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Rumsfeld Visits Iraq; Interview With Billy Preston

Aired February 11, 2005 - 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: What an incredible twist to a story.
As you know, all day today, we've been talking about this mother that allegedly took her one-day old baby and tossed it out of a car window. And police came across this child. Well, now that has just completely turned around. Broward County Sheriff Ken Jenne coming forward, saying, it's a story that's happy, sad, but not as horrible as we thought.

This is what happened. The mother, 38-year-old Patricia Pokriots, gave birth to her baby, not telling her family that she was pregnant, gave birth to this child, this little boy, the little baby they're calling little Johnny, at her mother's house in the bathroom and then decided she didn't want it. She took the baby in the car. She was driving to a firehouse to drop the baby off in a plastic bag. She comes across a couple arguing in a car and decides to create this whole story, make up this story about this couple fighting, tossing the baby out the window.

So, she is actually the one that took her child in and turned the baby in, saying that it was not hers, that she came across the baby.

Here's what sheriff said just moments ago.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KEN JENNE, BROWARD COUNTY SHERIFF: The baby was never thrown out of a moving car. This is a case of a disturbed woman who gave birth, but did not want to keep her child and made up an incredible story. The mother of the baby is the good samaritan that we were talking about.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: What else is amazing is that there is a law that exists in Florida that says you can -- if you don't want your child, you can legally drop that child at a firehouse. So, the sheriff, coming forward, saying I have nothing to charge her with at this time, except maybe falsifying a police report, the sheriff talking about the good news in the story.

And that is that the baby is healthy, alive, and they have received thousands of phone calls from people, even his deputies that work for him, firefighters, wanting to adopt this child, wanting to know how they can help this child, incredibly heartfelt words from the sheriff. The last thing he said is, what's amazing about this story is just the great love that has been shown for this child that was rejected at birth.

Right now, the baby is in the county's care. We promise you that we'll follow what happens to baby Johnny.

TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: What a story.

Though never announced and always abbreviated, both for the sake of security -- and security was the whole point of Donald Rumsfeld's visit to Iraq today, like all the previous fly-ins by VIPs, a secret until it actually happened and over in hours.

The defense secretary said he's impressed with the campaign to build up homegrown forces, though two major attacks show how much work remains to be done.

Here's Nic Robertson in Baghdad.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The secretary of defense landed before dawn in Mosul. One of his first visits was to a medical Army facility. He met there with Sergeant Sean Ferguson and gave him a Purple Heart. The soldier had been shot in the wrist the day before, the soldier's second Purple Heart in four just four months.

Donald Rumsfeld also went on to meet with U.S. troops, congratulated them on their efforts for providing security for the elections. He then flew south to Baghdad, met with the interim prime minister, Iyad Allawi. The interim prime minister thanked Donald Rumsfeld for the work of the U.S. troops in providing security and stability for the elections.

The next part of Donald Rumsfeld's visit focused on watching the training of Iraqi Special Forces. The very -- focus of his visit, very much on -- very much to see the training that all Iraqi forces are getting.

But what he saw was a special forces training on a weapons range, firing automatic weapons, firing handguns. He saw them doing simulated assaults on buildings, descending by helicopter onto the buildings, rushing the buildings in vehicles. That was before he left towards the end of the day.

But while he was here, there were two very significant attacks on the Shiite community. One in the middle of the day. A car bomb detonated at a mosque northeast of Baghdad. Twelve people killed there, four of them Iraqi National Guardsmen patrolling the mosque at that time. Eight civilians killed. Twenty-three other people wounded, according to the police.

The police also say that there was another attack on Shiites in Baghdad early in the day. A Shia-run bakery in a Shia neighborhood of Baghdad came under attack when two vehicle loads full of insurgents arrived outside the bakery quite early in the day. About 12 gunmen got out of those vehicles, the police say, went into the two tiny bakeries, set up side by side, sprayed them with gunfire and killed nine workers in those bakeries.

What the police fear is that perhaps there's an effort of the Sunni Muslim insurgents here to step up violence against the Shia community to try and foment sectarian violence, perhaps that, in particular, they say, ahead of a very important Shia Muslim festival in about nine days time, the Ashura festival.

Nic Robertson, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Forget about it. The Bush White House says it has no intention of engaging in direct talks with North Korea about its nuclear program.

That's the focus of our "Security Watch" with CNN White House correspondent John King.

Hi, John.

JOHN KING, CNN SR. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Hello to you, Kyra.

The Bush administration saying it in not-so-colorful terms today, but certainly forget about it is the bottom line. For two years now, North Korea has said, if you want us to negotiate, setting aside our nuclear weapons program, sit down directly with us. The Bush White House has said for two years now consistently no.

And the White House repeating that today after two dramatic announcements by North Korea this week, one, its first public declaration that it in fact has a nuclear weapons arsenal and, two, that it will negotiate setting it aside only in direct talks with the United States.

Now, what you see is February of last year, the so-called six- party talks, the United States, North Korea, China, Japan and South Korea, all sitting down to try to negotiate an end to North Korea's nuclear weapons program. North Korea then left those talks, would not come back to the table last year because of the presidential election in this country. It says now it will only negotiate direct, Washington to Pyongyang.

Here at the White House today, they said no. And they said the reason why is because the Clinton administration tried that back in 1994 and learned that South -- that North Korea, excuse me, cannot be trusted.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SCOTT MCCLELLAN, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: We've been down that road before. The 1994 agreed framework was the road that we went down before. It was a bilateral approach between the United States and North Korea. North Korea violated that agreement and continued to pursue nuclear weapons.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: Kim Jong Il, the North Korean leader, is perhaps the world's most reclusive, most unpredictable leader. So here at the White House, they say they don't know what his motivations are in making these dramatic announcements this week, although they do say that history shows that North Korea has blustery, some might call it belligerent, rhetoric, and then oftentimes actually agrees to come back to the negotiating table.

So there is actually, believe it or not, some sense of optimism behind the scenes here that North Korea is simply trying to get the world's attention and that, once it has that attention, it might actually agree to come back to the bargaining table.

Key, the White House says, is keeping all the other players in the so-called six-party talks on the same page. To that end, South Korea's foreign minister was here at the White House this morning for meetings with Vice President Dick Cheney. He will be back for a meeting with the national security adviser, Steve Hadley, early next week, as well as a meeting across Washington with the new secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice. The White House says the Chinese have also said, let's stick with the six-party talks.

So, Kyra, believe it or not, despite these rather provocative public statements, in an odd way, behind the scenes, a sense of optimism that eventually, maybe a week, a couple months down the road, they might get back to negotiating.

PHILLIPS: John, earlier today, former Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger said to me his concern is that these nukes could get in the hands of al Qaeda. Is that a concern shared by those at the White House?

KING: It certainly is.

They're being very careful when you ask, what will you do about that? But it's certainly a concern. And the United States has asked these other countries, the neighbors, not only to try to get North Korea back to the table, but to use every intelligence measure at their disposal to watch for any shady shipments, if you will.

North Korea has been known for years as one of the leading exporters of ballistic-missile technology. And there is a huge concern. It is a country that is deprived for cash. Its people are starving. There's a huge concern that it might try to sell nuclear technology.

The White House says it will watch that. And they haven't ruled out using any military intervention or interception. They say they're watching quite closely.

PHILLIPS: John King, live from the White House -- thanks, John.

And a reminder. Stay tuned to CNN day and night, of course, for the most reliable news about your security. HARRIS: Switching gears now. We're going to the Grammys with a man known as the fifth Beatle, Billy Preston. He'll join us live to talk about the special tribute he's planning at the awards show.

And a "Queer Eye" takes a look at New York's Fashion Week. We'll go behind the scenes with Carson Kressley.

And just ahead, you're looking at the newest member of the club, the Kennel Club, that is. Find out just what they're calling this one ahead on LIVE FROM.

PHILLIPS: Is it velvet? Velvet. Got to be velvet.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: News across America now.

Mass suicide on Valentine's Day? Police say this man was trying to organize it over the Internet. Gerald Krein is in custody in Klamath Falls, Oregon, charged with solicitation to commit murder and conspiracy. More than 30 people are believed part of his alleged plan to lead en masse suicide on Monday. The FBI is tracking down the others believed involved.

After all the speeches about britches in Virginia, lawmakers ultimately took a belt to a proposed law to ticket people who embrace the droopy-pants look, showing off your underwear. A fashion risk, yes.

PHILLIPS: Tacky, tacky.

HARRIS: Frostbite risk, yes Illegal, no.

PHILLIPS: No. Eww. Eww.

HARRIS: And just look at this face. Yes. Yes. He's supposed to look like that, validation.

PHILLIPS: Speaking of droopy. Sorry.

HARRIS: Validation for the purebred Neapolitan mastiff competing this year, first time ever in the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Some of the breed's distinctive traits, Kyra, its potential 180-pound size and excessive drooling, the built-in cup holder there. Take that, Egon Frese (ph).

PHILLIPS: Good pronunciation. I'm impressed.

HARRIS: Yes. I had to work on that.

PHILLIPS: Fall Fashion Week wraps up tonight in New York. The day started with Ralph Lauren. It ends with Jennifer Lopez. And of course we couldn't let the final -- or finale, rather -- pass without consulting a fashion diva.

Here he is with CNN's Alina Cho. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CARSON KRESSLEY, QUEER EYE FOR THE STRAIGHT GUY : Come on out, gorgeous.

ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Thank you very much.

KRESSLEY: Fashion week, here we come.

CHO: That's right.

(voice-over): A day at the fashion shows with Carson Kressley...

KRESSLEY: It's a secret entrance.

CHO: ... is a bit like being a rock star. There's the paparazzi, the backstage access and the hobnobbing with the designers. We had more fun talking about the food the models never eat.

KRESSLEY: Yes, this is from 2001. Fall 2001 Fashion Week.

CHO: And what you never see on the runway.

KRESSLEY: Been there, worn that. Actually, I didn't. I didn't wear this.

CHO (on camera): You have not.

KRESSLEY: This is look No. 22. Just this.

CHO (voice-over): Soon we were looking for our seats.

KRESSLEY: I might be under Paris Hilton. I'm not sure.

CHO (on camera): What do you think?

KRESSLEY: I like it. I like it.

CHO (voice-over): That is, until the lights dimmed.

KRESSLEY: Alina, no. Get off me. Get your tongue out of my ear. Stop it!

CHO: On to the next show, and Carson's critique of this elaborate coat.

KRESSLEY: There are those earrings I've been looking for.

CHO: Close to show time, we move to our seats.

KRESSLEY: Thank you so much. Better than the movies.

CHO: This time it was less about the collection and more about the models.

(on camera): How long do you think it takes to learn how to walk like that?

KRESSLEY: It takes about three years or 10 margaritas.

CHO (voice-over): Kidding aside, Carson liked the clothes.

KRESSLEY: That's beautiful.

CHO: And we both liked the music. Later, after we got to know each other a bit better...

KRESSLEY: Will you go to Fashion Week with me?

CHO (on camera): Yes, I will.

(voice-over): We bonded.

KRESSLEY: Wonder Twin Powers activate in the form of outstanding CNN news piece.

CHO: How about Carson's assessment of a certain CNN anchor?

KRESSLEY: Anderson, he's got fashion in his genes.

CHO: One guy Carson says he doesn't need to help.

Alina Cho, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: OK.

He's been celebrated in song and a movie's been made about his life.

PHILLIPS: Now get ready for an all-star tribute to the legendary Ray Charles. The man behind the tribute, Billy Preston, of course. He's going to join me live from L.A. with what he's planning.

(CROSSTALK)

PHILLIPS: That's right, for the big weekend Grammy show. Don't go away.

(MUSIC)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(MUSIC)

PHILLIPS: Norah. Well, we're hearing Norah Jones, but there is a connection. Billy Preston has performed or collaborated with almost every major musical artist in the world. And guess where it all started? At the age of 3, sitting on his mother's lap at the piano, this piano. And his idol, of course, Ray Charles.

But the story gets better. Not only would he finally meet his idol, but Ray Charles told Billy Preston you'll be the man that will carry on the work that I have started. Well, he sure did. Take a listen.

(MUSIC)

PHILLIPS: "Genius Loves Company," featuring duets with Ray Charles, Billy Preston and numerous other acclaimed musicians, is now up for 10 Grammy Awards, including best album of the year.

Guess who's joining us live to talk about it? Billy Preston himself.

Hi, Billy.

BILLY PRESTON, MUSICIAN: Hi. How are you?

PHILLIPS: I saw you grooving to the music there.

PRESTON: Oh, yes.

PHILLIPS: We could listen to that all day, couldn't we?

PRESTON: Yes, indeed.

(LAUGHTER)

PHILLIPS: Well, tell us about this tribute at the Grammys.

PRESTON: Yes. It's going to be a great thrill. I'm doing -- I'm playing with Bonnie Raitt a tune that they recorded together. What's the...

(LAUGHTER)

PHILLIPS: Yes, yes, that one.

(LAUGHTER)

HARRIS: Oh, I love that one. That's a good one.

(LAUGHTER)

PRESTON: "Will You Miss Me When I'm Gone." I didn't play on the track, but we're doing it...

(CROSSTALK)

PHILLIPS: Hey, I'm going to miss you when you forget the words.

(LAUGHTER)

PHILLIPS: That's when I'm going to miss you.

(LAUGHTER)

PRESTON: I don't have to sing it. I just have to play it. That's cool.

PHILLIPS: OK.

(LAUGHTER)

PHILLIPS: That's fair. I know you can sing. Well, good.

You're getting ready for the tribute. And, of course, as I mentioned, Ray Charles, your idol.

PRESTON: Yes.

PHILLIPS: Tell us -- tell us some stories. Take us back. What was it like to hang out with him, to perform with him? Did he ever?

PRESTON: Oh.

PHILLIPS: Yes, tell me a story.

PRESTON: It was just the greatest time of my life.

The first time I met Ray, I was going to school around the corner from his house. And I used to go around just to look at his house. And one day, he was playing the piano. And I eased up on the porch to listen to him. And after he got through, I rang the doorbell. He came to the door. I said, Ray I love you. I want to be just like you. I got a group, Billy Preston and the Billettes (ph). We do nothing but your songs.

(LAUGHTER)

PRESTON: And so he turned around and he said, well, son, that's fine. But I'm not looking for another Ray Charles.

(LAUGHTER)

PRESTON: Broke my heart. But...

PHILLIPS: But you came back. You came back again.

PRESTON: Yes. Yes. I...

PHILLIPS: And you knocked on that door again.

PRESTON: I never stopped. I never stopped. And then I got a chance to work with him on "Shindig." And then he invited to come and record with him. And from that led to me traveling with him for three years, three wonderful years.

PHILLIPS: Oh, Billy.

(CROSSTALK)

PHILLIPS: So did he ever say to you while you were performing or practicing, oh, no, Billy, that ain't right; this is how you do it; pay attention to the master? PRESTON: No, he never did. No, he never did. He was just very pleased with whatever I played.

I tried to give it my best, you know? And you had to be good around Ray.

PHILLIPS: Did you ever say to him, hey, Ray-Ray, this is how you really do it?

(LAUGHTER)

PRESTON: Oh, no.

PHILLIPS: You never challenged him, huh?

PRESTON: No way, no. How could you?

PHILLIPS: Yes, that's true. OK.

Well, you even had a chance -- your experience with the Beatles, unbelievable. They even gave you the title the fifth Beatle. Was it one of the Beatles that gave you that title?

PRESTON: Well, no. It's just something people started saying.

PHILLIPS: OK.

PRESTON: But they did treat me as a member of the group. And that was a great honor, you know? And...

PHILLIPS: What was it like hanging out with them? The difference between hanging out with the Beatles, doing music with the Beatles, and Ray Charles?

PRESTON: It's a world of difference.

But it was great fun to be able to work with so many different artists. And I'm paying a tribute to the Beatles. I have -- I've just recorded some of their songs. And I have it on my Web site, BillyPreston.net. You can check it out. I'm doing some of the Beatles songs...

(CROSSTALK)

PHILLIPS: I have checked it out.

PRESTON: Oh. What do you think?

(LAUGHTER)

PHILLIPS: Matter of fact, I found a couple pictures on that Web site.

PRESTON: Oh, yes.

PHILLIPS: Yes. Yes. You know, when you go to the biography part and there's the cute picture of you playing the piano?

PRESTON: Hey.

PHILLIPS: Then we have got this picture where you actually look like Ray Charles. You're in a velvet jacket. What's the story behind this picture?

(LAUGHTER)

PRESTON: Well, I had been inspired by an organ player named Earl Grant, who played organ and piano together.

And the first time I went to a nightclub, my mom took him to see him. And he was playing the organ piano together. So, I went home, put my piano and organ together, too. So, he was a great inspiration to me as far as an organ player.

PHILLIPS: All right. And this one, I had to ask you about.

PRESTON: Yes.

PHILLIPS: What is up with this picture where you look like you're part of the Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band?

(LAUGHTER)

PRESTON: Well, I was Sergeant Pepper in this.

(LAUGHTER)

PHILLIPS: Oh.

PRESTON: Yes. I'm Sergeant Pepper in the movie "Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band."

PHILLIPS: Of course.

PRESTON: And, yes, that's the finale, when I bring everybody back to life.

PHILLIPS: OK. It's funny. We didn't realize that was the actual picture. Very good. OK.

(LAUGHTER)

PRESTON: Yes. That's...

(CROSSTALK)

PHILLIPS: All right, so, Billy, I'm curious. Who are you going to be watching at the Grammys? Who's a hot new talent that you just can't get enough of right now?

PRESTON: Well, I admire Usher and I admire Alicia Keys very much. And there's so many great artists that I'm happy about today. And I'm very, very proud of them. PHILLIPS: Well, I'm going to ask you a little favor. We're going to head on to Judy -- Jenny (ph), are we heading on to Judy Woodruff now?

All right, would you do me a favor? We're going to go to Judy Woodruff and "INSIDE POLITICS." Will you just sing a little "Georgia" on our minds?

PRESTON: Yes, yes, yes.

(singing): Georgia. Said Georgia. No peace I find now. Well...

(LAUGHTER)

PHILLIPS: I love it.

Judy, how's that?

PRESTON: You got it.

PHILLIPS: Are you with us? Did you hear it?

JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: Hey, why can't you introduce me everyday like this?

(LAUGHTER)

PHILLIPS: Oh.

Billy, Billy, actually, I'm going to let you wrap up LIVE FROM and toss to Judy. You're in a double box right now with her. You toss it off to Judy.

PRESTON: Hello, Judy.

WOODRUFF: Hi there, Billy. Thank you very much. We want you to come back every day.

PRESTON: Oh, I'd love to. Thank you so much.

(LAUGHTER)

WOODRUFF: Thank you.

Well, we appreciate you. We appreciate Kyra and Tony. Thank you all.

And it is all but official, Democrats converging here in the nation's capital to elect Howard Dean as their new chairman. We'll look at what direction Dean plans on taking the party and how he plans on getting there.

Plus, for some, it's an interesting piece of history. For her, it's a passion. Today, we'll hear from one woman who has been fascinated with the scandal, the cover-up and the mystery of Watergate for more than 30 years.

"INSIDE POLITICS" begins in just a moment.

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Aired February 11, 2005 - 15:00:54   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: What an incredible twist to a story.
As you know, all day today, we've been talking about this mother that allegedly took her one-day old baby and tossed it out of a car window. And police came across this child. Well, now that has just completely turned around. Broward County Sheriff Ken Jenne coming forward, saying, it's a story that's happy, sad, but not as horrible as we thought.

This is what happened. The mother, 38-year-old Patricia Pokriots, gave birth to her baby, not telling her family that she was pregnant, gave birth to this child, this little boy, the little baby they're calling little Johnny, at her mother's house in the bathroom and then decided she didn't want it. She took the baby in the car. She was driving to a firehouse to drop the baby off in a plastic bag. She comes across a couple arguing in a car and decides to create this whole story, make up this story about this couple fighting, tossing the baby out the window.

So, she is actually the one that took her child in and turned the baby in, saying that it was not hers, that she came across the baby.

Here's what sheriff said just moments ago.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KEN JENNE, BROWARD COUNTY SHERIFF: The baby was never thrown out of a moving car. This is a case of a disturbed woman who gave birth, but did not want to keep her child and made up an incredible story. The mother of the baby is the good samaritan that we were talking about.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: What else is amazing is that there is a law that exists in Florida that says you can -- if you don't want your child, you can legally drop that child at a firehouse. So, the sheriff, coming forward, saying I have nothing to charge her with at this time, except maybe falsifying a police report, the sheriff talking about the good news in the story.

And that is that the baby is healthy, alive, and they have received thousands of phone calls from people, even his deputies that work for him, firefighters, wanting to adopt this child, wanting to know how they can help this child, incredibly heartfelt words from the sheriff. The last thing he said is, what's amazing about this story is just the great love that has been shown for this child that was rejected at birth.

Right now, the baby is in the county's care. We promise you that we'll follow what happens to baby Johnny.

TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: What a story.

Though never announced and always abbreviated, both for the sake of security -- and security was the whole point of Donald Rumsfeld's visit to Iraq today, like all the previous fly-ins by VIPs, a secret until it actually happened and over in hours.

The defense secretary said he's impressed with the campaign to build up homegrown forces, though two major attacks show how much work remains to be done.

Here's Nic Robertson in Baghdad.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The secretary of defense landed before dawn in Mosul. One of his first visits was to a medical Army facility. He met there with Sergeant Sean Ferguson and gave him a Purple Heart. The soldier had been shot in the wrist the day before, the soldier's second Purple Heart in four just four months.

Donald Rumsfeld also went on to meet with U.S. troops, congratulated them on their efforts for providing security for the elections. He then flew south to Baghdad, met with the interim prime minister, Iyad Allawi. The interim prime minister thanked Donald Rumsfeld for the work of the U.S. troops in providing security and stability for the elections.

The next part of Donald Rumsfeld's visit focused on watching the training of Iraqi Special Forces. The very -- focus of his visit, very much on -- very much to see the training that all Iraqi forces are getting.

But what he saw was a special forces training on a weapons range, firing automatic weapons, firing handguns. He saw them doing simulated assaults on buildings, descending by helicopter onto the buildings, rushing the buildings in vehicles. That was before he left towards the end of the day.

But while he was here, there were two very significant attacks on the Shiite community. One in the middle of the day. A car bomb detonated at a mosque northeast of Baghdad. Twelve people killed there, four of them Iraqi National Guardsmen patrolling the mosque at that time. Eight civilians killed. Twenty-three other people wounded, according to the police.

The police also say that there was another attack on Shiites in Baghdad early in the day. A Shia-run bakery in a Shia neighborhood of Baghdad came under attack when two vehicle loads full of insurgents arrived outside the bakery quite early in the day. About 12 gunmen got out of those vehicles, the police say, went into the two tiny bakeries, set up side by side, sprayed them with gunfire and killed nine workers in those bakeries.

What the police fear is that perhaps there's an effort of the Sunni Muslim insurgents here to step up violence against the Shia community to try and foment sectarian violence, perhaps that, in particular, they say, ahead of a very important Shia Muslim festival in about nine days time, the Ashura festival.

Nic Robertson, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Forget about it. The Bush White House says it has no intention of engaging in direct talks with North Korea about its nuclear program.

That's the focus of our "Security Watch" with CNN White House correspondent John King.

Hi, John.

JOHN KING, CNN SR. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Hello to you, Kyra.

The Bush administration saying it in not-so-colorful terms today, but certainly forget about it is the bottom line. For two years now, North Korea has said, if you want us to negotiate, setting aside our nuclear weapons program, sit down directly with us. The Bush White House has said for two years now consistently no.

And the White House repeating that today after two dramatic announcements by North Korea this week, one, its first public declaration that it in fact has a nuclear weapons arsenal and, two, that it will negotiate setting it aside only in direct talks with the United States.

Now, what you see is February of last year, the so-called six- party talks, the United States, North Korea, China, Japan and South Korea, all sitting down to try to negotiate an end to North Korea's nuclear weapons program. North Korea then left those talks, would not come back to the table last year because of the presidential election in this country. It says now it will only negotiate direct, Washington to Pyongyang.

Here at the White House today, they said no. And they said the reason why is because the Clinton administration tried that back in 1994 and learned that South -- that North Korea, excuse me, cannot be trusted.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SCOTT MCCLELLAN, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: We've been down that road before. The 1994 agreed framework was the road that we went down before. It was a bilateral approach between the United States and North Korea. North Korea violated that agreement and continued to pursue nuclear weapons.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: Kim Jong Il, the North Korean leader, is perhaps the world's most reclusive, most unpredictable leader. So here at the White House, they say they don't know what his motivations are in making these dramatic announcements this week, although they do say that history shows that North Korea has blustery, some might call it belligerent, rhetoric, and then oftentimes actually agrees to come back to the negotiating table.

So there is actually, believe it or not, some sense of optimism behind the scenes here that North Korea is simply trying to get the world's attention and that, once it has that attention, it might actually agree to come back to the bargaining table.

Key, the White House says, is keeping all the other players in the so-called six-party talks on the same page. To that end, South Korea's foreign minister was here at the White House this morning for meetings with Vice President Dick Cheney. He will be back for a meeting with the national security adviser, Steve Hadley, early next week, as well as a meeting across Washington with the new secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice. The White House says the Chinese have also said, let's stick with the six-party talks.

So, Kyra, believe it or not, despite these rather provocative public statements, in an odd way, behind the scenes, a sense of optimism that eventually, maybe a week, a couple months down the road, they might get back to negotiating.

PHILLIPS: John, earlier today, former Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger said to me his concern is that these nukes could get in the hands of al Qaeda. Is that a concern shared by those at the White House?

KING: It certainly is.

They're being very careful when you ask, what will you do about that? But it's certainly a concern. And the United States has asked these other countries, the neighbors, not only to try to get North Korea back to the table, but to use every intelligence measure at their disposal to watch for any shady shipments, if you will.

North Korea has been known for years as one of the leading exporters of ballistic-missile technology. And there is a huge concern. It is a country that is deprived for cash. Its people are starving. There's a huge concern that it might try to sell nuclear technology.

The White House says it will watch that. And they haven't ruled out using any military intervention or interception. They say they're watching quite closely.

PHILLIPS: John King, live from the White House -- thanks, John.

And a reminder. Stay tuned to CNN day and night, of course, for the most reliable news about your security. HARRIS: Switching gears now. We're going to the Grammys with a man known as the fifth Beatle, Billy Preston. He'll join us live to talk about the special tribute he's planning at the awards show.

And a "Queer Eye" takes a look at New York's Fashion Week. We'll go behind the scenes with Carson Kressley.

And just ahead, you're looking at the newest member of the club, the Kennel Club, that is. Find out just what they're calling this one ahead on LIVE FROM.

PHILLIPS: Is it velvet? Velvet. Got to be velvet.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: News across America now.

Mass suicide on Valentine's Day? Police say this man was trying to organize it over the Internet. Gerald Krein is in custody in Klamath Falls, Oregon, charged with solicitation to commit murder and conspiracy. More than 30 people are believed part of his alleged plan to lead en masse suicide on Monday. The FBI is tracking down the others believed involved.

After all the speeches about britches in Virginia, lawmakers ultimately took a belt to a proposed law to ticket people who embrace the droopy-pants look, showing off your underwear. A fashion risk, yes.

PHILLIPS: Tacky, tacky.

HARRIS: Frostbite risk, yes Illegal, no.

PHILLIPS: No. Eww. Eww.

HARRIS: And just look at this face. Yes. Yes. He's supposed to look like that, validation.

PHILLIPS: Speaking of droopy. Sorry.

HARRIS: Validation for the purebred Neapolitan mastiff competing this year, first time ever in the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Some of the breed's distinctive traits, Kyra, its potential 180-pound size and excessive drooling, the built-in cup holder there. Take that, Egon Frese (ph).

PHILLIPS: Good pronunciation. I'm impressed.

HARRIS: Yes. I had to work on that.

PHILLIPS: Fall Fashion Week wraps up tonight in New York. The day started with Ralph Lauren. It ends with Jennifer Lopez. And of course we couldn't let the final -- or finale, rather -- pass without consulting a fashion diva.

Here he is with CNN's Alina Cho. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CARSON KRESSLEY, QUEER EYE FOR THE STRAIGHT GUY : Come on out, gorgeous.

ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Thank you very much.

KRESSLEY: Fashion week, here we come.

CHO: That's right.

(voice-over): A day at the fashion shows with Carson Kressley...

KRESSLEY: It's a secret entrance.

CHO: ... is a bit like being a rock star. There's the paparazzi, the backstage access and the hobnobbing with the designers. We had more fun talking about the food the models never eat.

KRESSLEY: Yes, this is from 2001. Fall 2001 Fashion Week.

CHO: And what you never see on the runway.

KRESSLEY: Been there, worn that. Actually, I didn't. I didn't wear this.

CHO (on camera): You have not.

KRESSLEY: This is look No. 22. Just this.

CHO (voice-over): Soon we were looking for our seats.

KRESSLEY: I might be under Paris Hilton. I'm not sure.

CHO (on camera): What do you think?

KRESSLEY: I like it. I like it.

CHO (voice-over): That is, until the lights dimmed.

KRESSLEY: Alina, no. Get off me. Get your tongue out of my ear. Stop it!

CHO: On to the next show, and Carson's critique of this elaborate coat.

KRESSLEY: There are those earrings I've been looking for.

CHO: Close to show time, we move to our seats.

KRESSLEY: Thank you so much. Better than the movies.

CHO: This time it was less about the collection and more about the models.

(on camera): How long do you think it takes to learn how to walk like that?

KRESSLEY: It takes about three years or 10 margaritas.

CHO (voice-over): Kidding aside, Carson liked the clothes.

KRESSLEY: That's beautiful.

CHO: And we both liked the music. Later, after we got to know each other a bit better...

KRESSLEY: Will you go to Fashion Week with me?

CHO (on camera): Yes, I will.

(voice-over): We bonded.

KRESSLEY: Wonder Twin Powers activate in the form of outstanding CNN news piece.

CHO: How about Carson's assessment of a certain CNN anchor?

KRESSLEY: Anderson, he's got fashion in his genes.

CHO: One guy Carson says he doesn't need to help.

Alina Cho, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: OK.

He's been celebrated in song and a movie's been made about his life.

PHILLIPS: Now get ready for an all-star tribute to the legendary Ray Charles. The man behind the tribute, Billy Preston, of course. He's going to join me live from L.A. with what he's planning.

(CROSSTALK)

PHILLIPS: That's right, for the big weekend Grammy show. Don't go away.

(MUSIC)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(MUSIC)

PHILLIPS: Norah. Well, we're hearing Norah Jones, but there is a connection. Billy Preston has performed or collaborated with almost every major musical artist in the world. And guess where it all started? At the age of 3, sitting on his mother's lap at the piano, this piano. And his idol, of course, Ray Charles.

But the story gets better. Not only would he finally meet his idol, but Ray Charles told Billy Preston you'll be the man that will carry on the work that I have started. Well, he sure did. Take a listen.

(MUSIC)

PHILLIPS: "Genius Loves Company," featuring duets with Ray Charles, Billy Preston and numerous other acclaimed musicians, is now up for 10 Grammy Awards, including best album of the year.

Guess who's joining us live to talk about it? Billy Preston himself.

Hi, Billy.

BILLY PRESTON, MUSICIAN: Hi. How are you?

PHILLIPS: I saw you grooving to the music there.

PRESTON: Oh, yes.

PHILLIPS: We could listen to that all day, couldn't we?

PRESTON: Yes, indeed.

(LAUGHTER)

PHILLIPS: Well, tell us about this tribute at the Grammys.

PRESTON: Yes. It's going to be a great thrill. I'm doing -- I'm playing with Bonnie Raitt a tune that they recorded together. What's the...

(LAUGHTER)

PHILLIPS: Yes, yes, that one.

(LAUGHTER)

HARRIS: Oh, I love that one. That's a good one.

(LAUGHTER)

PRESTON: "Will You Miss Me When I'm Gone." I didn't play on the track, but we're doing it...

(CROSSTALK)

PHILLIPS: Hey, I'm going to miss you when you forget the words.

(LAUGHTER)

PHILLIPS: That's when I'm going to miss you.

(LAUGHTER)

PRESTON: I don't have to sing it. I just have to play it. That's cool.

PHILLIPS: OK.

(LAUGHTER)

PHILLIPS: That's fair. I know you can sing. Well, good.

You're getting ready for the tribute. And, of course, as I mentioned, Ray Charles, your idol.

PRESTON: Yes.

PHILLIPS: Tell us -- tell us some stories. Take us back. What was it like to hang out with him, to perform with him? Did he ever?

PRESTON: Oh.

PHILLIPS: Yes, tell me a story.

PRESTON: It was just the greatest time of my life.

The first time I met Ray, I was going to school around the corner from his house. And I used to go around just to look at his house. And one day, he was playing the piano. And I eased up on the porch to listen to him. And after he got through, I rang the doorbell. He came to the door. I said, Ray I love you. I want to be just like you. I got a group, Billy Preston and the Billettes (ph). We do nothing but your songs.

(LAUGHTER)

PRESTON: And so he turned around and he said, well, son, that's fine. But I'm not looking for another Ray Charles.

(LAUGHTER)

PRESTON: Broke my heart. But...

PHILLIPS: But you came back. You came back again.

PRESTON: Yes. Yes. I...

PHILLIPS: And you knocked on that door again.

PRESTON: I never stopped. I never stopped. And then I got a chance to work with him on "Shindig." And then he invited to come and record with him. And from that led to me traveling with him for three years, three wonderful years.

PHILLIPS: Oh, Billy.

(CROSSTALK)

PHILLIPS: So did he ever say to you while you were performing or practicing, oh, no, Billy, that ain't right; this is how you do it; pay attention to the master? PRESTON: No, he never did. No, he never did. He was just very pleased with whatever I played.

I tried to give it my best, you know? And you had to be good around Ray.

PHILLIPS: Did you ever say to him, hey, Ray-Ray, this is how you really do it?

(LAUGHTER)

PRESTON: Oh, no.

PHILLIPS: You never challenged him, huh?

PRESTON: No way, no. How could you?

PHILLIPS: Yes, that's true. OK.

Well, you even had a chance -- your experience with the Beatles, unbelievable. They even gave you the title the fifth Beatle. Was it one of the Beatles that gave you that title?

PRESTON: Well, no. It's just something people started saying.

PHILLIPS: OK.

PRESTON: But they did treat me as a member of the group. And that was a great honor, you know? And...

PHILLIPS: What was it like hanging out with them? The difference between hanging out with the Beatles, doing music with the Beatles, and Ray Charles?

PRESTON: It's a world of difference.

But it was great fun to be able to work with so many different artists. And I'm paying a tribute to the Beatles. I have -- I've just recorded some of their songs. And I have it on my Web site, BillyPreston.net. You can check it out. I'm doing some of the Beatles songs...

(CROSSTALK)

PHILLIPS: I have checked it out.

PRESTON: Oh. What do you think?

(LAUGHTER)

PHILLIPS: Matter of fact, I found a couple pictures on that Web site.

PRESTON: Oh, yes.

PHILLIPS: Yes. Yes. You know, when you go to the biography part and there's the cute picture of you playing the piano?

PRESTON: Hey.

PHILLIPS: Then we have got this picture where you actually look like Ray Charles. You're in a velvet jacket. What's the story behind this picture?

(LAUGHTER)

PRESTON: Well, I had been inspired by an organ player named Earl Grant, who played organ and piano together.

And the first time I went to a nightclub, my mom took him to see him. And he was playing the organ piano together. So, I went home, put my piano and organ together, too. So, he was a great inspiration to me as far as an organ player.

PHILLIPS: All right. And this one, I had to ask you about.

PRESTON: Yes.

PHILLIPS: What is up with this picture where you look like you're part of the Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band?

(LAUGHTER)

PRESTON: Well, I was Sergeant Pepper in this.

(LAUGHTER)

PHILLIPS: Oh.

PRESTON: Yes. I'm Sergeant Pepper in the movie "Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band."

PHILLIPS: Of course.

PRESTON: And, yes, that's the finale, when I bring everybody back to life.

PHILLIPS: OK. It's funny. We didn't realize that was the actual picture. Very good. OK.

(LAUGHTER)

PRESTON: Yes. That's...

(CROSSTALK)

PHILLIPS: All right, so, Billy, I'm curious. Who are you going to be watching at the Grammys? Who's a hot new talent that you just can't get enough of right now?

PRESTON: Well, I admire Usher and I admire Alicia Keys very much. And there's so many great artists that I'm happy about today. And I'm very, very proud of them. PHILLIPS: Well, I'm going to ask you a little favor. We're going to head on to Judy -- Jenny (ph), are we heading on to Judy Woodruff now?

All right, would you do me a favor? We're going to go to Judy Woodruff and "INSIDE POLITICS." Will you just sing a little "Georgia" on our minds?

PRESTON: Yes, yes, yes.

(singing): Georgia. Said Georgia. No peace I find now. Well...

(LAUGHTER)

PHILLIPS: I love it.

Judy, how's that?

PRESTON: You got it.

PHILLIPS: Are you with us? Did you hear it?

JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: Hey, why can't you introduce me everyday like this?

(LAUGHTER)

PHILLIPS: Oh.

Billy, Billy, actually, I'm going to let you wrap up LIVE FROM and toss to Judy. You're in a double box right now with her. You toss it off to Judy.

PRESTON: Hello, Judy.

WOODRUFF: Hi there, Billy. Thank you very much. We want you to come back every day.

PRESTON: Oh, I'd love to. Thank you so much.

(LAUGHTER)

WOODRUFF: Thank you.

Well, we appreciate you. We appreciate Kyra and Tony. Thank you all.

And it is all but official, Democrats converging here in the nation's capital to elect Howard Dean as their new chairman. We'll look at what direction Dean plans on taking the party and how he plans on getting there.

Plus, for some, it's an interesting piece of history. For her, it's a passion. Today, we'll hear from one woman who has been fascinated with the scandal, the cover-up and the mystery of Watergate for more than 30 years.

"INSIDE POLITICS" begins in just a moment.

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