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CNN Saturday Morning News
What is U.S. Marine Wassef Hassoun's Story?
Aired July 10, 2004 - 08:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DREW GRIFFIN, CNN ANCHOR, CNN SATURDAY MORNING: And from the CNN Center in Atlanta, this is CNN SATURDAY MORNING. It is July 10th. Good morning. I'm Drew Griffin.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR, CNN SATURDAY MORNING: And I'm Betty Nguyen. Thanks so much for being with us today. Here's what's coming up this hour.
His disappearance was a mystery and there are still many questions surrounding U.S. Marine Wassef Hassoun. He's now at a military hospital in Germany. We'll have a live report just ahead.
Plus, as time ticks towards a deadline in an intense hostage crisis, furious movement from the Philippine government. Details on that straight ahead.
And it's a picture many angry Enron employees longed to see. After two years of investigation investigations, Ken Lay being led away in handcuffs. What's next for the embattled former CEO?
We'll talk about what await him in our "Legal Briefs".
First, here's what's happening right now in the news.
The Philippines says it will not withdraw its troops from Iraq until August 20th as scheduled. Iraqi kidnappers are threatening to behead a Filipino truck driver unless the Philippines pulls out troops immediately. The deadline to kill the man comes this afternoon.
Elsewhere in Iraq, saboteurs attacked a natural gas pipeline that feeds the northern power station. Attackers planted a bomb near the pipeline about 50 miles west of Kirkuk. The sabotage is likely to affect power supplies in the north.
Iraqi police say masked men have bombed five shops selling alcohol in the Iraqi city of Bakuba (ph). Sources say four men blocked a main road, planted explosives at the shop doors and detonated them. That blast killed an Iraqi taxi drive who was passing by at the time.
In China, doctors say a new outbreak of bird flu has been contained. More than 20,000 chickens were isolated but exhibited no abnormal symptoms, according to health officials. Thirty-seven people who were quarantined have been given a clean bill of health. GRIFFIN: In Germany, the U.S. military is trying to piece together the story surrounding Marine Corporal Wassef Hassoun. The 24-year-old translator disappeared in Iraq June 19th, resurfaced this week in Lebanon, 500 miles away. He has now been taken to the U.S. military base in Ramstein, Germany. Chris Burns comes to us live via videophone with the latest on this baffling case.
Good morning, Chris.
CHRIS BURNS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Drew.
It didn't take much for doctors to say he was in OK condition. Had lost about 20 pounds during his ordeal, but that's about it. He had lost a lot of sleep. So apparently he got a good night's sleep last night. Officials said he had breakfast this morning.
And now they are looking at his head, psychologically, and also asking him intel questions (AUDIO GAP) -- of intelligence (AUDIO GAP) What exactly did he see? Who did he see during those, that period that he was gone?
He was missing from June 19th until just this week when he showed up in Lebanon with his family in Lebanon. He's a Lebanese-born American.
Now the question is, really, what did he see? What did he know? And officials are saying that what he is telling officials -- what he is telling the counselors right now, not going to be used in any kind of proceedings against him, even though the Navy has (AUDIO GAP) an investigation to find out exactly what were the circumstances.
What he's going to tell people here, is (AUDIO GAP) he's subject to immunity, he won't be charged for anything that he says. One good reason for that would be that he -- officials want to find out really who he saw and who he knew. That is very important intelligence for the military in Iraq.
Drew?
GRIFFIN: Chris Burns reporting live in Germany.
Chris, a story we'll be following all weekend long. Thanks.
NGUYEN: In Moscow, an editor with "Forbes" magazine was shot to death outside his office. Paul Klebnikov was the editor of "Forbes Russia", a sister publication of "Forbes" magazine and was launched in April, with a focus on Russian business.
GRIFFIN: Turning now to the race to save one hostage's life. Tearful pleas and cries for mercy from the wife of a Filipino man held hostage in Iraq. The family in the Philippines continue to press for the release of Angelo de la Cruz.
The government says its humanitarian forces will leave Iraq next month as planned. In video recently air and the Arab-language network Al Jazeera, Cruz pleads for his life by begging for the early withdrawal of those 50 troops. Cruz's captors have threatened to behead him today if their demands are not met.
NGUYEN: From Afghanistan comes the story of alleged freelance security personnel run amok. Three Americans and several Afghan collaborators are accused of operating an illegal jail in Kabul. Officials say, they apparently rounded up a number of Afghan men who they suspected were Al Qaeda members. Now analysts are trying to figure out what was going on.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I talked to two senior Afghan officials. These prisoners were being maltreated, I think is a fair assessment. There were some beatings, there was also indications that some of them were hanged from a ceiling either by the wrists or by the feet. It's not clear.
So while these people weren't being tortured, according to Afghan officials, they, sadly, were being badly treated.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: The U.S. disavows any action with the men, who are now in the custody of Afghan authorities.
GRIFFIN: Stories from across America: In Massachusetts, check, please. Geraldine Williams will soon counting her coins, lots of them. The 67-year-old cleaning woman finally came forward to claim the $294 million mega-millions jackpot. The second largest undivided win in U.S. history. She'll actually get $118 million, part of that cash-out option.
While some say they could save your life, others say they could end it. The government estimates some 15,000 people have been saved by air bags since 1984. That's when an order was signed requiring all vehicles to have driver-side air bags or automatic seat belt within five years.
Some argue those bags, which deploy at high speeds can harm or even kill people, especially children or some women.
NGUYEN: The BBC reports British Prime Minister Tony Blair considered resigning last month but was persuaded by some of his cabinet ministers to stay on. Blair has seen his ratings tumble in opinion polls since last year's invasion of Iraq. His office has not commented on the BBC report -- Drew.
GRIFFIN: You might think the White House would be deeply troubled by the scathing Senate report on prewar intelligence in Iraq. Well, apparently not. Elaine Quijano is at the executive mansion to explain that.
Good morning, Elaine.
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Drew.
Actually, I am here at the D.C. bureau, but that 500-page Intelligence panel's report was expected to be harsh. It turned out to be that way. It faulted intelligence analysts for having a, quote, "collective presumption that Iraq already had weapons of mass destruction."
Now, yesterday, Committee Chairman Senator Pat Roberts, a Republican, read from the report and said that President Bush and Congress sent the country to war based on what the report called "flawed information" provided by the intelligence community.
Now, Roberts also said the committee found no evidence that political pressure was a factor in what he termed the mischaracterization or exaggeration of the intelligence on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction capabilities.
And Vice Chairman John Rockefeller, a Democrat from West Virginia, said that the Senate would not have authorized the war if they knew what they know now.
Responding to the report's release, President Bush, yesterday, on a bus tour through Pennsylvania said that he looked forward to reading it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The idea that the Senate has taken a hard look to find out where the intelligence gathering services went short is good and positive. And I commend the chairman of the committee for doing that.
We need to know. I want to know. I want to know how to make the agencies better! To make sure that we're better able to gather the information necessary to protect the American people.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
QUIJANO: Now, the White House maintains that it has agreed changes need to be made in the intelligence community to improve both the quality and the quantity of information gathered. Press Secretary Scott McClellan saying yesterday that the administration also wants to improve the way that that information is shared and counter-terrorism efforts are coordinated -- Drew.
GRIFFIN: Elaine, there are some who say the former occupant of the White House, President Bill Clinton, bears part of the blame for the lingering war on terror. Tomorrow here on CNN SUNDAY MORNING, Clinton responds to critics in an interview with our Christiane Amanpour.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BILL CLINTON, FMR. PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: This has nothing to do with my being a Democrat, your being a Republican. I believe, objectively -- I've been reading this for eight years. I've been watching this. I think by far your biggest problem is bin Laden and Al Qaeda. It's my great regret I didn't get him. I tried.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GRIFFIN: Bin Laden, Saddam Hussein, the Middle East, no topic off limits, as Christiane Amanpour talks with Bill Clinton. That is tomorrow on CNN SUNDAY MORNING at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time.
NGUYEN: Some folks waited a long time to see this. Former Enron CEO Kenneth Lay now facing the music. Our legal team talks about what's ahead.
And nobody likes to wait in line. But would you be willing to give up personal information to get on your flight a little faster? E- mail us your thoughts at wam@cnn.com
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
GRIFFIN: Michael Phelps on is way. The 19-year-old U.S. swimmer won the 200-meter butterfly and freestyle events, in Olympic qualifiers. He is now two steps closer to his goal winning the most Olympic medals for an individual. The current record belongs to American swimmer Mark Spitz. He earned seven in 1972.
NGUYEN: We want to say good morning to the City of Big Shoulders, as Carl Sandberg called Chicago. The forecast for the Windy City. And it's windy, check out the flags. Coming up in less than two minutes. CNN SATURDAY MORNING continues in just a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: There were at least three big legal cases making headlines this week. Former Enron Chief Ken Lay, in handcuffs, after he was indicted on charges ever securities fraud and making false statements. He says he's not guilty.
A judge says, though, no to Martha Stewart's request for a new trial. Paving the way for sentencing next week on her conspiracy and obstruction of justice conviction.
And there was more disturbing testimony in the double murder trial of Scott Peterson.
Also, in the Enron case, Lea Fastow, the former wife of Andrew Fastow on Monday is expected to serve a one-year sentence for tax fraud.
With us this morning to discuss all of these latest legal cases, Civil Liberties Attorney Lida Rodriguez-Tassef and Court Television's Lisa Bloom, co-anchor of the program "Trial Heat."
Lisa, we'll start with you. And we want to talk about the Scott Peterson case. This past week they focused a lot on whether he had the ability to take his wife's body, put it in his truck, drive 100 miles, put it in his boat without anyone seeing. Is that possible from the testimony that you saw? LISA BLOOM, COURT TV: Well, absolutely. And in the courtroom, there was a vivid demonstration where a female D.A. -- a district attorney's worker, who was pregnant, about the same height and weight as Laci Peterson -- had actually climbed into Scott Peterson's 14-foot boat, curled herself into a fetal position. And those photos were shown to the jury to demonstrate, I think, very dramatically to the jury, that, in fact, Laci Peterson, advanced in her pregnancy, could have been secreted in that boat, as prosecutors allege.
Now, in cross-examination, Mark Geragos pointed out this was, of course, a live woman who voluntarily crawled in with help from one of the district attorneys, very different than a dead body.
NGUYEN: Exactly.
But in the case and with the information they provided, is it one of those cases where, well, if the glove fits --
BLOOM: It may be. We're still very early on into the trial. We're about a month into what's expected to be a five-month trial. There is a lot of testimony still to go. And every time the prosecution makes a point or two, the defense does as well on cross- examination. It's a slow buildup of evidence and there is a long way to go.
NGUYEN: We're going it try to get Lida Rodriguez-Tassef in, in a moment. We're having difficulties. So, we're going to stay with you, Lisa.
Let's talk about the images shown in court this past week. Disturbing images of the bodies of Laci and her unborn son, Conner. Talk to us about what kind of affect that had on the jury.
BLOOM: Well, first, on the family members in the court, some of them were visibly upset by them and they had to leave. Even Scott Peterson turned his eyes away. It's always difficult for jurors to have to look at bloody pictures, autopsy pictures.
In this case the bodies of Laci Peterson and her unborn baby, Conner, were not even intact. The limbs were missing and they had been in the water almost four months. So they were bloated and disfigured. Very, very difficult to look at.
I think notwithstanding the occasional use of humor in the courtroom by the defense, this really brings home to the jury the seriousness of this case.
NGUYEN: The seriousness, but where does it point the blame to Scott Peterson?
BLOOM: We still need the testimony from forensic scientists on both sides. That has not come yet. You're right. Simply the existence of bodies does not proven the guilt of Scott Peterson.
Simply the existence of Scott Peterson as the liar, which the prosecution clearly proved. The fact that he cheated on his wife; the fact that he made a lot of callous and cold remarks about wanting to cheat on her, other women. None of that proves he's a murderer. That's been the defense's strongest position throughout this trial.
NGUYEN: Let's move to the Martha Stewart case. The judge ruled this past week she can't get a new trial so it's headed to sentencing. Do you think it was fair that she doesn't get a new trial?
BLOOM: I thought that was a very strong argument by the defense. One of the prosecution's important witnesses, Larry Stewart -- no relation -- the ink expert who testified twice for the prosecution during their case, in chief, and during rebuttal. The state now says he is a perjurer.
I think Martha Stewart should be entitled to a new trial, a clean trial, without any allegedly perjured testimony. The judge disagreed and says she's going forward with sentencing on Friday. This will still be an issue on appeal, though. I think this will still be issue number one, or Martha Stewart's appeal when she takes the matter up to a higher court.
NGUYEN: Quickly, on to Ken Lay. He says he's not guilty. He didn't know exactly all going on. Is that a good enough defense?
BLOOM: You know, Ken Lay is known as a visionary business leader. He's got a Ph.D. in economics. It does seem hard to believe that he didn't know what was going on with the financial health and well-being of his company.
But in his defense, it's interesting that prosecutors don't accuse him of any of the setup of the fraud, of the perpetuation of the fraud, only the cover-up of the fraud beginning late in 2001. So, it seems prosecutors have even bought Ken Lay's argument to some extent. He's charged with far less than some of the other, the other 30 people charged with fraud related to Enron.
NGUYEN: All right. Lisa Bloom, thank you for your insight. And we apologize for Lida Rodriguez-Tassef. We were trying to get her on the air as well, but we having audio difficulties -- Drew.
GRIFFIN: Fires still ravaging parts of Arizona and Florida. A check on whether the weather is going to help. That's just ahead.
And talk about a court case, or a basket case. Courtney Love, actress, singer and now fugitive. Details on all of this ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(WEATHER FORECAST)
NGUYEN: In the headlines this morning, Israel's ambassador to the U.N. says he does not expect international sanctions as result of yesterday's world court opinion. In the non-binding decision the International Court of Justice, at the Hague, says Israel's barricade along the West Bank is illegal and should come down.
The Philippine government is negotiating for the release of a hostage in Iraq. Video on Al Jazeera television shows a Filipino truck driver begging his government to withdraw its troops from Iraq. The government says its forces will leave Iraq next month as planned.
GRIFFIN: We've been asking our e-mail question: Would you give up more personal information to get through the airport security more quickly? We have a couple of responses this morning.
"Absolutely not," says Rob from Miami. "I would not give up any more of my privacy at airports or any other place. We've already given up too much."
NGUYEN: And Mike from Hawaii says, "Yes, I would not mind giving more information about myself. Why should it be secret if you are not a criminal trying to break a law? Plus, you'll get on the plane faster."
Of course, we invite you to keep sending those e-mail responses to us. Would you give up more personal information to get through airport security more quickly? E-mail your responses to wam@cnn.com.
GRIFFIN: Hours after being declared a fugitive for missing a California court hearing, singer Courtney Love admitted herself to a hospital in New York. This, on her 40th birthday. Her attorney says her hospitalization is medically related and denies it has anything to do with drugs.
NGUYEN: Much more ahead right here on CNN SATURDAY MORNING. In just a few minutes, "House Call" with Dr. Sanjay Gupta answers questions about organ donation.
Then at 9:15, sex education, how much is too much? A Texas group wants condom education as a mandatory part of the curriculum, but not everybody is onboard.
And at 9:30 Eastern, the presidential campaigns gain steam. Bob Novak joins us live to analyze who might have the right stuff to be in the White House next January.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
GRIFFIN: What's happening at this hour: The Philippines says it will not withdraw its troops from Iraq until August 20th, as scheduled. Iraqi kidnappers threatening to behead a Filipino truck driver, unless the Philippines pull those troops out immediately. The deadline to kill that man comes this afternoon.
In China doctors ended observation of 37 people who came into contact with bird flu, giving them a clean bill of health now. The group had come in contact with the chickens at the site of a bird flu outbreak. This past week China culled some 20,000 chickens in an effort to contain a new outbreak of that deadly disease.
And there has been a major shake up in the Egyptian government. President Hosni Mubarak has appointed a new prime minister who must now replace 30 cabinet officials who resigned Friday.
"House Call" with Dr. Sanjay Gupta begins 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 July 10, 2004 - 08:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DREW GRIFFIN, CNN ANCHOR, CNN SATURDAY MORNING: And from the CNN Center in Atlanta, this is CNN SATURDAY MORNING. It is July 10th. Good morning. I'm Drew Griffin.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR, CNN SATURDAY MORNING: And I'm Betty Nguyen. Thanks so much for being with us today. Here's what's coming up this hour.
His disappearance was a mystery and there are still many questions surrounding U.S. Marine Wassef Hassoun. He's now at a military hospital in Germany. We'll have a live report just ahead.
Plus, as time ticks towards a deadline in an intense hostage crisis, furious movement from the Philippine government. Details on that straight ahead.
And it's a picture many angry Enron employees longed to see. After two years of investigation investigations, Ken Lay being led away in handcuffs. What's next for the embattled former CEO?
We'll talk about what await him in our "Legal Briefs".
First, here's what's happening right now in the news.
The Philippines says it will not withdraw its troops from Iraq until August 20th as scheduled. Iraqi kidnappers are threatening to behead a Filipino truck driver unless the Philippines pulls out troops immediately. The deadline to kill the man comes this afternoon.
Elsewhere in Iraq, saboteurs attacked a natural gas pipeline that feeds the northern power station. Attackers planted a bomb near the pipeline about 50 miles west of Kirkuk. The sabotage is likely to affect power supplies in the north.
Iraqi police say masked men have bombed five shops selling alcohol in the Iraqi city of Bakuba (ph). Sources say four men blocked a main road, planted explosives at the shop doors and detonated them. That blast killed an Iraqi taxi drive who was passing by at the time.
In China, doctors say a new outbreak of bird flu has been contained. More than 20,000 chickens were isolated but exhibited no abnormal symptoms, according to health officials. Thirty-seven people who were quarantined have been given a clean bill of health. GRIFFIN: In Germany, the U.S. military is trying to piece together the story surrounding Marine Corporal Wassef Hassoun. The 24-year-old translator disappeared in Iraq June 19th, resurfaced this week in Lebanon, 500 miles away. He has now been taken to the U.S. military base in Ramstein, Germany. Chris Burns comes to us live via videophone with the latest on this baffling case.
Good morning, Chris.
CHRIS BURNS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Drew.
It didn't take much for doctors to say he was in OK condition. Had lost about 20 pounds during his ordeal, but that's about it. He had lost a lot of sleep. So apparently he got a good night's sleep last night. Officials said he had breakfast this morning.
And now they are looking at his head, psychologically, and also asking him intel questions (AUDIO GAP) -- of intelligence (AUDIO GAP) What exactly did he see? Who did he see during those, that period that he was gone?
He was missing from June 19th until just this week when he showed up in Lebanon with his family in Lebanon. He's a Lebanese-born American.
Now the question is, really, what did he see? What did he know? And officials are saying that what he is telling officials -- what he is telling the counselors right now, not going to be used in any kind of proceedings against him, even though the Navy has (AUDIO GAP) an investigation to find out exactly what were the circumstances.
What he's going to tell people here, is (AUDIO GAP) he's subject to immunity, he won't be charged for anything that he says. One good reason for that would be that he -- officials want to find out really who he saw and who he knew. That is very important intelligence for the military in Iraq.
Drew?
GRIFFIN: Chris Burns reporting live in Germany.
Chris, a story we'll be following all weekend long. Thanks.
NGUYEN: In Moscow, an editor with "Forbes" magazine was shot to death outside his office. Paul Klebnikov was the editor of "Forbes Russia", a sister publication of "Forbes" magazine and was launched in April, with a focus on Russian business.
GRIFFIN: Turning now to the race to save one hostage's life. Tearful pleas and cries for mercy from the wife of a Filipino man held hostage in Iraq. The family in the Philippines continue to press for the release of Angelo de la Cruz.
The government says its humanitarian forces will leave Iraq next month as planned. In video recently air and the Arab-language network Al Jazeera, Cruz pleads for his life by begging for the early withdrawal of those 50 troops. Cruz's captors have threatened to behead him today if their demands are not met.
NGUYEN: From Afghanistan comes the story of alleged freelance security personnel run amok. Three Americans and several Afghan collaborators are accused of operating an illegal jail in Kabul. Officials say, they apparently rounded up a number of Afghan men who they suspected were Al Qaeda members. Now analysts are trying to figure out what was going on.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I talked to two senior Afghan officials. These prisoners were being maltreated, I think is a fair assessment. There were some beatings, there was also indications that some of them were hanged from a ceiling either by the wrists or by the feet. It's not clear.
So while these people weren't being tortured, according to Afghan officials, they, sadly, were being badly treated.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: The U.S. disavows any action with the men, who are now in the custody of Afghan authorities.
GRIFFIN: Stories from across America: In Massachusetts, check, please. Geraldine Williams will soon counting her coins, lots of them. The 67-year-old cleaning woman finally came forward to claim the $294 million mega-millions jackpot. The second largest undivided win in U.S. history. She'll actually get $118 million, part of that cash-out option.
While some say they could save your life, others say they could end it. The government estimates some 15,000 people have been saved by air bags since 1984. That's when an order was signed requiring all vehicles to have driver-side air bags or automatic seat belt within five years.
Some argue those bags, which deploy at high speeds can harm or even kill people, especially children or some women.
NGUYEN: The BBC reports British Prime Minister Tony Blair considered resigning last month but was persuaded by some of his cabinet ministers to stay on. Blair has seen his ratings tumble in opinion polls since last year's invasion of Iraq. His office has not commented on the BBC report -- Drew.
GRIFFIN: You might think the White House would be deeply troubled by the scathing Senate report on prewar intelligence in Iraq. Well, apparently not. Elaine Quijano is at the executive mansion to explain that.
Good morning, Elaine.
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Drew.
Actually, I am here at the D.C. bureau, but that 500-page Intelligence panel's report was expected to be harsh. It turned out to be that way. It faulted intelligence analysts for having a, quote, "collective presumption that Iraq already had weapons of mass destruction."
Now, yesterday, Committee Chairman Senator Pat Roberts, a Republican, read from the report and said that President Bush and Congress sent the country to war based on what the report called "flawed information" provided by the intelligence community.
Now, Roberts also said the committee found no evidence that political pressure was a factor in what he termed the mischaracterization or exaggeration of the intelligence on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction capabilities.
And Vice Chairman John Rockefeller, a Democrat from West Virginia, said that the Senate would not have authorized the war if they knew what they know now.
Responding to the report's release, President Bush, yesterday, on a bus tour through Pennsylvania said that he looked forward to reading it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The idea that the Senate has taken a hard look to find out where the intelligence gathering services went short is good and positive. And I commend the chairman of the committee for doing that.
We need to know. I want to know. I want to know how to make the agencies better! To make sure that we're better able to gather the information necessary to protect the American people.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
QUIJANO: Now, the White House maintains that it has agreed changes need to be made in the intelligence community to improve both the quality and the quantity of information gathered. Press Secretary Scott McClellan saying yesterday that the administration also wants to improve the way that that information is shared and counter-terrorism efforts are coordinated -- Drew.
GRIFFIN: Elaine, there are some who say the former occupant of the White House, President Bill Clinton, bears part of the blame for the lingering war on terror. Tomorrow here on CNN SUNDAY MORNING, Clinton responds to critics in an interview with our Christiane Amanpour.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BILL CLINTON, FMR. PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: This has nothing to do with my being a Democrat, your being a Republican. I believe, objectively -- I've been reading this for eight years. I've been watching this. I think by far your biggest problem is bin Laden and Al Qaeda. It's my great regret I didn't get him. I tried.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GRIFFIN: Bin Laden, Saddam Hussein, the Middle East, no topic off limits, as Christiane Amanpour talks with Bill Clinton. That is tomorrow on CNN SUNDAY MORNING at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time.
NGUYEN: Some folks waited a long time to see this. Former Enron CEO Kenneth Lay now facing the music. Our legal team talks about what's ahead.
And nobody likes to wait in line. But would you be willing to give up personal information to get on your flight a little faster? E- mail us your thoughts at wam@cnn.com
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
GRIFFIN: Michael Phelps on is way. The 19-year-old U.S. swimmer won the 200-meter butterfly and freestyle events, in Olympic qualifiers. He is now two steps closer to his goal winning the most Olympic medals for an individual. The current record belongs to American swimmer Mark Spitz. He earned seven in 1972.
NGUYEN: We want to say good morning to the City of Big Shoulders, as Carl Sandberg called Chicago. The forecast for the Windy City. And it's windy, check out the flags. Coming up in less than two minutes. CNN SATURDAY MORNING continues in just a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: There were at least three big legal cases making headlines this week. Former Enron Chief Ken Lay, in handcuffs, after he was indicted on charges ever securities fraud and making false statements. He says he's not guilty.
A judge says, though, no to Martha Stewart's request for a new trial. Paving the way for sentencing next week on her conspiracy and obstruction of justice conviction.
And there was more disturbing testimony in the double murder trial of Scott Peterson.
Also, in the Enron case, Lea Fastow, the former wife of Andrew Fastow on Monday is expected to serve a one-year sentence for tax fraud.
With us this morning to discuss all of these latest legal cases, Civil Liberties Attorney Lida Rodriguez-Tassef and Court Television's Lisa Bloom, co-anchor of the program "Trial Heat."
Lisa, we'll start with you. And we want to talk about the Scott Peterson case. This past week they focused a lot on whether he had the ability to take his wife's body, put it in his truck, drive 100 miles, put it in his boat without anyone seeing. Is that possible from the testimony that you saw? LISA BLOOM, COURT TV: Well, absolutely. And in the courtroom, there was a vivid demonstration where a female D.A. -- a district attorney's worker, who was pregnant, about the same height and weight as Laci Peterson -- had actually climbed into Scott Peterson's 14-foot boat, curled herself into a fetal position. And those photos were shown to the jury to demonstrate, I think, very dramatically to the jury, that, in fact, Laci Peterson, advanced in her pregnancy, could have been secreted in that boat, as prosecutors allege.
Now, in cross-examination, Mark Geragos pointed out this was, of course, a live woman who voluntarily crawled in with help from one of the district attorneys, very different than a dead body.
NGUYEN: Exactly.
But in the case and with the information they provided, is it one of those cases where, well, if the glove fits --
BLOOM: It may be. We're still very early on into the trial. We're about a month into what's expected to be a five-month trial. There is a lot of testimony still to go. And every time the prosecution makes a point or two, the defense does as well on cross- examination. It's a slow buildup of evidence and there is a long way to go.
NGUYEN: We're going it try to get Lida Rodriguez-Tassef in, in a moment. We're having difficulties. So, we're going to stay with you, Lisa.
Let's talk about the images shown in court this past week. Disturbing images of the bodies of Laci and her unborn son, Conner. Talk to us about what kind of affect that had on the jury.
BLOOM: Well, first, on the family members in the court, some of them were visibly upset by them and they had to leave. Even Scott Peterson turned his eyes away. It's always difficult for jurors to have to look at bloody pictures, autopsy pictures.
In this case the bodies of Laci Peterson and her unborn baby, Conner, were not even intact. The limbs were missing and they had been in the water almost four months. So they were bloated and disfigured. Very, very difficult to look at.
I think notwithstanding the occasional use of humor in the courtroom by the defense, this really brings home to the jury the seriousness of this case.
NGUYEN: The seriousness, but where does it point the blame to Scott Peterson?
BLOOM: We still need the testimony from forensic scientists on both sides. That has not come yet. You're right. Simply the existence of bodies does not proven the guilt of Scott Peterson.
Simply the existence of Scott Peterson as the liar, which the prosecution clearly proved. The fact that he cheated on his wife; the fact that he made a lot of callous and cold remarks about wanting to cheat on her, other women. None of that proves he's a murderer. That's been the defense's strongest position throughout this trial.
NGUYEN: Let's move to the Martha Stewart case. The judge ruled this past week she can't get a new trial so it's headed to sentencing. Do you think it was fair that she doesn't get a new trial?
BLOOM: I thought that was a very strong argument by the defense. One of the prosecution's important witnesses, Larry Stewart -- no relation -- the ink expert who testified twice for the prosecution during their case, in chief, and during rebuttal. The state now says he is a perjurer.
I think Martha Stewart should be entitled to a new trial, a clean trial, without any allegedly perjured testimony. The judge disagreed and says she's going forward with sentencing on Friday. This will still be an issue on appeal, though. I think this will still be issue number one, or Martha Stewart's appeal when she takes the matter up to a higher court.
NGUYEN: Quickly, on to Ken Lay. He says he's not guilty. He didn't know exactly all going on. Is that a good enough defense?
BLOOM: You know, Ken Lay is known as a visionary business leader. He's got a Ph.D. in economics. It does seem hard to believe that he didn't know what was going on with the financial health and well-being of his company.
But in his defense, it's interesting that prosecutors don't accuse him of any of the setup of the fraud, of the perpetuation of the fraud, only the cover-up of the fraud beginning late in 2001. So, it seems prosecutors have even bought Ken Lay's argument to some extent. He's charged with far less than some of the other, the other 30 people charged with fraud related to Enron.
NGUYEN: All right. Lisa Bloom, thank you for your insight. And we apologize for Lida Rodriguez-Tassef. We were trying to get her on the air as well, but we having audio difficulties -- Drew.
GRIFFIN: Fires still ravaging parts of Arizona and Florida. A check on whether the weather is going to help. That's just ahead.
And talk about a court case, or a basket case. Courtney Love, actress, singer and now fugitive. Details on all of this ahead.
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NGUYEN: In the headlines this morning, Israel's ambassador to the U.N. says he does not expect international sanctions as result of yesterday's world court opinion. In the non-binding decision the International Court of Justice, at the Hague, says Israel's barricade along the West Bank is illegal and should come down.
The Philippine government is negotiating for the release of a hostage in Iraq. Video on Al Jazeera television shows a Filipino truck driver begging his government to withdraw its troops from Iraq. The government says its forces will leave Iraq next month as planned.
GRIFFIN: We've been asking our e-mail question: Would you give up more personal information to get through the airport security more quickly? We have a couple of responses this morning.
"Absolutely not," says Rob from Miami. "I would not give up any more of my privacy at airports or any other place. We've already given up too much."
NGUYEN: And Mike from Hawaii says, "Yes, I would not mind giving more information about myself. Why should it be secret if you are not a criminal trying to break a law? Plus, you'll get on the plane faster."
Of course, we invite you to keep sending those e-mail responses to us. Would you give up more personal information to get through airport security more quickly? E-mail your responses to wam@cnn.com.
GRIFFIN: Hours after being declared a fugitive for missing a California court hearing, singer Courtney Love admitted herself to a hospital in New York. This, on her 40th birthday. Her attorney says her hospitalization is medically related and denies it has anything to do with drugs.
NGUYEN: Much more ahead right here on CNN SATURDAY MORNING. In just a few minutes, "House Call" with Dr. Sanjay Gupta answers questions about organ donation.
Then at 9:15, sex education, how much is too much? A Texas group wants condom education as a mandatory part of the curriculum, but not everybody is onboard.
And at 9:30 Eastern, the presidential campaigns gain steam. Bob Novak joins us live to analyze who might have the right stuff to be in the White House next January.
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GRIFFIN: What's happening at this hour: The Philippines says it will not withdraw its troops from Iraq until August 20th, as scheduled. Iraqi kidnappers threatening to behead a Filipino truck driver, unless the Philippines pull those troops out immediately. The deadline to kill that man comes this afternoon.
In China doctors ended observation of 37 people who came into contact with bird flu, giving them a clean bill of health now. The group had come in contact with the chickens at the site of a bird flu outbreak. This past week China culled some 20,000 chickens in an effort to contain a new outbreak of that deadly disease.
And there has been a major shake up in the Egyptian government. President Hosni Mubarak has appointed a new prime minister who must now replace 30 cabinet officials who resigned Friday.
"House Call" with Dr. Sanjay Gupta begins now.
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