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Karzai Addresses Joint Session of Congress as Part of D.C. Visit

Aired June 15, 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.


DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning from CNN headquarters in Atlanta. I'm Daryn Kagan. And we begin with the headlines.
Iraq's interim prime minister says talks are underway with coalition authorities for the handover of Saddam Hussein and other Iraqi prisoners. Pentagon officials say they won't commit to giving up Saddam until after the June 30 transfer of power.

Smoke shows the site of an explosion in Gaza today. Israeli military sources say that a car bomb exploded, after troops fired on the vehicle. No Israeli soldiers were injured. The Palestinian driving the car was killed.

In the wake of poor showings by his Labour Party in recent voting, British Prime Minister Tony Blair says he will shift gears. In his monthly news conference, Mr. Blair says he wants Brits to know that he is focusing on domestic issues. The Labour Party finished third in last week's local council races and lost seats in the European Union elections.

And a sign of inflation seen this morning, the Consumer Price Index, it jumped six/tenths of a percent last month. Higher energy and food prices are the culprits. Today's report could give the Federal Reserve reason to raise interest rates when it meets later this month.

Live this hour, President Bush welcomes Afghanistan's leader to the White House. President Hamid Karzai says that he's satisfied with the administration's efforts to stabilize his country. He says more, though, needs to be done. First, Mr. Karzai addressing a joint meeting of Congress. Presidents Karzai and Bush will hold a news conference in the Rose Garden next hour; you will see that live this hour right here on CNN. But much of that message is already echoing this morning right now on Capitol Hill, where Mr. Karzai addressed a joint meeting of Congress.

Our congressional correspondent Ed Henry is on Capitol Hill with more on that.

Ed, good morning.

ED HENRY, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. This is a rare honor for a foreign leader to come and address a joint meeting of Congress. It shows the fact that Afghanistan is a key ally in the war on terror. It also shows, obviously, that Afghanistan is critical in the search for Osama bin Laden. And there have been a lot of questions in recent weeks about whether or not Mr. Karzai is pushing ahead hard enough on reforms, whether or not he's pushing ahead hard enough towards a democracy.

And there's a lot of concern heading into this election in September as to whether or not the election is even going to move forward, whether or not enough voters will be registered in time. Mr. Karzai assured Congress that he is moving forward with reforms and that there has been a lot of success. Here's what he had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(APPLAUSE)

HAMID KARZAI, PRESIDENT, AFGHANISTAN: We have secured an open and inclusive society, where minority languages are accorded official recognition, and where the press enjoys unprecedented free. We have -- we, the Afghan people, have once again established ourselves as a proud and sovereign nation.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HENRY: Daryn, however, there has been criticism of Mr. Karzai in recent weeks, that he's not cracking down enough on the drug trade in his country, that he is also involved in corruption, that he's been cutting back room deals with warlords. He has denied those allegations. And has insisted that he is pushing ahead hard, that he does want a stable democracy, that he's trying to keep the situation secure.

There's obviously a lot of attention on Iraq these days with so many U.S. troops there. But obviously, I think, part of what was going on today is that Mr. Karzai and the Congress trying to remind the American public there's still 20,000 U.S. troops over in Afghanistan. This is a critical election coming up in September. And how things play out in Afghanistan obviously could play a role in our own election here in the United States this fall -- Daryn.

KAGAN: And Ed, more now on the early point that you made, this is a rare honor for a foreign leader to address a joint meeting of Congress. Why is it important for Hamid Karzai and for Afghanistan to win over the support of the U.S. Congress?

HENRY: This is kind of a good will tour for Mr. Karzai. Amid those questions that I mentioned about his role and whether or not he's pushing hard enough for democracy, he wants to reassure the Congress, he now is heading over to the White House, he wants to reassure the president. And it's also worth noting that yesterday he was at the Pentagon trying to reassure Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld that he's pushing ahead. And also he was requesting some more NATO peacekeeping troops. That is another key part of this visit -- Daryn.

KAGAN: And we're going to have much more on that from Barbara Starr at the Pentagon later this morning. Ed Henry on Capitol Hill. Ed, thank you for that. In our next hour, as I mentioned, we will have live coverage of this morning's news conference with Mr. Bush and Afghan President Hamid Karzai. That comes from the White House Rose Garden. We're expecting it at 11:25 a.m. Eastern, 8:25 a.m. Pacific.

The U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia says the Saudis are doing all they can to find an American apparently kidnapped by Islamic militants. Paul Johnson has been missing since Saturday when his car was found abandoned in Riyadh. An al Qaeda-affiliated group posted the Lockheed Martin's employees passport and driver's license on its Web site. Most of Johnson's family members have gathered in New Jersey where they wait for news.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PAUL JOHNSON, III, SON: We are extremely distraught by this unforeseen situation and continue to pray for the safe and speedy return of my father. Dad said many times he loved living in Saudi Arabia. He felt near -- he felt he never had any fear for his safety. Our thoughts and prayers and condolences to the family of Kenneth Scroggs and to those who lives have been affected by the strategy of terrorism, is in our hearts.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: You heard the Johnson family there mention the name Kenneth Scroggs. The same group that claims to have kidnapped Johnson says it killed American Kenneth Scroggs. His body was found Saturday in Riyadh.

The U.S. government is, again, urging citizens to leave Saudi Arabia. Some 35,000 Americans have been working the country, where tensions are soaring, attacks are focusing on westerners.

CNN international correspondent Nic Robertson has more on that.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INT'L. CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In Saudi Arabia, the killings of three westerners in the last week, has prompted some companies employing westerners to use telephone text messages about news events to calm employees' families. And although there is no panic yet, one large expatriate employer, who prefers anonymity, talked of rapidly rising concern.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The main concern is the tactics have been changing. Before, it was really putting car bombs full of explosives. And now with something -- and individual targets. And that is of concern because you don't know what's going to happen next.

ROBERTSON: Sources close to Saudi intelligence suspect this man, Abdel Aziz al Muqrin is behind the recent spate of attacks on westerners, and say his capture could significantly unravel what Saudi officials have described as the country's last significant al Qaeda cell. His speedy capture, though, according to one Saudi security consultant, is by no means guaranteed and nor is the safety of the western workers.

NAWAF OBEID, SAUDI SECURITY CONSULTANT: You cannot protect every single expatriate that live in Saudi Arabia, when he's in his car and going to his office and so forth. There's over 80,000 expatriates today in Saudi Arabia. So it comes back to the question, how can they be protected? And the question is they cannot.

ROBERTSON: Should thee attacks continue, analysts suspect Saudi Arabia's massive oil industry would likely bear the brunt of the departure of the western workers. Few, though, think it would have an immediate effect on oil output.

DOMINIC SIMPSON, KROLL: Some Saudis are saying that maybe it will be no bad thing if it happened because there are a lot of young Saudis coming on to the market who need employment and training.

ROBERTSON (on camera): Indeed, it seems many Saudis believe most western workers will eventually leave the Gulf Kingdom. Just how bloody the terror attacks will get before that exodus happens is still open to speculation.

Nic Robertson, CNN, London.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: As the countdown to handover looms ever closer in Iraq, the coalition may be forcing yet another task before the June 30 deadline. Iraq's interim prime minister says his new government wants custody of deposed leader Saddam Hussein when it assumes control. Iyad Allawi appeared earlier on CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

IYAD ALLAWI, INTERIM PRESIDENT, IRAQ: Definitely we will be trying our best to get custody of Saddam and the other criminals. We have so far some definite promises from the coalition. That this would be the case, the negotiations are underway and are progressing well.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: The Pentagon is not committed to do a handover before the June 30 transfer of power.

There is a new wrinkle in the Iraqi prisoner abuse scandal. A private interrogator tells investigators that Army guards were under instructions to keep some prisoners awake for as much as 20 hours a day. That sworn statement contradicts some top U.S. generals, who assured lawmakers that prison guards were barred from assisting interrogations in any way. It is worth noting that the private contractor making the claims has questionable credibility in the eyes of investigators.

Back here in the U.S., the Supreme Court has left the Pledge of Allegiance intact, but what does that man -- what does it mean that the man who took the case to court. We will hear from him. Plus, eyes on the skies, why there might soon be a shortage of people watching over you when you fly.

And Brad and Jen, is it a match made in heaven? We'll tell you if the celebrity couple are soul mates with their soul signs, that's ahead when CNN continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: It was right here on this program that we told you, about this time yesterday, that the Supreme Court dismissed the case about the Pledge of Allegiance; they dismissed it on a technicality. Well, the atheist father who challenged the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools says his fight will go on. The justices ruled that Michael Newdow could not challenge the words "under God," because he didn't have legal custody of his daughter, who was at the center of the lawsuit. Newdow spoke earlier on CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAEL NEWDOW, PLAINTIFF: The case is going to go back. There's lots of litigants, I've been contacted by a number of them, and if they want I'll represent them. I've already done all the work. And the case will return to the supreme -- to the courts, whether or not the Supreme Court will hear it, no one knows.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: He is a Sacramento lawyer and a doctor. He's in a bitter custody fight with the girl's mother. The mother, by the way, does support the use of the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Here's what's on the docket today in our "Legal Briefs," Michael Jackson will not get a break on his bail. Jackson's lawyer had made a motion to reduce the $3 million figure, saying it was unreasonably high. The judge said the superstar's wealth could be taken into account when setting bail.

Singer James Brown will not contest a domestic violence charge. Brown will pay a fine but isn't admitting guilt. The star was accused of pushing his wife to the floor and threatening to kill her. An attorney for the singer said that Brown thought his relationship with his wife would be harmed if she had to testify at a trial.

There's a hearing in Laramie, Wyoming today, on a motion by Russell Henderson for a reduced sentence. Henderson is serving two life sentences for the 1998 beating of Matthew Shepherd, who was a gay college student. Henderson's current lawyer says that public defenders didn't advise him of the consequences of pleading guilty, they say.

More police officers are expected to take the stand when Scott Peterson's double murder trial resumes, about an hour and a half from now. Police testimony yesterday caught defense attorney Mark Geragos off guard.

Our Rusty Dornin is covering the trial in Redwood City, California.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It was testimony from Modesto police officers, first on the scene at Scott Peterson's house the night his wife disappeared, that prompted defense attorney Mark Geragos to ask for a mistrial. Two officers told the court they heard Scott Peterson swear and throw a flashlight after being interviewed by one of the officers. Geragos claimed the behavior was never described in any report by either officer. And prosecutors admitted to the judge they had only heard about the incident recently. Judge Alfred DeLucci turned down their request for a mistrial but warned prosecutors to turn over any new evidence immediately to the defense.

Both officers said they heard Scott Peterson stumble and not answer, when questioned about what kind of fish he was angling for the day his wife disappeared. They testified there was no evidence of foul play, however, at the Peterson home and described the house being so neat it looked like a model house. Investigators were suspicious of a wet mop and a bucket outside the house, some dirty towels on top of the washer, a duffel bag and rumpled rug. All items taken for evidence, but as defense attorney Mark Geragos pointed out without a search warrant.

It was a tough moment for the family of Laci Peterson when prosecutors showed autopsy photos of the pants she was wearing, when her body washed ashore in San Francisco Bay. A maternity clothing store manager identified the pants as those bought by Peterson. More police investigators are expected to testify this week.

Rusty Dornin, CNN, Redwood City, California.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: Marketing former President Bill Clinton, his new book hasn't even reached the stores yet. It already is a bestseller.

And this...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That alligator's eaten something recently, look at that belly. That's probably a dog in there.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Oh. Oh, no. Alligator taking a bite out of Florida, what wildlife official are doing about that.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: To Tennessee first, a calm morning after a long weekend of severe weather. Thunderstorms pounded much of the state, knocking down trees and power lines. There are no reports of deaths or serious injuries. How about Louisiana? Not high winds, high water that is causing the problems. A flood watch is in effect through today for southeast Louisiana, which could get several more inches of rain.

Check your calendar now; just under five months before America votes and John Kerry is back on the campaign trail. The presumptive Democratic nominee has taken off. He had taken off last week to respect the death and the funeral services of Ronald Reagan. Kerry appeared this morning before New Jersey labor leaders at the state's AFL-CIO convention. It was a welcoming audience for renewed attacks on the Bush administration.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I just think it's wrong for middle class Americans to be saddled with endless debt and deficits, while the most fortunate among us walk away with billions in tax cuts. Where is that value come from? As president, I'm going to fight to put America's tax code in line with our moral code. And that's what we need to do to make this country fair.

(APPLAUSE)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Kerry is also resuming his campaign with an extra million dollars in his war chest. That is how much was raised at a fund raiser yesterday, at the mansion of New Jersey rock star Jon Bon Jovi.

Some pundits believe that Kerry could benefit from the last Democrat to hold the White House. Former President Bill Clinton is on the stump again, not for politics this time but for promotion of his new memoir, which goes on sale one week from today.

Our Financial News correspondent Chris Huntington has that story.

(APPLAUSE)

(CHEERING)

CHRIS HUNTINGTON, CNN FINANCIAL NEWS CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Bill Clinton is a bookseller's dream.

(CHEERING)

BILL CLINTON, FRM. UNITED STATES PRESIDENT: You know, a lot of presidential memoirs, they say are dull and self-serving. I hope mine is interesting and self-serving.

(LAUGHTER)

HUNTINGTON: But certainly tales of power politics, international intrigue and possibly, just possibly, a dash of sex are all ingredients for a bestseller. But when the man who has been called the best natural politician of his generation starts stumping for his book next week, industry insiders predict he'll set new standard for hawking hard covers.

STEVEN ZEITCHIK, NEWS EDITOR, "PUBLISHERS WEEKLY": This is one of the biggest releases the publishing industry has ever seen. And you're going to see a book do here -- book tour here that rivals that of, you know, any major celebrity coming to town, any reunion, you know, tour that -- of a band that hasn't been around for, you know, decades.

HUNTINGTON: Clinton received a record $ 10 million advance to write "My Life." That's about $7 million more than his wife got for her memoirs. But even before the book is available to the public, publisher Alfred A. Knopf has paid off the advance by selling out the first printing of 1.5 million copies to bookstores. Random House will release an abridged version of "My Life" on CD and cassette read by Clinton himself.

CLINTON: I don't spare myself in this book. I take on a lot of water for not just the personal, but also the political errors I think I've made.

HUNTINGTON: But the big buzz is over his book and media tour starting Friday June 18, with Mr. Clinton reading passages from "My Life" American Online and on the radio stations of Infinity Broadcasting. June 20, a full hour of "60 Minutes" with Dan Rather. The book goes on sell 12:01 Tuesday morning, June 22 and Clinton begins a two-week, whirlwind of book signings with two stops in Manhattan. That afternoon, a taped interview with Oprah Winfrey, and two days later, his first live interview about the book with Larry King.

(on camera): Former President Clinton's first book signing will be at a Barnes and Noble in Midtown Manhattan; it's one of the chain's busiest stores. But his second stop will be up here in Harlem at the Hu-Man Bookstore. It's just a couple blocks from Clinton's current office, and it's a move that speaks volumes about his loyalty to a core constituency.

Chris Huntington, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: Want to share with you this news we're getting out of Baghdad, it's from lieutenant -- it's from Brigade General Mark Kimmitt. In today's news briefing, he said that attackers have opened fire on a convoy -- a three-vehicle convoy of contractors that are working for the U.S.-led coalition. Some of the contractors in that convoy were killed, that is according to General Kimmitt. In terms of how many and what nationality they are -- those contractors, that is not clear at this time.

So there were three vehicles: two were attacked, a third was also hit by small arms fire, but it did make it safely to a coalition base. And that is where military officials learned of the attack. More on that out of Baghdad here is Brigade General Mark Kimmitt.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) BRIG. GEN. MARK KIMMITT, DEPUTY OPS DIR., U.S. MILITARY: That there was an attack against a three-vehicle convoy west of Baghdad, over near the airport, where two of the vehicles, I believe, had some persons in it that were killed. And there was a third vehicle, which was able to continue driving towards the coalition base at near by at -- I know that the persons in that vehicle were all safe. The vehicle was shots up a bit. We don't have the full report yet.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: But we will have more into CNN as that information becomes available.

Mr. Karzai goes to Washington. The Afghan leader meets with President Bush. We'll go live to the White House to find out what they'll be talking about.

Plus, searching for yourself, author Rosemary Altea will join us on how to unlock your soul using your soul sign, maybe even finding your soul mate. It's ahead when CNN LIVE TODAY continues.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com


Aired June 15, 2004 - 10:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning from CNN headquarters in Atlanta. I'm Daryn Kagan. And we begin with the headlines.
Iraq's interim prime minister says talks are underway with coalition authorities for the handover of Saddam Hussein and other Iraqi prisoners. Pentagon officials say they won't commit to giving up Saddam until after the June 30 transfer of power.

Smoke shows the site of an explosion in Gaza today. Israeli military sources say that a car bomb exploded, after troops fired on the vehicle. No Israeli soldiers were injured. The Palestinian driving the car was killed.

In the wake of poor showings by his Labour Party in recent voting, British Prime Minister Tony Blair says he will shift gears. In his monthly news conference, Mr. Blair says he wants Brits to know that he is focusing on domestic issues. The Labour Party finished third in last week's local council races and lost seats in the European Union elections.

And a sign of inflation seen this morning, the Consumer Price Index, it jumped six/tenths of a percent last month. Higher energy and food prices are the culprits. Today's report could give the Federal Reserve reason to raise interest rates when it meets later this month.

Live this hour, President Bush welcomes Afghanistan's leader to the White House. President Hamid Karzai says that he's satisfied with the administration's efforts to stabilize his country. He says more, though, needs to be done. First, Mr. Karzai addressing a joint meeting of Congress. Presidents Karzai and Bush will hold a news conference in the Rose Garden next hour; you will see that live this hour right here on CNN. But much of that message is already echoing this morning right now on Capitol Hill, where Mr. Karzai addressed a joint meeting of Congress.

Our congressional correspondent Ed Henry is on Capitol Hill with more on that.

Ed, good morning.

ED HENRY, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. This is a rare honor for a foreign leader to come and address a joint meeting of Congress. It shows the fact that Afghanistan is a key ally in the war on terror. It also shows, obviously, that Afghanistan is critical in the search for Osama bin Laden. And there have been a lot of questions in recent weeks about whether or not Mr. Karzai is pushing ahead hard enough on reforms, whether or not he's pushing ahead hard enough towards a democracy.

And there's a lot of concern heading into this election in September as to whether or not the election is even going to move forward, whether or not enough voters will be registered in time. Mr. Karzai assured Congress that he is moving forward with reforms and that there has been a lot of success. Here's what he had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(APPLAUSE)

HAMID KARZAI, PRESIDENT, AFGHANISTAN: We have secured an open and inclusive society, where minority languages are accorded official recognition, and where the press enjoys unprecedented free. We have -- we, the Afghan people, have once again established ourselves as a proud and sovereign nation.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HENRY: Daryn, however, there has been criticism of Mr. Karzai in recent weeks, that he's not cracking down enough on the drug trade in his country, that he is also involved in corruption, that he's been cutting back room deals with warlords. He has denied those allegations. And has insisted that he is pushing ahead hard, that he does want a stable democracy, that he's trying to keep the situation secure.

There's obviously a lot of attention on Iraq these days with so many U.S. troops there. But obviously, I think, part of what was going on today is that Mr. Karzai and the Congress trying to remind the American public there's still 20,000 U.S. troops over in Afghanistan. This is a critical election coming up in September. And how things play out in Afghanistan obviously could play a role in our own election here in the United States this fall -- Daryn.

KAGAN: And Ed, more now on the early point that you made, this is a rare honor for a foreign leader to address a joint meeting of Congress. Why is it important for Hamid Karzai and for Afghanistan to win over the support of the U.S. Congress?

HENRY: This is kind of a good will tour for Mr. Karzai. Amid those questions that I mentioned about his role and whether or not he's pushing hard enough for democracy, he wants to reassure the Congress, he now is heading over to the White House, he wants to reassure the president. And it's also worth noting that yesterday he was at the Pentagon trying to reassure Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld that he's pushing ahead. And also he was requesting some more NATO peacekeeping troops. That is another key part of this visit -- Daryn.

KAGAN: And we're going to have much more on that from Barbara Starr at the Pentagon later this morning. Ed Henry on Capitol Hill. Ed, thank you for that. In our next hour, as I mentioned, we will have live coverage of this morning's news conference with Mr. Bush and Afghan President Hamid Karzai. That comes from the White House Rose Garden. We're expecting it at 11:25 a.m. Eastern, 8:25 a.m. Pacific.

The U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia says the Saudis are doing all they can to find an American apparently kidnapped by Islamic militants. Paul Johnson has been missing since Saturday when his car was found abandoned in Riyadh. An al Qaeda-affiliated group posted the Lockheed Martin's employees passport and driver's license on its Web site. Most of Johnson's family members have gathered in New Jersey where they wait for news.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PAUL JOHNSON, III, SON: We are extremely distraught by this unforeseen situation and continue to pray for the safe and speedy return of my father. Dad said many times he loved living in Saudi Arabia. He felt near -- he felt he never had any fear for his safety. Our thoughts and prayers and condolences to the family of Kenneth Scroggs and to those who lives have been affected by the strategy of terrorism, is in our hearts.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: You heard the Johnson family there mention the name Kenneth Scroggs. The same group that claims to have kidnapped Johnson says it killed American Kenneth Scroggs. His body was found Saturday in Riyadh.

The U.S. government is, again, urging citizens to leave Saudi Arabia. Some 35,000 Americans have been working the country, where tensions are soaring, attacks are focusing on westerners.

CNN international correspondent Nic Robertson has more on that.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INT'L. CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In Saudi Arabia, the killings of three westerners in the last week, has prompted some companies employing westerners to use telephone text messages about news events to calm employees' families. And although there is no panic yet, one large expatriate employer, who prefers anonymity, talked of rapidly rising concern.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The main concern is the tactics have been changing. Before, it was really putting car bombs full of explosives. And now with something -- and individual targets. And that is of concern because you don't know what's going to happen next.

ROBERTSON: Sources close to Saudi intelligence suspect this man, Abdel Aziz al Muqrin is behind the recent spate of attacks on westerners, and say his capture could significantly unravel what Saudi officials have described as the country's last significant al Qaeda cell. His speedy capture, though, according to one Saudi security consultant, is by no means guaranteed and nor is the safety of the western workers.

NAWAF OBEID, SAUDI SECURITY CONSULTANT: You cannot protect every single expatriate that live in Saudi Arabia, when he's in his car and going to his office and so forth. There's over 80,000 expatriates today in Saudi Arabia. So it comes back to the question, how can they be protected? And the question is they cannot.

ROBERTSON: Should thee attacks continue, analysts suspect Saudi Arabia's massive oil industry would likely bear the brunt of the departure of the western workers. Few, though, think it would have an immediate effect on oil output.

DOMINIC SIMPSON, KROLL: Some Saudis are saying that maybe it will be no bad thing if it happened because there are a lot of young Saudis coming on to the market who need employment and training.

ROBERTSON (on camera): Indeed, it seems many Saudis believe most western workers will eventually leave the Gulf Kingdom. Just how bloody the terror attacks will get before that exodus happens is still open to speculation.

Nic Robertson, CNN, London.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: As the countdown to handover looms ever closer in Iraq, the coalition may be forcing yet another task before the June 30 deadline. Iraq's interim prime minister says his new government wants custody of deposed leader Saddam Hussein when it assumes control. Iyad Allawi appeared earlier on CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

IYAD ALLAWI, INTERIM PRESIDENT, IRAQ: Definitely we will be trying our best to get custody of Saddam and the other criminals. We have so far some definite promises from the coalition. That this would be the case, the negotiations are underway and are progressing well.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: The Pentagon is not committed to do a handover before the June 30 transfer of power.

There is a new wrinkle in the Iraqi prisoner abuse scandal. A private interrogator tells investigators that Army guards were under instructions to keep some prisoners awake for as much as 20 hours a day. That sworn statement contradicts some top U.S. generals, who assured lawmakers that prison guards were barred from assisting interrogations in any way. It is worth noting that the private contractor making the claims has questionable credibility in the eyes of investigators.

Back here in the U.S., the Supreme Court has left the Pledge of Allegiance intact, but what does that man -- what does it mean that the man who took the case to court. We will hear from him. Plus, eyes on the skies, why there might soon be a shortage of people watching over you when you fly.

And Brad and Jen, is it a match made in heaven? We'll tell you if the celebrity couple are soul mates with their soul signs, that's ahead when CNN continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: It was right here on this program that we told you, about this time yesterday, that the Supreme Court dismissed the case about the Pledge of Allegiance; they dismissed it on a technicality. Well, the atheist father who challenged the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools says his fight will go on. The justices ruled that Michael Newdow could not challenge the words "under God," because he didn't have legal custody of his daughter, who was at the center of the lawsuit. Newdow spoke earlier on CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAEL NEWDOW, PLAINTIFF: The case is going to go back. There's lots of litigants, I've been contacted by a number of them, and if they want I'll represent them. I've already done all the work. And the case will return to the supreme -- to the courts, whether or not the Supreme Court will hear it, no one knows.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: He is a Sacramento lawyer and a doctor. He's in a bitter custody fight with the girl's mother. The mother, by the way, does support the use of the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Here's what's on the docket today in our "Legal Briefs," Michael Jackson will not get a break on his bail. Jackson's lawyer had made a motion to reduce the $3 million figure, saying it was unreasonably high. The judge said the superstar's wealth could be taken into account when setting bail.

Singer James Brown will not contest a domestic violence charge. Brown will pay a fine but isn't admitting guilt. The star was accused of pushing his wife to the floor and threatening to kill her. An attorney for the singer said that Brown thought his relationship with his wife would be harmed if she had to testify at a trial.

There's a hearing in Laramie, Wyoming today, on a motion by Russell Henderson for a reduced sentence. Henderson is serving two life sentences for the 1998 beating of Matthew Shepherd, who was a gay college student. Henderson's current lawyer says that public defenders didn't advise him of the consequences of pleading guilty, they say.

More police officers are expected to take the stand when Scott Peterson's double murder trial resumes, about an hour and a half from now. Police testimony yesterday caught defense attorney Mark Geragos off guard.

Our Rusty Dornin is covering the trial in Redwood City, California.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It was testimony from Modesto police officers, first on the scene at Scott Peterson's house the night his wife disappeared, that prompted defense attorney Mark Geragos to ask for a mistrial. Two officers told the court they heard Scott Peterson swear and throw a flashlight after being interviewed by one of the officers. Geragos claimed the behavior was never described in any report by either officer. And prosecutors admitted to the judge they had only heard about the incident recently. Judge Alfred DeLucci turned down their request for a mistrial but warned prosecutors to turn over any new evidence immediately to the defense.

Both officers said they heard Scott Peterson stumble and not answer, when questioned about what kind of fish he was angling for the day his wife disappeared. They testified there was no evidence of foul play, however, at the Peterson home and described the house being so neat it looked like a model house. Investigators were suspicious of a wet mop and a bucket outside the house, some dirty towels on top of the washer, a duffel bag and rumpled rug. All items taken for evidence, but as defense attorney Mark Geragos pointed out without a search warrant.

It was a tough moment for the family of Laci Peterson when prosecutors showed autopsy photos of the pants she was wearing, when her body washed ashore in San Francisco Bay. A maternity clothing store manager identified the pants as those bought by Peterson. More police investigators are expected to testify this week.

Rusty Dornin, CNN, Redwood City, California.

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KAGAN: Marketing former President Bill Clinton, his new book hasn't even reached the stores yet. It already is a bestseller.

And this...

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That alligator's eaten something recently, look at that belly. That's probably a dog in there.

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KAGAN: Oh. Oh, no. Alligator taking a bite out of Florida, what wildlife official are doing about that.

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KAGAN: To Tennessee first, a calm morning after a long weekend of severe weather. Thunderstorms pounded much of the state, knocking down trees and power lines. There are no reports of deaths or serious injuries. How about Louisiana? Not high winds, high water that is causing the problems. A flood watch is in effect through today for southeast Louisiana, which could get several more inches of rain.

Check your calendar now; just under five months before America votes and John Kerry is back on the campaign trail. The presumptive Democratic nominee has taken off. He had taken off last week to respect the death and the funeral services of Ronald Reagan. Kerry appeared this morning before New Jersey labor leaders at the state's AFL-CIO convention. It was a welcoming audience for renewed attacks on the Bush administration.

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SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I just think it's wrong for middle class Americans to be saddled with endless debt and deficits, while the most fortunate among us walk away with billions in tax cuts. Where is that value come from? As president, I'm going to fight to put America's tax code in line with our moral code. And that's what we need to do to make this country fair.

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KAGAN: Kerry is also resuming his campaign with an extra million dollars in his war chest. That is how much was raised at a fund raiser yesterday, at the mansion of New Jersey rock star Jon Bon Jovi.

Some pundits believe that Kerry could benefit from the last Democrat to hold the White House. Former President Bill Clinton is on the stump again, not for politics this time but for promotion of his new memoir, which goes on sale one week from today.

Our Financial News correspondent Chris Huntington has that story.

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CHRIS HUNTINGTON, CNN FINANCIAL NEWS CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Bill Clinton is a bookseller's dream.

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BILL CLINTON, FRM. UNITED STATES PRESIDENT: You know, a lot of presidential memoirs, they say are dull and self-serving. I hope mine is interesting and self-serving.

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HUNTINGTON: But certainly tales of power politics, international intrigue and possibly, just possibly, a dash of sex are all ingredients for a bestseller. But when the man who has been called the best natural politician of his generation starts stumping for his book next week, industry insiders predict he'll set new standard for hawking hard covers.

STEVEN ZEITCHIK, NEWS EDITOR, "PUBLISHERS WEEKLY": This is one of the biggest releases the publishing industry has ever seen. And you're going to see a book do here -- book tour here that rivals that of, you know, any major celebrity coming to town, any reunion, you know, tour that -- of a band that hasn't been around for, you know, decades.

HUNTINGTON: Clinton received a record $ 10 million advance to write "My Life." That's about $7 million more than his wife got for her memoirs. But even before the book is available to the public, publisher Alfred A. Knopf has paid off the advance by selling out the first printing of 1.5 million copies to bookstores. Random House will release an abridged version of "My Life" on CD and cassette read by Clinton himself.

CLINTON: I don't spare myself in this book. I take on a lot of water for not just the personal, but also the political errors I think I've made.

HUNTINGTON: But the big buzz is over his book and media tour starting Friday June 18, with Mr. Clinton reading passages from "My Life" American Online and on the radio stations of Infinity Broadcasting. June 20, a full hour of "60 Minutes" with Dan Rather. The book goes on sell 12:01 Tuesday morning, June 22 and Clinton begins a two-week, whirlwind of book signings with two stops in Manhattan. That afternoon, a taped interview with Oprah Winfrey, and two days later, his first live interview about the book with Larry King.

(on camera): Former President Clinton's first book signing will be at a Barnes and Noble in Midtown Manhattan; it's one of the chain's busiest stores. But his second stop will be up here in Harlem at the Hu-Man Bookstore. It's just a couple blocks from Clinton's current office, and it's a move that speaks volumes about his loyalty to a core constituency.

Chris Huntington, CNN, New York.

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KAGAN: Want to share with you this news we're getting out of Baghdad, it's from lieutenant -- it's from Brigade General Mark Kimmitt. In today's news briefing, he said that attackers have opened fire on a convoy -- a three-vehicle convoy of contractors that are working for the U.S.-led coalition. Some of the contractors in that convoy were killed, that is according to General Kimmitt. In terms of how many and what nationality they are -- those contractors, that is not clear at this time.

So there were three vehicles: two were attacked, a third was also hit by small arms fire, but it did make it safely to a coalition base. And that is where military officials learned of the attack. More on that out of Baghdad here is Brigade General Mark Kimmitt.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) BRIG. GEN. MARK KIMMITT, DEPUTY OPS DIR., U.S. MILITARY: That there was an attack against a three-vehicle convoy west of Baghdad, over near the airport, where two of the vehicles, I believe, had some persons in it that were killed. And there was a third vehicle, which was able to continue driving towards the coalition base at near by at -- I know that the persons in that vehicle were all safe. The vehicle was shots up a bit. We don't have the full report yet.

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KAGAN: But we will have more into CNN as that information becomes available.

Mr. Karzai goes to Washington. The Afghan leader meets with President Bush. We'll go live to the White House to find out what they'll be talking about.

Plus, searching for yourself, author Rosemary Altea will join us on how to unlock your soul using your soul sign, maybe even finding your soul mate. It's ahead when CNN LIVE TODAY continues.

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