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American Morning
New bin Laden Tape?; Iraq Hostage Crisis; '90-Second Pop'
Aired April 15, 2004 - 07:30 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.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: And good morning. Welcome back, everybody. It is exactly half past the hour on this AMERICAN MORNING.
Terrorism analysts working to figure out if the voice on a new audiotape is really that of Osama bin Laden. Something unusual in this particular tape, an offer made to Europe. We're going to talk with a counterterrorism expert from Europe to look at what might be behind this.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Also this morning, the fallout from this story out of Wisconsin. What was behind last month's disappearance of that college student, Audrey Seiler? Her lawyer is with us this morning. Did she fake the whole thing? And if so, why? We'll get to that interview in a few moments as well.
O'BRIEN: We're going to check in with Jack in a little bit, but first we've got the top story. Just in to CNN this morning, an Iranian diplomat has been shot and killed in Baghdad. He was identified as Khalil Naimi. The shooting took place near the Iranian embassy in the Iraqi capital.
U.S. troops wanting to leave Iraq are about to get some tough news. Today, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is expected to announce combat tour extensions for more than 20,000 troops who are stationed there. It breaks an earlier promise to limit duty in Iraq to one year. U.S. commanders say the extension is necessary to keep up combat capability in the wake of recent uprisings.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair will meet with U.N. Secretary- General Kofi Annan today in New York. The leaders are planning to discuss the June 30 handover of sovereignty in Iraq, and also the crisis in the Middle East. Prime Minister Blair will meet with President Bush on Friday.
Vice President Dick Cheney continues his tour of Asia this morning. After wrapping up a visit to China, the vice president arrived in South Korea. He's pressing leaders there to send more than 3,000 troops into Iraq.
(WEATHER BREAK)
HEMMER: About four months after a similar tape surfaced, another audio recording today is said to be from the al Qaeda leader, Osama bin Laden. The voice on that tape makes reference to recent events, including the Madrid, Spain, bombings there, and vowing revenge for them. The identity of the voice not independently confirmed. Terrorism analyst Sajjan Gohel, director of international security with the Asia Pacific Foundation, our guest this half-hour from London.
And thanks for your time there from England. What did you hear on this tape today?
SAJJAN GOHEL, TERRORISM ANALYST: I think what's most interesting, Bill, is that this seems to be a deliberate ploy by al Qaeda, by Osama bin Laden, to create divisions between Europe and the United States, ultimately to isolate the U.S. from its coalition partners in the rebuilding of Iraq. And it seems to be a major policy shift from al Qaeda. I don't take it seriously, however, because I think al Qaeda and its affiliates have always wanted to target Europe. I think this is more a cheap ploy to try and create some short-term results before the transfer of power in Iraq actually takes place.
HEMMER: Already today, we've heard word from the U.K., from Germany, from Italy, saying there is no truce here involved. There are no negotiations. In fact, the German officials a few moments ago, I believe they called no negotiations with any criminals like Osama bin Laden. But outside of the European capitals, does this resonate at all, this possibility of a truce with the European people?
GOHEL: I think ultimately Osama bin Laden's message is aimed to hit home at many European citizens, who in turn would put pressure on their governments to either reduce relations with the U.S. or also reduce its troop commitment in Iraq. That's the ultimate objective, is to isolate the U.S. in Iraq so that it's the only country they combat inside. It's like a domino effect. They targeted Spain in the Madrid attacks, so that Spanish troops would be removed from Iraq. They targeted Italian troops in Nasiriyah last year. And it seems to be a deliberate ploy.
I think this sort of cease-fire that they are offering is an interesting one to the extent that it will probably mean that terrorist activities in Europe will be curtailed, but I don't believe that we can take it seriously. Let's not forget Osama bin Laden is one man. Many terrorist groups operate independently throughout the world, and they don't act on his say so.
HEMMER: We talked to Peter Bergen just about 30 minutes ago. In the past, have you ever heard of a truce offer from the al Qaeda leader?
GOHEL: No, I think this is totally unheard of. Al Qaeda has never, ever tried to negotiate or offer a truce with anybody whatsoever. I think this is cheap publicity stunt on their behalf, and I think it really should not be taken seriously, because terrorists never wish to negotiate. They all wish to pursue their own agenda. And Europe has always seen as a major part of their agenda to create a caliphat (ph), an Islamic super state, and I don't believe that that has changed.
HEMMER: Sajjan Gohel from London, thanks -- Soledad. O'BRIEN: To Iraq now and what has become a deadly spate of hostage-taking. One of four Italian hostages has been executed, and hostage-takers are threatening to kill others unless Italy withdraws its troops from Iraq.
An American truck driver reportedly killed on Friday has now been identified. He was Steven Fisher of Virginia Beach, Virginia. He worked for a Halliburton subsidiary. Two U.S. soldiers and six contractors for the subsidiary went missing on Friday after an attack on a fuel convoy.
The dangerous situation in Iraq is prompting many countries now to rethink keeping their civilian personnel there.
Barbara Starr is live for us at the Pentagon this morning with more.
Barbara -- good morning.
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Soledad.
Well, as you say, no new indications that any members of the coalition are going to withdraw their military forces, but in boardrooms and capitals across the globe, a lot of concern about keeping their private citizens working as contractors in Iraq.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
STARR (voice-over): Outside Najaf, suspected insurgents are on the lookout for a vulnerable convoy. Armed with rocket-propelled grenades and rifles, they prepare to attack their target.
Security is now a top concern, not just for thousands of military personnel, but also for private contractors from around the world working in Iraq.
MARK LEFTLY, "BUILDING" MAGAZINE: In terms of British contractors, several of them have been quite badly injured. One who worked for a company called Mark McDonald had his upper left arm actually basically destroyed by an explosive device near a road that also killed the local Iraqi engineer.
STARR: Some contractors are getting out. Russia plans to evacuate more than 800 of its citizens working in Iraq after eight contractors were kidnapped and then released. France and Japan are urging their citizens to leave. China, Italy, the Philippines, Romania, Ukraine, Pakistan, Turkey, India and Nepal all expressing concern.
BRIG. GEN. MARK KIMMITT, U.S. MILITARY SPOKESMAN: I think every individual and every country has to make an individual security determination in terms of ongoing operations here in Iraq.
STARR: Truck drivers from Kellogg, Brown & Root are back home after their convoy was attacked. Now they wonder if the good-paying job was enough to risk their lives.
STEPHEN HEERING, HALLIBURTON DRIVER: Now, people are getting hurt. People are dying. You know, it's not worth it as a civilian, I feel.
STARR: Military officials say they are trying to improve the overall security situation in Iraq, and that many contractors are staying in place.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
And indeed, the coalition says they are putting more troops, more military security patrols on some of the most dangerous roads. They are trying to keep those supply routes open. But still, the situation is very dangerous -- Soledad.
O'BRIEN: Barbara Starr at the Pentagon for us this morning. Barbara, thanks -- Bill.
HEMMER: Well, the Iraq war proved to be a contentious matter for Senator John Kerry. At an exchange during a campaign appearance here in New York City, the Democratic presidential candidate defending himself yesterday after an anti-war activist accused him, the senator, of supporting an imperialist war.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: People hate George Bush. But by the end of your presidency, I think we will hate you for the same thing. You may fool some of the Americans that you are different from George Bush on this war, but you are not fooling most of the world, and you're not going to fool Iraqis.
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Well, let me say to you, sir, are you finished with your question?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Pardon me?
KERRY: Are you finished? I just want to make sure you are finished.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I can say more if you want. I'd be happy to.
KERRY: I have consistently been critical of how we got where we are. But we are where we are, sir. And it would be unwise beyond belief for the United States of America to leave a failed Iraq in its wake.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HEMMER: That was yesterday here in New York.
Senator Kerry said the Bush administration has failed to draw international support, including the U.N. that he says would lend legitimacy to the occupation. And a new Iraqi government is expected to take power this summer.
O'BRIEN: Still to come this morning on AMERICAN MORNING, a look at CIA boss George Tenet's troubling testimony before the 9/11 Commission. Are reforms the right track? We're going to talk to a man who headed both the CIA ad the FBI.
HEMMER: Also, what's next for the college student accused of faking her own abduction? We'll talk with her lawyer this morning about that.
O'BRIEN: And, would you watch Britney Spears on the road? Our "90-Second Pop" panelists tackle the possibility of a new reality show featuring Britney herself. That's ahead as AMERICAN MORNING continues.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: A Wisconsin college student is being charged with faking her own abduction. Audrey Seiler's attorney will be in court today to answer charges that his client lied to police. Seiler claimed last month that she was kidnapped at knifepoint and then held for four days. But police say she later admitted making up the story.
Seiler's attorney, Randy Hopper, joins us this morning from Madison, Wisconsin.
Nice to see you, Mr. Hopper. Thanks for being with us.
RANDY HOPPER, ATTORNEY FOR AUDREY SEILER: Thank you, Soledad.
O'BRIEN: Your client faces two misdemeanor counts. Each one carries nine months in jail and a $10,000 fine in addition to that. How do you intend that she will plead today?
HOPPER: Well, it wouldn't be appropriate to pre-try that before we get into a court of law, so we'll just have to wait and see when we enter the plea.
O'BRIEN: I don't understand. What do you mean pre-try it? Haven't you sat down with your client and discussed how she is going to plead?
HOPPER: I have, but it's not appropriate to do that outside the courtroom.
O'BRIEN: OK, I understand. Surveillance tape, from a Target store I believe, showed Audrey buying a knife, rope, duct tape and cold medication. Those are the very items that she said her abductor used on her. She was quoted by authorities as saying that she had made the whole thing up essentially, and then she recanted. Is she maintaining now that, in fact, she was abducted?
HOPPER: Well, the facts are not all in. She has -- the police have said what she said. They have stated that in their complaint when the charges were filed yesterday. Even the police are still investigating this matter. We're still investigating it. And until we really have all of the facts, we're not going to know exactly what happened. That's why we try cases like this in a court of law and not fully in the court of public opinion, so that all the facts can come in and a trier of fact can hear all of the facts and understand exactly what happened before judgment is passed.
O'BRIEN: Mr. Hopper, I'm going to interrupt you there, and I mean this with the greatest of respect. But when you say the facts aren't all in, the question is kind of a simple question. Did she fake her abduction or did she not? And I'm not being facetious. When you say the facts aren't in, it's kind of a straightforward question.
HOPPER: What I'm telling you is that that's what the police have said. The police have said that. The police have said what Audrey has said. She hasn't been heard from yet, and I'm not going to try her case here. I'm going to try her case in a court of law. That's where it's appropriate for these facts to come out.
O'BRIEN: There was a...
HOPPER: And that's a straightforward answer.
O'BRIEN: OK, that's the best one I'm going to get, I think, so I'm going to take it.
There was a manhunt, as you well know, that involved something like 150 police officers, involved dogs, involved aircraft as well, hundreds of volunteers. Costs, they say, is just under $100,000. If it turns out that this abduction was, in fact, faked, do you think that there should be a penalty for this young woman?
HOPPER: Well, that's going to be for a jury to decide. The family obviously feels a great debt of gratitude toward this community and toward the police department, Soledad, and toward the students and the volunteers that supported them through this whole ordeal. That's certainly something that's going to be considered as a part of all of this.
O'BRIEN: You have described Audrey as a model student, a lovely young woman. Any insight as to what was going on in her life around this time? Can you explain any of this?
HOPPER: Well, we have some, yes. She was obviously dealing with a number of personal problems at the time. Audrey has been very successful as a student, as an athlete. In almost every respect in her life she's contributed time toward young people in her community and in her church. She's never really dealt with or had any significant personal problems. She tells me, until all of this started to come to pass, once she got down to Madison and transferred school, and she started to...
O'BRIEN: Her mother, in fact, mentioned a relationship with a young man that sort of went sour, and that seems to be linked to all of this. How is she doing? Is she undergoing medical care? Is she getting psychiatric help?
HOPPER: Well, it's not appropriate to talk about anyone's private medical treatment, but her parents have provided her with the best doctors that they can under the circumstances. She's also in communication with her boyfriend. They did have some ups and downs, but that relationship seems to be enduring all of the ordeal that's happened in the last two weeks.
O'BRIEN: Well, it certainly sound like she's a little bit of a troubled young woman. We certainly hope the very best for her. Randy Hopper joining us this morning, Audrey Seiler's attorney. Thanks for being with us. Appreciate it -- Bill.
HEMMER: Can't knock you for trying.
O'BRIEN: He's an attorney. What can I say?
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: What's that old phrase? You can't get blood out of a stone. Nice try.
O'BRIEN: I know.
HEMMER: How are you doing, Jack?
CAFFERTY: oh, just fine.
There's a new audiotape out. I don't mean to laugh. It's serious stuff. But, I mean, sometimes live television never ceases to amaze.
This audiotape said to be from al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, the voice on the tape offers a truce to European nations that -- quote -- "stop attacking Muslims." Yesterday, the head of the CIA, George Tenet, told the 9/11 Commission it's going to take another five years for the United States to have the intelligence necessary to protect against another al Qaeda attack.
The question we're posing this day -- and we're getting, unlike some other segments of the program, we're getting a lot of answers -- is...
O'BRIEN: I thought he was very forthcoming.
CAFFERTY: Yes. Is: How important is it to get bin Laden?
Daniel in Mahopac, New York, says: "While getting bin Laden may make us feel all warm and fuzzy inside, it won't end the war on terror. It's not bin Laden planting who is planting the bombs on trains and driving truck bombs into our hotels. It's his followers. Getting bin Laden may be a blow to al Qaeda, but surely it will not end the terror attacks or the war on terror. In fact, it will probably intensify it."
April in New York writes this: "Getting bin Laden is without a doubt the most important thing we could do, and the decision to invade Iraq has without a doubt taken away from that effort. Rather than diverting resources to invading and occupying Iraq, the U.S. should have pursued bin Laden above all else after the invasion of Afghanistan. The man is responsible for the largest attack on the U.S. ever, and we've let him get away with it." And Marsha in Chestertown, Indiana: "Not important at all. We got Saddam Hussein, and nothing has improved. The capture of Osama bin Laden would not solve the problem either."
AM@CNN.com.
O'BRIEN: Interesting. All right, Jack, thank you very much.
Still to come this morning, after months of firing, it's now time for the Donald to do some hiring. And "Apprentice" finale preview is just ahead in our "90-Second Pop." Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Welcome back, everybody. Time now for "90-Second Pop."
CNN entertainment reporter Sibila Vargas with us here in New York. Good morning to you.
SIBILA VARGAS, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: Good morning.
HEMMER: B.J. Sigesmund, staff editor for "US Weekly." Hey, B.J., how are you?
B.J. SIGESMUND, STAFF EDITOR, "US WEEKLY: Good morning.
HEMMER: SIGESMUND: We haven't talked in a week. Nice to see you.
SIGESMUND: I know. I know. I miss you.
HEMMER: Also, Sarah Bernard, contributing editor for "New York" magazine. Nice to see you, Sarah. Welcome back.
SARAH BERNARD, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR, "NEW YORK" MAGAZINE: Thank you. Thank you.
HEMMER: Kwame versus Bill, "The Apprentice" finale, who gets hired?
VARGAS: Wow! You know what? That is the big question. Millions of Americans want to know is it going to be Bill, who is extremely aggressive, in-your-face, intense, or Kwame, a kind of understated guy? You know, he just likes to kind of let everybody take the lead sort of. I don't know if that's going to work for him or against him.
HEMMER: But there are rumors now that Omarosa (ph) comes back tonight and there's a possibility that she kind of costs Kwame the big prize.
VARGAS: You know...
SIGESMUND: Well, he said -- yes. I mean, there are rumors out there he said that a sister cost him the final prize.
(CROSSTALK) SIGESMUND: You know what? Bill is the one who has been there the whole time. You know, Kwame, he's been on 8 out of 10 losing teams, including both times that he was the project manager. Kwame doesn't really deserve to win as much as Bill.
HEMMER: You're saying Bill has been more successful.
BERNARD: It's going to be Bill. I think it's going to be Bill. But you know what I think is really interesting, remember way back when in the beginning of the show when all of the women were doing so well, and it was the women against the men?
HEMMER: They were selling sex, by the way.
BERNARD: They were. Whatever they had to do.
(CROSSTALK)
BERNARD: But Donald said, I am never going to hire another man. The women are so much better. And now you come to the end.
SIGESMUND: So much has happened.
BERNARD: Where are the ladies?
VARGAS: But I'll tell you one thing I like about Kwame, though. Kwame is unbelievably loyal. And if you look at the show, everyone on that show has sort of back-stabbed somebody at some point. Kwame is the only person that hasn't done that.
(CROSSTALK)
BERNARD: Omarosa (ph) is taking him down.
SIGESMUND: Yes.
BERNARD: She's taking him down.
HEMMER: The success in this story has been Donald Trump.
SIGESMUND: Well, Donald Trump...
HEMMER: And NBC has done huge numbers here.
SIGESMUND: Yes, No. 1 NBC. No. 2, Donald Trump. And No. 3, Omarosa (ph). A year from now who are you going to remember?
HEMMER: Careers are born. Let's talk about the moves, if I could, just to move it along here. "Kill Bill 2" is out this weekend. What do you think? What do you hear?
SIGESMUND: Yes, "Kill Bill" part two, well now we get to see the finale of the murderous revenge streak of Uma Thurman. It's just as violent as the first one, but it makes a little bit more sense. It wraps up some of the loose ends.
HEMMER: The violence is kind of a mockery, though, don't you think?
SIGESMUND: Well, some people...
HEMMER: Because it's so over the top.
SIGESMUND: I thought the violence was really kind cool and kitchy (ph) and interesting.
BERNARD: Yes, I couldn't even watch the first one honestly. I had to walk out of it. I felt like it was -- at this point in the world, there is so much violence (AUDIO GAP).
VARGAS: ... love the violence, but I think that Quentin Tarantino is such a master of disguise.
HEMMER: And so demented.
VARGAS: And so demented. But, you know, his use of music, his visuals...
SIGESMUND: Right.
VARGAS: I mean, it's just -- there are so many wonderful distractions.
SIGESMUND: the one thing, that's what...
BERNARD: I don't know. I'm going to see "Connie and Carla," I think.
(CROSSTALK)
SIGESMUND: It was OK, "Connie and Carla."
HEMMER: There's a bit of a love story in this one, too, they say.
SIGESMUND: Yes, this one has -- there is a...
HEMMER: Does Bill get it in the end?
SIGESMUND: Well, I don't want to ruin the end for anyone, but look at the title.
(CROSSTALK)
HEMMER: There you go.
VARGAS: Can you talk about Daryl Hannah, though?
SIGESMUND: Yes.
VARGAS: She was awesome.
HEMMER: Was she really?
VARGAS: Oh, yes, she was great.
HEMMER: All right.
VARGAS: You know, god bless her. I don't know how long she's been around, but she's absolutely gorgeous, and she makes bad look so good.
SIGESMUND: There's this huge blonde on blonde, you know, a big fight in it.
VARGAS: Oh, yes.
HEMMER: All right, we look forward to that.
Sarah, let's talk about Britney.
BERNARD: Speaking of blondes on blonde.
HEMMER: She may get a reality television with her tour in Europe.
BERNARD: That's right. Taking a page...
HEMMER: A takeoff from Jessica?
BERNARD: Exactly. Taking a page from Jessica Simpson and Madonna, her mentor of sorts. Remember "Truth or Dare," Madonna's blonde ambition concert tour?
HEMMER: Sure.
BERNARD: Which was one of the all-time best concert tour movies ever. This is kind of what she wants to do. She's going to call it Entourage.
HEMMER: What's the premise, by the way?
BERNARD: The premise is they're going to have cameras following her for six weeks of her European tour. Her current Toxic Tour is going to Europe in two weeks. So, they're pitching this show right now. Someone is going to pick it up, literally, within two weeks and see if they can turn it around.
SIGESMUND: You know, I saw this show on Showtime. It was so boring.
HEMMER: Really?
SIGESMUND: Even sitting in my apartment reading things and watching TV at the same time, I was still so bored.
(CROSSTALK)
BERNARD: Yes, it's going to be the backstage kind of stuff. I mean, the thing that will make this work is if she gives her, you know, real story. The thing that made "Truth and Dare" work was that she, Madonna, let herself, you know, be kind of humiliated. She bared her soul.
SIGESMUND: She -- yes. She really bared her soul. But she was also 10 years older than Britney when she did "Truth or Dare." She had a point of view when she made "Truth or Dare." She had an agenda. Britney doesn't seem to have anything except she wants cameras.
HEMMER: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) the deadline in London when that tour takes off. Make it quick. We've got to run.
VARGAS: I think that celebrities -- I think you're going to see a lot more celebrities doing this, because if you really think about...
BERNARD: The reality show.
VARGAS: ... reality shows, it's the best PR.
HEMMER: The other thing is, you know, Britney cannot stay out of the headlines for too long, could you?
BERNARD: Oh, she's going to be back in there.
HEMMER: It's been a week since we've heard about her. Enjoy "The Apprentice" tonight.
VARGAS: Absolutely.
HEMMER: Let us know how it goes tomorrow.
VARGAS: I will.
HEMMER: B.J., good to see you. And Sarah, as always, good to see you.
BERNARD: Thank you.
SIGESMUND: Thank you.
HEMMER: Here's Soledad now.
O'BRIEN: Still to come this morning, a voice said to be that of Osama bin Laden is vowing revenge against the U.S. Details about the latest reported audiotape just ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
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Aired April 15, 2004 - 07:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: And good morning. Welcome back, everybody. It is exactly half past the hour on this AMERICAN MORNING.
Terrorism analysts working to figure out if the voice on a new audiotape is really that of Osama bin Laden. Something unusual in this particular tape, an offer made to Europe. We're going to talk with a counterterrorism expert from Europe to look at what might be behind this.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Also this morning, the fallout from this story out of Wisconsin. What was behind last month's disappearance of that college student, Audrey Seiler? Her lawyer is with us this morning. Did she fake the whole thing? And if so, why? We'll get to that interview in a few moments as well.
O'BRIEN: We're going to check in with Jack in a little bit, but first we've got the top story. Just in to CNN this morning, an Iranian diplomat has been shot and killed in Baghdad. He was identified as Khalil Naimi. The shooting took place near the Iranian embassy in the Iraqi capital.
U.S. troops wanting to leave Iraq are about to get some tough news. Today, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is expected to announce combat tour extensions for more than 20,000 troops who are stationed there. It breaks an earlier promise to limit duty in Iraq to one year. U.S. commanders say the extension is necessary to keep up combat capability in the wake of recent uprisings.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair will meet with U.N. Secretary- General Kofi Annan today in New York. The leaders are planning to discuss the June 30 handover of sovereignty in Iraq, and also the crisis in the Middle East. Prime Minister Blair will meet with President Bush on Friday.
Vice President Dick Cheney continues his tour of Asia this morning. After wrapping up a visit to China, the vice president arrived in South Korea. He's pressing leaders there to send more than 3,000 troops into Iraq.
(WEATHER BREAK)
HEMMER: About four months after a similar tape surfaced, another audio recording today is said to be from the al Qaeda leader, Osama bin Laden. The voice on that tape makes reference to recent events, including the Madrid, Spain, bombings there, and vowing revenge for them. The identity of the voice not independently confirmed. Terrorism analyst Sajjan Gohel, director of international security with the Asia Pacific Foundation, our guest this half-hour from London.
And thanks for your time there from England. What did you hear on this tape today?
SAJJAN GOHEL, TERRORISM ANALYST: I think what's most interesting, Bill, is that this seems to be a deliberate ploy by al Qaeda, by Osama bin Laden, to create divisions between Europe and the United States, ultimately to isolate the U.S. from its coalition partners in the rebuilding of Iraq. And it seems to be a major policy shift from al Qaeda. I don't take it seriously, however, because I think al Qaeda and its affiliates have always wanted to target Europe. I think this is more a cheap ploy to try and create some short-term results before the transfer of power in Iraq actually takes place.
HEMMER: Already today, we've heard word from the U.K., from Germany, from Italy, saying there is no truce here involved. There are no negotiations. In fact, the German officials a few moments ago, I believe they called no negotiations with any criminals like Osama bin Laden. But outside of the European capitals, does this resonate at all, this possibility of a truce with the European people?
GOHEL: I think ultimately Osama bin Laden's message is aimed to hit home at many European citizens, who in turn would put pressure on their governments to either reduce relations with the U.S. or also reduce its troop commitment in Iraq. That's the ultimate objective, is to isolate the U.S. in Iraq so that it's the only country they combat inside. It's like a domino effect. They targeted Spain in the Madrid attacks, so that Spanish troops would be removed from Iraq. They targeted Italian troops in Nasiriyah last year. And it seems to be a deliberate ploy.
I think this sort of cease-fire that they are offering is an interesting one to the extent that it will probably mean that terrorist activities in Europe will be curtailed, but I don't believe that we can take it seriously. Let's not forget Osama bin Laden is one man. Many terrorist groups operate independently throughout the world, and they don't act on his say so.
HEMMER: We talked to Peter Bergen just about 30 minutes ago. In the past, have you ever heard of a truce offer from the al Qaeda leader?
GOHEL: No, I think this is totally unheard of. Al Qaeda has never, ever tried to negotiate or offer a truce with anybody whatsoever. I think this is cheap publicity stunt on their behalf, and I think it really should not be taken seriously, because terrorists never wish to negotiate. They all wish to pursue their own agenda. And Europe has always seen as a major part of their agenda to create a caliphat (ph), an Islamic super state, and I don't believe that that has changed.
HEMMER: Sajjan Gohel from London, thanks -- Soledad. O'BRIEN: To Iraq now and what has become a deadly spate of hostage-taking. One of four Italian hostages has been executed, and hostage-takers are threatening to kill others unless Italy withdraws its troops from Iraq.
An American truck driver reportedly killed on Friday has now been identified. He was Steven Fisher of Virginia Beach, Virginia. He worked for a Halliburton subsidiary. Two U.S. soldiers and six contractors for the subsidiary went missing on Friday after an attack on a fuel convoy.
The dangerous situation in Iraq is prompting many countries now to rethink keeping their civilian personnel there.
Barbara Starr is live for us at the Pentagon this morning with more.
Barbara -- good morning.
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Soledad.
Well, as you say, no new indications that any members of the coalition are going to withdraw their military forces, but in boardrooms and capitals across the globe, a lot of concern about keeping their private citizens working as contractors in Iraq.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
STARR (voice-over): Outside Najaf, suspected insurgents are on the lookout for a vulnerable convoy. Armed with rocket-propelled grenades and rifles, they prepare to attack their target.
Security is now a top concern, not just for thousands of military personnel, but also for private contractors from around the world working in Iraq.
MARK LEFTLY, "BUILDING" MAGAZINE: In terms of British contractors, several of them have been quite badly injured. One who worked for a company called Mark McDonald had his upper left arm actually basically destroyed by an explosive device near a road that also killed the local Iraqi engineer.
STARR: Some contractors are getting out. Russia plans to evacuate more than 800 of its citizens working in Iraq after eight contractors were kidnapped and then released. France and Japan are urging their citizens to leave. China, Italy, the Philippines, Romania, Ukraine, Pakistan, Turkey, India and Nepal all expressing concern.
BRIG. GEN. MARK KIMMITT, U.S. MILITARY SPOKESMAN: I think every individual and every country has to make an individual security determination in terms of ongoing operations here in Iraq.
STARR: Truck drivers from Kellogg, Brown & Root are back home after their convoy was attacked. Now they wonder if the good-paying job was enough to risk their lives.
STEPHEN HEERING, HALLIBURTON DRIVER: Now, people are getting hurt. People are dying. You know, it's not worth it as a civilian, I feel.
STARR: Military officials say they are trying to improve the overall security situation in Iraq, and that many contractors are staying in place.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
And indeed, the coalition says they are putting more troops, more military security patrols on some of the most dangerous roads. They are trying to keep those supply routes open. But still, the situation is very dangerous -- Soledad.
O'BRIEN: Barbara Starr at the Pentagon for us this morning. Barbara, thanks -- Bill.
HEMMER: Well, the Iraq war proved to be a contentious matter for Senator John Kerry. At an exchange during a campaign appearance here in New York City, the Democratic presidential candidate defending himself yesterday after an anti-war activist accused him, the senator, of supporting an imperialist war.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: People hate George Bush. But by the end of your presidency, I think we will hate you for the same thing. You may fool some of the Americans that you are different from George Bush on this war, but you are not fooling most of the world, and you're not going to fool Iraqis.
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Well, let me say to you, sir, are you finished with your question?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Pardon me?
KERRY: Are you finished? I just want to make sure you are finished.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I can say more if you want. I'd be happy to.
KERRY: I have consistently been critical of how we got where we are. But we are where we are, sir. And it would be unwise beyond belief for the United States of America to leave a failed Iraq in its wake.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HEMMER: That was yesterday here in New York.
Senator Kerry said the Bush administration has failed to draw international support, including the U.N. that he says would lend legitimacy to the occupation. And a new Iraqi government is expected to take power this summer.
O'BRIEN: Still to come this morning on AMERICAN MORNING, a look at CIA boss George Tenet's troubling testimony before the 9/11 Commission. Are reforms the right track? We're going to talk to a man who headed both the CIA ad the FBI.
HEMMER: Also, what's next for the college student accused of faking her own abduction? We'll talk with her lawyer this morning about that.
O'BRIEN: And, would you watch Britney Spears on the road? Our "90-Second Pop" panelists tackle the possibility of a new reality show featuring Britney herself. That's ahead as AMERICAN MORNING continues.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: A Wisconsin college student is being charged with faking her own abduction. Audrey Seiler's attorney will be in court today to answer charges that his client lied to police. Seiler claimed last month that she was kidnapped at knifepoint and then held for four days. But police say she later admitted making up the story.
Seiler's attorney, Randy Hopper, joins us this morning from Madison, Wisconsin.
Nice to see you, Mr. Hopper. Thanks for being with us.
RANDY HOPPER, ATTORNEY FOR AUDREY SEILER: Thank you, Soledad.
O'BRIEN: Your client faces two misdemeanor counts. Each one carries nine months in jail and a $10,000 fine in addition to that. How do you intend that she will plead today?
HOPPER: Well, it wouldn't be appropriate to pre-try that before we get into a court of law, so we'll just have to wait and see when we enter the plea.
O'BRIEN: I don't understand. What do you mean pre-try it? Haven't you sat down with your client and discussed how she is going to plead?
HOPPER: I have, but it's not appropriate to do that outside the courtroom.
O'BRIEN: OK, I understand. Surveillance tape, from a Target store I believe, showed Audrey buying a knife, rope, duct tape and cold medication. Those are the very items that she said her abductor used on her. She was quoted by authorities as saying that she had made the whole thing up essentially, and then she recanted. Is she maintaining now that, in fact, she was abducted?
HOPPER: Well, the facts are not all in. She has -- the police have said what she said. They have stated that in their complaint when the charges were filed yesterday. Even the police are still investigating this matter. We're still investigating it. And until we really have all of the facts, we're not going to know exactly what happened. That's why we try cases like this in a court of law and not fully in the court of public opinion, so that all the facts can come in and a trier of fact can hear all of the facts and understand exactly what happened before judgment is passed.
O'BRIEN: Mr. Hopper, I'm going to interrupt you there, and I mean this with the greatest of respect. But when you say the facts aren't all in, the question is kind of a simple question. Did she fake her abduction or did she not? And I'm not being facetious. When you say the facts aren't in, it's kind of a straightforward question.
HOPPER: What I'm telling you is that that's what the police have said. The police have said that. The police have said what Audrey has said. She hasn't been heard from yet, and I'm not going to try her case here. I'm going to try her case in a court of law. That's where it's appropriate for these facts to come out.
O'BRIEN: There was a...
HOPPER: And that's a straightforward answer.
O'BRIEN: OK, that's the best one I'm going to get, I think, so I'm going to take it.
There was a manhunt, as you well know, that involved something like 150 police officers, involved dogs, involved aircraft as well, hundreds of volunteers. Costs, they say, is just under $100,000. If it turns out that this abduction was, in fact, faked, do you think that there should be a penalty for this young woman?
HOPPER: Well, that's going to be for a jury to decide. The family obviously feels a great debt of gratitude toward this community and toward the police department, Soledad, and toward the students and the volunteers that supported them through this whole ordeal. That's certainly something that's going to be considered as a part of all of this.
O'BRIEN: You have described Audrey as a model student, a lovely young woman. Any insight as to what was going on in her life around this time? Can you explain any of this?
HOPPER: Well, we have some, yes. She was obviously dealing with a number of personal problems at the time. Audrey has been very successful as a student, as an athlete. In almost every respect in her life she's contributed time toward young people in her community and in her church. She's never really dealt with or had any significant personal problems. She tells me, until all of this started to come to pass, once she got down to Madison and transferred school, and she started to...
O'BRIEN: Her mother, in fact, mentioned a relationship with a young man that sort of went sour, and that seems to be linked to all of this. How is she doing? Is she undergoing medical care? Is she getting psychiatric help?
HOPPER: Well, it's not appropriate to talk about anyone's private medical treatment, but her parents have provided her with the best doctors that they can under the circumstances. She's also in communication with her boyfriend. They did have some ups and downs, but that relationship seems to be enduring all of the ordeal that's happened in the last two weeks.
O'BRIEN: Well, it certainly sound like she's a little bit of a troubled young woman. We certainly hope the very best for her. Randy Hopper joining us this morning, Audrey Seiler's attorney. Thanks for being with us. Appreciate it -- Bill.
HEMMER: Can't knock you for trying.
O'BRIEN: He's an attorney. What can I say?
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: What's that old phrase? You can't get blood out of a stone. Nice try.
O'BRIEN: I know.
HEMMER: How are you doing, Jack?
CAFFERTY: oh, just fine.
There's a new audiotape out. I don't mean to laugh. It's serious stuff. But, I mean, sometimes live television never ceases to amaze.
This audiotape said to be from al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, the voice on the tape offers a truce to European nations that -- quote -- "stop attacking Muslims." Yesterday, the head of the CIA, George Tenet, told the 9/11 Commission it's going to take another five years for the United States to have the intelligence necessary to protect against another al Qaeda attack.
The question we're posing this day -- and we're getting, unlike some other segments of the program, we're getting a lot of answers -- is...
O'BRIEN: I thought he was very forthcoming.
CAFFERTY: Yes. Is: How important is it to get bin Laden?
Daniel in Mahopac, New York, says: "While getting bin Laden may make us feel all warm and fuzzy inside, it won't end the war on terror. It's not bin Laden planting who is planting the bombs on trains and driving truck bombs into our hotels. It's his followers. Getting bin Laden may be a blow to al Qaeda, but surely it will not end the terror attacks or the war on terror. In fact, it will probably intensify it."
April in New York writes this: "Getting bin Laden is without a doubt the most important thing we could do, and the decision to invade Iraq has without a doubt taken away from that effort. Rather than diverting resources to invading and occupying Iraq, the U.S. should have pursued bin Laden above all else after the invasion of Afghanistan. The man is responsible for the largest attack on the U.S. ever, and we've let him get away with it." And Marsha in Chestertown, Indiana: "Not important at all. We got Saddam Hussein, and nothing has improved. The capture of Osama bin Laden would not solve the problem either."
AM@CNN.com.
O'BRIEN: Interesting. All right, Jack, thank you very much.
Still to come this morning, after months of firing, it's now time for the Donald to do some hiring. And "Apprentice" finale preview is just ahead in our "90-Second Pop." Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Welcome back, everybody. Time now for "90-Second Pop."
CNN entertainment reporter Sibila Vargas with us here in New York. Good morning to you.
SIBILA VARGAS, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: Good morning.
HEMMER: B.J. Sigesmund, staff editor for "US Weekly." Hey, B.J., how are you?
B.J. SIGESMUND, STAFF EDITOR, "US WEEKLY: Good morning.
HEMMER: SIGESMUND: We haven't talked in a week. Nice to see you.
SIGESMUND: I know. I know. I miss you.
HEMMER: Also, Sarah Bernard, contributing editor for "New York" magazine. Nice to see you, Sarah. Welcome back.
SARAH BERNARD, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR, "NEW YORK" MAGAZINE: Thank you. Thank you.
HEMMER: Kwame versus Bill, "The Apprentice" finale, who gets hired?
VARGAS: Wow! You know what? That is the big question. Millions of Americans want to know is it going to be Bill, who is extremely aggressive, in-your-face, intense, or Kwame, a kind of understated guy? You know, he just likes to kind of let everybody take the lead sort of. I don't know if that's going to work for him or against him.
HEMMER: But there are rumors now that Omarosa (ph) comes back tonight and there's a possibility that she kind of costs Kwame the big prize.
VARGAS: You know...
SIGESMUND: Well, he said -- yes. I mean, there are rumors out there he said that a sister cost him the final prize.
(CROSSTALK) SIGESMUND: You know what? Bill is the one who has been there the whole time. You know, Kwame, he's been on 8 out of 10 losing teams, including both times that he was the project manager. Kwame doesn't really deserve to win as much as Bill.
HEMMER: You're saying Bill has been more successful.
BERNARD: It's going to be Bill. I think it's going to be Bill. But you know what I think is really interesting, remember way back when in the beginning of the show when all of the women were doing so well, and it was the women against the men?
HEMMER: They were selling sex, by the way.
BERNARD: They were. Whatever they had to do.
(CROSSTALK)
BERNARD: But Donald said, I am never going to hire another man. The women are so much better. And now you come to the end.
SIGESMUND: So much has happened.
BERNARD: Where are the ladies?
VARGAS: But I'll tell you one thing I like about Kwame, though. Kwame is unbelievably loyal. And if you look at the show, everyone on that show has sort of back-stabbed somebody at some point. Kwame is the only person that hasn't done that.
(CROSSTALK)
BERNARD: Omarosa (ph) is taking him down.
SIGESMUND: Yes.
BERNARD: She's taking him down.
HEMMER: The success in this story has been Donald Trump.
SIGESMUND: Well, Donald Trump...
HEMMER: And NBC has done huge numbers here.
SIGESMUND: Yes, No. 1 NBC. No. 2, Donald Trump. And No. 3, Omarosa (ph). A year from now who are you going to remember?
HEMMER: Careers are born. Let's talk about the moves, if I could, just to move it along here. "Kill Bill 2" is out this weekend. What do you think? What do you hear?
SIGESMUND: Yes, "Kill Bill" part two, well now we get to see the finale of the murderous revenge streak of Uma Thurman. It's just as violent as the first one, but it makes a little bit more sense. It wraps up some of the loose ends.
HEMMER: The violence is kind of a mockery, though, don't you think?
SIGESMUND: Well, some people...
HEMMER: Because it's so over the top.
SIGESMUND: I thought the violence was really kind cool and kitchy (ph) and interesting.
BERNARD: Yes, I couldn't even watch the first one honestly. I had to walk out of it. I felt like it was -- at this point in the world, there is so much violence (AUDIO GAP).
VARGAS: ... love the violence, but I think that Quentin Tarantino is such a master of disguise.
HEMMER: And so demented.
VARGAS: And so demented. But, you know, his use of music, his visuals...
SIGESMUND: Right.
VARGAS: I mean, it's just -- there are so many wonderful distractions.
SIGESMUND: the one thing, that's what...
BERNARD: I don't know. I'm going to see "Connie and Carla," I think.
(CROSSTALK)
SIGESMUND: It was OK, "Connie and Carla."
HEMMER: There's a bit of a love story in this one, too, they say.
SIGESMUND: Yes, this one has -- there is a...
HEMMER: Does Bill get it in the end?
SIGESMUND: Well, I don't want to ruin the end for anyone, but look at the title.
(CROSSTALK)
HEMMER: There you go.
VARGAS: Can you talk about Daryl Hannah, though?
SIGESMUND: Yes.
VARGAS: She was awesome.
HEMMER: Was she really?
VARGAS: Oh, yes, she was great.
HEMMER: All right.
VARGAS: You know, god bless her. I don't know how long she's been around, but she's absolutely gorgeous, and she makes bad look so good.
SIGESMUND: There's this huge blonde on blonde, you know, a big fight in it.
VARGAS: Oh, yes.
HEMMER: All right, we look forward to that.
Sarah, let's talk about Britney.
BERNARD: Speaking of blondes on blonde.
HEMMER: She may get a reality television with her tour in Europe.
BERNARD: That's right. Taking a page...
HEMMER: A takeoff from Jessica?
BERNARD: Exactly. Taking a page from Jessica Simpson and Madonna, her mentor of sorts. Remember "Truth or Dare," Madonna's blonde ambition concert tour?
HEMMER: Sure.
BERNARD: Which was one of the all-time best concert tour movies ever. This is kind of what she wants to do. She's going to call it Entourage.
HEMMER: What's the premise, by the way?
BERNARD: The premise is they're going to have cameras following her for six weeks of her European tour. Her current Toxic Tour is going to Europe in two weeks. So, they're pitching this show right now. Someone is going to pick it up, literally, within two weeks and see if they can turn it around.
SIGESMUND: You know, I saw this show on Showtime. It was so boring.
HEMMER: Really?
SIGESMUND: Even sitting in my apartment reading things and watching TV at the same time, I was still so bored.
(CROSSTALK)
BERNARD: Yes, it's going to be the backstage kind of stuff. I mean, the thing that will make this work is if she gives her, you know, real story. The thing that made "Truth and Dare" work was that she, Madonna, let herself, you know, be kind of humiliated. She bared her soul.
SIGESMUND: She -- yes. She really bared her soul. But she was also 10 years older than Britney when she did "Truth or Dare." She had a point of view when she made "Truth or Dare." She had an agenda. Britney doesn't seem to have anything except she wants cameras.
HEMMER: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) the deadline in London when that tour takes off. Make it quick. We've got to run.
VARGAS: I think that celebrities -- I think you're going to see a lot more celebrities doing this, because if you really think about...
BERNARD: The reality show.
VARGAS: ... reality shows, it's the best PR.
HEMMER: The other thing is, you know, Britney cannot stay out of the headlines for too long, could you?
BERNARD: Oh, she's going to be back in there.
HEMMER: It's been a week since we've heard about her. Enjoy "The Apprentice" tonight.
VARGAS: Absolutely.
HEMMER: Let us know how it goes tomorrow.
VARGAS: I will.
HEMMER: B.J., good to see you. And Sarah, as always, good to see you.
BERNARD: Thank you.
SIGESMUND: Thank you.
HEMMER: Here's Soledad now.
O'BRIEN: Still to come this morning, a voice said to be that of Osama bin Laden is vowing revenge against the U.S. Details about the latest reported audiotape just ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
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