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Kidnapping Resulting in Death; Deadly Violence in Iraq; Bush News Conference

Aired December 20, 2004 - 14:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: A bizarre crime. A woman arrested for allegedly strangling a pregnant woman in order to steal her unborn baby set to appear in court. We are live with the latest.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We're going to have to explain to members of Congress the crisis is here. It's a lot less painful to act now than if we wait.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: Curbing a looming crisis, President Bush calls for action on reforming Social Security. We're live from the White House.

O'BRIEN: Into the deep freeze. The first big cold wave of the season strikes from New England all the way down to the Sunshine State. The worst isn't over.

NGUYEN: And fun and games turning into serious cash. A special report on the billion-dollar business of high-tech gaming.

From the CNN Center in Atlanta, I'm Betty Nguyen, in today for Kyra Phillips.

O'BRIEN: And from our Washington newsroom, I'm Miles O'Brien. This hour of CNN LIVE FROM starts right now.

Kidnapping resulting in death a federal offense that itself could result in death for a Kansas woman who allegedly kidnapped an unborn baby from her mother's womb. The details are almost incomprehensible, and yet they'll be the subject today of at least one federal hearing with many more to come.

CNN's Jonathan Freed brings us up to date from Kansas City, Missouri -- Jonathan.

JONATHAN FREED, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon, Miles.

That's right. We can confirm at this point now -- we have recently spoken to the U.S. attorney's office -- Lisa Montgomery will face at least one of her hearings at 2:45 Central Time. That's called an identity hearing.

We're in Kansas City, Missouri. It's going to happen across the river in Kansas City, Kansas. And Miles, that is essentially there to simply establish that the person that they have in custody is indeed the person that is named in the federal affidavit connected to the charges of -- regarding to the alleged crimes.

Now, once that is done they are still hopeful that before the day is done, Lisa Montgomery will be transported here to the Missouri side and appear in federal court before a U.S. magistrate judge. At that point, Miles, she would be connected with the public defender, appointed one there, and the charges of kidnapping resulting in death will be read out in federal court here for the first time.

Now, Lisa Montgomery is accused of strangling 23-year-old Bobbie Joe Stinnett and of cutting Stinnett's 8-month-old fetus from her womb. Now, a tip pointed the FBI and police towards an Internet trail which the FBI says was key in tracking down Montgomery and ultimately arresting her.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JEFF LANZA, FBI SPECIAL AGENT: They met online, and that the victim was involved in selling dogs, and that she had a posting on the Internet, an Internet Web page that had been set up, and that the suspect may have viewed this Web page. And there were actually contacts that we were able to pick up off the suspect's computer indicating that she had received Internet messages from the -- from the suspect.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FREED: So, Miles, again, CNN has confirmed with the U.S. attorney's office that the first of two scheduled court appearances for Lisa Montgomery is set to happen on the Kansas side here in Kansas City at 2:45 Central Time this afternoon -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Jonathan, federal charges in this case crossing state lines, kidnapping and the like. Obviously state charges could apply here. In this case, will the federal case sort of supersede that for now?

FREED: What the U.S. attorney's office told me earlier today is that their -- that they could have had an option of filing this on the Kansas side, where Montgomery was arrested, or on the Missouri side, where the crimes are against her alleged to have happened. And they said that they are focusing this on the Missouri side because that's where the woman was murdered and that's where the kidnapping occurred. As far as any other charges went, any other jurisdictions, any other levels that might be brought against her, they wouldn't get into that, although we are trying to find out.

O'BRIEN: CNN's Jonathan Freed in Kansas City, Missouri. Thank you very much.

In news -- Betty?

NGUYEN: In other news "Across America" now, Miles, in Santa Maria, California, a pop singer's past. A hearing is under way in Michael Jackson's child molestation case. Prosecutors want to use Jackson's alleged past wrongdoing introduced as evidence. Jackson settled another molestation case out of court in 1993. His trial begins next month.

In Pennsylvania, the search for a missing autistic boy continues. A group searched a wooded area this morning for 9-year-old Logan Mitcheltree. The boy, who can't speak, was last seen Saturday. Officials in South Williamsport are asking residents to also search their properties.

And in Florida, look at this. This sinkhole keeps sinking. Volusia County officials say the 12-foot sinkhole has grown to 225 feet. The sinkhole could take a week to stop growing and to fix. Meanwhile, some 25,000 drivers have been forced to find alternate routes -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: In news overseas, warnings of clan warfare in Iraq after a weekend of deadly insurgent violence. Iraq's interim prime minister today says rebels may be trying to start a sectarian war. Meanwhile, mourners attend the funerals of those killed in those weekend attacks.

CNN's Chris Lawrence, details live from Baghdad.

Hello, Chris. I'm afraid...

CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Miles, right now Iraqi officials say they are pushing ahead with their plans for the elections even after those car bombs killed nearly 70 people just yesterday. Iraqi officials say if the insurgents' plan is to turn one Iraqi against another or strike fear into the hearts of some of the voters to keep them away from the polls, they're confident that plan won't work.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LAWRENCE (voice-over): They were the deadliest attacks in Iraq since the summer. But the day after twin bombings in Najaf and Karbala, American and Iraqi officials are promising it won't derail the election. By Monday, the survivors had all been account the for in Najaf, where Iraqi authorities have arrested 50 suspects and banned cars from driving through downtown. On Sunday, a suicide bomber detonated his car in a central town square crowded with people watching a funeral procession.

Fifty miles away, another bomb exploded at a bus station in Karbala. The blast destroyed buses, cars and buildings. And by Monday the cleanup around the crater was just getting started. Both attacks occurred at cities considered holy by Shiite Muslims, but Iraqi officials say they won't let insurgents start a civil war to disrupt the upcoming election.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (through translator): They are trying to incite such violence between the Sunnis and the Shia.

LAWRENCE: U.S. officials won't talk about the specifics of securing polling places, but the Iraqis confirm American troops will be heavily involved.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: People have to depend on the presence of multinational forces and in significant numbers in certain areas in order to prevent the terrorists from destabilizing the process.

LAWRENCE: On Monday, Iraq's electoral commission drew balls from a drum and randomly selected where competing parties will rank on the paper ballot. It looked a lot like a national lottery, but one in which the country as a whole can't afford to lose.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LAWRENCE: Now, since Iraqis have no experience with democratic elections, the order of names on that ballot could influence how voters go. And officials are still trying to come up with some way to keep long lines from forming outside the polling stations, fearing that large crowds could attract insurgents -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Well, if history is any measure, those crowds will, in fact, be targets. And asking the U.S. troops to provide security for something as large as a nationwide election, well, it seems to be an impossible challenge.

What are they going to do about it?

I'm afraid Chris Lawrence can't hear us. Thank you very much, Chris -- Betty.

NGUYEN: Some veterans who fought in the first Persian Gulf War may face a higher risk of lung cancer. A government advisory group says the risk is greatest for those who were exposed to pollution from oil well fires, exhausts and other sources. A committee of the Institute of Medicine says there is not enough evidence to determine whether most of veterans' health problems are associated with such exposures -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: President Bush beats the press in a year-end news conference. He talks about Donald Rumsfeld, Iraq and sounds an alarm about Social Security. We'll have details for us just ahead on LIVE FROM.

Plus, Muslims fighting for Israel. The fascinating story of non- Jewish soldiers joining the Israeli army.

And next, baby it's cold outside. Just how low will the temperature go? Details on the deep freeze after a short break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(WEATHER REPORT)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Back to LIVE FROM from Washington today.

President Bush took on the media today at the White House. He held his final solo news conference of the year. He faced a barrage of questions on topics ranging from Iraq to Social Security.

CNN's Elaine Quijano live now from the White House with details.

Hello, Elaine.

ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello to you, Miles.

It was a wide-ranging news conference. President Bush's 14th one solo here on the White House campus grounds. And on the issue of Iraq, President Bush emphasized the importance, he said, of the upcoming Iraqi elections now slated for January 30 in that country.

The president saying that those elections should be viewed as just the beginning of the process in moving towards democracy in Iraq. Mr. Bush reiterating his view that terrorists will try to delay those elections to intimidate people and to disrupt the elections any way they can.

In recent days, of course, there has been stepped-up violence in parts of Iraq. And today, President Bush, while maintaining that progress is being made, also candidly acknowledged the intensity of the ongoing violence.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BUSH: There's no question about it. The bombers are having an effect. You know, these people are targeting innocent Iraqis. They're trying to shake the will of the Iraqi people and, frankly, trying to shake the will of the American people.

And, you know, car bombs that destroy young children, or car bombs that indiscriminately bomb in religious sites, are effective propaganda tools. But we must meet the objective, which is to help the Iraqis defend themselves and at the same time have a political process to go forward.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

QUIJANO: Now, the president also reiterated a warning to Syria and Iran not to interfere with the Iraq elections by supporting foreign fighters. Mr. Bush saying today that he meant it when he expects those countries not to meddle with the political process in Iraq -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Elaine, let's talk about Social Security. The president was asked quite a bit about it. Was not very specific about it, except to basically be a bit alarming and say, we've got a problem here.

QUIJANO: Well, that's exactly it, and that's the crux of the debate really at this point. The president is saying, if the United States does not act now, if the government doesn't act now to take care of this problem, then it will be worse down the line. That this is the opportunity, he says, for something to be done.

On the other hand, you have critics, Democrats notably, saying that Social Security is not forecast to become insolvent until 2042, that it has not necessarily reached the crisis level that the administration has made it out to be. But President Bush, you're right, not going into many specifics about how this plan will be paid for. The president not even really going into detail about what his plan consists of other than to say he wants private accounts -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Elaine Quijano at the White House. Thanks much -- Betty.

NGUYEN: President Bush voiced his optimism today in the Mideast conflict. This as elections approach for a new Palestinian Authority president. Mr. Bush told reporters, "The only way to achieve Mideast peace is for there to be democracies living side by side."

Meanwhile, today, Israel's main settler group called for a peaceful resistance against Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's withdrawal plan. Under it, Jewish settlers would evacuate occupied Gaza and parts of the West Bank next year.

Living on both sides of a conflict, but bearing arms together. Muslims are serving with Jews in the Israeli army. It's a controversial and sensitive issue for the young Muslim men who volunteer to serve. CNN's Guy Raz reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GUY RAZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Sipping thick Arabic coffee, 27-year-old Ashraf proudly shows off his army memorabilia.

ASHRAF, IDF VETERAN (through translator): I am proud of my service. The Bedouins have to give something back to the state. I was born here, and I'm obliged to protect and defend it.

RAZ: Ashraf served 11 years in the Israeli military. He's one of several of the young men in the Bedouin village of Hura who volunteer. Colonel Pini Ganon has been recruiting Bedouins and other Muslims to serve in the army for years.

COL. PINI GANON, ISRAELI DEFENSE FORCES (through translator): The Bedouin soldiers have skills that many other soldiers do not have. They have an inherent understanding of the geography. It is something they are raised with.

RAZ (on camera): For the young Muslim men from poorer villages like Hura, joining the Israeli army is a way out, a chance for a better life. But it doesn't always work out that way.

(voice-over): At the local mosque in Hura, military service is controversial. Some men join. Others do not.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): As a proud Arab, I would never join the Israeli army.

RAZ: Bedouin soldiers often serve in Gaza. Many are confronted with the possibility of fighting fellow Muslims. The decision is not widely embraced within the Muslim communities of Israel. Indeed, after five Muslim soldiers recently died fighting for Israel, only one had a military funeral.

The families of the other men feared friends and relatives wouldn't attend a military burial. Ashraf believes the army is an egalitarian institution. But he's now questioning whether it's improved his status as a non-Jewish citizen of Israel.

ASHRAF (through translator): The state only treats us equally while we serve. Once we leave, it doesn't. I am telling you, something is very wrong here.

RAZ: He says he's had trouble finding a job. And his family is now embroiled in a dispute with the state over this field. His father, a farmer, was allowed to farm here for years, but now local authorities have taken it back, citing security reasons.

ASHRAF (through translator): It would be very difficult for me now to ask my son to volunteer in the army. How can I ask him to do this after I served 11 years and I am not treated as a full citizen?

RAZ: Israel requires all Jewish men and women and (UNINTELLIGIBLE) men to serve. According to the IDF, there's been a threefold increase in the number of non-Jews joining. But the 4-year- old armed Palestinian uprising has also politicized many young Muslim men, men who see army service as a betrayal of their identity.

Guy Raz, CNN, Hura.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: In Santa Maria, California, Michael Jackson's legal defense team, all-star team that it is, is in court once again asking for a delay or an outright dismissal. We'll check in with Miguel Marquez who is on the scene in just a little bit.

Also, in the spirit of the holiday season, we ask a burning question for you.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Is two months' salary too much to pay for something that lasts forever?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, not if you love the girl enough.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O'BRIEN: The pressure to pony up for the cash for the holiday bling.

And thousands of you will be laying out some cash this holiday season for video games, myself included. Hope he's not listening at home, that 12-year-old of mine. Anyway, we take you inside the quest to come up with the must-have hit.

DAVID HAFFENREFFER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Never too old for video games, Miles. I'm David Haffenreffer in New York. It's turning out to be a soggy holiday season for retailers. But there might still be a couple of things stores can wish for this holiday. We'll have that report for you coming up when LIVE FROM continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: In Santa Maria, California, this morning, attorneys representing Michael Jackson were in court once again today, this time asking a judge to either delay the proceedings against the pop star or dismiss them outright, calling prosecutors vindictive.

CNN's Miguel Marquez has been inside the proceedings. He has a break right now. He's here to tell us what's been going on -- Miguel.

MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Boy, there are a lot of lawyers in that courtroom, I will tell you, Miles. They are in a break right now. They've been arguing the motion to continue the trial, to push it back is what the defense wants. And even though the judge hasn't ruled on that yet, what we are learning is sort of the shape of the trial from that motion.

Defense and prosecution lawyers talking to the judge about the -- how this thing would look when we go to trial. They believe that on January 31, which is the date this is now scheduled for, it would take three to four weeks to seat a jury here in Santa Maria, and then there would be a three to five-month trial.

The judge talking about going five days a week from 8:30 a.m. Pacific to whenever they finish every -- every day. He was considering a four-day work week, but now he's considering a five-day work week.

On the D.A.'s, the prosecution's witness list, we know that they have 164 people listed on that list. It doesn't mean they'll all be called, but the 164 people is an enormous pool. The defense talking about, well, they have to have rebuttal witnesses and the like.

Some of the names on those -- on the witness list are from the '93-'94 allegations of sexual misconduct against Mr. Jackson. Others on that list are from civil trials and civil judgments that Jackson won, or that were against Mr. Jackson as well.

What is clear is that there is a wide net being cast by the district attorney here in Santa Barbara County to try Mr. Jackson on child molestation charges. And one thing seems also clear from the defense point of view, there are going to be many more motions, many more challenges to the very charges that the prosecution brought against Michael Jackson -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: All right. CNN's Miguel Marquez, thank you very much, live from Santa Maria, California -- Betty.

NGUYEN: All right. The Saturday before Christmas is supposed to be the biggest shopping day of the year. But there was no big bonanza for most retailers this weekend.

David Haffenreffer joins us now from the New York Stock Exchange for that story.

(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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Aired December 20, 2004 - 14:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: A bizarre crime. A woman arrested for allegedly strangling a pregnant woman in order to steal her unborn baby set to appear in court. We are live with the latest.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We're going to have to explain to members of Congress the crisis is here. It's a lot less painful to act now than if we wait.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: Curbing a looming crisis, President Bush calls for action on reforming Social Security. We're live from the White House.

O'BRIEN: Into the deep freeze. The first big cold wave of the season strikes from New England all the way down to the Sunshine State. The worst isn't over.

NGUYEN: And fun and games turning into serious cash. A special report on the billion-dollar business of high-tech gaming.

From the CNN Center in Atlanta, I'm Betty Nguyen, in today for Kyra Phillips.

O'BRIEN: And from our Washington newsroom, I'm Miles O'Brien. This hour of CNN LIVE FROM starts right now.

Kidnapping resulting in death a federal offense that itself could result in death for a Kansas woman who allegedly kidnapped an unborn baby from her mother's womb. The details are almost incomprehensible, and yet they'll be the subject today of at least one federal hearing with many more to come.

CNN's Jonathan Freed brings us up to date from Kansas City, Missouri -- Jonathan.

JONATHAN FREED, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon, Miles.

That's right. We can confirm at this point now -- we have recently spoken to the U.S. attorney's office -- Lisa Montgomery will face at least one of her hearings at 2:45 Central Time. That's called an identity hearing.

We're in Kansas City, Missouri. It's going to happen across the river in Kansas City, Kansas. And Miles, that is essentially there to simply establish that the person that they have in custody is indeed the person that is named in the federal affidavit connected to the charges of -- regarding to the alleged crimes.

Now, once that is done they are still hopeful that before the day is done, Lisa Montgomery will be transported here to the Missouri side and appear in federal court before a U.S. magistrate judge. At that point, Miles, she would be connected with the public defender, appointed one there, and the charges of kidnapping resulting in death will be read out in federal court here for the first time.

Now, Lisa Montgomery is accused of strangling 23-year-old Bobbie Joe Stinnett and of cutting Stinnett's 8-month-old fetus from her womb. Now, a tip pointed the FBI and police towards an Internet trail which the FBI says was key in tracking down Montgomery and ultimately arresting her.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JEFF LANZA, FBI SPECIAL AGENT: They met online, and that the victim was involved in selling dogs, and that she had a posting on the Internet, an Internet Web page that had been set up, and that the suspect may have viewed this Web page. And there were actually contacts that we were able to pick up off the suspect's computer indicating that she had received Internet messages from the -- from the suspect.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FREED: So, Miles, again, CNN has confirmed with the U.S. attorney's office that the first of two scheduled court appearances for Lisa Montgomery is set to happen on the Kansas side here in Kansas City at 2:45 Central Time this afternoon -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Jonathan, federal charges in this case crossing state lines, kidnapping and the like. Obviously state charges could apply here. In this case, will the federal case sort of supersede that for now?

FREED: What the U.S. attorney's office told me earlier today is that their -- that they could have had an option of filing this on the Kansas side, where Montgomery was arrested, or on the Missouri side, where the crimes are against her alleged to have happened. And they said that they are focusing this on the Missouri side because that's where the woman was murdered and that's where the kidnapping occurred. As far as any other charges went, any other jurisdictions, any other levels that might be brought against her, they wouldn't get into that, although we are trying to find out.

O'BRIEN: CNN's Jonathan Freed in Kansas City, Missouri. Thank you very much.

In news -- Betty?

NGUYEN: In other news "Across America" now, Miles, in Santa Maria, California, a pop singer's past. A hearing is under way in Michael Jackson's child molestation case. Prosecutors want to use Jackson's alleged past wrongdoing introduced as evidence. Jackson settled another molestation case out of court in 1993. His trial begins next month.

In Pennsylvania, the search for a missing autistic boy continues. A group searched a wooded area this morning for 9-year-old Logan Mitcheltree. The boy, who can't speak, was last seen Saturday. Officials in South Williamsport are asking residents to also search their properties.

And in Florida, look at this. This sinkhole keeps sinking. Volusia County officials say the 12-foot sinkhole has grown to 225 feet. The sinkhole could take a week to stop growing and to fix. Meanwhile, some 25,000 drivers have been forced to find alternate routes -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: In news overseas, warnings of clan warfare in Iraq after a weekend of deadly insurgent violence. Iraq's interim prime minister today says rebels may be trying to start a sectarian war. Meanwhile, mourners attend the funerals of those killed in those weekend attacks.

CNN's Chris Lawrence, details live from Baghdad.

Hello, Chris. I'm afraid...

CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Miles, right now Iraqi officials say they are pushing ahead with their plans for the elections even after those car bombs killed nearly 70 people just yesterday. Iraqi officials say if the insurgents' plan is to turn one Iraqi against another or strike fear into the hearts of some of the voters to keep them away from the polls, they're confident that plan won't work.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LAWRENCE (voice-over): They were the deadliest attacks in Iraq since the summer. But the day after twin bombings in Najaf and Karbala, American and Iraqi officials are promising it won't derail the election. By Monday, the survivors had all been account the for in Najaf, where Iraqi authorities have arrested 50 suspects and banned cars from driving through downtown. On Sunday, a suicide bomber detonated his car in a central town square crowded with people watching a funeral procession.

Fifty miles away, another bomb exploded at a bus station in Karbala. The blast destroyed buses, cars and buildings. And by Monday the cleanup around the crater was just getting started. Both attacks occurred at cities considered holy by Shiite Muslims, but Iraqi officials say they won't let insurgents start a civil war to disrupt the upcoming election.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (through translator): They are trying to incite such violence between the Sunnis and the Shia.

LAWRENCE: U.S. officials won't talk about the specifics of securing polling places, but the Iraqis confirm American troops will be heavily involved.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: People have to depend on the presence of multinational forces and in significant numbers in certain areas in order to prevent the terrorists from destabilizing the process.

LAWRENCE: On Monday, Iraq's electoral commission drew balls from a drum and randomly selected where competing parties will rank on the paper ballot. It looked a lot like a national lottery, but one in which the country as a whole can't afford to lose.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LAWRENCE: Now, since Iraqis have no experience with democratic elections, the order of names on that ballot could influence how voters go. And officials are still trying to come up with some way to keep long lines from forming outside the polling stations, fearing that large crowds could attract insurgents -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Well, if history is any measure, those crowds will, in fact, be targets. And asking the U.S. troops to provide security for something as large as a nationwide election, well, it seems to be an impossible challenge.

What are they going to do about it?

I'm afraid Chris Lawrence can't hear us. Thank you very much, Chris -- Betty.

NGUYEN: Some veterans who fought in the first Persian Gulf War may face a higher risk of lung cancer. A government advisory group says the risk is greatest for those who were exposed to pollution from oil well fires, exhausts and other sources. A committee of the Institute of Medicine says there is not enough evidence to determine whether most of veterans' health problems are associated with such exposures -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: President Bush beats the press in a year-end news conference. He talks about Donald Rumsfeld, Iraq and sounds an alarm about Social Security. We'll have details for us just ahead on LIVE FROM.

Plus, Muslims fighting for Israel. The fascinating story of non- Jewish soldiers joining the Israeli army.

And next, baby it's cold outside. Just how low will the temperature go? Details on the deep freeze after a short break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(WEATHER REPORT)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Back to LIVE FROM from Washington today.

President Bush took on the media today at the White House. He held his final solo news conference of the year. He faced a barrage of questions on topics ranging from Iraq to Social Security.

CNN's Elaine Quijano live now from the White House with details.

Hello, Elaine.

ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello to you, Miles.

It was a wide-ranging news conference. President Bush's 14th one solo here on the White House campus grounds. And on the issue of Iraq, President Bush emphasized the importance, he said, of the upcoming Iraqi elections now slated for January 30 in that country.

The president saying that those elections should be viewed as just the beginning of the process in moving towards democracy in Iraq. Mr. Bush reiterating his view that terrorists will try to delay those elections to intimidate people and to disrupt the elections any way they can.

In recent days, of course, there has been stepped-up violence in parts of Iraq. And today, President Bush, while maintaining that progress is being made, also candidly acknowledged the intensity of the ongoing violence.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BUSH: There's no question about it. The bombers are having an effect. You know, these people are targeting innocent Iraqis. They're trying to shake the will of the Iraqi people and, frankly, trying to shake the will of the American people.

And, you know, car bombs that destroy young children, or car bombs that indiscriminately bomb in religious sites, are effective propaganda tools. But we must meet the objective, which is to help the Iraqis defend themselves and at the same time have a political process to go forward.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

QUIJANO: Now, the president also reiterated a warning to Syria and Iran not to interfere with the Iraq elections by supporting foreign fighters. Mr. Bush saying today that he meant it when he expects those countries not to meddle with the political process in Iraq -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Elaine, let's talk about Social Security. The president was asked quite a bit about it. Was not very specific about it, except to basically be a bit alarming and say, we've got a problem here.

QUIJANO: Well, that's exactly it, and that's the crux of the debate really at this point. The president is saying, if the United States does not act now, if the government doesn't act now to take care of this problem, then it will be worse down the line. That this is the opportunity, he says, for something to be done.

On the other hand, you have critics, Democrats notably, saying that Social Security is not forecast to become insolvent until 2042, that it has not necessarily reached the crisis level that the administration has made it out to be. But President Bush, you're right, not going into many specifics about how this plan will be paid for. The president not even really going into detail about what his plan consists of other than to say he wants private accounts -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Elaine Quijano at the White House. Thanks much -- Betty.

NGUYEN: President Bush voiced his optimism today in the Mideast conflict. This as elections approach for a new Palestinian Authority president. Mr. Bush told reporters, "The only way to achieve Mideast peace is for there to be democracies living side by side."

Meanwhile, today, Israel's main settler group called for a peaceful resistance against Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's withdrawal plan. Under it, Jewish settlers would evacuate occupied Gaza and parts of the West Bank next year.

Living on both sides of a conflict, but bearing arms together. Muslims are serving with Jews in the Israeli army. It's a controversial and sensitive issue for the young Muslim men who volunteer to serve. CNN's Guy Raz reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GUY RAZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Sipping thick Arabic coffee, 27-year-old Ashraf proudly shows off his army memorabilia.

ASHRAF, IDF VETERAN (through translator): I am proud of my service. The Bedouins have to give something back to the state. I was born here, and I'm obliged to protect and defend it.

RAZ: Ashraf served 11 years in the Israeli military. He's one of several of the young men in the Bedouin village of Hura who volunteer. Colonel Pini Ganon has been recruiting Bedouins and other Muslims to serve in the army for years.

COL. PINI GANON, ISRAELI DEFENSE FORCES (through translator): The Bedouin soldiers have skills that many other soldiers do not have. They have an inherent understanding of the geography. It is something they are raised with.

RAZ (on camera): For the young Muslim men from poorer villages like Hura, joining the Israeli army is a way out, a chance for a better life. But it doesn't always work out that way.

(voice-over): At the local mosque in Hura, military service is controversial. Some men join. Others do not.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): As a proud Arab, I would never join the Israeli army.

RAZ: Bedouin soldiers often serve in Gaza. Many are confronted with the possibility of fighting fellow Muslims. The decision is not widely embraced within the Muslim communities of Israel. Indeed, after five Muslim soldiers recently died fighting for Israel, only one had a military funeral.

The families of the other men feared friends and relatives wouldn't attend a military burial. Ashraf believes the army is an egalitarian institution. But he's now questioning whether it's improved his status as a non-Jewish citizen of Israel.

ASHRAF (through translator): The state only treats us equally while we serve. Once we leave, it doesn't. I am telling you, something is very wrong here.

RAZ: He says he's had trouble finding a job. And his family is now embroiled in a dispute with the state over this field. His father, a farmer, was allowed to farm here for years, but now local authorities have taken it back, citing security reasons.

ASHRAF (through translator): It would be very difficult for me now to ask my son to volunteer in the army. How can I ask him to do this after I served 11 years and I am not treated as a full citizen?

RAZ: Israel requires all Jewish men and women and (UNINTELLIGIBLE) men to serve. According to the IDF, there's been a threefold increase in the number of non-Jews joining. But the 4-year- old armed Palestinian uprising has also politicized many young Muslim men, men who see army service as a betrayal of their identity.

Guy Raz, CNN, Hura.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: In Santa Maria, California, Michael Jackson's legal defense team, all-star team that it is, is in court once again asking for a delay or an outright dismissal. We'll check in with Miguel Marquez who is on the scene in just a little bit.

Also, in the spirit of the holiday season, we ask a burning question for you.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Is two months' salary too much to pay for something that lasts forever?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, not if you love the girl enough.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O'BRIEN: The pressure to pony up for the cash for the holiday bling.

And thousands of you will be laying out some cash this holiday season for video games, myself included. Hope he's not listening at home, that 12-year-old of mine. Anyway, we take you inside the quest to come up with the must-have hit.

DAVID HAFFENREFFER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Never too old for video games, Miles. I'm David Haffenreffer in New York. It's turning out to be a soggy holiday season for retailers. But there might still be a couple of things stores can wish for this holiday. We'll have that report for you coming up when LIVE FROM continues.

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O'BRIEN: In Santa Maria, California, this morning, attorneys representing Michael Jackson were in court once again today, this time asking a judge to either delay the proceedings against the pop star or dismiss them outright, calling prosecutors vindictive.

CNN's Miguel Marquez has been inside the proceedings. He has a break right now. He's here to tell us what's been going on -- Miguel.

MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Boy, there are a lot of lawyers in that courtroom, I will tell you, Miles. They are in a break right now. They've been arguing the motion to continue the trial, to push it back is what the defense wants. And even though the judge hasn't ruled on that yet, what we are learning is sort of the shape of the trial from that motion.

Defense and prosecution lawyers talking to the judge about the -- how this thing would look when we go to trial. They believe that on January 31, which is the date this is now scheduled for, it would take three to four weeks to seat a jury here in Santa Maria, and then there would be a three to five-month trial.

The judge talking about going five days a week from 8:30 a.m. Pacific to whenever they finish every -- every day. He was considering a four-day work week, but now he's considering a five-day work week.

On the D.A.'s, the prosecution's witness list, we know that they have 164 people listed on that list. It doesn't mean they'll all be called, but the 164 people is an enormous pool. The defense talking about, well, they have to have rebuttal witnesses and the like.

Some of the names on those -- on the witness list are from the '93-'94 allegations of sexual misconduct against Mr. Jackson. Others on that list are from civil trials and civil judgments that Jackson won, or that were against Mr. Jackson as well.

What is clear is that there is a wide net being cast by the district attorney here in Santa Barbara County to try Mr. Jackson on child molestation charges. And one thing seems also clear from the defense point of view, there are going to be many more motions, many more challenges to the very charges that the prosecution brought against Michael Jackson -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: All right. CNN's Miguel Marquez, thank you very much, live from Santa Maria, California -- Betty.

NGUYEN: All right. The Saturday before Christmas is supposed to be the biggest shopping day of the year. But there was no big bonanza for most retailers this weekend.

David Haffenreffer joins us now from the New York Stock Exchange for that story.

(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

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