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Iraq's Transition to Power Being Heralded by Guerrilla Violence; No Word on Fate of South Korean Businessman Taken Hostage

Aired June 22, 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: And we'll get started down here in Atlanta. Good morning from CNN headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Daryn Kagan. Let's take a look at the top stories at this hour.
Iraq's transition to power, one week from tomorrow, is being heralded by guerrilla violence. Today a car bomb exploded, as a convoy of U.S. troops and Iraqi police drove past. The Reuters News Agency reports a bodyguard for Iraq's minister of state was killed, along with a six-year-old boy.

Also in Iraq, there's no word on the fate of a South Korean businessman, taken hostage and seen here pleading for his life. The kidnappers are part of a group linked to al Qaeda. They had threatened to behead the man, if South Korea did not cancel plans to cancel plans to boost its troops strength there. South Korea has dispatched diplomats to Iraq to work for his release.

In Iran, there are new reports that the government may put on trial eight British military personnel, who were captured along with their three naval vessels. Tehran says that the Brits violated territorial laws by entering a waterway between Iraq and Iran. Great Britain says it is working for their release.

Chechen rebels launched a series of hit-and-run attacks overnight in southern Russia. The guerrillas set fire to police and government buildings and are blamed for at least 48 deaths. Russia has dispatched thousands of troops to the region.

And a live picture from Capitol Hill. The House Armed Services Committee gets a progress report on Iraq. It comes just eight days before the coalition's scheduled handover of power. Witnesses include Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz's and General Peter Pace, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Let's begin with a live picture from New York City. A long line in front of a Manhattan bookstore. Bill Clinton is holding his first book signing there. Thumbs down reviews and conservative criticisms have not stopped Americans from buying up copies on its first day of release.

More on Bill Clinton's book ahead. But first, Defense Department memos regarding interrogation tactics are being released today.

Our Kathleen Koch is at the Pentagon with that story.

Kathleen, good morning. KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. The Pentagon is trying to prove that none of the 595 prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba were ever tortured. So later on this afternoon, we're expected to be -- we expect to be receiving from the Pentagon a series of secret memos to and from the defense secretary. Now, one that I had a chance to see this morning listed several more aggressive interrogation techniques that were requested by the commander of the Guantanamo Bay facility. And only one of the four techniques, the last one, was ever approved by the defense secretary.

They include use of a scenario to convince the detainee that death or severe pain could be imminent for both him or his family. Exposure to cold weather or water. Use of a wet towel or dripping water to induce a perception of suffocating. And mild non-injurious physical contact, like grabbing someone's arm, poking them in him chest or light shoving. Again, the memo that I saw this morning showed that only the fourth technique was recommended to the secretary, that he approve it and that was the option that he took.

Now, this particular technique was to be used on just one high- level prisoner, and that was Muhammad al Qahtani, a man who is sometimes referred to as the 20th hijacker. And he was believed to have information about an imminent terrorist attack. But the Pentagon says the order, signed by the secretary in December of 2002, was rescinded only six weeks later, when the Pentagon decided to do a top- to-bottom evaluation of interrogation techniques.

Again, this memo that I had a chance to look at today is one of just several that we're going to be given later on this afternoon. Again, to prove the secretary's contention that he never Okayed any torture of any prisoners.

Back to you, Daryn.

KAGAN: Kathleen Koch at the Pentagon. More from you as you have a look further at the documents. Thank you for that.

Encouraging our viewers to be with us later this week for a special event on the countdown to the handover for Iraq. Town hall meetings Thursday on the European polls, Friday on the American polls. Both are set for 1:00 p.m. Eastern.

Opening statements are underway in the terrorism trial of attorney of Lynn Stewart. She is the 63-year-old -- she and two of her codefendants are accused of conspiring to let an imprisoned cleric communicate with his followers. The Stewart client, who is Sheikh Abdel Rahman, is serving a life sentence for plotting to blow up New York landmarks. Stewart filed papers yesterday, claiming prosecutors went after her for her political views.

We are at four minutes past the hour. In the words of one bookseller, it is adult Harry Potter mania. OK, there are bad reviews. Despite all that people lined up today to buy Bill Clinton's memoirs "My Life."

Our national correspondent Kelly Wallace is outside one New York bookstore. It's a very popular place right now, not based on anybody who's in line, but on one who person who is expected to show up a little bit later.

Kelly, good morning.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Right. Daryn, good morning. That person, former President Bill Clinton, expected here two and a half hours from now. And this is it. All the buzz about his book titled "My Life," 957 pages in all.

Just take a look at the crowd here. A crowd extending a full city block long of people waiting, some here as early as midnight, waiting hours and hours. One, to get a copy of the book, but also hoping that they are one of the lucky ones that can actually get a copy signed by the former president.

We've been talking to people all morning long. And we have one gentleman here we wanted to talk to, Gregory Betts. Gregory is from Philadelphia.

Gregory, you came here at 4:15 in the morning. Why?

GREGORY BETTS, CLINTON FAN, PHILADELPHIA: Oh, I just wanted to -- it's to be the first in line; I wasn't, just to get the book signed. I'm giving the book as a birthday present for someone. And I think she'll be happy about it. But he was the president of the United States, ex-president. I think it's history, and I wanted to be part of it.

WALLACE: Initial reviews, though, were rather harsh, saying it's not so great.

BETTS: That's fine, that's fine.

WALLACE: It didn't turn you away.

BETTS: Not at all. Not at all. I'm a big fan of Hillary and Bill. And I think it will be interesting reading.

WALLACE: OK. Gregory, thanks for talking with us.

BETTS: Thank you so much.

WALLACE: People from the United States, but also people from overseas. We want to introduce you to a woman from Denmark, who is here with her family. Meta Klaushroi (ph).

Hello, Meta.

META KLAUSHROI, CLINTON FAN, DENMARK: Hi. OK.

WALLACE: What is it about Bill Clinton that brought you here at 4:00 in morning?

KALUSHROI: Well, you know, I've been fascinated by American politics since I was 12 in Denmark. And so, obviously I wanted to see the guy.

WALLACE: You're wearing a button for Kerry.

KALUSHROI: Absolutely! It -- yes.

WALLACE: Do you think Bill Clinton's book will help John Kerry or take all the attention away?

KALUSHROI: I hope it will. No. It will bring, you know, attention to the party. And I can just that from Europe, we really want a Democrat back in the White House.

WALLACE: OK. Meta, thanks for talking with us.

KALUSHROI: You're welcome.

WALLACE: Daryn, I want to set the scene here and give you a sense of what it's like inside this bookstore. As we said, the former president will be here a few hours from now. He'll be sitting at a table, and he will be signing books. Again, it's on a first-come, first-serve basis for who can get the book signed by the former president. One sense of the numbers, it sells for $35. But here at Barnes and Noble, with your discount you get it for about 26 bucks.

More than two million advance copies already in print. All expectations are that the proceeds will more than overshadow Bill Clinton's $10 million advance. Likely to be a record for a work of nonfiction. And likely to outsell the autobiography of his wife, Daryn, Hillary Rodham Clinton.

KAGAN: Pretty incredible, as we mentioned. The reviews have not been kind at all. And everything that seems to be coming out about the book seems to be all Monica all the time. Nothing about health care, nothing about Middle East policy. No one is talking about actually the business of being president. Only the business of trying to stay president and not be impeached.

WALLACE: That is the main criticism you're hearing. The president, we're told by people who have interviewed him, really wanted to do two books. He wanted to do one book on his life in Arkansas and a second book on his presidency. But his publisher said no way.

So this book, you go to page 476 apparently, before you get to his presidency. And some people who have looked at the book and read it, all 470-plus pages beyond that, say that it really seems like he's rushing through his presidency, more of a travel log and a diary. Not a lot of a reflection on some of the key moments, domestic and foreign policy initiatives, and a lot on Monica. The former president seems to be wanting to tell his side of the story, and wanting people to understand what was really one of the darkest moments of his presidency -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Kelly Wallace on the streets of Manhattan. Thank you for that. Well, if there is one villain -- if there is one in the book, it is former independent counsel Kenneth Starr. About Starr replacing the original investigator on the case, Mr. Clinton writes, quote, "Whitewater wasn't about Whitewater anymore, it was about what Ken Starr could dig up." Of course, Starr's probe ultimately led to the impeachment hearings.

And in an interview with PBS, Starr says that he understands the way that Clinton feels.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KENNETH STARR, FMR. INDEPENDENT COUNSEL: I regret it. But again, I understand it. There are very few individuals who are caught up in the process of criminal justice, who walk out saying how much I love the prosecutor. Who praise the prosecutor for discharging his or her duties. It becomes, unfortunately, frequently, and I guess it's happened here, very personal. I regret that. I wish it weren't that way. But I understand the human emotion behind it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: The former president will take your calls in his first live primetime interview on his book. That will be on our "LARRY KING LIVE" program, Thursday, 9:00 p.m. Eastern.

New numbers for terror in 2003. A State Department report indicates that terror incidents were on the decline last year. In fact, there was a sharp increase. The corrected story coming up ahead.

And Kobe Bryant's attorneys keep fighting to use information about his accuser's sexual history during the trial. A live report from Eagle, Colorado.

And later...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MADONNA, ENTERTAINER: You don't look around. You try everything...

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: The material girl was a darling of the MTV generation. Now she's allowing her MTV Moon Man Award to go on the auction block. We'll tell you where and what else you might be able to get your hands on.

And if you have some rock 'n' roll history in your attic, tell us about it. We'll have an expert here to tell you how much it might be worth. You can send that information to livetoday@cnn.com. Stick around, later this hour we'll have your estimates.

You're watching CNN LIVE TODAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Prosecutors and defense attorneys in the Kobe Bryant case seem to agree about a trial date. But that's about all they're agreeing on.

Our Adrian Baschuk joins us. He's in Eagle, Colorado. There's a hearing resuming there this hour.

Adrian, good morning.

ADRIAN BASCHUK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, good morning to you. You know, in talking to so many legal analysts here in Colorado, many of them are very surprised and confused by this case. Why? Well, they say that the tables are turned. Normally it's the prosecution bringing forth all the evidence, but here it's the defense filing motion after motion, after motion.

In court yesterday, the judge said that he has been inundated by so many detailed motions, that he's not gotten the time to address the major issues still swirling around this case. And that is why he has not yet set a trial date.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BASCHUK (voice-over): Next week will mark one year since Kobe Bryant was accused of sexual assault. The big question on everyone's mind now is when will his case go to trial? The judge asked both sides Monday when they will be ready, their answer, late August. The judge's reply through a spokeswoman.

KAREN SALAZ, EAGLE CO. COURT SPOKESWOMAN: He will make his best attempt to do that. But that's not a guarantee.

BASCHUK: One thing we are guaranteed of is that the potential Eagle County jury pool will get a detailed questionnaire in the mail before coming to court. Both sides are battling over what questions will be asked. The defense wants to include questions about potential jurors' views on interracial relationships and dating. A move the prosecutors oppose.

CRAIG SILVERMAN, FRM. DENVER DEPUTY D.A.: There's no doubt the race is a factor in this case. You have a black man accused of raping a white woman. That's an issue anywhere in the United States.

BASCHUK: While most of Monday's hearing was open to the public, today's hearing is closed, as both sides wrap up arguments about the alleged victim's sexual past, and whether that can be entered into trial evidence.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BASCHUK: Now, You're looking outside of the Eagle County Courthouse. A live picture of Kobe Bryant pulling up to the courthouse. He normally -- well, today he's arriving exactly on schedule. He normally arrives 15 to 20 minutes before the court hearing starts. Today's hearing is scheduled for 8:30 Mountain Time. Yesterday, actually he arrived late. He pulled up at exactly 8:29, went through the security gates, was searched and then shuttled into the courtroom.

Today's hearing carries a decidedly less sense of urgency for Kobe Bryant himself. He didn't have to fly out at 4:00 a.m. from L.A., and then fly directly back for a playoff game. Already, Hal Hadden, one-half of his defense team has checked in this morning. You can see Kobe Bryant will be stepping out with Pamela Mackey, his lead defense attorney in this case. A very high-powered defense team guiding the defense here today -- Daryn.

KAGAN: As we watch Kobe Bryant go in the courthouse there, Adrian, what about the huge job of finding a jury that will be able to sit impartially in this trial?

BASCHUK: You know, the County of Eagle here in Colorado is a small hamlet of a place; about 3,800 residents reside here. Its makeup is not racially diverse. But a lot of mountain towns here in Colorado aren't. A lot of people ask well, why didn't the defense file for a change of venue? That's a toss up question here in these parts. No clue why they didn't file a change of venue for the County of Denver, per se.

There is a jury questionnaire that both sides are working on the questions for. This on the story we talked about, the controversial question about the question of how people focus their views on inter- racial relationships and dating. That's just one of the questions that's going to be asked of these people, even before they get their summons to come here to Eagle County Courthouse -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Adrian Baschuk in Eagle, Colorado. Thank you for that. We'll have more on today's hearing later on.

A campaign to get the public's attention coming up, it's Lightning Awareness Week. You're going to meet a man who was struck four years ago, lived to tell about it, but he wants to spread the word on lightning safety.

Also, corrected numbers on terror incidents in 2003 that show a sharp increase. A live report from the White House is just ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: The danger of -- lightning struck like a bolt out of the blue, atop this bluff in northwest Colorado. Four men were struck, 15 people nearby were injured at the makeshift golf course. Witnesses say ironically, the weather had just appeared to clear.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JEFF HIGGINS, LIGHTNING STRIKE SURVIVOR: Picked me up about six feet in the air and just threw me down. Then I landed on my head and my arm.

Somebody was saying that when they were driving up, they saw people just shooting up like popcorn. (END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Like popcorn. Two people remain hospitalized, 17 others have been released.

Well, this is the heart, believe it or not, of Lightning Safety Awareness Week. It is a public awareness campaign to recognize a force of nature that claims more lives each year, than tornadoes or hurricanes.

Our guest nearly became one of those statistics. Michael Utley was struck on a golf course just over four years ago. His long road to recovery now includes campaigning for public awareness and safety. And we are pleased to have him as our guest this morning.

Good morning.

MICHAEL UTLEY, LIGHTNING STRIKE SURVIVOR: Good morning. How are you?

KAGAN: I am doing well. Can you take us back to the Cape Cod golf course? Just four years ago, what happened to you?

UTLEY: Well, it was -- came out of the blue, so to speak. We saw the storm off in the distance. But we didn't move fast enough. I would like to thank Noah for taking the lead in lightning safety, because it's something we're making good choices is the whole difference.

KAGAN: Was that the case with you...

UTLEY: Education.

KAGAN: ... if you had made a difference choice, you don't think you would have been struck by lightning?

UTLEY: In hindsight, I obviously shouldn't have been where we were. But I don't remember the incident that day. So I can't say anything about it. But obviously I shouldn't have been there.

KAGAN: So it's almost a cliched question about to ask you what did it feel like? You don't remember any of that happening?

UTLEY: No. I did 38 days in intensive care before my memory came back, and then four and a half months in rehab. So, my memory is pretty vague on the incident.

KAGAN: And so...

UTLEY: But this is one thing where education is the key. And education is relatively cost-effective.

KAGAN: And you look at what happened to the people in Colorado, the story we had just before you. You look at that and you think, gosh, it just doesn't have to happen. Those people should have been out and they should have been made more aware. UTLEY: Well, you have to give the storm time to pass by. Most people get hit either in front of a storm or after a storm. And that's simple education. If they had waited the 30 minutes or so after the storm had passed over, we might not be hearing about it this morning.

KAGAN: Interesting point there that you make. I think we need to go back to that, that most people are hit either before or after the storm. I know when I see the storms coming or going, it's when it starts raining, that's when I come in.

UTLEY: There is a 30-second rule that people talk about. But the reality is, if you see thunder -- see lightning or hear thunder, you're in danger. Don't stand outside and count. Actually, if you see it, flee it. If you hear it, clear it.

KAGAN: Very simple rule to go by.

All these years later, four years later, do you still have effects of being struck by lightning?

UTLEY: Oh, yes. I work out with a physical trainer all the time. If I walk down a hall, I bounce off from side to side. My balance is fried. My mind --multitasking is a thing of the past.

KAGAN: And the old saying, more likely to be struck by lightning, you don't consider that a lucky thing?

UTLEY: Heh! The day I got hit, it was funny; the big lottery in Massachusetts, and everybody was talking about it. But you have a much better odds of being struck by lightning, than you do of winning the lottery. And how many people buy lottery tickets?

KAGAN: Right. Well, next time maybe you'll cash it in big on the lotto...

(LAUGHTER)

KAGAN: ... since you have already checked off lightning on your life experience. Michael Utley, thanks for coming on and sharing some of those -- sharing your experience and your tips with us. We appreciate it.

UTLEY: Thank you very much.

KAGAN: Here's fast facts for you on lightning. There are some 25 million lightning strikes in the U.S. each year. An average of 67 Americans are killed each year by lightning. A lightning bolt carries approximately 6,000 volts of electricity.

Coming up on CNN LIVE TODAY, a terror report that showed incidents were on the decline in 2003. It's being re-released today, the first report was wrong. A live report from the White House is coming up.

And in Italy, there's a new member on the force, call it Lamborghini. If you happen to be speeding in Rome, you might be chased by one of these. The story coming up on CNN LIVE TODAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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Aired June 22, 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: And we'll get started down here in Atlanta. Good morning from CNN headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Daryn Kagan. Let's take a look at the top stories at this hour.
Iraq's transition to power, one week from tomorrow, is being heralded by guerrilla violence. Today a car bomb exploded, as a convoy of U.S. troops and Iraqi police drove past. The Reuters News Agency reports a bodyguard for Iraq's minister of state was killed, along with a six-year-old boy.

Also in Iraq, there's no word on the fate of a South Korean businessman, taken hostage and seen here pleading for his life. The kidnappers are part of a group linked to al Qaeda. They had threatened to behead the man, if South Korea did not cancel plans to cancel plans to boost its troops strength there. South Korea has dispatched diplomats to Iraq to work for his release.

In Iran, there are new reports that the government may put on trial eight British military personnel, who were captured along with their three naval vessels. Tehran says that the Brits violated territorial laws by entering a waterway between Iraq and Iran. Great Britain says it is working for their release.

Chechen rebels launched a series of hit-and-run attacks overnight in southern Russia. The guerrillas set fire to police and government buildings and are blamed for at least 48 deaths. Russia has dispatched thousands of troops to the region.

And a live picture from Capitol Hill. The House Armed Services Committee gets a progress report on Iraq. It comes just eight days before the coalition's scheduled handover of power. Witnesses include Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz's and General Peter Pace, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Let's begin with a live picture from New York City. A long line in front of a Manhattan bookstore. Bill Clinton is holding his first book signing there. Thumbs down reviews and conservative criticisms have not stopped Americans from buying up copies on its first day of release.

More on Bill Clinton's book ahead. But first, Defense Department memos regarding interrogation tactics are being released today.

Our Kathleen Koch is at the Pentagon with that story.

Kathleen, good morning. KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. The Pentagon is trying to prove that none of the 595 prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba were ever tortured. So later on this afternoon, we're expected to be -- we expect to be receiving from the Pentagon a series of secret memos to and from the defense secretary. Now, one that I had a chance to see this morning listed several more aggressive interrogation techniques that were requested by the commander of the Guantanamo Bay facility. And only one of the four techniques, the last one, was ever approved by the defense secretary.

They include use of a scenario to convince the detainee that death or severe pain could be imminent for both him or his family. Exposure to cold weather or water. Use of a wet towel or dripping water to induce a perception of suffocating. And mild non-injurious physical contact, like grabbing someone's arm, poking them in him chest or light shoving. Again, the memo that I saw this morning showed that only the fourth technique was recommended to the secretary, that he approve it and that was the option that he took.

Now, this particular technique was to be used on just one high- level prisoner, and that was Muhammad al Qahtani, a man who is sometimes referred to as the 20th hijacker. And he was believed to have information about an imminent terrorist attack. But the Pentagon says the order, signed by the secretary in December of 2002, was rescinded only six weeks later, when the Pentagon decided to do a top- to-bottom evaluation of interrogation techniques.

Again, this memo that I had a chance to look at today is one of just several that we're going to be given later on this afternoon. Again, to prove the secretary's contention that he never Okayed any torture of any prisoners.

Back to you, Daryn.

KAGAN: Kathleen Koch at the Pentagon. More from you as you have a look further at the documents. Thank you for that.

Encouraging our viewers to be with us later this week for a special event on the countdown to the handover for Iraq. Town hall meetings Thursday on the European polls, Friday on the American polls. Both are set for 1:00 p.m. Eastern.

Opening statements are underway in the terrorism trial of attorney of Lynn Stewart. She is the 63-year-old -- she and two of her codefendants are accused of conspiring to let an imprisoned cleric communicate with his followers. The Stewart client, who is Sheikh Abdel Rahman, is serving a life sentence for plotting to blow up New York landmarks. Stewart filed papers yesterday, claiming prosecutors went after her for her political views.

We are at four minutes past the hour. In the words of one bookseller, it is adult Harry Potter mania. OK, there are bad reviews. Despite all that people lined up today to buy Bill Clinton's memoirs "My Life."

Our national correspondent Kelly Wallace is outside one New York bookstore. It's a very popular place right now, not based on anybody who's in line, but on one who person who is expected to show up a little bit later.

Kelly, good morning.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Right. Daryn, good morning. That person, former President Bill Clinton, expected here two and a half hours from now. And this is it. All the buzz about his book titled "My Life," 957 pages in all.

Just take a look at the crowd here. A crowd extending a full city block long of people waiting, some here as early as midnight, waiting hours and hours. One, to get a copy of the book, but also hoping that they are one of the lucky ones that can actually get a copy signed by the former president.

We've been talking to people all morning long. And we have one gentleman here we wanted to talk to, Gregory Betts. Gregory is from Philadelphia.

Gregory, you came here at 4:15 in the morning. Why?

GREGORY BETTS, CLINTON FAN, PHILADELPHIA: Oh, I just wanted to -- it's to be the first in line; I wasn't, just to get the book signed. I'm giving the book as a birthday present for someone. And I think she'll be happy about it. But he was the president of the United States, ex-president. I think it's history, and I wanted to be part of it.

WALLACE: Initial reviews, though, were rather harsh, saying it's not so great.

BETTS: That's fine, that's fine.

WALLACE: It didn't turn you away.

BETTS: Not at all. Not at all. I'm a big fan of Hillary and Bill. And I think it will be interesting reading.

WALLACE: OK. Gregory, thanks for talking with us.

BETTS: Thank you so much.

WALLACE: People from the United States, but also people from overseas. We want to introduce you to a woman from Denmark, who is here with her family. Meta Klaushroi (ph).

Hello, Meta.

META KLAUSHROI, CLINTON FAN, DENMARK: Hi. OK.

WALLACE: What is it about Bill Clinton that brought you here at 4:00 in morning?

KALUSHROI: Well, you know, I've been fascinated by American politics since I was 12 in Denmark. And so, obviously I wanted to see the guy.

WALLACE: You're wearing a button for Kerry.

KALUSHROI: Absolutely! It -- yes.

WALLACE: Do you think Bill Clinton's book will help John Kerry or take all the attention away?

KALUSHROI: I hope it will. No. It will bring, you know, attention to the party. And I can just that from Europe, we really want a Democrat back in the White House.

WALLACE: OK. Meta, thanks for talking with us.

KALUSHROI: You're welcome.

WALLACE: Daryn, I want to set the scene here and give you a sense of what it's like inside this bookstore. As we said, the former president will be here a few hours from now. He'll be sitting at a table, and he will be signing books. Again, it's on a first-come, first-serve basis for who can get the book signed by the former president. One sense of the numbers, it sells for $35. But here at Barnes and Noble, with your discount you get it for about 26 bucks.

More than two million advance copies already in print. All expectations are that the proceeds will more than overshadow Bill Clinton's $10 million advance. Likely to be a record for a work of nonfiction. And likely to outsell the autobiography of his wife, Daryn, Hillary Rodham Clinton.

KAGAN: Pretty incredible, as we mentioned. The reviews have not been kind at all. And everything that seems to be coming out about the book seems to be all Monica all the time. Nothing about health care, nothing about Middle East policy. No one is talking about actually the business of being president. Only the business of trying to stay president and not be impeached.

WALLACE: That is the main criticism you're hearing. The president, we're told by people who have interviewed him, really wanted to do two books. He wanted to do one book on his life in Arkansas and a second book on his presidency. But his publisher said no way.

So this book, you go to page 476 apparently, before you get to his presidency. And some people who have looked at the book and read it, all 470-plus pages beyond that, say that it really seems like he's rushing through his presidency, more of a travel log and a diary. Not a lot of a reflection on some of the key moments, domestic and foreign policy initiatives, and a lot on Monica. The former president seems to be wanting to tell his side of the story, and wanting people to understand what was really one of the darkest moments of his presidency -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Kelly Wallace on the streets of Manhattan. Thank you for that. Well, if there is one villain -- if there is one in the book, it is former independent counsel Kenneth Starr. About Starr replacing the original investigator on the case, Mr. Clinton writes, quote, "Whitewater wasn't about Whitewater anymore, it was about what Ken Starr could dig up." Of course, Starr's probe ultimately led to the impeachment hearings.

And in an interview with PBS, Starr says that he understands the way that Clinton feels.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KENNETH STARR, FMR. INDEPENDENT COUNSEL: I regret it. But again, I understand it. There are very few individuals who are caught up in the process of criminal justice, who walk out saying how much I love the prosecutor. Who praise the prosecutor for discharging his or her duties. It becomes, unfortunately, frequently, and I guess it's happened here, very personal. I regret that. I wish it weren't that way. But I understand the human emotion behind it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: The former president will take your calls in his first live primetime interview on his book. That will be on our "LARRY KING LIVE" program, Thursday, 9:00 p.m. Eastern.

New numbers for terror in 2003. A State Department report indicates that terror incidents were on the decline last year. In fact, there was a sharp increase. The corrected story coming up ahead.

And Kobe Bryant's attorneys keep fighting to use information about his accuser's sexual history during the trial. A live report from Eagle, Colorado.

And later...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MADONNA, ENTERTAINER: You don't look around. You try everything...

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: The material girl was a darling of the MTV generation. Now she's allowing her MTV Moon Man Award to go on the auction block. We'll tell you where and what else you might be able to get your hands on.

And if you have some rock 'n' roll history in your attic, tell us about it. We'll have an expert here to tell you how much it might be worth. You can send that information to livetoday@cnn.com. Stick around, later this hour we'll have your estimates.

You're watching CNN LIVE TODAY.

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KAGAN: Prosecutors and defense attorneys in the Kobe Bryant case seem to agree about a trial date. But that's about all they're agreeing on.

Our Adrian Baschuk joins us. He's in Eagle, Colorado. There's a hearing resuming there this hour.

Adrian, good morning.

ADRIAN BASCHUK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, good morning to you. You know, in talking to so many legal analysts here in Colorado, many of them are very surprised and confused by this case. Why? Well, they say that the tables are turned. Normally it's the prosecution bringing forth all the evidence, but here it's the defense filing motion after motion, after motion.

In court yesterday, the judge said that he has been inundated by so many detailed motions, that he's not gotten the time to address the major issues still swirling around this case. And that is why he has not yet set a trial date.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BASCHUK (voice-over): Next week will mark one year since Kobe Bryant was accused of sexual assault. The big question on everyone's mind now is when will his case go to trial? The judge asked both sides Monday when they will be ready, their answer, late August. The judge's reply through a spokeswoman.

KAREN SALAZ, EAGLE CO. COURT SPOKESWOMAN: He will make his best attempt to do that. But that's not a guarantee.

BASCHUK: One thing we are guaranteed of is that the potential Eagle County jury pool will get a detailed questionnaire in the mail before coming to court. Both sides are battling over what questions will be asked. The defense wants to include questions about potential jurors' views on interracial relationships and dating. A move the prosecutors oppose.

CRAIG SILVERMAN, FRM. DENVER DEPUTY D.A.: There's no doubt the race is a factor in this case. You have a black man accused of raping a white woman. That's an issue anywhere in the United States.

BASCHUK: While most of Monday's hearing was open to the public, today's hearing is closed, as both sides wrap up arguments about the alleged victim's sexual past, and whether that can be entered into trial evidence.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BASCHUK: Now, You're looking outside of the Eagle County Courthouse. A live picture of Kobe Bryant pulling up to the courthouse. He normally -- well, today he's arriving exactly on schedule. He normally arrives 15 to 20 minutes before the court hearing starts. Today's hearing is scheduled for 8:30 Mountain Time. Yesterday, actually he arrived late. He pulled up at exactly 8:29, went through the security gates, was searched and then shuttled into the courtroom.

Today's hearing carries a decidedly less sense of urgency for Kobe Bryant himself. He didn't have to fly out at 4:00 a.m. from L.A., and then fly directly back for a playoff game. Already, Hal Hadden, one-half of his defense team has checked in this morning. You can see Kobe Bryant will be stepping out with Pamela Mackey, his lead defense attorney in this case. A very high-powered defense team guiding the defense here today -- Daryn.

KAGAN: As we watch Kobe Bryant go in the courthouse there, Adrian, what about the huge job of finding a jury that will be able to sit impartially in this trial?

BASCHUK: You know, the County of Eagle here in Colorado is a small hamlet of a place; about 3,800 residents reside here. Its makeup is not racially diverse. But a lot of mountain towns here in Colorado aren't. A lot of people ask well, why didn't the defense file for a change of venue? That's a toss up question here in these parts. No clue why they didn't file a change of venue for the County of Denver, per se.

There is a jury questionnaire that both sides are working on the questions for. This on the story we talked about, the controversial question about the question of how people focus their views on inter- racial relationships and dating. That's just one of the questions that's going to be asked of these people, even before they get their summons to come here to Eagle County Courthouse -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Adrian Baschuk in Eagle, Colorado. Thank you for that. We'll have more on today's hearing later on.

A campaign to get the public's attention coming up, it's Lightning Awareness Week. You're going to meet a man who was struck four years ago, lived to tell about it, but he wants to spread the word on lightning safety.

Also, corrected numbers on terror incidents in 2003 that show a sharp increase. A live report from the White House is just ahead.

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KAGAN: The danger of -- lightning struck like a bolt out of the blue, atop this bluff in northwest Colorado. Four men were struck, 15 people nearby were injured at the makeshift golf course. Witnesses say ironically, the weather had just appeared to clear.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JEFF HIGGINS, LIGHTNING STRIKE SURVIVOR: Picked me up about six feet in the air and just threw me down. Then I landed on my head and my arm.

Somebody was saying that when they were driving up, they saw people just shooting up like popcorn. (END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Like popcorn. Two people remain hospitalized, 17 others have been released.

Well, this is the heart, believe it or not, of Lightning Safety Awareness Week. It is a public awareness campaign to recognize a force of nature that claims more lives each year, than tornadoes or hurricanes.

Our guest nearly became one of those statistics. Michael Utley was struck on a golf course just over four years ago. His long road to recovery now includes campaigning for public awareness and safety. And we are pleased to have him as our guest this morning.

Good morning.

MICHAEL UTLEY, LIGHTNING STRIKE SURVIVOR: Good morning. How are you?

KAGAN: I am doing well. Can you take us back to the Cape Cod golf course? Just four years ago, what happened to you?

UTLEY: Well, it was -- came out of the blue, so to speak. We saw the storm off in the distance. But we didn't move fast enough. I would like to thank Noah for taking the lead in lightning safety, because it's something we're making good choices is the whole difference.

KAGAN: Was that the case with you...

UTLEY: Education.

KAGAN: ... if you had made a difference choice, you don't think you would have been struck by lightning?

UTLEY: In hindsight, I obviously shouldn't have been where we were. But I don't remember the incident that day. So I can't say anything about it. But obviously I shouldn't have been there.

KAGAN: So it's almost a cliched question about to ask you what did it feel like? You don't remember any of that happening?

UTLEY: No. I did 38 days in intensive care before my memory came back, and then four and a half months in rehab. So, my memory is pretty vague on the incident.

KAGAN: And so...

UTLEY: But this is one thing where education is the key. And education is relatively cost-effective.

KAGAN: And you look at what happened to the people in Colorado, the story we had just before you. You look at that and you think, gosh, it just doesn't have to happen. Those people should have been out and they should have been made more aware. UTLEY: Well, you have to give the storm time to pass by. Most people get hit either in front of a storm or after a storm. And that's simple education. If they had waited the 30 minutes or so after the storm had passed over, we might not be hearing about it this morning.

KAGAN: Interesting point there that you make. I think we need to go back to that, that most people are hit either before or after the storm. I know when I see the storms coming or going, it's when it starts raining, that's when I come in.

UTLEY: There is a 30-second rule that people talk about. But the reality is, if you see thunder -- see lightning or hear thunder, you're in danger. Don't stand outside and count. Actually, if you see it, flee it. If you hear it, clear it.

KAGAN: Very simple rule to go by.

All these years later, four years later, do you still have effects of being struck by lightning?

UTLEY: Oh, yes. I work out with a physical trainer all the time. If I walk down a hall, I bounce off from side to side. My balance is fried. My mind --multitasking is a thing of the past.

KAGAN: And the old saying, more likely to be struck by lightning, you don't consider that a lucky thing?

UTLEY: Heh! The day I got hit, it was funny; the big lottery in Massachusetts, and everybody was talking about it. But you have a much better odds of being struck by lightning, than you do of winning the lottery. And how many people buy lottery tickets?

KAGAN: Right. Well, next time maybe you'll cash it in big on the lotto...

(LAUGHTER)

KAGAN: ... since you have already checked off lightning on your life experience. Michael Utley, thanks for coming on and sharing some of those -- sharing your experience and your tips with us. We appreciate it.

UTLEY: Thank you very much.

KAGAN: Here's fast facts for you on lightning. There are some 25 million lightning strikes in the U.S. each year. An average of 67 Americans are killed each year by lightning. A lightning bolt carries approximately 6,000 volts of electricity.

Coming up on CNN LIVE TODAY, a terror report that showed incidents were on the decline in 2003. It's being re-released today, the first report was wrong. A live report from the White House is coming up.

And in Italy, there's a new member on the force, call it Lamborghini. If you happen to be speeding in Rome, you might be chased by one of these. The story coming up on CNN LIVE TODAY.

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