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Sandra Day O'Connor Submits Resignation; Controversy Surrounding Iran Leader; Preparing for Live-8

Aired July 01, 2005 - 14:33   ET

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

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Another shark attack in Florida, number three since Saturday. It occurred in the Gulf of Mexico in chest-deep water off Boca Grande. The victim identified as a 19-year- old Australian tourist. Well, he was air-lifted out. There's no word -- actually, we are being told he is in good condition now.
Los Angeles has a brand new mayor. He's Antonio Villaraigosa. He was inaugurated this morning. The first Hispanic elected to lead the city since the pioneer days. He's a Democrat.

The big news today. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor submits her resignation. That announcement prompting praise of O'Connor's judicial career from across the political spectrum. President Bush says he'll nominate her successor in time to fill the seat for the High Court's return next fall.

And here's one for the history books from Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. "Dear President Bush, This is to inform you of my decision to retire from my position as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, effective upon the nomination and confirmation of successor. It's been a privilege, indeed, to have had served as a member of the court for 24 terms. I will leave it with enormous respect for the integrity of the court and its role under our constitutional structure. Sincerely, Sandra O'Connor."

Well, Justice O'Connor made history in more ways than one. As the court's first female justice, she eventually emerged as the crucial voice on some epic judicial rulings.

In May of 2003, she granted a rare interview to CNN's Judy Woodruff. Here's part of their conversation.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JUSTICE SANDRA DAY O'CONNOR, SUPREME COURT JUSTICE: The framers of the constitution did a pretty amazing job all things considered, especially when they added the Bill of Rights.

WOODRUFF: You write several chapters about the role of women in the legal system...

O'CONNOR: Yes.

WOODRUFF: ... the women as judges and women in American life. Clearly, that has to be of interest to you as the first woman named to the Supreme Court. O'CONNOR: Well, it is, because it wasn't too many years before I was born that women in this country got the right to vote in the 1920s, for heaven's sakes. It isn't that long ago. And things move very slowly for women in terms of having an equal opportunity in the workplace and so on.

And in my lifetime, I have seen unbelievable changes in the opportunities for women. It's been so interesting to see. And I think that my participation in a number of interesting jobs was really the result of the changes in law and in public attitudes about the role of women as I happened along.

WOODRUFF: At one point in the book -- and I think I have the quote here -- you say there's simply no empirical evidence that gender differences lead to discernible differences in rendering judgment.

O'CONNOR: In results.

WOODRUFF: And yet, it's clear to you that it's important that we have women in law and have women on the court.

O'CONNOR: Let me tell you one reason why I think it's important, and that is for the public generally to see and respect the fact that in positions of power and authority that women are well represented. That it is not an all-male governance, as it once was, as it was when the constitution was framed.

And things have changed so dramatically. It's not that text becomes different, or that the decisions that are made are necessarily different, it's that citizens can have more confidence, I think, in seeing government that has representatives of both sexes and...

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: Well, that was Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, speaking with our Judy Woodruff back in May of 2003. Justice O'Connor announced her retirement today. And there will be much more on "INSIDE POLITICS" at 3:30 p.m. Eastern time.

Now, the controversy engulfing the hardline leader elected president of Iran. Iranians involved in the 1979 seizure of the U.S. Embassy are saying that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was not one of them. But at the White House today, President Bush' chief spokesman says the Bush administration would not be surprised if charges raised by former American captives are true and that Iran's next president was, indeed, a hostage-taker.

Joining me now from Los Angeles, Amir Shadjareh, CEO of Pars Television, an Iranian network based in Southern California. He joins us to talk about this issue and, of course many more. Great to see you, Amir, thank you for being with us.

AMIR SHADJAREH, CEO, PARS TELEVISION: Thank you very much.

PHILLIPS: Truly why I wanted to do this segment initially was just watching the way the Iranian networks here in the United States covered the elections overseas, and then watching the other networks, and then, of course, hearing about the coverage in Iran. I guess I want to ask you, how difficult is it to get the truth from Iran when you are doing your newscast?

SHADJAREH: Mostly, it is very hard to get the truthful information from the Iran government because no any independent reporters or witnesses there. And the -- on the other hand, the people of Iran, because of the many lies from this regime, they depend our news and truth. We have to find out the truth, and we are finding always from our sources.

PHILLIPS: Now how do you find your sources? And indeed, your sources said have to be putting their lives at risk doing what they're doing inside Iran?

SHADJAREH: There is many sources we have in Iran. And I know it is very hard -- it very hard (INAUDIBLE). And they're always contacting with us by the phone, faxes, or e-mails. We have lots of sources in all over the world.

PHILLIPS: Now, it was your network and also one other Iranian based in the United States, that talked about this election being rigged. Tell me how you were able to get that information and how you reported that story.

SHADJAREH: Most definitely, the election was rigged. And also, the lies about the number of the votes. I caught in the government, they said 66 percent of the voters vote in Iran. And according to our sources, it's not more than 25 percent of the voters voted. And also two other candidates, (INAUDIBLE) and also the other one (INAUDIBLE), who we also mentioned that themselves, too.

PHILLIPS: Now, you -- those in the United States can watch your network. Also, those in Iran can watch your network, but you were telling me that the government has jammed your signal a number of times so you can't broadcast in Iran. Is that true?

SHADJAREH: It is. The number of times they jammed, (INAUDIBLE) and also one time in the 2003, and there was the demonstration of the Iranian student. And July 9th, they jammed our signal for one month from Baqubah. And they jammed all of the (INAUDIBLE) signals, not just ours stations, some other stations, too. And now they are jamming the local in Iran. The (INAUDIBLE) when they need. They try and they don't need to beat us on the air. And that's why in the election time, we tried to raise up our bandwidth to the three megs to the nine megs and send the strongest signal they cannot interference in Iraq. And that was really good and it did we really well.

PHILLIPS: So, Amir, now the big story that's hit the United States is the fact that this man, the video that we're looking at now, president-elect there in Iran, indeed, was one of the hostage-takers back in '79 when Americans and others were held captive for 444 days. How are you reporting that story? And do you believe the president is, indeed, a terrorist like many people are coming forward and saying now? SHADJAREH: We don't know exactly he was involved in that hostage taking or not. We are trying hard to find out the truth. But if you go to his Web site, you can find there -- and he has been announced he involved in some terrorist attack in Iran and outside of Iran. This, I believe, the beginning. I think this is going to come more after.

PHILLIPS: Amir Shadjareh, the CEO of Pars Television, based in Los Angeles, California. I admire what you're doing, sir. It's hard to report the truth coming out of Iran, and it's interesting to watch your newscast and talk with you about your coverage. Thank you very much.

SHADJAREH: Thank you very much.

PHILLIPS: Well, straight ahead, readying the world for Live-8. Preparations underway in London, Rome, South Africa and here in the U.S. in Philadelphia. We're going to check in on tomorrow's worldwide concert event. Plus, a check of the entertainment headlines.

SIBILA VARGAS, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: Thanks, Kyra. Brooke Shields had a few choice words for Tom Cruise after his tirade on the "Today Show." I'm Sibila Vargas and I'll have that and all the latest from Hollywood, when LIVE FROM continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Last minute preps for the Live-8 concerts at nine different venues around the globe. Promoter Bob Geldof is promising the shows will be the greatest concerts ever. The event is part of an effort to raise awareness about the plight of living in Africa and pressure political leaders to do something about the problems there.

Our Alina Cho is standing by live in Philadelphia, the scheduled scene of Live 8 show tomorrow. Hi.

ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, there, Kyra. Final sound checks and finishing touches well underway right now. You know, with all of the acts over the famous acts that will be performing here tomorrow and around the world, for that matter, it is easy and understandably easy to forget that there is a larger message here. But Live-8's organizers say not only is this the largest live entertainment event in history, it is also a walk to justice.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHO (voice-over): Jay-Z, P Diddy, Destiny's Child. The line-up in Philadelphia alone includes the biggest names in the business, all of them coming together for one cause, to help a continent a world away end poverty.

BEYONCE KNOWLES, LIVE 8 PERFORMER: I know it's really hard, especially for Americans, because we're so far away and so out of touch that we don't believe it. And its takes a person to go over to Africa and see poverty and see AIDS and see that with their own eyes. If you see that, you can't help but want to do something about it, and that's why we're here. CHO: Nine concerts in nine cities all over the world, all on one day. The goal, to get the attention of the world leaders before they meet in Scotland next week for the G8 Summit. Leaders, including President Bush, will be discussing, among other things, Africa, whether to double aid, forgive debt and ease trade restrictions.

BOB GELDOF, LIVE 8 ORGANIZER: The possibility of changing the world-- I know that's ridiculous -- but it's truly there.

CHO: Live-8 is the brainchild of rocker-turned activist Bob Geldof. 20 years ago, Geldof organized Live Aid, a concert that raised more than $100 million for the same cause. Organizers say Live-8 is not about raising money, but raising awareness. The concerts for free. Hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons is in charge of bringing big name talent to Philadelphia.

RUSSELL SIMMONS, PRODUCER/MANAGER: We need to push our leaders to know how serious we are, because, of course, the leaders do what the people ask.

CHO: But people like Dan Lieberman, who runs an online magazine for teens, says people his age are going to Live-8 to hear the music, not the message.

DAN LIEBERMAN, TEEN-ZONE ONLINE: It's hard. It's hard to educate people when they're there to have a good time at a concert and for them to walk away wanting to change the world.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHO: Final rehearsals are well underway. And just a moment ago, we heard both Sarah McLachalan and Bon Jovi perform. Kyra, not to make you jealous, but up next, Rob Thomas and Def Lepperd.

PHILLIPS: Oh, Def Lepperd. My gosh, you are taking me back. All right. You know, I've got those cassette tapes somewhere.

CHO: That's right.

PHILLIPS: Alina Cho, thank you so much. All right.

Well, now a not-so harmonious headline. Actress Brooke Shields is firing back at Tom Cruise for what he said about her use of antidepressants. Well, for all the details, we turn to Sibila Vargas in Los Angeles. Getting a little nasty, huh, Sibila?

VARGAS: It sure is, Kyra. Tom Cruise, he may be fighting aliens in "War of the Worlds," but now Brooke Shields is striking at the actor for comments he made on the "Today Show."

Cruise had criticized Shields for taking antidepressant drugs to treat her postpartum depression. In an op-ed piece in today's "New York Times" she calls Tom's tirade a ridiculous rant that is, quote, "disservice to mothers everywhere."

Cruise is probably not too worried though. He has other things in mind like the success of his new blockbuster. His new film "War of the Worlds" had a huge opening Wednesday, raking in $21.3 million, according to studio estimates. That's the most successful first day for a Cruise day ever.

So, I guess the Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes relationship hasn't really affected business at all that much.

All right. I'm sure this story is about to break some hearts. But, I'm sorry ladies, I have to do it, Bo Bice, the sexy, beautiful "American Idol" rocker has tied the knot.

The singer may have taken the No. 1 spot on next week's "Billboard's" hot singles chart, but he is definitely off the market. Bice wed sweetheart Caroline Fisher in Alabama. The 29-year-old met 24-year-old Fisher when he worked as a guitar store clerk and frequented the cafe where she worked as a waitress. So you see, Kyra, sometimes there is true love. And I know a lot of hearts are going to be broken, and especially probably my makeup artist, but she's going to get over it. All lot of people will.

Kyra, me too quite honestly. But I am married.

PHILLIPS: There you go. You're happily married. We'll move on. OK, Sibila Vargas, thank you so much.

We're going to check business right after the quick break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(MARKET REPORT)

PHILLIPS: All right. GM's latest promotion, did it pay off?

CHRIS HUNTINGTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Did it pay off?

PHILLIPS: Yes.

HUNTINGTON: Well, they're moving cars and trucks off the lot. We'll have to wait and see how the profit figures shake out, because remember GM lost a billion dollars in the first quarter. They certainly need to move these cars. But it's a big question is to how much money they're actually making at these low, low prices.

PHILLIPS: All right. Chris Huntington, live from the New York Stock Exchange. Thank you so much.

And more on today's top story, Supreme Court justice Sandra Day O'Connor calls it quits. For more on her announcement and what might have been behind her decision when LIVE FROM returns.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Now in the news, a justice retires. After 24 terms, Sandra Day O'Connor says so long to the Supreme Court. Battle lines already are being formed over who should replace her. Much more straight ahead. Another shark attack, the third in a week. This one off the coast of Boca Grand, Florida. Witnesses say the 19-year-old victim was standing in chest deep water. He's been air lifted to Ft. Myers Hospital where he's reported in good condition.

Misinformed, that's how President Vicente Fox views those criticizing a new series of Mexican postage stamps. He says they should read the comic book on which its based before labelling racist. The stamps feature a character he says is very loved in Mexico.

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