Return to Transcripts main page

American Morning

A Powerful Double Whammy in Florida; On the Attack in Najaf

Aired August 12, 2004 - 08:00   ET

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

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


HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: A powerful double whammy in Florida. First comes tropical storm Bonnie, then it's hurricane Charley.
On the attack in Najaf, U.S. forces launch a major offensive to crush the al-Sadr militia. But where is the man leading the insurgents?

And a pair of fast moving wildfires scorched hundreds of acres out west. Now the race is on to save dozens of homes from the flames, on this AMERICAN MORNING.

ANNOUNCER: From the CNN broadcast center in New York, this is AMERICAN MORNING with Soledad O'Brien and Bill Hemmer.

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, everyone.

Eight o'clock here in New York.

Bill Hemmer along with Heidi Collins.

Soledad at home resting. We'll keep you posted on her news when it happens.

Two big stories we're watching today. The first overseas in Iraq. A live picture now near Najaf, where U.S. troops are in the midst of a major assault in that town. It is a delicate operation considering that city's major holy sites. A considerable amount of smoke now, too, coming up through the major part of that area, the major part of that city.

We'll get you live there in a moment.

Also in this country, Indiana Senator Richard Lugar, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, our guest in a few moments to talk about what's happening there.

COLLINS: Also, people getting ready in Florida for tropical storm Bonnie, along with hurricane Charley, who is not far behind. We're going to go there live to see how residents are preparing for that.

HEMMER: Also, the tale of the tape right now in the Scott Peterson trial. Some of the phone calls between Peterson and Amber Frey played for jurors yesterday. They reveal even more lies from Peterson. Live to Rusty Dornin in Redwood City to find out what all this means for his guilt or innocence. And we'll get you out there in a moment. Jack is on vacation and Toure is here back with more in a moment.

COLLINS: He is here. Yes, sounds good.

All right, folks in Florida, though, getting ready for a double whammy from Mother Nature. Two big storms threaten to slam the Sunshine State.

We want to get the very latest forecast, though, from Rob Marciano, who's standing by in Atlanta watching all of this.

All right -- Rob, the one-two punch. We heard it a lot this morning.

ROB MARCIANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You're right about that.

Bonnie is going to be the first one, Heidi. Now the sustained winds at 55 miles an hour. So it has increased in strength just a little bit as of from three hours ago. Bonnie, Charley. Charley will come in second.

Bonnie, the first order of business, will make landfall over the next several hours. Figure about three hours from now, between Pensacola and Apalachicola. Tropical storm warnings are up. Heavy rains and a mild storm surge expected.

Bigger business to deal with, probably during the day tomorrow. Key West up to almost Fort Myers, hurricane warnings are up now. That means that hurricane conditions expected in the next 24 hours in these areas. And some of the local governments likely are issuing some evacuations.

You go north into Tampa, a hurricane watch out, probably because it'll be a little bit longer than 24 hours from now before Tampa sees the hurricane conditions start to formulate.

Eight-five mile an hour winds right now for hurricane Charley. We expect that to gather strength as it heads inland.

A tremendous amount of rain not only across the Florida Panhandle, but into southern Georgia. And this is just from Bonnie. And we'll look at it from Charley. So flood watches are up as we got through the next, well, not only 24, but 48, really, Heidi, right through the weekend, from the south Georgia coastline all the way up to the mid-Atlantic, all the way into New York, we have flash flood watches up for the next, really, couple of days.

A tremendous amount of rain expected. The first order of business is Bonnie.

Chad Myers is live on the coast. We hope to hear from him later on this hour. And then we'll send him down toward Clearwater Beach in Tampa tomorrow -- Heidi, back to you.

COLLINS: All right, Rob, thanks so much for that.

Right now, though, we are going to go to Clearwater.

Ed Lavandera is standing by where people are definitely scrambling to prepare.

It looks pretty calm right now, though, right Ed?

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It's actually a beautiful morning. You see behind us here the morning commute to work as hundreds of people make their way down here. The waterfront area here in Clearwater and they start making their way to work.

Quite frankly, however, the most people we've talked to this morning accepting the news of hurricane Charley with a giant yawn. You know, a lot of people we've talked to said quite frankly, they said they'll believe that it hits this area when they see it.

This area has not been hit by a hurricane since 1921. And in talking to emergency management officials here throughout the morning, as they've prepared going into their meetings here this morning, they understand that they're dealing with a great amount of apathy among many of the residents who live along this part of the Florida coast. And quite honestly, they are a little bit worried about that because many of the evacuation routes in this area go over water. One of the things that we're worried about is how quickly people can move out if they need to. At this point, 80,000 to 100,000 people live in this Clearwater area and getting them out of here will be very difficult.

There have been mandatory evacuations of visitors in the Key West area, in the county down there in the Florida Keys. There's only one route out of there that takes you back up into the Florida mainland. And we understand there was a traffic accident on the road there earlier this morning, which definitely slowed things up. And I'm told that has been cleared up. But you can understand some of the apprehension that many of the emergency management officials have knowing that when these evacuation routes, that people have to scramble to get out. At any point here in the next couple of days it could become very messy for many people.

We'll probably move a little bit further south from here. We're on the northern edge of where the hurricane watch is and, of course, throughout the day today, many people will be paying closer attention to this, as well -- Heidi.

COLLINS: No doubt about that.

All right, Ed Lavandera live from Clearwater this morning.

I also want to let you know we will be hearing from Catherine McNaught. She is the Bay County spokeswoman, coming to us from Panama City Beach. We're going to get the very latest about what people are doing about any evacuations and so forth. We'll get back to in just a moment.

HEMMER: All right, Heidi, overseas now, at this hour, thousands of American troops, along with Iraqi forces, attacking insurgents in the town of Najaf. Heavy fighting reported in that city. Helicopters and tanks bearing down on militants loyal to the radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. U.S. troops have encircled the Imam Ali shrine. That's a holy site for Shia Muslims where the militants now are massed.

Elsewhere in Iraq, a lot more to talk about, too. Iraqi security forces battling insurgents in al-Kut after they attacked the city hall, police stations and national guard barracks there. Iraqi officials say about 75 Medhi Army members have been killed there over the past two days of fighting.

Also, two U.S. Marines are dead, three others are injured, in a helicopter crash in the Al Anbar Province. That's west of Baghdad. The cause of that crash right now is being investigated.

On the political front, Ahmad Chalabi of the Iraqi National Congress has returned to Iraq from Iran to face an arrest warrant. It charges him with counterfeiting. He showed up in Baghdad just yesterday.

Also, Senator Richard Lugar is chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, our guest now to talk about Iraq live in D.C.

And, senator, welcome back and good morning to you.

SEN. RICHARD LUGAR (R-IA), FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE: Thank you very much.

HEMMER: If Muqtada al-Sadr and his forces are defeated, can he still claim victory for the people in Iraq?

LUGAR: Well, I'm certain he will not be around in the event that he is killed in the process. But his followers will claim martyrdom for him whether he wins or loses. I think, as you have reported correctly, there is an important division in responsibility going on in which the Americans apparently have taken control of the streets of Najaf and Iraqi National Guard are at least trying to determine the extent to which they might penetrate the area of the shrines. And that will be a very important decision.

The basic decision, however, by Prime Minister Allawi, is that the Sadr rebellion cannot be allowed to stand. And therefore the invitation to Americans to join Iraqis, about 2,000 Americans, 1,800 Iraqis in that area.

HEMMER: Yes, on the screen here, Muqtada al-Sadr is quoted as saying, similar to what your comment was, "Keep fighting. If any of you see me a prisoner or a martyr, god willing, you will be victorious."

If defeated, how does this strategy contribute to the overall peace in Iraq?

LUGAR: Well, it doesn't contribute at all and very clearly the illness of the Ayatollah Sistani, a more senior Shiite cleric who has gone abroad for treatment, is not helpful. Other mature Shiite leaders, who certainly do not approve of al-Sadr, are keeping quiet. It is another chapter. And I visited on Monday with Secretary Powell, who pointed out that this is really a critical moment in which Allawi, the prime minister, and al-Yawer, the president of Iraq, the elected Iraq leadership for the moment have decided that these sorts of rebellions are going to ruin any hope for reconstitution of the economy and for any equanimity in the country and they must be met. And that's a very crucial decision.

HEMMER: Senator, as we're talking here, I want to show our viewers another live picture from Najaf. The smoke was quite heavy a short time ago. It continues to be that way at this hour.

Talk about the relationship with Iyad Allawi, who came out very strong on Sunday with his visit to Najaf.

How does this test him as a leader for the future of Iraq?

LUGAR: Well, Allawi, the prime minister, has proven to be a very strong leader. And as you just pointed out, he went right to the scene. He has been on the scene in these crises, at great personal risk, given the insurgents, quite apart from the Shiite rebellion at this particular point.

Fighting is also going on in Sadr City, and that involves Americans working, again, with the Iraqi National Guard and the police, and, as you reported. In al-Kut, this is a focal point, certainly, in Najaf, because it's a holy city, the Shiite situation, the shrine, but not the only one. And Allawi, in a comprehensive way, is everywhere trying to galvanize his own forces, who are ill-trained, in some cases, sort of in the process of becoming able to defend their country. And it's crucial, of course, on our part, that we help them in every way to do so.

HEMMER: If I could, senator, turn our focus quickly to one other topic, Porter Goss and his potential nomination.

LUGAR: Yes.

HEMMER: Well, the nomination and the potential hearings that may take place the first part of September. The front page of the "New York Times" says more than a dozen Democrats will not oppose that nomination.

Does this mean now Porter Goss will be the future head of the CIA?

LUGAR: I believe that Porter Goss is an excellent nominee. I believe he will be confirmed. I think, as Senator Roberts, the chairman of the Intelligence Committee, has pointed out, hearings on Porter Goss will occur apparently in the first week that the Senate returns. They could be extensive. The questions could be considerable, not only about the qualifications of Porter Goss, but the 9/11 Commission, the success -- the suggestions for intelligence reform.

But at the end of the day, we need to have a director. The president needs to have that person in place as a close advisor during this time that the whole nation is looking at al Qaeda and whatever plans they might have for us.

HEMMER: Richard Lugar.

Senator, thank you for your time this morning.

LUGAR: Thank you.

HEMMER: All right -- Heidi.

COLLINS: Just about 10 minutes past the hour now.

Time for a look at some of the other news with Daryn Kagan -- good morning to you once again, Daryn.

DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Heidi, good morning.

Let's begin with a U.S. born man designated as an enemy combatant. He might be released from federal custody. Yasser Esam Hamdi has been in military detention for more than three years. His attorneys are now negotiating with government lawyers to allow Hamdi to return to Saudi Arabia. Lawyers asked the judge yesterday to stave proceedings for three weeks so they can reach an agreement.

No early trial date for former Enron Chairman Kenneth Lay. A judge yesterday rejected Lay's request to begin on September 14. The judge also decided to postpone a ruling on whether Lay should be tried separately from other officers indicted in Enron's collapse. Lay faces 11 criminal charges, including securities fraud.

The California -- actually, hundreds of people have been evacuated in northern California. A wildfire there has grown to about 1,000 acres overnight. More than 40 buildings near the eastern edge of Lake Shasta have been destroyed. Officials blame sparks from a lawnmower for the blaze. There are reports of minor injuries.

This one is also from California. It's the California Supreme Court, expected to rule today on whether San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom violated state law by allowing gay couples to get married earlier this year. Legal experts are expecting the ruling to go against the mayor. It remains unclear how such a ruling will affect the legal status of the more than 4,000 same-sex marriages that have already been sanctioned so far this year.

And this item from South Korea. It's shifting the seat of its capital from Seoul to a rural area farther away from its North Korean neighbor. The new capital would be 100 miles south of Seoul. It will significantly be farther away from a tense border, where millions of troops remain poised in an uneasy truce between the two Koreas. It's a $39 billion plan unveiled yesterday. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2007.

This is hugely controversial in South Korea, Heidi. Seoul has only been the capital since the 14th century. And you know how people all around the world hate change.

COLLINS: Yes. KAGAN: Yes.

COLLINS: A lot of people dislike change, that's for sure.

KAGAN: Yes.

COLLINS: All right, Daryn, thanks so much for that.

Star witness Amber Frey will be back on the witness stand today in Scott Peterson's double murder trial. Yesterday, secretly recorded tapes did most of the talking.

Rusty Dornin live in Redwood City now with more on this.

Some pretty amazing stuff on those tapes -- Rusty.

RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Heidi, yes. We've heard dozens of phone calls out of some 300 recorded by police. And sometimes it's like we're listening to, frankly, rather inane conversations between two love struck teenagers. Spectators and even jurors at times have chuckled over the exchanges.

But prosecutors are definitely trying to prove a point here, that for Scott Peterson, Amber Frey was more than just a passing fancy.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

DORNIN (voice-over): Jurors heard more lies on audiotape as the court played several phone conversations between Scott Peterson and Amber Frey in the days following his wife Laci's disappearance, taped by police after Frey learned the truth about Peterson.

In several phone calls, he pretends to be in Europe. Frey plays along with his deceit and says she was even coached by investigators to push Peterson on certain subjects.

On new year's, Peterson claims to be in Paris. He told Frey they had a long future together. "You know, in my mind, we could have a wonderful life together. I could care for you in any way and every way for the rest of our lives."

Frey's attorney says those words of love will be tough for the Scott Peterson team to tear down on cross-examination.

GLORIA ALLRED, AMBER FREY'S ATTORNEY: For the defense, who may choose to try to minimize the relationship and suggest that he was not hoping or planning for a future with her, I think that Scott's words on the tapes speak for themselves.

DORNIN: During one of the calls, he asked Frey if she had been watching the news and had she heard about a bombing in Paris. When she hadn't, he assured he was fine.

During the calls, some lasting more than an hour, both the jury and Scott Peterson could be seen intently following the written transcripts as the tapes are played in court. (END VIDEO TAPE)

DORNIN: In one of the last tapes that was played yesterday afternoon, they talked about their favorite movies for a long time. He said his was "The Shining," which, of course, is starring Jack Nicholson, talking about a half crazed man who unsuccessfully tried to murder his wife.

At the very end of court, the prosecutors did ask Amber Frey about the fact that she was put under protective custody after January 6. So we are expecting her today to talk about the fact that that did happen and that she began to confront Scott Peterson with her knowledge that Laci Peterson was, indeed, missing -- Heidi.

COLLINS: We've heard an awful lot about how Scott has behaved in court, how Amber has handled herself.

What about Laci Peterson's parents, when all of these audiotapes are coming out, Rusty?

DORNIN: It's difficult to see them because, you know, they sit in the front row. But at times I've -- Sharon Rocha has looked rather emotional when a couple of these tapes were played. The Peterson family very stoic in court, as always. You don't see any, very little emotion ever registered there.

But for the Rochas, this has been difficult.

COLLINS: I'm sure it has.

All right, Rusty Dornin live from Redwood City this morning.

Thanks so much, Rusty.

HEMMER: We're going to get a break here.

In a moment, Florida getting ready for a weather wallop. The latest on Bonnie and Charley in a moment.

COLLINS: And Democratic nominee John Kerry is putting in the miles, campaigning from coast to coast. We'll check in with John King, traveling with the senator.

Stay with us on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: Back to Panama City now, where residents are hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst of Bonnie.

Catherine McNaught, a spokeswoman for the Bay County Commission, is joining us now to give us the very latest from what she sees.

Catherine, good morning to you.

I know that public schools are closed in Bay County. How are you preparing residents for what could be coming along with Bonnie?

CATHERINE MCNAUGHT, SPOKESWOMAN, BAY COUNTY COMMISSION: Yes, ma'am. We are basically telling residents to stay put where they are if they feel safe in their homes. We're asking people who do not feel safe in their homes to go to one of two shelters. We have a special medical needs shelter and we also have a regular population shelter. And so if they're in a home where they do not feel safe, we're really asking them to go there.

COLLINS: OK, so no official evacuation order, just if you don't feel safe, go ahead and go to one of these shelters?

MCNAUGHT: Exactly. And we're also asking people to stay off the road. We've had three days of fairly heavy and consistent rains and we're already seeing some roadway flooding. So we're asking people to stay off the roads.

COLLINS: Would you say that is your biggest concern right now, this possible flooding?

MCNAUGHT: Yes. The possible flooding, we're really not bracing for a lot of wind or wind damage. It's mainly the roadway flooding.

COLLINS: All right, obviously people there are pretty familiar with the inclement weather. I believe the last big storm to hit Panama City was actually Hurricane Opal.

What's the best advice, though, you can give to people who decide, for whatever reason, to stay in their homes, right where they are?

MCNAUGHT: We really ask them to stay put. If they've got large limbs over certain portions of their house, during the height of the storm they want to stay away from those areas of the house. You want to have your hurricane preparedness kit, your gallon of water per day per person; any medications you may need; canned food; a manual can opener; cash; a full tank of gas; and anything else, you know, you may need for a day -- between one and three days where you may not have electricity or access to stores.

COLLINS: We're looking at some video now on the screen, too, of people -- or we were just a moment ago. People are sort of boarding up their stores or maybe even their homes.

Because they hear so much about inclement weather there, how do you really get people to listen and say hey, this is a little bit different, you've got to take it seriously?

MCNAUGHT: Well, mainly, you know, we work very closely with the local media and the national media, in this case, to really get the word out to people about whether they need to get out or whether they need to just stay in their homes and be prepared that way. That's called sheltering in place. And people here who have lived here, they know the difference. And they know the drill. And after Opal, they know whether to get out or whether to stay put.

But the main thing is to keep sightseers away from flooded roads.

COLLINS: Sure.

MCNAUGHT: You're going to see some people down on the beach but...

COLLINS: All right, we do also know that Governor Jeb Bush has readied the Florida National Guard.

Quickly, how will they best be used?

MCNAUGHT: Well, mainly here, if it come -- we need the National Guard here, I imagine it will be for roadway flooding and, you know, roadway repair. We don't -- we're not expecting to see a lot of major catastrophic damage.

COLLINS: Well, we certainly hope not.

Catherine McNaught in Bay County, a spokeswoman.

We appreciate your time so much and best of luck to you.

MCNAUGHT: Thank you, Heidi.

HEMMER: In a moment here, a best selling author calls the 9/11 Commission arrogant. Why he thinks the panel over stepped its bounds and why he thinks an intelligence czar is a bad idea.

Back in a moment after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: Toure is here now and the Question of the Day once again.

TOURE, "ROLLING STONE" MAGAZINE: In New York, we live with the strictures of terrorism. We know what's going on. It's a constant thing for us. But if you're in Missouri, Florida, Canada, far away from the big cities on the East Coast, do you really deep down fear that an attack is going to happen in your world? Is it just a big city thing or is it an entire national American thing?

Do you believe terrorism will directly affect you if you're not in New York City or in Washington?

Good answers from the people.

Katie in San Jose. You know, you've got to be honest with this one. You know, it's easy to say terrorism affects everybody. But if you live in San Jose, do you really think a bomb is going to go off in your hometown at some point?

Katie from San Jose says: "I worry every day. My brother is an iron worker on the Golden Gate Bridge and there's nothing I fear more than for that bridge to come tumbling down."

That's really honest.

An anonymous one from Philadelphia: "Apparently I'm the only one who thinks what a statement it would be to hit Independence Hall or the Liberty Bell. I'm terrified every day I go into the city to work. I don't know how long I can keep this up. It's exhausting me."

HEMMER: Wow!

TOURE: Sylvia from Illinois: "I live in a far northwest suburb of Chicago. I fear something on a daily basis. I wouldn't say I'm obsessed, but any time I enter a hospital, shopping mall or other public establishment, the thought of safety crosses my mind."

And from Del Rapids, South Dakota, Ray says: "How many people from South Dakota do we have to send to the Middle East to fight before it becomes personal?"

That's a very...

HEMMER: Did anyone say that they have no concerns or?

TOURE: Yes. Oh, there are -- I mean everybody's thinking about terrorism, but there are definitely people saying I know it's not going to happen in my home town. There's definitely people saying that.

COLLINS: Well, yes, and I think it also depends on -- we were talking in the break -- what you mean by direct effect.

TOURE: Yes.

COLLINS: I mean you have someone who's going over to Iraq and you feel like direct effect.

TOURE: That's a direct effect. Yes.

COLLINS: Yes. So, interesting choice.

HEMMER: Thank you, Toure.

COLLINS: Thank you, Toure.

HEMMER: Let's get a break here.

In a moment, Florida getting ready for Bonnie and Charley. We're live on the scene there.

Also, the long and winding road to the White House. Inside John Kerry's 13-day coast to coast trip. That campaign rolls on. We will, too, in a moment, after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: Get the latest news every morning in your e-mail. Just sign up for AMERICAN MORNING quick news at cnn.com/am.

Still to come this morning, the latest on a possible link for youngsters between anti-depressants and suicide.

Keep it here on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HEMMER: Alrighty, almost 8:30 here in New York.

Heidi Collins along with me here.

Good morning to you.

COLLINS: Good morning to you.

HEMMER: Jack continues his vacation. Soledad is out resting. But we are watching that weather, huh, down in Florida?

COLLINS: Yes, we are.

HEMMER: What did they say, the first time in 100 years that you have two hurricanes possibly hitting at the same time?

COLLINS: Yes.

HEMMER: Whatever the case now, tropical storm Bonnie and hurricane Charley are bearing down there.

In a moment, live to Panama City Beach, where Chad Myers has duty for us this morning. And we'll check in live in a moment.

COLLINS: Yes, he's getting a little wet down there, too.

Also this morning, the link between anti-depressants and suicidal behavior in kids. For the first time, there are some independent reviews now of FDA studies and the news is disturbing.

We'll get to that.

HEMMER: Also in a moment here, Ron Kessler, best selling author, has written a new book. He has what he calls an extraordinary accessibility to the president for this new book. Also, some strong words, too, from the author about the 9/11 Commission and what they have proposed.

So we'll get to those topics in a moment also.

COLLINS: For now, though, let's get on the very latest with Bonnie and Charley as the two big storms take aim at Florida.

Chad Myers is on the scene now in Panama City Beach. Rob Marciano watching the storms at CNN Center in Atlanta.

But first, we want to get to Chad -- Chad, good morning.

How are things looking?

MYERS: You know, Heidi, about an hour ago the winds were blowing 25. And just lately they've gone down to nothing. All the sand has settled back down.

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


Aired August 12, 2004 - 08:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: A powerful double whammy in Florida. First comes tropical storm Bonnie, then it's hurricane Charley.
On the attack in Najaf, U.S. forces launch a major offensive to crush the al-Sadr militia. But where is the man leading the insurgents?

And a pair of fast moving wildfires scorched hundreds of acres out west. Now the race is on to save dozens of homes from the flames, on this AMERICAN MORNING.

ANNOUNCER: From the CNN broadcast center in New York, this is AMERICAN MORNING with Soledad O'Brien and Bill Hemmer.

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, everyone.

Eight o'clock here in New York.

Bill Hemmer along with Heidi Collins.

Soledad at home resting. We'll keep you posted on her news when it happens.

Two big stories we're watching today. The first overseas in Iraq. A live picture now near Najaf, where U.S. troops are in the midst of a major assault in that town. It is a delicate operation considering that city's major holy sites. A considerable amount of smoke now, too, coming up through the major part of that area, the major part of that city.

We'll get you live there in a moment.

Also in this country, Indiana Senator Richard Lugar, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, our guest in a few moments to talk about what's happening there.

COLLINS: Also, people getting ready in Florida for tropical storm Bonnie, along with hurricane Charley, who is not far behind. We're going to go there live to see how residents are preparing for that.

HEMMER: Also, the tale of the tape right now in the Scott Peterson trial. Some of the phone calls between Peterson and Amber Frey played for jurors yesterday. They reveal even more lies from Peterson. Live to Rusty Dornin in Redwood City to find out what all this means for his guilt or innocence. And we'll get you out there in a moment. Jack is on vacation and Toure is here back with more in a moment.

COLLINS: He is here. Yes, sounds good.

All right, folks in Florida, though, getting ready for a double whammy from Mother Nature. Two big storms threaten to slam the Sunshine State.

We want to get the very latest forecast, though, from Rob Marciano, who's standing by in Atlanta watching all of this.

All right -- Rob, the one-two punch. We heard it a lot this morning.

ROB MARCIANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You're right about that.

Bonnie is going to be the first one, Heidi. Now the sustained winds at 55 miles an hour. So it has increased in strength just a little bit as of from three hours ago. Bonnie, Charley. Charley will come in second.

Bonnie, the first order of business, will make landfall over the next several hours. Figure about three hours from now, between Pensacola and Apalachicola. Tropical storm warnings are up. Heavy rains and a mild storm surge expected.

Bigger business to deal with, probably during the day tomorrow. Key West up to almost Fort Myers, hurricane warnings are up now. That means that hurricane conditions expected in the next 24 hours in these areas. And some of the local governments likely are issuing some evacuations.

You go north into Tampa, a hurricane watch out, probably because it'll be a little bit longer than 24 hours from now before Tampa sees the hurricane conditions start to formulate.

Eight-five mile an hour winds right now for hurricane Charley. We expect that to gather strength as it heads inland.

A tremendous amount of rain not only across the Florida Panhandle, but into southern Georgia. And this is just from Bonnie. And we'll look at it from Charley. So flood watches are up as we got through the next, well, not only 24, but 48, really, Heidi, right through the weekend, from the south Georgia coastline all the way up to the mid-Atlantic, all the way into New York, we have flash flood watches up for the next, really, couple of days.

A tremendous amount of rain expected. The first order of business is Bonnie.

Chad Myers is live on the coast. We hope to hear from him later on this hour. And then we'll send him down toward Clearwater Beach in Tampa tomorrow -- Heidi, back to you.

COLLINS: All right, Rob, thanks so much for that.

Right now, though, we are going to go to Clearwater.

Ed Lavandera is standing by where people are definitely scrambling to prepare.

It looks pretty calm right now, though, right Ed?

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It's actually a beautiful morning. You see behind us here the morning commute to work as hundreds of people make their way down here. The waterfront area here in Clearwater and they start making their way to work.

Quite frankly, however, the most people we've talked to this morning accepting the news of hurricane Charley with a giant yawn. You know, a lot of people we've talked to said quite frankly, they said they'll believe that it hits this area when they see it.

This area has not been hit by a hurricane since 1921. And in talking to emergency management officials here throughout the morning, as they've prepared going into their meetings here this morning, they understand that they're dealing with a great amount of apathy among many of the residents who live along this part of the Florida coast. And quite honestly, they are a little bit worried about that because many of the evacuation routes in this area go over water. One of the things that we're worried about is how quickly people can move out if they need to. At this point, 80,000 to 100,000 people live in this Clearwater area and getting them out of here will be very difficult.

There have been mandatory evacuations of visitors in the Key West area, in the county down there in the Florida Keys. There's only one route out of there that takes you back up into the Florida mainland. And we understand there was a traffic accident on the road there earlier this morning, which definitely slowed things up. And I'm told that has been cleared up. But you can understand some of the apprehension that many of the emergency management officials have knowing that when these evacuation routes, that people have to scramble to get out. At any point here in the next couple of days it could become very messy for many people.

We'll probably move a little bit further south from here. We're on the northern edge of where the hurricane watch is and, of course, throughout the day today, many people will be paying closer attention to this, as well -- Heidi.

COLLINS: No doubt about that.

All right, Ed Lavandera live from Clearwater this morning.

I also want to let you know we will be hearing from Catherine McNaught. She is the Bay County spokeswoman, coming to us from Panama City Beach. We're going to get the very latest about what people are doing about any evacuations and so forth. We'll get back to in just a moment.

HEMMER: All right, Heidi, overseas now, at this hour, thousands of American troops, along with Iraqi forces, attacking insurgents in the town of Najaf. Heavy fighting reported in that city. Helicopters and tanks bearing down on militants loyal to the radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. U.S. troops have encircled the Imam Ali shrine. That's a holy site for Shia Muslims where the militants now are massed.

Elsewhere in Iraq, a lot more to talk about, too. Iraqi security forces battling insurgents in al-Kut after they attacked the city hall, police stations and national guard barracks there. Iraqi officials say about 75 Medhi Army members have been killed there over the past two days of fighting.

Also, two U.S. Marines are dead, three others are injured, in a helicopter crash in the Al Anbar Province. That's west of Baghdad. The cause of that crash right now is being investigated.

On the political front, Ahmad Chalabi of the Iraqi National Congress has returned to Iraq from Iran to face an arrest warrant. It charges him with counterfeiting. He showed up in Baghdad just yesterday.

Also, Senator Richard Lugar is chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, our guest now to talk about Iraq live in D.C.

And, senator, welcome back and good morning to you.

SEN. RICHARD LUGAR (R-IA), FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE: Thank you very much.

HEMMER: If Muqtada al-Sadr and his forces are defeated, can he still claim victory for the people in Iraq?

LUGAR: Well, I'm certain he will not be around in the event that he is killed in the process. But his followers will claim martyrdom for him whether he wins or loses. I think, as you have reported correctly, there is an important division in responsibility going on in which the Americans apparently have taken control of the streets of Najaf and Iraqi National Guard are at least trying to determine the extent to which they might penetrate the area of the shrines. And that will be a very important decision.

The basic decision, however, by Prime Minister Allawi, is that the Sadr rebellion cannot be allowed to stand. And therefore the invitation to Americans to join Iraqis, about 2,000 Americans, 1,800 Iraqis in that area.

HEMMER: Yes, on the screen here, Muqtada al-Sadr is quoted as saying, similar to what your comment was, "Keep fighting. If any of you see me a prisoner or a martyr, god willing, you will be victorious."

If defeated, how does this strategy contribute to the overall peace in Iraq?

LUGAR: Well, it doesn't contribute at all and very clearly the illness of the Ayatollah Sistani, a more senior Shiite cleric who has gone abroad for treatment, is not helpful. Other mature Shiite leaders, who certainly do not approve of al-Sadr, are keeping quiet. It is another chapter. And I visited on Monday with Secretary Powell, who pointed out that this is really a critical moment in which Allawi, the prime minister, and al-Yawer, the president of Iraq, the elected Iraq leadership for the moment have decided that these sorts of rebellions are going to ruin any hope for reconstitution of the economy and for any equanimity in the country and they must be met. And that's a very crucial decision.

HEMMER: Senator, as we're talking here, I want to show our viewers another live picture from Najaf. The smoke was quite heavy a short time ago. It continues to be that way at this hour.

Talk about the relationship with Iyad Allawi, who came out very strong on Sunday with his visit to Najaf.

How does this test him as a leader for the future of Iraq?

LUGAR: Well, Allawi, the prime minister, has proven to be a very strong leader. And as you just pointed out, he went right to the scene. He has been on the scene in these crises, at great personal risk, given the insurgents, quite apart from the Shiite rebellion at this particular point.

Fighting is also going on in Sadr City, and that involves Americans working, again, with the Iraqi National Guard and the police, and, as you reported. In al-Kut, this is a focal point, certainly, in Najaf, because it's a holy city, the Shiite situation, the shrine, but not the only one. And Allawi, in a comprehensive way, is everywhere trying to galvanize his own forces, who are ill-trained, in some cases, sort of in the process of becoming able to defend their country. And it's crucial, of course, on our part, that we help them in every way to do so.

HEMMER: If I could, senator, turn our focus quickly to one other topic, Porter Goss and his potential nomination.

LUGAR: Yes.

HEMMER: Well, the nomination and the potential hearings that may take place the first part of September. The front page of the "New York Times" says more than a dozen Democrats will not oppose that nomination.

Does this mean now Porter Goss will be the future head of the CIA?

LUGAR: I believe that Porter Goss is an excellent nominee. I believe he will be confirmed. I think, as Senator Roberts, the chairman of the Intelligence Committee, has pointed out, hearings on Porter Goss will occur apparently in the first week that the Senate returns. They could be extensive. The questions could be considerable, not only about the qualifications of Porter Goss, but the 9/11 Commission, the success -- the suggestions for intelligence reform.

But at the end of the day, we need to have a director. The president needs to have that person in place as a close advisor during this time that the whole nation is looking at al Qaeda and whatever plans they might have for us.

HEMMER: Richard Lugar.

Senator, thank you for your time this morning.

LUGAR: Thank you.

HEMMER: All right -- Heidi.

COLLINS: Just about 10 minutes past the hour now.

Time for a look at some of the other news with Daryn Kagan -- good morning to you once again, Daryn.

DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Heidi, good morning.

Let's begin with a U.S. born man designated as an enemy combatant. He might be released from federal custody. Yasser Esam Hamdi has been in military detention for more than three years. His attorneys are now negotiating with government lawyers to allow Hamdi to return to Saudi Arabia. Lawyers asked the judge yesterday to stave proceedings for three weeks so they can reach an agreement.

No early trial date for former Enron Chairman Kenneth Lay. A judge yesterday rejected Lay's request to begin on September 14. The judge also decided to postpone a ruling on whether Lay should be tried separately from other officers indicted in Enron's collapse. Lay faces 11 criminal charges, including securities fraud.

The California -- actually, hundreds of people have been evacuated in northern California. A wildfire there has grown to about 1,000 acres overnight. More than 40 buildings near the eastern edge of Lake Shasta have been destroyed. Officials blame sparks from a lawnmower for the blaze. There are reports of minor injuries.

This one is also from California. It's the California Supreme Court, expected to rule today on whether San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom violated state law by allowing gay couples to get married earlier this year. Legal experts are expecting the ruling to go against the mayor. It remains unclear how such a ruling will affect the legal status of the more than 4,000 same-sex marriages that have already been sanctioned so far this year.

And this item from South Korea. It's shifting the seat of its capital from Seoul to a rural area farther away from its North Korean neighbor. The new capital would be 100 miles south of Seoul. It will significantly be farther away from a tense border, where millions of troops remain poised in an uneasy truce between the two Koreas. It's a $39 billion plan unveiled yesterday. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2007.

This is hugely controversial in South Korea, Heidi. Seoul has only been the capital since the 14th century. And you know how people all around the world hate change.

COLLINS: Yes. KAGAN: Yes.

COLLINS: A lot of people dislike change, that's for sure.

KAGAN: Yes.

COLLINS: All right, Daryn, thanks so much for that.

Star witness Amber Frey will be back on the witness stand today in Scott Peterson's double murder trial. Yesterday, secretly recorded tapes did most of the talking.

Rusty Dornin live in Redwood City now with more on this.

Some pretty amazing stuff on those tapes -- Rusty.

RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Heidi, yes. We've heard dozens of phone calls out of some 300 recorded by police. And sometimes it's like we're listening to, frankly, rather inane conversations between two love struck teenagers. Spectators and even jurors at times have chuckled over the exchanges.

But prosecutors are definitely trying to prove a point here, that for Scott Peterson, Amber Frey was more than just a passing fancy.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

DORNIN (voice-over): Jurors heard more lies on audiotape as the court played several phone conversations between Scott Peterson and Amber Frey in the days following his wife Laci's disappearance, taped by police after Frey learned the truth about Peterson.

In several phone calls, he pretends to be in Europe. Frey plays along with his deceit and says she was even coached by investigators to push Peterson on certain subjects.

On new year's, Peterson claims to be in Paris. He told Frey they had a long future together. "You know, in my mind, we could have a wonderful life together. I could care for you in any way and every way for the rest of our lives."

Frey's attorney says those words of love will be tough for the Scott Peterson team to tear down on cross-examination.

GLORIA ALLRED, AMBER FREY'S ATTORNEY: For the defense, who may choose to try to minimize the relationship and suggest that he was not hoping or planning for a future with her, I think that Scott's words on the tapes speak for themselves.

DORNIN: During one of the calls, he asked Frey if she had been watching the news and had she heard about a bombing in Paris. When she hadn't, he assured he was fine.

During the calls, some lasting more than an hour, both the jury and Scott Peterson could be seen intently following the written transcripts as the tapes are played in court. (END VIDEO TAPE)

DORNIN: In one of the last tapes that was played yesterday afternoon, they talked about their favorite movies for a long time. He said his was "The Shining," which, of course, is starring Jack Nicholson, talking about a half crazed man who unsuccessfully tried to murder his wife.

At the very end of court, the prosecutors did ask Amber Frey about the fact that she was put under protective custody after January 6. So we are expecting her today to talk about the fact that that did happen and that she began to confront Scott Peterson with her knowledge that Laci Peterson was, indeed, missing -- Heidi.

COLLINS: We've heard an awful lot about how Scott has behaved in court, how Amber has handled herself.

What about Laci Peterson's parents, when all of these audiotapes are coming out, Rusty?

DORNIN: It's difficult to see them because, you know, they sit in the front row. But at times I've -- Sharon Rocha has looked rather emotional when a couple of these tapes were played. The Peterson family very stoic in court, as always. You don't see any, very little emotion ever registered there.

But for the Rochas, this has been difficult.

COLLINS: I'm sure it has.

All right, Rusty Dornin live from Redwood City this morning.

Thanks so much, Rusty.

HEMMER: We're going to get a break here.

In a moment, Florida getting ready for a weather wallop. The latest on Bonnie and Charley in a moment.

COLLINS: And Democratic nominee John Kerry is putting in the miles, campaigning from coast to coast. We'll check in with John King, traveling with the senator.

Stay with us on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: Back to Panama City now, where residents are hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst of Bonnie.

Catherine McNaught, a spokeswoman for the Bay County Commission, is joining us now to give us the very latest from what she sees.

Catherine, good morning to you.

I know that public schools are closed in Bay County. How are you preparing residents for what could be coming along with Bonnie?

CATHERINE MCNAUGHT, SPOKESWOMAN, BAY COUNTY COMMISSION: Yes, ma'am. We are basically telling residents to stay put where they are if they feel safe in their homes. We're asking people who do not feel safe in their homes to go to one of two shelters. We have a special medical needs shelter and we also have a regular population shelter. And so if they're in a home where they do not feel safe, we're really asking them to go there.

COLLINS: OK, so no official evacuation order, just if you don't feel safe, go ahead and go to one of these shelters?

MCNAUGHT: Exactly. And we're also asking people to stay off the road. We've had three days of fairly heavy and consistent rains and we're already seeing some roadway flooding. So we're asking people to stay off the roads.

COLLINS: Would you say that is your biggest concern right now, this possible flooding?

MCNAUGHT: Yes. The possible flooding, we're really not bracing for a lot of wind or wind damage. It's mainly the roadway flooding.

COLLINS: All right, obviously people there are pretty familiar with the inclement weather. I believe the last big storm to hit Panama City was actually Hurricane Opal.

What's the best advice, though, you can give to people who decide, for whatever reason, to stay in their homes, right where they are?

MCNAUGHT: We really ask them to stay put. If they've got large limbs over certain portions of their house, during the height of the storm they want to stay away from those areas of the house. You want to have your hurricane preparedness kit, your gallon of water per day per person; any medications you may need; canned food; a manual can opener; cash; a full tank of gas; and anything else, you know, you may need for a day -- between one and three days where you may not have electricity or access to stores.

COLLINS: We're looking at some video now on the screen, too, of people -- or we were just a moment ago. People are sort of boarding up their stores or maybe even their homes.

Because they hear so much about inclement weather there, how do you really get people to listen and say hey, this is a little bit different, you've got to take it seriously?

MCNAUGHT: Well, mainly, you know, we work very closely with the local media and the national media, in this case, to really get the word out to people about whether they need to get out or whether they need to just stay in their homes and be prepared that way. That's called sheltering in place. And people here who have lived here, they know the difference. And they know the drill. And after Opal, they know whether to get out or whether to stay put.

But the main thing is to keep sightseers away from flooded roads.

COLLINS: Sure.

MCNAUGHT: You're going to see some people down on the beach but...

COLLINS: All right, we do also know that Governor Jeb Bush has readied the Florida National Guard.

Quickly, how will they best be used?

MCNAUGHT: Well, mainly here, if it come -- we need the National Guard here, I imagine it will be for roadway flooding and, you know, roadway repair. We don't -- we're not expecting to see a lot of major catastrophic damage.

COLLINS: Well, we certainly hope not.

Catherine McNaught in Bay County, a spokeswoman.

We appreciate your time so much and best of luck to you.

MCNAUGHT: Thank you, Heidi.

HEMMER: In a moment here, a best selling author calls the 9/11 Commission arrogant. Why he thinks the panel over stepped its bounds and why he thinks an intelligence czar is a bad idea.

Back in a moment after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: Toure is here now and the Question of the Day once again.

TOURE, "ROLLING STONE" MAGAZINE: In New York, we live with the strictures of terrorism. We know what's going on. It's a constant thing for us. But if you're in Missouri, Florida, Canada, far away from the big cities on the East Coast, do you really deep down fear that an attack is going to happen in your world? Is it just a big city thing or is it an entire national American thing?

Do you believe terrorism will directly affect you if you're not in New York City or in Washington?

Good answers from the people.

Katie in San Jose. You know, you've got to be honest with this one. You know, it's easy to say terrorism affects everybody. But if you live in San Jose, do you really think a bomb is going to go off in your hometown at some point?

Katie from San Jose says: "I worry every day. My brother is an iron worker on the Golden Gate Bridge and there's nothing I fear more than for that bridge to come tumbling down."

That's really honest.

An anonymous one from Philadelphia: "Apparently I'm the only one who thinks what a statement it would be to hit Independence Hall or the Liberty Bell. I'm terrified every day I go into the city to work. I don't know how long I can keep this up. It's exhausting me."

HEMMER: Wow!

TOURE: Sylvia from Illinois: "I live in a far northwest suburb of Chicago. I fear something on a daily basis. I wouldn't say I'm obsessed, but any time I enter a hospital, shopping mall or other public establishment, the thought of safety crosses my mind."

And from Del Rapids, South Dakota, Ray says: "How many people from South Dakota do we have to send to the Middle East to fight before it becomes personal?"

That's a very...

HEMMER: Did anyone say that they have no concerns or?

TOURE: Yes. Oh, there are -- I mean everybody's thinking about terrorism, but there are definitely people saying I know it's not going to happen in my home town. There's definitely people saying that.

COLLINS: Well, yes, and I think it also depends on -- we were talking in the break -- what you mean by direct effect.

TOURE: Yes.

COLLINS: I mean you have someone who's going over to Iraq and you feel like direct effect.

TOURE: That's a direct effect. Yes.

COLLINS: Yes. So, interesting choice.

HEMMER: Thank you, Toure.

COLLINS: Thank you, Toure.

HEMMER: Let's get a break here.

In a moment, Florida getting ready for Bonnie and Charley. We're live on the scene there.

Also, the long and winding road to the White House. Inside John Kerry's 13-day coast to coast trip. That campaign rolls on. We will, too, in a moment, after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: Get the latest news every morning in your e-mail. Just sign up for AMERICAN MORNING quick news at cnn.com/am.

Still to come this morning, the latest on a possible link for youngsters between anti-depressants and suicide.

Keep it here on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HEMMER: Alrighty, almost 8:30 here in New York.

Heidi Collins along with me here.

Good morning to you.

COLLINS: Good morning to you.

HEMMER: Jack continues his vacation. Soledad is out resting. But we are watching that weather, huh, down in Florida?

COLLINS: Yes, we are.

HEMMER: What did they say, the first time in 100 years that you have two hurricanes possibly hitting at the same time?

COLLINS: Yes.

HEMMER: Whatever the case now, tropical storm Bonnie and hurricane Charley are bearing down there.

In a moment, live to Panama City Beach, where Chad Myers has duty for us this morning. And we'll check in live in a moment.

COLLINS: Yes, he's getting a little wet down there, too.

Also this morning, the link between anti-depressants and suicidal behavior in kids. For the first time, there are some independent reviews now of FDA studies and the news is disturbing.

We'll get to that.

HEMMER: Also in a moment here, Ron Kessler, best selling author, has written a new book. He has what he calls an extraordinary accessibility to the president for this new book. Also, some strong words, too, from the author about the 9/11 Commission and what they have proposed.

So we'll get to those topics in a moment also.

COLLINS: For now, though, let's get on the very latest with Bonnie and Charley as the two big storms take aim at Florida.

Chad Myers is on the scene now in Panama City Beach. Rob Marciano watching the storms at CNN Center in Atlanta.

But first, we want to get to Chad -- Chad, good morning.

How are things looking?

MYERS: You know, Heidi, about an hour ago the winds were blowing 25. And just lately they've gone down to nothing. All the sand has settled back down.

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