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CNN Live Today

Thousands of Mourners Pay Respects to Reagan; Bush Hosts World Leaders at Summit; U.N. Set to Vote on Iraq's Future; Former Goodfella Writes Book on Mafia

Aired June 08, 2004 - 11:00   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.


DARYN KAGAN, ANCHOR: Let's check the latest developments at this hour.
Three Italians and one Polish citizen held hostage in Iraq are now free. The head of U.S. military forces in Iraq said the captives were freed in a military operation by coalition forces.

The Italians were taken hostage April 12. The Polish citizen was captured on June 1.

U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft, a live picture. You can see the back of his head there. He is on Capitol Hill this morning, testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Lawmakers are holding a hearing on the war on terrorism and the Justice Department's role in it.

It's Ashcroft's first appearance before the oversight committee in 16 months. We'll have a live report from Capitol Hill just ahead.

An alleged mastermind of the Madrid train bombings is in custody in Italy. Authorities say he was arrested, along with another bombing suspect in Milan today.

Spanish officials are seeking international warrants for more than 10 people. They say they expect more arrests elsewhere in Europe later today.

A rare celestial event has stargazers looking up this morning: the transit of Venus. It occurs about twice a century. It's when the sun, Venus and Earth are all in alignment.

Earth dwellers, like us, were able to see a silhouette of Venus cross the face of the sun. That was the first time that happened in 122 years.

It is 11 a.m. -- well, a couple minutes past 11 a.m. on the East Coast and just past 8 a.m. on the West Coast. From CNN Center in Atlanta, good morning once again. I'm Daryn Kagan.

Up first this hour on CNN, preparations for a final farewell.

In Washington today, the military prepared the horse-drawn caisson that will carry President Reagan's coffin to Capitol Hill tomorrow. It is a solemn tradition that dates back to ancient times.

The caisson will be accompanied by a riderless horse, symbolizing a fallen leader.

First, though, to California. A silent, steady show of respect, admiration and sympathy. Thousands are filing past President Reagan's flag-draped coffin. The public viewing at the Reagan Library will continue through tonight.

Those paying their respects to the former president are waiting hours upon hours to make their way to the library.

Our David Mattingly is in Moorpark, California. That is where that pilgrimage begins.

David, good morning.

DAVID MATTINGLY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn.

Hours and hours is right. But we got -- we have some good news for you at this hour, and that is that the pace here is picking up. So the wait for people waiting to board the bus to go to the presidential library is now down to just four and a half hours. Just four and a half hours. It was much longer overnight.

Word came down, also, a short time ago, that the hours of public viewing has been extended four more hours, until 10 p.m. Pacific Time. Already, people are being warned that if you are not in this line by 3 p.m. Pacific Time today, you will not get in.

The Reagan family is said to be deeply touched by what we've seen developing all day yesterday and throughout the night last night. As of 9 p.m. Eastern, 40,000 people have made their way to the Reagan Presidential Library to pay their final respects. And we still have, now, about 14 hours to go.

The viewing itself doesn't last more than five minutes, as people file through. But everyone we've talked to who's made the journey comes back saying that it's an experience they will remember for a long, long time.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The legacy that he left behind and set a path for the American future, you know, something that's going to affect my life and everyone else's. So it's good to be a part of that.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It chokes you up. I mean, I wouldn't have done it, probably, for not too many others. But he was special. He was somebody that really meant a lot to me.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MATTINGLY: And people here so happy to see the sunrise this morning. Many of them were not prepared for the cool temperatures last night, some of them asking the Red Cross here for blankets because they needed to keep warm. Other people not prepared for having to go so long on their feet and without food and water.

But everyone trying to make a go of it as best they can to endure and get to the library to pay their final respects -- Daryn.

KAGAN: David Mattingly, telling us more about the extra hours available for people to go pay their respects to former President Reagan. David, thank you.

For more on the former president, a couple of LARRY KING LIVE exclusives, tonight and tomorrow. Tonight, former President Gerald Ford and his wife, Betty Ford are Larry's guests. And then tomorrow night, former President George Bush and his wife, Barbara Bush. LARRY KING LIVE, both nights 9 p.m. Eastern.

Playing host and mending fences on a coastal island. President Bush wears both hats as he privately meets with world leaders critical of his Iraqi policies.

The G-8 economic summit starts today on the serene and secure isle off the coast of Georgia.

Our John King is in Savannah with the latest on that.

John, good morning.

JOHN KING, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Daryn.

The G-8 is eight leaders of the eight big industrial economies in the world. And guess what? They were split evenly when it came to the question of should the United States and its allies go to war in Iraq? Should Saddam Hussein be toppled from power?

The war, of course, is over. The difficult political transition now underway in Iraq, and it will dominate much of the discussions here in Georgia as President Bush is the host for the annual G-8 summit.

One of his early meetings will be with the new prime minister of Canada, Paul Martin, among the earliest leaders to arrive here earlier today. He is one of four leaders the president will sit down with today, three of them war opponents.

Canada was opposed to the war. Mr. Martin was not the prime minister then.

So, too, was Germany opposed to the war. Its chancellor will see the president this afternoon. Russia's president, Vladimir Putin. He will see President Bush this afternoon. He was quite critical.

The president's first meeting is with the Japanese prime minister. Japan alone among those the president will see in one on one meetings today to support the war.

Now, there's a new United Nations Security Council resolution. It will pass tonight, the White House says, and it believes unanimously, endorsing the political transition underway in Iraq.

And the White House believes that is very significant, especially on the first day of this summit. There will be no major new troop commitments for Iraq, probably not even any new major new economic or reconstruction commitments to Iraq. But White House communications director Dan Bartlett telling my colleague Dana Bash a short time ago he still believes a new chapter being opened when it comes to the president and his diplomatic relations on the subject of Iraq.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAN BARTLETT, WHITE HOUSE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR: This is a good way to start the summit. He has had close consultations with many of the leaders who are coming here this week. And that's why I think you're seeing this swift passage of this U.N. resolution.

But it gives them an opportunity to, you know, literally come together and show their solidarity for the Iraqi people. So it's a great way to start the summit this week.

It's a huge success for the U.N. Security Council, and it's even a bigger success for the Iraqi people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: All this playing out at Sea Island, Georgia. It is an exclusive resort. It also the subject of almost fortress like security on this day.

Again, not only the eight leaders who are representative of the G-8 will be here. Other leads from around the world, especially the Middle East and that region, coming to this session.

So extraordinary security. White House officials say their concern is the possibility of a terrorist attack. They say no specific threat. But they say all these precautions are necessary.

You see here some of the beautiful recreation activities that go on on Sea Island. Most of that suspended. It is right now, Daryn, you might say, a beautiful, giant, well-fortified conference center -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Yes. Also a shot of a few of the beach cabins on that very exclusive island.

John, a question for you. This is a huge week. Not only do you have the G-8 summit taking place. But of course, you also have all the ceremony and activities taking place for Ronald Reagan's funeral.

Because of that President Bush will do part of some of that, and some of it he won't. Dan Bartlett did talk a little bit about that in the last hour, as well, about trying to balance the two responsibilities.

KING: Right, and the White House keeping in close contact with Nancy Reagan and representatives of the Reagan family.

One might have thought that President Bush would be at the capitol Wednesday night when that procession you talked about just a few moments ago, when the former president's body is brought up, to begin lying in state at the capitol rotunda.

Instead, Vice President Cheney will represent the president, because the White House says Nancy Reagan was quite understanding that the president needed to be here for this world summit.

The president, though, will be back, of course, for the ceremony, the Friday funeral at the national cathedral. He will deliver a eulogy to Ronald Reagan. White House officials say the president believes that is a very important speech he wants to lead the country in mourning if you will, Daryn. So he will be back in Washington for the funeral on Friday.

KAGAN: John King in Savannah, Georgia.

Just a few short weeks left until the hand-over in Iraq. And on its major cities -- once again one of its major cities is rocked again by violence. A situation report is next.

Also we'll take you live to the U.N. That is where that major vote on the future of Iraq could soon be underway. Richard Roth standing by for that.

And later he went from mobster to mob informant to man on the run from the mob. Meet the real life goodfella. Played in the movie by Ray Liotta, but we're going to meet the real guys. He's got a serious story to tell.

CNN LIVE TODAY back after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(STOCK REPORT)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: This video shot in the nation's capitol just a few minutes ago. What you're watching is a dress rehearsal for the arrival ceremony for tomorrow when the coffin carrying former president Ronald Reagan's body arrives in the nation's capital. They are practicing the 21-gun salute.

And with good reason. There was supposed to be a 21-gun salute for Lyndon Johnson, and only 20 went off. So they want to make sure that this works and there will actual be backup guns, as well, in case it doesn't work out.

Looks like everything is working out as that dress rehearsal takes place in Washington, D.C.

Three Italians and a Polish citizen taken hostage in Iraq are free this morning. Authorities say they were rescued in the military operation by combined coalition forces south of Baghdad.

The Italians were captured on April 12. Last week the Arab network al-Jazeera aired a videotape of the three. A fourth Italian hostage was killed. The Polish citizen was kidnapped on June 1.

Deadly suicide car bombs exploded in two Iraqi cities today. In Mosul, a taxi exploded near city hall. Authorities say nine Iraqi civilians were killed and at least 25 were wounded.

Earlier, a car bomb exploded outside the entrance to a U.S. base in Baqubah, killing a U.S. soldier and wounding 10 other soldiers. An Iraqi civilian also died in that attack.

As the world watches the situation in Iraq, an important decision on the country's future hangs in the balance. The United Nations Security Council is expected to vote today on a new resolution backed by U.S. and Great Britain.

For the latest, here is CNN's senior U.N. correspondent, Richard Roth.

Hi, Richard.

RICHARD ROTH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Daryn.

When it comes to Iraq, the United States and France have not seemed to agree on much in the last year and a half, but today it seems that the U.S. and France and the other members of the U.N. Security Council will vote in a unanimous fashion for this new Iraq resolution.

The delegates from the U.S. and France last evening were rather pleased with the final discussions.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN NEGROPONTE, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO U.N.: We've made a major effort to take into account the comments that have been made by various delegations. We think this is an excellent resolution. And we would expect to put it to a vote.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'd say that things are going in the right direction. Thank you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROTH: The vote is expected later this afternoon. Today, the German ambassador said that all of the effort was worth it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have made in our consultations yesterday enormous progress on the draft resolution. We welcome that the co- sponsors, with a great lot of flexibility, have included a lot of suggestions and improvements into the resolution, not least the, I think, very imaginative and constructive approach of the French-German amendment.

And therefore, I think that we have come now to a situation where we can vote and we hope, of course, that the resolution will be adopted by consensus.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROTH: As always with these things, each country can claim they got their own voice and got their own way, but still the American commander of this multinational force will not have any of his decisions vetoed by Iraqi authorities -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Richard Roth, watching the situation develop at the United Nations.

Before there was Tony Soprano, there was a real life goodfella. Henry Hill is going to make you an offer you can't refuse: an inside look at life in the mob and on the run from it. He joins us.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RAY LIOTTA, ACTOR: Hey, Mom. What do you think?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You look like a gangster.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: By the time I grew up there was $30 billion a year in cargo moving through Idlewild Airport. We tried to steal every bit...

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Gangsters, guns and gore. In scenes like these in the 1990 movie "Goodfellas," art really did imitate life.

The film is about the life of Henry Hill, a real life gangster who went from small time crook to big time Mafioso as he worked his way up the mob hierarchy.

In the real life drama, Hill made another transformation. He went from notorious New York criminal to normal Nebraska neighbor when he entered the witness protection program in 1980.

A new book is out with him. "Gangsters and Goodfellas" chronicles his marriage and divorce from the mob. Henry Hill joins us live from New York.

Henry, good to have you here with us.

HENRY HILL, AUTHOR, "GANGSTERS AND GOODFELLAS": Glad to be here. Thank you for inviting me.

KAGAN: Let's talk about you take a step going from the mob into the witness protection program. And as you write in the book you kind of become a normal Joe Schmo. But you read your story, Henry. There is nothing normal Joe Schmo about you, no matter how much witness protection program they put you through.

HILL: Well, the government lied to me one more time. KAGAN: How is that?

HILL: Well, I mean, they told me I was going to be a normal person. And obviously it didn't turn out that way, you know.

KAGAN: No, it did, but there's only so much the government can do for somebody who -- you kind of seem to be drawn to the dark side anyway. Do you think that that's a fair statement?

HILL: Well, I mean, not that dark. Not as dark as it used to be.

KAGAN: OK. Not as dark. But in the witness protection program it wasn't like you just went and became a farmer in Nebraska. Tell us a little bit about what you did and how is it that you're able to come on television today.

HILL: Well, to the first question was that the reason I didn't become a farmer in Nebraska is because for seven years the government had me on planes, debriefing me, back and forth to New York, all over the country, Europe, testifying and preparing for trials, being on trial.

Second part of the question is it was...

KAGAN: Well, how is it if I went into the witness protection program and all these people have it out for you because you write in your book, also, that you've helped put 50 former friends away.

I would imagine a lot of people would take great pleasure in seeing that you're no longer with us. How is it that you can just show your face on television?

HILL: Well, the people I was involved with -- I mean, this was the '70s and '60s that I was involved in organized crime. It's 25 years since I left that life.

And I've changed my life. I've -- You know, I'm not a gangster anymore. You know, I've written a few books and, you know, I'm just trying to be a decent person today. And like I said, everybody is deceased or doing 100 years.

So, you know, I don't think I have anyone to worry about, you know, today. There are certain areas of New York City I won't go to. I wouldn't go to my old haunts. I won't go to certain restaurants.

But I don't live in New York. So I visit here occasionally. So I feel pretty safe, and I usually have some people with me, you know, when I do travel.

KAGAN: I understand that.

You say that you survived the mob, the government and now Hollywood. Which would you consider the most dangerous of those three?

HILL: Hollywood.

KAGAN: Really!

HILL: They do a number on you in there. But I'm learning. You know, I learn every day a little bit more. And, you know, I'm just blessed. I'm fortunate. You know, I'm a happy guy.

KAGAN: I'm sure you get this question asked a lot, but are you a fan and do you watch "The Sopranos"?

HILL: Yes, I do.

KAGAN: How realistic is that picture?

HILL: For today's stuff that's on TV, it's right on the money. You can't get better than that as far as organized crime on television.

Tony Soprano could -- he could even go into any family in any part of the probably the world and become a boss. It would be accepted. Some of the characters are a little, you know, a little schmoozy, but some of them are right on.

KAGAN: Well, and how ironic, you know, that the finale, the season finale is taking place on Sunday and Johnny Sacks (ph), the boss of the Brooklyn family done in by a snitch.

HILL: It can happen.

KAGAN: Apparently it does.

HILL: They keep -- They keep stealing stuff from me. And David Chase, he stole more stuff from me in the last four years it's pathetic. I'm going to get a job from him this year.

KAGAN: Well, you put the pitch out there. So if David Chase is watching, if he needs any help. I think he might be doing OK.

HILL: I am, thank you. And thank you for having me.

KAGAN: Very good. Well, the book is called "Gangsters and Goodfellas." It's by Henry Hill as told to Gus Russo. And a lot of interesting behind the scene stories. And glad you feel safe enough to stop by and share some of the stories with us today.

HILL: Thank you.

KAGAN: Thanks for being with us.

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: Attorney General John Ashcroft is on Capitol Hill today. He is facing some tough questions from lawmakers. A break there from the Senate Judiciary Committee. We are live with the latest coming up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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Aired June 8, 2004 - 11:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, ANCHOR: Let's check the latest developments at this hour.
Three Italians and one Polish citizen held hostage in Iraq are now free. The head of U.S. military forces in Iraq said the captives were freed in a military operation by coalition forces.

The Italians were taken hostage April 12. The Polish citizen was captured on June 1.

U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft, a live picture. You can see the back of his head there. He is on Capitol Hill this morning, testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Lawmakers are holding a hearing on the war on terrorism and the Justice Department's role in it.

It's Ashcroft's first appearance before the oversight committee in 16 months. We'll have a live report from Capitol Hill just ahead.

An alleged mastermind of the Madrid train bombings is in custody in Italy. Authorities say he was arrested, along with another bombing suspect in Milan today.

Spanish officials are seeking international warrants for more than 10 people. They say they expect more arrests elsewhere in Europe later today.

A rare celestial event has stargazers looking up this morning: the transit of Venus. It occurs about twice a century. It's when the sun, Venus and Earth are all in alignment.

Earth dwellers, like us, were able to see a silhouette of Venus cross the face of the sun. That was the first time that happened in 122 years.

It is 11 a.m. -- well, a couple minutes past 11 a.m. on the East Coast and just past 8 a.m. on the West Coast. From CNN Center in Atlanta, good morning once again. I'm Daryn Kagan.

Up first this hour on CNN, preparations for a final farewell.

In Washington today, the military prepared the horse-drawn caisson that will carry President Reagan's coffin to Capitol Hill tomorrow. It is a solemn tradition that dates back to ancient times.

The caisson will be accompanied by a riderless horse, symbolizing a fallen leader.

First, though, to California. A silent, steady show of respect, admiration and sympathy. Thousands are filing past President Reagan's flag-draped coffin. The public viewing at the Reagan Library will continue through tonight.

Those paying their respects to the former president are waiting hours upon hours to make their way to the library.

Our David Mattingly is in Moorpark, California. That is where that pilgrimage begins.

David, good morning.

DAVID MATTINGLY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn.

Hours and hours is right. But we got -- we have some good news for you at this hour, and that is that the pace here is picking up. So the wait for people waiting to board the bus to go to the presidential library is now down to just four and a half hours. Just four and a half hours. It was much longer overnight.

Word came down, also, a short time ago, that the hours of public viewing has been extended four more hours, until 10 p.m. Pacific Time. Already, people are being warned that if you are not in this line by 3 p.m. Pacific Time today, you will not get in.

The Reagan family is said to be deeply touched by what we've seen developing all day yesterday and throughout the night last night. As of 9 p.m. Eastern, 40,000 people have made their way to the Reagan Presidential Library to pay their final respects. And we still have, now, about 14 hours to go.

The viewing itself doesn't last more than five minutes, as people file through. But everyone we've talked to who's made the journey comes back saying that it's an experience they will remember for a long, long time.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The legacy that he left behind and set a path for the American future, you know, something that's going to affect my life and everyone else's. So it's good to be a part of that.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It chokes you up. I mean, I wouldn't have done it, probably, for not too many others. But he was special. He was somebody that really meant a lot to me.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MATTINGLY: And people here so happy to see the sunrise this morning. Many of them were not prepared for the cool temperatures last night, some of them asking the Red Cross here for blankets because they needed to keep warm. Other people not prepared for having to go so long on their feet and without food and water.

But everyone trying to make a go of it as best they can to endure and get to the library to pay their final respects -- Daryn.

KAGAN: David Mattingly, telling us more about the extra hours available for people to go pay their respects to former President Reagan. David, thank you.

For more on the former president, a couple of LARRY KING LIVE exclusives, tonight and tomorrow. Tonight, former President Gerald Ford and his wife, Betty Ford are Larry's guests. And then tomorrow night, former President George Bush and his wife, Barbara Bush. LARRY KING LIVE, both nights 9 p.m. Eastern.

Playing host and mending fences on a coastal island. President Bush wears both hats as he privately meets with world leaders critical of his Iraqi policies.

The G-8 economic summit starts today on the serene and secure isle off the coast of Georgia.

Our John King is in Savannah with the latest on that.

John, good morning.

JOHN KING, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Daryn.

The G-8 is eight leaders of the eight big industrial economies in the world. And guess what? They were split evenly when it came to the question of should the United States and its allies go to war in Iraq? Should Saddam Hussein be toppled from power?

The war, of course, is over. The difficult political transition now underway in Iraq, and it will dominate much of the discussions here in Georgia as President Bush is the host for the annual G-8 summit.

One of his early meetings will be with the new prime minister of Canada, Paul Martin, among the earliest leaders to arrive here earlier today. He is one of four leaders the president will sit down with today, three of them war opponents.

Canada was opposed to the war. Mr. Martin was not the prime minister then.

So, too, was Germany opposed to the war. Its chancellor will see the president this afternoon. Russia's president, Vladimir Putin. He will see President Bush this afternoon. He was quite critical.

The president's first meeting is with the Japanese prime minister. Japan alone among those the president will see in one on one meetings today to support the war.

Now, there's a new United Nations Security Council resolution. It will pass tonight, the White House says, and it believes unanimously, endorsing the political transition underway in Iraq.

And the White House believes that is very significant, especially on the first day of this summit. There will be no major new troop commitments for Iraq, probably not even any new major new economic or reconstruction commitments to Iraq. But White House communications director Dan Bartlett telling my colleague Dana Bash a short time ago he still believes a new chapter being opened when it comes to the president and his diplomatic relations on the subject of Iraq.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAN BARTLETT, WHITE HOUSE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR: This is a good way to start the summit. He has had close consultations with many of the leaders who are coming here this week. And that's why I think you're seeing this swift passage of this U.N. resolution.

But it gives them an opportunity to, you know, literally come together and show their solidarity for the Iraqi people. So it's a great way to start the summit this week.

It's a huge success for the U.N. Security Council, and it's even a bigger success for the Iraqi people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: All this playing out at Sea Island, Georgia. It is an exclusive resort. It also the subject of almost fortress like security on this day.

Again, not only the eight leaders who are representative of the G-8 will be here. Other leads from around the world, especially the Middle East and that region, coming to this session.

So extraordinary security. White House officials say their concern is the possibility of a terrorist attack. They say no specific threat. But they say all these precautions are necessary.

You see here some of the beautiful recreation activities that go on on Sea Island. Most of that suspended. It is right now, Daryn, you might say, a beautiful, giant, well-fortified conference center -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Yes. Also a shot of a few of the beach cabins on that very exclusive island.

John, a question for you. This is a huge week. Not only do you have the G-8 summit taking place. But of course, you also have all the ceremony and activities taking place for Ronald Reagan's funeral.

Because of that President Bush will do part of some of that, and some of it he won't. Dan Bartlett did talk a little bit about that in the last hour, as well, about trying to balance the two responsibilities.

KING: Right, and the White House keeping in close contact with Nancy Reagan and representatives of the Reagan family.

One might have thought that President Bush would be at the capitol Wednesday night when that procession you talked about just a few moments ago, when the former president's body is brought up, to begin lying in state at the capitol rotunda.

Instead, Vice President Cheney will represent the president, because the White House says Nancy Reagan was quite understanding that the president needed to be here for this world summit.

The president, though, will be back, of course, for the ceremony, the Friday funeral at the national cathedral. He will deliver a eulogy to Ronald Reagan. White House officials say the president believes that is a very important speech he wants to lead the country in mourning if you will, Daryn. So he will be back in Washington for the funeral on Friday.

KAGAN: John King in Savannah, Georgia.

Just a few short weeks left until the hand-over in Iraq. And on its major cities -- once again one of its major cities is rocked again by violence. A situation report is next.

Also we'll take you live to the U.N. That is where that major vote on the future of Iraq could soon be underway. Richard Roth standing by for that.

And later he went from mobster to mob informant to man on the run from the mob. Meet the real life goodfella. Played in the movie by Ray Liotta, but we're going to meet the real guys. He's got a serious story to tell.

CNN LIVE TODAY back after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(STOCK REPORT)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: This video shot in the nation's capitol just a few minutes ago. What you're watching is a dress rehearsal for the arrival ceremony for tomorrow when the coffin carrying former president Ronald Reagan's body arrives in the nation's capital. They are practicing the 21-gun salute.

And with good reason. There was supposed to be a 21-gun salute for Lyndon Johnson, and only 20 went off. So they want to make sure that this works and there will actual be backup guns, as well, in case it doesn't work out.

Looks like everything is working out as that dress rehearsal takes place in Washington, D.C.

Three Italians and a Polish citizen taken hostage in Iraq are free this morning. Authorities say they were rescued in the military operation by combined coalition forces south of Baghdad.

The Italians were captured on April 12. Last week the Arab network al-Jazeera aired a videotape of the three. A fourth Italian hostage was killed. The Polish citizen was kidnapped on June 1.

Deadly suicide car bombs exploded in two Iraqi cities today. In Mosul, a taxi exploded near city hall. Authorities say nine Iraqi civilians were killed and at least 25 were wounded.

Earlier, a car bomb exploded outside the entrance to a U.S. base in Baqubah, killing a U.S. soldier and wounding 10 other soldiers. An Iraqi civilian also died in that attack.

As the world watches the situation in Iraq, an important decision on the country's future hangs in the balance. The United Nations Security Council is expected to vote today on a new resolution backed by U.S. and Great Britain.

For the latest, here is CNN's senior U.N. correspondent, Richard Roth.

Hi, Richard.

RICHARD ROTH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Daryn.

When it comes to Iraq, the United States and France have not seemed to agree on much in the last year and a half, but today it seems that the U.S. and France and the other members of the U.N. Security Council will vote in a unanimous fashion for this new Iraq resolution.

The delegates from the U.S. and France last evening were rather pleased with the final discussions.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN NEGROPONTE, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO U.N.: We've made a major effort to take into account the comments that have been made by various delegations. We think this is an excellent resolution. And we would expect to put it to a vote.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'd say that things are going in the right direction. Thank you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROTH: The vote is expected later this afternoon. Today, the German ambassador said that all of the effort was worth it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have made in our consultations yesterday enormous progress on the draft resolution. We welcome that the co- sponsors, with a great lot of flexibility, have included a lot of suggestions and improvements into the resolution, not least the, I think, very imaginative and constructive approach of the French-German amendment.

And therefore, I think that we have come now to a situation where we can vote and we hope, of course, that the resolution will be adopted by consensus.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROTH: As always with these things, each country can claim they got their own voice and got their own way, but still the American commander of this multinational force will not have any of his decisions vetoed by Iraqi authorities -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Richard Roth, watching the situation develop at the United Nations.

Before there was Tony Soprano, there was a real life goodfella. Henry Hill is going to make you an offer you can't refuse: an inside look at life in the mob and on the run from it. He joins us.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RAY LIOTTA, ACTOR: Hey, Mom. What do you think?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You look like a gangster.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: By the time I grew up there was $30 billion a year in cargo moving through Idlewild Airport. We tried to steal every bit...

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Gangsters, guns and gore. In scenes like these in the 1990 movie "Goodfellas," art really did imitate life.

The film is about the life of Henry Hill, a real life gangster who went from small time crook to big time Mafioso as he worked his way up the mob hierarchy.

In the real life drama, Hill made another transformation. He went from notorious New York criminal to normal Nebraska neighbor when he entered the witness protection program in 1980.

A new book is out with him. "Gangsters and Goodfellas" chronicles his marriage and divorce from the mob. Henry Hill joins us live from New York.

Henry, good to have you here with us.

HENRY HILL, AUTHOR, "GANGSTERS AND GOODFELLAS": Glad to be here. Thank you for inviting me.

KAGAN: Let's talk about you take a step going from the mob into the witness protection program. And as you write in the book you kind of become a normal Joe Schmo. But you read your story, Henry. There is nothing normal Joe Schmo about you, no matter how much witness protection program they put you through.

HILL: Well, the government lied to me one more time. KAGAN: How is that?

HILL: Well, I mean, they told me I was going to be a normal person. And obviously it didn't turn out that way, you know.

KAGAN: No, it did, but there's only so much the government can do for somebody who -- you kind of seem to be drawn to the dark side anyway. Do you think that that's a fair statement?

HILL: Well, I mean, not that dark. Not as dark as it used to be.

KAGAN: OK. Not as dark. But in the witness protection program it wasn't like you just went and became a farmer in Nebraska. Tell us a little bit about what you did and how is it that you're able to come on television today.

HILL: Well, to the first question was that the reason I didn't become a farmer in Nebraska is because for seven years the government had me on planes, debriefing me, back and forth to New York, all over the country, Europe, testifying and preparing for trials, being on trial.

Second part of the question is it was...

KAGAN: Well, how is it if I went into the witness protection program and all these people have it out for you because you write in your book, also, that you've helped put 50 former friends away.

I would imagine a lot of people would take great pleasure in seeing that you're no longer with us. How is it that you can just show your face on television?

HILL: Well, the people I was involved with -- I mean, this was the '70s and '60s that I was involved in organized crime. It's 25 years since I left that life.

And I've changed my life. I've -- You know, I'm not a gangster anymore. You know, I've written a few books and, you know, I'm just trying to be a decent person today. And like I said, everybody is deceased or doing 100 years.

So, you know, I don't think I have anyone to worry about, you know, today. There are certain areas of New York City I won't go to. I wouldn't go to my old haunts. I won't go to certain restaurants.

But I don't live in New York. So I visit here occasionally. So I feel pretty safe, and I usually have some people with me, you know, when I do travel.

KAGAN: I understand that.

You say that you survived the mob, the government and now Hollywood. Which would you consider the most dangerous of those three?

HILL: Hollywood.

KAGAN: Really!

HILL: They do a number on you in there. But I'm learning. You know, I learn every day a little bit more. And, you know, I'm just blessed. I'm fortunate. You know, I'm a happy guy.

KAGAN: I'm sure you get this question asked a lot, but are you a fan and do you watch "The Sopranos"?

HILL: Yes, I do.

KAGAN: How realistic is that picture?

HILL: For today's stuff that's on TV, it's right on the money. You can't get better than that as far as organized crime on television.

Tony Soprano could -- he could even go into any family in any part of the probably the world and become a boss. It would be accepted. Some of the characters are a little, you know, a little schmoozy, but some of them are right on.

KAGAN: Well, and how ironic, you know, that the finale, the season finale is taking place on Sunday and Johnny Sacks (ph), the boss of the Brooklyn family done in by a snitch.

HILL: It can happen.

KAGAN: Apparently it does.

HILL: They keep -- They keep stealing stuff from me. And David Chase, he stole more stuff from me in the last four years it's pathetic. I'm going to get a job from him this year.

KAGAN: Well, you put the pitch out there. So if David Chase is watching, if he needs any help. I think he might be doing OK.

HILL: I am, thank you. And thank you for having me.

KAGAN: Very good. Well, the book is called "Gangsters and Goodfellas." It's by Henry Hill as told to Gus Russo. And a lot of interesting behind the scene stories. And glad you feel safe enough to stop by and share some of the stories with us today.

HILL: Thank you.

KAGAN: Thanks for being with us.

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: Attorney General John Ashcroft is on Capitol Hill today. He is facing some tough questions from lawmakers. A break there from the Senate Judiciary Committee. We are live with the latest coming up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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