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CNN Sunday Morning

Saudi Police Seal Off 3 Riyadh Neighborhoods; Bill Clinton Releases Memoir

Aired June 20, 2004 - 09:00   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.


DREW GRIFFIN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning this is CNN SUNDAY MORNING. I'm Drew Griffin.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Betty Nguyen. Good morning.

If you're just waking up on the West Coast, it is 6:00 a.m., still a little early; but thanks for starting your Father's Day with us. Here's what we've got coming up for you.

Think by now you must know everything there is to know about Bill Clinton? Well, he's got a few tales of his own to tell in a new autobiography.

GRIFFIN: And bidding at one rather unusual upcoming auction is bound to be mammoth, literally. We're going to show you what is up for sale.

NGUYEN: And we'll meet two friends who've forged an incredible bond. First though, here's what's happening at this hour.

GRIFFIN: A failed attempt to assassinate the minister of health sparked a gun battle that wounded 17 Iraqis. Also yesterday, a U.S. Marine killed in action. No details on that. But responding to the latest spike in violence is Iraq's prime in -- prime minister said today he is considering imposing emergency law to bring the violence under control.

The six-nation talks on North Korea's nuclear program resumed this week in Beijing. And China and South Korea are calling for concessions by both the Americans and North Koreans. China's special envoy says if progress is to be made in these talks both sides have to move.

Wire services reporting that Algerian troops, who swept the capitol Algiers for terrorists, killed a terrorist leader Nabil Sahraoui. The reports say Sahraoui's top lieutenant and several of his aides were also killed. Sahraoui had a reputation for ruthlessness. He led a group that pledged his allegiance to al Qaeda last September -- Betty.

NGUYEN: Our top story this morning, Saudi police in armored vehicles sealed off three neighborhoods today in Riyadh. They are searching for the body of American hostage Paul Johnson or for more of the terrorists, who kidnapped and killed him. Four terrorists, including the leader of the al Qaeda cell, were killed Friday and a dozen captives were captured.

Our senior international correspondent Nic Robertson is in the Saudi capitol and joins us by telephone with the latest -- Nic.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INT'L. CORRESPONDENT: Well, Betty, the search for Paul Johnson's body does still continue. But Saudi security sources have told us in the last hour that Abdel Aziz al Muqrin, the head of the group, who kidnapped and killed Paul Johnson there has now been announcement of a replacement by the al Qaeda cell that he left behind. That announcement of a replacement. He is to be replaced by Saleh al Oufi, a man put on Saudi Arabia's most wanted list back in May 2003, when he took part or was involved in an attack that killed more than 30 people. An attack on a western expatriate, community compound in Riyadh that killed more than 30 people, including the nine suicide bombers who took part in the mission.

He is described to us by Saudi security sources as not from the senior cadres of al Qaeda. That is perhaps not having quite the same standing within the al Qaeda community that Abdel Aziz al Muqrin had. However he was, we understand, at one time employed as a Saudi prison guard. That in reports back in May 2003.

But the newspapers here in Saudi Arabia, trumpeting the killing of Abdel Aziz al Muqrin, as a big blow to al Qaeda. Other statements in newspapers saying that people broadly support here, support what the Saudi security forces have done. Yet they still worry about the possibility of al Qaeda coming back. Already al Qaeda announcing a new leader to replace the one killed over the weekend -- Betty.

NGUYEN: Nic, let's talk a little bit about the search for Paul Johnson's body. Yesterday, there was word they may have found it. Then word that they didn't. What is the confusion there?

ROBERTSON: It is not clear exactly what is causing the confusion at this time. In the ongoing operation that took place Friday night, when the first video and still picture images of Paul Johnson's killing were released by the -- on the Internet. And the big operation that followed after that, the operation involved the killing of Abdel Aziz al Muqrin, it was during that operation that the first reports came out confirming that Paul Johnson's body had been found, Saudi security sources saying that.

However, subsequently, the government here, officials here are saying that no, they don't have the body at this time. That the search is still going on. Quite what led to that precise confusion is still not clear. And again, Saudi officials say that they are still looking for the body. They are looking in an area towards the north of Riyadh at this time -- Betty.

NGUYEN: Nic, there's a lot of talk about Paul Johnson's family back in New Jersey. But what about his wife in Saudi Arabia? How is she holding up and what's her situation?

ROBERTSON: Well, we haven't so far seen, or heard anymore public statements from her. I think the events of Friday, from what we have been able to ascertain, from within the broader community still has pe -- broader expatriate and Saudi community still has people deep shocked. The images, for those that have seen them, deeply disturbing. And there has been really nobody, or nothing at least publicly stated that we have been able to see so far from his wife here -- Betty.

NGUYEN: CNN's Nic Robertson in Saudi Arabia by phone. Thank you very much for that insight Nic.

GRIFFIN: And in New Jersey, prayers for murdered hostage Paul Johnson. Johnson's family remains in seclusion in Egg Harbor, where the community is coming together to mourn his death.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DENNIS SEELER, NEIGHBOR: I guess we are devastated. Paul was maybe not a great man like Albert Einstein. He was a neighbor, brother -- not a brother but a friend, worked hard for everything he had. And I think we are trying to adjust to it. The other night when you spoke, I made a decision. I said Lord he's in your hands. And we don't want no vengeance. But we would like justice.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GRIFFIN: As we have been reporting, there are conflicting reports on whether Saudi authorities have recovered Johnson's body. A Saudi official in Washington said Saturday the search there is still under way.

Well, later on CNN SUNDAY MORNING, we will get a sense of what's being done about the terrible act of terrorism in the Arab world, and how Arabs judge the brutal murder of Paul Johnson. We'll have that in about 25 minutes.

NGUYEN: Here's a look now at some other stories making news across the America.

In Wisconsin, authorities are awaiting autopsy results on three bodies found on Lake Michigan Beach. A man and two children, fully clothed, were found tied together at the waist. Police say they appear to have been in the water for several days.

A Grand Prairie, Texas police officer is recovering from gunshot wounds. His partner was shot and killed in a gunfight that killed a man holed up in a van. Police say they found a pipe bomb, other bomb materials, two handguns and an assault rifle inside that van.

And in Washington State, a National Guard helicopter plucked two stranded hikers off Mt. Rainier. Rescuers also recovered the body of another hiker, and are looking for his missing partner who is presumed dead. It's believed those two were caught in an avalanche.

GRIFFIN: Some lighter stories for you on this Sunday morning.

The Olympic torch lit up Times Square with a dramatic entrance by gymnast Nadia Comaneci. Runners carried the flame across all five New York City boroughs. The torch stops next in Montreal, then to cities across Europe before the Athens games kick off that's August 13. Now that's an Olympic effort at the national -- hollering contest in North Carolina. A tire plant worker took home his third straight win at the 35-Annual Hollering Competition. Locals say the contest is the biggest event of the year, where it is held in Spivey's Corner. That sounds beautiful.

And big just begins to describe Texas-sized lottery win. At least one person is holding a ticket worth $145 million. It was sold at a Chevron station in El Paso.

NGUYEN: Now, that's some chunk of change.

Bill Clinton's new book will, of course, bring some more change to him. It hits stores on Tuesday. It is already promising to be a best seller. And his story is dubbed "My Life," but is it compelling? And can Clinton's charm and charisma tease us enough to grab a copy and learn more about his life?

Well, joining us to talk about the book and its revelations is Michael Isikoff of "Newsweek" magazine.

Good morning to you.

MICHAEL ISIKOFF, "NEWSWEEK" MAGAZINE: Good morning.

NGUYEN: Well, you have taken a look at this book. You've read it yourself. Is it worth all the hype?

ISIKOFF: Well, I think it depends a lot on what your views are on Bill Clinton and how much you are interested, at this point, in what he has to say. He certainly has a lot to say. It's 957 pages. It is, as titled "My Life," which means it's not just the story of his presidency and the controversies of his presidency. In fact, you don't even get to his inauguration until page 457 of this book. So it's like, halfway through before you even get to the reasons most people are going to be buying it.

As I say, it is expansive on many aspects of his life. Particularly his childhood and his youth in Arkansas, his days in England as a Rhodes scholar. This great deal, he's voluminous on these. When you get to his presidency, a lot on policy proposals, welfare reform and matters like that. A lot on his political enemies, Ken Starr, what he calls the far-right forces in Congress that forced his impeachment. Very little on the actual conduct and issues that led to his impeachment. Monica Lewinsky is introduced almost matter of factly in the course of his description of his deposition of the Paula Jones case. And he tells nothing new...

NGUYEN: Really few details on that? That's surprising.

ISIKOFF: No new details. The only thing that struck me is he says in the course of the deposition in the Paula Jones case, in which he, of course said he did not have sexual relations with Monica Lewinsky, that he would have answered truthfully if the lawyers had only asked the right questions.

NGUYEN: Hmm.

ISIKOFF: Which I thought was a kind of interesting formulation.

NGUYEN: Very interesting. We'll get to his presidency in just a moment. But we want to go back to his teenage years. We have an excerpt part from the book that we want to read to you and put up on the screen as well. Where he writes...

"A friend took a photo of me, and later we found film footage of the handshake in the Kennedy Library." This of course, referring to the photo of him shaking President Kennedy's hand. And he says, "Much has been made of that brief encounter and its impact on my life. My mother said that she knew when I came home that I was determined to go into politics."

Was that a turning point for Clinton?

ISIKOFF: Well, you know, it's hard to know whether it was a turning point at the time. It certainly, in many retrospectives on his life over the years became a turning point. It sort of took on this sort of mythical stature in the evolution of Bill Clinton's life. And he plays on it. He builds it up. He talks about the memory of it. Certainly we can all see the video, and clearly it's a young man who is quite impressed with meeting the president of the United States. But I guess we have to take Clinton at his word that it was a big event in his life.

NGUYEN: Off all the people may be reading this book to learn more about Clinton, the man. Does he talk much about his relationship with his wife?

ISIKOFF: Well, yes and no. There is, in the post-Lewinsky portions of it, some pretty self-confessional essays. Sort of passages in which he talks about how they went into counseling for a year, after he finally confessed the Lewinsky encounters. That he was -- slept on a couch for two months. He talks -- he professes his love for Hillary. and says they have become stronger and worked their way through it. But he's said this before. There's sort of new phraseology there, but it's essentially...

NGUYEN: So not much new in this book.

ISIKOFF: ... what he said -- yes.

NGUYEN: Well, Michael, quickly. We are almost out of time. Is this Clinton's way of rewriting how he wants America to remember him as a president?

ISIKOFF: Well, of course it is. That's why he's doing it. And also remember, Hillary Clinton is a senator from New York with political ambitions, a political career. And I think everything that has been said here, particularly on any matters of controversy, have been carefully calculated to make sure that it helps Hillary's career and advances her political interests at this point.

NGUYEN: Hits bookstores on Tuesday. Michael Isikoff, "Newsweek" magazine, thank you very much.

ISIKOFF: Thank you.

NGUYEN: Drew.

GRIFFIN: And Bill Clinton's first big interview is with CBS's Dan Rather. Among other things, the former president talks about his impeachment, and of course, a little bit, says Michael Isikoff, about Monica Lewinsky. Rather discusses the interview this morning on CNN's "RELIABLE SOURCES." Here is a snippet of that.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAN RATHER, CBS NEWS ANCHOR: I was uncomfortable asking these questions. These are not my favorite kinds of questions. I would prefer not to have to ask these questions. But as a pro, of course, interviews such as this, that was my job.

Was he uncomfortable? Yes, I think he was uncomfortable. He understood from the beginning, the questions were going to be asked about what he has called, "The darker aspects" of his personality and his personal life.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GRIFFIN: You can hear the rest of that interview this morning on "RELIABLE SOURCES." That's at 11:30 Eastern. And CNN's Larry King will have Bill Clinton in his first live, prime time interview on his new book, Thursday night. Clinton will also be taking your phone calls. So you can tune in at 9:00 a.m. Eastern, 6:00 Pacific for that. And that brings us, Betty, to this morning's e-mail question.

NGUYEN: Are you going to buy Bill Clinton's book? Well, you can e-mail us your thoughts now at wam@cnn.com. We'll have some of your responses a bit later in this show.

GRIFFIN: They are the few, the proud, and in some cases very generous with their body parts. Coming up, how one Marine gave of him, literally.

NGUYEN: Plus, you say you've always wanted your own dinosaur? Well, now is your chance. Scrape together your pennies for the dinosaur auction.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

GRIFFIN: There's a new man looking down from the top of the leader board of the U.S. Open. We're going to get to today's final round preview in 30 minutes on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Well, how would you like to own the teeth from a 6 million-year-old saber tooth tiger, a beast that was killed off during the Ice Age? Or how about the skull of a triceratops, a three-horned herbivore that weighed 7 tons? The skull alone is over seven feet long. For those of you who have a bone to pick, now you'll get your chance to do just that. On Thursday, Guernsey's Auction House will hold the first major dinosaur auction ever. And interested bidders are expected to make no bones about buying big.

Arlan Ettinger is the president of the auction house. And he joins us live with much more on this.

Good morning to you.

ARLAN ETTINGER, GUERNSEY'S AUCTION HOUSE: Good morning.

NGUYEN: Well, I have to admit I have never thought about owning parts of a dinosaur. So I want to know who is interested and why?

ETTINGER: Well, you know, I can't think of a category that is more interesting to more ages of people around this world. Think of it. Young children see dinosaurs in animated films, read books about them, motion pictures. Many, many adults read books, go to any museum, it is a source of fascination like very few others. And it's surprising that there really has not been an auction. You never know who the buyers are going to be. We certainly have alerted many museums around the world. But anything goes.

NGUYEN: Fascinating, but these items are a little too big to sit on your coffee table, correct?

ETTINGER: Well, the skull that we'll be looking at is really not much larger than the size of a, I guess, a small horse head. And so, this actually could fit on a coffee table.

NGUYEN: So how much do you expect these remains to run?

ETTINGER: You know, this is an auction mostly without minimum reserves, so you never really know. And that's what makes the auction so exciting. But the range of estimates goes from the mid- five, six, seven, $800 on up to many hundreds of thousands of dollars, even possibly a million dollars or more.

NGUYEN: So some pieces can be somewhat affordable.

ETTINGER: Absolutely. This is not an elitist sale. This is really an event for everyone.

NGUYEN: Now, I have to ask you this. This auction, is it in anyway a disservice to future generations and to history, because shouldn't these items remain in museums?

ETTINGER: Well, many museums end up being stocked from auctions. Think of the great art museums of the world that are constantly looking to acquire works by Picasso, Renoir and other legendary painters. They acquire these often from auctions. Now, no one is encouraging massive amounts of public to go out and search for dinosaur relics. But when they are found on private land and they surface, they enter -- either they go to museum or enter private collections. But sooner or later, many of those private collections go to museums. So in truth, this really helps science, as many people see it.

NGUYEN: As quickly as we can, we want to go through some of these pictures, so you can tell us a little bit about what is up for auction. We understand you have a duckbill skeleton?

ETTINGER: That's an Anatotitan, 36 feet long, 98 percent complete. Remarkably, it contains about 50 percent of the impressions of its skin, really quite unusual.

NGUYEN: And a saber tooth tiger?

ETTINGER: We have several of those known as saber tooth cats. These were the most vicious animals living about five to seven million years ago, about the size of a lion today.

NGUYEN: And the teeth on that thing. My goodness.

All right. And you have some things with the skin impressions still?

ETTINGER: That's that anatotitan I've mentioned. But we also have some recent figures, such as a whale from 1844, found floating on the ocean. That was the first hump back whale ever purchased by P.T. Barnum, quite an extraordinary skeleton.

NGUYEN: And quickly, the ever-popular triceratops.

ETTINGER: The skull, seven feet long. A remarkable specimen. NGUYEN: Now, that's not for your coffee table. All right. Arlan Ettinger...

ETTINGER: Unless it's a big one.

NGUYEN: Yes, exactly. Of Guernsey House, we thank you so very much. And best of luck with that auction.

ETTINGER: Thanks so very much.

NGUYEN: Drew.

GRIFFIN: He's no stranger to headlines and raised eyebrows. Former President Bill Clinton hasn't stopped making them and raising them, especially with his latest book. But are you buying it? We're going to check your e-mails coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

GRIFFIN: A shot of the White House this morning on Father's Day. The father who lives there, I believe, is in Camp David this morning. But it's a beautiful sunny day in Washington, D.C. and Rob is going to have your forecast coming up in just a little while.

Welcome back to CNN SUNDAY MORNING. I'm Drew Griffin. Checking the top stories at this hour, Saudi Arabia's al Qaeda cell today named a replacement for Abdel Aziz al Muqrin, the top al Qaeda leader blamed for beheading Paul Johnson, was killed in a weekend shootout with police. Johnson's body has not been found.

In Iraq, reports that three Iraqis were killed and several wounded in clashes, between U.S. soldiers and insurgents in Baghdad's Shiite suburb of Sadr City.

GRIFFIN: Well, we have been asking you all along if you're going to read Bill Clinton's book or not. And we get some interesting e- mails. This one from Margaret in Rockville, Maryland, "I already bought the book on amazon.com a couple weeks ago, part of that advanced order. I can't wait to read it," she says. "I miss Bill Clinton."

NGUYEN: Well, John from Baton Rouge, Louisiana says, "No, I will not be buying Mr. Clinton's autobiography. He lied to us once, why should he be honest now? I will be spending my money on movies, popcorn and peanuts this weekend."

And of course, we thank you for all of your comments at wam@cnn.com.

Paul Johnson's brutal murder in Saudi Arabia has drawn countless emotional reactions here in the U.S. But what about in Saudi Arabia? We'll gauge their reaction just ahead.

And will Vice President Dick Cheney, and a few select folks, make a return appearance before the 9/11 Commission?

Those stories when CNN SUNDAY returns.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

GRIFFIN: They are getting set for the final round of the U.S. Open. I think the first tee off is at 9:40. Can Phil Mickelson regain the lead, take home his second major of the year? We're going to have a live preview less than ten minutes from now.

Welcome back. I'm Drew Griffin.

NGUYEN: I'm Betty Nguyen. That story is coming up. First, though, headlines at this hour.

Al Qaeda in Saudi Arabia announced a replacement for slain leader Abdel Aziz Al-Muqrin, according to an Islamist Web site. Saleh al- Oufi, a former prison guard, holds the number five slot in Saudi Arabia's list of 26 most wanted terrorists.

In Iraq, Interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi vowed the evil enemy will be stopped. Allawi announced the formation of elite military units to combat insurgents. Allawi added that his ministers are also discussing imposing emergency law to help bring order in parts of Iraq. A leading member of the Tikrit city council is dead. Another council member says the man was shot this morning in an attack by insurgents while on his way to Tikrit from his house in a nearby town. His driver and bodyguard were both wounded.

And leaders from India and Pakistan have agreed to set up a hotline to help avoid a nuclear catastrophe. The communication pact is part of an agreement that would extend a nuclear testing ban between the feuding nations and also improve communications and relations.

GRIFFIN: News and details about the killing of American hostage Paul Johnson have been flooding the media here in the U.S. But the story has also been told extensively across the Arab world. CNN's Octavia Nasr takes a look at what is different and what remains the same.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

OCTAVIA NASR, CNN SENIOR EDITOR FOR ARAB AFFAIRS (voice-over): Al-Arabiya was the Arab network that broke the news, but it's correspondent found himself at a loss for words.

"I have seen the pictures," he says. "They are very disturbing. Very graphic. Very inhumane."

A look back at the week's events, from the capture to the claim of responsibility, the deadline and a very emotional plea from Paul Johnson's wife in Saudi Arabia and family members in the United States.

THANOM JOHNSON, WIFE OF PAUL JOHNSON: I want him to come back because I don't have nobody here.

OCTAVIA: On the Arabic networks, there were commentaries interviews with prominent people. Even the most conservative of them made a point of saying they were sorry.

This cleric says, "I want to apologize to the Johnson family, to President Bush, and the American people."

Over pictures of Johnson, the narrative was often emotional and opinionated. Who's to blame? Could this have been prevented?

"Where are those satellites that can track people down," this anchor asks. "Where is the intelligence? How could this happen?"

An emotional news day on the Arab stations with journalists trying to make sense of a senseless act.

Octavia Nasr, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: A 9/11 panel member is inviting Vice President Dick Cheney to come forward with any evidence he has that shows a link between Al Qaeda and Iraq under Saddam Hussein. Now, it comes days after the panel said it found no evidence of a collaboration between Iraq and the terror network. But the White House is sticking to its position, insisting there were significant links.

Cheney's boss is playing up his fiscal management skills. In his weekly radio address, President Bush spoke optimistically about the growth and strength of the economy.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Time and again, our economy has defied the gloomy predictions of pessimists because of the hard work of so many Americans, and because of the good policies in Washington, D.C. Our economy is strong, and it is getting stronger. America has added more than 1.4 million new jobs since last August. Our economy has grown at the fastest pace in almost two decades. And the recession was one of the shortest and shallowest in modern American history.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

NGUYEN: Meanwhile, two people who hope to oust President Bush were touting their political bona fides on Friday. Senator John Edwards and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Henry Cisneros rallied the Democratic faithful on John Kerry's behalf. That event took place at the Democratic annual state convention in Houston, Texas. Edwards is widely considered a possible pick on Senator Kerry's vice presidential consideration list.

GRIFFIN: Friends giving the ultimate gift, life. We're going to talk with two friends who depend on each other more than most.

And missing dad on Father's Day. Families remembering in Washington. We're back after a break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

GRIFFIN: Just to keep you ahead of the curve, now, here is a look at what is coming up this week. Hearings scheduled Monday for three soldiers charged with abuse in the Abu Ghraib prison scandal. Pre-trial hearings are set for Sergeant Ivan Frederick, Sergeant Javal Davis and Specialist Charles Graner. A preliminary hearing will begin Tuesday for Private First Class Lynndie England. That will take place at Fort Bragg.

Also Monday, it's blast-off for the world's first commercial manned space vehicle. If all goes well, SpaceShipOne will rocket into sub-orbital space for a short cruise.

And Wednesday begins a new round of six nation talks over North Korea's nuclear program in Beijing. North Korea says it's willing to freeze that nuclear program in return for economic aid and will only dismantle the program if the United States promises not to invade.

NGUYEN: Also sure to be in the news this week, one of golf's greatest tournaments, the U.S. Open, is underway in Southampton, New York. That's where our own Josie Burke is. And she joins us live with all the details.

Hi there, Josie.

JOSIE BURKE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Betty, it should be a wild finish here at the U.S. Open. If yesterday was any indication at all. That's because the wind really picked up here at Shinnecock Hills, and it took scores with it. Only three players were able to post a third round score under par. One of them is the leader heading into the final round, 35-year-old South African Retief Goosen. He has a two- shot lead over his country mate Ernie Els and Phil Mickelson. Mickelson says that he thinks that Sunday's final round will be a survival test.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PHIL MICKELSON, GOLFER: What we will have is guys outlasting each other. Who can make the most pars before somebody bogeys, that type of thing. And that's a fun way to play, too.

ERNIE ELS, GOLFER: He's got a hell of a game. Myself, you know me, so, you know. We have great players coming through. It's good for the country.

RETIEF GOOSEN, GOLFER: I can feel a bit more comfortable, but you know, it's never easy to feel comfortable. Doesn't matter who you play with, you've got to get down and do your own thing.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BURKE: Goosen won the U.S. Open back in 2001. He is not one of the best-known players in the world, but he is one of the best players in the world. He is actually ranked in the top ten worldwide. He is known for being very even keeled, very steady, and that served him well in that 2001 U.S. Open victory, because he had a chance to win the tournament outright on the last hole. All he needed to do was make a two-foot putt, and he missed it. So what did he do? He came back the next day and he won in an 18-hole playoff. That really showed that he has the kind of temperament to hold up in these pressure situations.

Betty?

NGUYEN: A lot of pressure there. CNN's Josie Burke taking in the tournament in New York. Thank you.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JEREMY DUNCAN, LIEUTENANT, USMC: Just an act of selfishness.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GRIFFIN: Meet Marine First Lieutenant Jeremy Duncan. He recently performed an act of heroism that has nothing to do with the battlefield.

His childhood best friend Jason Tully lost both kidneys last year and was looking at possibly waiting three years for a donor. Doctors told Tully there was a one in 100,000 chance of finding a match outside his family. That's when his best friend, Marine Lieutenant Duncan stepped in and beat those incredible odds. The two matched, and with Duncan on leave from duty in Iraq, the transplant surgery took place last month.

Joining to us now to talk about all this and the bond they now share is Jason Tully, live in San Antonio, Texas, and Marine Lieutenant Jeremy Duncan, who is in San Diego.

First, guys, how are you doing? Jason with the new kidney, Jeremy without your old one.

DUNCAN: I'm doing good.

JASON TULLY, KIDNEY RECIPIENT: I'm feeling great.

GRIFFIN: Everybody's doing well? Have you guys found out you are like blood brothers separated at birth or anything, with this incredible match? Jason, you had to be thinking man, three years of dialysis, five hours a day for three days a week?

TULLY: Four hours a day, yes. I wasn't looking forward to it. But I kind of resigned myself to it.

GRIFFIN: So, here comes your buddy; he's back from Iraq. He calls you up, on the phone, right? And you tell him what your situation is? And he says, well, how do I get tested?

TULLY: Yes, exactly. He asked me that. I just assumed it was one of those things, he was curious or he was trying to be nice. I told him to see a doctor, go to the hospital there on the base and they would tell him what to do. I didn't think he'd do it. But he did.

GRIFFIN: Jeremy you get the call that says, indeed, you are a match. Were you feeling happy at that point, or uh-oh, now I have to come through with my plan.

DUNCAN: No, I was definitely looking forward to giving him a hand.

GRIFFIN: You gave him more than a hand, sir, you gave him a kidney. And your father advised you not to do it. Did your dad think, Jeremy, come on, you have already done enough for this country and for the world. You've just come back from Iraq, why are you now taking the risk of giving somebody else one of your kidneys?

DUNCAN: Yes, he was a little, you know, he was a little hesitant about that. But Jason has been a good friend of mine since sixth, seventh grade, so I wanted to be there to help him out in this situation. I think I would have regretted it for the rest of my life if I had not done that.

GRIFFIN: Jason, how does that kidney feel?

TULLY: It's working great. Working better than the ones I had before. So, I'm feeling really good.

GRIFFIN: Do you feel a little tougher, like a Marine, maybe?

TULLY: I got a little bit of that in me, I think. A little bit.

GRIFFIN: So have you guys remained close friends or has this kidney brought you closer together? Jason?

TULLY: We've talked more on the phone. Before, we used to just catch up every couple of months because he lived out on the west coast, I'm out here. I find we probably talk a lot more since then. Just to check up on each other and see how we're both doing.

GRIFFIN: Jeremy, what's next for you, in terms of your service?

DUNCAN: Well, in a short period of time I'll be going back out to Iraq. So I'll be there for about six to nine months.

GRIFFIN: Well, we wish you both the best. Jeremy, be very careful in Iraq. We'll be, of course, thinking of you. Jason, good luck with that new Marine-issued kidney.

TULLY: Thank you.

GRIFFIN: Take care, guys.

Well, Lieutenant Duncan might want to take note of an old cliche, do good things to others and good things happen to you. This woman knows it all too well. Mitzi Nichols of Virginia Beach donated her kidney to a man she didn't know three years ago. This past week, she won $500,000 in the state lottery. One year after donating the kidney, Nichols got to meet the man who received it. Now Nichols says she will use her earnings to buy a house, a truck for her husband, and to help the man who received her kidney repair his own broken-down car.

We haven't forgotten about our favorite traveling family. An update on the Spry family journey. Where will they spend this Father's Day? Answers when CNN SUNDAY MORNING continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Welcome back to CNN SUNDAY MORNING. I'm Betty Nguyen. Here's a look at our top story.

In Iraq there are reports that three Iraqis were killed and several others wounded in clashes between U.S. soldiers and insurgents in Baghdad's Shiite suburb of Sadr city.

Al Qaeda in Saudi Arabia announced a replacement for slain leader Abdel Aziz Al-Muqrin, according to an Islamist Web site. Saleh Al- Oufi, a former prison guard, holds the number five spot on Saudi Arabia's list of 26 most wanted terrorists.

(WEATHER REPORT) GRIFFIN: A lot of people have been living the American dream vicariously this summer as we have been following the Spry family cross-country. You might remember. Steve, Colleen and their son Ryan decided to give up the rat race in Silicone Valley. They sold the house, bought that RV, and are now out on the open road looking for a new place to live. The Sprys are waking up this morning in the Florida Keys after spending much of the week in a very hot Orlando visiting the sights. Ryan looks like he's having a pretty good time there. This is at Disney world.

Their message this morning, wishing all the fathers out there a happy Father's Day. The family will be moving up the east coast after their visit to the Keys. You can track their progress or drop them an e-mail at luvtohavefun.com.

Remembering their fallen fathers, a special day at the Vietnam memorial in Washington. We'll tell you about that when CNN SUNDAY MORNING returns.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: There's plenty more ahead on CNN today. At the top of the hour it's "INSIDE POLITICS SUNDAY." Former President Clinton is right back in the political spotlight this week with the upcoming release of his new book. More on that in the next hour.

And at 11:00 Eastern, it's "CNN LIVE SUNDAY."

And at 11:30, it's "RELIABLE SOURCES." Long-time newsman Dan Rather talks about his interview of former President Clinton.

GRIFFIN: In Washington this Father's Day, honoring the sons, fathers and brothers killed at war with a flower-filled tribute. Rows of red roses, many remembering the casualties of war at the Vietnam Veterans memorial. Those at the event also laid out yellow and white roses. The event honoring the 58,000 killed in Vietnam, along with the current casualties in Iraq.

NGUYEN: Shifting gears, literally. Thrills and spills on this dad's day weekend. Motocross fans gather each year at Budd's Creek Park for the pro national races. 20,000 spectators attend the annual event, and this is what they come for.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's no place I'd rather be on father's day than spending time with my kids. I mean, they're our future. What we pass on to them is, you know, what they know. This is our -- my brothers and I are very close. We want all of our sons to be as close as we are. This is how we express our love for one another.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a family thing. Family sport. Bring everybody out. Moms, kids. Every Father's Day we are here.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The best part is jumping. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I was lucky; my dad knew how to work on motorcycles from when I had a 50 cc bike to even now on the practice bikes. Like I said, this isn't soccer or football or baseball, you know? There's a lot of work involved.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Anybody that has a father around any athlete who is successful, the biggest thing is having parents around. It makes me feel really good, always feel I have one person behind me -- actually two people behind me, my mom and him. My dad is the one helping me with my career.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: Now that looks like fun. The pro national races at Budd's Creek, a Father's Day tradition in Maryland.

GRIFFIN: That's the newscast for this morning. Certainly thank you for joining us on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

NGUYEN: And happy Father's Day to all of you. "INSIDE POLITICS SUNDAY" is next.

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 June 20, 2004 - 09:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DREW GRIFFIN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning this is CNN SUNDAY MORNING. I'm Drew Griffin.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Betty Nguyen. Good morning.

If you're just waking up on the West Coast, it is 6:00 a.m., still a little early; but thanks for starting your Father's Day with us. Here's what we've got coming up for you.

Think by now you must know everything there is to know about Bill Clinton? Well, he's got a few tales of his own to tell in a new autobiography.

GRIFFIN: And bidding at one rather unusual upcoming auction is bound to be mammoth, literally. We're going to show you what is up for sale.

NGUYEN: And we'll meet two friends who've forged an incredible bond. First though, here's what's happening at this hour.

GRIFFIN: A failed attempt to assassinate the minister of health sparked a gun battle that wounded 17 Iraqis. Also yesterday, a U.S. Marine killed in action. No details on that. But responding to the latest spike in violence is Iraq's prime in -- prime minister said today he is considering imposing emergency law to bring the violence under control.

The six-nation talks on North Korea's nuclear program resumed this week in Beijing. And China and South Korea are calling for concessions by both the Americans and North Koreans. China's special envoy says if progress is to be made in these talks both sides have to move.

Wire services reporting that Algerian troops, who swept the capitol Algiers for terrorists, killed a terrorist leader Nabil Sahraoui. The reports say Sahraoui's top lieutenant and several of his aides were also killed. Sahraoui had a reputation for ruthlessness. He led a group that pledged his allegiance to al Qaeda last September -- Betty.

NGUYEN: Our top story this morning, Saudi police in armored vehicles sealed off three neighborhoods today in Riyadh. They are searching for the body of American hostage Paul Johnson or for more of the terrorists, who kidnapped and killed him. Four terrorists, including the leader of the al Qaeda cell, were killed Friday and a dozen captives were captured.

Our senior international correspondent Nic Robertson is in the Saudi capitol and joins us by telephone with the latest -- Nic.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INT'L. CORRESPONDENT: Well, Betty, the search for Paul Johnson's body does still continue. But Saudi security sources have told us in the last hour that Abdel Aziz al Muqrin, the head of the group, who kidnapped and killed Paul Johnson there has now been announcement of a replacement by the al Qaeda cell that he left behind. That announcement of a replacement. He is to be replaced by Saleh al Oufi, a man put on Saudi Arabia's most wanted list back in May 2003, when he took part or was involved in an attack that killed more than 30 people. An attack on a western expatriate, community compound in Riyadh that killed more than 30 people, including the nine suicide bombers who took part in the mission.

He is described to us by Saudi security sources as not from the senior cadres of al Qaeda. That is perhaps not having quite the same standing within the al Qaeda community that Abdel Aziz al Muqrin had. However he was, we understand, at one time employed as a Saudi prison guard. That in reports back in May 2003.

But the newspapers here in Saudi Arabia, trumpeting the killing of Abdel Aziz al Muqrin, as a big blow to al Qaeda. Other statements in newspapers saying that people broadly support here, support what the Saudi security forces have done. Yet they still worry about the possibility of al Qaeda coming back. Already al Qaeda announcing a new leader to replace the one killed over the weekend -- Betty.

NGUYEN: Nic, let's talk a little bit about the search for Paul Johnson's body. Yesterday, there was word they may have found it. Then word that they didn't. What is the confusion there?

ROBERTSON: It is not clear exactly what is causing the confusion at this time. In the ongoing operation that took place Friday night, when the first video and still picture images of Paul Johnson's killing were released by the -- on the Internet. And the big operation that followed after that, the operation involved the killing of Abdel Aziz al Muqrin, it was during that operation that the first reports came out confirming that Paul Johnson's body had been found, Saudi security sources saying that.

However, subsequently, the government here, officials here are saying that no, they don't have the body at this time. That the search is still going on. Quite what led to that precise confusion is still not clear. And again, Saudi officials say that they are still looking for the body. They are looking in an area towards the north of Riyadh at this time -- Betty.

NGUYEN: Nic, there's a lot of talk about Paul Johnson's family back in New Jersey. But what about his wife in Saudi Arabia? How is she holding up and what's her situation?

ROBERTSON: Well, we haven't so far seen, or heard anymore public statements from her. I think the events of Friday, from what we have been able to ascertain, from within the broader community still has pe -- broader expatriate and Saudi community still has people deep shocked. The images, for those that have seen them, deeply disturbing. And there has been really nobody, or nothing at least publicly stated that we have been able to see so far from his wife here -- Betty.

NGUYEN: CNN's Nic Robertson in Saudi Arabia by phone. Thank you very much for that insight Nic.

GRIFFIN: And in New Jersey, prayers for murdered hostage Paul Johnson. Johnson's family remains in seclusion in Egg Harbor, where the community is coming together to mourn his death.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DENNIS SEELER, NEIGHBOR: I guess we are devastated. Paul was maybe not a great man like Albert Einstein. He was a neighbor, brother -- not a brother but a friend, worked hard for everything he had. And I think we are trying to adjust to it. The other night when you spoke, I made a decision. I said Lord he's in your hands. And we don't want no vengeance. But we would like justice.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GRIFFIN: As we have been reporting, there are conflicting reports on whether Saudi authorities have recovered Johnson's body. A Saudi official in Washington said Saturday the search there is still under way.

Well, later on CNN SUNDAY MORNING, we will get a sense of what's being done about the terrible act of terrorism in the Arab world, and how Arabs judge the brutal murder of Paul Johnson. We'll have that in about 25 minutes.

NGUYEN: Here's a look now at some other stories making news across the America.

In Wisconsin, authorities are awaiting autopsy results on three bodies found on Lake Michigan Beach. A man and two children, fully clothed, were found tied together at the waist. Police say they appear to have been in the water for several days.

A Grand Prairie, Texas police officer is recovering from gunshot wounds. His partner was shot and killed in a gunfight that killed a man holed up in a van. Police say they found a pipe bomb, other bomb materials, two handguns and an assault rifle inside that van.

And in Washington State, a National Guard helicopter plucked two stranded hikers off Mt. Rainier. Rescuers also recovered the body of another hiker, and are looking for his missing partner who is presumed dead. It's believed those two were caught in an avalanche.

GRIFFIN: Some lighter stories for you on this Sunday morning.

The Olympic torch lit up Times Square with a dramatic entrance by gymnast Nadia Comaneci. Runners carried the flame across all five New York City boroughs. The torch stops next in Montreal, then to cities across Europe before the Athens games kick off that's August 13. Now that's an Olympic effort at the national -- hollering contest in North Carolina. A tire plant worker took home his third straight win at the 35-Annual Hollering Competition. Locals say the contest is the biggest event of the year, where it is held in Spivey's Corner. That sounds beautiful.

And big just begins to describe Texas-sized lottery win. At least one person is holding a ticket worth $145 million. It was sold at a Chevron station in El Paso.

NGUYEN: Now, that's some chunk of change.

Bill Clinton's new book will, of course, bring some more change to him. It hits stores on Tuesday. It is already promising to be a best seller. And his story is dubbed "My Life," but is it compelling? And can Clinton's charm and charisma tease us enough to grab a copy and learn more about his life?

Well, joining us to talk about the book and its revelations is Michael Isikoff of "Newsweek" magazine.

Good morning to you.

MICHAEL ISIKOFF, "NEWSWEEK" MAGAZINE: Good morning.

NGUYEN: Well, you have taken a look at this book. You've read it yourself. Is it worth all the hype?

ISIKOFF: Well, I think it depends a lot on what your views are on Bill Clinton and how much you are interested, at this point, in what he has to say. He certainly has a lot to say. It's 957 pages. It is, as titled "My Life," which means it's not just the story of his presidency and the controversies of his presidency. In fact, you don't even get to his inauguration until page 457 of this book. So it's like, halfway through before you even get to the reasons most people are going to be buying it.

As I say, it is expansive on many aspects of his life. Particularly his childhood and his youth in Arkansas, his days in England as a Rhodes scholar. This great deal, he's voluminous on these. When you get to his presidency, a lot on policy proposals, welfare reform and matters like that. A lot on his political enemies, Ken Starr, what he calls the far-right forces in Congress that forced his impeachment. Very little on the actual conduct and issues that led to his impeachment. Monica Lewinsky is introduced almost matter of factly in the course of his description of his deposition of the Paula Jones case. And he tells nothing new...

NGUYEN: Really few details on that? That's surprising.

ISIKOFF: No new details. The only thing that struck me is he says in the course of the deposition in the Paula Jones case, in which he, of course said he did not have sexual relations with Monica Lewinsky, that he would have answered truthfully if the lawyers had only asked the right questions.

NGUYEN: Hmm.

ISIKOFF: Which I thought was a kind of interesting formulation.

NGUYEN: Very interesting. We'll get to his presidency in just a moment. But we want to go back to his teenage years. We have an excerpt part from the book that we want to read to you and put up on the screen as well. Where he writes...

"A friend took a photo of me, and later we found film footage of the handshake in the Kennedy Library." This of course, referring to the photo of him shaking President Kennedy's hand. And he says, "Much has been made of that brief encounter and its impact on my life. My mother said that she knew when I came home that I was determined to go into politics."

Was that a turning point for Clinton?

ISIKOFF: Well, you know, it's hard to know whether it was a turning point at the time. It certainly, in many retrospectives on his life over the years became a turning point. It sort of took on this sort of mythical stature in the evolution of Bill Clinton's life. And he plays on it. He builds it up. He talks about the memory of it. Certainly we can all see the video, and clearly it's a young man who is quite impressed with meeting the president of the United States. But I guess we have to take Clinton at his word that it was a big event in his life.

NGUYEN: Off all the people may be reading this book to learn more about Clinton, the man. Does he talk much about his relationship with his wife?

ISIKOFF: Well, yes and no. There is, in the post-Lewinsky portions of it, some pretty self-confessional essays. Sort of passages in which he talks about how they went into counseling for a year, after he finally confessed the Lewinsky encounters. That he was -- slept on a couch for two months. He talks -- he professes his love for Hillary. and says they have become stronger and worked their way through it. But he's said this before. There's sort of new phraseology there, but it's essentially...

NGUYEN: So not much new in this book.

ISIKOFF: ... what he said -- yes.

NGUYEN: Well, Michael, quickly. We are almost out of time. Is this Clinton's way of rewriting how he wants America to remember him as a president?

ISIKOFF: Well, of course it is. That's why he's doing it. And also remember, Hillary Clinton is a senator from New York with political ambitions, a political career. And I think everything that has been said here, particularly on any matters of controversy, have been carefully calculated to make sure that it helps Hillary's career and advances her political interests at this point.

NGUYEN: Hits bookstores on Tuesday. Michael Isikoff, "Newsweek" magazine, thank you very much.

ISIKOFF: Thank you.

NGUYEN: Drew.

GRIFFIN: And Bill Clinton's first big interview is with CBS's Dan Rather. Among other things, the former president talks about his impeachment, and of course, a little bit, says Michael Isikoff, about Monica Lewinsky. Rather discusses the interview this morning on CNN's "RELIABLE SOURCES." Here is a snippet of that.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAN RATHER, CBS NEWS ANCHOR: I was uncomfortable asking these questions. These are not my favorite kinds of questions. I would prefer not to have to ask these questions. But as a pro, of course, interviews such as this, that was my job.

Was he uncomfortable? Yes, I think he was uncomfortable. He understood from the beginning, the questions were going to be asked about what he has called, "The darker aspects" of his personality and his personal life.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GRIFFIN: You can hear the rest of that interview this morning on "RELIABLE SOURCES." That's at 11:30 Eastern. And CNN's Larry King will have Bill Clinton in his first live, prime time interview on his new book, Thursday night. Clinton will also be taking your phone calls. So you can tune in at 9:00 a.m. Eastern, 6:00 Pacific for that. And that brings us, Betty, to this morning's e-mail question.

NGUYEN: Are you going to buy Bill Clinton's book? Well, you can e-mail us your thoughts now at wam@cnn.com. We'll have some of your responses a bit later in this show.

GRIFFIN: They are the few, the proud, and in some cases very generous with their body parts. Coming up, how one Marine gave of him, literally.

NGUYEN: Plus, you say you've always wanted your own dinosaur? Well, now is your chance. Scrape together your pennies for the dinosaur auction.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

GRIFFIN: There's a new man looking down from the top of the leader board of the U.S. Open. We're going to get to today's final round preview in 30 minutes on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Well, how would you like to own the teeth from a 6 million-year-old saber tooth tiger, a beast that was killed off during the Ice Age? Or how about the skull of a triceratops, a three-horned herbivore that weighed 7 tons? The skull alone is over seven feet long. For those of you who have a bone to pick, now you'll get your chance to do just that. On Thursday, Guernsey's Auction House will hold the first major dinosaur auction ever. And interested bidders are expected to make no bones about buying big.

Arlan Ettinger is the president of the auction house. And he joins us live with much more on this.

Good morning to you.

ARLAN ETTINGER, GUERNSEY'S AUCTION HOUSE: Good morning.

NGUYEN: Well, I have to admit I have never thought about owning parts of a dinosaur. So I want to know who is interested and why?

ETTINGER: Well, you know, I can't think of a category that is more interesting to more ages of people around this world. Think of it. Young children see dinosaurs in animated films, read books about them, motion pictures. Many, many adults read books, go to any museum, it is a source of fascination like very few others. And it's surprising that there really has not been an auction. You never know who the buyers are going to be. We certainly have alerted many museums around the world. But anything goes.

NGUYEN: Fascinating, but these items are a little too big to sit on your coffee table, correct?

ETTINGER: Well, the skull that we'll be looking at is really not much larger than the size of a, I guess, a small horse head. And so, this actually could fit on a coffee table.

NGUYEN: So how much do you expect these remains to run?

ETTINGER: You know, this is an auction mostly without minimum reserves, so you never really know. And that's what makes the auction so exciting. But the range of estimates goes from the mid- five, six, seven, $800 on up to many hundreds of thousands of dollars, even possibly a million dollars or more.

NGUYEN: So some pieces can be somewhat affordable.

ETTINGER: Absolutely. This is not an elitist sale. This is really an event for everyone.

NGUYEN: Now, I have to ask you this. This auction, is it in anyway a disservice to future generations and to history, because shouldn't these items remain in museums?

ETTINGER: Well, many museums end up being stocked from auctions. Think of the great art museums of the world that are constantly looking to acquire works by Picasso, Renoir and other legendary painters. They acquire these often from auctions. Now, no one is encouraging massive amounts of public to go out and search for dinosaur relics. But when they are found on private land and they surface, they enter -- either they go to museum or enter private collections. But sooner or later, many of those private collections go to museums. So in truth, this really helps science, as many people see it.

NGUYEN: As quickly as we can, we want to go through some of these pictures, so you can tell us a little bit about what is up for auction. We understand you have a duckbill skeleton?

ETTINGER: That's an Anatotitan, 36 feet long, 98 percent complete. Remarkably, it contains about 50 percent of the impressions of its skin, really quite unusual.

NGUYEN: And a saber tooth tiger?

ETTINGER: We have several of those known as saber tooth cats. These were the most vicious animals living about five to seven million years ago, about the size of a lion today.

NGUYEN: And the teeth on that thing. My goodness.

All right. And you have some things with the skin impressions still?

ETTINGER: That's that anatotitan I've mentioned. But we also have some recent figures, such as a whale from 1844, found floating on the ocean. That was the first hump back whale ever purchased by P.T. Barnum, quite an extraordinary skeleton.

NGUYEN: And quickly, the ever-popular triceratops.

ETTINGER: The skull, seven feet long. A remarkable specimen. NGUYEN: Now, that's not for your coffee table. All right. Arlan Ettinger...

ETTINGER: Unless it's a big one.

NGUYEN: Yes, exactly. Of Guernsey House, we thank you so very much. And best of luck with that auction.

ETTINGER: Thanks so very much.

NGUYEN: Drew.

GRIFFIN: He's no stranger to headlines and raised eyebrows. Former President Bill Clinton hasn't stopped making them and raising them, especially with his latest book. But are you buying it? We're going to check your e-mails coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

GRIFFIN: A shot of the White House this morning on Father's Day. The father who lives there, I believe, is in Camp David this morning. But it's a beautiful sunny day in Washington, D.C. and Rob is going to have your forecast coming up in just a little while.

Welcome back to CNN SUNDAY MORNING. I'm Drew Griffin. Checking the top stories at this hour, Saudi Arabia's al Qaeda cell today named a replacement for Abdel Aziz al Muqrin, the top al Qaeda leader blamed for beheading Paul Johnson, was killed in a weekend shootout with police. Johnson's body has not been found.

In Iraq, reports that three Iraqis were killed and several wounded in clashes, between U.S. soldiers and insurgents in Baghdad's Shiite suburb of Sadr City.

GRIFFIN: Well, we have been asking you all along if you're going to read Bill Clinton's book or not. And we get some interesting e- mails. This one from Margaret in Rockville, Maryland, "I already bought the book on amazon.com a couple weeks ago, part of that advanced order. I can't wait to read it," she says. "I miss Bill Clinton."

NGUYEN: Well, John from Baton Rouge, Louisiana says, "No, I will not be buying Mr. Clinton's autobiography. He lied to us once, why should he be honest now? I will be spending my money on movies, popcorn and peanuts this weekend."

And of course, we thank you for all of your comments at wam@cnn.com.

Paul Johnson's brutal murder in Saudi Arabia has drawn countless emotional reactions here in the U.S. But what about in Saudi Arabia? We'll gauge their reaction just ahead.

And will Vice President Dick Cheney, and a few select folks, make a return appearance before the 9/11 Commission?

Those stories when CNN SUNDAY returns.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

GRIFFIN: They are getting set for the final round of the U.S. Open. I think the first tee off is at 9:40. Can Phil Mickelson regain the lead, take home his second major of the year? We're going to have a live preview less than ten minutes from now.

Welcome back. I'm Drew Griffin.

NGUYEN: I'm Betty Nguyen. That story is coming up. First, though, headlines at this hour.

Al Qaeda in Saudi Arabia announced a replacement for slain leader Abdel Aziz Al-Muqrin, according to an Islamist Web site. Saleh al- Oufi, a former prison guard, holds the number five slot in Saudi Arabia's list of 26 most wanted terrorists.

In Iraq, Interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi vowed the evil enemy will be stopped. Allawi announced the formation of elite military units to combat insurgents. Allawi added that his ministers are also discussing imposing emergency law to help bring order in parts of Iraq. A leading member of the Tikrit city council is dead. Another council member says the man was shot this morning in an attack by insurgents while on his way to Tikrit from his house in a nearby town. His driver and bodyguard were both wounded.

And leaders from India and Pakistan have agreed to set up a hotline to help avoid a nuclear catastrophe. The communication pact is part of an agreement that would extend a nuclear testing ban between the feuding nations and also improve communications and relations.

GRIFFIN: News and details about the killing of American hostage Paul Johnson have been flooding the media here in the U.S. But the story has also been told extensively across the Arab world. CNN's Octavia Nasr takes a look at what is different and what remains the same.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

OCTAVIA NASR, CNN SENIOR EDITOR FOR ARAB AFFAIRS (voice-over): Al-Arabiya was the Arab network that broke the news, but it's correspondent found himself at a loss for words.

"I have seen the pictures," he says. "They are very disturbing. Very graphic. Very inhumane."

A look back at the week's events, from the capture to the claim of responsibility, the deadline and a very emotional plea from Paul Johnson's wife in Saudi Arabia and family members in the United States.

THANOM JOHNSON, WIFE OF PAUL JOHNSON: I want him to come back because I don't have nobody here.

OCTAVIA: On the Arabic networks, there were commentaries interviews with prominent people. Even the most conservative of them made a point of saying they were sorry.

This cleric says, "I want to apologize to the Johnson family, to President Bush, and the American people."

Over pictures of Johnson, the narrative was often emotional and opinionated. Who's to blame? Could this have been prevented?

"Where are those satellites that can track people down," this anchor asks. "Where is the intelligence? How could this happen?"

An emotional news day on the Arab stations with journalists trying to make sense of a senseless act.

Octavia Nasr, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: A 9/11 panel member is inviting Vice President Dick Cheney to come forward with any evidence he has that shows a link between Al Qaeda and Iraq under Saddam Hussein. Now, it comes days after the panel said it found no evidence of a collaboration between Iraq and the terror network. But the White House is sticking to its position, insisting there were significant links.

Cheney's boss is playing up his fiscal management skills. In his weekly radio address, President Bush spoke optimistically about the growth and strength of the economy.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Time and again, our economy has defied the gloomy predictions of pessimists because of the hard work of so many Americans, and because of the good policies in Washington, D.C. Our economy is strong, and it is getting stronger. America has added more than 1.4 million new jobs since last August. Our economy has grown at the fastest pace in almost two decades. And the recession was one of the shortest and shallowest in modern American history.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

NGUYEN: Meanwhile, two people who hope to oust President Bush were touting their political bona fides on Friday. Senator John Edwards and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Henry Cisneros rallied the Democratic faithful on John Kerry's behalf. That event took place at the Democratic annual state convention in Houston, Texas. Edwards is widely considered a possible pick on Senator Kerry's vice presidential consideration list.

GRIFFIN: Friends giving the ultimate gift, life. We're going to talk with two friends who depend on each other more than most.

And missing dad on Father's Day. Families remembering in Washington. We're back after a break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

GRIFFIN: Just to keep you ahead of the curve, now, here is a look at what is coming up this week. Hearings scheduled Monday for three soldiers charged with abuse in the Abu Ghraib prison scandal. Pre-trial hearings are set for Sergeant Ivan Frederick, Sergeant Javal Davis and Specialist Charles Graner. A preliminary hearing will begin Tuesday for Private First Class Lynndie England. That will take place at Fort Bragg.

Also Monday, it's blast-off for the world's first commercial manned space vehicle. If all goes well, SpaceShipOne will rocket into sub-orbital space for a short cruise.

And Wednesday begins a new round of six nation talks over North Korea's nuclear program in Beijing. North Korea says it's willing to freeze that nuclear program in return for economic aid and will only dismantle the program if the United States promises not to invade.

NGUYEN: Also sure to be in the news this week, one of golf's greatest tournaments, the U.S. Open, is underway in Southampton, New York. That's where our own Josie Burke is. And she joins us live with all the details.

Hi there, Josie.

JOSIE BURKE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Betty, it should be a wild finish here at the U.S. Open. If yesterday was any indication at all. That's because the wind really picked up here at Shinnecock Hills, and it took scores with it. Only three players were able to post a third round score under par. One of them is the leader heading into the final round, 35-year-old South African Retief Goosen. He has a two- shot lead over his country mate Ernie Els and Phil Mickelson. Mickelson says that he thinks that Sunday's final round will be a survival test.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PHIL MICKELSON, GOLFER: What we will have is guys outlasting each other. Who can make the most pars before somebody bogeys, that type of thing. And that's a fun way to play, too.

ERNIE ELS, GOLFER: He's got a hell of a game. Myself, you know me, so, you know. We have great players coming through. It's good for the country.

RETIEF GOOSEN, GOLFER: I can feel a bit more comfortable, but you know, it's never easy to feel comfortable. Doesn't matter who you play with, you've got to get down and do your own thing.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BURKE: Goosen won the U.S. Open back in 2001. He is not one of the best-known players in the world, but he is one of the best players in the world. He is actually ranked in the top ten worldwide. He is known for being very even keeled, very steady, and that served him well in that 2001 U.S. Open victory, because he had a chance to win the tournament outright on the last hole. All he needed to do was make a two-foot putt, and he missed it. So what did he do? He came back the next day and he won in an 18-hole playoff. That really showed that he has the kind of temperament to hold up in these pressure situations.

Betty?

NGUYEN: A lot of pressure there. CNN's Josie Burke taking in the tournament in New York. Thank you.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JEREMY DUNCAN, LIEUTENANT, USMC: Just an act of selfishness.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GRIFFIN: Meet Marine First Lieutenant Jeremy Duncan. He recently performed an act of heroism that has nothing to do with the battlefield.

His childhood best friend Jason Tully lost both kidneys last year and was looking at possibly waiting three years for a donor. Doctors told Tully there was a one in 100,000 chance of finding a match outside his family. That's when his best friend, Marine Lieutenant Duncan stepped in and beat those incredible odds. The two matched, and with Duncan on leave from duty in Iraq, the transplant surgery took place last month.

Joining to us now to talk about all this and the bond they now share is Jason Tully, live in San Antonio, Texas, and Marine Lieutenant Jeremy Duncan, who is in San Diego.

First, guys, how are you doing? Jason with the new kidney, Jeremy without your old one.

DUNCAN: I'm doing good.

JASON TULLY, KIDNEY RECIPIENT: I'm feeling great.

GRIFFIN: Everybody's doing well? Have you guys found out you are like blood brothers separated at birth or anything, with this incredible match? Jason, you had to be thinking man, three years of dialysis, five hours a day for three days a week?

TULLY: Four hours a day, yes. I wasn't looking forward to it. But I kind of resigned myself to it.

GRIFFIN: So, here comes your buddy; he's back from Iraq. He calls you up, on the phone, right? And you tell him what your situation is? And he says, well, how do I get tested?

TULLY: Yes, exactly. He asked me that. I just assumed it was one of those things, he was curious or he was trying to be nice. I told him to see a doctor, go to the hospital there on the base and they would tell him what to do. I didn't think he'd do it. But he did.

GRIFFIN: Jeremy you get the call that says, indeed, you are a match. Were you feeling happy at that point, or uh-oh, now I have to come through with my plan.

DUNCAN: No, I was definitely looking forward to giving him a hand.

GRIFFIN: You gave him more than a hand, sir, you gave him a kidney. And your father advised you not to do it. Did your dad think, Jeremy, come on, you have already done enough for this country and for the world. You've just come back from Iraq, why are you now taking the risk of giving somebody else one of your kidneys?

DUNCAN: Yes, he was a little, you know, he was a little hesitant about that. But Jason has been a good friend of mine since sixth, seventh grade, so I wanted to be there to help him out in this situation. I think I would have regretted it for the rest of my life if I had not done that.

GRIFFIN: Jason, how does that kidney feel?

TULLY: It's working great. Working better than the ones I had before. So, I'm feeling really good.

GRIFFIN: Do you feel a little tougher, like a Marine, maybe?

TULLY: I got a little bit of that in me, I think. A little bit.

GRIFFIN: So have you guys remained close friends or has this kidney brought you closer together? Jason?

TULLY: We've talked more on the phone. Before, we used to just catch up every couple of months because he lived out on the west coast, I'm out here. I find we probably talk a lot more since then. Just to check up on each other and see how we're both doing.

GRIFFIN: Jeremy, what's next for you, in terms of your service?

DUNCAN: Well, in a short period of time I'll be going back out to Iraq. So I'll be there for about six to nine months.

GRIFFIN: Well, we wish you both the best. Jeremy, be very careful in Iraq. We'll be, of course, thinking of you. Jason, good luck with that new Marine-issued kidney.

TULLY: Thank you.

GRIFFIN: Take care, guys.

Well, Lieutenant Duncan might want to take note of an old cliche, do good things to others and good things happen to you. This woman knows it all too well. Mitzi Nichols of Virginia Beach donated her kidney to a man she didn't know three years ago. This past week, she won $500,000 in the state lottery. One year after donating the kidney, Nichols got to meet the man who received it. Now Nichols says she will use her earnings to buy a house, a truck for her husband, and to help the man who received her kidney repair his own broken-down car.

We haven't forgotten about our favorite traveling family. An update on the Spry family journey. Where will they spend this Father's Day? Answers when CNN SUNDAY MORNING continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Welcome back to CNN SUNDAY MORNING. I'm Betty Nguyen. Here's a look at our top story.

In Iraq there are reports that three Iraqis were killed and several others wounded in clashes between U.S. soldiers and insurgents in Baghdad's Shiite suburb of Sadr city.

Al Qaeda in Saudi Arabia announced a replacement for slain leader Abdel Aziz Al-Muqrin, according to an Islamist Web site. Saleh Al- Oufi, a former prison guard, holds the number five spot on Saudi Arabia's list of 26 most wanted terrorists.

(WEATHER REPORT) GRIFFIN: A lot of people have been living the American dream vicariously this summer as we have been following the Spry family cross-country. You might remember. Steve, Colleen and their son Ryan decided to give up the rat race in Silicone Valley. They sold the house, bought that RV, and are now out on the open road looking for a new place to live. The Sprys are waking up this morning in the Florida Keys after spending much of the week in a very hot Orlando visiting the sights. Ryan looks like he's having a pretty good time there. This is at Disney world.

Their message this morning, wishing all the fathers out there a happy Father's Day. The family will be moving up the east coast after their visit to the Keys. You can track their progress or drop them an e-mail at luvtohavefun.com.

Remembering their fallen fathers, a special day at the Vietnam memorial in Washington. We'll tell you about that when CNN SUNDAY MORNING returns.

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NGUYEN: There's plenty more ahead on CNN today. At the top of the hour it's "INSIDE POLITICS SUNDAY." Former President Clinton is right back in the political spotlight this week with the upcoming release of his new book. More on that in the next hour.

And at 11:00 Eastern, it's "CNN LIVE SUNDAY."

And at 11:30, it's "RELIABLE SOURCES." Long-time newsman Dan Rather talks about his interview of former President Clinton.

GRIFFIN: In Washington this Father's Day, honoring the sons, fathers and brothers killed at war with a flower-filled tribute. Rows of red roses, many remembering the casualties of war at the Vietnam Veterans memorial. Those at the event also laid out yellow and white roses. The event honoring the 58,000 killed in Vietnam, along with the current casualties in Iraq.

NGUYEN: Shifting gears, literally. Thrills and spills on this dad's day weekend. Motocross fans gather each year at Budd's Creek Park for the pro national races. 20,000 spectators attend the annual event, and this is what they come for.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's no place I'd rather be on father's day than spending time with my kids. I mean, they're our future. What we pass on to them is, you know, what they know. This is our -- my brothers and I are very close. We want all of our sons to be as close as we are. This is how we express our love for one another.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a family thing. Family sport. Bring everybody out. Moms, kids. Every Father's Day we are here.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The best part is jumping. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I was lucky; my dad knew how to work on motorcycles from when I had a 50 cc bike to even now on the practice bikes. Like I said, this isn't soccer or football or baseball, you know? There's a lot of work involved.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Anybody that has a father around any athlete who is successful, the biggest thing is having parents around. It makes me feel really good, always feel I have one person behind me -- actually two people behind me, my mom and him. My dad is the one helping me with my career.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: Now that looks like fun. The pro national races at Budd's Creek, a Father's Day tradition in Maryland.

GRIFFIN: That's the newscast for this morning. Certainly thank you for joining us on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

NGUYEN: And happy Father's Day to all of you. "INSIDE POLITICS SUNDAY" is next.

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