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CNN Live Today
President Bush Holds News Conference; The Scene in Lebanon; Police to Identify 'Person of Interest' in Missing Florida Girl Case
Aired March 16, 2005 - 11:03 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 with that, President Bush wraps up what looks like was about a 48-minute news conference with the White House press corps. A large, long list of items. He got to Social Security, Iraq, Iran, energy, Paul Wolfowitz being recommended to head the World Bank, steroids, just to name a few, as well as a same-sex marriage issue.
Let's go to our Suzanne Malveaux at the White House, who has been listening in with us, just one of the many correspondents we'll be checking in with around the world about the president's news conference -- Suzanne.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Daryn, there are two things that really stood out that highlight this press conference. One, of course, the centerpiece of his domestic agenda.
The president has been having a very difficult time convincing Democrats and also his own party to push forward, to buy into this idea of private accounts. President Bush very dismissive of any suggestion that he has failed in convincing the American people that that would be a successful route, saying that he didn't even come up with the plan, that certainly this alone would not work. Even made light of a possible timetable, saying as soon as we get it done, no matter whatever that means.
The president, of course, somewhat defensive in that. Because to take look at the polls, dismiss the polls as well, but all the polls that we have seen show that the American people just simply don't buy this plan. A lot of frustration from Democrats who want the president to come up with a plan of his own and Republicans, specifically, who feel they're under a lot of pressure from their own home constituency about taking on an issue that is so contentious.
And as you know, of course, Daryn, this comes at a time when Congress is going to be in recess. They're going to go back to their voters and again be faced with this very tough question.
Now, when it come to the foreign agenda, of course President Bush again focusing on Iraq. Now, the latest poll from an ABC-"Washington Post" poll shows that most people, again, do not buy into his larger vision here, that it's worth it to shed American blood for the sake of spreading democracy.
That is why President Bush, of course, talking about democracy on the march in the Middle East, and particularly the success inside of Iraq, saying it was a bright moment, the fact that you see the National Assembly in Iraq gather today. The fact that it was prime minister -- Italy's prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, who he had a conversation with this morning who assured him that, look, they're pulling out their troops, but at the same time, they're going to make sure that they first talk about the coalition, the Iraqi -- the training of Iraqi troops, that this is not a change in policy. President Bush, again, making the argument he doesn't believe that this is the coalition that is crumbling at his speech, saying that people still support the Iraq mission, that he is still successfully getting those allies together.
So, Daryn, two very important points, among many others, of course, that the president defending this morning.
KAGAN: Clearly, the president getting more comfortable with this whole news conference format than he was when first term started.
MALVEAUX: And we'll see many more.
KAGAN: Yes, I think so. During this hour, no doubt.
The other news of the day about Paul Wolfowitz, the deputy secretary of defense being recommended by the president to lead the World Bank.
MALVEAUX: This very interesting when you take a look at the reaction already. You heard the president talk about his management skills, that he has diplomatic skills, that he was in the State Department. We've also heard from the diplomatic leadership, Nancy Pelosi, coming out, saying that they have called for Wolfowitz to basically leave the Pentagon, to get rid of him.
And they believe that perhaps Bush -- the president is actually trying to do that, that he has gotten rid of perhaps one of what they say is one of the most contentious figures inside of the Pentagon. Also, perhaps, the architect of what one journalist called really the most unpopular war, she said, in history.
The president, again, defensive about that, saying that he believes it's a match, it's a fit. But you'll have to see just how the World Bank and some of those other countries inside the World Bank are going to react to this nomination.
KAGAN: Suzanne Malveaux, thanks for spending the morning with us at the White House.
It seems like many conversations with the president lead to Iraq. There is news coming out of that country today. Our Aneesh Raman standing by live from Baghdad -- Aneesh.
ANEESH RAMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, good morning.
The president calling this a bright moment today, another seminal day for Iraq as the National Assembly convened for the first time. The president also addressing some frustration on the ground here over the negotiations. This transitional government was to take form today. It has not because no deal has been finalized between the main political factions, the Kurds and the Shia-backed United Iraqi Alliance.
The president, though, saying that it is interesting to watch this process, really reaffirming his joy in that election that came at the end of January, an election that brought an incredible amount of euphoria to the Iraqi people. But confidence has been waning, his frustration has been brewing over these negotiation.
So today, Daryn, a more ceremonial event. The 275 members taking the oath of office, but no key position named. And we're hearing it could be a matter of days before this government takes shape.
KAGAN: Aneesh Raman, live from Baghdad. Thank you.
Now, if you were listening into the president's news conference, two important points to check in with the Pentagon about. Let's bring in our Barbara Starr, our Pentagon correspondent.
Barbara, let's get to Paul Wolfowitz and where he might be going in just a moment. First, though, let's talk about the conversation the president said he had with the president of Italy and Italy's plan to start withdrawing some 3,000 troops that are currently serving in Iraq.
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, the president talked about the fact, Daryn, that he had spoken with the Italian prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, earlier today and that their discussion had centered around Mr. Berlusconi assuring the president that Italy did not have a change of policy, that it would only be withdrawing its troops as the Iraqi security forces are more able to take over. But clearly, there are a number of countries in that coalition who are looking at their long-term commitment to Iraq.
These are relatively small countries. It's very difficult for them to maintain their troop presence. It's very expensive. The war is not popular in some of these countries such as Italy, also Ukraine, which has talked about withdrawing its 1,600 troops.
So what is going on here is a number of things in all of these countries. Iraq is becoming expensive and difficult for them to maintain. It's called donor fatigue in military circles.
In addition, in a number of these countries, the domestic political issues. Some of these leaders facing elections. They know that the war is unpopular. And also, as Iraqi security forces are able to take over there may be less of a need for them.
So all of this now still emerging -- Daryn.
KAGAN: And let's talk about the other news of the morning, Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz, it looks like, could be heading to head up the World Bank. What does that mean at the Pentagon and how is that news being received?
STARR: Well, it was somewhat of a surprise here. Not clear that very many people knew about it.
If Mr. Wolfowitz is, in fact, confirmed, as the head of the World Bank, they may be putting the "Help Wanted" sign out on the front lawn any minute now. There are a number of key, vital jobs here in the Pentagon now open. Mr. Wolfowitz's job as number two, the deputy. The undersecretary of policy, essentially number three, Doug Feith, has announced he's leaving this summer.
There is currently no confirmed head of legislative affairs to deal with Mr. Rumsfeld's difficult relations with Congress. No head of public affairs to deal with the news media. And the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Richard Myers, is scheduled at this point to retire in September.
So a lot of jobs open here. One can only assume resumes are being accepted -- Daryn.
KAGAN: A call going in to the "Help Wanted" in "The Washington Post" or "Washington Times" perhaps.
STARR: Indeed.
KAGAN: Barbara Starr at the Pentagon. Thank you for that.
We continue to go down our check list of items the president talked about. And we move on to Syria now. The president calling not only for the withdraw of Syrian troops from Beirut, from Lebanon, but also the withdrawal of the intelligence services.
Let's bring in our Anderson Cooper, who is standing by in Beirut like right now to talk about that.
Anderson, the president going beyond the step of talking about just troops. He's talking about the intelligence services of Lebanon being infiltrated by Syrian forces.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And that is -- that is a key point. Good morning, Daryn. It's good to see you.
That is a key point. The demonstrators, the anti-Syrian demonstrators who are camped out here and have been since the assassination of Prime Minister Hariri -- former Prime Minister Hariri last month have been listening very closely. And that is the message that they wanted to hear. Because it is not just Syria's military forces which have occupied Lebanon since the late 1970s, it is, as President Bush said, their intelligence services who have infiltrated all aspects of the Lebanese government here. So any withdrawal of Syria, any real withdrawal of Syria, will require not just the soldiers who have occupied the country, but also these intelligence services.
Yesterday, we saw some movement, some intelligence offices closing their doors, boxes being loaded up and intelligence officers driving off. Again, though, as President Bush said, the infiltration is very deep. It goes far beyond just a few offices. We'll have to see how far that withdrawal is going to go. President Bush sounding, though, very optimistic. He said, "I think we will convince Syria to withdraw fully or they will be isolated."
The other big issue here, of course, is Hezbollah. It continues to be on the U.S. terrorist watch list. President Bush reiterated today Hezbollah will remain on the terrorist watch list, but he avoided saying whether or not the U.S. would press for Hezbollah to be disarmed.
U.N. Resolution 1559, which the U.S. supports and Europe supports, which calls for the removal of Syria, the withdrawal of Syria from Lebanon, also calls for the disarming of all militias in Lebanon. Hezbollah being one of those militias.
Hezbollah has said they will not be disarming. And it may seem that there may be some wiggle room. The U.S. may push the withdrawal of Syria under 1559, but avoid pushing for the full disarmament of Hezbollah at this time, maybe hoping that they'll just deal with that at a later date after free elections have taken place in Lebanon.
So some words, very optimistic word from President Bush, saying he believes Syria will be compelled to withdraw. And that is certainly something many of the hundreds of thousands of Lebanese who have demonstrated against Syria in this last month will be very glad to hear, indeed -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Anderson Cooper reporting live all week from Lebanon. Anderson, we're going to see you in about eight hours on your own show. What will we be hearing about then?
COOPER: We're going to be focusing on the assassination of former Prime Minister Hariri. In particular, whether the investigation is really being conducted in a serious manner.
The U.N. has been trying to help that investigation along. But the Lebanese government is in charge of the investigation.
And I've got to tell you, there are an awful lot of people here who are looking at this and saying the Lebanese government is not working hard enough or fast enough. We're going to tell you the case of one -- in fact, this gives you an idea of just maybe how disorganized the investigation has been.
There was a body in the crime screen, in the rubble, for 17 days, beneath about an inch of rubble. The police didn't even find it until the family members of this person burst through the police lines and searched for the body themselves.
People -- there was a huge scandal here in Lebanon. People are saying, if they couldn't even find the body of one person one victim from that blast, it means they're not investigating seriously. We're going to look into the case -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Anderson Cooper, live from Beirut, Lebanon. We will see you again in about eight hours. Thank you for that. So we're going to wrap up our coverage of the news conference that President Bush holding in the last hour and get to more of that in a moment.
First, though, we have breaking news out of Florida in the search for the missing girl Jessica Lunsford. We have us on the phone Sara Dorsey to tell us about an update -- Sara.
SARA DORSEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Daryn, we're just finding out that the Citrus County sheriff is planning on releasing the name of that person of interest tonight at 5:30. Now, we don't know a lot of details about this person.
The sheriff is saying this person has a criminal record. They believe he is out of the state, but will not tell us in which state that they believe he is in. And they tell us that they believe he somehow may have some information.
Now, they are not saying that they believe once they talk to this person this will lead to an arrest, but that this person may have some information. His name has come up throughout this investigation. The sheriff does believe that this man knows law enforcement is looking for him, however.
Now, one thing that's interesting is, yesterday, the sheriff set a 48-hour deadline, saying, "If our investigators do not find this man, we'll release his name and picture." Now, that deadline would not be up until tomorrow. However, again, they've just decided that they're going to put that out today.
Also, another thing interesting in this case. Ruth Lunsford, the grandmother of the 9-year-old missing girl, Jessica Marie Lunsford, took a polygraph test and the sheriff's office released those results, saying there were two red flags that came up on that.
They would not elaborate on those red flags or what questions they came up on. But they did say the FBI did interview her further, with nothing else alarming coming up. And they did say that stress could be to blame for red flags.
But no one in the family has been ruled out. And they will continue to look for any information to bring Jessica home -- Daryn.
KAGAN: All right. Sara Dorsey on the home from Homosassa, Florida. Thank you.
Once again, we're expecting more development in the case, in the search for the missing girl, Jessica Lunsford. That news conference is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Eastern. You're going to see that live right here on CNN.
We have packed a lot into the last hour. We're going to regroup, take a break, and we're back after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) KAGAN: We turn to business news now. There is an oil slick on Wall Street as oil prices affect the market. Let's check in with Susan Lisovicz on that.
(STOCK MARKET REPORT)
KAGAN: A big day for Scott Peterson. The jury has already decided he should get the death penalty. The judge in the case gets the final say today. We'll go live to Redwood City, California, for the latest on that.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: A lot of stories taking place all at once. Just a few minutes ago, Michael Jackson arriving at the courthouse in Santa Maria, California. We have the pictures to show you.
Jackson arriving at court under his customary umbrella, his father by his side. News of the day, the lead investigator if the Michael Jackson child molestation case back on the stand today. More on that just ahead.
First, though, we move north of Santa Maria to Redwood City for the latest on the Peterson case. Scott Peterson killed his wife and unborn son. Today, a judge reveals whether Scott Peterson will die for his crimes. Sentencing begins in about an hour in the California courtroom.
Our correspondent Ted Rowlands is in Redwood City with the latest on that.
Ted, good morning.
TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn.
Before we get to the sentencing portion of today's hearing, Judge Alfred Delucchi will entertain a last-ditch effort from Mark Geragos, Peterson's attorney, for a new trial. After that -- it is expected that Delucchi will deny that request. After that, Delucchi will have two choices, either sentence Scott Peterson to life without parole or sentence him to death.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ROWLANDS (voice-over): The jury has recommended death. Now it's up to Judge Alfred Delucchi to decide what should be done with Scott Peterson.
MICHAEL CARDOZA, LEGAL ANALYST: His simple decision is, did the jurors follow the law, were there enough facts? And clearly, in this case, there were. So he really has no choice but to impose the death penalty.
ROWLANDS: Peterson's defense team is asking the judge for a new trial. In a motion made public this week, Peterson's lawyer, Mark Geragos, argues that evidence was withheld by prosecutors, legal errors were made and juror misconduct took place. Geragos also claims there's newly-discovered evidence that Laci Peterson interrupted a burglary the day she disappeared.
Geragos called this juror, number 8, John Genaso (ph), a cancer, saying because of him a fellow juror Justin Falconer was kicked off the panel. Genaso (ph) admits that he wrote a letter to the judge that helped get rid of Falconer. He also admits that if Falconer had remained on the jury, things may have ended differently for Scott Peterson.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I would say that if Justin Falconer stayed on the trial it would have been a hung jury. There's no doubt about it in my mind.
ROWLANDS: If sentenced to death, Peterson will be taken to California's death row at San Quentin State Prison, located along the shoreline of the San Francisco Bay where prosecutors say Peterson dumped his pregnant wife Laci.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROWLANDS: It is expected to be an emotional day. Part of the sentencing hearing will entail victim impact statements. Meaning that Laci Peterson's mother, Sharon Rocha, and other family members will get up and say whatever they want to Scott Peterson.
Peterson also has the right to make a statement to the court. However, sources close to the defense are telling us that he most likely will not do that -- Daryn.
KAGAN: And Ted, even if indeed he does get the death penalty, the death penalty in California is something very different than in other states.
ROWLANDS: Well, there's an automatic appeal right away. And the appeal process is California is exhaustive.
The average time on death row is in excess of 18 years. So it's safe to say that if he's sentenced to death, he won't be executed for some time to come. And the prevailing theory is that eventually in this state, the death penalty may be overturned.
And that's the strategy from a lot of the folks on death row. There are more than 640 inmates on death row in the state of California.
KAGAN: Ted Rowlands, live from Redwood City. More on that ahead during the day.
Also, women in Iraq. A new democratic assembly sworn in today, but what role will women play?
That's coming up when CNN LIVE TODAY returns.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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Aired March 16, 2005 - 11:03 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: And with that, President Bush wraps up what looks like was about a 48-minute news conference with the White House press corps. A large, long list of items. He got to Social Security, Iraq, Iran, energy, Paul Wolfowitz being recommended to head the World Bank, steroids, just to name a few, as well as a same-sex marriage issue.
Let's go to our Suzanne Malveaux at the White House, who has been listening in with us, just one of the many correspondents we'll be checking in with around the world about the president's news conference -- Suzanne.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Daryn, there are two things that really stood out that highlight this press conference. One, of course, the centerpiece of his domestic agenda.
The president has been having a very difficult time convincing Democrats and also his own party to push forward, to buy into this idea of private accounts. President Bush very dismissive of any suggestion that he has failed in convincing the American people that that would be a successful route, saying that he didn't even come up with the plan, that certainly this alone would not work. Even made light of a possible timetable, saying as soon as we get it done, no matter whatever that means.
The president, of course, somewhat defensive in that. Because to take look at the polls, dismiss the polls as well, but all the polls that we have seen show that the American people just simply don't buy this plan. A lot of frustration from Democrats who want the president to come up with a plan of his own and Republicans, specifically, who feel they're under a lot of pressure from their own home constituency about taking on an issue that is so contentious.
And as you know, of course, Daryn, this comes at a time when Congress is going to be in recess. They're going to go back to their voters and again be faced with this very tough question.
Now, when it come to the foreign agenda, of course President Bush again focusing on Iraq. Now, the latest poll from an ABC-"Washington Post" poll shows that most people, again, do not buy into his larger vision here, that it's worth it to shed American blood for the sake of spreading democracy.
That is why President Bush, of course, talking about democracy on the march in the Middle East, and particularly the success inside of Iraq, saying it was a bright moment, the fact that you see the National Assembly in Iraq gather today. The fact that it was prime minister -- Italy's prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, who he had a conversation with this morning who assured him that, look, they're pulling out their troops, but at the same time, they're going to make sure that they first talk about the coalition, the Iraqi -- the training of Iraqi troops, that this is not a change in policy. President Bush, again, making the argument he doesn't believe that this is the coalition that is crumbling at his speech, saying that people still support the Iraq mission, that he is still successfully getting those allies together.
So, Daryn, two very important points, among many others, of course, that the president defending this morning.
KAGAN: Clearly, the president getting more comfortable with this whole news conference format than he was when first term started.
MALVEAUX: And we'll see many more.
KAGAN: Yes, I think so. During this hour, no doubt.
The other news of the day about Paul Wolfowitz, the deputy secretary of defense being recommended by the president to lead the World Bank.
MALVEAUX: This very interesting when you take a look at the reaction already. You heard the president talk about his management skills, that he has diplomatic skills, that he was in the State Department. We've also heard from the diplomatic leadership, Nancy Pelosi, coming out, saying that they have called for Wolfowitz to basically leave the Pentagon, to get rid of him.
And they believe that perhaps Bush -- the president is actually trying to do that, that he has gotten rid of perhaps one of what they say is one of the most contentious figures inside of the Pentagon. Also, perhaps, the architect of what one journalist called really the most unpopular war, she said, in history.
The president, again, defensive about that, saying that he believes it's a match, it's a fit. But you'll have to see just how the World Bank and some of those other countries inside the World Bank are going to react to this nomination.
KAGAN: Suzanne Malveaux, thanks for spending the morning with us at the White House.
It seems like many conversations with the president lead to Iraq. There is news coming out of that country today. Our Aneesh Raman standing by live from Baghdad -- Aneesh.
ANEESH RAMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, good morning.
The president calling this a bright moment today, another seminal day for Iraq as the National Assembly convened for the first time. The president also addressing some frustration on the ground here over the negotiations. This transitional government was to take form today. It has not because no deal has been finalized between the main political factions, the Kurds and the Shia-backed United Iraqi Alliance.
The president, though, saying that it is interesting to watch this process, really reaffirming his joy in that election that came at the end of January, an election that brought an incredible amount of euphoria to the Iraqi people. But confidence has been waning, his frustration has been brewing over these negotiation.
So today, Daryn, a more ceremonial event. The 275 members taking the oath of office, but no key position named. And we're hearing it could be a matter of days before this government takes shape.
KAGAN: Aneesh Raman, live from Baghdad. Thank you.
Now, if you were listening into the president's news conference, two important points to check in with the Pentagon about. Let's bring in our Barbara Starr, our Pentagon correspondent.
Barbara, let's get to Paul Wolfowitz and where he might be going in just a moment. First, though, let's talk about the conversation the president said he had with the president of Italy and Italy's plan to start withdrawing some 3,000 troops that are currently serving in Iraq.
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, the president talked about the fact, Daryn, that he had spoken with the Italian prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, earlier today and that their discussion had centered around Mr. Berlusconi assuring the president that Italy did not have a change of policy, that it would only be withdrawing its troops as the Iraqi security forces are more able to take over. But clearly, there are a number of countries in that coalition who are looking at their long-term commitment to Iraq.
These are relatively small countries. It's very difficult for them to maintain their troop presence. It's very expensive. The war is not popular in some of these countries such as Italy, also Ukraine, which has talked about withdrawing its 1,600 troops.
So what is going on here is a number of things in all of these countries. Iraq is becoming expensive and difficult for them to maintain. It's called donor fatigue in military circles.
In addition, in a number of these countries, the domestic political issues. Some of these leaders facing elections. They know that the war is unpopular. And also, as Iraqi security forces are able to take over there may be less of a need for them.
So all of this now still emerging -- Daryn.
KAGAN: And let's talk about the other news of the morning, Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz, it looks like, could be heading to head up the World Bank. What does that mean at the Pentagon and how is that news being received?
STARR: Well, it was somewhat of a surprise here. Not clear that very many people knew about it.
If Mr. Wolfowitz is, in fact, confirmed, as the head of the World Bank, they may be putting the "Help Wanted" sign out on the front lawn any minute now. There are a number of key, vital jobs here in the Pentagon now open. Mr. Wolfowitz's job as number two, the deputy. The undersecretary of policy, essentially number three, Doug Feith, has announced he's leaving this summer.
There is currently no confirmed head of legislative affairs to deal with Mr. Rumsfeld's difficult relations with Congress. No head of public affairs to deal with the news media. And the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Richard Myers, is scheduled at this point to retire in September.
So a lot of jobs open here. One can only assume resumes are being accepted -- Daryn.
KAGAN: A call going in to the "Help Wanted" in "The Washington Post" or "Washington Times" perhaps.
STARR: Indeed.
KAGAN: Barbara Starr at the Pentagon. Thank you for that.
We continue to go down our check list of items the president talked about. And we move on to Syria now. The president calling not only for the withdraw of Syrian troops from Beirut, from Lebanon, but also the withdrawal of the intelligence services.
Let's bring in our Anderson Cooper, who is standing by in Beirut like right now to talk about that.
Anderson, the president going beyond the step of talking about just troops. He's talking about the intelligence services of Lebanon being infiltrated by Syrian forces.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And that is -- that is a key point. Good morning, Daryn. It's good to see you.
That is a key point. The demonstrators, the anti-Syrian demonstrators who are camped out here and have been since the assassination of Prime Minister Hariri -- former Prime Minister Hariri last month have been listening very closely. And that is the message that they wanted to hear. Because it is not just Syria's military forces which have occupied Lebanon since the late 1970s, it is, as President Bush said, their intelligence services who have infiltrated all aspects of the Lebanese government here. So any withdrawal of Syria, any real withdrawal of Syria, will require not just the soldiers who have occupied the country, but also these intelligence services.
Yesterday, we saw some movement, some intelligence offices closing their doors, boxes being loaded up and intelligence officers driving off. Again, though, as President Bush said, the infiltration is very deep. It goes far beyond just a few offices. We'll have to see how far that withdrawal is going to go. President Bush sounding, though, very optimistic. He said, "I think we will convince Syria to withdraw fully or they will be isolated."
The other big issue here, of course, is Hezbollah. It continues to be on the U.S. terrorist watch list. President Bush reiterated today Hezbollah will remain on the terrorist watch list, but he avoided saying whether or not the U.S. would press for Hezbollah to be disarmed.
U.N. Resolution 1559, which the U.S. supports and Europe supports, which calls for the removal of Syria, the withdrawal of Syria from Lebanon, also calls for the disarming of all militias in Lebanon. Hezbollah being one of those militias.
Hezbollah has said they will not be disarming. And it may seem that there may be some wiggle room. The U.S. may push the withdrawal of Syria under 1559, but avoid pushing for the full disarmament of Hezbollah at this time, maybe hoping that they'll just deal with that at a later date after free elections have taken place in Lebanon.
So some words, very optimistic word from President Bush, saying he believes Syria will be compelled to withdraw. And that is certainly something many of the hundreds of thousands of Lebanese who have demonstrated against Syria in this last month will be very glad to hear, indeed -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Anderson Cooper reporting live all week from Lebanon. Anderson, we're going to see you in about eight hours on your own show. What will we be hearing about then?
COOPER: We're going to be focusing on the assassination of former Prime Minister Hariri. In particular, whether the investigation is really being conducted in a serious manner.
The U.N. has been trying to help that investigation along. But the Lebanese government is in charge of the investigation.
And I've got to tell you, there are an awful lot of people here who are looking at this and saying the Lebanese government is not working hard enough or fast enough. We're going to tell you the case of one -- in fact, this gives you an idea of just maybe how disorganized the investigation has been.
There was a body in the crime screen, in the rubble, for 17 days, beneath about an inch of rubble. The police didn't even find it until the family members of this person burst through the police lines and searched for the body themselves.
People -- there was a huge scandal here in Lebanon. People are saying, if they couldn't even find the body of one person one victim from that blast, it means they're not investigating seriously. We're going to look into the case -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Anderson Cooper, live from Beirut, Lebanon. We will see you again in about eight hours. Thank you for that. So we're going to wrap up our coverage of the news conference that President Bush holding in the last hour and get to more of that in a moment.
First, though, we have breaking news out of Florida in the search for the missing girl Jessica Lunsford. We have us on the phone Sara Dorsey to tell us about an update -- Sara.
SARA DORSEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Daryn, we're just finding out that the Citrus County sheriff is planning on releasing the name of that person of interest tonight at 5:30. Now, we don't know a lot of details about this person.
The sheriff is saying this person has a criminal record. They believe he is out of the state, but will not tell us in which state that they believe he is in. And they tell us that they believe he somehow may have some information.
Now, they are not saying that they believe once they talk to this person this will lead to an arrest, but that this person may have some information. His name has come up throughout this investigation. The sheriff does believe that this man knows law enforcement is looking for him, however.
Now, one thing that's interesting is, yesterday, the sheriff set a 48-hour deadline, saying, "If our investigators do not find this man, we'll release his name and picture." Now, that deadline would not be up until tomorrow. However, again, they've just decided that they're going to put that out today.
Also, another thing interesting in this case. Ruth Lunsford, the grandmother of the 9-year-old missing girl, Jessica Marie Lunsford, took a polygraph test and the sheriff's office released those results, saying there were two red flags that came up on that.
They would not elaborate on those red flags or what questions they came up on. But they did say the FBI did interview her further, with nothing else alarming coming up. And they did say that stress could be to blame for red flags.
But no one in the family has been ruled out. And they will continue to look for any information to bring Jessica home -- Daryn.
KAGAN: All right. Sara Dorsey on the home from Homosassa, Florida. Thank you.
Once again, we're expecting more development in the case, in the search for the missing girl, Jessica Lunsford. That news conference is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Eastern. You're going to see that live right here on CNN.
We have packed a lot into the last hour. We're going to regroup, take a break, and we're back after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) KAGAN: We turn to business news now. There is an oil slick on Wall Street as oil prices affect the market. Let's check in with Susan Lisovicz on that.
(STOCK MARKET REPORT)
KAGAN: A big day for Scott Peterson. The jury has already decided he should get the death penalty. The judge in the case gets the final say today. We'll go live to Redwood City, California, for the latest on that.
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KAGAN: A lot of stories taking place all at once. Just a few minutes ago, Michael Jackson arriving at the courthouse in Santa Maria, California. We have the pictures to show you.
Jackson arriving at court under his customary umbrella, his father by his side. News of the day, the lead investigator if the Michael Jackson child molestation case back on the stand today. More on that just ahead.
First, though, we move north of Santa Maria to Redwood City for the latest on the Peterson case. Scott Peterson killed his wife and unborn son. Today, a judge reveals whether Scott Peterson will die for his crimes. Sentencing begins in about an hour in the California courtroom.
Our correspondent Ted Rowlands is in Redwood City with the latest on that.
Ted, good morning.
TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn.
Before we get to the sentencing portion of today's hearing, Judge Alfred Delucchi will entertain a last-ditch effort from Mark Geragos, Peterson's attorney, for a new trial. After that -- it is expected that Delucchi will deny that request. After that, Delucchi will have two choices, either sentence Scott Peterson to life without parole or sentence him to death.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ROWLANDS (voice-over): The jury has recommended death. Now it's up to Judge Alfred Delucchi to decide what should be done with Scott Peterson.
MICHAEL CARDOZA, LEGAL ANALYST: His simple decision is, did the jurors follow the law, were there enough facts? And clearly, in this case, there were. So he really has no choice but to impose the death penalty.
ROWLANDS: Peterson's defense team is asking the judge for a new trial. In a motion made public this week, Peterson's lawyer, Mark Geragos, argues that evidence was withheld by prosecutors, legal errors were made and juror misconduct took place. Geragos also claims there's newly-discovered evidence that Laci Peterson interrupted a burglary the day she disappeared.
Geragos called this juror, number 8, John Genaso (ph), a cancer, saying because of him a fellow juror Justin Falconer was kicked off the panel. Genaso (ph) admits that he wrote a letter to the judge that helped get rid of Falconer. He also admits that if Falconer had remained on the jury, things may have ended differently for Scott Peterson.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I would say that if Justin Falconer stayed on the trial it would have been a hung jury. There's no doubt about it in my mind.
ROWLANDS: If sentenced to death, Peterson will be taken to California's death row at San Quentin State Prison, located along the shoreline of the San Francisco Bay where prosecutors say Peterson dumped his pregnant wife Laci.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROWLANDS: It is expected to be an emotional day. Part of the sentencing hearing will entail victim impact statements. Meaning that Laci Peterson's mother, Sharon Rocha, and other family members will get up and say whatever they want to Scott Peterson.
Peterson also has the right to make a statement to the court. However, sources close to the defense are telling us that he most likely will not do that -- Daryn.
KAGAN: And Ted, even if indeed he does get the death penalty, the death penalty in California is something very different than in other states.
ROWLANDS: Well, there's an automatic appeal right away. And the appeal process is California is exhaustive.
The average time on death row is in excess of 18 years. So it's safe to say that if he's sentenced to death, he won't be executed for some time to come. And the prevailing theory is that eventually in this state, the death penalty may be overturned.
And that's the strategy from a lot of the folks on death row. There are more than 640 inmates on death row in the state of California.
KAGAN: Ted Rowlands, live from Redwood City. More on that ahead during the day.
Also, women in Iraq. A new democratic assembly sworn in today, but what role will women play?
That's coming up when CNN LIVE TODAY returns.
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