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CNN Sunday Morning

Wounded Italian Journalist Speaks Out; Pope John Paul II Blesses Onlookers From Hospital Window

Aired March 06, 2005 - 07:00   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.


BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: She says a reign of fire and bullets hit them, shutting up forever the cheerful voices of a few minutes earlier. That's from a freed Italian journalist, who tells the world about her escape from Iraq.
From the CNN Center in Atlanta, this is CNN SUNDAY MORNING. It's March 6th. Good morning, everyone. I'm Betty Nguyen.

TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Tony Harris. 7:00 a.m. here in the East, 1:00 p.m. in Rome. Thank you for being with us. Let's get started with the morning headlines.

Pope John Paul II appeared at his hospital window again today, as he did last Sunday. The pope, who is recovering from breathing problems, blessed the onlookers and waved to them. Earlier, the pope followed along with prayers read by an aide to a crowd at the Vatican.

Leaders of Shiite and Kurdish alliances, the big winners in the Iraqi elections have been meeting to talk about forming a new government. And now, the Shi'ite alliance has set a deadline to get that job done. The first meeting of the new government is set for March 16th.

It's just not enough. That's the U.S. State Department's reaction to a speech by Syria's President Bashar Assad. He announced a two phased redeployment of Syrian troops in Lebanon, but he did not announce an immediate withdrawal, as President Bush and other world leaders have demanded.

NGUYEN: Here are some of the stories you don't want to miss this hour. A strange link between Internet porn and international terror. CNN's catches up with a smut peddler, who's hobby is tracking down al Qaeda.

Also ahead...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: ...be a powerful type of treatment for like breast cancer, colon cancer, skin cancer, the big ones. So it could affect a lot of peoples' lives.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: This young man is one of 20 reasons to be optimistic about the future. You're going to meet two of them in just a little while.

Plus later, the ride of a lifetime. Check it out. Even after you see the video, you will still wonder how'd they do that?

HARRIS: One big surf board.

NGUYEN: Looks like fun.

HARRIS: Both of our top stories this morning are out of Rome, where Pope John Paul II waves from his hospital window and blesses the faithful, and where an Italian journalist recovering from wounds suffered in Iraq gives her version of the events there.

Our bureau chief Alessio Vinci is at Gemelli Hospital in Rome.

Alessio, good morning.

ALESSIO VINCI, CNN BUREAU CHIEF: Good morning to you, Tony. Well, again, this week, Pope John Paul II, unable to participate directly to the proceedings in St. Peters Square, where a crowd of a few thousand gathered to hear the traditional Sunday Angelus. But the pope, nevertheless, managed to follow those proceedings from a television screen from this hospital here. And outside the hospital, a cheering crowd of a few hundred.

Pope John Paul II then eventually made a brief appearance from the hospital window, looking quite well. He blessed the pilgrims a few times. He did not speak. He is still recovering from a tracheotomy, which has left him temporarily voiceless.

Now the Angelus, the traditional Angelus, is also an opportunity for the pope to usually make a comment on even world affairs sometimes. And you may remember last Sunday also here from the hospital the pope called for the liberation of hostages in Iraq.

And among them was also Giuliana Sgrena, who you know now was released on Friday. But that release into a tragedy when her car, which was taking her back to the airport in Baghdad and then eventually to be flown here to Rome, was attacked by U.S. forces at a checkpoint. Giuliana Sgrena was wounded to her left shoulder. And the agent who actually negotiated her release was killed.

Now this incident is being investigated. There are some discrepancies between what the U.S. and the Italians are saying at this time, especially regarding the speed at which the car was driving, and whether or not the U.S. intelligence and U.S. forces had been warned that this operation was underway.

This morning, the "Il Manifesto," which is the Communist newspaper for which Giuliana Sgrena works, publishes her own account or at least a partial -- an initial account of what happened yesterday.

She writes the car was not driving fast and that -- and she calls the shooting "unjustified." And she also says the only thing she remembers was a hail of bullets hitting that car. And then, she writes this about the agent that was killed right next to her. She says, "The driver started yelling that we were Italians 'we are Italians, we are Italians'. And then Nicola Calipari threw himself on me to protect me and immediately, I repeat, immediately I head his last breath as he was dying on me."

This is what Giuliana Sgrena reports this morning about the final words of the -- Nicola Calipari set in the card before dying. And the result of an autopsy this morning here in Rome shows that Calipari was hit to his head by a single bullet. Back to you, Tony.

HARRIS: Wow, Alessio, what an account. In the paper this morning, I have to ask you, do we know yet whether or not Giuliana Sgrena's release was in fact a rescue or was her release negotiated?

VINCI: I think the release of Giuliana Sgrena was the result of a negotiated agreement between the Italians and the insurgents who had held her captive. Italian newspaper this morning, one Italian newspaper this morning, even suggesting that a ransom was paid between 6 and 8 million Euros, that's about $8 and $9.5 million, but there's not confirmation here from the Italians. But certainly, Nicola Calipari was an experienced negotiator. He himself had negotiated in the past releases of other Italian former hostages. So certainly his presence in Baghdad meant that this release was negotiated, and not the result of a military operation.

HARRIS: OK. Alessio Vinci in Rome for us this morning. Alessio, thank you.

And turning now to Pakistan, where soldiers have targeted some suspected terrorists. Pakistani troops raided a house near the Afghan border yesterday, sparking a fire fight that killed two suspected al Qaeda members. 11 others were captured. Local officials say some foreigners are among those arrested. Pakistani troops have repeatedly raided the border region, where al Qaeda terrorists are believed to be hiding out.

NGUYEN: U.S. officials have found themselves with an unlikely ally in the fight against terror. And you won't believe what his day job is. Our Tom Foreman has the story, as we bring you another look at the best of CNN prime-time from this past week.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TOM FOREMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Close by the sunny shores of Maryland, in a warehouse near the beach, business is taking off for John Messner.

Nine years ago, he jumped into the expanding business of Internet porn, using his wife as a model, and charging online customers for every peek.

JOHN MESSNER, DISMANTLES TERRORIST Web SITES: I was actually pretty stupid and happy, like most Americans.

FOREMAN: Soon he was employing other models, learning the intricacies of commerce on the web. And porn became a main stay of his income, his identify.

MESSNER: I will always be, no matter what contribution I am to make to society, I will be first and foremost that pornographer.

FOREMAN: So even he was surprised when the events of 9/11 changed his life ever since he has used the skills he developed for porn to seize and dismantle terrorist Web sites.

MESSNER: Oh, it's become very popular to hate Americans. You can't swing a dead cat without hitting a terrorist Web site of somebody that wants to bring harm to the American people. No question.

FOREMAN: Among the four billion Web sites in the world are hidden at least 4,000 terrorist related sites, according to a study by the U.S. Institute of Peace. Last fall, Iraq faced terrorist Abu Musab al Zarqawi, used the Net to post his pledge of loyalty to Osama bin Laden. It was a striking example of how terrorists more than ever are hiding in plain site on the Net.

Ben Venzke is a counterterrorism specialist.

BEN VENZKE, INTELCENTER: It's pulled together disparate parts, groups of people that are spread out around the world that might share a common cause and enable them to interact and work with each other and collaborate at a much faster speed with much less cost and with much greater security.

FOREMAN: Terrorists and their sympathizers now share everything, from training videos to propaganda online.

The result? When the Internet extremist magazine "Al Batar" dedicated an issue to kidnapping techniques, the number of abductions in the Middle East spiked. When terrorists talked online about striking Spain, the Madrid train bombings followed.

And researcher Gabriel Weimann says they do all of this by working through a legitimate Internet service provider.

GABRIEL WEIMANN, TERRORISM RESEARCHER: By the time they realize it, they move the Web sites. The servers will repost it somewhere else. So it's almost a futile attempt to block them from accessing those providers.

FOREMAN (on camera): Still, terrorists cannot set up a site without a name and address for registration. And of course, they don't want to use their own. So when John Messner finds a terrorist site, he reports this discrepancy to the Internet provider. The provider drops the contract and Messner snatches it up.

(voice-over): Sometimes he alters the site with pro-America ideas. Often, he encourages discussion of issues that divide the world. It's high concept, low tech, and it works to his peril.

MESSNER: A good week doesn't go by that I don't get death threats. FOREMAN: Porn still helps pay the bills. Taking out more than a half dozen terrorist Web sites has cost Messner thousands of dollars.

MESSNER: I don't know why I do this. I just know it's important. I know communication among people is important.

FOREMAN: And if others see a contradiction in a porn king crusader, he does not. Whether providing porn or battling violent extremists, John Messner believes he is fighting for freedom.

Tom Foreman, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: Stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security. And tonight on CNN, Anderson Cooper hosts "PRIME CUTS," the best of what we bring you each week. Tonight, Martha Stewart's release from prison, plus exclusive video of her in prison.

Also, a woman touched by the BTK serial killings. And we'll follow U.S. marshals on a pre-dawn raid in Chicago. That's "PRIME CUTS" at 10:00 p.m. Eastern.

HARRIS: Marine experts may have to go way below the surface to figure out what made dozens of dolphins beach themselves in Florida. We'll have one possible explanation.

NGUYEN: You may not know his name yet, but this 18-year old may hold the answer to curing cancer. We'll meet him next on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

HARRIS: And good morning, Washington, D.C. and the White House. Jacqui Jeras will have your weather and the weather for the rest of the nation in just a couple of minutes.

NGUYEN: And here is our e-mail question this morning. As the U.S. pushes Syria to pull troops out of Lebanon, what do you think? How should the U.S. deal with Syria? That's our question today. E- mail us at wam@cnn.com. We are reading your replies all morning long.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: Stories across America this morning. Experts are trying to determine how dozens of beached dolphins died in the Florida Keys. Some 24 are being autopsied this morning, after about 70 dolphins stranded themselves on Wednesday. Experts are asking if a submarine performing Navy exercises nearby used sonar in the water. Experts say sonar can disorient or scare marine mammals.

About 40 men, women and children had headaches, nausea, and even passed out following a Saturday swim at a high school in River Oak, Michigan. Police believe a malfunctioning furnace leaked carbon monoxide gas. Police say test found high levels of the odorless, toxic gas. The school is expected to be open tomorrow. In Ohio, posters and prayers amid songs from a gospel guitar ensemble. Family and friends of Jessica Lunsford held a candlelight vigil in her mother's neighborhood last night. The nine-year old Florida girl has now been missing for 11 days. Meanwhile in Florida, the family is putting out small flyers, looking for small signs of hope. Police say they still have no leads in the case.

And baseball hall of famer Reggie Jackson hopes to return to work this morning, after being treated and released following a car crash in Florida on Friday. Jackson's SUV was ran from behind at a red light, causing his and another sport utility vehicle to flip over. Jackson is currently an assistant to the New York Yankees and hopes to return to spring training in Tampa today.

Honda is losing its title as the most reliable automaker. Find out which company claims it this year. Best cars 2005, later this hour on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

NGUYEN: Oh, I'm interested in that one. Want to see where my car ranks on that.

But Tony, hey, you're feeling better today, right?

HARRIS: Absolutely.

NGUYEN: Jacqui, you say it has nothing to do with the weather, but there was sunshine yesterday. So I think it may be...

(WEATHER REPORT)

HARRIS: Cha-ching. Congress considers the minimum wage, which could bring bigger paychecks to millions of Americans to parties, to plants. We'll explain them coming up.

And check out these pictures. A record breaking day down under. How do you build a surf board that big? The story, coming up on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: When you think of innovative people who have done groundbreaking research, people who inspire you, people who have made contributions that will likely change the world, you don't usually think of teenagers.

But that is just what you will find in this week's "Teen People" magazine. The writers searched the country and found 20 young people they consider extraordinary. Their feats including fighting for health care in Africa and lobbying for foster care.

Now one of those teens is with us this morning. Clotilde Dedecker is a 17-year old high school freshman. High school freshman, mind you, who raised tens of thousands of dollars to build schools for girls in Afghanistan. And she joins us now from Buffalo, New York.

Good morning to you. CLOTILDE DEDECKER, INTL. EDUCATION ADVOCATE: Good morning.

NGUYEN: Well, first of all, you're just a freshman in high school. What inspired you to do such a great thing?

DEDECKER: Several things, really. I think the main thing was, as you know, after September 11th, Afghanistan was most definitely thrust into media spotlight. So it was continually hearing the horror stories of, you know, woman and girls facing really other injustice under the Taliban, particularly with regard to an education that they had been denied one. And you know, as a result, were really suffering.

So as a student at an all girls school, you know, I definitely kind of felt their pain and wanted to reach out and provide them with the opportunities that I have.

NGUYEN: OK, it's one thing to want to reach out, but it's a completely different thing when you're actually going through with it. Where do you start? How did you raise the money?

DEDECKER: I started by talking to people. You know, you start by going to the different schools and asking them to join with you and work on behalf of these girls. We've raised the money, a plethora of ways, from car washes to local dances to jeans days to bottle drives. You really name it.

NGUYEN: Any way you could, huh?

DEDECKER: Any way you could, exactly.

NGUYEN: OK. And so, because of this money, you were able to build a school in Afghanistan. Have you seen the school? Have you heard from the girls who are attending there?

DEDECKER: I have not yet seen the school. I hope to visit Afghanistan. I've seen it via photographs, which I, you know, are most definitely beautiful. And I, as I said, hope to go there some day. The coalition, which is the group I work with, has not yet been able to actually like verbally communicate with the girls. But that's definitely a goal. And we hope to accomplish that soon.

NGUYEN: Well, we are looking pictures -- at pictures of the girls there at the school. And obviously, this is making a huge difference in their lives.

I want to bring in now Mason Hedberg, who is an 18-year old Brown University freshman, who conducted a groundbreaking research in cancer fighting technologies.

And we want to talk to him now. He joins us from Providence, Rhode Island. Good morning to you.

HERBERT MASON HEDBERG, CANCER RESEARCHER: Good morning.

NGUYEN: Well, tell us about what you were able to research and where you got the idea for this?

HEDBERG: My project was -- it started in junior year. And I was working with an enzyme called Telomerase that can allow cancer cells to keep dividing.

So what I did is develop the process, which can identify molecules that can knock out this enzyme in cancer cells and potentially stop their growth. And this could be used in tendency with chemotherapy or radiation to accelerate the -- you know, the death of the cancer cells.

NGUYEN: Now you started this because of a personal connection. Tell us about that.

HEDBERG: In my sophomore year of high school, my grandmother was diagnosed with Cordoma, which is a rare form of cancer in the base of her spine. And she needed two, 12 hour operations to remove the tumor.

And then I started reading about alternative and experimental cancer therapies because of the long recovery my grandmother had. And that's when I first read about this Telomerase enzyme.

NGUYEN: And actually, you've put in for a patent for this particular technique that you've been able to research and conduct?

HEDBERG: Yes. I applied for a patent this October. And...

NGUYEN: Wow, that is...

HEDBERG: ...it takes about a year to go through. So I'll see what happens.

NGUYEN: That is amazing. 18-years old. Both of you are so inspirational. Before we run out of time with you this morning, I want to go back to you, Clotilde.

For those in the world who think, you know, one person can't make a difference, what's your answer to them?

DEDECKER: You're absolutely wrong. You can make a difference, no matter how old you are. And I think what it's about is really finding your passion, because -- you know, it's one thing to help, but it's a lot easier to help if you're doing something you really love.

So I think it's whether your passion is video games, whether it's cancer research, you know, whether it's girls education, find it and from there move on.

NGUYEN: Where there's a will, there's a way.

DEDECKER: Yes.

NGUYEN: Mason, what's your answer to that? What's your advice?

HEDBERG: I completely agree with her. I mean, people ask me how I got on this track. And I mean, as far back as I can remember, I was always playing with bugs in the backyard. It started with nature and science. So I've just been pursuing this path. And I was lucky to come -- what I came up with.

NGUYEN: From bugs to cancer research, my goodness. You have come a long ways in your short 18 years. We thank you both for being with us. And you're so inspirational. Best of luck in all your endeavors. And keep changing the world.

DEDECKER: Thank you.

HEDBERG: Thank you.

NGUYEN: Take care. Tony?

HARRIS: He has drawn his share of cheers, but now California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is drawing some jeers. We'll tell you why. Plus, making waves. You won't believe what it took for these surfers to cruise into the record books. We'll show you straight ahead on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: Minimum wage is a big topic on Capitol Hill this week. Welcome back, everyone, to CNN SUNDAY MORNING. I'm Tony Harris.

NGUYEN: And I'm Betty Nguyen. We have that story in just a moment. But first, here's a look at what's in the news this morning.

Pope John Paul II was back at the window of the hospital where he is recovering from breathing problems. The 84-year old pope waved and gave a silent blessing to hundreds of pilgrims below.

At St. Peters Square, an aide read the traditional Angelus blessing in the pope's absence.

Now to the Italian journalist, freed in Iraq then wounded by American troops. She is describing her ordeal today. Giuliana Sgrena writes in an Italian newspaper that her car was not speeding when it approached a Baghdad checkpoint, as the U.S. military reported. Sgrena also says her captors warned her, as she was about to be released, that the Americans might intervene.

Pakistani troops raided a hideout of suspected al Qaeda militants, triggering a shootout that killed two people. Military officials say 11 people were arrested in yesterday's raid, including foreigners. A large number of weapons were also seized.

HARRIS: You know, there hasn't been an increase in the minimum wage in eight years. Tomorrow, the Senate is set to vote on whether to raise it. Right now, the current minimum wage is $5.15 an hour. A Republican plan would hike that to $6.25 over 18 months. The Democratic plan would boost it further to $7.25 over 26 months. The competing proposals would be added as an amendment to the bankruptcy legislation.

This footnote. During that same eight year period, Congress has raised its own salaries, count them, seven times.

NGUYEN: All right, flip flop, the wording Republicans use against Senator John Kerry. Well it's now being used against one of their own. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is still a popular politician, but there are signs some of the luster is wearing off.

More on this now from Peter Viles in Los Angeles.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PETER VILES, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): He still draws a crowd, but now, the California governor also draws protests, even boos. One reason charges that Arnold Schwarzenegger has broken his word, flip-flopped on big issues, first, education.

GOV. ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER (R), CALIFORNIA: I have said from day one that we have to do everything that we can to protect education.

VILES: Last year, the governor cut a deal with educators, give up some money now, you'll get back next year. The governor's new budget does restore some money but the Teacher's Union says it's $2 billion less than promised.

HARRY KEILEY, CALIFORNIA TEACHER'S ASSOCIATION: Where we are is a disappointment that the governor would go back on his word.

RAPHAEL SONNENSHEIN, POLITICAL ANALYST: It makes it very difficult to cut any deal in which the governor has to get something from you today in return for something he will give tomorrow. I think those deals may be over.

VILES: Special interest money, Candidate Schwarzenegger said he didn't need it.

SCHWARZENEGGER: As you know, I don't have to take any money from anybody. I have plenty of money myself.

VILES: But as governor, he's been a fund-raising machine. He raked in more than $24 million last year and plans to raise $50 million this year, mainly from business interests.

ALLAN HOFFENBLUM, REPUBLICAN POLITICAL ANALYST: They're not giving that money that -- so he gets reelected as governor. They're getting it because they support what he's attempting to do on his ballot measures.

VILES: Another issue, fiscal responsibility.

SCHWARZENEGGER: The politicians of this state would never ever begin -- spent more money than the state takes in.

VILES: Democrats say the governor broke that promise when he proposed new borrowing to balance his new budget. Schwarzenegger is still popular in his post honeymoon period. A recent poll showed his job approval rating at 55 percent, but that is down from 65 percent six months ago.

Peter Viles for CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: Some Democrats say Schwarzenegger is sending mixed signals on steroids. He's now urging officials to crack down more on steroid use by bodybuilders. He made those comments at his annual Arnold classic body building tournament in Columbus, Ohio. You see it here. Schwarzenegger has admitted using steroids during his championship bodybuilding career, saying they were legal at the time.

HARRIS: And time now to check in on some other world events, developments this Sunday morning.

NGUYEN: For that, we hand it over to Anand Naidoo at the CNN International Desk.

Good morning, Anand.

ANAND NAIDOO, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Good morning to you.

First up, Syria this morning. President Bashar Assad of Syria says the country will redeploy its troops in Lebanon. But here's the critical part. They will not leave the country.

In the first stage, all of Syria's 14,000 troops in Lebanon will move to the Bekaa Valley. And later, the troops will be pulled back to the border.

This is not going to please politicians and leaders in Washington, Europe, and some Arab states, which have been calling for a complete Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon.

Now moving on to Iraq. And we have something new this morning. This coming in. The recently elected national assembly is to meet for the first time on March 16th. The main Kurdish and Shi'ite parties say they're keen to start the process of forming a government. The first job for the assembly is to elect a president and two deputy presidents. And they in turn will elect -- correction -- nominate a prime minister and a cabinet.

Moving on to the war on terrorism, and a warning from Britain's former top policeman. Sir John Stevens, former chief of London's Metropolitan Police, says there are more than 100 al Qaeda trained terrorists operating in Britain right now. Stevens says in view of this, he backs the controversial new anti-terror laws planned by the British government.

That is it of now. Later, we'll be taking a look at Pakistan's war against al Qaeda. That's coming up later. And going global for now, let's send it back to Tony and Betty.

NGUYEN: Very interesting. Yes, thanks.

HARRIS: Surf's up, dude. NGUYEN: Dude.

HARRIS: Dude, OK. Take a look at this gnarly video. Oh, there it is. More than 40 surfers have set a new world surfing record. They successfully rode a 40 foot long surfboard off the Australian coast. Thousands of people came out to watch the four minute ride.

NGUYEN: Wow.

HARRIS: Could be a reality show.

NGUYEN: Looks like fun, though, doesn't it? Until you fall off.

HARRIS: Time to go. Time to go. The previous record was set by a team of 14 British surfers in 2003.

NGUYEN: Can you say dude again?

HARRIS: Dude. Dude as well as you did.

NGUYEN: Same kind of ring. All right, you're looking at the carmaker, here you go, that will give you the least amount of headaches. Well, that is according to the latest reports. Find out how your car rates. That's ahead on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

HARRIS: And good morning Miami. Your Sunday forecast in about 15 minutes.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Time now to look ahead to some of the stories we will be covering this week. Monday, the Supreme Court examines the federal government's power to override state laws on the use of medical marijuana.

Since 1996, 10 states have legalized marijuana for medical use. Wednesday, the man who called the 2004 election shakier than cafeteria jello is stepping down. Dan Rather will draw the curtain on 24 years as the anchor of the CBS Evening News. Rather will continue to report for "60 MINUTES."

Also on Wednesday, a new twist on three letters that shake some high schoolers to the bone. We're talking about the SAT test. It rolls out with revamped math and verbal section, and a new writing portion. In addition to the 35 minute multiple choice questions, students will have to write an essay in just 25 minutes, Tony.

HARRIS: From the battlefield, a soldier can become a war casualty in the blink of an eye. Today's heroes stories is about a young sergeant who managed to fire at his attacker a split second too late.

Here's CNN's Casey Wian.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) CASEY WIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Like any good soldier, Staff Sergeant Joshua Johnston has a routine. First, he whips up breakfast for his family.

SGT. JOSHUA JOHNSTON, U.S. ARMY: I always wanted to be a chef. I figured I can't do nothing else, really. So I might as well wake up in the morning and cook.

WIAN: Then his wife Ayni tends to the reason he can't do much. Still fresh wounds on both legs.

JOHNSTON: We have that right there. It's really replaceable artery.

WIAN: And a 12 inch gash through his abdomen that doctors left open to heal from the inside out. Just over a month ago, Johnston was on a mission in downtown Ramadi. He spotted a peeker, an insurgent who peeked around a corner before shooting an RPG.

JOHNSTON: You know, I got a peeker. And all of a sudden, that same corner, I got to him. Turned around with a black mask, set his weapon down to be fired. And I opened fire in about four or five rounds. I don't know if I hit him.

WIAN: But quickly, Johnston knew he was hit.

JOHNSTON: I remember it threw me back into the seat. And I remembered pain. I remember warm, really warm. I looked down and kind of saw smoke come up. And then, I went into shock. I saw light sparks. It looks like sparks just sparking in my face. And I was really tired and I thought then that I was dead. I was going to die.

DARREL JOHNSTON, FATHER: Oh, my God. I just like no, no, no, not Josh.

WIAN: Johnston was rushed to Walter Reed via Germany in just four days, where his wife and son, who hadn't seen him in six months, were waiting.

J. JOHNSTON: Before I left, he wasn't walking. And then when I was in the hospital, seen him walking to me. It meant a lot.

WIAN: Today, he's recovering at the Las Vegas home of hair care mogul John Paul Degoria, where his parents are caretakers. Johnston faces at least a year's rehabilitation and an uncertain future in the Army. He saved the chunk of shrapnel that nearly took his life.

J. JOHNSTON: I survived. You know, I lived through it. So it means a lot.

WIAN: It also means he's again considering a career as a chef.

Casey Wian, CNN, Las Vegas, Nevada.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: And we bring you heroes stories every week on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

NGUYEN: The freed Italian hostage wounded by U.S. forces today recounts her version of the events. Journalist Giuliana Sgrena is quoted, saying her vehicle was not speeding when it came under fire on its way to the Baghdad Airport. The U.S. is investigating.

Also in Rome, the pope appeared today at his hospital window to bless Sunday worshipers. He's recovering from a relapse at the flu.

And on Capitol Hill tomorrow, a vote to raise the minimum wage is expected to be taken up in the U.S. Senate. A GOP proposal would raise it to a $1.10 or raise it by $1.10 to $6.25. A Democratic plan would be $1.00 more to $7.25.

Batter up. Spring training is underway. We will surf the web for a look at how the major leagues are shaping up. That's next on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

And which cars are batting .1000? Consumer Reports is out with its all star line-up of its best picks. We'll tell you what's leading the pack.

HARRIS: But first, a CNN extra. Everyone 10 and older, that's the new videogame ratings category introduced this week by the Entertainment Software ratings board. From now on, E10+ on the box means the videogame might contain moderate amounts of cartoon or fantasy violence, mild language, or some slightly suggestive themes. But not all games require a rating. The rating system is voluntary, but almost all games sold at retail are rated.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: All right, all you sports fans, will the Red Sox do it again this year? Can the Yanks get back on track? What about your team?

Christina Park joins us with a play by play from the .COM desk. Good morning to you.

CHRISTINA PARK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Betty. Are you a baseball fan?

NGUYEN: I am a baseball fan. I like those Texas Rangers.

PARK: Oh yes, because you're from Texas.

NGUYEN: Yes.

PARK: And I have to like the Atlanta Braves.

NGUYEN: Got to put the plug in there.

PARK: Yes.

NGUYEN: The Braves are good, but my heart's Texas. PARK: Well, this weekend, there was a historic game. The Washington Nationals played the Baltimore Orioles for the first time since 1971. But the most memorable part was Sammy Sosa was kicked off the field.

NGUYEN: Oh.

PARK: A lot of juicy tidbits online. We are hitting it out of the park at sportsillustrated.com. And for a special look at spring training, listen up.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PARK (voice-over): At si.com/baseball, we've got all the team previews to get you ready for the season, starting with the reigning World Series champions, the Boston Red Sox. Their opening the season at the top of the baseball world for the first time in 86 years. Judge for yourself if the planets are aligned for a second straight win this year. And if you're not a Bo Sox fan, we've profiled your home team as well. While you're online, get your division previews, big money and big talent reside in the East. The Yankees and Red Sox again have the top two payrolls in MLB this year with the Yankees players salaries totaling more than $200 million.

And while you're there, click on over to our 2005 schedules pages, where you can plan your life around baseball if you want to. Plus, you can check out a photo gallery of spring training going on right now.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PARK: That's right. "Sports Illustrated" will get you geared up for America's favorite past-time, even if you've got those nose bleed seats, which are the only ones I can afford.

NGUYEN: I've been there before many times.

PARK: Yes.

NGUYEN: Bring the sunblock.

PARK: Q-tips and cotton balls, you'll be OK.

NGUYEN: Thanks, Christina Park of cnn.com.

HARRIS: You know, the minimum wage is going up.

NGUYEN: I heard that. It's a good thing for us.

HARRIS: Everybody (UNINTELLIGIBLE). No.

For the best ride for your buck, you'll find "Consumer Reports" best cars issue on newsstands soon. All but one of the vehicles on the list of top picks for 2005 are Japanese made. The magazine says the most reliable brand overall, the Subaru, with Honda right on its rear bumper. The single most reliable vehicle of the 2004 models was Hyundai's low cost Sonata sedan, the Lincoln Navigator SUV, and Nissan's Quest mini-van. Tied for most unreliable vehicles, "Consumer Reports" gave high marks to a single domestic brand, Ford's small sized Focus sedan. The motor city can take some solace in that "Consumer Reports" rates domestic cars on average more reliable than European brands."

NGUYEN: You know, Honda's usually up there, though, when it comes to...

HARRIS: It is.

NGUYEN: ...those best of the best.

HARRIS: How are you going to be a manufacturer of mini-vans and end up on the most unreliable?

NGUYEN: You have children.

HARRIS: It's a family car.

NGUYEN: Exactly.

HARRIS: May as well just get out of the mini van business...

NGUYEN: Well, maybe the makers will be listening up and changing them up a little bit.

HARRIS: Probably a future e-mail question.

But today's e-mail question for you, as the U.S. pushes Syria to get out of Lebanon, what do you think? How should the U.S. deal with Syria? We'll read your replies next on CNN SUNDAY MORNING. The e- mail address wam@cnn.com.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: Ray Charles remains the top five this week, sliding to number two after the Grammy award powered the sales of his "Genius Loves Company" CD. Grand entrance for the former B2K front man Omarion. His solo album "O" debuts at number one. Green Day's "American Idiot" is holding up at number three. The Game's "The Documentary" -- he's a rapper, Betty, one of those rap guys is in the fourth spot. And Tori Amos debuts her epic, "The Beekeeper," at number five.

(WEATHER REPORT)

NGUYEN: Want to get to our e-mail question of the day. How should the U.S. deal with Syria? I'm getting lots of e-mails from folks out there.

HARRIS: Yes, and this first one from Layla. "It's simple...They should stay out of it...it's between Syria and Lebanon, why is the US interfering? Syria and Lebanon have been living this way for a very long time and seemed to have adapted their lives accordingly." NGUYEN: And one of our viewers in Puerto Rico writes, "Full attack on their military; they hide terrorist groups like Hamas and Jihad."

We appreciate those e-mails. Keep them coming this morning, would you? How should the U.S. deal with Syria? E-mail us at wam@cnn.com.

HARRIS: The next hour of CNN SUNDAY MORNING begins right now.

And good morning, developing news out of the Middle East this morning. From the CNN Center, this is CNN SUNDAY MORNING. It is 8 a.m. Eastern at the CNN headquarters in Atlanta. And it's 5 a.m. in the West.

Good morning everyone. I'm Tony Harris.

NGUYEN: And I'm Betty Nguyen. We want to thank you for being with us today.

HARRIS: And as we mentioned, a lot of developments in Syria and In Lebanon. Now let's take you right to Brent Sadler in Beirut for the latest.

Good morning, Brent.

BRENT SADLER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello. Good morning, Tony.

Latest developments here, confirmation that a top level meeting will now take place in the Syrian capital, Damascus, between Syria's President Bashar al-Assad and Lebanon's President Emile Lahoud.

Now this meeting is seen as a crucial next step to implementation of what the Syrian leafier offer, which was a two phase withdrawal redeployment of Syrian forces in Lebanon.

First of all, to the Bekaa Valley that's allied closer to Syria, and then a closer stage that would see Syrian troops move across the border out of Lebanon into Syria, but no precise timetable.

I'm hearing from political sources on the ground close to those, who have been setting up this meeting, that this Damascus get together will be crucial. It will be setting timetables, I'm told for this troop deployment initially, then leading to a full withdrawal in line with the Taif Accord that ended the civil war here back in 1989.

So also hearing very importantly just a few minutes ago that the head of the Hezbollah organization here in Lebanon, an organization labeled a terrorist group by the U.S. and by Israel, calling on a large demonstration to take place in the Lebanese capital on Tuesday to protest the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1259, that was sponsored by the United States and France.

That resolution says Hezbollah's leadership really is a way for foreign interference to complicate Lebanese, Syrian relations, to undermine them. And Hezbollah is calling for a mass protest in the city center to support Syrian, to support Syrian Lebanese ties and to try to prevent interference, they say, at disrupting the relationship between Syria and Lebanon at the expense of Syria, and to the advantage of Israel.

And that's a statement that has been echoed recently by the Iranian foreign minister in Damascus saying, that "The whole business of 1559 and what's happening with the international pressure led by the United States on Syria and its pro-Syrian allies in the political structure here is to the advantage of Israel and to the weakening of Syria's situation in this part of the world."

Tony.

HARRIS: And Brent, it's good to remind folks that Syria was actually invited and encouraged to go into Lebanon during those years of civil war.

SADLER: Yes, indeed. Syria was originally a welcome guest by the Christians, one of the largest groups here in this country made up of 18 different religions. Syrians came in in 1976 at the start of the civil war and then got buffeted between communal rivals in this conflict that lasted 15 years, ending in 1991.

So the removal of Syria's forces and the redeployment as a first step is really a crucial change in the dynamic relationship between these two countries. Syria facing this continued international pressure because the U.S. administration says that post President Assad's speech. Syria says the U.S. is still not doing enough.

HARRIS: It's good to remember some of the history of that. Brent Sadler in Beirut. Thank you.

And just ahead on CNN SUNDAY MORNING, we'll speak to a key diplomatic player in the Syrian Lebanese debate. We'll hear from the Syrian ambassador from Britain live from London.

NGUYEN: Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena has heard the U.S. military's account of why her vehicle was fired on in route to Baghdad's airport, but she has her own version. An Italian security agent was killed in that, and she and two others were wounded.

Sgrena shares her account of the incident in today's "Il Manifesto," which is the newspaper that she works for. We go now to Rome and to our bureau chief Alessio Vinci with all the details of this.

What do you know so far, Alessio.

VINCI: Hello, Betty. Giuliana Sgrena right now is still recovering from her wounds on the shoulder that she got in that shooting incident in Baghdad, here in Rome.

But nevertheless, she managed to write her own account of what has happened in the Sunday edition of "Il Manifesto." I have a copy of it here. This is the newspaper, "Il Manifesto," in which she was reporting from Baghdad, calling it "La Mir Verita (ph)," my truth. And in this article basically Giuliana Sgrena shows that there are some discrepancies right now between what the Americans are saying and what the Italians are saying about exactly what happened yesterday in Baghdad.

And namely, first of all, at the speed at which the car was travelling when it came under attack from U.S. forces, and also whether or not the Italians, the Italian intelligence had warned the Americans, or the American intelligence that this operation indeed was ongoing.

In this article Giuliana Sgrena writes that the car was not speeding and she also writes -- she also calls the shooting unjustified. And she also says that the only thing she can remember a hail of bullets.

Also she writes about the final moments of that security intelligence agent, who had secured her release saying quote, and I read her quote here, "The driver started yelling that we are Italians. We are Italians and then Nicola Calipari threw himself on me to protect me and immediately, I repeat, immediately I heard his last breath as he was dying on me."

This is how Giuliana Sgrena accounts the last few words before Nicola Calipari died in the car under a hail of bullets shot by the Americans.

Now Nicola Calipari returned last night, the body of Nicola Calipari returned last night. He was welcomed at the airport in Ciampino by the highest authorities here in Italy, the Italian president, the Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

Calipari was a veteran dealing with hostage situations in Iraq. He is currently -- his body is currently lying in state at the tomb of the unknown soldier here in Rome where thousands of people are paying their last respects.

The autopsy this morning was released and it shows that Nicola Calipari was killed by a singled bullet to his head.

Betty.

NGUYEN: Alessio, there are a lot questions. One, whether the car was speeding. Sgrena says that the car was not speeding. Also whether this was a checkpoint that they came upon. What does Sgrena say about that?

VINCI: Well, Nicola -- Sgrena writes that she does not remember that there were any checkpoints before reaching this area where the shootout took place. And actually she even contends that it was not a checkpoint, that she was almost arriving at the airport and therefore, she feels that these U.S. military involvement in the shooting were not manning a checkpoint.

She says that while she was moving from the moment she was released all the way to the airport, all the way to the moment of the shooting accident the driving went smoothly.

As a matter of fact, she also writes about how they were joking inside the car with Nicola Calipari and the other agent, who was actually driving the car, that they had to drive slowly otherwise it could run into an accident and it would have been ironic, she writes, that a car accident could happen just at the very last moment before being taken back to Rome.

NGUYEN: The U.S. has pledged a full investigation. So we'll wait to have to see what those answers conclude.

Thank you, Alessio Vinci in Rome for us today.

Well, they call it unusual. Well, that may be putting it a bit mildly. This Web site captured major headlines when it was launched.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: One day I was praying and God spoke to me, and he said the word porn.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I looked at him like what are you talking about. What did God say to you after that and he said...

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: Yes, the founder calls it the world's first Christian porn site, and he joins us with an explanation live for "Faces of Faith" right here on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: They are the U.S. Army's 42nd Infantry known for their heroics as far back as World War 1 and later in Dessert Storm as you see here. Today they are in Iraq and we'll talk to two of them live in this morning's Soldier's Story, next hour 9 a.m. Eastern.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK:

HARRIS: Our top stories this hour. The Italian journalist who was freed from Iraq after a month in captivity then shot by U.S. forces, as she headed to the airport, is going public with her ordeal.

Giuliana Sgrena writes in an Italian newspaper that she heard a rain of bullets.

The newly elected Iraqi national assembly is ready to convene its first meeting in mid March. The 275 member assembly will begin the process of forming Iraq's transitional government. However, negotiations continue on who will hold the key post.

Pope John Paul II appeared at his hospital window for a second straight Sunday. He blessed hundreds of pilgrims below the sign of the cross.

NGUYEN: Back here in the U.S. we want to check on the weather outside, see what kind of a Sunday morning people are waking up to.

(WEATHER REPORT)

NGUYEN: We do want to get back to our top story right now. The leaders of Syria and Lebanon will meet tomorrow and CNN has learned details of a Syrian troop pullback from Lebanon. It will be announced right after that meeting.

The latest news comes in the growing pressure on Syria to leave Lebanon. And joining us now from London is Syria's ambassador to the United Kingdom Sami Khiyami. Good morning to you. Thanks for being with us.

SAMI KHIYAMI, SYRIAN AMBASSADOR TO U.S.: Good morning. Thank you.

NGUYEN: First question. We're learning of the details of this pull out. Explain exactly how it's supposed to work.

KHIYAMI: Well, I can't explain because, in fact, the high counsel, the high Lebanese/Syrian counsel will decide the legalities of it tomorrow. So basically we just have to wait until tomorrow, until there is a true scheduling of the withdrawal.

In principle what we know for sure is that there will be a first phase withdrawal immediately to the Bekaa Valley in the east of Lebanon near the borders.

And now I think the two presidents of the two countries will decide tomorrow exactly the moralities (ph) of the next withdrawal in the coming few months.

NGUYEN: OK. We are learning that it's a two stage pull out. I guess more important though how much of a turning point is this between the two countries?

KHIYAMI: Well it's -- this pull out is really done according to the Taif Accord and let me remind your viewers of the Taif Accord. It was an accord that was made by the whole of Lebanese on how to handle their country after the civil war.

Now part of this agreement deals with the withdrawal of Syrian troops and this is now done by Syria according to the Taif Accord. Now what is left in the Taif Accord was the other steps of reform that the Lebanese want for the country.

NGUYEN: And I want to ask you as well, is this the result -- the sides of the accord, is this also the result of international pressure on Syria to pull out its troops?

KHIYAMI: Well, in principle Syria wanted to pull out its troops and the president was clear about it. In the past five years we have made many pull outs, many redeployments of forces. I think the international pressure only pushed this matter a bit further in the sense that it has maybe made it one year before it will happen anyway.

NGUYEN: All right. Sami Khiyami, the Syrian ambassador to Britain, we appreciate your time with us today. Thank you so much.

And here is our e-mail question this morning. As the U.S. pushes Syria to pull troops out of Lebanon what do you think about the situation. How should the U.S. deal with Syria? E-mail us at wam@cnn.com. We'll reading your replies all morning long.

HARRIS: And for those of you who believe the Lord works in mysterious ways. Here's one for you. There's a so-called Christian porn site designed to lead you to Christ. The founder of XXXchurch.com live next in Faces of Faith.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: Today's "Faces of Faith" is a dramatic departure from what we usually do. At issue is pornography, especially its proliferation on the World Wide Web.

Craig Gross has started a ministry specifically aimed at helping people overcome their attraction to pornography. His Web site is XXXchurch.com. He is with us this morning from Los Angeles to explain more about it.

Craig, good to see you.

CRAIG GROSS, XXXCHURCH.COM: Hi. Thanks for having me.

HARRIS: What's the first thing you want to say about this site, XXXchurch.com.

GROSS: Well, it's a safe place you can go to to find out the facts about pornography. It actually doesn't have pornography on it, but a site addressing the issue in a real way.

HARRIS: You know, you admit you're not going to be able to shut down the porn industry. Why not? Why not aim that high?

GROSS: You know, I think a lot of religious groups have tried that, and we don't really feel you're joining to shut down a $13 billion a year industry.

HARRIS: Yes.

GROSS: So, we'd rather just address the issue, talk about it and let people choose where they'd like to stand on the issue, whether they think porn is good or porn is bad. And we just want to present the -- often times the other side of the story.

HARRIS: What's the other side of the story?

GROSS: That this stuff is dangerous. That this stuff can create unrealistic expectations about what you should look like, what you should do, what you should expect both from you and your partner. And oftentimes it can lead you down a very dangerous road.

HARRIS: Why did you start this? GROSS: We started it -- we just were both working amongst the church and we found that the church was really uncomfortable dealing with pornography. We had support groups for drug addicts, people addicted to alcohol, but when it came to pornography the church had a touch time with. So we just though let's address this on-line both for church people and for un-church people.

HARRIS: And there were a number of things you could have taken on. You took on pornography. Is it, was it an issue in your own life?

GROSS: No, it wasn't. I didn't grow up around the Internet. I remember I had to deal it from a liquor store. I'm 39 years old now, but the kids mainly were the reasons that we started this Web site. Kids, what they're faced with nowadays is nothing like what we were faced with.

And this stuff has invaded our homes and it's an issue that we've got to talk about in the times that we live in today.

HARRIS: How does the site work? I know one of the things you can do is you can download what you call accountability software.

GROSS: Yes, it's a free software that -- we found one of the best ways to help people struggle with pornography, which is the dirty little secret is to let somebody else know about it, that you're struggling. So we have a free software. It monitors where you go online and it sends a report to somebody that you want it to.

My wife gets my report and my best friend of any Web site that's questionable that I would be looking at. So it takes away the secrecy of what you look at online.

HARRIS: You talk about it as being the dirty little secret and people struggling with it. How do you know, how does someone know if they have a problem with pornography?

GROSS; I think a lot of people -- a lot of times with pornography it kind of finds you out. Your spouse finds your history on your computer or you know, your parents going to go looking for this stuff and they find it.

Oftentimes you don't know maybe that you have a severe problem with it. It's something like -- we tell people if you just let a little bit in you're opening the door and eventually it's just going to swing wide open.

HARRIS: Craig, how do you respond to folks who will say that you and your partner are nothing more than sort of shameless self- promoters who have found a provocative subject to exploit here?

GROSS: You know what? We're trying to -- we're working on a limited budget and we're trying...

HARRIS: You're not making any money on this? GROSS: No. We're a nonprofit organization trying to tackle a huge multi billion dollar industry and trying to address it in a real way. We're not out just to get publicity. We're not out just to shock people. We're out to raise awareness and talk about this issue and -- people realizing that this is something that we need to deal with.

HARRIS: OK. Craig, we appreciate your time this morning.

GROSS: Thanks so much.

HARRIS: All right. Take care.

NGUYEN: All right. Well, from porn to our e-mail question of the day, which is not related by the way. Our question is on your screen. How should the U.S. deal with Syria? We got a lot of responses this morning.

Claire says, "Syria should be left to govern its own country as we govern ours."

HARRIS: And this from Afraya from Ocean Port, New Jersey. "We have" well, no I've got to read it the right way. "Kaboom, kabbom, we have the technology, why should we put up with all of the bothersome problems -- do it and get out people home. It is time."

Thank you for the e-mails. Next hour we'll be taking more of your e-mail responses. Here's the question. How should the U.S. deal with Syria? There's the address, wam@cnn.com.

NGUYEN: The U.S. Army's 42nd Infantry has a long and storied history. You might remember soldiers from the 52nd at Ground Zero immediately after 9/11. Well next hour two members of the much honored division join us live from Tikrit, Iraq for this morning's "Soldier's Story."

HARRIS: First we'll update today's top story. Then stay tuned for HOUSE CALL with Dr. Sanjay Gupta. This morning's topic -- overcoming addictions. We'll be right back.

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 March 6, 2005 - 07:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: She says a reign of fire and bullets hit them, shutting up forever the cheerful voices of a few minutes earlier. That's from a freed Italian journalist, who tells the world about her escape from Iraq.
From the CNN Center in Atlanta, this is CNN SUNDAY MORNING. It's March 6th. Good morning, everyone. I'm Betty Nguyen.

TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Tony Harris. 7:00 a.m. here in the East, 1:00 p.m. in Rome. Thank you for being with us. Let's get started with the morning headlines.

Pope John Paul II appeared at his hospital window again today, as he did last Sunday. The pope, who is recovering from breathing problems, blessed the onlookers and waved to them. Earlier, the pope followed along with prayers read by an aide to a crowd at the Vatican.

Leaders of Shiite and Kurdish alliances, the big winners in the Iraqi elections have been meeting to talk about forming a new government. And now, the Shi'ite alliance has set a deadline to get that job done. The first meeting of the new government is set for March 16th.

It's just not enough. That's the U.S. State Department's reaction to a speech by Syria's President Bashar Assad. He announced a two phased redeployment of Syrian troops in Lebanon, but he did not announce an immediate withdrawal, as President Bush and other world leaders have demanded.

NGUYEN: Here are some of the stories you don't want to miss this hour. A strange link between Internet porn and international terror. CNN's catches up with a smut peddler, who's hobby is tracking down al Qaeda.

Also ahead...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: ...be a powerful type of treatment for like breast cancer, colon cancer, skin cancer, the big ones. So it could affect a lot of peoples' lives.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: This young man is one of 20 reasons to be optimistic about the future. You're going to meet two of them in just a little while.

Plus later, the ride of a lifetime. Check it out. Even after you see the video, you will still wonder how'd they do that?

HARRIS: One big surf board.

NGUYEN: Looks like fun.

HARRIS: Both of our top stories this morning are out of Rome, where Pope John Paul II waves from his hospital window and blesses the faithful, and where an Italian journalist recovering from wounds suffered in Iraq gives her version of the events there.

Our bureau chief Alessio Vinci is at Gemelli Hospital in Rome.

Alessio, good morning.

ALESSIO VINCI, CNN BUREAU CHIEF: Good morning to you, Tony. Well, again, this week, Pope John Paul II, unable to participate directly to the proceedings in St. Peters Square, where a crowd of a few thousand gathered to hear the traditional Sunday Angelus. But the pope, nevertheless, managed to follow those proceedings from a television screen from this hospital here. And outside the hospital, a cheering crowd of a few hundred.

Pope John Paul II then eventually made a brief appearance from the hospital window, looking quite well. He blessed the pilgrims a few times. He did not speak. He is still recovering from a tracheotomy, which has left him temporarily voiceless.

Now the Angelus, the traditional Angelus, is also an opportunity for the pope to usually make a comment on even world affairs sometimes. And you may remember last Sunday also here from the hospital the pope called for the liberation of hostages in Iraq.

And among them was also Giuliana Sgrena, who you know now was released on Friday. But that release into a tragedy when her car, which was taking her back to the airport in Baghdad and then eventually to be flown here to Rome, was attacked by U.S. forces at a checkpoint. Giuliana Sgrena was wounded to her left shoulder. And the agent who actually negotiated her release was killed.

Now this incident is being investigated. There are some discrepancies between what the U.S. and the Italians are saying at this time, especially regarding the speed at which the car was driving, and whether or not the U.S. intelligence and U.S. forces had been warned that this operation was underway.

This morning, the "Il Manifesto," which is the Communist newspaper for which Giuliana Sgrena works, publishes her own account or at least a partial -- an initial account of what happened yesterday.

She writes the car was not driving fast and that -- and she calls the shooting "unjustified." And she also says the only thing she remembers was a hail of bullets hitting that car. And then, she writes this about the agent that was killed right next to her. She says, "The driver started yelling that we were Italians 'we are Italians, we are Italians'. And then Nicola Calipari threw himself on me to protect me and immediately, I repeat, immediately I head his last breath as he was dying on me."

This is what Giuliana Sgrena reports this morning about the final words of the -- Nicola Calipari set in the card before dying. And the result of an autopsy this morning here in Rome shows that Calipari was hit to his head by a single bullet. Back to you, Tony.

HARRIS: Wow, Alessio, what an account. In the paper this morning, I have to ask you, do we know yet whether or not Giuliana Sgrena's release was in fact a rescue or was her release negotiated?

VINCI: I think the release of Giuliana Sgrena was the result of a negotiated agreement between the Italians and the insurgents who had held her captive. Italian newspaper this morning, one Italian newspaper this morning, even suggesting that a ransom was paid between 6 and 8 million Euros, that's about $8 and $9.5 million, but there's not confirmation here from the Italians. But certainly, Nicola Calipari was an experienced negotiator. He himself had negotiated in the past releases of other Italian former hostages. So certainly his presence in Baghdad meant that this release was negotiated, and not the result of a military operation.

HARRIS: OK. Alessio Vinci in Rome for us this morning. Alessio, thank you.

And turning now to Pakistan, where soldiers have targeted some suspected terrorists. Pakistani troops raided a house near the Afghan border yesterday, sparking a fire fight that killed two suspected al Qaeda members. 11 others were captured. Local officials say some foreigners are among those arrested. Pakistani troops have repeatedly raided the border region, where al Qaeda terrorists are believed to be hiding out.

NGUYEN: U.S. officials have found themselves with an unlikely ally in the fight against terror. And you won't believe what his day job is. Our Tom Foreman has the story, as we bring you another look at the best of CNN prime-time from this past week.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TOM FOREMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Close by the sunny shores of Maryland, in a warehouse near the beach, business is taking off for John Messner.

Nine years ago, he jumped into the expanding business of Internet porn, using his wife as a model, and charging online customers for every peek.

JOHN MESSNER, DISMANTLES TERRORIST Web SITES: I was actually pretty stupid and happy, like most Americans.

FOREMAN: Soon he was employing other models, learning the intricacies of commerce on the web. And porn became a main stay of his income, his identify.

MESSNER: I will always be, no matter what contribution I am to make to society, I will be first and foremost that pornographer.

FOREMAN: So even he was surprised when the events of 9/11 changed his life ever since he has used the skills he developed for porn to seize and dismantle terrorist Web sites.

MESSNER: Oh, it's become very popular to hate Americans. You can't swing a dead cat without hitting a terrorist Web site of somebody that wants to bring harm to the American people. No question.

FOREMAN: Among the four billion Web sites in the world are hidden at least 4,000 terrorist related sites, according to a study by the U.S. Institute of Peace. Last fall, Iraq faced terrorist Abu Musab al Zarqawi, used the Net to post his pledge of loyalty to Osama bin Laden. It was a striking example of how terrorists more than ever are hiding in plain site on the Net.

Ben Venzke is a counterterrorism specialist.

BEN VENZKE, INTELCENTER: It's pulled together disparate parts, groups of people that are spread out around the world that might share a common cause and enable them to interact and work with each other and collaborate at a much faster speed with much less cost and with much greater security.

FOREMAN: Terrorists and their sympathizers now share everything, from training videos to propaganda online.

The result? When the Internet extremist magazine "Al Batar" dedicated an issue to kidnapping techniques, the number of abductions in the Middle East spiked. When terrorists talked online about striking Spain, the Madrid train bombings followed.

And researcher Gabriel Weimann says they do all of this by working through a legitimate Internet service provider.

GABRIEL WEIMANN, TERRORISM RESEARCHER: By the time they realize it, they move the Web sites. The servers will repost it somewhere else. So it's almost a futile attempt to block them from accessing those providers.

FOREMAN (on camera): Still, terrorists cannot set up a site without a name and address for registration. And of course, they don't want to use their own. So when John Messner finds a terrorist site, he reports this discrepancy to the Internet provider. The provider drops the contract and Messner snatches it up.

(voice-over): Sometimes he alters the site with pro-America ideas. Often, he encourages discussion of issues that divide the world. It's high concept, low tech, and it works to his peril.

MESSNER: A good week doesn't go by that I don't get death threats. FOREMAN: Porn still helps pay the bills. Taking out more than a half dozen terrorist Web sites has cost Messner thousands of dollars.

MESSNER: I don't know why I do this. I just know it's important. I know communication among people is important.

FOREMAN: And if others see a contradiction in a porn king crusader, he does not. Whether providing porn or battling violent extremists, John Messner believes he is fighting for freedom.

Tom Foreman, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: Stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security. And tonight on CNN, Anderson Cooper hosts "PRIME CUTS," the best of what we bring you each week. Tonight, Martha Stewart's release from prison, plus exclusive video of her in prison.

Also, a woman touched by the BTK serial killings. And we'll follow U.S. marshals on a pre-dawn raid in Chicago. That's "PRIME CUTS" at 10:00 p.m. Eastern.

HARRIS: Marine experts may have to go way below the surface to figure out what made dozens of dolphins beach themselves in Florida. We'll have one possible explanation.

NGUYEN: You may not know his name yet, but this 18-year old may hold the answer to curing cancer. We'll meet him next on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

HARRIS: And good morning, Washington, D.C. and the White House. Jacqui Jeras will have your weather and the weather for the rest of the nation in just a couple of minutes.

NGUYEN: And here is our e-mail question this morning. As the U.S. pushes Syria to pull troops out of Lebanon, what do you think? How should the U.S. deal with Syria? That's our question today. E- mail us at wam@cnn.com. We are reading your replies all morning long.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: Stories across America this morning. Experts are trying to determine how dozens of beached dolphins died in the Florida Keys. Some 24 are being autopsied this morning, after about 70 dolphins stranded themselves on Wednesday. Experts are asking if a submarine performing Navy exercises nearby used sonar in the water. Experts say sonar can disorient or scare marine mammals.

About 40 men, women and children had headaches, nausea, and even passed out following a Saturday swim at a high school in River Oak, Michigan. Police believe a malfunctioning furnace leaked carbon monoxide gas. Police say test found high levels of the odorless, toxic gas. The school is expected to be open tomorrow. In Ohio, posters and prayers amid songs from a gospel guitar ensemble. Family and friends of Jessica Lunsford held a candlelight vigil in her mother's neighborhood last night. The nine-year old Florida girl has now been missing for 11 days. Meanwhile in Florida, the family is putting out small flyers, looking for small signs of hope. Police say they still have no leads in the case.

And baseball hall of famer Reggie Jackson hopes to return to work this morning, after being treated and released following a car crash in Florida on Friday. Jackson's SUV was ran from behind at a red light, causing his and another sport utility vehicle to flip over. Jackson is currently an assistant to the New York Yankees and hopes to return to spring training in Tampa today.

Honda is losing its title as the most reliable automaker. Find out which company claims it this year. Best cars 2005, later this hour on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

NGUYEN: Oh, I'm interested in that one. Want to see where my car ranks on that.

But Tony, hey, you're feeling better today, right?

HARRIS: Absolutely.

NGUYEN: Jacqui, you say it has nothing to do with the weather, but there was sunshine yesterday. So I think it may be...

(WEATHER REPORT)

HARRIS: Cha-ching. Congress considers the minimum wage, which could bring bigger paychecks to millions of Americans to parties, to plants. We'll explain them coming up.

And check out these pictures. A record breaking day down under. How do you build a surf board that big? The story, coming up on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: When you think of innovative people who have done groundbreaking research, people who inspire you, people who have made contributions that will likely change the world, you don't usually think of teenagers.

But that is just what you will find in this week's "Teen People" magazine. The writers searched the country and found 20 young people they consider extraordinary. Their feats including fighting for health care in Africa and lobbying for foster care.

Now one of those teens is with us this morning. Clotilde Dedecker is a 17-year old high school freshman. High school freshman, mind you, who raised tens of thousands of dollars to build schools for girls in Afghanistan. And she joins us now from Buffalo, New York.

Good morning to you. CLOTILDE DEDECKER, INTL. EDUCATION ADVOCATE: Good morning.

NGUYEN: Well, first of all, you're just a freshman in high school. What inspired you to do such a great thing?

DEDECKER: Several things, really. I think the main thing was, as you know, after September 11th, Afghanistan was most definitely thrust into media spotlight. So it was continually hearing the horror stories of, you know, woman and girls facing really other injustice under the Taliban, particularly with regard to an education that they had been denied one. And you know, as a result, were really suffering.

So as a student at an all girls school, you know, I definitely kind of felt their pain and wanted to reach out and provide them with the opportunities that I have.

NGUYEN: OK, it's one thing to want to reach out, but it's a completely different thing when you're actually going through with it. Where do you start? How did you raise the money?

DEDECKER: I started by talking to people. You know, you start by going to the different schools and asking them to join with you and work on behalf of these girls. We've raised the money, a plethora of ways, from car washes to local dances to jeans days to bottle drives. You really name it.

NGUYEN: Any way you could, huh?

DEDECKER: Any way you could, exactly.

NGUYEN: OK. And so, because of this money, you were able to build a school in Afghanistan. Have you seen the school? Have you heard from the girls who are attending there?

DEDECKER: I have not yet seen the school. I hope to visit Afghanistan. I've seen it via photographs, which I, you know, are most definitely beautiful. And I, as I said, hope to go there some day. The coalition, which is the group I work with, has not yet been able to actually like verbally communicate with the girls. But that's definitely a goal. And we hope to accomplish that soon.

NGUYEN: Well, we are looking pictures -- at pictures of the girls there at the school. And obviously, this is making a huge difference in their lives.

I want to bring in now Mason Hedberg, who is an 18-year old Brown University freshman, who conducted a groundbreaking research in cancer fighting technologies.

And we want to talk to him now. He joins us from Providence, Rhode Island. Good morning to you.

HERBERT MASON HEDBERG, CANCER RESEARCHER: Good morning.

NGUYEN: Well, tell us about what you were able to research and where you got the idea for this?

HEDBERG: My project was -- it started in junior year. And I was working with an enzyme called Telomerase that can allow cancer cells to keep dividing.

So what I did is develop the process, which can identify molecules that can knock out this enzyme in cancer cells and potentially stop their growth. And this could be used in tendency with chemotherapy or radiation to accelerate the -- you know, the death of the cancer cells.

NGUYEN: Now you started this because of a personal connection. Tell us about that.

HEDBERG: In my sophomore year of high school, my grandmother was diagnosed with Cordoma, which is a rare form of cancer in the base of her spine. And she needed two, 12 hour operations to remove the tumor.

And then I started reading about alternative and experimental cancer therapies because of the long recovery my grandmother had. And that's when I first read about this Telomerase enzyme.

NGUYEN: And actually, you've put in for a patent for this particular technique that you've been able to research and conduct?

HEDBERG: Yes. I applied for a patent this October. And...

NGUYEN: Wow, that is...

HEDBERG: ...it takes about a year to go through. So I'll see what happens.

NGUYEN: That is amazing. 18-years old. Both of you are so inspirational. Before we run out of time with you this morning, I want to go back to you, Clotilde.

For those in the world who think, you know, one person can't make a difference, what's your answer to them?

DEDECKER: You're absolutely wrong. You can make a difference, no matter how old you are. And I think what it's about is really finding your passion, because -- you know, it's one thing to help, but it's a lot easier to help if you're doing something you really love.

So I think it's whether your passion is video games, whether it's cancer research, you know, whether it's girls education, find it and from there move on.

NGUYEN: Where there's a will, there's a way.

DEDECKER: Yes.

NGUYEN: Mason, what's your answer to that? What's your advice?

HEDBERG: I completely agree with her. I mean, people ask me how I got on this track. And I mean, as far back as I can remember, I was always playing with bugs in the backyard. It started with nature and science. So I've just been pursuing this path. And I was lucky to come -- what I came up with.

NGUYEN: From bugs to cancer research, my goodness. You have come a long ways in your short 18 years. We thank you both for being with us. And you're so inspirational. Best of luck in all your endeavors. And keep changing the world.

DEDECKER: Thank you.

HEDBERG: Thank you.

NGUYEN: Take care. Tony?

HARRIS: He has drawn his share of cheers, but now California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is drawing some jeers. We'll tell you why. Plus, making waves. You won't believe what it took for these surfers to cruise into the record books. We'll show you straight ahead on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: Minimum wage is a big topic on Capitol Hill this week. Welcome back, everyone, to CNN SUNDAY MORNING. I'm Tony Harris.

NGUYEN: And I'm Betty Nguyen. We have that story in just a moment. But first, here's a look at what's in the news this morning.

Pope John Paul II was back at the window of the hospital where he is recovering from breathing problems. The 84-year old pope waved and gave a silent blessing to hundreds of pilgrims below.

At St. Peters Square, an aide read the traditional Angelus blessing in the pope's absence.

Now to the Italian journalist, freed in Iraq then wounded by American troops. She is describing her ordeal today. Giuliana Sgrena writes in an Italian newspaper that her car was not speeding when it approached a Baghdad checkpoint, as the U.S. military reported. Sgrena also says her captors warned her, as she was about to be released, that the Americans might intervene.

Pakistani troops raided a hideout of suspected al Qaeda militants, triggering a shootout that killed two people. Military officials say 11 people were arrested in yesterday's raid, including foreigners. A large number of weapons were also seized.

HARRIS: You know, there hasn't been an increase in the minimum wage in eight years. Tomorrow, the Senate is set to vote on whether to raise it. Right now, the current minimum wage is $5.15 an hour. A Republican plan would hike that to $6.25 over 18 months. The Democratic plan would boost it further to $7.25 over 26 months. The competing proposals would be added as an amendment to the bankruptcy legislation.

This footnote. During that same eight year period, Congress has raised its own salaries, count them, seven times.

NGUYEN: All right, flip flop, the wording Republicans use against Senator John Kerry. Well it's now being used against one of their own. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is still a popular politician, but there are signs some of the luster is wearing off.

More on this now from Peter Viles in Los Angeles.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PETER VILES, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): He still draws a crowd, but now, the California governor also draws protests, even boos. One reason charges that Arnold Schwarzenegger has broken his word, flip-flopped on big issues, first, education.

GOV. ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER (R), CALIFORNIA: I have said from day one that we have to do everything that we can to protect education.

VILES: Last year, the governor cut a deal with educators, give up some money now, you'll get back next year. The governor's new budget does restore some money but the Teacher's Union says it's $2 billion less than promised.

HARRY KEILEY, CALIFORNIA TEACHER'S ASSOCIATION: Where we are is a disappointment that the governor would go back on his word.

RAPHAEL SONNENSHEIN, POLITICAL ANALYST: It makes it very difficult to cut any deal in which the governor has to get something from you today in return for something he will give tomorrow. I think those deals may be over.

VILES: Special interest money, Candidate Schwarzenegger said he didn't need it.

SCHWARZENEGGER: As you know, I don't have to take any money from anybody. I have plenty of money myself.

VILES: But as governor, he's been a fund-raising machine. He raked in more than $24 million last year and plans to raise $50 million this year, mainly from business interests.

ALLAN HOFFENBLUM, REPUBLICAN POLITICAL ANALYST: They're not giving that money that -- so he gets reelected as governor. They're getting it because they support what he's attempting to do on his ballot measures.

VILES: Another issue, fiscal responsibility.

SCHWARZENEGGER: The politicians of this state would never ever begin -- spent more money than the state takes in.

VILES: Democrats say the governor broke that promise when he proposed new borrowing to balance his new budget. Schwarzenegger is still popular in his post honeymoon period. A recent poll showed his job approval rating at 55 percent, but that is down from 65 percent six months ago.

Peter Viles for CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: Some Democrats say Schwarzenegger is sending mixed signals on steroids. He's now urging officials to crack down more on steroid use by bodybuilders. He made those comments at his annual Arnold classic body building tournament in Columbus, Ohio. You see it here. Schwarzenegger has admitted using steroids during his championship bodybuilding career, saying they were legal at the time.

HARRIS: And time now to check in on some other world events, developments this Sunday morning.

NGUYEN: For that, we hand it over to Anand Naidoo at the CNN International Desk.

Good morning, Anand.

ANAND NAIDOO, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Good morning to you.

First up, Syria this morning. President Bashar Assad of Syria says the country will redeploy its troops in Lebanon. But here's the critical part. They will not leave the country.

In the first stage, all of Syria's 14,000 troops in Lebanon will move to the Bekaa Valley. And later, the troops will be pulled back to the border.

This is not going to please politicians and leaders in Washington, Europe, and some Arab states, which have been calling for a complete Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon.

Now moving on to Iraq. And we have something new this morning. This coming in. The recently elected national assembly is to meet for the first time on March 16th. The main Kurdish and Shi'ite parties say they're keen to start the process of forming a government. The first job for the assembly is to elect a president and two deputy presidents. And they in turn will elect -- correction -- nominate a prime minister and a cabinet.

Moving on to the war on terrorism, and a warning from Britain's former top policeman. Sir John Stevens, former chief of London's Metropolitan Police, says there are more than 100 al Qaeda trained terrorists operating in Britain right now. Stevens says in view of this, he backs the controversial new anti-terror laws planned by the British government.

That is it of now. Later, we'll be taking a look at Pakistan's war against al Qaeda. That's coming up later. And going global for now, let's send it back to Tony and Betty.

NGUYEN: Very interesting. Yes, thanks.

HARRIS: Surf's up, dude. NGUYEN: Dude.

HARRIS: Dude, OK. Take a look at this gnarly video. Oh, there it is. More than 40 surfers have set a new world surfing record. They successfully rode a 40 foot long surfboard off the Australian coast. Thousands of people came out to watch the four minute ride.

NGUYEN: Wow.

HARRIS: Could be a reality show.

NGUYEN: Looks like fun, though, doesn't it? Until you fall off.

HARRIS: Time to go. Time to go. The previous record was set by a team of 14 British surfers in 2003.

NGUYEN: Can you say dude again?

HARRIS: Dude. Dude as well as you did.

NGUYEN: Same kind of ring. All right, you're looking at the carmaker, here you go, that will give you the least amount of headaches. Well, that is according to the latest reports. Find out how your car rates. That's ahead on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

HARRIS: And good morning Miami. Your Sunday forecast in about 15 minutes.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Time now to look ahead to some of the stories we will be covering this week. Monday, the Supreme Court examines the federal government's power to override state laws on the use of medical marijuana.

Since 1996, 10 states have legalized marijuana for medical use. Wednesday, the man who called the 2004 election shakier than cafeteria jello is stepping down. Dan Rather will draw the curtain on 24 years as the anchor of the CBS Evening News. Rather will continue to report for "60 MINUTES."

Also on Wednesday, a new twist on three letters that shake some high schoolers to the bone. We're talking about the SAT test. It rolls out with revamped math and verbal section, and a new writing portion. In addition to the 35 minute multiple choice questions, students will have to write an essay in just 25 minutes, Tony.

HARRIS: From the battlefield, a soldier can become a war casualty in the blink of an eye. Today's heroes stories is about a young sergeant who managed to fire at his attacker a split second too late.

Here's CNN's Casey Wian.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) CASEY WIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Like any good soldier, Staff Sergeant Joshua Johnston has a routine. First, he whips up breakfast for his family.

SGT. JOSHUA JOHNSTON, U.S. ARMY: I always wanted to be a chef. I figured I can't do nothing else, really. So I might as well wake up in the morning and cook.

WIAN: Then his wife Ayni tends to the reason he can't do much. Still fresh wounds on both legs.

JOHNSTON: We have that right there. It's really replaceable artery.

WIAN: And a 12 inch gash through his abdomen that doctors left open to heal from the inside out. Just over a month ago, Johnston was on a mission in downtown Ramadi. He spotted a peeker, an insurgent who peeked around a corner before shooting an RPG.

JOHNSTON: You know, I got a peeker. And all of a sudden, that same corner, I got to him. Turned around with a black mask, set his weapon down to be fired. And I opened fire in about four or five rounds. I don't know if I hit him.

WIAN: But quickly, Johnston knew he was hit.

JOHNSTON: I remember it threw me back into the seat. And I remembered pain. I remember warm, really warm. I looked down and kind of saw smoke come up. And then, I went into shock. I saw light sparks. It looks like sparks just sparking in my face. And I was really tired and I thought then that I was dead. I was going to die.

DARREL JOHNSTON, FATHER: Oh, my God. I just like no, no, no, not Josh.

WIAN: Johnston was rushed to Walter Reed via Germany in just four days, where his wife and son, who hadn't seen him in six months, were waiting.

J. JOHNSTON: Before I left, he wasn't walking. And then when I was in the hospital, seen him walking to me. It meant a lot.

WIAN: Today, he's recovering at the Las Vegas home of hair care mogul John Paul Degoria, where his parents are caretakers. Johnston faces at least a year's rehabilitation and an uncertain future in the Army. He saved the chunk of shrapnel that nearly took his life.

J. JOHNSTON: I survived. You know, I lived through it. So it means a lot.

WIAN: It also means he's again considering a career as a chef.

Casey Wian, CNN, Las Vegas, Nevada.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: And we bring you heroes stories every week on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

NGUYEN: The freed Italian hostage wounded by U.S. forces today recounts her version of the events. Journalist Giuliana Sgrena is quoted, saying her vehicle was not speeding when it came under fire on its way to the Baghdad Airport. The U.S. is investigating.

Also in Rome, the pope appeared today at his hospital window to bless Sunday worshipers. He's recovering from a relapse at the flu.

And on Capitol Hill tomorrow, a vote to raise the minimum wage is expected to be taken up in the U.S. Senate. A GOP proposal would raise it to a $1.10 or raise it by $1.10 to $6.25. A Democratic plan would be $1.00 more to $7.25.

Batter up. Spring training is underway. We will surf the web for a look at how the major leagues are shaping up. That's next on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

And which cars are batting .1000? Consumer Reports is out with its all star line-up of its best picks. We'll tell you what's leading the pack.

HARRIS: But first, a CNN extra. Everyone 10 and older, that's the new videogame ratings category introduced this week by the Entertainment Software ratings board. From now on, E10+ on the box means the videogame might contain moderate amounts of cartoon or fantasy violence, mild language, or some slightly suggestive themes. But not all games require a rating. The rating system is voluntary, but almost all games sold at retail are rated.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: All right, all you sports fans, will the Red Sox do it again this year? Can the Yanks get back on track? What about your team?

Christina Park joins us with a play by play from the .COM desk. Good morning to you.

CHRISTINA PARK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Betty. Are you a baseball fan?

NGUYEN: I am a baseball fan. I like those Texas Rangers.

PARK: Oh yes, because you're from Texas.

NGUYEN: Yes.

PARK: And I have to like the Atlanta Braves.

NGUYEN: Got to put the plug in there.

PARK: Yes.

NGUYEN: The Braves are good, but my heart's Texas. PARK: Well, this weekend, there was a historic game. The Washington Nationals played the Baltimore Orioles for the first time since 1971. But the most memorable part was Sammy Sosa was kicked off the field.

NGUYEN: Oh.

PARK: A lot of juicy tidbits online. We are hitting it out of the park at sportsillustrated.com. And for a special look at spring training, listen up.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PARK (voice-over): At si.com/baseball, we've got all the team previews to get you ready for the season, starting with the reigning World Series champions, the Boston Red Sox. Their opening the season at the top of the baseball world for the first time in 86 years. Judge for yourself if the planets are aligned for a second straight win this year. And if you're not a Bo Sox fan, we've profiled your home team as well. While you're online, get your division previews, big money and big talent reside in the East. The Yankees and Red Sox again have the top two payrolls in MLB this year with the Yankees players salaries totaling more than $200 million.

And while you're there, click on over to our 2005 schedules pages, where you can plan your life around baseball if you want to. Plus, you can check out a photo gallery of spring training going on right now.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PARK: That's right. "Sports Illustrated" will get you geared up for America's favorite past-time, even if you've got those nose bleed seats, which are the only ones I can afford.

NGUYEN: I've been there before many times.

PARK: Yes.

NGUYEN: Bring the sunblock.

PARK: Q-tips and cotton balls, you'll be OK.

NGUYEN: Thanks, Christina Park of cnn.com.

HARRIS: You know, the minimum wage is going up.

NGUYEN: I heard that. It's a good thing for us.

HARRIS: Everybody (UNINTELLIGIBLE). No.

For the best ride for your buck, you'll find "Consumer Reports" best cars issue on newsstands soon. All but one of the vehicles on the list of top picks for 2005 are Japanese made. The magazine says the most reliable brand overall, the Subaru, with Honda right on its rear bumper. The single most reliable vehicle of the 2004 models was Hyundai's low cost Sonata sedan, the Lincoln Navigator SUV, and Nissan's Quest mini-van. Tied for most unreliable vehicles, "Consumer Reports" gave high marks to a single domestic brand, Ford's small sized Focus sedan. The motor city can take some solace in that "Consumer Reports" rates domestic cars on average more reliable than European brands."

NGUYEN: You know, Honda's usually up there, though, when it comes to...

HARRIS: It is.

NGUYEN: ...those best of the best.

HARRIS: How are you going to be a manufacturer of mini-vans and end up on the most unreliable?

NGUYEN: You have children.

HARRIS: It's a family car.

NGUYEN: Exactly.

HARRIS: May as well just get out of the mini van business...

NGUYEN: Well, maybe the makers will be listening up and changing them up a little bit.

HARRIS: Probably a future e-mail question.

But today's e-mail question for you, as the U.S. pushes Syria to get out of Lebanon, what do you think? How should the U.S. deal with Syria? We'll read your replies next on CNN SUNDAY MORNING. The e- mail address wam@cnn.com.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: Ray Charles remains the top five this week, sliding to number two after the Grammy award powered the sales of his "Genius Loves Company" CD. Grand entrance for the former B2K front man Omarion. His solo album "O" debuts at number one. Green Day's "American Idiot" is holding up at number three. The Game's "The Documentary" -- he's a rapper, Betty, one of those rap guys is in the fourth spot. And Tori Amos debuts her epic, "The Beekeeper," at number five.

(WEATHER REPORT)

NGUYEN: Want to get to our e-mail question of the day. How should the U.S. deal with Syria? I'm getting lots of e-mails from folks out there.

HARRIS: Yes, and this first one from Layla. "It's simple...They should stay out of it...it's between Syria and Lebanon, why is the US interfering? Syria and Lebanon have been living this way for a very long time and seemed to have adapted their lives accordingly." NGUYEN: And one of our viewers in Puerto Rico writes, "Full attack on their military; they hide terrorist groups like Hamas and Jihad."

We appreciate those e-mails. Keep them coming this morning, would you? How should the U.S. deal with Syria? E-mail us at wam@cnn.com.

HARRIS: The next hour of CNN SUNDAY MORNING begins right now.

And good morning, developing news out of the Middle East this morning. From the CNN Center, this is CNN SUNDAY MORNING. It is 8 a.m. Eastern at the CNN headquarters in Atlanta. And it's 5 a.m. in the West.

Good morning everyone. I'm Tony Harris.

NGUYEN: And I'm Betty Nguyen. We want to thank you for being with us today.

HARRIS: And as we mentioned, a lot of developments in Syria and In Lebanon. Now let's take you right to Brent Sadler in Beirut for the latest.

Good morning, Brent.

BRENT SADLER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello. Good morning, Tony.

Latest developments here, confirmation that a top level meeting will now take place in the Syrian capital, Damascus, between Syria's President Bashar al-Assad and Lebanon's President Emile Lahoud.

Now this meeting is seen as a crucial next step to implementation of what the Syrian leafier offer, which was a two phase withdrawal redeployment of Syrian forces in Lebanon.

First of all, to the Bekaa Valley that's allied closer to Syria, and then a closer stage that would see Syrian troops move across the border out of Lebanon into Syria, but no precise timetable.

I'm hearing from political sources on the ground close to those, who have been setting up this meeting, that this Damascus get together will be crucial. It will be setting timetables, I'm told for this troop deployment initially, then leading to a full withdrawal in line with the Taif Accord that ended the civil war here back in 1989.

So also hearing very importantly just a few minutes ago that the head of the Hezbollah organization here in Lebanon, an organization labeled a terrorist group by the U.S. and by Israel, calling on a large demonstration to take place in the Lebanese capital on Tuesday to protest the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1259, that was sponsored by the United States and France.

That resolution says Hezbollah's leadership really is a way for foreign interference to complicate Lebanese, Syrian relations, to undermine them. And Hezbollah is calling for a mass protest in the city center to support Syrian, to support Syrian Lebanese ties and to try to prevent interference, they say, at disrupting the relationship between Syria and Lebanon at the expense of Syria, and to the advantage of Israel.

And that's a statement that has been echoed recently by the Iranian foreign minister in Damascus saying, that "The whole business of 1559 and what's happening with the international pressure led by the United States on Syria and its pro-Syrian allies in the political structure here is to the advantage of Israel and to the weakening of Syria's situation in this part of the world."

Tony.

HARRIS: And Brent, it's good to remind folks that Syria was actually invited and encouraged to go into Lebanon during those years of civil war.

SADLER: Yes, indeed. Syria was originally a welcome guest by the Christians, one of the largest groups here in this country made up of 18 different religions. Syrians came in in 1976 at the start of the civil war and then got buffeted between communal rivals in this conflict that lasted 15 years, ending in 1991.

So the removal of Syria's forces and the redeployment as a first step is really a crucial change in the dynamic relationship between these two countries. Syria facing this continued international pressure because the U.S. administration says that post President Assad's speech. Syria says the U.S. is still not doing enough.

HARRIS: It's good to remember some of the history of that. Brent Sadler in Beirut. Thank you.

And just ahead on CNN SUNDAY MORNING, we'll speak to a key diplomatic player in the Syrian Lebanese debate. We'll hear from the Syrian ambassador from Britain live from London.

NGUYEN: Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena has heard the U.S. military's account of why her vehicle was fired on in route to Baghdad's airport, but she has her own version. An Italian security agent was killed in that, and she and two others were wounded.

Sgrena shares her account of the incident in today's "Il Manifesto," which is the newspaper that she works for. We go now to Rome and to our bureau chief Alessio Vinci with all the details of this.

What do you know so far, Alessio.

VINCI: Hello, Betty. Giuliana Sgrena right now is still recovering from her wounds on the shoulder that she got in that shooting incident in Baghdad, here in Rome.

But nevertheless, she managed to write her own account of what has happened in the Sunday edition of "Il Manifesto." I have a copy of it here. This is the newspaper, "Il Manifesto," in which she was reporting from Baghdad, calling it "La Mir Verita (ph)," my truth. And in this article basically Giuliana Sgrena shows that there are some discrepancies right now between what the Americans are saying and what the Italians are saying about exactly what happened yesterday in Baghdad.

And namely, first of all, at the speed at which the car was travelling when it came under attack from U.S. forces, and also whether or not the Italians, the Italian intelligence had warned the Americans, or the American intelligence that this operation indeed was ongoing.

In this article Giuliana Sgrena writes that the car was not speeding and she also writes -- she also calls the shooting unjustified. And she also says that the only thing she can remember a hail of bullets.

Also she writes about the final moments of that security intelligence agent, who had secured her release saying quote, and I read her quote here, "The driver started yelling that we are Italians. We are Italians and then Nicola Calipari threw himself on me to protect me and immediately, I repeat, immediately I heard his last breath as he was dying on me."

This is how Giuliana Sgrena accounts the last few words before Nicola Calipari died in the car under a hail of bullets shot by the Americans.

Now Nicola Calipari returned last night, the body of Nicola Calipari returned last night. He was welcomed at the airport in Ciampino by the highest authorities here in Italy, the Italian president, the Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

Calipari was a veteran dealing with hostage situations in Iraq. He is currently -- his body is currently lying in state at the tomb of the unknown soldier here in Rome where thousands of people are paying their last respects.

The autopsy this morning was released and it shows that Nicola Calipari was killed by a singled bullet to his head.

Betty.

NGUYEN: Alessio, there are a lot questions. One, whether the car was speeding. Sgrena says that the car was not speeding. Also whether this was a checkpoint that they came upon. What does Sgrena say about that?

VINCI: Well, Nicola -- Sgrena writes that she does not remember that there were any checkpoints before reaching this area where the shootout took place. And actually she even contends that it was not a checkpoint, that she was almost arriving at the airport and therefore, she feels that these U.S. military involvement in the shooting were not manning a checkpoint.

She says that while she was moving from the moment she was released all the way to the airport, all the way to the moment of the shooting accident the driving went smoothly.

As a matter of fact, she also writes about how they were joking inside the car with Nicola Calipari and the other agent, who was actually driving the car, that they had to drive slowly otherwise it could run into an accident and it would have been ironic, she writes, that a car accident could happen just at the very last moment before being taken back to Rome.

NGUYEN: The U.S. has pledged a full investigation. So we'll wait to have to see what those answers conclude.

Thank you, Alessio Vinci in Rome for us today.

Well, they call it unusual. Well, that may be putting it a bit mildly. This Web site captured major headlines when it was launched.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: One day I was praying and God spoke to me, and he said the word porn.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I looked at him like what are you talking about. What did God say to you after that and he said...

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: Yes, the founder calls it the world's first Christian porn site, and he joins us with an explanation live for "Faces of Faith" right here on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

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HARRIS: They are the U.S. Army's 42nd Infantry known for their heroics as far back as World War 1 and later in Dessert Storm as you see here. Today they are in Iraq and we'll talk to two of them live in this morning's Soldier's Story, next hour 9 a.m. Eastern.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK:

HARRIS: Our top stories this hour. The Italian journalist who was freed from Iraq after a month in captivity then shot by U.S. forces, as she headed to the airport, is going public with her ordeal.

Giuliana Sgrena writes in an Italian newspaper that she heard a rain of bullets.

The newly elected Iraqi national assembly is ready to convene its first meeting in mid March. The 275 member assembly will begin the process of forming Iraq's transitional government. However, negotiations continue on who will hold the key post.

Pope John Paul II appeared at his hospital window for a second straight Sunday. He blessed hundreds of pilgrims below the sign of the cross.

NGUYEN: Back here in the U.S. we want to check on the weather outside, see what kind of a Sunday morning people are waking up to.

(WEATHER REPORT)

NGUYEN: We do want to get back to our top story right now. The leaders of Syria and Lebanon will meet tomorrow and CNN has learned details of a Syrian troop pullback from Lebanon. It will be announced right after that meeting.

The latest news comes in the growing pressure on Syria to leave Lebanon. And joining us now from London is Syria's ambassador to the United Kingdom Sami Khiyami. Good morning to you. Thanks for being with us.

SAMI KHIYAMI, SYRIAN AMBASSADOR TO U.S.: Good morning. Thank you.

NGUYEN: First question. We're learning of the details of this pull out. Explain exactly how it's supposed to work.

KHIYAMI: Well, I can't explain because, in fact, the high counsel, the high Lebanese/Syrian counsel will decide the legalities of it tomorrow. So basically we just have to wait until tomorrow, until there is a true scheduling of the withdrawal.

In principle what we know for sure is that there will be a first phase withdrawal immediately to the Bekaa Valley in the east of Lebanon near the borders.

And now I think the two presidents of the two countries will decide tomorrow exactly the moralities (ph) of the next withdrawal in the coming few months.

NGUYEN: OK. We are learning that it's a two stage pull out. I guess more important though how much of a turning point is this between the two countries?

KHIYAMI: Well it's -- this pull out is really done according to the Taif Accord and let me remind your viewers of the Taif Accord. It was an accord that was made by the whole of Lebanese on how to handle their country after the civil war.

Now part of this agreement deals with the withdrawal of Syrian troops and this is now done by Syria according to the Taif Accord. Now what is left in the Taif Accord was the other steps of reform that the Lebanese want for the country.

NGUYEN: And I want to ask you as well, is this the result -- the sides of the accord, is this also the result of international pressure on Syria to pull out its troops?

KHIYAMI: Well, in principle Syria wanted to pull out its troops and the president was clear about it. In the past five years we have made many pull outs, many redeployments of forces. I think the international pressure only pushed this matter a bit further in the sense that it has maybe made it one year before it will happen anyway.

NGUYEN: All right. Sami Khiyami, the Syrian ambassador to Britain, we appreciate your time with us today. Thank you so much.

And here is our e-mail question this morning. As the U.S. pushes Syria to pull troops out of Lebanon what do you think about the situation. How should the U.S. deal with Syria? E-mail us at wam@cnn.com. We'll reading your replies all morning long.

HARRIS: And for those of you who believe the Lord works in mysterious ways. Here's one for you. There's a so-called Christian porn site designed to lead you to Christ. The founder of XXXchurch.com live next in Faces of Faith.

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HARRIS: Today's "Faces of Faith" is a dramatic departure from what we usually do. At issue is pornography, especially its proliferation on the World Wide Web.

Craig Gross has started a ministry specifically aimed at helping people overcome their attraction to pornography. His Web site is XXXchurch.com. He is with us this morning from Los Angeles to explain more about it.

Craig, good to see you.

CRAIG GROSS, XXXCHURCH.COM: Hi. Thanks for having me.

HARRIS: What's the first thing you want to say about this site, XXXchurch.com.

GROSS: Well, it's a safe place you can go to to find out the facts about pornography. It actually doesn't have pornography on it, but a site addressing the issue in a real way.

HARRIS: You know, you admit you're not going to be able to shut down the porn industry. Why not? Why not aim that high?

GROSS: You know, I think a lot of religious groups have tried that, and we don't really feel you're joining to shut down a $13 billion a year industry.

HARRIS: Yes.

GROSS: So, we'd rather just address the issue, talk about it and let people choose where they'd like to stand on the issue, whether they think porn is good or porn is bad. And we just want to present the -- often times the other side of the story.

HARRIS: What's the other side of the story?

GROSS: That this stuff is dangerous. That this stuff can create unrealistic expectations about what you should look like, what you should do, what you should expect both from you and your partner. And oftentimes it can lead you down a very dangerous road.

HARRIS: Why did you start this? GROSS: We started it -- we just were both working amongst the church and we found that the church was really uncomfortable dealing with pornography. We had support groups for drug addicts, people addicted to alcohol, but when it came to pornography the church had a touch time with. So we just though let's address this on-line both for church people and for un-church people.

HARRIS: And there were a number of things you could have taken on. You took on pornography. Is it, was it an issue in your own life?

GROSS: No, it wasn't. I didn't grow up around the Internet. I remember I had to deal it from a liquor store. I'm 39 years old now, but the kids mainly were the reasons that we started this Web site. Kids, what they're faced with nowadays is nothing like what we were faced with.

And this stuff has invaded our homes and it's an issue that we've got to talk about in the times that we live in today.

HARRIS: How does the site work? I know one of the things you can do is you can download what you call accountability software.

GROSS: Yes, it's a free software that -- we found one of the best ways to help people struggle with pornography, which is the dirty little secret is to let somebody else know about it, that you're struggling. So we have a free software. It monitors where you go online and it sends a report to somebody that you want it to.

My wife gets my report and my best friend of any Web site that's questionable that I would be looking at. So it takes away the secrecy of what you look at online.

HARRIS: You talk about it as being the dirty little secret and people struggling with it. How do you know, how does someone know if they have a problem with pornography?

GROSS; I think a lot of people -- a lot of times with pornography it kind of finds you out. Your spouse finds your history on your computer or you know, your parents going to go looking for this stuff and they find it.

Oftentimes you don't know maybe that you have a severe problem with it. It's something like -- we tell people if you just let a little bit in you're opening the door and eventually it's just going to swing wide open.

HARRIS: Craig, how do you respond to folks who will say that you and your partner are nothing more than sort of shameless self- promoters who have found a provocative subject to exploit here?

GROSS: You know what? We're trying to -- we're working on a limited budget and we're trying...

HARRIS: You're not making any money on this? GROSS: No. We're a nonprofit organization trying to tackle a huge multi billion dollar industry and trying to address it in a real way. We're not out just to get publicity. We're not out just to shock people. We're out to raise awareness and talk about this issue and -- people realizing that this is something that we need to deal with.

HARRIS: OK. Craig, we appreciate your time this morning.

GROSS: Thanks so much.

HARRIS: All right. Take care.

NGUYEN: All right. Well, from porn to our e-mail question of the day, which is not related by the way. Our question is on your screen. How should the U.S. deal with Syria? We got a lot of responses this morning.

Claire says, "Syria should be left to govern its own country as we govern ours."

HARRIS: And this from Afraya from Ocean Port, New Jersey. "We have" well, no I've got to read it the right way. "Kaboom, kabbom, we have the technology, why should we put up with all of the bothersome problems -- do it and get out people home. It is time."

Thank you for the e-mails. Next hour we'll be taking more of your e-mail responses. Here's the question. How should the U.S. deal with Syria? There's the address, wam@cnn.com.

NGUYEN: The U.S. Army's 42nd Infantry has a long and storied history. You might remember soldiers from the 52nd at Ground Zero immediately after 9/11. Well next hour two members of the much honored division join us live from Tikrit, Iraq for this morning's "Soldier's Story."

HARRIS: First we'll update today's top story. Then stay tuned for HOUSE CALL with Dr. Sanjay Gupta. This morning's topic -- overcoming addictions. We'll be right back.

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