Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Saturday Morning News
Interview with Mike O'Brien; A look at Situation in Iraq
Aired April 17, 2004 - 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.
RENAY SAN MIGUEL, CNN ANCHOR: From the CNN Center in Atlanta, this is CNN SATURDAY MORNING.
It's April 17.
Only 363 more days until tax day 2005. So while you have the Turbo Tax fired up for this week, you might as well get a head start.
Good morning.
I'm Renay San Miguel.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: I'm not even over last year's yet.
SAN MIGUEL: Yes, still working on that.
CALLAWAY: Good morning, everyone.
I'm Catherine Callaway.
Thanks for being with us this morning.
And here's what we have coming up for you this hour. Now that they know that Private First Class Keith Maupin is a hostage in Iraq, family, friends and strangers wait and hope for his safe return.
Also coming up, choosing the right college. It's crunch time for undecided students. We'll have a unique insider's look on everything from academics to the social scene on hundreds of college campuses.
And what a stretch -- meet one of the brightest stars in figure skating. Sasha Cohen, up close and personal.
But first, we have the headlines.
SAN MIGUEL: Another hostage released just hours ago in Iraq. Two Japanese civilians were released at the Japanese embassy in Baghdad. They were abducted April 8. Three other Japanese hostages were released on Thursday. We'll have a complete update on the hostage situation for you in just a couple of minutes.
A possible car bombing averted in Saudi Arabia. Police say they've defused a car bomb found somewhere in the kingdom. No details immediately available. Earlier this week, the U.S. ordered non- essential diplomats out of Saudi Arabia and warned Americans about terrorism there. Terminal five has reopened this morning at Los Angeles International Airport. It was closed last night after some items in a suitcase caused concern about a possible bomb. The items turned out to be a Palm Pilot and some poker chips.
CALLAWAY: And here's our top story this hour. Greeting the dawn in Batavia, Ohio, yellow ribbons. Batavia is the hometown of Army PFC Keith "Matthew" Maupin. Matt Maupin is believed to be the hostage who appears on a videotape from Iraq surrounded by masked gunmen.
We have the story from CNN's Jamie McIntyre at the Pentagon.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
04160003.v84
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CALLAWAY: In Batavia, police closed off Main Street so friends and neighbors of Matthew Maupin could hold a vigil in front of the courthouse. An honor guard of veterans was on hand there and the crowd was dotted photographs of the soldier, now an apparent hostage in Iraq.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CARL COTTRELL, MAUPIN FAMILY SPOKESMAN: We have viewed the videotape of Matt, as all of you have, I'm sure. And our family is very happy and prays for Matt's safety.
We have believed all along that our prayers would be answered and we ask that you continue to believe in his safe return. Believe in the efforts of our military, as we do right now. Believe in their skill and know how, as we do. And most importantly, believe in Matthew Maupin.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CALLAWAY: School bus driver Peggy Lux (ph) summed up the community's feeling about PFC Keith "Matthew" Maupin, saying that "He's a great kid."
CNN correspondent Chris Lawrence is in Batavia, Ohio, and we will have a live report from him coming up next hour from his hometown.
SAN MIGUEL: Hostages who have been released in Iraq are blaming interconnected factions for the kidnappings. French journalist Alexander Jordanov says the groups include Saddam loyalists, Islamic Party members and followers of a firebrand Shiite cleric. Jordanov says they all work together on the kidnappings and their common enemy is the U.S. occupation. His story is echoed by three Czech journalists released just yesterday. They say they were passed from one insurgent group to another during nearly a week of captivity.
Well, following the release of two Japanese hostages this morning, the hostage crisis in Iraq stands at seven hostages held or believed held, including two Americans, a civilian and a soldier. Nine people are missing in Iraq, their status unknown. At least 43 hostages have been released. And one hostage, an Italian security guard, has been killed by his captors.
CALLAWAY: And important talks are under way today between high level coalition representatives and community leaders in the besieged city of Falluja, which is just west of Baghdad.
Let's go to our Jim Clancy, who's joining us in Baghdad with the latest on this -- hello, Jim.
JIM CLANCY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Catherine.
These are important talks. You know, just 48 hours ago, U.S. military officials were saying here in Baghdad that they thought the coalition would have to go in. They said it was not only, it appeared to them, inevitable, but perhaps even imminent that U.S. Marines would have to go back into action in Falluja.
Now, these talks are under way. All of that is changing. The talks began yesterday. They're continuing today, Saturday, in Falluja at a military camp nearby, involving high level representatives of the coalition, along with representatives of the community, religious, tribal elders there in Falluja, so they can try to hammer out some details to prevent a flare-up of fighting.
Overnight, it was reported that it was relatively calm. That's a good sign. U.S. Marines contemplating now a pullback in one area that would allow Fallujans access to the main hospital. It was across a bridge that had been shut down by the Marines as they encircled the city. That would be a major confidence building effort.
Now, there's still a long way to go in the talks and nobody should kid themselves. These aren't going to be easy.
Meantime, in Falluja itself, the controversy over civilian casualties continues. A lot of people accusing the U.S. military, accusing the coalition of using excessive force; charges of sniping at civilians; charges of shooting at ambulances. Very difficult to come by the real facts in all of this.
One U.S. peace activist, an unabashed opponent of this war with Iraq, with the invasion, went in there as a medical volunteer and this is his story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
04160003.v99
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CLANCY: They were detained by some of those fighters in Falluja. They weren't harmed. They were treated well. They were released the next day. But at the same time, he and others are saying they're thinking twice before they go back into Falluja -- Catherine.
CALLAWAY: I'll bet they are.
OK, Jim.
Jim Clancy from Baghdad.
Thank you, Jim.
And coming up in just a few minutes, calls for activists to do more to protect human rights during the war on terror. We will talk with the executive director of Amnesty International.
And we want your input about this war in Iraq. Our e-mail question today, what should the U.S. do about the hostages in Iraq. E-mail us with your comments at wam@cnn.com.
SAN MIGUEL: President Bush ordered a war plan against Iraq in November, 2001, less than two months after U.S. forces attacked Afghanistan. That is according to "Plan of Attack," a new book by Bob Woodward of the "Washington Post." It was quoted today in that newspaper and the "New York Times."
Woodward details a meeting in January 2003, before the Iraq war started, saying Secretary of State Colin Powell warned the president about Iraq. Powell is quoted as saying, "You understand the consequences. You know you're going to be owning this place."
Later the president asks, "Are you with me on this? I want you with me."
Powell answers, "I'll do the best I can. Yes, sir, I will support you. I'm with you, Mr. President."
Also in the book, President Bush talks to Woodward about Iraq: "I am prepared to risk my presidency to do what I think is right. I was going to act and if it would cost the presidency, I fully realize that. But I felt so strongly that it was the right thing to do that I was prepared to do so."
Bob Woodward will be a guest Monday night on "Larry King Live." That's at 9:00 p.m. Eastern time, 6:00 Pacific, here on CNN.
Well, time now for some other stories making news across America.
Police in Augusta, Georgia resume their search today for a pregnant woman who they think was abducted after interrupting a burglary. Twenty-nine-year-old Tamara Dunstan was last seen at her mother's house on Thursday.
CALLAWAY: And a professional hockey player has been charged with arranging the murder of his male lover. Mike Danton of the St. Louis Blues faces federal charges in the case. Danton is suspected of setting up the plot because he was afraid the man might leave him and ruin his hockey career.
SAN MIGUEL: In California, Governor Schwarzenegger scores another victory with the passage of a new worker's compensation bill. The bill is seen as a boon for businesses and had been a cornerstone of Schwarzenegger's gubernatorial campaign. He'll sign that bill into law on Monday.
CALLAWAY: And here's another plan that Governor Schwarzenegger should like. A herd of South African goats has been hired to fight fires near San Diego at no cost to taxpayers. The goats are being used to clear away high brush in fire hazard areas. Their first assignment is the area near last year's cedar fire, which you may remember destroyed more than 2,200 homes.
Wow, we need some goats in our house, around our area.
SAN MIGUEL: Well, from fighting fires to fighting terrorists, when it comes to going after terrorists, should human rights be an issue? You're going to be surprised to hear what it comes down to, next on CNN SATURDAY MORNING.
CALLAWAY: That's right.
And then later on this morning, trying to pick up -- pick out the right college.
Stay right here. We have the dirt for you.
SAN MIGUEL: Plus, she is one of the best in the sport. Figure skater Sasha Cohen shares secrets of her stunning beauty and flexibility.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SASHA COHEN, 2004 WORLD SILVER MEDALIST: I think it really helped to start as a base in gymnastics. And I was very much stretched out by my gym coaches.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COMMERCIAL
SAN MIGUEL: Amnesty International is meeting in New York this weekend to talk about what it sees as a casualty in the war on terror -- human rights.
The executive director of the organization has written a book titled "Tainted Legacy."
William Schulz has criticized the Bush administration but also says the human rights movement needs to change regarding the war on terror.
Mr. Schulz joins us now to talk about ways that the -- that Americans can take a more active role in human rights issues.
Mr. Schulz, thanks for being with us.
WILLIAM SCHULZ, AUTHOR, "TAINTED LEGACY": My pleasure. SAN MIGUEL: You've made your group's feelings very clear about both the Patriot Act and the detainees at Guantanamo and what is happening there.
We have very limited time this morning.
We'd like to focus on what you think the human rights groups need to do concerning the war on terror. You have argued in your book that you need to hold human rights groups' feet to the fire concerning terrorism.
How so?
SCHULZ: That's right. Well, you're right. We in the human rights movement have been very articulate and effective in criticizing the Bush administration's violations of human rights in the course of the war on terror. We've said that to hold people hostage in Guantanamo without respect from the Geneva Conventions, to deny U.S. citizens the right to counsel, all of that puts the lie to the Bush conviction that the war on terror is a war in defense of the rule of law.
At the same time, we have been far less effective and far less articulate about defending what is one of the most fundamental rights of all, and the right -- and that is the right to security of person. We need to recognize that if you're dead, your right to a fair trial is not going to be of great concern to you. We need to recognize that the human rights movement needs to put its wisdom, its strategizing, its resources at the service of fighting terrorism and fighting terrorists, who are some of the world's greatest human rights volunteers themselves.
SAN MIGUEL: You've made that so clear in your book. Terrorism itself is a human rights violation.
So, how can human rights groups, you know, bring pressure upon groups like al Qaeda, which operate in the shadows? It's not like, you know, sending a letter to a government saying, you know, this is how you're treating your people in your prisons, you can't do that.
SCHULZ: That's right. Bin Laden is not going to receive thousands of letters and suddenly see the light, by jove, they're right. No, that's not going to happen.
But there are three things, at least, that the human rights movement can do.
First, you know, we can advocate for an international treaty that reaches a common definition of terrorism and how to combat it. One scholar has surveyed the field and says that there are 109 different definitions of terrorism. We need a common definition and a common agreement of how to bring security for all people.
Secondly, we can put our research resources to work on researching terrorist groups themselves, their financing, the arms, the countries that supply them arms, the terrorists themselves. We can put our expertise to work.
And thirdly, we can help convince people in Arab, Muslim countries and elsewhere around the world that their best path is through respect for human rights in all ways, not through the path of terrorism.
SAN MIGUEL: Amnesty International has not taken a stand on whether military action was justified in Iraq or whether those troops should be pulled out of there.
Will there be discussion this weekend on whether Amnesty needs to define when military action is necessary to correct human rights violations?
SCHULZ: You're right, Amnesty at this point does not take a position on any military intervention per se. And that's an important issue for us to debate, both here and at the international level.
When you look at a situation such as in Rwanda in 1994, this is the 10 year anniversary of that horrible genocide. There really are profound questions as to whether or not a human rights organization, in the face of genocide, ought to be able to advocate for military intervention. That's a critical question for us to explore.
SAN MIGUEL: William Schulz is the executive director of Amnesty International USA.
We appreciate your time this morning.
Thanks for joining us.
SCHULZ: Thank you very much.
My pleasure.
SAN MIGUEL: Catherine, back to you.
CALLAWAY: Well, the war on terror is splitting the Arab community, causing intense divisions even within families, like the case of Abdurahman Khadr, who says that his father wanted him to die for al Qaeda.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM PBS "FRONTLINE")
ABDURAHMAN KHADR: He sat me down with these two people and tried to convince me to become a suicide bomber. He was like, "You know, you'd be our pride. In this family, you'd be our pride, you know, if you do this."
Well, I was totally against it. I was like, "I believe in fighting, you know, someone on the ground who shoots me and I shoot him, you know? But I don't believe in blowing myself up and killing innocent people. I don't, I just don't believe in that."
(END VIDEO CLIP) CALLAWAY: Well, Khadr's life with al Qaeda and Osama bin Laden is the subject of a new PBS documentary and tomorrow on CNN SUNDAY MORNING at 9:00 Eastern time, the producer of "Frontlines: Son of al Qaeda" joins us to talk about the coming special. Terrance McKinna ph), tomorrow on CNN SUNDAY MORNING, at 9:00.
But first today, something a lot lighter for you this morning. Reality television was promising to make a fortune for this "Apprentice" star. We'll tell you why in this show.
COMMERCIAL
SAN MIGUEL: And, you know, sometimes second place does pay. Kwame Jackson, the guy who finished second in "The Apprentice," already has some job offers on the table. KFC has offered Jackson a one week salary of $25,000 and a year's supply of chicken to help launch a new line of chicken. Jackson may also get a more lucrative offer from Dallas Mavericks owner and HD-TV magnet Mark Schubin.
This is the whole thing about reality shows, it doesn't matter whether you win or not, the publicity from just, you know, coming in second, third, fourth, who knows? It's going to help you on your way in your career.
CALLAWAY: And we hope so.
Hey, Rob, what's up?
ROB MARCIANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, guys, 25 grand for a week, that's not too bad.
CALLAWAY: No.
SAN MIGUEL: That's not too bad.
MARCIANO: And I think the winner actually took a pay cut, because he was like a millionaire or something.
SAN MIGUEL: Yes, he already like had a Web site or something like that. Exactly.
MARCIANO: It sounds like these people don't need any help from Trump.
SAN MIGUEL: Yes, but they got it.
MARCIANO: Hey, the weekend is here, guys, and we're after tax day, so let's move on. Let's move past this.
SAN MIGUEL: Yes.
(WEATHER REPORT)
CALLAWAY: Time now to check the headlines for you this morning.
U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, John Negroponte, says that several countries are considering a call to contribute troops to the effort in Iraq. The new force being discussed would be responsible for providing security for U.N. personnel.
Two Japanese citizens abducted in Iraq this week have now been released unharmed. Reports from Japan say that one is a human rights worker while the other is a freelance journalist. Three other Japanese hostages were set free on Thursday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You look up in these mountains and you realize how many places there are to hide.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SAN MIGUEL: For U.S. troops in Afghanistan, it's a long, slow search for the world's most wanted terrorist. See what it's like when CNN's Nic Robertson takes you to the Afghan terrain next.
CALLAWAY: And then later on, have you received any acceptance letters from colleges yet? Well, if you're trying to decide which one is right for you, we have all the info you need, coming up.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TORI ATALI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Women who smoke are doing more damage to their bodies than their male counterparts. A report published this past week in the "Journal of the American Medical Association" shows major diseases such as lung cancer affect the sexes differently. According to the studies, women are at greater risk than men for lung and tissue damage by chemicals found in cigarette smoke, even if they smoke less. Their bodies are also less able to repair the genetic harm from tobacco use. While there is no definitive answer, research suggests women's estrogen, either natural or manufactured, may account for many of the biological differences.
Lung cancer is one of the deadliest forms of the disease and the leading cause of cancer death among women. It claimed more than 68,000 lives just last year. The majority of those cases were a direct result of smoking.
Tori Atali, CNN, Atlanta.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COMMERCIAL
SAN MIGUEL: Countless missions, a slow search -- Nic Robertson goes along with the armed forces as they look for intelligence on Osama bin Laden.
Welcome back to CNN SATURDAY MORNING.
I'm Renay San Miguel.
CALLAWAY: Good morning, everyone. I'm Catherine Callaway.
We will have that story for you in just a minute.
But first the headlines at this hour.
Iraqi insurgents say that they are holding a U.S. soldier hostage. The captive identified himself as PFC Keith Maupin, Keith "Matthew" Maupin. U.S. Central Command says that he is one of two soldiers who were unaccounted for after their fuel convoy was ambushed more than a week ago.
And eight sailors killed in action 140 years ago will be buried today at Charleston, South Carolina. A mass was held for the sailors last evening. The eight were crew members on the Confederate submarine Hunley. It sank in 1864 off South Carolina after becoming the first submarine to sink an enemy ship. The wreck of the Hunley was raised four years ago.
SAN MIGUEL: The chairman of the joint chiefs, General Richard Myers, says there is no telling how long the hunt for Osama bin Laden may take.
CNN's Nic Robertson traveled with some of the U.S. soldiers involved in that hunt and found the search for information is slow going.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
04160003.v84
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CALLAWAY: Time to rewind. You likely had a lot going on this week, so here's a quick look back at what you might have missed.
President Bush addresses the nation Tuesday night, vowing to stay the course in Iraq, but warns that things may get worse before they get better.
Some 20,000 troops who were planning to come home will be staying a few months longer.
And testimony before the 9/11 Commission focuses on the FBI and CIA and what they knew. The former head of the CIA's Counter- Terrorism center, Cofer Black, tells the Commission that the CIA faces a shortage of money and staff that seriously hampered operations and analysis prior to 9/11.
A significant policy shift, as President Bush gives his qualified blessing to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's new plan for Gaza on Wednesday. Mr. Sharon wants to remove Israeli settlements and military outposts from Gaza and parts of the West Bank. The Palestinians say that Israel is trying to set borders without negotiating.
Tomorrow, we will fast forward to the week ahead and tell you which stories are expected to grab the spotlight.
SAN MIGUEL: Well, several developments this week in the war on terror. A new audiotape claiming to be from Osama bin Laden was broadcast on an Arabic language network Thursday. The speaker offers a truce to any European country that, in his words, "stops attacking Muslims." The person who made the tape also threatens revenge on the U.S. for the assassination of the Hamas founder.
Spain's interior minister said Wednesday the leaders of the terror cell believed to be behind the Madrid train bombings have been neutralized. Police made several more arrests this week in connection with the investigation, which is continuing in at least eight countries.
And terror averted in Jordan -- King Abdullah is praising security services for thwarting a plot he says would have killed thousands of civilians. There were indications that the U.S. Embassy in Amman was also a target of Islamic extremists. King Abdullah will meet with President Bush in Washington next week.
CALLAWAY: Well, there's some outrage this morning over the prison release of a convicted serial child molester who was serving a life sentence. That's one of the cases on the docket next hour for our panel of legal experts. Stay with us for that.
And then at 9:00 Eastern time, it is the battle of the droids. Rob Marciano will head to the high school robotics championships under way right here in Atlanta.
And at 9:00, also coming up, how are the images of funerals affecting the military's effort to recent more troops? The answers, when we talk live with an officer and a gentleman.
But up next, she sure shines on the ice. But this little star isn't all about skating. Find out what Sasha Cohen sees in her future when we come back.
COMMERCIAL
SAN MIGUEL: It's the end of an era in Pennsylvania. The oldest worker in the world calls it quits. I don't think that's her. Find out how long this man has been waiting for his retirement in our Wows of the Week. That's coming up later this hour.
We'll be right back.
COMMERCIAL
CALLAWAY: Beauty, talent and success -- that's what defines one of the biggest stars in today's figure skating. Standing only 5'1," this girl is larger than life.
And as CNN's Erica Hill reports, Sasha Cohen is the name to watch at the next Olympics.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's a gorgeous stretch.
ERICA HILL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): She is perfection on the ice. At just 19, with her amazing flexibility, beauty and superior technical ability, Sasha Cohen has become one of the brightest stars in figure skating.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That was exquisite.
HILL: After capturing the world silver in Germany just a few weeks ago, she went on to end the season on the top of the podium, triumphing at the Marshalls World Skating Challenge in Rhode Island.
COHEN: I just took it one jump at a time and I, you know, it kept building with each jump. And it felt, it felt really good. I got sixes at the end and it was my best performance of the year.
HILL: She shares her latest success with Robin Wagner, a top notch coach who guided Sarah Hughes to her Olympic success in Salt Lake City. And though they've only been together since December, the bond between the two is very strong.
ROBIN WAGNER, OLYMPIC AND WORLD COACH: The first day it was, it was kind of like a first date, you know? We were trying to feel each other out a little bit and understand each other. But we've been communicating very well.
COHEN: I love Robin. And we have so much fun together every single day. And she's so supportive. And I really know she's the right person for me.
HILL: Their goal for next season is to land a quadruple jumping competition, something only a few women in the world can do. Sasha first made a splash four years ago in Ohio.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What a stretch to it.
HILL: Competing at her first nationals at the senior level, Sasha stunned the skating world when she beat Michelle Kwan in the short program, but wound up second overall.
Since then, she never stops surprising the judges with her polished artistry and unbelievable flexibility.
So, how does she make this perfect split look so easy?
COHEN: I think it really helped to start as a base in gymnastics. And I was very much stretched out by my gym coaches. And, you know, I have to just maintain that.
HILL: As for the secret of her mesmerizing artistry...
COHEN: I think that I feel a big part of it and I make a base. And then we just work to make that base better.
HILL: A typical day for this teenager involves three hours on the ice, gym, pilates and physical therapy. With a schedule like that, there's not much time left for a personal life.
(on camera): Do you have a boyfriend?
COHEN: No, not at the moment. I'm still waiting.
HILL (voice-over): But don't think skating is her only passion. Sasha's dream is to start her own magazine, combining all of her wide interests -- fitness, health, fashion, makeup, cooking and travel.
COHEN: It would be, you know, really fulfilling to be able to do everything I love to do, because I don't think I could just place myself in one category.
HILL: For now, you can catch this star on her current tour with John Hancock, "Champions On Ice."
Erica Hill, CNN, Atlanta.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CALLAWAY: Well, you can watch Sasha's performance at the World Figure Skating Challenge May 9 on ABC.
SAN MIGUEL: Well, looking for romance along with your college degree? We'll tell you which colleges are heaven for singles. That and campus dirt -- tips on picking the right school -- coming up next on CNN SATURDAY MORNING.
COMMERCIAL
SAN MIGUEL: All right, here it is, folks, the top five schools where students are most likely to study less. That according to a survey conducted by Campusdirt.com.
Coming in at number one, Johnson & Wales University; number two, State University of New York at Albany; followed by Stephen F. Austin University; Northern Michigan University; and number five, Embry- Riddle Aeronautical University. How can you not study there?
And how about schools described as heaven for singles? The students have spoken. Number one, the University of California, Santa Barbara; followed by James Madison; three, four and five, the University of Wisconsin, Madison; the University of Kentucky; and the University of Miami. Well, of course, it's kind of hard to focus on midterms when you're on Ocean Boulevard in South Beach.
Now, all that information may help students decide where to go to college. After all, it's not just about the degree, right?
We want to talk more now about a Web site that promises to go further than what you see on those student orientation tours.
Campusdirt.com just might be able to help.
And joining us now from San Diego to talk about how to pick a college is the CEO and cofounder of Campusdirt.com, Mike O'Brien. Thanks for joining us this morning.
MIKE O'BRIEN, CAMPUSDIRT.COM: Thank you very much for having me.
SAN MIGUEL: So this is the appeal for Campusdirt.com? It's not just, you know, it's like talking to somebody who's actually been to the campus?
O'BRIEN: That's right. What we did is we went out and surveyed about 60,000 students and recent graduates of college and asked them about their college life. College is one of the few things that we have to do for four years, besides our job. And so we feel very strongly about our college. And what we did was we went through and we asked them questions that we thought were important. And we even had recent -- or college people who are currently enrolled in college in school helping us with producing the survey.
SAN MIGUEL: Can anybody -- do you have to register to get on the Web site, I mean -- and is there any cost involved here or is it all pretty much free?
O'BRIEN: There's all, there's absolutely no cost at all, but you do have to create a user account.
SAN MIGUEL: OK. All right. So you just make, you know, set up a password and things like that and you're on?
O'BRIEN: Right. Right.
SAN MIGUEL: OK. We wanted to give you -- just give our viewers a little bit of a sample of the information that you do dig up. For example, here's a list for the best professors from Campusdirt.com, where you'll find these, Hope College, the United States Air Force Academy, Brigham Young University in Idaho and Rose-Hullman Institute of Technology and then the University of Richmond, Stanford, Harvard, Princeton, the Naval Academy and Leigh University.
Also, not just involving the curriculum aspects, you also do things like the best student life. And I think we have a full screen for that, as well. It's Duke University; North Carolina, Chapel Hill; the University of Southern Carolina; Ohio State University; and the University of South Carolina, Columbia; just some of those. You know, this is the idea here is that it's not just about the curriculum, it's about student life.
Do you have concerns that, you know, you're giving parents maybe an excuse for their students to go longer than four years if the student life someplace or, you know, the best place to meet singles is a little bit better on the list than, you know, the curriculum?
O'BRIEN: I think college is a maturing time. And so the more well-rounded the college experience, the better your student is going to do ultimately. And the ultimate goal, we have to remember, of college is getting the student graduated. And they're going to graduate more often in a place where they're more comfortable and where they fit in. SAN MIGUEL: All right, you've got, you know, this -- everybody is deciding right now and some of the students, potential students lining up for loans and scholarships.
What's the one thing you think students need to know when it comes to financial aid?
O'BRIEN: Well, really it's where there's a will there's a way. It's not really ever too late. You can take the time, if you prep, to fill out the scholarships, to complete the fast form, which is the free application for student aid, which is pretty much the document by which all student aid is determined. You can go to fastfa.ed.gov to get that completed. Every student in every family in America should complete that, because you never know what type of aid you will receive until you complete that document.
SAN MIGUEL: We can...
O'BRIEN: So...
SAN MIGUEL: I'm sorry, we only have a little bit of time left here. And we can't let you go without checking out my alma mater in San Angelo, Texas, Angelo State University. We dug up this information on Campusdirt.com about ASU. So then -- and we've got to keep in mind -- and I was there in the late '70s and early '80s so, you know, pretty soon you're going to have to tell my age by cutting me in half and counting the rings. But, here's how ASU compared on athletic -- B plus. And when I was there, we actually won, in my soph -- in my freshman year we won the NAIA football championship. So there's a rich tradition there. B plus.
Social life, C. You know, it's in West Texas, not a big town there. But there's enough to do. Computer technology classes, A minus. Curriculum, A minus. Food, B plus. So there's ASU. And I can also say it's a pretty good school if you want to end up being a CNN anchor.
Mike O'Brien with Campusdirt.com.
We appreciate your time.
Thanks so much for joining us and good luck with the Web site.
O'BRIEN: Thank you.
CALLAWAY: Coming up next, a contest that is as easy as falling off a log. Details in our Wows of the Week, coming up next.
COMMERCIAL
SAN MIGUEL: Now, before we end this hour, we want to get to our Wows of the Week.
They say it's a way to toughen you up, but these guys may just be crazy. They are log riders and their course, of course, is the side of a mountain. Check it out. In years past, some riders and spectators were injured, even killed, in this. The event is part of a thousand year old Japanese festival that takes place every six years.
CALLAWAY: My.
SAN MIGUEL: Well, Ray Crist has finally retired at the age of 104. Crist is the former director of the Manhattan Project to develop the A bomb and was actually a friend of Albert Einstein. But he has been doing research at Messiah College in Pennsylvania for the past 34 years, his salary was $1 a year. Let's hope he had a good 401K going during all that time.
CALLAWAY: Back to the Japanese story, again, why?
SAN MIGUEL: Why? The question always is.
CALLAWAY: Why? Why?
SAN MIGUEL: Why in the world would you want to roll on a log -- ride on a log that's rolling down the side of a mountain?
CALLAWAY: People die doing this. It's amazing to me.
All right, moving on to brighter things, Rob Marciano.
MARCIANO: Hi, Catherine.
CALLAWAY: Hi.
MARCIANO: Hi, Renay.
I can't answer why they would do that. The running of the bulls is the same sort of mentality.
SAN MIGUEL: Exactly.
MARCIANO: Tradition. You can't argue with it.
(WEATHER REPORT)
CALLAWAY: Here's a quick look at our top stories this morning.
Kidnappers in Iraq freed two Japanese hostages in Baghdad today. It comes a day after a captured U.S. soldier was shown in a videotape aired in Arab television. This morning, the coalition says Private First Class Keith "Matthew" Maupin appears scared but shows no sign of being tortured.
Meanwhile, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N. is reaching out to the global community. He wants other countries to contribute troops to a new force in Iraq designed to protect U.N. staff. It comes as the U.N. prepares to take on a larger role, ahead of the June 30 transfer of power.
We've been asking you all morning what should the U.S. do about hostages in Iraq. And here are some of your answers.
SAN MIGUEL: Here Bobby G. writes in and says: "The U.S. should demand that they be treated as prisoners of war. No payoffs."
CALLAWAY: And our next e-mail is from Ed, who says: "We should work closely with those Arab countries in the Middle East that we call friends. Let the Saudi royal family and others contact the hostage holders -- the Saudis know who they are -- and negotiate on our behalf. If our military goes in with guns blazing to rescue these brave Americans, they will come home in coffins."
SAN MIGUEL: Thank you for writing in. We'll continue to read your e-mails.
The next hour of CNN SATURDAY MORNING begins right now.
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 April 17, 2004 - 07:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
RENAY SAN MIGUEL, CNN ANCHOR: From the CNN Center in Atlanta, this is CNN SATURDAY MORNING.
It's April 17.
Only 363 more days until tax day 2005. So while you have the Turbo Tax fired up for this week, you might as well get a head start.
Good morning.
I'm Renay San Miguel.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: I'm not even over last year's yet.
SAN MIGUEL: Yes, still working on that.
CALLAWAY: Good morning, everyone.
I'm Catherine Callaway.
Thanks for being with us this morning.
And here's what we have coming up for you this hour. Now that they know that Private First Class Keith Maupin is a hostage in Iraq, family, friends and strangers wait and hope for his safe return.
Also coming up, choosing the right college. It's crunch time for undecided students. We'll have a unique insider's look on everything from academics to the social scene on hundreds of college campuses.
And what a stretch -- meet one of the brightest stars in figure skating. Sasha Cohen, up close and personal.
But first, we have the headlines.
SAN MIGUEL: Another hostage released just hours ago in Iraq. Two Japanese civilians were released at the Japanese embassy in Baghdad. They were abducted April 8. Three other Japanese hostages were released on Thursday. We'll have a complete update on the hostage situation for you in just a couple of minutes.
A possible car bombing averted in Saudi Arabia. Police say they've defused a car bomb found somewhere in the kingdom. No details immediately available. Earlier this week, the U.S. ordered non- essential diplomats out of Saudi Arabia and warned Americans about terrorism there. Terminal five has reopened this morning at Los Angeles International Airport. It was closed last night after some items in a suitcase caused concern about a possible bomb. The items turned out to be a Palm Pilot and some poker chips.
CALLAWAY: And here's our top story this hour. Greeting the dawn in Batavia, Ohio, yellow ribbons. Batavia is the hometown of Army PFC Keith "Matthew" Maupin. Matt Maupin is believed to be the hostage who appears on a videotape from Iraq surrounded by masked gunmen.
We have the story from CNN's Jamie McIntyre at the Pentagon.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
04160003.v84
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CALLAWAY: In Batavia, police closed off Main Street so friends and neighbors of Matthew Maupin could hold a vigil in front of the courthouse. An honor guard of veterans was on hand there and the crowd was dotted photographs of the soldier, now an apparent hostage in Iraq.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CARL COTTRELL, MAUPIN FAMILY SPOKESMAN: We have viewed the videotape of Matt, as all of you have, I'm sure. And our family is very happy and prays for Matt's safety.
We have believed all along that our prayers would be answered and we ask that you continue to believe in his safe return. Believe in the efforts of our military, as we do right now. Believe in their skill and know how, as we do. And most importantly, believe in Matthew Maupin.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CALLAWAY: School bus driver Peggy Lux (ph) summed up the community's feeling about PFC Keith "Matthew" Maupin, saying that "He's a great kid."
CNN correspondent Chris Lawrence is in Batavia, Ohio, and we will have a live report from him coming up next hour from his hometown.
SAN MIGUEL: Hostages who have been released in Iraq are blaming interconnected factions for the kidnappings. French journalist Alexander Jordanov says the groups include Saddam loyalists, Islamic Party members and followers of a firebrand Shiite cleric. Jordanov says they all work together on the kidnappings and their common enemy is the U.S. occupation. His story is echoed by three Czech journalists released just yesterday. They say they were passed from one insurgent group to another during nearly a week of captivity.
Well, following the release of two Japanese hostages this morning, the hostage crisis in Iraq stands at seven hostages held or believed held, including two Americans, a civilian and a soldier. Nine people are missing in Iraq, their status unknown. At least 43 hostages have been released. And one hostage, an Italian security guard, has been killed by his captors.
CALLAWAY: And important talks are under way today between high level coalition representatives and community leaders in the besieged city of Falluja, which is just west of Baghdad.
Let's go to our Jim Clancy, who's joining us in Baghdad with the latest on this -- hello, Jim.
JIM CLANCY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Catherine.
These are important talks. You know, just 48 hours ago, U.S. military officials were saying here in Baghdad that they thought the coalition would have to go in. They said it was not only, it appeared to them, inevitable, but perhaps even imminent that U.S. Marines would have to go back into action in Falluja.
Now, these talks are under way. All of that is changing. The talks began yesterday. They're continuing today, Saturday, in Falluja at a military camp nearby, involving high level representatives of the coalition, along with representatives of the community, religious, tribal elders there in Falluja, so they can try to hammer out some details to prevent a flare-up of fighting.
Overnight, it was reported that it was relatively calm. That's a good sign. U.S. Marines contemplating now a pullback in one area that would allow Fallujans access to the main hospital. It was across a bridge that had been shut down by the Marines as they encircled the city. That would be a major confidence building effort.
Now, there's still a long way to go in the talks and nobody should kid themselves. These aren't going to be easy.
Meantime, in Falluja itself, the controversy over civilian casualties continues. A lot of people accusing the U.S. military, accusing the coalition of using excessive force; charges of sniping at civilians; charges of shooting at ambulances. Very difficult to come by the real facts in all of this.
One U.S. peace activist, an unabashed opponent of this war with Iraq, with the invasion, went in there as a medical volunteer and this is his story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
04160003.v99
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CLANCY: They were detained by some of those fighters in Falluja. They weren't harmed. They were treated well. They were released the next day. But at the same time, he and others are saying they're thinking twice before they go back into Falluja -- Catherine.
CALLAWAY: I'll bet they are.
OK, Jim.
Jim Clancy from Baghdad.
Thank you, Jim.
And coming up in just a few minutes, calls for activists to do more to protect human rights during the war on terror. We will talk with the executive director of Amnesty International.
And we want your input about this war in Iraq. Our e-mail question today, what should the U.S. do about the hostages in Iraq. E-mail us with your comments at wam@cnn.com.
SAN MIGUEL: President Bush ordered a war plan against Iraq in November, 2001, less than two months after U.S. forces attacked Afghanistan. That is according to "Plan of Attack," a new book by Bob Woodward of the "Washington Post." It was quoted today in that newspaper and the "New York Times."
Woodward details a meeting in January 2003, before the Iraq war started, saying Secretary of State Colin Powell warned the president about Iraq. Powell is quoted as saying, "You understand the consequences. You know you're going to be owning this place."
Later the president asks, "Are you with me on this? I want you with me."
Powell answers, "I'll do the best I can. Yes, sir, I will support you. I'm with you, Mr. President."
Also in the book, President Bush talks to Woodward about Iraq: "I am prepared to risk my presidency to do what I think is right. I was going to act and if it would cost the presidency, I fully realize that. But I felt so strongly that it was the right thing to do that I was prepared to do so."
Bob Woodward will be a guest Monday night on "Larry King Live." That's at 9:00 p.m. Eastern time, 6:00 Pacific, here on CNN.
Well, time now for some other stories making news across America.
Police in Augusta, Georgia resume their search today for a pregnant woman who they think was abducted after interrupting a burglary. Twenty-nine-year-old Tamara Dunstan was last seen at her mother's house on Thursday.
CALLAWAY: And a professional hockey player has been charged with arranging the murder of his male lover. Mike Danton of the St. Louis Blues faces federal charges in the case. Danton is suspected of setting up the plot because he was afraid the man might leave him and ruin his hockey career.
SAN MIGUEL: In California, Governor Schwarzenegger scores another victory with the passage of a new worker's compensation bill. The bill is seen as a boon for businesses and had been a cornerstone of Schwarzenegger's gubernatorial campaign. He'll sign that bill into law on Monday.
CALLAWAY: And here's another plan that Governor Schwarzenegger should like. A herd of South African goats has been hired to fight fires near San Diego at no cost to taxpayers. The goats are being used to clear away high brush in fire hazard areas. Their first assignment is the area near last year's cedar fire, which you may remember destroyed more than 2,200 homes.
Wow, we need some goats in our house, around our area.
SAN MIGUEL: Well, from fighting fires to fighting terrorists, when it comes to going after terrorists, should human rights be an issue? You're going to be surprised to hear what it comes down to, next on CNN SATURDAY MORNING.
CALLAWAY: That's right.
And then later on this morning, trying to pick up -- pick out the right college.
Stay right here. We have the dirt for you.
SAN MIGUEL: Plus, she is one of the best in the sport. Figure skater Sasha Cohen shares secrets of her stunning beauty and flexibility.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SASHA COHEN, 2004 WORLD SILVER MEDALIST: I think it really helped to start as a base in gymnastics. And I was very much stretched out by my gym coaches.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COMMERCIAL
SAN MIGUEL: Amnesty International is meeting in New York this weekend to talk about what it sees as a casualty in the war on terror -- human rights.
The executive director of the organization has written a book titled "Tainted Legacy."
William Schulz has criticized the Bush administration but also says the human rights movement needs to change regarding the war on terror.
Mr. Schulz joins us now to talk about ways that the -- that Americans can take a more active role in human rights issues.
Mr. Schulz, thanks for being with us.
WILLIAM SCHULZ, AUTHOR, "TAINTED LEGACY": My pleasure. SAN MIGUEL: You've made your group's feelings very clear about both the Patriot Act and the detainees at Guantanamo and what is happening there.
We have very limited time this morning.
We'd like to focus on what you think the human rights groups need to do concerning the war on terror. You have argued in your book that you need to hold human rights groups' feet to the fire concerning terrorism.
How so?
SCHULZ: That's right. Well, you're right. We in the human rights movement have been very articulate and effective in criticizing the Bush administration's violations of human rights in the course of the war on terror. We've said that to hold people hostage in Guantanamo without respect from the Geneva Conventions, to deny U.S. citizens the right to counsel, all of that puts the lie to the Bush conviction that the war on terror is a war in defense of the rule of law.
At the same time, we have been far less effective and far less articulate about defending what is one of the most fundamental rights of all, and the right -- and that is the right to security of person. We need to recognize that if you're dead, your right to a fair trial is not going to be of great concern to you. We need to recognize that the human rights movement needs to put its wisdom, its strategizing, its resources at the service of fighting terrorism and fighting terrorists, who are some of the world's greatest human rights volunteers themselves.
SAN MIGUEL: You've made that so clear in your book. Terrorism itself is a human rights violation.
So, how can human rights groups, you know, bring pressure upon groups like al Qaeda, which operate in the shadows? It's not like, you know, sending a letter to a government saying, you know, this is how you're treating your people in your prisons, you can't do that.
SCHULZ: That's right. Bin Laden is not going to receive thousands of letters and suddenly see the light, by jove, they're right. No, that's not going to happen.
But there are three things, at least, that the human rights movement can do.
First, you know, we can advocate for an international treaty that reaches a common definition of terrorism and how to combat it. One scholar has surveyed the field and says that there are 109 different definitions of terrorism. We need a common definition and a common agreement of how to bring security for all people.
Secondly, we can put our research resources to work on researching terrorist groups themselves, their financing, the arms, the countries that supply them arms, the terrorists themselves. We can put our expertise to work.
And thirdly, we can help convince people in Arab, Muslim countries and elsewhere around the world that their best path is through respect for human rights in all ways, not through the path of terrorism.
SAN MIGUEL: Amnesty International has not taken a stand on whether military action was justified in Iraq or whether those troops should be pulled out of there.
Will there be discussion this weekend on whether Amnesty needs to define when military action is necessary to correct human rights violations?
SCHULZ: You're right, Amnesty at this point does not take a position on any military intervention per se. And that's an important issue for us to debate, both here and at the international level.
When you look at a situation such as in Rwanda in 1994, this is the 10 year anniversary of that horrible genocide. There really are profound questions as to whether or not a human rights organization, in the face of genocide, ought to be able to advocate for military intervention. That's a critical question for us to explore.
SAN MIGUEL: William Schulz is the executive director of Amnesty International USA.
We appreciate your time this morning.
Thanks for joining us.
SCHULZ: Thank you very much.
My pleasure.
SAN MIGUEL: Catherine, back to you.
CALLAWAY: Well, the war on terror is splitting the Arab community, causing intense divisions even within families, like the case of Abdurahman Khadr, who says that his father wanted him to die for al Qaeda.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM PBS "FRONTLINE")
ABDURAHMAN KHADR: He sat me down with these two people and tried to convince me to become a suicide bomber. He was like, "You know, you'd be our pride. In this family, you'd be our pride, you know, if you do this."
Well, I was totally against it. I was like, "I believe in fighting, you know, someone on the ground who shoots me and I shoot him, you know? But I don't believe in blowing myself up and killing innocent people. I don't, I just don't believe in that."
(END VIDEO CLIP) CALLAWAY: Well, Khadr's life with al Qaeda and Osama bin Laden is the subject of a new PBS documentary and tomorrow on CNN SUNDAY MORNING at 9:00 Eastern time, the producer of "Frontlines: Son of al Qaeda" joins us to talk about the coming special. Terrance McKinna ph), tomorrow on CNN SUNDAY MORNING, at 9:00.
But first today, something a lot lighter for you this morning. Reality television was promising to make a fortune for this "Apprentice" star. We'll tell you why in this show.
COMMERCIAL
SAN MIGUEL: And, you know, sometimes second place does pay. Kwame Jackson, the guy who finished second in "The Apprentice," already has some job offers on the table. KFC has offered Jackson a one week salary of $25,000 and a year's supply of chicken to help launch a new line of chicken. Jackson may also get a more lucrative offer from Dallas Mavericks owner and HD-TV magnet Mark Schubin.
This is the whole thing about reality shows, it doesn't matter whether you win or not, the publicity from just, you know, coming in second, third, fourth, who knows? It's going to help you on your way in your career.
CALLAWAY: And we hope so.
Hey, Rob, what's up?
ROB MARCIANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, guys, 25 grand for a week, that's not too bad.
CALLAWAY: No.
SAN MIGUEL: That's not too bad.
MARCIANO: And I think the winner actually took a pay cut, because he was like a millionaire or something.
SAN MIGUEL: Yes, he already like had a Web site or something like that. Exactly.
MARCIANO: It sounds like these people don't need any help from Trump.
SAN MIGUEL: Yes, but they got it.
MARCIANO: Hey, the weekend is here, guys, and we're after tax day, so let's move on. Let's move past this.
SAN MIGUEL: Yes.
(WEATHER REPORT)
CALLAWAY: Time now to check the headlines for you this morning.
U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, John Negroponte, says that several countries are considering a call to contribute troops to the effort in Iraq. The new force being discussed would be responsible for providing security for U.N. personnel.
Two Japanese citizens abducted in Iraq this week have now been released unharmed. Reports from Japan say that one is a human rights worker while the other is a freelance journalist. Three other Japanese hostages were set free on Thursday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You look up in these mountains and you realize how many places there are to hide.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SAN MIGUEL: For U.S. troops in Afghanistan, it's a long, slow search for the world's most wanted terrorist. See what it's like when CNN's Nic Robertson takes you to the Afghan terrain next.
CALLAWAY: And then later on, have you received any acceptance letters from colleges yet? Well, if you're trying to decide which one is right for you, we have all the info you need, coming up.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TORI ATALI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Women who smoke are doing more damage to their bodies than their male counterparts. A report published this past week in the "Journal of the American Medical Association" shows major diseases such as lung cancer affect the sexes differently. According to the studies, women are at greater risk than men for lung and tissue damage by chemicals found in cigarette smoke, even if they smoke less. Their bodies are also less able to repair the genetic harm from tobacco use. While there is no definitive answer, research suggests women's estrogen, either natural or manufactured, may account for many of the biological differences.
Lung cancer is one of the deadliest forms of the disease and the leading cause of cancer death among women. It claimed more than 68,000 lives just last year. The majority of those cases were a direct result of smoking.
Tori Atali, CNN, Atlanta.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COMMERCIAL
SAN MIGUEL: Countless missions, a slow search -- Nic Robertson goes along with the armed forces as they look for intelligence on Osama bin Laden.
Welcome back to CNN SATURDAY MORNING.
I'm Renay San Miguel.
CALLAWAY: Good morning, everyone. I'm Catherine Callaway.
We will have that story for you in just a minute.
But first the headlines at this hour.
Iraqi insurgents say that they are holding a U.S. soldier hostage. The captive identified himself as PFC Keith Maupin, Keith "Matthew" Maupin. U.S. Central Command says that he is one of two soldiers who were unaccounted for after their fuel convoy was ambushed more than a week ago.
And eight sailors killed in action 140 years ago will be buried today at Charleston, South Carolina. A mass was held for the sailors last evening. The eight were crew members on the Confederate submarine Hunley. It sank in 1864 off South Carolina after becoming the first submarine to sink an enemy ship. The wreck of the Hunley was raised four years ago.
SAN MIGUEL: The chairman of the joint chiefs, General Richard Myers, says there is no telling how long the hunt for Osama bin Laden may take.
CNN's Nic Robertson traveled with some of the U.S. soldiers involved in that hunt and found the search for information is slow going.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
04160003.v84
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CALLAWAY: Time to rewind. You likely had a lot going on this week, so here's a quick look back at what you might have missed.
President Bush addresses the nation Tuesday night, vowing to stay the course in Iraq, but warns that things may get worse before they get better.
Some 20,000 troops who were planning to come home will be staying a few months longer.
And testimony before the 9/11 Commission focuses on the FBI and CIA and what they knew. The former head of the CIA's Counter- Terrorism center, Cofer Black, tells the Commission that the CIA faces a shortage of money and staff that seriously hampered operations and analysis prior to 9/11.
A significant policy shift, as President Bush gives his qualified blessing to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's new plan for Gaza on Wednesday. Mr. Sharon wants to remove Israeli settlements and military outposts from Gaza and parts of the West Bank. The Palestinians say that Israel is trying to set borders without negotiating.
Tomorrow, we will fast forward to the week ahead and tell you which stories are expected to grab the spotlight.
SAN MIGUEL: Well, several developments this week in the war on terror. A new audiotape claiming to be from Osama bin Laden was broadcast on an Arabic language network Thursday. The speaker offers a truce to any European country that, in his words, "stops attacking Muslims." The person who made the tape also threatens revenge on the U.S. for the assassination of the Hamas founder.
Spain's interior minister said Wednesday the leaders of the terror cell believed to be behind the Madrid train bombings have been neutralized. Police made several more arrests this week in connection with the investigation, which is continuing in at least eight countries.
And terror averted in Jordan -- King Abdullah is praising security services for thwarting a plot he says would have killed thousands of civilians. There were indications that the U.S. Embassy in Amman was also a target of Islamic extremists. King Abdullah will meet with President Bush in Washington next week.
CALLAWAY: Well, there's some outrage this morning over the prison release of a convicted serial child molester who was serving a life sentence. That's one of the cases on the docket next hour for our panel of legal experts. Stay with us for that.
And then at 9:00 Eastern time, it is the battle of the droids. Rob Marciano will head to the high school robotics championships under way right here in Atlanta.
And at 9:00, also coming up, how are the images of funerals affecting the military's effort to recent more troops? The answers, when we talk live with an officer and a gentleman.
But up next, she sure shines on the ice. But this little star isn't all about skating. Find out what Sasha Cohen sees in her future when we come back.
COMMERCIAL
SAN MIGUEL: It's the end of an era in Pennsylvania. The oldest worker in the world calls it quits. I don't think that's her. Find out how long this man has been waiting for his retirement in our Wows of the Week. That's coming up later this hour.
We'll be right back.
COMMERCIAL
CALLAWAY: Beauty, talent and success -- that's what defines one of the biggest stars in today's figure skating. Standing only 5'1," this girl is larger than life.
And as CNN's Erica Hill reports, Sasha Cohen is the name to watch at the next Olympics.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's a gorgeous stretch.
ERICA HILL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): She is perfection on the ice. At just 19, with her amazing flexibility, beauty and superior technical ability, Sasha Cohen has become one of the brightest stars in figure skating.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That was exquisite.
HILL: After capturing the world silver in Germany just a few weeks ago, she went on to end the season on the top of the podium, triumphing at the Marshalls World Skating Challenge in Rhode Island.
COHEN: I just took it one jump at a time and I, you know, it kept building with each jump. And it felt, it felt really good. I got sixes at the end and it was my best performance of the year.
HILL: She shares her latest success with Robin Wagner, a top notch coach who guided Sarah Hughes to her Olympic success in Salt Lake City. And though they've only been together since December, the bond between the two is very strong.
ROBIN WAGNER, OLYMPIC AND WORLD COACH: The first day it was, it was kind of like a first date, you know? We were trying to feel each other out a little bit and understand each other. But we've been communicating very well.
COHEN: I love Robin. And we have so much fun together every single day. And she's so supportive. And I really know she's the right person for me.
HILL: Their goal for next season is to land a quadruple jumping competition, something only a few women in the world can do. Sasha first made a splash four years ago in Ohio.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What a stretch to it.
HILL: Competing at her first nationals at the senior level, Sasha stunned the skating world when she beat Michelle Kwan in the short program, but wound up second overall.
Since then, she never stops surprising the judges with her polished artistry and unbelievable flexibility.
So, how does she make this perfect split look so easy?
COHEN: I think it really helped to start as a base in gymnastics. And I was very much stretched out by my gym coaches. And, you know, I have to just maintain that.
HILL: As for the secret of her mesmerizing artistry...
COHEN: I think that I feel a big part of it and I make a base. And then we just work to make that base better.
HILL: A typical day for this teenager involves three hours on the ice, gym, pilates and physical therapy. With a schedule like that, there's not much time left for a personal life.
(on camera): Do you have a boyfriend?
COHEN: No, not at the moment. I'm still waiting.
HILL (voice-over): But don't think skating is her only passion. Sasha's dream is to start her own magazine, combining all of her wide interests -- fitness, health, fashion, makeup, cooking and travel.
COHEN: It would be, you know, really fulfilling to be able to do everything I love to do, because I don't think I could just place myself in one category.
HILL: For now, you can catch this star on her current tour with John Hancock, "Champions On Ice."
Erica Hill, CNN, Atlanta.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CALLAWAY: Well, you can watch Sasha's performance at the World Figure Skating Challenge May 9 on ABC.
SAN MIGUEL: Well, looking for romance along with your college degree? We'll tell you which colleges are heaven for singles. That and campus dirt -- tips on picking the right school -- coming up next on CNN SATURDAY MORNING.
COMMERCIAL
SAN MIGUEL: All right, here it is, folks, the top five schools where students are most likely to study less. That according to a survey conducted by Campusdirt.com.
Coming in at number one, Johnson & Wales University; number two, State University of New York at Albany; followed by Stephen F. Austin University; Northern Michigan University; and number five, Embry- Riddle Aeronautical University. How can you not study there?
And how about schools described as heaven for singles? The students have spoken. Number one, the University of California, Santa Barbara; followed by James Madison; three, four and five, the University of Wisconsin, Madison; the University of Kentucky; and the University of Miami. Well, of course, it's kind of hard to focus on midterms when you're on Ocean Boulevard in South Beach.
Now, all that information may help students decide where to go to college. After all, it's not just about the degree, right?
We want to talk more now about a Web site that promises to go further than what you see on those student orientation tours.
Campusdirt.com just might be able to help.
And joining us now from San Diego to talk about how to pick a college is the CEO and cofounder of Campusdirt.com, Mike O'Brien. Thanks for joining us this morning.
MIKE O'BRIEN, CAMPUSDIRT.COM: Thank you very much for having me.
SAN MIGUEL: So this is the appeal for Campusdirt.com? It's not just, you know, it's like talking to somebody who's actually been to the campus?
O'BRIEN: That's right. What we did is we went out and surveyed about 60,000 students and recent graduates of college and asked them about their college life. College is one of the few things that we have to do for four years, besides our job. And so we feel very strongly about our college. And what we did was we went through and we asked them questions that we thought were important. And we even had recent -- or college people who are currently enrolled in college in school helping us with producing the survey.
SAN MIGUEL: Can anybody -- do you have to register to get on the Web site, I mean -- and is there any cost involved here or is it all pretty much free?
O'BRIEN: There's all, there's absolutely no cost at all, but you do have to create a user account.
SAN MIGUEL: OK. All right. So you just make, you know, set up a password and things like that and you're on?
O'BRIEN: Right. Right.
SAN MIGUEL: OK. We wanted to give you -- just give our viewers a little bit of a sample of the information that you do dig up. For example, here's a list for the best professors from Campusdirt.com, where you'll find these, Hope College, the United States Air Force Academy, Brigham Young University in Idaho and Rose-Hullman Institute of Technology and then the University of Richmond, Stanford, Harvard, Princeton, the Naval Academy and Leigh University.
Also, not just involving the curriculum aspects, you also do things like the best student life. And I think we have a full screen for that, as well. It's Duke University; North Carolina, Chapel Hill; the University of Southern Carolina; Ohio State University; and the University of South Carolina, Columbia; just some of those. You know, this is the idea here is that it's not just about the curriculum, it's about student life.
Do you have concerns that, you know, you're giving parents maybe an excuse for their students to go longer than four years if the student life someplace or, you know, the best place to meet singles is a little bit better on the list than, you know, the curriculum?
O'BRIEN: I think college is a maturing time. And so the more well-rounded the college experience, the better your student is going to do ultimately. And the ultimate goal, we have to remember, of college is getting the student graduated. And they're going to graduate more often in a place where they're more comfortable and where they fit in. SAN MIGUEL: All right, you've got, you know, this -- everybody is deciding right now and some of the students, potential students lining up for loans and scholarships.
What's the one thing you think students need to know when it comes to financial aid?
O'BRIEN: Well, really it's where there's a will there's a way. It's not really ever too late. You can take the time, if you prep, to fill out the scholarships, to complete the fast form, which is the free application for student aid, which is pretty much the document by which all student aid is determined. You can go to fastfa.ed.gov to get that completed. Every student in every family in America should complete that, because you never know what type of aid you will receive until you complete that document.
SAN MIGUEL: We can...
O'BRIEN: So...
SAN MIGUEL: I'm sorry, we only have a little bit of time left here. And we can't let you go without checking out my alma mater in San Angelo, Texas, Angelo State University. We dug up this information on Campusdirt.com about ASU. So then -- and we've got to keep in mind -- and I was there in the late '70s and early '80s so, you know, pretty soon you're going to have to tell my age by cutting me in half and counting the rings. But, here's how ASU compared on athletic -- B plus. And when I was there, we actually won, in my soph -- in my freshman year we won the NAIA football championship. So there's a rich tradition there. B plus.
Social life, C. You know, it's in West Texas, not a big town there. But there's enough to do. Computer technology classes, A minus. Curriculum, A minus. Food, B plus. So there's ASU. And I can also say it's a pretty good school if you want to end up being a CNN anchor.
Mike O'Brien with Campusdirt.com.
We appreciate your time.
Thanks so much for joining us and good luck with the Web site.
O'BRIEN: Thank you.
CALLAWAY: Coming up next, a contest that is as easy as falling off a log. Details in our Wows of the Week, coming up next.
COMMERCIAL
SAN MIGUEL: Now, before we end this hour, we want to get to our Wows of the Week.
They say it's a way to toughen you up, but these guys may just be crazy. They are log riders and their course, of course, is the side of a mountain. Check it out. In years past, some riders and spectators were injured, even killed, in this. The event is part of a thousand year old Japanese festival that takes place every six years.
CALLAWAY: My.
SAN MIGUEL: Well, Ray Crist has finally retired at the age of 104. Crist is the former director of the Manhattan Project to develop the A bomb and was actually a friend of Albert Einstein. But he has been doing research at Messiah College in Pennsylvania for the past 34 years, his salary was $1 a year. Let's hope he had a good 401K going during all that time.
CALLAWAY: Back to the Japanese story, again, why?
SAN MIGUEL: Why? The question always is.
CALLAWAY: Why? Why?
SAN MIGUEL: Why in the world would you want to roll on a log -- ride on a log that's rolling down the side of a mountain?
CALLAWAY: People die doing this. It's amazing to me.
All right, moving on to brighter things, Rob Marciano.
MARCIANO: Hi, Catherine.
CALLAWAY: Hi.
MARCIANO: Hi, Renay.
I can't answer why they would do that. The running of the bulls is the same sort of mentality.
SAN MIGUEL: Exactly.
MARCIANO: Tradition. You can't argue with it.
(WEATHER REPORT)
CALLAWAY: Here's a quick look at our top stories this morning.
Kidnappers in Iraq freed two Japanese hostages in Baghdad today. It comes a day after a captured U.S. soldier was shown in a videotape aired in Arab television. This morning, the coalition says Private First Class Keith "Matthew" Maupin appears scared but shows no sign of being tortured.
Meanwhile, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N. is reaching out to the global community. He wants other countries to contribute troops to a new force in Iraq designed to protect U.N. staff. It comes as the U.N. prepares to take on a larger role, ahead of the June 30 transfer of power.
We've been asking you all morning what should the U.S. do about hostages in Iraq. And here are some of your answers.
SAN MIGUEL: Here Bobby G. writes in and says: "The U.S. should demand that they be treated as prisoners of war. No payoffs."
CALLAWAY: And our next e-mail is from Ed, who says: "We should work closely with those Arab countries in the Middle East that we call friends. Let the Saudi royal family and others contact the hostage holders -- the Saudis know who they are -- and negotiate on our behalf. If our military goes in with guns blazing to rescue these brave Americans, they will come home in coffins."
SAN MIGUEL: Thank you for writing in. We'll continue to read your e-mails.
The next hour of CNN SATURDAY MORNING begins right now.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
