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American Morning

News Making Headlines 'Over There'

Aired August 23, 2002 - 07:48   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Jeffrey Archer, he is a British lord, he is a former best-selling author, he is a convict. He is doing a four-year stretch in a British joint for perjury.
As part of a work-release-type program, though, he has also figured out a way to serve tea and make a few dollars, while he completes the remainder of his sentence, and apparently, the lads on Fleet Street are having a big, old time for themselves with this piece of information.

Let's get the details from my friend, Richard Quest, who's "Over There."

Happy Friday -- Richard.

RICHARD QUEST, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good Friday to you, Jack.

The man has been convicted, locked up, charged with...

CAFFERTY: Locked up?

QUEST: ... well, convicted of -- locked up, absolutely.

CAFFERTY: Oh, OK.

QUEST: It's a technical phrase. It basically means Jeffrey Archer is in prison for four years, because he lied in a previous libel trial.

Now, the man, who must be one of the wealthiest authors in the world, and certainly one of the most well-known, has been all over the British papers for one very simply reason. He's been allowed out of prison every day. He drives himself out of prison in his BMW car to go and work and shift scenery and make tea for the princely sum of $90 a week. This is a man...

CAFFERTY: He's probably working on a new book, don't you think?

QUEST: Well, he is. That is -- that's the point. The new book is due to come out while he's still in prison. But get this! He'll be released in time for him to sign paperback versions. So you are right, Jack. He'll be able to sign his version for you.

CAFFERTY: Maybe we get him over here and have him as a guest on AMERICAN MORNING. You know, he could promote -- authors come through promoting a book, so we'll have Jeffrey on. He's actually a pretty good writer. I've got that book "Cain and Abel" at home from years ago, and interviewed him on another program I used to do here in New York City.

QUEST: Right. We found...

CAFFERTY: Well...

QUEST: We found the person who likes Jeffrey Archer's novels, he's in New York.

(LAUGHTER)

QUEST: Now, here is...

CAFFERTY: Yes, well, we know how to read on this side of the Atlantic.

QUEST: Hey, yes, but look at this. How about this for a little tale for you? This is classic. This is 60-year-old Granny Silvia (ph). She has dumped her husband of 30 years...

CAFFERTY: No!

QUEST: ... to marry this chap. And guess what? He's the Moroccan Stevie (ph) who she met on the Web! Now, according to dear Granny Sylvia (ph), he's -- are you ready for this? He's had an amazing effect: "I used to walk with a stick. Now, I've thrown it away."

(LAUGHTER)

CAFFERTY: Well, I'm not sure what that means, but...

QUEST: It says, apparently, the Moroccan, aged 22, who was refused a visa for Britain, said he wanted "a real woman."

CAFFERTY: Yes, I understand her ex-husband sent her a thank-you note. Is that true?

QUEST: He said he's enjoying his time on his own.

CAFFERTY: That's right.

QUEST: Now, listen, finally, Britain's finance minister, Gordon Brown, a man who controls billions. Has he done something to his teeth? According to the British tabloid newspapers, he most certainly -- that's the before picture. You can't really see too closely. That's the after.

Now, apparently, the man, who is responsible for putting up our taxes and everything else, has gone to a new whitening, many people say. A lot of us, of course, in television do exactly the same thing. There is absolutely no truth in these allegations. But when you want to look your best, you have to ensure you have the right equipment. Throw the stick away, put your teeth in. BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: There is no news in London today, is there?

CAFFERTY: Yes, it's pretty quiet over there.

Richard, have a good weekend. We'll see you in a week. Thank you.

QUEST: Have a good one, Jack.

CAFFERTY: Richard Quest live in London.

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