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CNN Live Today
Iraqi Governing Council Signs Interim Constitution; Aristide Holds First News conference After Being Forced From Power
Aired March 08, 2004 - 10:00 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.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning from the CNN headquarters in Atlanta. I'm Carol Costello. Thanks for joining us. Let me bring you up to date now.
A major milestone in Iraq. A few hours ago the Iraqi Governing Council signed an interim constitution. The document lays the groundwork for future elections, a permanent constitution, and government of self-rule. We'll have much more for you just ahead in a live report.
Also just hours ago, former Haitian President Aristide holds his first news conference, after being forced from power. He's calling for peaceful resistance, after more violence in Haiti. And is saying again that he is the victim of political abduction and the U.S. is to blame.
In Washington, U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft remains in the hospital, he's being treated for gallstone pancreatitis. Ashcroft is in intensive care and doctors are monitoring his condition.
And the State Department is marking International Women's Day. Secretary of State Colin Powell is addressing a reception as part of the day's events. Discussions and demonstrations will also mark the observance.
The first hour of CNN LIVE TODAY starts right now.
In Iraq, history is written with the flourish of a pen. The nation's Governing Council has signed an interim constitution, very important because it will play a key role in the country's march towards self-rule.
CNN's Baghdad bureau chief Jane Arraf is in the capital.
And you had a front row seat.
JANE ARRAF, CNN BAGHDAD BUREAU CHIEF: We did, Carol. And we weren't quite sure it was going to actually happen till it happened, given the experience two days ago, when the ceremony was set and the Governing Council members didn't show up. But they've had two days to discuss their differences to consult with a revered Shiia leader, and to come back, and to sign that thing. They each grabbed one of the gold pens, all 25 of them. And one after the other, signed their names to a document that they say is unprecedented in the region, unprecedented in many countries anywhere. Now, there is a very long road ahead after this. But for now, everyone is focusing on what was really an incredible achievement, according to one official, Sir Jeremy Greenstock, the special British representative to Iraq.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SIR JEREMY GREENSTOCK, U.K. SPECIAL REP., IRAQ.: Well, of course, there are some differences in political society in Iraq. But the great news today is that those difficulties were overcome. They were overcome by Iraqis' negotiating amongst themselves and seeing the huge value of this law. There is an enormous amount still to be done in Iraq. We all realize that. But this law gives Iraqis and democracy in Iraq a very sound foundation. And we're all thrilled to see it signed today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ARRAF: A lot of people were thrilled to see it signed; but perhaps not everyone, Carol. Just before the ceremony there was a rocket attack, another one on a police station in central Baghdad. And just because this constitution has been signed and the country is moving forward, no one expects these attacks to stop -- Carol.
COSTELLO: I'd say not. Also in the audience at the convention cente,r there in Baghdad,were American officials. What was their reaction today, Jane?
ARRAF: Well, probably a little bit -- more than a little bit of relief. I mean after the events of the past week, and we have to remember that this has been delayed not only because of wrangling between Shiias and Kurds over who's going to have power and who's not. It was delayed for several days for official mourning after a horrendous attack in the Shiia's holy cities and holy places. Now, it's an indication that this really all is very fragile. So American officials have been incredibly happy to actually see this step, a landmark step done. And moving forward towards that date, they're focused on June 30, when they will hand back power to the Iraqis -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Hopefully so.
Jane Arraf reporting live from Baghdad this morning.
Here's another sign the page has turned in Iraq. The U.S. Justice Department has dispatched its first group of lawyers there. They will prepare for the likely war crimes trials of the former dictator. Ultimately, some 50 American lawyers, investigators and prosecutors will take part in building the case, but Iraqis will be in charge of the prosecution.
The Islamic militant group, Hamas is vowing to avenge an Israeli raid into Gaza, the bloodiest in 17 months. A six-hour gun battle between Israeli troops and hundreds of Palestinians at a refugee camp left at least 11 militants and three boys dead. Dozens were also injured. There has been a steady increase in Israeli military action Gaza in the weeks since Prime Minister Sharon vowed to withdraw if peace efforts remain stalled.
Here in the states, in Baltimore recovery teams are searching the choppy waters of the Inner Harbor, trying to find a little boy and two adults still missing from Saturday's water taxi accident. This is newly released videotape shot by the U.S. Navy and it shows one of the 22 passengers rescued by the quick response of nearby Reservists. A 60-year-old woman who was rescued later died though. Strong winds and a sudden storm are considered likely factors in the capsizing.
Earlier on CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING," the chairwoman of the National Transportation Safety Board discussed the focus of the investigation.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ELLEN ENGLEMAN-CONNORS, CHAIRWOMAN, NTSB: We're going to look at the captain's discretion and decisions that he made, and the owner operator's decisions to operate under such weather conditions. We're looking at the vessel itself to ensure hull integrity, systems that were in place; the steering and propulsion were mechanically sound. Once again, the NTSB will thoroughly investigate all factors. But there is a focus on the safety/education, the use of PFDs and the weather.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Seven people do remain in the hospital this morning, two of them in critical condition.
And Just to remind you, there is a news conference scheduled in just a little bit from the NTSB. Hopefully, we'll learn more about this tragic accident there. In fact, I'm looking at it in our internal monitor. When that news conference begins, of course, we'll tape that for you live.
Multimedia titan Martha Stewart is scheduled for a command performance that would have been unthinkable not so long ago. She's due to meet with a probation officer, as she inches closer to her June 17 sentencing, for lying about an improper stock sale.
CNN's Mary Snow live in New York.
Has she shown up yet?
MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Not yet, Carol. But any moment we are expecting Martha Stewart to show up. And it's not far from where she was convicted, federal court here in Lower Manhattan on Friday of all four counts. As you mentioned, that she is going to be reporting to the probation office as per the judge's instructions on Friday. This is all part of the pre-sentencing process.
Now, her co-defendant and former stockbroker, Peter Bacanovic did arrive here just moments ago. Sentencing for both Stewart and Bacanovic has been set for June 17. Legal experts saying that in terms of what we can expect for Stewart's sentencing, when that is announced in June, legal experts saying somewhere between 12 and 18 months. They expect in terms of what the judge might rule in terms of a jail sentence.
Now, we are told Martha Stewart spent the weekend at her home in Connecticut. This is the home she often refers to as Turkey Hill. And a person close to the situation, saying that Martha Stewart held a number of conversations with her attorneys over the weekend, saying that the main focus now seems to be the strategy at her company, Martha Stewart Living Omni Media. A source close to the situation that saying that one of the people at Stewart's home over the weekend was Sharon Patrick. She is the CEO of Stewart's company. Stewart stepped down as CEO and chairman back in June. But she does retain the title of creative director. The source also saying that the board of directors at the company is expected to meet sometime this afternoon.
In terms of what Martha Stewart has been saying, she hasn't said anything publicly except for a statement on her website. And very shortly after the conviction on Friday, Stewart's website put up a statement from Martha Stewart. In it said, "I am obviously distressed by the jury's verdict, but I continue to take comfort in knowing that I have done nothingwrong, and that I have the enduring support of my family and friends."
Not long after that that message had been changed and deleted the sentence about saying, "I have done nothing wrong." That part of it was taken out of the message. And legal experts saying that points can actually be taken off in terms of, in terms the sentencing guidelines, for a defendant who admits remorse or responsibility. So legal experts saying that perhaps that played a factor in the changing of that message on her web site -- Carol.
COSTELLO: That's right, Mary. Saying I'm sorry goes a long way when the judge comes to handing down a sentence. They want to see that you're remorseful for your crime, right?
SNOW: Mm-hmm. It does play a part in taking responsibility for something, say legal experts, can factor that into the whole process.
COSTELLO: All right. Mary Snow live from New York this morning.
Closing arguments under way this morning in another white-collar, criminal trial. Tyco's former chief executive Dennis Koslowski is accused of stealing some $600 million, along with Mark Schwartz, the company's former chief financial officer. On Friday, the judge threw out the enterprise corruption case against the two, who say their disputed bonuses, pay packages, and forgiven debts were all approved by the appropriate people. The jury is likely to get the case Thursday or Friday.
Poverty, chaos and children. Coming up on CNN's LIVE TODAY, as violence persists in Haiti; meet a couple hoping to adopt two Haitian orphans.
Plus...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Press the red button and you're done.
(END VIDEO
COSTELLO: The state that was key to President Bush's victory in 2000 is John Kerry's focus today, as some voters get out to vote early.
And...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JAIME-LYNN SIGLER, (as Meadow Soprano): Hi, Uncle Tony.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is Meadow. God, you turned out beautiful.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: He doesn't have to be. He's Tony Soprano. We have your look at the return of "The Sopranos." That's coming your way next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Dangerous times in Kentucky, as heavy rains and flash floods in the central and eastern regions leave two people dead. One woman is still missing this morning. Police did find the body of a 4- year-old girl. That's after high waters swept away the pickup truck, the little girl was riding in that pickup truck. On Saturday, police also found the body of a man, and they're still looking for a woman whose car was carried into a creek. Nasty stuff in Kentucky.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Ah, let's talk some politics now. On the campaign trail, Senator John Kerry is taking -- taking in some Florida sunshine but it is not a day of rest. He's trying to build support in the sunshine state. Let me take you back to yesterday. Kerry continued his southern swing with a visit to Mississippi. Today, he will make stops in Hollywood, Florida. That is West Palm Beach and Tampa. A new "Miami Harold St. Petersburg Times" polls says Florida voters prefer Senator Kerry over President Bush 49 percent to 43 percent.
President Bush is doing a Texas Two-Step today, attending fund- raisers in Dallas and Houston.
CNN's Kathleen Koch is at the White House with more.
Good morning.
KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol. Well, as you pointed out, politics clearly front and center on the president's agenda today. He will be attending back-to-back fund- raisers. The first one in Dallas and then later on, in Houston. He'll be adding to his already very ample campaign, war chest now said to be topping $150 million. Though the president, clearly this last week, did start to chip away at that total a little bit, beginning finally to spend on his first television ad campaign for his re- election.
Now, the president while in Texas is also making time to attend the Houston Live Stock Show and Rodeo. And it's billed as Houston's version of Mardi Gras, the Super Bowl and the running of the bulls in Spain, all wrapped up into one. We checked the schedule and it looks like the president will arrive just in time to catch the pig races and short horn cattle show. Now, the president, though he is a Texan, is not known to be an avid rodeo fan. And this will be his first attendance at a Texas rodeo as the president.
What this is really seen as, is in part, the president's effort to reach out to this base, these so-called "NASCAR Dads," to appear more like a regular guy. Again, the NASCAR Dads being billed as these men, middle class, white men. And something very similar to what the president did when he attended the Daytona 500 last month. This is a very important voting block for the president. A recent A.P. poll shows Mr. Bush leading his Democratic opponent, John Kerry, by almost 20 percent when it comes to white men.
Now, we're told therefore, that we'll be seeing a few more sports events on the president's headlines -- on the president's agenda, I should say, in the coming months. The White House saying these are actually very similar, though, to events presidents poll all around the country, where he attempts to explain his agenda to voters -- Carol.
COSTELLO: And there's nothing like doing that at the pig races.
(LAUGHTER)
KOCH: Quite so.
COSTELLO: Thank you.
Kathleen Koch reporting live from Washington.
They have no idea what's going on around them. Not the violence. Not the fact that two people want to adopt them. Take a look. It's the struggle to adopt two Haitian orphans. We'll have that story coming up.
And how to beat the high cost of education. Gerri Willis on ways to send your kids to college without going broke.
Hi, Gerri.
GERRI WILLIS, CNNfn PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: Hey, Carol. Good to see you. You know, you want to spend as little money as possible, don't want to tap your retirement? We'll tell you where to go for some free money if you're going to college.
Stay with us on CNN LIVE TODAY.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) COSTELLO: On to business news of another kind. You know, it's that time of year. You take your high school seniors to the college of their choice; you know just to check things out, and hope your kid's choice won't bankrupt you in the long run.
But never fear. Gerri Willis is here with her top tips on not breaking the bank.
Is that really possible?
WILLIS: Well, yes. Actually, if you get plan right, if you get started early you can manage not to break the bank. Start by applying for financial aid. The big form everybody talks about, Carol here, free application for federal student aid. And you're going to find that at fafsa.ed.gov, there's also a 1-800 number you can call, 1-800- 4-fed-aid, as you can see here.
This is the main thing you want to look for. And they're going to tell you what your expected family contribution is, Carol. This is how much the family's going to have to put up for education every year. And that's a critical number to find.
COSTELLO: And it's best to start early, I would think, huh?
WILLIS: Yes, ma'am.
(LAUGHTER)
COSTELLO: All right. There are loans available out there too. Tell us about them.
WILLIS: Well, there are a number of loans that you can get from the federal government. The most important one, the biggest one, the Stafford; a lot of people know about this one. More than 90 percent of people getting loans get this loan. And keep in mind that the current interest rate on this, unbelievable, 2.8 percent, the lowest ever. Stafford is very important. But here's another one that most people haven't heard of that you should ask your college federal aid grant people about. It's called the Plus Loan. And the interest rate on that 4.2 percent. Some people overlook that. And it's something you should check out.
COSTELLO: Well, I was interested in tip No. 3, because it says go for the free money. Where's the free money? I want to know.
WILLIS: You like that, Carol? Free money?
COSTELLO: Yes.
WILLIS: Me too. Well, there's an easy way to search for literally thousands of scholarships out there, that don't require that you put up your own money. Go to web, go to Google, plug in the words "online application." And then anything that sort of distinguishes the student; maybe there are soccer players, maybe they're artistic. And you'll come up with some of the grants out there that people are giving away for free. Keep in mind, too, that you want to do a long search, apply to as many as possible, because these are often smaller grants, maybe $5,000, maybe $1,000. But as you know, Carol, every little bit helps.
COSTELLO: Oh, you're not kidding. So what if the day comes and you've been saving for years, and find out you don't have enough money to send your kid to the college of his or her choice? What do you do?
WILLIS: Well, you've got to tap your money in the right order. Start by tapping the funds that actually have your child's name on them. That's the best strategy. Next, think about those 529 Plans, the Covered L-Plans, start tapping those. And the absolute last thing you want to tap is your retirement account. Now, it's very common for people to try to tap into that money. But you know what, Carol? Nobody's going to give you a loan for retirement. Your child can get a loan for their education.
COSTELLO: Absolutely.
And you say that don't get really expensive schools scare you off. You might as well try.
WILLIS: Well, as you know when you fill out these forms, you're going to have an expected contribution that the family is supposed to put up. And it's going to be unchanged whether you're paying $25,000 a year for the school or $5,000. So you might as well go, you know, for the best, most expensive school that you can find because it's not going to change your obligation.
COSTELLO: All right, Gerri Willis, good advice this morning. Thanks so much.
WILLIS: Thank you.
COSTELLO: Even in exile, Jean Bertrand Aristide urges peaceful resistence in Haiti. We'll have the latest on the island nation's battle with itself.
And unnecessary casualties, illegal arrest and alleged torture. Human Rights Watch says that's what U.S. troops have been involved in, in Afghanistan. We'll have a live report from the Pentagon straight straight ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Welcome back. Here are the top stories at this hour.
Iraq's Governing Council signed into law, an interim constitution that nudges the country ever further toward self-rule. The signing of the charter, which includes a bill of rights and framework of a future presidency and parliament, was delayed first by violence and then by political bickering.
The U.S. detention of terror suspects at Guantanamo Naval Bay in Cuba lands on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court this hour. The European families of those detainees, along with some religious and human rights officials, are demanding that the U.S. government assure those prisoners of due process.
Jury selection resumes today in the murder trial of Scott Peterson. Some 200 people are expected to report for possible selection. Each will have to fill out a 23-page form, asking questions ranging from infidelity to the death penalty. The process is expected to take more than a month.
The mayor of Seattle, Washington says beginning today the city will recognize the same sex marriages of its employees. Seattle doesn't conduct gay marriages but its policies do provide benefit force domestic partners. City officials say the new measure will save paperwork, because same sex couples who have legalized their unions elsewhere can simply check the married box on their benefits forms.
An international watchdog group is issuing a report today that's highly critical of the U.S. military mission in Afghanistan.
CNN Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr, at her post live from the Pentagon with reaction.
Good morning, Barbara.
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, good morning to you Carol. The organization, Human Rights Watch has indeed issued a report very critical of U.S. operations in Afghanistan saying that U.S. soldiers they belive may be violating some of the so-called laws of war.
Here are the three criticisms that the report makes. It says that U.S. forces in Afghanistan are arbitrarily detaining people, that they are using excessive force in arresting some combatants. And that they are mistreating those they detain, that in some cases there has been sleep deprivation and even dousing detainees with cold water.
The report also notes, very importantly, that three detainees in Afghanistan have died in custody, two of them over a year ago. There have been no results published of the investigation into any of those three deaths.
Now, not surprisingly, the U.S. military says it is obeying the law, that it takes the charges of misconduct seriously but reminds everybody that the U.S. is at war in Afghanistan. A military spokesman in Afghanistan had this to say earlier today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LT. COL. BRYAN HILFERTY, U.S. MILITARY SPOKESMAN: The report does mention three deaths and those deaths are under investigation.
As far as excessive use of force, yes, we do reject that. We're very careful on how we use force. We follow very strict rules of engagement. And we follow the law of war.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
STARR: So while the military insists it is following the laws of war, the Human Rights Watch says that in some cases they are not and that they are using excessive force, deadly force even, in uncontested areas where there is relative peace when instead they might use police actions, according to the report, or basic civilian-police type force -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Barbara Starr reporting live from the Pentagon this morning.
Now for the latest on Haiti in crisis and its toppled leader in exile. Early this morning former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide held his first news conference since fleeing his country eight days ago. And he repeated his claims that he is still Haiti's president and that he was forced out by the U.S. military and others.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JEAN-BERTRAND ARISTIDE, FRM. PRESIDENT OF HAITI (through translator): In order for peace to reign, one must speak the truth. And that is why I have spoken of political abduction. Others might talk about a coup d'etat. But the fact is that there was a political abduction.
And this, unfortunately, has paved the way for occupation. And in the name of peace, we launch an appeal for peaceful resistance.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: In Haiti Spanish TV correspondent Ricardo Ortega was among four people killed when violence broke out in a rally celebrating Aristide's ouster. U.S. Marines returned the gunmen's fire in the first armed action of the American mission.
And as Haiti sinks deeper into crisis, many American families are languishing in limbo. They're awaiting the formal adoption adoptions of children now stranded in Haiti's orphanages, facilities that have been virtually forgotten in a country teetering anarchy.
Susan Secor is the executive director of One World Adoptions, and Jack Madden is a client. He and his wife Melissa are in the process of adopting a baby girl. Of course those adoption are now on hold. Thank you for joining us this morning.
(CROSSTALK)
COSTELLO: Susan, let's start with you because I don't think many people are aware of the abject poverty in Haiti. It's been like that for a long period of time. What has this meant for the children in Haiti?
SUSAN SECOR, ONE WORLD ADOPTION SERVICES: Well, the children particularly in orphanages are at risk. The orphanages right now are running out of food and supplies. So -- they're in particular danger because they could become a target because they do have stock pile food and supplies.
COSTELLO: As far as the children themselves, are there many orphans in Haiti?
SECOR: Yes. There are quite a bit.
COSTELLO: Quite a bit. Do you have any figures you can relate to us just to put things in perspective for people?
SECOR: No, I don't have any particular figures. But I know the focus is on the orphans that are in these orphanages. It's a problem that is widespread across Haiti, poverty, orphans. It's -- Haiti is an extremely poor country.
COSTELLO: And right now it's extremely violent with rebels' groups going around and they're very well-armed. How are the orphanages protecting themselves against those rebel forces?
SECOR: Well, currently we work with two orphanages. And one of them does have a gun and they are going out at night in the middle of the night to fire the gun off to let the people around them know they have a gun.
But basically they're having to stay in during the day and not go out, which is also very hard on them because they're not able to get the supplies that they need.
COSTELLO: And, Melissa and Jack, you began adoption proceedings quite some time ago back in August. Why did you decide to adopt a baby from Haiti?
MELISSA MADDEN, PROSPECTIVE ADOPTIVE PARENT: We had learned of the great need in Haiti. We have a daughter adopted from China. And through her adoption we just learned of the need of orphans all over the world. And Haiti in particular, as Susan said, is just so poverty stricken that we need help.
COSTELLO: And I know, Jack, you're going to adopt two babies. A little boy and a little girl. And they are indeed babies. There are pictures that you already have of them. So this must be very difficult for you watching things unfold in Haiti.
JACK MADDEN, PROSPECTIVE ADOPTIVE PARENT: Yes, it is. The whole uncertainty of the situation there right now has got us worried. So that's the toughest thing to deal with right now.
COSTELLO: So, Susan, how do you get these babies out of Haiti?
SECOR: Well, we're going to have to give the process some time. Unfortunately, I think, with everything else that's going on in Haiti right now, the adoptions are going to be down the line as far as the list of priorities. So basically what we would like to do is bring awareness to this issue.
COSTELLO: I noticed your reaction in watching Jean-Bertrand Aristide speak from Africa. Why did you have the reaction that you did?
M. MADDEN: Well, I don't believe that our government has forced him out of Haiti. I think he left because he was afraid. And he has caused a lot of grief for the people in Haiti, and so I'm happy to see him gone. But I don't think he's telling the truth about why he left.
COSTELLO: In initially in working with his government, though, because you'd have to go through there to get the babies out of Haiti, that's created a hardship for you, though. Hasn't it?
M. MADDEN: Yes.
COSTELLO: So who do you talk to now?
SECOR: As far as the adoptions?
COSTELLO: As far as getting these babies out of the orphanages.
SECOR: Well currently nothing is being done. Everything is on hold. The Maddens' paperwork is ready to be sent to Haiti but we cannot send it because of the violence. And it's possible that buildings are being looted and burned. And we wouldn't want anything to happen to their paperwork. So everything currently is on hold, unfortunately.
COSTELLO: So the way it works, Melissa, do you go to Haiti, do you guys go to Haiti and get the babies? Is that what you've been planning?
M. MADDEN: That's what we had hoped for. We're hoping -- still hoping to be able to do that in the future, to be able to share with them something about their culture and their homeland.
COSTELLO: Well our best to you.
M. MADDEN: Thank you.
COSTELLO: And thank you, Susan, Melissa, Jeff. Thank you all for joining us this morning. We appreciate it.
J. MADDEN: Thank you.
COSTELLO: All right, we're going to take a short break. We'll be back with much more after this.
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(MARKET UPDATE)
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COSTELLO: In Southern California, UCLA officials plan to hold a news conference today to confront a disturbing scandal involving dead bodies and big business. Two people have been charged in connection with the alleged theft of body parts from the school's cadaver program.
CNN's Miguel Marquez has details.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Henry Reed, handcuffed and charged with grand theft. It's an arrest making headlines because Reed directed UCLA's willed body program and he allegedly profited from the sale of body parts dating back five years.
VIDAL HERRERA, FMR. DIR. UCLA WILLED BODY PROGRAM: See, I'm surprised it happened at UCLA, but I'm not surprised about the allegations.
MARQUEZ: Vidal Herrera runs a private autopsy company, but in the mid '90s, he directed UCLA's willed body programs. About 175 bodies are donated to the program each year. Most the cadavers are dissected by students. And researchers use others to practice new surgical techniques. Herrera says there is big money to be made in body parts.
HERRERA: Researchers, they get desperate. And they willing to pay an enormous amount of money.
MARQUEZ: For what?
HERRERA: For whole bodies, for disarticulated bodies, limbs, torsos, hearts, lungs, kidneys. You know, the various organs.
MARQUEZ: Herrera says research cadavers and body parts are supposed to be doled out on a non-profit basis through willed body programs such as UCLA's. He also says outside the university setting, private companies doing medical research are willing to pay whatever it takes to get their hands on bodies.
HERRERA: People want tissue from everywhere. And they will never stop. There's a demand for it. They will always continue.
MARQUEZ: And the controversy isn't exactly new to UCLA or Vidal Herrera. Herrera lost his job as director of UCLA's willed body program when the school was sued in 1996 for improperly disposing of cadavers. The suits was settled out of court. And neither UCLA nor Herrera admitted fault.
(on camera): On the current controversy, UCLA has only so far released a statement, saying it's cooperating with police, will do everything in its power to eliminate the inadequacies of its willed body program.
Miguel Marquez, CNN, Los Angeles.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: And here's more stories across America. Maryland is slaughtering hundreds of thousands of chickens in an effort to contain an a new outbreak of H-7 strain of the aviant (ph) flu. Turned out that a farm about 45 miles from a Delaware farm where the same strain appeared last month. More than 300,000 birds are being destroyed in Maryland, nearly four times the number slaughtered in Delaware. The son of Boston Red Sox great Ted Williams is dead at the age of 35. He had been battling cancer. John Henry Williams made headlines with his legal fight to have his father's body frozen. That dispute ended more than a year ago when Williams' half sister dropped his objection. John Henry Williams' remains may also be placed in biostasis with his father's.
Courtney Love is expected in a Los Angeles courtroom today for the first of two drug-related trials. In this one, she's charged with being under the influence of a controlled substance. Police said she was found trying to smash the windows in a former boyfriend's home. In another case, Love faces a preliminary hearing on March 16th on two felony drug charges.
A new season of "The Sopranos," we'll check out some new faces, and maybe even guess who's going to get whacked.
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COSTELLO: We've been waiting for it all morning long, and it has happened. You're going see Martha Stewart get out of that car and walk into a New York courthouse. She's going meet her probation officer for the first time. That probation officer will ask her things about her salary and if she feels any remorse for the crimes she has been convicted of. Her codefendant, Peter Bacanovic reported earlier. We're going to have Mary Snow at the top of the hour to tell us what is happening inside that New York courtroom.
On to this now. Murder, mayhem and misfortune. Yesterday it all came back to HBO's hit Sunday night show "The Sopranos," but one unlikely fan says there's another Sunday pastime where you can find all three, and that would be in the Bible.
Chris Seay is a Baptist preacher and author of the book "The Gospel According to Tony Soprano," and he joins us live to tell us live from Houston to tell us more about the similarities he sees between the TV gospel and the Biblical one.
Oh, come on. Come on, Chris.
CHRIS SEAY, AUTHOR, "THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO TONY SOPRANO": It's all over the place, Carol. The premiere began last night with interviews of cast members, and Drea De Mateo (ph), that plays Adrianna on the show, began by saying, all the characters are broken and broken people, and we can all relate to broken characters. So they really are. We love these people, because they are dysfunctional, because they're completely messed up.
COSTELLO: So, Chris, who in the Bible would Tony Soprano be like?
SEAY: You could pick any of them. King David, Solomon. These kings that had all this power, they abused it. Abraham from the very beginning. He had faith, he believed in God, but he was no hero. He began his journey of faith by prostituting out his wife. These were people that made major mistakes, and the story of the Bible is a story about God being the hero, and not the people.
COSTELLO: OK, let's put this further to the test before you go on. So yesterday, on "The Sopranos," there was a scenario where Tony Soprano is coming on to his long-time therapist.
Let's hear what he has to say and watch the clip.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JAMES GANDOLFINI, ACTOR: Forget about the way that Tony Soprano makes his way in the world. That's just to feed his children. There's two Tony Sopranos. You've never seen the other one. That's the one I want to show you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: OK, how can we relate this to what's in the Bible?
SEAY: Well, this is what we've been pulling for, at least I have, and I talked about it in the book, "The Gospel According to Dr. Soprano," is I've been dying for Dr. Melfy (ph) to be what I think she should be to him as a therapist, someone that actually dealt with right and wrong, and that's what "The Sopranos" is really about. Tony is making a lot of decisions, a lot of wrong decision. And finally, in this episode, Dr. Melfy stands up to him, now as a friend, saying as a therapist, I never would judge you, I wouldn't speak to you about right or wrong.
COSTELLO: Dare we -- oh, come one, dare we, I can't even say it. So the therapist is sort of like a Jesus figure?
SEAY: No, therapist is no Jesus figure. But finally, they're dealing with morality, with what's right and what's wrong. And ultimately "The Sopranos," is not the bible, but it is a place for us to talk about what's right and what's wrong, and the reality that we're all broken, and that we, like Tony Soprano, make major mistakes. And we mask them with therapy and Prozac, and we have broken relationships. And with Tony and Carmella, we watched them for several seasons argue, and bicker and made bad decisions. And instead of dealing with their problems, Carmella would go shopping, or when Tony was unfaithful, he'd buy her a fur coat and diamond ring.
COSTELLO: OK, before you compound on that, we want to go on, because we don't have much time. This is test two for you, Chris. So in seasons past, the mobsters on "The Sopranos" only knocked off their fellow bad guys. But this season, they knocked off an innocent waiter. I mean, they just killed the waiter for apparently no reason. What message do you get in this?
SEAY: It's dark. Any of us that have ever waited tables understood the anger of this man that got really no tip. And in cold blood, they killed him. It shows how dark these people are, and yet the fact that we watched them, and most of us, so many of us, actually like these people, it opens a window to our own soul, a time of reflection. And That's what I encourage people to do, is not to watch the show mindlessly, not in the way that it glorifies violence and the explicit sexuality, but that we actually think about it, and we talk about it.
COSTELLO: Very interesting. Chris Seay, thanks for joining us. Fascinating stuff. You can keep an eye on entertainment 24/7 by pointing your Internet browser to CNN.com/entertainment. There's a review of last night's premiere of "The Sopranos," and you can get up to speed on other TV shows, as well as movies and books at CNN.com/entertainment.
CNN LIVE TODAY returns in just a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Gentlemen start your dogs. This competition is for a different breed Alaska's famous Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race kicked off pairing up mushers with some serious doggy determination.
In the race, several teams dash across 1,000 miles all the way from Anchorage to Nome. The Iditarod is in its 32nd year. This year's total payout more than $700,000.
(WEATHER UPDATE)
COSTELLO: The second hour of CNN's LIVE TODAY starts right now.
And here are the latest developments we're following "At This Hour." Haiti's exiled leader speaks out and he's singing the same tune. Jean-Bertrand Aristide says he is the victim of political abduction by the United States and others. He's also called for peaceful resistance among Haitians.
Authorities in Zimbabwe claim to have seized a U.S.-registered cargo plane carrying suspected mercenaries. That is according to a police spokesperson. Zimbabwe's interior minister says the plane was detained last night after its owners made a false declaration on the cargo. He says 64 suspected mercenaries of various nationalities were on board along with military materials.
Aides say it unclear Attorney General John Ashcroft will be out of intensive care. He's suffering from gallstone pancreatitis. Doctors are giving him pain medication and antibiotics to treat the infection. Justice Department officials say his schedule has been canceled for at least the rest of the week.
And authorities at UCLA say they will release more details today about an investigation of the school's medical cadaver program. The program's director and a second person were arrested over the weekend. "The L.A. Times" says authorities are investigating whether cadaver body parts were stolen and sold for personal gain.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aristide Holds First News conference After Being Forced From Power>
Aired March 8, 2004 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning from the CNN headquarters in Atlanta. I'm Carol Costello. Thanks for joining us. Let me bring you up to date now.
A major milestone in Iraq. A few hours ago the Iraqi Governing Council signed an interim constitution. The document lays the groundwork for future elections, a permanent constitution, and government of self-rule. We'll have much more for you just ahead in a live report.
Also just hours ago, former Haitian President Aristide holds his first news conference, after being forced from power. He's calling for peaceful resistance, after more violence in Haiti. And is saying again that he is the victim of political abduction and the U.S. is to blame.
In Washington, U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft remains in the hospital, he's being treated for gallstone pancreatitis. Ashcroft is in intensive care and doctors are monitoring his condition.
And the State Department is marking International Women's Day. Secretary of State Colin Powell is addressing a reception as part of the day's events. Discussions and demonstrations will also mark the observance.
The first hour of CNN LIVE TODAY starts right now.
In Iraq, history is written with the flourish of a pen. The nation's Governing Council has signed an interim constitution, very important because it will play a key role in the country's march towards self-rule.
CNN's Baghdad bureau chief Jane Arraf is in the capital.
And you had a front row seat.
JANE ARRAF, CNN BAGHDAD BUREAU CHIEF: We did, Carol. And we weren't quite sure it was going to actually happen till it happened, given the experience two days ago, when the ceremony was set and the Governing Council members didn't show up. But they've had two days to discuss their differences to consult with a revered Shiia leader, and to come back, and to sign that thing. They each grabbed one of the gold pens, all 25 of them. And one after the other, signed their names to a document that they say is unprecedented in the region, unprecedented in many countries anywhere. Now, there is a very long road ahead after this. But for now, everyone is focusing on what was really an incredible achievement, according to one official, Sir Jeremy Greenstock, the special British representative to Iraq.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SIR JEREMY GREENSTOCK, U.K. SPECIAL REP., IRAQ.: Well, of course, there are some differences in political society in Iraq. But the great news today is that those difficulties were overcome. They were overcome by Iraqis' negotiating amongst themselves and seeing the huge value of this law. There is an enormous amount still to be done in Iraq. We all realize that. But this law gives Iraqis and democracy in Iraq a very sound foundation. And we're all thrilled to see it signed today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ARRAF: A lot of people were thrilled to see it signed; but perhaps not everyone, Carol. Just before the ceremony there was a rocket attack, another one on a police station in central Baghdad. And just because this constitution has been signed and the country is moving forward, no one expects these attacks to stop -- Carol.
COSTELLO: I'd say not. Also in the audience at the convention cente,r there in Baghdad,were American officials. What was their reaction today, Jane?
ARRAF: Well, probably a little bit -- more than a little bit of relief. I mean after the events of the past week, and we have to remember that this has been delayed not only because of wrangling between Shiias and Kurds over who's going to have power and who's not. It was delayed for several days for official mourning after a horrendous attack in the Shiia's holy cities and holy places. Now, it's an indication that this really all is very fragile. So American officials have been incredibly happy to actually see this step, a landmark step done. And moving forward towards that date, they're focused on June 30, when they will hand back power to the Iraqis -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Hopefully so.
Jane Arraf reporting live from Baghdad this morning.
Here's another sign the page has turned in Iraq. The U.S. Justice Department has dispatched its first group of lawyers there. They will prepare for the likely war crimes trials of the former dictator. Ultimately, some 50 American lawyers, investigators and prosecutors will take part in building the case, but Iraqis will be in charge of the prosecution.
The Islamic militant group, Hamas is vowing to avenge an Israeli raid into Gaza, the bloodiest in 17 months. A six-hour gun battle between Israeli troops and hundreds of Palestinians at a refugee camp left at least 11 militants and three boys dead. Dozens were also injured. There has been a steady increase in Israeli military action Gaza in the weeks since Prime Minister Sharon vowed to withdraw if peace efforts remain stalled.
Here in the states, in Baltimore recovery teams are searching the choppy waters of the Inner Harbor, trying to find a little boy and two adults still missing from Saturday's water taxi accident. This is newly released videotape shot by the U.S. Navy and it shows one of the 22 passengers rescued by the quick response of nearby Reservists. A 60-year-old woman who was rescued later died though. Strong winds and a sudden storm are considered likely factors in the capsizing.
Earlier on CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING," the chairwoman of the National Transportation Safety Board discussed the focus of the investigation.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ELLEN ENGLEMAN-CONNORS, CHAIRWOMAN, NTSB: We're going to look at the captain's discretion and decisions that he made, and the owner operator's decisions to operate under such weather conditions. We're looking at the vessel itself to ensure hull integrity, systems that were in place; the steering and propulsion were mechanically sound. Once again, the NTSB will thoroughly investigate all factors. But there is a focus on the safety/education, the use of PFDs and the weather.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Seven people do remain in the hospital this morning, two of them in critical condition.
And Just to remind you, there is a news conference scheduled in just a little bit from the NTSB. Hopefully, we'll learn more about this tragic accident there. In fact, I'm looking at it in our internal monitor. When that news conference begins, of course, we'll tape that for you live.
Multimedia titan Martha Stewart is scheduled for a command performance that would have been unthinkable not so long ago. She's due to meet with a probation officer, as she inches closer to her June 17 sentencing, for lying about an improper stock sale.
CNN's Mary Snow live in New York.
Has she shown up yet?
MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Not yet, Carol. But any moment we are expecting Martha Stewart to show up. And it's not far from where she was convicted, federal court here in Lower Manhattan on Friday of all four counts. As you mentioned, that she is going to be reporting to the probation office as per the judge's instructions on Friday. This is all part of the pre-sentencing process.
Now, her co-defendant and former stockbroker, Peter Bacanovic did arrive here just moments ago. Sentencing for both Stewart and Bacanovic has been set for June 17. Legal experts saying that in terms of what we can expect for Stewart's sentencing, when that is announced in June, legal experts saying somewhere between 12 and 18 months. They expect in terms of what the judge might rule in terms of a jail sentence.
Now, we are told Martha Stewart spent the weekend at her home in Connecticut. This is the home she often refers to as Turkey Hill. And a person close to the situation, saying that Martha Stewart held a number of conversations with her attorneys over the weekend, saying that the main focus now seems to be the strategy at her company, Martha Stewart Living Omni Media. A source close to the situation that saying that one of the people at Stewart's home over the weekend was Sharon Patrick. She is the CEO of Stewart's company. Stewart stepped down as CEO and chairman back in June. But she does retain the title of creative director. The source also saying that the board of directors at the company is expected to meet sometime this afternoon.
In terms of what Martha Stewart has been saying, she hasn't said anything publicly except for a statement on her website. And very shortly after the conviction on Friday, Stewart's website put up a statement from Martha Stewart. In it said, "I am obviously distressed by the jury's verdict, but I continue to take comfort in knowing that I have done nothingwrong, and that I have the enduring support of my family and friends."
Not long after that that message had been changed and deleted the sentence about saying, "I have done nothing wrong." That part of it was taken out of the message. And legal experts saying that points can actually be taken off in terms of, in terms the sentencing guidelines, for a defendant who admits remorse or responsibility. So legal experts saying that perhaps that played a factor in the changing of that message on her web site -- Carol.
COSTELLO: That's right, Mary. Saying I'm sorry goes a long way when the judge comes to handing down a sentence. They want to see that you're remorseful for your crime, right?
SNOW: Mm-hmm. It does play a part in taking responsibility for something, say legal experts, can factor that into the whole process.
COSTELLO: All right. Mary Snow live from New York this morning.
Closing arguments under way this morning in another white-collar, criminal trial. Tyco's former chief executive Dennis Koslowski is accused of stealing some $600 million, along with Mark Schwartz, the company's former chief financial officer. On Friday, the judge threw out the enterprise corruption case against the two, who say their disputed bonuses, pay packages, and forgiven debts were all approved by the appropriate people. The jury is likely to get the case Thursday or Friday.
Poverty, chaos and children. Coming up on CNN's LIVE TODAY, as violence persists in Haiti; meet a couple hoping to adopt two Haitian orphans.
Plus...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Press the red button and you're done.
(END VIDEO
COSTELLO: The state that was key to President Bush's victory in 2000 is John Kerry's focus today, as some voters get out to vote early.
And...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JAIME-LYNN SIGLER, (as Meadow Soprano): Hi, Uncle Tony.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is Meadow. God, you turned out beautiful.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: He doesn't have to be. He's Tony Soprano. We have your look at the return of "The Sopranos." That's coming your way next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Dangerous times in Kentucky, as heavy rains and flash floods in the central and eastern regions leave two people dead. One woman is still missing this morning. Police did find the body of a 4- year-old girl. That's after high waters swept away the pickup truck, the little girl was riding in that pickup truck. On Saturday, police also found the body of a man, and they're still looking for a woman whose car was carried into a creek. Nasty stuff in Kentucky.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Ah, let's talk some politics now. On the campaign trail, Senator John Kerry is taking -- taking in some Florida sunshine but it is not a day of rest. He's trying to build support in the sunshine state. Let me take you back to yesterday. Kerry continued his southern swing with a visit to Mississippi. Today, he will make stops in Hollywood, Florida. That is West Palm Beach and Tampa. A new "Miami Harold St. Petersburg Times" polls says Florida voters prefer Senator Kerry over President Bush 49 percent to 43 percent.
President Bush is doing a Texas Two-Step today, attending fund- raisers in Dallas and Houston.
CNN's Kathleen Koch is at the White House with more.
Good morning.
KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol. Well, as you pointed out, politics clearly front and center on the president's agenda today. He will be attending back-to-back fund- raisers. The first one in Dallas and then later on, in Houston. He'll be adding to his already very ample campaign, war chest now said to be topping $150 million. Though the president, clearly this last week, did start to chip away at that total a little bit, beginning finally to spend on his first television ad campaign for his re- election.
Now, the president while in Texas is also making time to attend the Houston Live Stock Show and Rodeo. And it's billed as Houston's version of Mardi Gras, the Super Bowl and the running of the bulls in Spain, all wrapped up into one. We checked the schedule and it looks like the president will arrive just in time to catch the pig races and short horn cattle show. Now, the president, though he is a Texan, is not known to be an avid rodeo fan. And this will be his first attendance at a Texas rodeo as the president.
What this is really seen as, is in part, the president's effort to reach out to this base, these so-called "NASCAR Dads," to appear more like a regular guy. Again, the NASCAR Dads being billed as these men, middle class, white men. And something very similar to what the president did when he attended the Daytona 500 last month. This is a very important voting block for the president. A recent A.P. poll shows Mr. Bush leading his Democratic opponent, John Kerry, by almost 20 percent when it comes to white men.
Now, we're told therefore, that we'll be seeing a few more sports events on the president's headlines -- on the president's agenda, I should say, in the coming months. The White House saying these are actually very similar, though, to events presidents poll all around the country, where he attempts to explain his agenda to voters -- Carol.
COSTELLO: And there's nothing like doing that at the pig races.
(LAUGHTER)
KOCH: Quite so.
COSTELLO: Thank you.
Kathleen Koch reporting live from Washington.
They have no idea what's going on around them. Not the violence. Not the fact that two people want to adopt them. Take a look. It's the struggle to adopt two Haitian orphans. We'll have that story coming up.
And how to beat the high cost of education. Gerri Willis on ways to send your kids to college without going broke.
Hi, Gerri.
GERRI WILLIS, CNNfn PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: Hey, Carol. Good to see you. You know, you want to spend as little money as possible, don't want to tap your retirement? We'll tell you where to go for some free money if you're going to college.
Stay with us on CNN LIVE TODAY.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) COSTELLO: On to business news of another kind. You know, it's that time of year. You take your high school seniors to the college of their choice; you know just to check things out, and hope your kid's choice won't bankrupt you in the long run.
But never fear. Gerri Willis is here with her top tips on not breaking the bank.
Is that really possible?
WILLIS: Well, yes. Actually, if you get plan right, if you get started early you can manage not to break the bank. Start by applying for financial aid. The big form everybody talks about, Carol here, free application for federal student aid. And you're going to find that at fafsa.ed.gov, there's also a 1-800 number you can call, 1-800- 4-fed-aid, as you can see here.
This is the main thing you want to look for. And they're going to tell you what your expected family contribution is, Carol. This is how much the family's going to have to put up for education every year. And that's a critical number to find.
COSTELLO: And it's best to start early, I would think, huh?
WILLIS: Yes, ma'am.
(LAUGHTER)
COSTELLO: All right. There are loans available out there too. Tell us about them.
WILLIS: Well, there are a number of loans that you can get from the federal government. The most important one, the biggest one, the Stafford; a lot of people know about this one. More than 90 percent of people getting loans get this loan. And keep in mind that the current interest rate on this, unbelievable, 2.8 percent, the lowest ever. Stafford is very important. But here's another one that most people haven't heard of that you should ask your college federal aid grant people about. It's called the Plus Loan. And the interest rate on that 4.2 percent. Some people overlook that. And it's something you should check out.
COSTELLO: Well, I was interested in tip No. 3, because it says go for the free money. Where's the free money? I want to know.
WILLIS: You like that, Carol? Free money?
COSTELLO: Yes.
WILLIS: Me too. Well, there's an easy way to search for literally thousands of scholarships out there, that don't require that you put up your own money. Go to web, go to Google, plug in the words "online application." And then anything that sort of distinguishes the student; maybe there are soccer players, maybe they're artistic. And you'll come up with some of the grants out there that people are giving away for free. Keep in mind, too, that you want to do a long search, apply to as many as possible, because these are often smaller grants, maybe $5,000, maybe $1,000. But as you know, Carol, every little bit helps.
COSTELLO: Oh, you're not kidding. So what if the day comes and you've been saving for years, and find out you don't have enough money to send your kid to the college of his or her choice? What do you do?
WILLIS: Well, you've got to tap your money in the right order. Start by tapping the funds that actually have your child's name on them. That's the best strategy. Next, think about those 529 Plans, the Covered L-Plans, start tapping those. And the absolute last thing you want to tap is your retirement account. Now, it's very common for people to try to tap into that money. But you know what, Carol? Nobody's going to give you a loan for retirement. Your child can get a loan for their education.
COSTELLO: Absolutely.
And you say that don't get really expensive schools scare you off. You might as well try.
WILLIS: Well, as you know when you fill out these forms, you're going to have an expected contribution that the family is supposed to put up. And it's going to be unchanged whether you're paying $25,000 a year for the school or $5,000. So you might as well go, you know, for the best, most expensive school that you can find because it's not going to change your obligation.
COSTELLO: All right, Gerri Willis, good advice this morning. Thanks so much.
WILLIS: Thank you.
COSTELLO: Even in exile, Jean Bertrand Aristide urges peaceful resistence in Haiti. We'll have the latest on the island nation's battle with itself.
And unnecessary casualties, illegal arrest and alleged torture. Human Rights Watch says that's what U.S. troops have been involved in, in Afghanistan. We'll have a live report from the Pentagon straight straight ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Welcome back. Here are the top stories at this hour.
Iraq's Governing Council signed into law, an interim constitution that nudges the country ever further toward self-rule. The signing of the charter, which includes a bill of rights and framework of a future presidency and parliament, was delayed first by violence and then by political bickering.
The U.S. detention of terror suspects at Guantanamo Naval Bay in Cuba lands on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court this hour. The European families of those detainees, along with some religious and human rights officials, are demanding that the U.S. government assure those prisoners of due process.
Jury selection resumes today in the murder trial of Scott Peterson. Some 200 people are expected to report for possible selection. Each will have to fill out a 23-page form, asking questions ranging from infidelity to the death penalty. The process is expected to take more than a month.
The mayor of Seattle, Washington says beginning today the city will recognize the same sex marriages of its employees. Seattle doesn't conduct gay marriages but its policies do provide benefit force domestic partners. City officials say the new measure will save paperwork, because same sex couples who have legalized their unions elsewhere can simply check the married box on their benefits forms.
An international watchdog group is issuing a report today that's highly critical of the U.S. military mission in Afghanistan.
CNN Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr, at her post live from the Pentagon with reaction.
Good morning, Barbara.
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, good morning to you Carol. The organization, Human Rights Watch has indeed issued a report very critical of U.S. operations in Afghanistan saying that U.S. soldiers they belive may be violating some of the so-called laws of war.
Here are the three criticisms that the report makes. It says that U.S. forces in Afghanistan are arbitrarily detaining people, that they are using excessive force in arresting some combatants. And that they are mistreating those they detain, that in some cases there has been sleep deprivation and even dousing detainees with cold water.
The report also notes, very importantly, that three detainees in Afghanistan have died in custody, two of them over a year ago. There have been no results published of the investigation into any of those three deaths.
Now, not surprisingly, the U.S. military says it is obeying the law, that it takes the charges of misconduct seriously but reminds everybody that the U.S. is at war in Afghanistan. A military spokesman in Afghanistan had this to say earlier today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LT. COL. BRYAN HILFERTY, U.S. MILITARY SPOKESMAN: The report does mention three deaths and those deaths are under investigation.
As far as excessive use of force, yes, we do reject that. We're very careful on how we use force. We follow very strict rules of engagement. And we follow the law of war.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
STARR: So while the military insists it is following the laws of war, the Human Rights Watch says that in some cases they are not and that they are using excessive force, deadly force even, in uncontested areas where there is relative peace when instead they might use police actions, according to the report, or basic civilian-police type force -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Barbara Starr reporting live from the Pentagon this morning.
Now for the latest on Haiti in crisis and its toppled leader in exile. Early this morning former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide held his first news conference since fleeing his country eight days ago. And he repeated his claims that he is still Haiti's president and that he was forced out by the U.S. military and others.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JEAN-BERTRAND ARISTIDE, FRM. PRESIDENT OF HAITI (through translator): In order for peace to reign, one must speak the truth. And that is why I have spoken of political abduction. Others might talk about a coup d'etat. But the fact is that there was a political abduction.
And this, unfortunately, has paved the way for occupation. And in the name of peace, we launch an appeal for peaceful resistance.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: In Haiti Spanish TV correspondent Ricardo Ortega was among four people killed when violence broke out in a rally celebrating Aristide's ouster. U.S. Marines returned the gunmen's fire in the first armed action of the American mission.
And as Haiti sinks deeper into crisis, many American families are languishing in limbo. They're awaiting the formal adoption adoptions of children now stranded in Haiti's orphanages, facilities that have been virtually forgotten in a country teetering anarchy.
Susan Secor is the executive director of One World Adoptions, and Jack Madden is a client. He and his wife Melissa are in the process of adopting a baby girl. Of course those adoption are now on hold. Thank you for joining us this morning.
(CROSSTALK)
COSTELLO: Susan, let's start with you because I don't think many people are aware of the abject poverty in Haiti. It's been like that for a long period of time. What has this meant for the children in Haiti?
SUSAN SECOR, ONE WORLD ADOPTION SERVICES: Well, the children particularly in orphanages are at risk. The orphanages right now are running out of food and supplies. So -- they're in particular danger because they could become a target because they do have stock pile food and supplies.
COSTELLO: As far as the children themselves, are there many orphans in Haiti?
SECOR: Yes. There are quite a bit.
COSTELLO: Quite a bit. Do you have any figures you can relate to us just to put things in perspective for people?
SECOR: No, I don't have any particular figures. But I know the focus is on the orphans that are in these orphanages. It's a problem that is widespread across Haiti, poverty, orphans. It's -- Haiti is an extremely poor country.
COSTELLO: And right now it's extremely violent with rebels' groups going around and they're very well-armed. How are the orphanages protecting themselves against those rebel forces?
SECOR: Well, currently we work with two orphanages. And one of them does have a gun and they are going out at night in the middle of the night to fire the gun off to let the people around them know they have a gun.
But basically they're having to stay in during the day and not go out, which is also very hard on them because they're not able to get the supplies that they need.
COSTELLO: And, Melissa and Jack, you began adoption proceedings quite some time ago back in August. Why did you decide to adopt a baby from Haiti?
MELISSA MADDEN, PROSPECTIVE ADOPTIVE PARENT: We had learned of the great need in Haiti. We have a daughter adopted from China. And through her adoption we just learned of the need of orphans all over the world. And Haiti in particular, as Susan said, is just so poverty stricken that we need help.
COSTELLO: And I know, Jack, you're going to adopt two babies. A little boy and a little girl. And they are indeed babies. There are pictures that you already have of them. So this must be very difficult for you watching things unfold in Haiti.
JACK MADDEN, PROSPECTIVE ADOPTIVE PARENT: Yes, it is. The whole uncertainty of the situation there right now has got us worried. So that's the toughest thing to deal with right now.
COSTELLO: So, Susan, how do you get these babies out of Haiti?
SECOR: Well, we're going to have to give the process some time. Unfortunately, I think, with everything else that's going on in Haiti right now, the adoptions are going to be down the line as far as the list of priorities. So basically what we would like to do is bring awareness to this issue.
COSTELLO: I noticed your reaction in watching Jean-Bertrand Aristide speak from Africa. Why did you have the reaction that you did?
M. MADDEN: Well, I don't believe that our government has forced him out of Haiti. I think he left because he was afraid. And he has caused a lot of grief for the people in Haiti, and so I'm happy to see him gone. But I don't think he's telling the truth about why he left.
COSTELLO: In initially in working with his government, though, because you'd have to go through there to get the babies out of Haiti, that's created a hardship for you, though. Hasn't it?
M. MADDEN: Yes.
COSTELLO: So who do you talk to now?
SECOR: As far as the adoptions?
COSTELLO: As far as getting these babies out of the orphanages.
SECOR: Well currently nothing is being done. Everything is on hold. The Maddens' paperwork is ready to be sent to Haiti but we cannot send it because of the violence. And it's possible that buildings are being looted and burned. And we wouldn't want anything to happen to their paperwork. So everything currently is on hold, unfortunately.
COSTELLO: So the way it works, Melissa, do you go to Haiti, do you guys go to Haiti and get the babies? Is that what you've been planning?
M. MADDEN: That's what we had hoped for. We're hoping -- still hoping to be able to do that in the future, to be able to share with them something about their culture and their homeland.
COSTELLO: Well our best to you.
M. MADDEN: Thank you.
COSTELLO: And thank you, Susan, Melissa, Jeff. Thank you all for joining us this morning. We appreciate it.
J. MADDEN: Thank you.
COSTELLO: All right, we're going to take a short break. We'll be back with much more after this.
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(MARKET UPDATE)
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COSTELLO: In Southern California, UCLA officials plan to hold a news conference today to confront a disturbing scandal involving dead bodies and big business. Two people have been charged in connection with the alleged theft of body parts from the school's cadaver program.
CNN's Miguel Marquez has details.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Henry Reed, handcuffed and charged with grand theft. It's an arrest making headlines because Reed directed UCLA's willed body program and he allegedly profited from the sale of body parts dating back five years.
VIDAL HERRERA, FMR. DIR. UCLA WILLED BODY PROGRAM: See, I'm surprised it happened at UCLA, but I'm not surprised about the allegations.
MARQUEZ: Vidal Herrera runs a private autopsy company, but in the mid '90s, he directed UCLA's willed body programs. About 175 bodies are donated to the program each year. Most the cadavers are dissected by students. And researchers use others to practice new surgical techniques. Herrera says there is big money to be made in body parts.
HERRERA: Researchers, they get desperate. And they willing to pay an enormous amount of money.
MARQUEZ: For what?
HERRERA: For whole bodies, for disarticulated bodies, limbs, torsos, hearts, lungs, kidneys. You know, the various organs.
MARQUEZ: Herrera says research cadavers and body parts are supposed to be doled out on a non-profit basis through willed body programs such as UCLA's. He also says outside the university setting, private companies doing medical research are willing to pay whatever it takes to get their hands on bodies.
HERRERA: People want tissue from everywhere. And they will never stop. There's a demand for it. They will always continue.
MARQUEZ: And the controversy isn't exactly new to UCLA or Vidal Herrera. Herrera lost his job as director of UCLA's willed body program when the school was sued in 1996 for improperly disposing of cadavers. The suits was settled out of court. And neither UCLA nor Herrera admitted fault.
(on camera): On the current controversy, UCLA has only so far released a statement, saying it's cooperating with police, will do everything in its power to eliminate the inadequacies of its willed body program.
Miguel Marquez, CNN, Los Angeles.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: And here's more stories across America. Maryland is slaughtering hundreds of thousands of chickens in an effort to contain an a new outbreak of H-7 strain of the aviant (ph) flu. Turned out that a farm about 45 miles from a Delaware farm where the same strain appeared last month. More than 300,000 birds are being destroyed in Maryland, nearly four times the number slaughtered in Delaware. The son of Boston Red Sox great Ted Williams is dead at the age of 35. He had been battling cancer. John Henry Williams made headlines with his legal fight to have his father's body frozen. That dispute ended more than a year ago when Williams' half sister dropped his objection. John Henry Williams' remains may also be placed in biostasis with his father's.
Courtney Love is expected in a Los Angeles courtroom today for the first of two drug-related trials. In this one, she's charged with being under the influence of a controlled substance. Police said she was found trying to smash the windows in a former boyfriend's home. In another case, Love faces a preliminary hearing on March 16th on two felony drug charges.
A new season of "The Sopranos," we'll check out some new faces, and maybe even guess who's going to get whacked.
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COSTELLO: We've been waiting for it all morning long, and it has happened. You're going see Martha Stewart get out of that car and walk into a New York courthouse. She's going meet her probation officer for the first time. That probation officer will ask her things about her salary and if she feels any remorse for the crimes she has been convicted of. Her codefendant, Peter Bacanovic reported earlier. We're going to have Mary Snow at the top of the hour to tell us what is happening inside that New York courtroom.
On to this now. Murder, mayhem and misfortune. Yesterday it all came back to HBO's hit Sunday night show "The Sopranos," but one unlikely fan says there's another Sunday pastime where you can find all three, and that would be in the Bible.
Chris Seay is a Baptist preacher and author of the book "The Gospel According to Tony Soprano," and he joins us live to tell us live from Houston to tell us more about the similarities he sees between the TV gospel and the Biblical one.
Oh, come on. Come on, Chris.
CHRIS SEAY, AUTHOR, "THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO TONY SOPRANO": It's all over the place, Carol. The premiere began last night with interviews of cast members, and Drea De Mateo (ph), that plays Adrianna on the show, began by saying, all the characters are broken and broken people, and we can all relate to broken characters. So they really are. We love these people, because they are dysfunctional, because they're completely messed up.
COSTELLO: So, Chris, who in the Bible would Tony Soprano be like?
SEAY: You could pick any of them. King David, Solomon. These kings that had all this power, they abused it. Abraham from the very beginning. He had faith, he believed in God, but he was no hero. He began his journey of faith by prostituting out his wife. These were people that made major mistakes, and the story of the Bible is a story about God being the hero, and not the people.
COSTELLO: OK, let's put this further to the test before you go on. So yesterday, on "The Sopranos," there was a scenario where Tony Soprano is coming on to his long-time therapist.
Let's hear what he has to say and watch the clip.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JAMES GANDOLFINI, ACTOR: Forget about the way that Tony Soprano makes his way in the world. That's just to feed his children. There's two Tony Sopranos. You've never seen the other one. That's the one I want to show you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: OK, how can we relate this to what's in the Bible?
SEAY: Well, this is what we've been pulling for, at least I have, and I talked about it in the book, "The Gospel According to Dr. Soprano," is I've been dying for Dr. Melfy (ph) to be what I think she should be to him as a therapist, someone that actually dealt with right and wrong, and that's what "The Sopranos" is really about. Tony is making a lot of decisions, a lot of wrong decision. And finally, in this episode, Dr. Melfy stands up to him, now as a friend, saying as a therapist, I never would judge you, I wouldn't speak to you about right or wrong.
COSTELLO: Dare we -- oh, come one, dare we, I can't even say it. So the therapist is sort of like a Jesus figure?
SEAY: No, therapist is no Jesus figure. But finally, they're dealing with morality, with what's right and what's wrong. And ultimately "The Sopranos," is not the bible, but it is a place for us to talk about what's right and what's wrong, and the reality that we're all broken, and that we, like Tony Soprano, make major mistakes. And we mask them with therapy and Prozac, and we have broken relationships. And with Tony and Carmella, we watched them for several seasons argue, and bicker and made bad decisions. And instead of dealing with their problems, Carmella would go shopping, or when Tony was unfaithful, he'd buy her a fur coat and diamond ring.
COSTELLO: OK, before you compound on that, we want to go on, because we don't have much time. This is test two for you, Chris. So in seasons past, the mobsters on "The Sopranos" only knocked off their fellow bad guys. But this season, they knocked off an innocent waiter. I mean, they just killed the waiter for apparently no reason. What message do you get in this?
SEAY: It's dark. Any of us that have ever waited tables understood the anger of this man that got really no tip. And in cold blood, they killed him. It shows how dark these people are, and yet the fact that we watched them, and most of us, so many of us, actually like these people, it opens a window to our own soul, a time of reflection. And That's what I encourage people to do, is not to watch the show mindlessly, not in the way that it glorifies violence and the explicit sexuality, but that we actually think about it, and we talk about it.
COSTELLO: Very interesting. Chris Seay, thanks for joining us. Fascinating stuff. You can keep an eye on entertainment 24/7 by pointing your Internet browser to CNN.com/entertainment. There's a review of last night's premiere of "The Sopranos," and you can get up to speed on other TV shows, as well as movies and books at CNN.com/entertainment.
CNN LIVE TODAY returns in just a moment.
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COSTELLO: Gentlemen start your dogs. This competition is for a different breed Alaska's famous Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race kicked off pairing up mushers with some serious doggy determination.
In the race, several teams dash across 1,000 miles all the way from Anchorage to Nome. The Iditarod is in its 32nd year. This year's total payout more than $700,000.
(WEATHER UPDATE)
COSTELLO: The second hour of CNN's LIVE TODAY starts right now.
And here are the latest developments we're following "At This Hour." Haiti's exiled leader speaks out and he's singing the same tune. Jean-Bertrand Aristide says he is the victim of political abduction by the United States and others. He's also called for peaceful resistance among Haitians.
Authorities in Zimbabwe claim to have seized a U.S.-registered cargo plane carrying suspected mercenaries. That is according to a police spokesperson. Zimbabwe's interior minister says the plane was detained last night after its owners made a false declaration on the cargo. He says 64 suspected mercenaries of various nationalities were on board along with military materials.
Aides say it unclear Attorney General John Ashcroft will be out of intensive care. He's suffering from gallstone pancreatitis. Doctors are giving him pain medication and antibiotics to treat the infection. Justice Department officials say his schedule has been canceled for at least the rest of the week.
And authorities at UCLA say they will release more details today about an investigation of the school's medical cadaver program. The program's director and a second person were arrested over the weekend. "The L.A. Times" says authorities are investigating whether cadaver body parts were stolen and sold for personal gain.
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Aristide Holds First News conference After Being Forced From Power>
