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Jill Carroll Freed in Iraq; Sago Mine Survivor Returns Home; Pastor's Wife Waives Preliminary Hearing; Drug Violence Spilling Over Border in Texas; Ethanol Shortage Could Drive Gas Prices Higher

Aired March 30, 2006 - 13:00   ET

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

CAROL LIN, HOST: I'm Carol Lin at the CNN world headquarters in Atlanta. Kyra Phillips has the day off.
Ultimatums were issued, deadlines passed, but her friends and her family and her colleagues never gave up. Today they give thanks that American freelance journalist Jill Carroll was released in Baghdad after almost three months as a hostage. She is safe at the U.S. embassy and expected back in this country in 24 to 48 hours.

CNN senior international correspondent Nic Robertson is standing by in Baghdad right now.

Nic, what do you know about the circumstances of her release?

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT': Well, Carol, it all began around about lunchtime today. Jill Carroll walked into the political party offices of a small Sunni party on the outskirts of Baghdad. She went in with documents saying that she was Jill Carroll the journalist. That office called the head politician. He came out, picked up Jill, took Jill to the party headquarters.

She gave a small press conference there. During that press conference she described her captivity, said she didn't really know where she was being held, kept in a small room with a small window that she couldn't see out of. She said in almost three months of captivity she watched the television just once. She read a newspaper just once. Had no idea what was going on in the world.

But she said it was really important that people understood that she hadn't been badly treated.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JILL CARROLL, FREED HOSTAGE: All I can say right now is that I'm just happy to be free. I was treated very well. It's important people know that, that I was not harmed. They never said they would hit me, never threatened me in any way. And I was -- and I'm happy to be free. I want to be with my family.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROBERTSON: Now, right after that, the political party, the Sunni political party, a moderate political party, then took Jill over to the U.S. embassy. The U.S. ambassador, Zalmay Khalilzad, met with her, saw that she was in good spirits. He said he'd received a call from the -- from that politician soon after he had picked up Jill so that he knew that Jill was about to be released.

But what seems to be clear in all of this at this stage is that this was a case of Jill being released, not rescued, and it didn't involve the U.S. military as far as we know at this time, Carol.

LIN: Nic, the original demands by the kidnappers were that the U.S. should free all female Iraqi prisoners. So why did they let her go?

ROBERTSON: Absolutely not clear. And Jill was asked this question during that small impromptu press conference soon after she was released. She said that she was told in the morning that she was going to be freed, but she had no idea why. She didn't know what -- you know, what had led to this change of heart by her captors. And that's a question a lot of people are asking at the moment: just why did they choose this moment to set her free?

We do know that late last night broadcasts on Al Arabiya, satellite Arabic language channel, was a plea for her release by her twin sister, Katie. Her sister had said any information please pass it on. We're listening. We don't know if these two events were connected in any way.

We don't know if her release was connected in any way to the release of the Christian Peacemaker team, three hostages released last week after 118 days in captivity.

But certainly, there are many, many happy faces in Baghdad. Indeed people we talked to on the streets here today said they were very pleased that Jill had been released, Carol.

LIN: Nic, there were calls from around the world for her release. The captors clearly had some kind of compassion or motive to let her go. Nic, thank you.

Jill Carroll's family is ecstatic. Jill Carroll's father, Jim, was still asleep at his home in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, when the phone rang at 6 this morning. Well, he picked up the receiver and heard the words he'd been waiting to hear, "Hi, dad, this is Jill. I'm released."

CNN's Jason Carroll is in Chapel Hill.

Jason, can you imagine getting that phone call?

JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I could not. But as -- when he spoke to us this morning, apparently, Jim couldn't imagine it either, because he said after he got that phone call from Jill, he said he sort of sat there for a moment or two, wondering if it was really her on the other end. It took a little while for it all to sink in.

And in fact, just a short while ago Jim came out in front of the cameras and spoke a little bit more about that 6 a.m. or so phone call. He also talked a little bit more about what plans are being made to see his daughter again. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JIM CARROLL, FATHER OF JILL CARROLL: Fantastic conversation, obviously. We're feeling ecstatic. It's been a long haul, and we're done with it now. And we want to make sure all of us thank the people who helped and also make sure all of you in the media, particularly, don't forget the other American hostages and other hostages of all nationalities still being held in Iraq.

There's several of them. Jeff Ake comes to mind, who has been there almost a year. Those people still need that support, and they need the coverage to make sure that their loved ones can come home and they can enjoy this day we're having.

We got the call this morning. I got the call a little before 6. Jill called me directly. And we have quite a wake-up call, to say the least. And she was doing well. Was glad to see her on TV this morning. She's apparently in good health and mentally strong. And we're all very pleased about that.

We don't have any plans yet for when we're going to meet her. The transportation hasn't been arranged, whether we're going there or she's coming here. We don't know yet. But at least for now that's the information.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JASON CARROLL: As you heard there, that was Jim Carroll. He also thanked the "Christian Science Monitor" for, quote, that he says "did so much work to keep Jill's image alive while in Iraq."

Jim didn't give us too many details about the travel arrangements that are in the planning process right now. He just simply said that the family at this point, as you can imagine, Carol, they're just ecstatic.

LIN: You bet. A big story today. Thanks very much, Jason.

Now stay with us, because we do have a lot more on Jill Carroll's release. In fact, coming up you're going to hear reaction from one of Carroll's closest friends of what might have saved her friend's life.

And of course, let's not forget the other Americans still being held captive in Iraq. Here is a CNN fact check.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LIN (voice-over): Jeffrey Ake of Indiana was kidnapped from a Baghdad construction site on April 11 of last year. He was last seen two days later on video.

Dean Sadek was kidnapped in Baghdad on November 1, 2004, and Aban Elias, an Iraqi-American businessman, was captured on May 3 of 2004 by a group calling itself the Islamic Rage Brigade. He was last seen in a video three days later on an Arab news channel.

Truck driver Timothy Bell is unaccounted for. His convoy was attacked nearly two years ago near Baghdad International Airport.

At least five American hostages have died in Iraq at the hands of their captors. They were 40-year-old Ronald Shultz of Anchorage, Alaska; Tom Fox, 54, a Christian aid worker from Virginia; Jack Hensley, a contract worker from Marietta, Georgia; Eugene "Jack" Armstrong, a contract worker from Michigan; and Nicholas Berg, age 26, who had ventured to Iraq to find work in communications.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LIN: But it is great to report some good news. A man who has battled back from the brink of death, and today he is back home. Randal McCloy Jr. spent almost three months in a West Virginia hospital after being pulled unconscious from the Sago mine.

Now doctors cannot explain why he survived 41 hours after that horrible explosion and exposure to carbon monoxide and 12 others did not. One thing is for sure: McCloy says he won't be going back in there.

CNN's Chris Huntington is in McCloy's hometown of Simpson, West Virginia.

So how's the homecoming?

CHRIS HUNTINGTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Carol, it's remarkably joyous around here. There are red ribbons up and down the roadway here, in and out of tiny little Simpson, one of those towns where you go through it at 25 miles an hour and blink, you might miss it.

There is one word that is consistently being used to describe Randy McCloy. His doctors have used it, his wife has used it. Now, his street is actually named Miracle Road. Governor Joe Manchin earlier today, the governor of West Virginia, said that he had road crews out here putting up the road signs in the last few days. Miracle Road, the official name of Randy McCloy's home street.

He and his wife and their 4-year-old son were at the -- at a press conference this morning, but they arrived home here in Simpson a short time ago to be reunited with their -- with little Isabel McCloy, who is 2 years old, who's been with an aunt.

Just the whole town here turning out. We've been up to the house a little bit and seen they're having lunch up there. All the folks in the town are pouring out. They're bringing food. It is just -- it's a beautiful day. It is just a tremendously happy occasion.

Here's some of what Randy and Anna had to say at the press conference earlier today.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RANDAL MCCLOY, SURVIVOR OF SAGO MINE DISASTER: Yes, I'd just like to thank everybody for their thoughts and prayers. I believe that's it. ANNA MCCLOY, WIFE OF RANDAL MCCLOY: Our family is glad to be going home. Today is another part of our miracle just three months after the accident. However, there are 12 families who are in our thoughts and prayers today and every day. The families of Randy's co- workers and friends are celebrating with us today just as we continue to mourn with them. Please keep all of us in your thoughts and prayers.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HUNTINGTON: Now, keeping those families in their thoughts and prayers, paramount on Randy's mind. He's been asked several times what happened in the mine. He does not publicly yet want to talk about that. He's made it clear directly to reporters, also through family members and doctors, that he wants to talk to family members of the other miners who perished before he tells his story publicly.

I spoke with Governor Joe Manchin of West Virginia, who had spoken with Randy, and the governor told me that he knows that Randy knows some very, very specific information. And Randy remembers that specific information. The time has not yet come for Randy to talk to mining investigators, but that will happen.

And Randy McCloy, in so many ways, a key to finding out what happened in the Sago mine disaster. A symbol, a living symbol of all that can be corrected in the mining industry, particularly in this state.

Carol, back to you.

LIN: Chris, great. Thank you so much.

Now in another case, in Selmer, Tennessee, police say they know who done it but the what happened and the why still remain mysteries in that Selmer, Tennessee, murder case, at least for now.

CNN's Rusty Dornin joins us with the latest on Mary Winkler, the pastor's wife charged in the shooting death of her minister husband.

Rusty, what happened today in today's court proceedings?

RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Carol, it looks like that mystery is going to remain just that for a little while longer. We expected prosecutors during what was to be the preliminary hearing to tip their hand a little, to perhaps talk about the statement that Mary Winkler made to police when she made her confession that she shot her husband.

The defense decided early on this morning that they didn't want that to happen. It wasn't necessarily in their best interest. They knew that it was going to be bound over to the grand jury anyway. So they waived that preliminary hearing.

They also said one of the reasons was that they wanted to really protect the victim's family, not only the children but the parents of Matthew Winkler and spare them from some of the gory details. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

STEVE FARESE SR., MARY WINKLER'S ATTORNEY: We feel it does no one any good to hear bad things said about the mother of children. We don't feel that it does anyone any good to hear gruesome things about their late father. We don't think that it does Matthew Winkler's parents, kin people, any good, to have to suffer any more than they've already suffered.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DORNIN: And the defense also asked that bond not be set. They described their client, Mary Winkler, as very fragile. When she came into the courtroom, she did not look up. She stared down. Her father came from behind and hugged her. But she seemed -- they said that she's very frightened, very confused, and is having trouble focusing. They're -- she's going to be undergoing a psychological evaluation very soon.

And also the case will be turned over to the grand jury, but they don't meet until June. So it doesn't look like we're going to be hearing much about this case until sometime in June -- Carol.

LIN: Rusty, everybody wants to know why, what happened? Have authorities determined the motive yet?

DORNIN: No, they are keeping that a very close secret. The little while ago the defense team came out and motioned that they finally got her statement. That was another reason when they waived this preliminary hearing the prosecutors then turned over her confession to the defense. They had not seen it until just a short time ago.

The defense indicated, though, they felt that they were going to be able to do something with this. Of course, they are just formulating the strategy. They have not really revealed how they're going to proceed. They've mentioned things like postpartum depression and, of course, saying that she's going to go -- undergo a mental evaluation. But they have yet to say exactly what her defense is going to be.

LIN: All right. Rusty, thank you very much.

Well, a Mexican border town battles an outbreak of drug violence. And Texans fears the bloodshed could spread. We're live from Laredo when LIVE FROM continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LIN: First a little sightseeing and then down to work. President Bush is in Mexico for talks with President Vicente Fox and Canadian leader Stephen Harper.

Now this morning they took a trip to see the Mayan ruins. And this afternoon, presidents Bush and Fox will meet one on one to consider the hot issue of this three-day summit: immigration. Now back in Washington the Senate is debating immigration reform plans right now. President Bush supports a guest worker program, but most of his fellow Republicans do not. They want to focus on tighter enforcement of the borders.

Well, for them, the Laredo, Texas, area could be Exhibit A.

CNN's Ed Lavandera has been there, exploring the impact of immigration.

Ed, what have you learned?

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, this is one of those towns where -- along the border where people here really feel like this is a completely different world.

Just across this way, about a couple hundred yards through that checkpoint over there, you reach Nuevo Laredo, on the Mexican side. This is Laredo the U.S. side. Even though this is two different cities on two separate sides of the border separated by a river, everyone here and who lives here day in and day out will tell you that this is really just one big city.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LAVANDERA (voice-over): When Nuevo Laredo bleeds, and it often does, newspaper headlines tell the gory details. For several years, rival drug cartels have waged a deadly war to control this border town. The violence has brought tourism to a standstill.

SHERIFF RICK FLORES, WEBB COUNTY, TEXAS: I've never seen any of that. I thought it was only in the movies.

LAVANDERA: Last year the murder rate almost tripled in Nuevo Laredo, and there have already been some 60 murders this year.

This man was appointed chief of police last year. Eight hours later he was dead. In February, drug cartel members launched grenades and gunfire into the offices of "El Manana" newspaper.

Raymundo Ramos had spent the last five years covering La Noche Roja for the paper. That's what reporters here call the bloody crime beat.

LAVANDERA (on camera): (speaking foreign language) It looks like this is a city out of control.

RAYMUNDO RAMOS, JOURNALIST: (speaking foreign language)

LAVANDERA: He says, "We're living like prisoners in our own city, because not even the police can make us feel secure. Everyone here is living with insecurity about what could happen.

(voice-over) After the attack Ramos left the paper. Now he's working with a human rights group and selling tequila gift packages on the side to make ends meet. There have been isolated incidents of drug cartel violence spilling into Laredo. There have been several dozen kidnappings of American citizens. But something else worries the mayor of Laredo.

MAYOR BETTY FLORES, LAREDO, TEXAS: A lot of the people that are involved in the business, if you will, already live here and perhaps have lived here and in other parts of this country for many years. Why? Because they feel safer. So in that respect I think we have had some spill-over.

LAVANDERA: Getting the violence under control here is the top mission. More than 10,000 trucks cross the border every day. This is one of the most crucial commercial entry points into the U.S. The fear is that drug violence will slow the trucks down.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LAVANDERA: Almost everyone you talk to here in Laredo, when you talk of border security, they think of it in terms of, you know, protecting the borders from terrorists. But the terrorists they're talking about are the drug cartels.

Look at the papers this morning. Another death in Nuevo Laredo yesterday. This time a message was left on the body of that victim, a message to the other rival drug cartel but also to the news media.

Because of that, many of these papers, when they cover these crime stories, now they no longer have the byline, the reporter name over who wrote the article. They just say it is staff reports. Editors here in many of these papers have found that this is the best way to protect their reporters from the violence -- Carol.

LIN: Ed, thank you.

Now, CNN is covering all sides of the battle over immigration. Our Lou Dobbs is in Mexico for this week's summit. He's going to join us later on LIVE FROM. And be sure to watch "LOU DOBBS TONIGHT" from Cancun at 6 Eastern.

Well, her friends and her family never gave up hope. Today they give thanks that American Jill Carroll is no longer a hostage in Iraq. Coming up, reaction from one of Carroll's closest friends. You're watching LIVE FROM. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LIN: A congresswoman, a cop and a public scuffle. But who started it? Well, the trouble began when Georgia Representative Cynthia McKinney bypassed a Capitol Hill metal detector. Members of Congress are allowed to do that sort of thing, but McKinney was not wearing her congressional pin, and the officer says he didn't recognize her.

Some witnesses say he tapped McKinney on the arm to stop her, and she hit him in the chest with her cell phone, screaming, "Do not touch me." Well, another witness says the officer grabbed McKinney's arm and when she turned barely, bumped his chest.

An investigation is under way, and Capitol Hill police say the officer may file charges. McKinney sent a letter, saying she appreciates the work of Capitol Hill police and deeply regrets the incident.

All right, no fights at the pump just yet, but drivers may be facing more pain when they pump up for gas this summer. But the reason why may surprise you. Susan Lisovicz is live from the New York Stock Exchange with more details.

Hi, Susan.

SUSAN LISOVICZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Carol.

And there will be pain at the pump this summer. Be sure about that. You know, we've heard about a lot of the familiar problems: not enough crude oil; too little refining capacity; political issues with Iraq, Iran, elsewhere. Those issues still exist, but now there's a new problem, too: ethanol.

The head of the Energy Information Administration tells a Senate committee yesterday that the supply of ethanol, which is the fuel grade alcohol made from corn and mixed with gasoline, can't keep up with demand. And that could lead to shortages and much higher gas prices.

And, Carol, this is a shout out to Daryn, the preferred usage on the pronunciation of this word is ethanol. Not "ee-thanol."

LIN: All right. Ethanol it is.

But why ethanol and why is it necessary to mix it into gas?

LISOVICZ: Two words: clean air, Carol. Many states, especially in the northeast, have special clean air fuel requirements. And ethanol is the best way to meet those requirements.

For years the oil companies have been using a different clean air additive, but refiners are discontinuing it now, because it can taint water supplies. So it's a polluter in itself. And Congress won't protect the companies from the resulting losses.

So the answer is ethanol. Eventually, a mix of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline could become the substitute for gas. But the current blend requires just about 10 percent, and we can't even meet those levels.

A trade group has said that if it can't meet demand it could import the ethanol from Brazil, but that would boost gas prices even more because of tariffs.

Those problems aren't going away any time soon. And a new poll suggests that Americans have reached a tipping point when it comes to their attitudes about the country's dependence on foreign oil.

In a survey by the magazine "Foreign Affairs", nearly half of all respondents gave the Bush administration a failing grade, a D or an F, when asked to grade the government on the issue. Nearly 90 percent said the lack of energy and dependence jeopardizes U.S. national security.

When the same questions were asked last year, only the war in Iraq triggered such a high response.

(STOCK REPORT)

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