still Americans. And there's no question of our loyalty. There's no question of where our feelings lie toward our country.

SHUBERT: Apathy among overseas voters tends to be high. But this year, membership at Democrats Abroad Japan has quadrupled, driven they say by overseas anger of President Bush.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Bush will go down. And he is incompetent. Never forget that.

SHUBERT (on camera): Are you a Democrat?

(voice-over): Terry McMillin (ph) says she never voted in her life, but this year she's leading the charge.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The level of engagement and the level of anti-apathy is astonishing. And I think people are starting to realize that we do have the power.

SHUBERT: A point the controversial film brings home to this audience, the 2000 election result was so tight, would overseas voters have tipped the ballots?

(on camera): There are more than seven million Americans living abroad, many of them from battleground states. And this year, every vote counts more than ever, including overseas.

(voice-over): Japan alone has more than 100,000 Americans, many of them personnel at military bases, but they're not all Democrats. Having registered four times the number of voters from the previous election, Republicans are planning big.

DOUG HARDY, REPUBLICANS ABROAD JAPAN: We are expecting to have our major, largest and biggest party on November 3.

SHUBERT: Overseas Americans seem set to vote in record numbers on both sides of the political fence.

Atika Shubert, CNN, Tokyo.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: All right. Did we tell you about that bridge in Bosnia-Herzegovina? Let's go back, live pictures right now. They're still dancing there in Mostar at the Old Bridge. Let's listen for just a moment.

All right, it's a little bit like Riverdance there. Only, it's not. In any case, we'll keep you posted on the bridge. On the eve of the Democratic National Convention, "CNN PRESENTS" brings you "John Kerry: Born to Run."

Senior political correspondent Candy Crowley sits down with an interview with the presumptive nominee. Here's a preview.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Here I was, kaboom, goodbye to your parents and tears for three solid weeks, probably. And I was not a happy puppy.

TERESA HEINZ KERRY, WIFE OF SENATOR JOHN KERRY: I know that for a child to be separated from mother and father and brothers and sisters at a young age is very tough. And he was. It's formative years. It's cuddling years. It's crying years. It's all the things that kids go through. He did it without.

KERRY: It teaches you something. And that's part of the self- reliance and independence and confidence.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O'BRIEN: All right, so be sure to catch the full hour this weekend. The program is called "CNN PRESENTS: John Kerry: Born to Run," Sunday 8:00 eastern.

Other news across America to tell you about. He defined the jazz style known as screeching. And he once jammed with President Clinton on the White House lawn. Legendary tenor saxophonist Illinois Jacquet is dead. He died yesterday at his home in New York from a heart attack at the age of 81. Maybe it's Jacquet. I apologize.

Investigators in Florida are trying to figure out what caused a condominium under construction to collapse. Part of the third floor of the townhouse near West Palm Beach came down on the first floor, trapping some workers inside.

In Augusta, Georgia, Ady McGriff (ph) looking forward to her second birthday and we hope many, many more. Ady's doctor says she has a great chance at a normal life after her sixth -- count them, sixth -- sixth organ transplant back in March. Look at Ady then, in a desperate need of a new stomach, liver, pancreas, spleen and small and large intestines. The toddler still requires lots of medicine and lots of therapy, but her parents have a lot of patience and a lot of hope. And we wish them well.

PHILLIPS: The ex-husband of Olympic star Marion Jones has some harsh accusations about the athlete and banned drugs. We're going to have that story.

Joan Rivers and daughter Melissa no longer queens of the red carpet. The fashion police may be off the beat.

And once again, we're taking you from the bridge to the beat to the break. From the bridge to the break, that is what we are doing. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: A lot of suspicion grows surrounding Olympian Marion Jones and the use of steroids. Her ex-husband reportedly says the sprinter took banned substances during the 2000 Summer Games.

Now, two newspapers that C.J. Hunter, seen here with his then wife, was told that investigators -- or told investigators, rather, that Jones took a growth hormone steroid, THG. Well, Marion Jones is denying her ex-husband's accounts.

Five-time champion Lance Armstrong may have locked a record sixth straight Tour de France victory. A relaxed Armstrong glided through the 18th stage of the race in the middle of the pack, after earning the yellow leader's jersey in the previous three stages. Armstrong has a solid 4:09 over Italy's Ivan Basso that should carry him to the finish line in Paris on Sunday.

Checking entertainment headlines this Friday. The ex of R&B sweetheart Brandy is making some accusations. Robert Smith reportedly says he and Brandy were never legally married when she gave birth to their daughter. He says the marriage was faked to protect Brandy's clean image. Brandy issued a statement saying the two had a spiritual union.

O'BRIEN: Whatever that means.

All right, Fashion cops Joan and Melissa Rivers won't be patrolling the red carpet at the Emmy Awards next fall. The mother- daughter team no longer have access to red carpet coverage, after leaving E! Entertainment Television. The pair was recently hired by "The TV Guide Channel." And, apparently, E! has that red carpet just locked uptight.

PHILLIPS: I don't know what I'm going to do now.

And you can call Kirstie Alley a "Fat Actress." That's the name of her new reality comedy series. It will follow her life as an overweight celebrity and Hollywood's obsession with weight. Showtime will begin production on "Fat Actress" this fall.

O'BRIEN: A rare treat for some Florida beachgoers. They were able to get up close and personal with some endangered creatures.

Judy Echavez of CNN affiliate WPLG reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JUDY ECHAVEZ, WPLG REPORTER (voice-over): On this clear summer day, incredible images captured by Sky 10 just feet away from the sandy shore, at least five manatees.

JEAN KORNATOWSKI, BEACHGOER: We saw like five helicopters coming around. And we thought someone was missing at the time because there was a commotion down there. But the manatees swam along the shore and the people followed the manatees all of the way down here. ECHAVEZ: Dozens of thrilled beachgoers, tourists and locals crowded around the mammals in Lauderdale by the sea.

SAM DEMARCO, BEACHGOER: Well, they were confused because they were so close to the beach. And then when people came by, they were putting them and playing with them like they were real pets, home pets.

ECHAVEZ: Several swimmers got so close to the manatees and climbed on top of them. Some were even riding their spatula-shaped tails.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We saw one in the water. It was down there somewhere. But then it kept going down the water and the people going with it and pushing it up on land.

ECHAVEZ: Authorities were trying to warn swimmers to stop disturbing the creatures in their natural habitat.

JORGE PINO, FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE: We saw that there were some individuals out here on the beach that were molesting and touching and harassing some of the manatees.

ECHAVEZ: Offshore, a BSO boat speeds to the scene, the U.S. Coast Guard, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation commission also on scene reminding folks to leave the matting manatees alone.

PINO: All they're doing is trying to procreate. And that's what we need them to do. We need them to procreate, so they can have more and more numbers in the state of Florida. And then, that way, they will be off the endangered list. And if people are harassing them while they're trying to have some private time, that will never happen.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: All right, here's a little footnote to this one. Florida wildlife officials are taking a close look at that tape you just saw to see if anything or anyone did something wrong or abused those animals. All right.

PHILLIPS: The celebration's still going to at the bridge in Bosnia.

O'BRIEN: Oh, yes, let's bring the bridge up real quick. One more shot there.

PHILLIPS: Yes.

O'BRIEN: There we go. Can we listen to it? Yes. And that's the famous Bosnian tenor. Slobodan Singovic, I think is his name. I don't know. Making that up.

(CROSSTALK)

PHILLIPS: Solo appearance. He's not with the Irish tenors. He is going to be doing that next March.

O'BRIEN: Now we are in for a treat here, because I happen to know that Judy Woodruff has become a Red Sox fan.

PHILLIPS: Really? She's doing it all for you.

(CROSSTALK)

O'BRIEN: She's in right field. She's got her mitt. And she is going to be collecting foul balls.

PHILLIPS: Her cap on.

O'BRIEN: And she has got her Sox cap on.

I'm so proud of you, Judy,

PHILLIPS: I know. Judy doesn't want to hear the word that she looks cute. So we're going to say she looks hip.

(LAUGHTER)

O'BRIEN: You'll take cute, won't you?

JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: This is a side of me you have never seen, Miles, Kyra.

O'BRIEN: Yes. We like it.

PHILLIPS: We like it.

WOODRUFF: Thank you very much. Thank you both and have a great weekend.

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 23, 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: Now in the news, an Egyptian diplomat has been taken hostage in Iraq. The captive is the third highest official at the Egyptian Embassy in Baghdad. This videotape aired on the Arab TV network Al-Jazeera. A group calling itself the Lion of God Brigade says that he was taken because Egypt offered to help Iraq with security matters.
A new videotape and new demands from another militant group in Iraq. This tape showing seven kidnapped truck drivers aired on Al- Jazeera. A group which calls itself the Black Banners is demanding that the driver's employer pay the families of those killed in Fallujah within 48 hours. It also wants all prisoners freed from U.S. prisons.

A homeporting party for the USS Ronald Reagan, the Navy's newest aircraft carrier named after the former president. It arrived at its home port of San Diego just a short time ago. Thousands of well- wishers were there to welcome the ship, including former first lady Nancy Reagan. We are expecting her to speak. We'll take it live in a few minutes.

Back on the trail, the two Johns, Kerry and Edwards, are campaigning in Colorado at this hour. They're appearing at an event in Denver, getting momentum going ahead of Monday's start of the Democratic National Convention in Boston.

MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Up first this hour, the combustible and frightening mix of politics and terrorism on the cusp of the first major political convention since 9/11, a lot of talk about what a tempting target such an event may be.

In fact there are some rather vague reports out today that the media may in fact be a target for terror in Boston. But we emphasize those are vague and unsubstant -- unsubstantiated.

CNN national correspondent Bob Franken is in Boston and hopefully can pronounce unsubstantiated better than me.

Hello, Bob.

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Miles, it's usually we in the media who give the vague and unsubstantiated reports.

The reports, of course, have to do with the possibility that there might be an attack against the media complex here. Of course, there's the large group of trailers or some other media vehicle. Unsubstantiated, uncorroborated, just an advisory to be alert to that, that domestic groups have -- there's been some evidence that some domestic group or other might decide to make its splash by taking on the media.

Of course, there are larger concerns, much larger concerns here, and that is the threat of an international terrorist attack at this highly visible event. So, Miles, the security here is quite massive.

O'BRIEN: Well, it's been massive. A lot of talk about maybe it being too massive, to the point where it just constrains the city and constrains the event itself. Obviously, the folks in the security department are not going to be telling you what they're going to be doing. But do you have any sense, specifically, especially since we know the media might be a target here, as to what might be done to ratchet things up, if at all?

FRANKEN: Well, quite frankly, one of the first rules of security is to do too much, to do more than you need to do. And we've seen that perhaps in airports and that type of thing.

But it's interesting. As you drive along, you see these encampments that are filled with the media trailers, various media vehicles. You see just a large, large group of media forces around. And probably more important is what you don't see, people who are not out so visible, surveillance that is not at all visible. That is the kind of thing that is going here.

We do know that it is massive. We do know that it manifests itself in searches that are beginning on the subways now and the shutting down of the subway station by the FleetCenter. We do know that perhaps the most significant effect will be the shutting down of the highway in back of me, which goes right by the FleetCenter. But it happens to be the major in-and-out artery for Boston. And so people are being asked to stay home.

We know that is going to have a huge effect on the economy. And people who benefit from this economy are anything but happy about that.

O'BRIEN: It's enough to make Bostonians consider the GOP, I would think, given all of what's going on there with the Democrats.

FRANKEN: Well that would be a first, but, yes.

(LAUGHTER)

O'BRIEN: All right, Bob.

FRANKEN: That would definitely be a first, yes.

O'BRIEN: That would be some news.

Bob Franken, thank you very much -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Well, just days before the start of the Democratic Convention, Senator John Kerry is about to begin a bus tour from Denver, Colorado. He's expected to speak before he shoves off. And we'll bring you his remarks, which could occur at any moment.

Speaking today in Detroit, President Bush touted his commitment to racial diversity in remarks to the Urban League. Mr. Bush recited a list of African-Americans he has appointed to high office. He also conceded the Republican Party has some work to do to attract black voters. Some civil rights leaders took offense at Mr. Bush for refusing an invitation to speak at the NAACP.

Speaking of politics, how about a dash of political incorrectness from the former host of the show of roughly the same name. He's Bill Maher, of course, appearing last night on "LARRY KING LIVE."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "LARRY KING LIVE")

LARRY KING, HOST: Do you think this is going to be a very rough, abusive kind of campaign?

BILL MAHER, COMEDIAN: It's already been a rough, abusive kind of campaign.

KING: Going to get worse?

MAHER: The way these guys can -- and the right can level the playing field on any issue because the American public does not pay a great deal of attention. I mean, that's the whole Sandy Berger thing. You know, I mean was Sandy Berger wrong to take those documents? Of course he was wrong. But the key question is, is he a spy?

KING: Is he a spy?

MAHER: So why was he doing it?

KING: To get more information for himself when he testified.

MAHER: Right. Because he couldn't do all the cramming at the government building, he had to take it home at night. So the question becomes not, gee, was Iran the right country to attack? I mean, Iraq or Iran? Or the question becomes what does Sandy Berger have in his pants?

You know, it's -- it's a way to distract us. And that's what they're very good at. I mean, they did it with John Kerry. John Kerry who, you know, is a legitimate war hero. Somehow it became, you know, John Kerry threw his medals away. Is John Kerry a coward because he had the nerve to come back from Vietnam alive? They're able to make the argument look like it's on a level playing field when it's not. John Kerry was the guy whose Swift boat was on the Mekong Delta and he had literally charged the shore and killed the guy in the spider hole. George Bush is the guy who when the aide says, sir, the country is under attack, sits there for seven minutes, frozen. He choked. That's what's called choking in sports. When you can't move.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Live to the USS Ronald Reagan, Nancy Reagan now addressing the crowd on the carrier. (JOINED IN PROGRESS)

NANCY REAGAN, FORMER FIRST LADY: I've been kept updated as she took her long journey, leaving the East Coast, rounding the tip of South America and working her way to San Diego.

And although the last six weeks have been difficult and today is very bittersweet, I am so honored to be here as the USS Ronald Reagan comes into home port. Ronnie would have loved the sight of this great ship coming into his beloved California. I know how proud he was to have this ship named after him. And, in my heart, I know he's looking down on us today and smiling.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

REAGAN: May God bless each and every one of you as you serve aboard the USS Ronald Reagan.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you, Mrs. Reagan.

And, finally...

PHILLIPS: Short, but very sweet remarks on behalf of Nancy Reagan there, saying this is quite a bittersweet moment for her. Yet she said Ronnie would have loved the sight of the ship. He did know that USS Ronald Reagan was a carrier that was named after him. He had the chance to learn of that before the Alzheimer's went into a deep level.

She said that she's very honored to be there, proud to see this carrier named after her husband. And the ceremony, of course, continues for the homeporting of the USS Ronald Reagan there off the coast.

Well, they're registering in Tokyo now to send their man to Washington, a voter registration drive thousands of miles from home. We'll have details.

And every day is a winding road for Lance Armstrong. He just might wind up with yet another Tour de France win. Details on Lance's chances as LIVE FROM pedals on.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(WEATHER UPDATE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Live pictures now, Bosnia-Herzegovina, the town of Mostar, where late into the night they are celebrating the reopening of a fabled and famous bridge. That country torn by civil war celebrating what hoping now is an era of peace.

Leaders from around the world on hand for the inauguration of the rebuilt Old Bridge. The bridge was built under Ottoman Empire and ultimately the city of Mostar was named for it. It was destroyed during the civil war of the '90s. After years of work, about $15 million, it's now restored to its former glory. And they're dancing into the night there to celebrate.

News around the world to tell you about.

Speeding toward disaster. Turkey's transportation minister says a high-speed train was going too fast yesterday when it crashed east of Istanbul, 36 killed. The government is still investigating whether speed or a technical problem caused the crash.

Terror suspect in court. An extradition hearing begins in London for a radical Muslim cleric. The U.S. says Abu Hamza al-Masri worked to set up a terrorist training camp in Oregon and took part in a deadly kidnapping in Yemen. The hearing was put on hold to give the defense more time.

And it's being called a new era in the history of Bosnia- Herzegovina. We just told you about it. We'll tell you about it one more time. The Old Bridge in Mostar is open. There's Prince Charles earlier in the day. No doubt, he's in the crowd enjoying that wonderful dancing you just saw a few moments ago.

For centuries, as we told you, the bridge -- well, there's the bridge blowing up. So we're taking you back in time to just a few seconds ago, a bit of a flashback. Once again, the Old Bridge in Mostar is now back. There's those live pictures.

PHILLIPS: You can never get enough.

O'BRIEN: You can't get enough of a bridge like that.

PHILLIPS: It's historical. It's a great celebration.

O'BRIEN: It's an historical bridge. They're dancing. They're having fun. We've got the live pictures and there it is.

PHILLIPS: And the historical look back.

O'BRIEN: And that, too.

PHILLIPS: And Prince Charles.

O'BRIEN: And Prince Charles.

(LAUGHTER)

O'BRIEN: Onward we go, Kyra. Please, bail me out.

PHILLIPS: Every vote counts, as we all saw in the 2000 presidential election. That's why a group of American Democrats living in Japan is doing its part to get out to vote in November.

CNN's Atika Shubert reports from Tokyo.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ATIKA SHUBERT, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): On the eve of the Democratic Convention, Democrats in Japan are having their own humble affair, voter registration alongside a screening of "Fahrenheit 9/11," a film likely to galvanize voters, love it or hate it.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're still Americans. And there's no question of our loyalty. There's no question of where our feelings lie toward our country.

SHUBERT: Apathy among overseas voters tends to be high. But this year, membership at Democrats Abroad Japan has quadrupled, driven they say by overseas anger of President Bush.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Bush will go down. And he is incompetent. Never forget that.

SHUBERT (on camera): Are you a Democrat?

(voice-over): Terry McMillin (ph) says she never voted in her life, but this year she's leading the charge.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The level of engagement and the level of anti-apathy is astonishing. And I think people are starting to realize that we do have the power.

SHUBERT: A point the controversial film brings home to this audience, the 2000 election result was so tight, would overseas voters have tipped the ballots?

(on camera): There are more than seven million Americans living abroad, many of them from battleground states. And this year, every vote counts more than ever, including overseas.

(voice-over): Japan alone has more than 100,000 Americans, many of them personnel at military bases, but they're not all Democrats. Having registered four times the number of voters from the previous election, Republicans are planning big.

DOUG HARDY, REPUBLICANS ABROAD JAPAN: We are expecting to have our major, largest and biggest party on November 3.

SHUBERT: Overseas Americans seem set to vote in record numbers on both sides of the political fence.

Atika Shubert, CNN, Tokyo.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: All right. Did we tell you about that bridge in Bosnia-Herzegovina? Let's go back, live pictures right now. They're still dancing there in Mostar at the Old Bridge. Let's listen for just a moment.

All right, it's a little bit like Riverdance there. Only, it's not. In any case, we'll keep you posted on the bridge. On the eve of the Democratic National Convention, "CNN PRESENTS" brings you "John Kerry: Born to Run."

Senior political correspondent Candy Crowley sits down with an interview with the presumptive nominee. Here's a preview.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Here I was, kaboom, goodbye to your parents and tears for three solid weeks, probably. And I was not a happy puppy.

TERESA HEINZ KERRY, WIFE OF SENATOR JOHN KERRY: I know that for a child to be separated from mother and father and brothers and sisters at a young age is very tough. And he was. It's formative years. It's cuddling years. It's crying years. It's all the things that kids go through. He did it without.

KERRY: It teaches you something. And that's part of the self- reliance and independence and confidence.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O'BRIEN: All right, so be sure to catch the full hour this weekend. The program is called "CNN PRESENTS: John Kerry: Born to Run," Sunday 8:00 eastern.

Other news across America to tell you about. He defined the jazz style known as screeching. And he once jammed with President Clinton on the White House lawn. Legendary tenor saxophonist Illinois Jacquet is dead. He died yesterday at his home in New York from a heart attack at the age of 81. Maybe it's Jacquet. I apologize.

Investigators in Florida are trying to figure out what caused a condominium under construction to collapse. Part of the third floor of the townhouse near West Palm Beach came down on the first floor, trapping some workers inside.

In Augusta, Georgia, Ady McGriff (ph) looking forward to her second birthday and we hope many, many more. Ady's doctor says she has a great chance at a normal life after her sixth -- count them, sixth -- sixth organ transplant back in March. Look at Ady then, in a desperate need of a new stomach, liver, pancreas, spleen and small and large intestines. The toddler still requires lots of medicine and lots of therapy, but her parents have a lot of patience and a lot of hope. And we wish them well.

PHILLIPS: The ex-husband of Olympic star Marion Jones has some harsh accusations about the athlete and banned drugs. We're going to have that story.

Joan Rivers and daughter Melissa no longer queens of the red carpet. The fashion police may be off the beat.

And once again, we're taking you from the bridge to the beat to the break. From the bridge to the break, that is what we are doing. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: A lot of suspicion grows surrounding Olympian Marion Jones and the use of steroids. Her ex-husband reportedly says the sprinter took banned substances during the 2000 Summer Games.

Now, two newspapers that C.J. Hunter, seen here with his then wife, was told that investigators -- or told investigators, rather, that Jones took a growth hormone steroid, THG. Well, Marion Jones is denying her ex-husband's accounts.

Five-time champion Lance Armstrong may have locked a record sixth straight Tour de France victory. A relaxed Armstrong glided through the 18th stage of the race in the middle of the pack, after earning the yellow leader's jersey in the previous three stages. Armstrong has a solid 4:09 over Italy's Ivan Basso that should carry him to the finish line in Paris on Sunday.

Checking entertainment headlines this Friday. The ex of R&B sweetheart Brandy is making some accusations. Robert Smith reportedly says he and Brandy were never legally married when she gave birth to their daughter. He says the marriage was faked to protect Brandy's clean image. Brandy issued a statement saying the two had a spiritual union.

O'BRIEN: Whatever that means.

All right, Fashion cops Joan and Melissa Rivers won't be patrolling the red carpet at the Emmy Awards next fall. The mother- daughter team no longer have access to red carpet coverage, after leaving E! Entertainment Television. The pair was recently hired by "The TV Guide Channel." And, apparently, E! has that red carpet just locked uptight.

PHILLIPS: I don't know what I'm going to do now.

And you can call Kirstie Alley a "Fat Actress." That's the name of her new reality comedy series. It will follow her life as an overweight celebrity and Hollywood's obsession with weight. Showtime will begin production on "Fat Actress" this fall.

O'BRIEN: A rare treat for some Florida beachgoers. They were able to get up close and personal with some endangered creatures.

Judy Echavez of CNN affiliate WPLG reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JUDY ECHAVEZ, WPLG REPORTER (voice-over): On this clear summer day, incredible images captured by Sky 10 just feet away from the sandy shore, at least five manatees.

JEAN KORNATOWSKI, BEACHGOER: We saw like five helicopters coming around. And we thought someone was missing at the time because there was a commotion down there. But the manatees swam along the shore and the people followed the manatees all of the way down here. ECHAVEZ: Dozens of thrilled beachgoers, tourists and locals crowded around the mammals in Lauderdale by the sea.

SAM DEMARCO, BEACHGOER: Well, they were confused because they were so close to the beach. And then when people came by, they were putting them and playing with them like they were real pets, home pets.

ECHAVEZ: Several swimmers got so close to the manatees and climbed on top of them. Some were even riding their spatula-shaped tails.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We saw one in the water. It was down there somewhere. But then it kept going down the water and the people going with it and pushing it up on land.

ECHAVEZ: Authorities were trying to warn swimmers to stop disturbing the creatures in their natural habitat.

JORGE PINO, FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE: We saw that there were some individuals out here on the beach that were molesting and touching and harassing some of the manatees.

ECHAVEZ: Offshore, a BSO boat speeds to the scene, the U.S. Coast Guard, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation commission also on scene reminding folks to leave the matting manatees alone.

PINO: All they're doing is trying to procreate. And that's what we need them to do. We need them to procreate, so they can have more and more numbers in the state of Florida. And then, that way, they will be off the endangered list. And if people are harassing them while they're trying to have some private time, that will never happen.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: All right, here's a little footnote to this one. Florida wildlife officials are taking a close look at that tape you just saw to see if anything or anyone did something wrong or abused those animals. All right.

PHILLIPS: The celebration's still going to at the bridge in Bosnia.

O'BRIEN: Oh, yes, let's bring the bridge up real quick. One more shot there.

PHILLIPS: Yes.

O'BRIEN: There we go. Can we listen to it? Yes. And that's the famous Bosnian tenor. Slobodan Singovic, I think is his name. I don't know. Making that up.

(CROSSTALK)

PHILLIPS: Solo appearance. He's not with the Irish tenors. He is going to be doing that next March.

O'BRIEN: Now we are in for a treat here, because I happen to know that Judy Woodruff has become a Red Sox fan.

PHILLIPS: Really? She's doing it all for you.

(CROSSTALK)

O'BRIEN: She's in right field. She's got her mitt. And she is going to be collecting foul balls.

PHILLIPS: Her cap on.

O'BRIEN: And she has got her Sox cap on.

I'm so proud of you, Judy,

PHILLIPS: I know. Judy doesn't want to hear the word that she looks cute. So we're going to say she looks hip.

(LAUGHTER)

O'BRIEN: You'll take cute, won't you?

JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: This is a side of me you have never seen, Miles, Kyra.

O'BRIEN: Yes. We like it.

PHILLIPS: We like it.

WOODRUFF: Thank you very much. Thank you both and have a great weekend.

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