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CNN Saturday Morning News

Lebanon Troops Surround Syrian Intelligence Building; Giuliana Sgrena is back in Italy

Aired March 05, 2005 - 09:00   ET

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

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


BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: From the CNN Center here in Atlanta, this is CNN SATURDAY MORNING." It is March 5. Good morning, everyone. I'm Betty Nguyen.
TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Tony Harris. Thank you for being with us.

We'd like to welcome our viewers joining us this morning from CNN International.

We begin with new images of one of the most wanted men in the world. CNN recently obtained new pictures of a man believed to be terrorist mastermind Abu Musab al Zarqawi, whose network in Iraq has been responsible for attacks on Iraqi and U.S. targets.

Sources tell CNN that the man in these six photographs is in fact al Zarqawi, who is a top lieutenant of Osama bin Laden. It is unclear how recently the photos were taken, but they appear to be taken at the same time and place.

In the pictures, the man believed to be al-Zarqawi is bearded and well trimmed, and he appears relaxed.

NGUYEN: We are also following a developing story out of Beirut, Lebanon. Amid rising tensions with Syria, Lebanese troops in armored vehicles approached the Syrian intelligence headquarters this morning.

We want to go straight to Beirut and our senior international correspondent Brent Sadler with the latest there. Hi, Brent.

All right. Apparently we are having trouble hearing Brent Sadler. We, of course, will try to get that to you just as soon as it's available to us.

HARRIS: And time now to check some other developments around the world this Saturday morning.

NGUYEN: For a check on what is happening, we turn now to Anand Naidoo at the international desk. Good morning, Anand.

ANAND NAIDOO, CNN INTERNATIONAL: Good morning.

Yes, taking a look at some of the other big developments.

First, the latest on the Italian journalist who was freed in Iraq and then shot at by U.S. troops. Giulianna Sgrena is back in Italy. She was helped off the plane at a Rome airport this morning and was taken immediately to a military hospital for an operation on her collarbone. An Italian security agent was killed when U.S. troops fired on their car as it approached a roadblock near Baghdad Airport.

It's caused something of a diplomatic incident. President Bush has pledged a full investigation into the tragedy. And the U.S.-led coalition, for its part, is saying that the car approached the roadblock at high speed and refused to stop, and that that's when it was fired upon.

Now, to an alarming report on drug production in Afghanistan. The State Department says illegal drug production in Afghanistan poses an enormous threat to world stability. The report estimates 40 to 60 percent of the country's GDP comes from narcotics. Production has tripled from 2003 to 2004.

China is turning up the heat on Taiwan. Premier Wen Ji-Bao (ph) warns China will never permit formal independence for the island province. The session of the Chinese parliament is expected to pass an anti-secession law directly aimed at Taiwan. Wen gave no details of that law, but on Taiwan, in Taipei itself, their leaders are saying that this could pave the way, stage -- or rather, set the stage for an attack on Taiwan, a military attack. So some startling words coming out of Taiwan on this.

That is it for me from now. Stay with us, of course. As you can hear, there's a lot happening. More developments as they happen here at CNN. But for now, let me send you back to Tony and Betty.

HARRIS: Anand, thank you, appreciate it.

NGUYEN: Yes.

HARRIS: Some other news across America this morning.

Still no sign of Jessica Lunsford, now missing for 10 days from her Florida home. Police have cleared the girl's grandfather of any involvement in the case. Archey (ph) Lunsford told police last week about his arrest in the 1950s for planning a kidnapping and attempted rape.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SHERIFF JEFF DAWSY, CITRUS COUNTY, FLORIDA: He was arrested in '54 in Indianapolis by the police department on a charge of free kidnapping. He's pretty well answered that to us. There was no prosecution. He says it was his child. The problem is, I don't have a way to validate that. I have asked Indianapolis to go in and look at the charges.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: Authorities are investigating a Southern California primate sanctuary after a pair of chimpanzees attacked two visitors. A man was left horribly disfigured. His wife lost a thumb. The rampaging chimps were shot and killed. Male chimps are strong, aggressive animals that routinely kill much larger creatures in the wild.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: One individual is very tore up.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Okay.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: His wife is also going to be a patient.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She lost her thumb.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Is there any serious bleeding?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, she...

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes? OK. Are they completely awake?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't know. I'm not out there.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK. They're, now, they're getting started while we're on the phone. What part of the body was bitten?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Face, back, his face is tore up really bad. His back is tore up. Legs, from what I saw. They were just attacking him.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK, when did this happen, Mark?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This just happened.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

NGUYEN: Well the murder trial of actor Robert Blake is now in the hands of a jury. Blake is charged with murder and solicitation of murder in the shooting death of his wife. Bonny Lee Bakley was killed outside a Los Angeles restaurant in 2001. Deliberations will resume on Monday.

Martha Stewart, she is waking up on her New York estate after spending the last five months in prison. She officially begins serving five months' house arrest. That starts on Monday. But no need to cry for Martha. Her net worth quadrupled while serving time, and she's got two television deals in the works.

So how do you feel about that? Our e-mail question this morning is, What is your opinion of Martha Stewart now? Make your voice heard at wam@cnn.com. We'll read your thoughts a little bit later in the show.

Right now, we want to go live to Beirut and CNN's Brent Sadler with the latest on Lebanese army troops, which have surrounded the Syrian intelligence government offices there. Brent, what do you know?

BRENT SADLER, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, developments in the past couple of hours. Good morning, Betty.

We've seen Lebanese army and internal security forces taking up positions around the headquarters of Syrian military intelligence here in the Lebanese capital. This appears to be perhaps some sort of advance movement to a possible redeployment of Syrian troops inside Lebanon.

Syria's president, Bashar al-Assad, is expected to make a speech very soon before the Syrian parliament in Damascus, widely expected on the Lebanese front to see a withdrawal of Syrian troops, a partial withdrawal, it's understood, from Lebanon, and a more comprehensive redeployment of Syrian troops from their current positions to a new (UNINTELLIGIBLE) closer to the Syrian border in the Bekaa Valley.

Such a move, should that be ordered by the Syrian leader, would fall way short of demands made by U.S. President George W. Bush, and would fall far short of demands of a U.N. Security Council resolution adopted last year.

President Bush wants to see both troops and Syrian military intelligence out of this country by scheduled elections here in May. Half measures, said President Bush, simply won't do.

So all eyes on Damascus in the next couple of hours to see what the Syrian leader is going to do. Also, all eyes here in downtown -- on downtown Beirut, where there continues to be rallies and popular protests against Syria's presence in this country, and demands to know the truth about who killed former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri, blown up in a massive blast nearly three weeks ago, Betty.

NGUYEN: Brent, we see the protesters behind you. Talk to us about these Lebanese troops that have set up a position there outside the Syrian intelligence headquarters. What is the purpose? What are they doing there?

SADLER: Well, two things, really. Possibly they are shielding this area against any people who are averse to the Syrian presence here, going to cause trouble down there, or this could be some sort of perhaps move ahead of Bashar al-Assad's expected speech. It could be even a prelude to a removal of some or all of the SMI, Syrian military intelligence there. Too early to say.

But this is the first time we've seen such movement in that area. A Syrian military intelligence personnel came out of the building, started berating journalists, asking if they had been sent by President Bush or Jacques Chirac. And then ordered journalists to leave in what was a tense moment.

So really, we have to wait, crucially, to see what President Assad has to say this afternoon here.

NGUYEN: A lot of things happening today. Of course, we will be watching developments. Brent Sadler in Beirut for us. Thank you, Brent.

HARRIS: And now to security watch. We update you on the week's major developments in the war on terror every Saturday morning.

Beginning April 14, cigarette lighters will no longer be allowed on commercial aircraft in the United States or beyond security checkpoints at airports. The lighters are already banned in checked luggage.

It's currently up to the airlines to compare passenger names to those on government watch lists. But federal transportation officials will begin testing their own pre-screening system in August with two airlines that have not yet been named. The government wants to take over the secure flight system to verify passenger identities.

The government is promising to appeal a federal judge's ruling that says enemy combatant Jose Padilla must be charged, or he'll be eligible for release. Padilla was arrested in May 2002 on suspicion of plotting with al Qaeda to set off a radioactive bomb in the U.S.

And a Spanish newspaper says Spanish authorities found rough sketches of New York's Grand Central Terminal during an investigation into last year's Madrid train bombing. But the U.S. government and New York City officials say there's no evidence to suggest that terrorists were planning an attack.

Stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security.

NGUYEN: Well, Tony, a lot of people have been watching these pictures you see right here, wanting to know, what is next for some 30-plus stranded dolphins in Florida? We'll go to our CNN.com desk for all those details.

HARRIS: And good morning, New Orleans. You are looking at a live picture of the Crescent City this morning. Your weekend forecast is coming up with Jacqui Jeras in minutes.

NGUYEN: But first, five months in prison. Martha Stewart kept herself busy and in shape. She initiated and taught a nightly yoga class for about 10 women.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Got to be (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

MILES O'BRIEN, CNN SPACE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): He's got the right stuff. The first American to orbit the earth, John Glenn, became an instant American hero. Later, inspired by Bobby Kennedy, he ran for political office, becoming a U.S. senator from Ohio. He served for 24 years until 1998. Glenn left Capitol Hill and the surly bonds of earth one more time.. At the age of 77, he became the oldest person ever to go into space.

Now 83, Glenn is far from retired, dividing his time between Ohio and Washington, where he serves on a NASA advisory board. JOHN GLENN: I don't think retirement would be much fun anyway.

O'BRIEN: He and his wife, Annie, have founded the John Glenn Institute for Public Service at Ohio State University, where he serves as an adjunct professor.

GLENN: Mainly involves just letting the students know the value of public service and public participation in politics.

O'BRIEN: Glenn is also still involved in politics, serving as a delegate at the 2004 Democratic Convention.

GLENN: Been a very active life, and one that I could not have foreseen at all when I was a kid growing up back in New Concord, Ohio.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: A quick look at top stories now.

An Italian journalist who was freed by her captors in Iraq is being treated in a Rome hospital this morning. Giuliana Sgrena was hit by shrapnel when U.S. troops fired on her car as she headed to the Baghdad Airport. An Italian intelligence officer was killed.

CNN recently obtained new pictures of a man believed to be terrorist mastermind Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, whose network in Iraq has been responsible for attacks on Iraqi and U.S. targets. Sources told CNN that the man in six photographs is in fact al-Zarqawi, who has been linked to the al Qaeda terror network. It is unclear how recently the photos were taken, but they appear to be taken at the same time and place. In the pictures, the man believed to be al- Zarqawi is bearded and well trimmed, and he appears relaxed.

NGUYEN: Of all this news, which stories are you, or which stories are getting the most hits on CNN.com? Which stories are you interested in? That's what we're talking about this morning.

And you might be surprised by what folks are or not looking at. Can you say Martha Stewart?

Veronica de la Cruz is here with a look at what is hot on the Web.

And I'm really surprised that Martha Stewart isn't up there after all the talk that we've been doing about her.

VERONICA DE LA CRUZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, she was, she was at number four. And I think she's dropped since then. So unfortunately, on the Web, it's not all things Martha.

NGUYEN: Yes, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Martha.

DE LA CRUZ: At NBC, maybe. But actually, we've got a lot going on at CNN.com. And our top three stories are all coming from different sections of the Web site today. To find them, you can go to our main page. Click on the icon Most Popular on the righthand side of your screen. Or you can type in "CNN.com/mostpopular."

Our number one story right now comes from Washington. The Justice Department is saying President Bush pardoned eight men yesterday, bringing his total to 39 since he first took office. Former president Bill Clinton, in comparison, granted clemency to 456 people during his eight years in office. And that includes 176 on his last day at the White House, Betty.

And from pardoning those in prison to being stranded at sea, we had to Florida now for our most clicked, for our next-most-clicked-on story. Nineteen dolphins stranded off the Florida keys have died. And that includes 13 that were euthanized. The remaining 30 are being held for observation. More than 60 dolphins beached themselves a quarter-mile from Marathon, Florida, on Wednesday.

Finally, to wed or not to wed, that apparently is the question. A local registry in Britain is expected to rule soon on nine formal objections (UNINTELLIGIBLE)...

NGUYEN: Nine?

DE LA CRUZ: Nine, nine formal objections filed against the union of Princess Charles and his long-time love, Camilla Parker-Bowles. Now, these objections were filed anonymously.

NGUYEN: Of course they were.

DE LA CRUZ: Of course they were, yes. The Church of England frowns on remarriages by people previously divorced, though the registry has not actually said what points these objections raise, and I'm guessing that people are probably not wanting Camilla to someday become queen. And that's just my guess.

NGUYEN: Well, I think she can't become queen. According to the law and the rules that they've set, I don't believe she could ever become queen.

DE LA CRUZ: Well, well, they are going to make her Duchess of Cornwall.

NGUYEN: Right, exactly.

DE LA CRUZ: But I really just think that people are haters.

NGUYEN: Well, there are nine objecters. And they are anonymous, of course.

DE LA CRUZ: I think that everybody is entitled to the right to happiness, right?

NGUYEN: So you'll be at the wedding, then. DE LA CRUZ: Right, and you will too.

NGUYEN: Absolutely, my plane ticket in hand.

DE LA CRUZ: All right.

NGUYEN: Thank you, Veronica de la Cruz at CNN.com.

HARRIS: If you've had a tough time he keeping up with the news this week, well, that's what we're here for. Let's rewind through some of the big stories of the past few days.

Monday, Lebanon's pro-Syrian government abruptly resigned during a heated parliamentary debate. The government had been under intense pressure since the killing of former prime minister Rafik Hariri last month. The Syrian president is expected to announce a partial troop withdrawal from Lebanon later today.

Tuesday, a divided Supreme Court ruled the execution of juvenile killers is unconstitutional. That means some 70 death row inmates who were under 18 when they committed their crimes may have their sentences invalidated.

Friday was day one of a 60-day blitz by President Bush and other officials to build support for changes to Social Security. Recent polls show fewer Americans support the president's push for privatized retirement accounts.

Also Friday, jury deliberations begin in the trial of former WorldCom chief Bernard Ebbers. Ebbers is accused of spearheading an $11 billion accounting scandal that led to the largest bankruptcy filing in U.S. history. WorldCom employees ended up losing as much as $600 million when the company's stock went bust.

And tomorrow, we'll fast forward to the week ahead and tell you which stories will grab the spotlight.

NGUYEN: You're looking at a live picture of New Orleans this morning. We'll have your complete forecast. That's ahead. Stay with us.

HARRIS: But first, a CNN extra. The Red Cross says around the world, contaminated water is killing the same number of people each month as were killed by the South Asia tsunami in December. Health officials say more than 3 million people die each year from diseases spread through dirty water and poor sanitation. A recent EPA study says water systems will have to invest $150 billion, billion over 20 years to maintain clean and safe drinking water in the U.S.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Well, as you've heard this morning, Tony, fighting the sniffles today. Jacqui, is it the weather's fault?

HARRIS: SARS mask. JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: You know, I actually heard somewhere that there's really no correlation to cold weather and getting the flu.

HARRIS: I believe that. I believe that.

NGUYEN: I believe it. Although if you have allergies, though, and (UNINTELLIGIBLE)...

HARRIS: Yes, a little bit, little bit, yes.

JERAS: (UNINTELLIGIBLE), yes. But then again, when you're cooped up indoors, it's a lot easier to spread germs, right?

(CROSSTALK)

JERAS: So that can be the culprit.

And people are going to be stuck indoors across the Great Lakes, across the Northeast today unless you bundle up, because it's going to be rather chilly.

(WEATHER FORECAST)

JERAS: The Big Easy, looking good for today. Back to you guys.

HARRIS: That's that Jacqui Jeras with the weather this morning. Jacqui, we appreciate it. Thank you.

All right. Let's take it up a notch or two and bring in Ken and Daria Dolan from New York City for a preview of "DOLANS UNSCRIPTED" at the top of the hour.

And Ken and Daria, I've got to ask you, you know, are you going to spend a little bit of time, I imagine, talking about Martha Stewart? Martha, Martha, Martha.

DARIA DOLAN, HOST, "DOLANS UNSCRIPTED": It's Martha all the time. I feel like a "Brady Bunch" replay. But what we're going to offer our audience is the opportunity to weigh in on how they really feel about Martha Stewart. Do you care?

KEN DOLAN, HOST, "DOLANS UNSCRIPTED": You know, we're also going to talk about what effect her coming back to the company likely may have. We'll also have a congressman on, Tony, talking about his spin on Social Security. Then we continue with money with a little bankruptcy (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

DARIA DOLAN: And there's a bankruptcy law that's being proposed, and we're going to talk about the good parts and the ugly parts of it, Tony.

KEN DOLAN: And when you cough, Tony, go like this.

HARRIS: I learned that this morning. Did you hear that?

(CROSSTALK)

HARRIS: ... into my hands, and I'm wrong, I'm spreading germs. It's here, right? Well, OK, I got to tell you, we've been taking a lot of e-mails this morning on that whole question. So we will deliver a nice, fat audience for you, waiting for the Dolan's take on Martha Stewart this morning at 10:00. All right?

KEN DOLAN: Thanks, Tony, very much.

DARIA DOLAN: Thanks, Tony.

HARRIS: OK.

DARIA DOLAN: Hi to Betty too.

HARRIS: OK, you guys have a great show.

KEN DOLAN: Hi, Betty.

NGUYEN: Good morning.

Hey, so everyone at home, have you heard enough of Martha, Martha, Martha? Tell us about it. What is your opinion of Martha Stewart now that she's served her time in prison? We're reading your e-mails when CNN SATURDAY MORNING returns.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: OK, we've been checking the e-mails. Here's what you think about Martha Stewart now.

Joyce from Syracuse, New York, says, "Don't you think that those of us sitting out here struggling to make ends meet get slightly tired of hearing about a woman who is filthy rich? I should have her life, even with an ankle bracelet that keeps me confined to such a gorgeous home."

HARRIS: Got a lot of favorable response in an e-mail here on the crew. And this one, Nicole in Tuscaloosa. Now, was it from Alabama?

"I wasn't a fan of Martha Stewart before, but now I do have respect for her. She gracefully accepted the consequences of her mistakes. I can relate," says Nicole, "having been to jail more than once myself. Good luck to her."

Nicole, you've got to learn the lesson.

NGUYEN: Hey. Thanks, Nicole.

HARRIS: And thank you for joining us this morning. We'll see you again tomorrow morning.

NGUYEN: "OPEN HOUSE" is straight ahead.

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


Aired March 5, 2005 - 09:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: From the CNN Center here in Atlanta, this is CNN SATURDAY MORNING." It is March 5. Good morning, everyone. I'm Betty Nguyen.
TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Tony Harris. Thank you for being with us.

We'd like to welcome our viewers joining us this morning from CNN International.

We begin with new images of one of the most wanted men in the world. CNN recently obtained new pictures of a man believed to be terrorist mastermind Abu Musab al Zarqawi, whose network in Iraq has been responsible for attacks on Iraqi and U.S. targets.

Sources tell CNN that the man in these six photographs is in fact al Zarqawi, who is a top lieutenant of Osama bin Laden. It is unclear how recently the photos were taken, but they appear to be taken at the same time and place.

In the pictures, the man believed to be al-Zarqawi is bearded and well trimmed, and he appears relaxed.

NGUYEN: We are also following a developing story out of Beirut, Lebanon. Amid rising tensions with Syria, Lebanese troops in armored vehicles approached the Syrian intelligence headquarters this morning.

We want to go straight to Beirut and our senior international correspondent Brent Sadler with the latest there. Hi, Brent.

All right. Apparently we are having trouble hearing Brent Sadler. We, of course, will try to get that to you just as soon as it's available to us.

HARRIS: And time now to check some other developments around the world this Saturday morning.

NGUYEN: For a check on what is happening, we turn now to Anand Naidoo at the international desk. Good morning, Anand.

ANAND NAIDOO, CNN INTERNATIONAL: Good morning.

Yes, taking a look at some of the other big developments.

First, the latest on the Italian journalist who was freed in Iraq and then shot at by U.S. troops. Giulianna Sgrena is back in Italy. She was helped off the plane at a Rome airport this morning and was taken immediately to a military hospital for an operation on her collarbone. An Italian security agent was killed when U.S. troops fired on their car as it approached a roadblock near Baghdad Airport.

It's caused something of a diplomatic incident. President Bush has pledged a full investigation into the tragedy. And the U.S.-led coalition, for its part, is saying that the car approached the roadblock at high speed and refused to stop, and that that's when it was fired upon.

Now, to an alarming report on drug production in Afghanistan. The State Department says illegal drug production in Afghanistan poses an enormous threat to world stability. The report estimates 40 to 60 percent of the country's GDP comes from narcotics. Production has tripled from 2003 to 2004.

China is turning up the heat on Taiwan. Premier Wen Ji-Bao (ph) warns China will never permit formal independence for the island province. The session of the Chinese parliament is expected to pass an anti-secession law directly aimed at Taiwan. Wen gave no details of that law, but on Taiwan, in Taipei itself, their leaders are saying that this could pave the way, stage -- or rather, set the stage for an attack on Taiwan, a military attack. So some startling words coming out of Taiwan on this.

That is it for me from now. Stay with us, of course. As you can hear, there's a lot happening. More developments as they happen here at CNN. But for now, let me send you back to Tony and Betty.

HARRIS: Anand, thank you, appreciate it.

NGUYEN: Yes.

HARRIS: Some other news across America this morning.

Still no sign of Jessica Lunsford, now missing for 10 days from her Florida home. Police have cleared the girl's grandfather of any involvement in the case. Archey (ph) Lunsford told police last week about his arrest in the 1950s for planning a kidnapping and attempted rape.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SHERIFF JEFF DAWSY, CITRUS COUNTY, FLORIDA: He was arrested in '54 in Indianapolis by the police department on a charge of free kidnapping. He's pretty well answered that to us. There was no prosecution. He says it was his child. The problem is, I don't have a way to validate that. I have asked Indianapolis to go in and look at the charges.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: Authorities are investigating a Southern California primate sanctuary after a pair of chimpanzees attacked two visitors. A man was left horribly disfigured. His wife lost a thumb. The rampaging chimps were shot and killed. Male chimps are strong, aggressive animals that routinely kill much larger creatures in the wild.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: One individual is very tore up.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Okay.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: His wife is also going to be a patient.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She lost her thumb.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Is there any serious bleeding?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, she...

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes? OK. Are they completely awake?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't know. I'm not out there.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK. They're, now, they're getting started while we're on the phone. What part of the body was bitten?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Face, back, his face is tore up really bad. His back is tore up. Legs, from what I saw. They were just attacking him.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK, when did this happen, Mark?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This just happened.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

NGUYEN: Well the murder trial of actor Robert Blake is now in the hands of a jury. Blake is charged with murder and solicitation of murder in the shooting death of his wife. Bonny Lee Bakley was killed outside a Los Angeles restaurant in 2001. Deliberations will resume on Monday.

Martha Stewart, she is waking up on her New York estate after spending the last five months in prison. She officially begins serving five months' house arrest. That starts on Monday. But no need to cry for Martha. Her net worth quadrupled while serving time, and she's got two television deals in the works.

So how do you feel about that? Our e-mail question this morning is, What is your opinion of Martha Stewart now? Make your voice heard at wam@cnn.com. We'll read your thoughts a little bit later in the show.

Right now, we want to go live to Beirut and CNN's Brent Sadler with the latest on Lebanese army troops, which have surrounded the Syrian intelligence government offices there. Brent, what do you know?

BRENT SADLER, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, developments in the past couple of hours. Good morning, Betty.

We've seen Lebanese army and internal security forces taking up positions around the headquarters of Syrian military intelligence here in the Lebanese capital. This appears to be perhaps some sort of advance movement to a possible redeployment of Syrian troops inside Lebanon.

Syria's president, Bashar al-Assad, is expected to make a speech very soon before the Syrian parliament in Damascus, widely expected on the Lebanese front to see a withdrawal of Syrian troops, a partial withdrawal, it's understood, from Lebanon, and a more comprehensive redeployment of Syrian troops from their current positions to a new (UNINTELLIGIBLE) closer to the Syrian border in the Bekaa Valley.

Such a move, should that be ordered by the Syrian leader, would fall way short of demands made by U.S. President George W. Bush, and would fall far short of demands of a U.N. Security Council resolution adopted last year.

President Bush wants to see both troops and Syrian military intelligence out of this country by scheduled elections here in May. Half measures, said President Bush, simply won't do.

So all eyes on Damascus in the next couple of hours to see what the Syrian leader is going to do. Also, all eyes here in downtown -- on downtown Beirut, where there continues to be rallies and popular protests against Syria's presence in this country, and demands to know the truth about who killed former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri, blown up in a massive blast nearly three weeks ago, Betty.

NGUYEN: Brent, we see the protesters behind you. Talk to us about these Lebanese troops that have set up a position there outside the Syrian intelligence headquarters. What is the purpose? What are they doing there?

SADLER: Well, two things, really. Possibly they are shielding this area against any people who are averse to the Syrian presence here, going to cause trouble down there, or this could be some sort of perhaps move ahead of Bashar al-Assad's expected speech. It could be even a prelude to a removal of some or all of the SMI, Syrian military intelligence there. Too early to say.

But this is the first time we've seen such movement in that area. A Syrian military intelligence personnel came out of the building, started berating journalists, asking if they had been sent by President Bush or Jacques Chirac. And then ordered journalists to leave in what was a tense moment.

So really, we have to wait, crucially, to see what President Assad has to say this afternoon here.

NGUYEN: A lot of things happening today. Of course, we will be watching developments. Brent Sadler in Beirut for us. Thank you, Brent.

HARRIS: And now to security watch. We update you on the week's major developments in the war on terror every Saturday morning.

Beginning April 14, cigarette lighters will no longer be allowed on commercial aircraft in the United States or beyond security checkpoints at airports. The lighters are already banned in checked luggage.

It's currently up to the airlines to compare passenger names to those on government watch lists. But federal transportation officials will begin testing their own pre-screening system in August with two airlines that have not yet been named. The government wants to take over the secure flight system to verify passenger identities.

The government is promising to appeal a federal judge's ruling that says enemy combatant Jose Padilla must be charged, or he'll be eligible for release. Padilla was arrested in May 2002 on suspicion of plotting with al Qaeda to set off a radioactive bomb in the U.S.

And a Spanish newspaper says Spanish authorities found rough sketches of New York's Grand Central Terminal during an investigation into last year's Madrid train bombing. But the U.S. government and New York City officials say there's no evidence to suggest that terrorists were planning an attack.

Stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security.

NGUYEN: Well, Tony, a lot of people have been watching these pictures you see right here, wanting to know, what is next for some 30-plus stranded dolphins in Florida? We'll go to our CNN.com desk for all those details.

HARRIS: And good morning, New Orleans. You are looking at a live picture of the Crescent City this morning. Your weekend forecast is coming up with Jacqui Jeras in minutes.

NGUYEN: But first, five months in prison. Martha Stewart kept herself busy and in shape. She initiated and taught a nightly yoga class for about 10 women.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Got to be (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

MILES O'BRIEN, CNN SPACE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): He's got the right stuff. The first American to orbit the earth, John Glenn, became an instant American hero. Later, inspired by Bobby Kennedy, he ran for political office, becoming a U.S. senator from Ohio. He served for 24 years until 1998. Glenn left Capitol Hill and the surly bonds of earth one more time.. At the age of 77, he became the oldest person ever to go into space.

Now 83, Glenn is far from retired, dividing his time between Ohio and Washington, where he serves on a NASA advisory board. JOHN GLENN: I don't think retirement would be much fun anyway.

O'BRIEN: He and his wife, Annie, have founded the John Glenn Institute for Public Service at Ohio State University, where he serves as an adjunct professor.

GLENN: Mainly involves just letting the students know the value of public service and public participation in politics.

O'BRIEN: Glenn is also still involved in politics, serving as a delegate at the 2004 Democratic Convention.

GLENN: Been a very active life, and one that I could not have foreseen at all when I was a kid growing up back in New Concord, Ohio.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: A quick look at top stories now.

An Italian journalist who was freed by her captors in Iraq is being treated in a Rome hospital this morning. Giuliana Sgrena was hit by shrapnel when U.S. troops fired on her car as she headed to the Baghdad Airport. An Italian intelligence officer was killed.

CNN recently obtained new pictures of a man believed to be terrorist mastermind Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, whose network in Iraq has been responsible for attacks on Iraqi and U.S. targets. Sources told CNN that the man in six photographs is in fact al-Zarqawi, who has been linked to the al Qaeda terror network. It is unclear how recently the photos were taken, but they appear to be taken at the same time and place. In the pictures, the man believed to be al- Zarqawi is bearded and well trimmed, and he appears relaxed.

NGUYEN: Of all this news, which stories are you, or which stories are getting the most hits on CNN.com? Which stories are you interested in? That's what we're talking about this morning.

And you might be surprised by what folks are or not looking at. Can you say Martha Stewart?

Veronica de la Cruz is here with a look at what is hot on the Web.

And I'm really surprised that Martha Stewart isn't up there after all the talk that we've been doing about her.

VERONICA DE LA CRUZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, she was, she was at number four. And I think she's dropped since then. So unfortunately, on the Web, it's not all things Martha.

NGUYEN: Yes, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Martha.

DE LA CRUZ: At NBC, maybe. But actually, we've got a lot going on at CNN.com. And our top three stories are all coming from different sections of the Web site today. To find them, you can go to our main page. Click on the icon Most Popular on the righthand side of your screen. Or you can type in "CNN.com/mostpopular."

Our number one story right now comes from Washington. The Justice Department is saying President Bush pardoned eight men yesterday, bringing his total to 39 since he first took office. Former president Bill Clinton, in comparison, granted clemency to 456 people during his eight years in office. And that includes 176 on his last day at the White House, Betty.

And from pardoning those in prison to being stranded at sea, we had to Florida now for our most clicked, for our next-most-clicked-on story. Nineteen dolphins stranded off the Florida keys have died. And that includes 13 that were euthanized. The remaining 30 are being held for observation. More than 60 dolphins beached themselves a quarter-mile from Marathon, Florida, on Wednesday.

Finally, to wed or not to wed, that apparently is the question. A local registry in Britain is expected to rule soon on nine formal objections (UNINTELLIGIBLE)...

NGUYEN: Nine?

DE LA CRUZ: Nine, nine formal objections filed against the union of Princess Charles and his long-time love, Camilla Parker-Bowles. Now, these objections were filed anonymously.

NGUYEN: Of course they were.

DE LA CRUZ: Of course they were, yes. The Church of England frowns on remarriages by people previously divorced, though the registry has not actually said what points these objections raise, and I'm guessing that people are probably not wanting Camilla to someday become queen. And that's just my guess.

NGUYEN: Well, I think she can't become queen. According to the law and the rules that they've set, I don't believe she could ever become queen.

DE LA CRUZ: Well, well, they are going to make her Duchess of Cornwall.

NGUYEN: Right, exactly.

DE LA CRUZ: But I really just think that people are haters.

NGUYEN: Well, there are nine objecters. And they are anonymous, of course.

DE LA CRUZ: I think that everybody is entitled to the right to happiness, right?

NGUYEN: So you'll be at the wedding, then. DE LA CRUZ: Right, and you will too.

NGUYEN: Absolutely, my plane ticket in hand.

DE LA CRUZ: All right.

NGUYEN: Thank you, Veronica de la Cruz at CNN.com.

HARRIS: If you've had a tough time he keeping up with the news this week, well, that's what we're here for. Let's rewind through some of the big stories of the past few days.

Monday, Lebanon's pro-Syrian government abruptly resigned during a heated parliamentary debate. The government had been under intense pressure since the killing of former prime minister Rafik Hariri last month. The Syrian president is expected to announce a partial troop withdrawal from Lebanon later today.

Tuesday, a divided Supreme Court ruled the execution of juvenile killers is unconstitutional. That means some 70 death row inmates who were under 18 when they committed their crimes may have their sentences invalidated.

Friday was day one of a 60-day blitz by President Bush and other officials to build support for changes to Social Security. Recent polls show fewer Americans support the president's push for privatized retirement accounts.

Also Friday, jury deliberations begin in the trial of former WorldCom chief Bernard Ebbers. Ebbers is accused of spearheading an $11 billion accounting scandal that led to the largest bankruptcy filing in U.S. history. WorldCom employees ended up losing as much as $600 million when the company's stock went bust.

And tomorrow, we'll fast forward to the week ahead and tell you which stories will grab the spotlight.

NGUYEN: You're looking at a live picture of New Orleans this morning. We'll have your complete forecast. That's ahead. Stay with us.

HARRIS: But first, a CNN extra. The Red Cross says around the world, contaminated water is killing the same number of people each month as were killed by the South Asia tsunami in December. Health officials say more than 3 million people die each year from diseases spread through dirty water and poor sanitation. A recent EPA study says water systems will have to invest $150 billion, billion over 20 years to maintain clean and safe drinking water in the U.S.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Well, as you've heard this morning, Tony, fighting the sniffles today. Jacqui, is it the weather's fault?

HARRIS: SARS mask. JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: You know, I actually heard somewhere that there's really no correlation to cold weather and getting the flu.

HARRIS: I believe that. I believe that.

NGUYEN: I believe it. Although if you have allergies, though, and (UNINTELLIGIBLE)...

HARRIS: Yes, a little bit, little bit, yes.

JERAS: (UNINTELLIGIBLE), yes. But then again, when you're cooped up indoors, it's a lot easier to spread germs, right?

(CROSSTALK)

JERAS: So that can be the culprit.

And people are going to be stuck indoors across the Great Lakes, across the Northeast today unless you bundle up, because it's going to be rather chilly.

(WEATHER FORECAST)

JERAS: The Big Easy, looking good for today. Back to you guys.

HARRIS: That's that Jacqui Jeras with the weather this morning. Jacqui, we appreciate it. Thank you.

All right. Let's take it up a notch or two and bring in Ken and Daria Dolan from New York City for a preview of "DOLANS UNSCRIPTED" at the top of the hour.

And Ken and Daria, I've got to ask you, you know, are you going to spend a little bit of time, I imagine, talking about Martha Stewart? Martha, Martha, Martha.

DARIA DOLAN, HOST, "DOLANS UNSCRIPTED": It's Martha all the time. I feel like a "Brady Bunch" replay. But what we're going to offer our audience is the opportunity to weigh in on how they really feel about Martha Stewart. Do you care?

KEN DOLAN, HOST, "DOLANS UNSCRIPTED": You know, we're also going to talk about what effect her coming back to the company likely may have. We'll also have a congressman on, Tony, talking about his spin on Social Security. Then we continue with money with a little bankruptcy (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

DARIA DOLAN: And there's a bankruptcy law that's being proposed, and we're going to talk about the good parts and the ugly parts of it, Tony.

KEN DOLAN: And when you cough, Tony, go like this.

HARRIS: I learned that this morning. Did you hear that?

(CROSSTALK)

HARRIS: ... into my hands, and I'm wrong, I'm spreading germs. It's here, right? Well, OK, I got to tell you, we've been taking a lot of e-mails this morning on that whole question. So we will deliver a nice, fat audience for you, waiting for the Dolan's take on Martha Stewart this morning at 10:00. All right?

KEN DOLAN: Thanks, Tony, very much.

DARIA DOLAN: Thanks, Tony.

HARRIS: OK.

DARIA DOLAN: Hi to Betty too.

HARRIS: OK, you guys have a great show.

KEN DOLAN: Hi, Betty.

NGUYEN: Good morning.

Hey, so everyone at home, have you heard enough of Martha, Martha, Martha? Tell us about it. What is your opinion of Martha Stewart now that she's served her time in prison? We're reading your e-mails when CNN SATURDAY MORNING returns.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: OK, we've been checking the e-mails. Here's what you think about Martha Stewart now.

Joyce from Syracuse, New York, says, "Don't you think that those of us sitting out here struggling to make ends meet get slightly tired of hearing about a woman who is filthy rich? I should have her life, even with an ankle bracelet that keeps me confined to such a gorgeous home."

HARRIS: Got a lot of favorable response in an e-mail here on the crew. And this one, Nicole in Tuscaloosa. Now, was it from Alabama?

"I wasn't a fan of Martha Stewart before, but now I do have respect for her. She gracefully accepted the consequences of her mistakes. I can relate," says Nicole, "having been to jail more than once myself. Good luck to her."

Nicole, you've got to learn the lesson.

NGUYEN: Hey. Thanks, Nicole.

HARRIS: And thank you for joining us this morning. We'll see you again tomorrow morning.

NGUYEN: "OPEN HOUSE" is straight ahead.

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