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CNN Saturday Morning News

Georgia Serial Killer Cold Case Reopened; Bush Rhetoric Sends Message of Democracy to Putin; Darfur Region of Sudan Faces Rainy Season and Greater Challenges on Suffering Population

Aired May 07, 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 in Atlanta, this is CNN SATURDAY MORNING. Good morning, Tony.
TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning.

NGUYEN: It is May 7th. I'm Betty Nguyen.

HARRIS: And I'm Tony Harris. It is 9:00 a.m. in the east and 6:00 a.m. in the west. Thank you for being with us. Let's get you started with today's top stories.

President Bush says Russian President Vladimir Putin should be embracing democracies in the nations surrounding Russia. The president is touring the Baltic states and Russia to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II. He praised the Baltic states for economic and social progress.

China has reportedly rebuffed Washington's proposal to cut off oil to North Korea in an attempt to force its return to the disarmament talks. "The Washington Post" cites unnamed U.S. officials in its report. North Korea imports all of its oil and depends on China for much of its oil and food.

In Georgia, police are reopening the investigation into the killings of four young boys more than two decades ago. A special cold case squad will look at murders. In 1982, Wayne Williams was found guilty of killing two men, and police then attributed as many as 27 other murders to Williams.

NGUYEN: Here's what we have coming up for you as well this morning,

President Bush gets a warm welcome in the Baltic states. We'll check in on his diplomacy skills.

And, after decades on ice, police in Georgia decide to reopen at least four cold case files. We are on this developing story surrounding convicted killer Wayne Williams.

And later, today is the 131st Kentucky Derby. We'll tell you which horse is the favorite in a live report from Churchill Downs.

HARRIS: As we mentioned this morning President Bush is testing his diplomatic skills, stoking anger in Russia and stirring Democratic pride in some of the former Soviet republics. Bush is spending the first day of his four-nation European tour in Latvia. He received the nation's highest honor, and in turn praised Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia for their march from communism to democracy.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PRES. GEORGE W. BUSH, UNITED STATES: These are extraordinary times that we're living in, and the three Baltic countries are capable of helping Russia and other countries in this part of the world see the benefits of what it means to live in a free society. And so we have a great opportunity to move beyond the past. Again, I repeat, I recognize the painful history. And my hope is that -- is that we're able to learn the lessons from that painful history, that tyranny's evil, and people deserve to live in a free society.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: From Latvia, Mr. Bush will travel to the Netherlands, his first visit there, then on to Moscow, where President Bush will gather with other leaders for Russia's Victory Day celebration on ending World War II -- on Monday. In just a few minutes, we'll hear more from CNN's John King who is traveling with the president.

NGUYEN: Back in the U.S., and back in time, police have reopened their investigation into the Atlanta child murders that riveted the nation a quarter-century ago. Then, police said more than two dozen murders were linked, but one lawman is haunted by lingering doubts.

Reporter Paul Yates of CNN affiliate WAGA looks into the investigations.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PAUL YATES, CNN AFFILIATE CORRESPONDENT, WAGA: What's your view of the likelihood that something dramatically new could be determined at this date?

ROBBIE HAMRICK, FORSYTH CO. CHIEF DEPUTY: I don't think that -- I don't see hot it can be.

YATES: Robbie Hamrick coordinated the investigation of Atlanta's murdered and missing children. He was a GBI inspector then and later the agency's director. Today, he is chief Forsythe County sheriff's deputy.

HAMRICK: I know of nothing that has changed over the years from the time -- from the original indictment and conviction.

YATES: But for others, doubts have persisted about Wayne Williams' guilt. None more so than Louis Graham, another law enforcement veteran, who is now DeKalb County police chief. He is reopening four of the DeKalb cases of the notorious list of murders.

LOUIS GRAHAM, DEKALB COUNTY POLICE CHIEF: Well, right now, as we speak, they are trying to locate the families, relatives of these victims, so that I can bring them in and talk to them about what we are trying to do. YATES: The four DeKalb cases -- Patrick Balltazar (ph), killed at age 11; Curtis Walker (ph), 13 years old; Joseph Bell (ph), 15; and William Bearen (ph), age 17.

Wayne Williams was convicted of two other murders, but investigators said carpet fibers taken from his family home and cars linked Williams to additional cases.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: And we'll be talking more about this case this morning with the former assistant chief of the Atlanta Police Department. That will be coming up just in a few minutes, so stay with us for that. Tony?

HARRIS: A Columbus, Georgia, high school student will return to class Monday after being suspended for talking on his cell phone. He refused to give up his cell phone, because his mother was calling from Iraq. At first, school officials suspended him for 10 days, then backed away from all that.

Now, the nuclear tension simmering on the Korean peninsula: China has reportedly rebuffed Washington's proposal to cut off oil to North Korea in an attempt to force its return to disarmament talks. "The Washington Post" cites unnamed U.S. officials in its report. The issue of North Korea's disarmament has taken on added urgency amid growing signs that it may be preparing for a nuclear weapons test. The United Nations nuclear chief shares his concerns on CNN's "LATE EDITION WITH WOLF BLITZER."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MOHAMED ELBARADEI, IAEA DIRECTOR GENERAL: I think everybody, today, should be calling Pyongyang, trying to persuade Kim Jong-Il not to go ahead with such tests.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: You can see that full interview tomorrow at noon Eastern -- 9:00 Pacific -- here, on CNN.

NGUYEN: Officially, the president's trip focuses on the 60th anniversary of the Nazi defeat. Unofficially, it's laden with symbolism and bitterness of the Cold War that followed. That was addressed in the presidential news conference about 90 minutes ago, and CNN's John King is traveling with the president and joins us from the Latvian capital of Riga to talk about all this.

Hi there, John.

JOHN KING, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello to, Betty.

As Mr. Bush is offering his perspective on those historic events of 60 years ago, he also is saying things that might in many ways affect modern-day relations with his close friend, President Vladimir Putin of Russia. Mr. Bush is here for a full day in Riga, a busy day of events including laying some flowers, standing alongside Latvia's president, at the foot of the Freedom Monument here, just up the street, in central Riga. Mr. Bush paying tribute to Latvia's democracy, and also meeting with leaders of other Baltic nations, the presidents of Estonia and Lithuania, joining the president of Latvia for discussions with Mr. Bush.

The four presidents had a news conference here, as you noted, just a short time ago. Now, Mr. Bush is going on from here to Moscow for a big celebration of the Russian role in defeating the Nazis 60 years ago. Mr. Bush says he very much wants to pay respects to the Russians for their enormous sacrifice defeating the Nazis, but also Mr. Bush also says, as he pays respect to that sacrifice, that he will never forget that when World War II ended, the United States had peace, but for the countries here in the Baltics and others in Eastern Europe, they suffered under the iron grip of Soviet communism.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BUSH: But, I recognize that in the West, the end of the second world war meant peace, but in the Baltics it brought occupation and communist oppression and the American people will never forget the occupation and communist oppression of the people of the Baltics. We recognize your painful history.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: Now, the Russians have objected to the use of the term occupation. They insist it was, and it was -- Soviet history insisted -- that the Soviet troops were invited into these Baltic nations. The leaders, here, of course, forcefully dispute that.

Mr. Bush says, as he goes on now to those celebrations in Moscow, he will try to convince his friend Vladimir Putin that the United States is not, as Moscow often suggests, meddling in affairs here by promoting democracy in Russia's backyard. Mr. Bush says he will try to convince Mr. Putin that having democracies in neighborhood is a good thing and that perhaps he should adopt more democratic reforms in his own country. Betty?

NGUYEN: John King, traveling with the president on this five-day trip. We'll be checking back in with you. Thanks, John.

We also want to hear from you this morning. What is the greatest threat now facing democracy? Send us your thoughts. All you have to do is e-mail them to wam@CNN.com.

HARRIS: Now, to a letter addressed to President Bush and signed by 90 Democrats in Congress. The lawmakers are asking Mr. Bush to respond to a London tabloid report. It claims the president coordinated military action in Iraq months before Congress actually authorized the action. The report cites confidential accounts of a meeting with British prime minister Tony Blair, who reportedly committed his country to supporting a U.S.-led war.

The Democrats' letter to President Bush alleges in part, quoting now, "if the disclosure is accurate, it raises troubling new questions regarding the legal justifications for the war as well as the integrity of your own administration."

And time now to check out some of the other stories making news around the world.

NGUYEN: There is no letup in the recent surge in violence in Iraq, and for those details we want to check in with Anand Naidoo at the international desk. Good morning, Anand.

ANAND NAIDOO, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hey, very good morning to you.

That's right, the insurgent onslaught continues in Iraq. The suicide car bombing in central Baghdad this morning killed at least 17 people, including four, quote, "Westerners." The bombing targeted a convoy of SUVs, the kind typically used by private contractors. The four Westerners who died were employed by a U.S. contracting company, but it's unclear if they were Americans. Thirteen of the dead and 33 wounded are Iraqi civilians. The explosion happened just across from the Tigris River from the heavily fortified "green zone."

And one other note about Iraq: Iraq's prime minister says that all the vacancies in his cabinet have now been filled. You recall that the key posts, the defense minister and oil minister, remained unfilled when part of the cabinet was sworn in earlier this week. Parliament will vote on those names tomorrow.

Now, to the crisis in Sudan's Darfur region. The first U.N. flight taking food into the war zone has landed in the Darfur state capital of Nyala. The World Food Program is trying to reach nearly two million people in the region. Officials say the food lift is vital during the coming rainy season when roads become impassable. Darfur is the scene of one the world's worst humanitarian crisis. It's left thousands -- hundreds of thousands of people dead. That's all from me. Back to Tony and Betty.

HARRIS: Anand, thank you.

NGUYEN: Right now, we want to get some more information on this investigation that has been reopened 26 years after the murder of some 29 young men in the Atlanta area, here in Georgia. On the phone with us is Chet Dettlinger, the former assistant chief of the Atlanta Police Department. He's with that department from 1974 to 1975 and even wrote a book about this. Good morning to you.

CHET DETTLINGER, FMR. ASST. CHIEF ATLANTA POLICE DEPT.: Good morning.

Well, first of all, can you set the scene for those who are unfamiliar with this case? What was it like back in 1979 and 1981, where all of these murders kept popping up in the Atlanta area?

Well, it was utter chaos, but -- that's a very difficult answer to answer in a short sound bite, but it was utter chaos.

NGUYEN: And did you have any idea at the time who was behind this? Because we know eventually Wayne Williams was convicted of two of the murders, but what led you to him? What was his role in this?

DETTLINGER: Well, personally, I don't think Wayne Williams killed anyone.

NGUYEN: Anyone at all? Not even the ones that he's convicted of killing?

DETTLINGER: No. Not the ones he's been convicted of.

NGUYEN: Why is that?

DETTLINGER: Well, the state never made a case against Wayne Williams. And, you know, this thing -- again, part of my problem in even talking about this case, is that you can't do this in a minute- and-a-half. That's why I wrote a book.

Wayne Williams -- no one said (ph) -- there were no eyewitnesses or weapons. There was -- the other half of the fiber match was never found. No fibers were ever found for many victims in the Wayne Williams environment. All the fibers were found in Wayne Williams' environment. There should have been a transfer for us and there wasn't.

NGUYEN: All right, let me ask you this, because Wayne Williams was a freelance photographer -- news photographer -- for here in the Atlanta area at the time. What led police to point the finger at him, if you say there was no evidence?

DETTLINGER: Well, there was a splash on a -- heard under a bridge. He was not necessarily a news photographer, now, either, by the way. He was in the music business. But the police...

NGUYEN: But, didn't he work as a news photographer at some point in this area?

DETTLINGER: Yes, ma'am, he was...

NGUYEN: OK.

DETTLINGER: ...at one time. His father was really the news photographer. Wayne did some freelance stuff, but he was in the music business.

NGUYEN: OK.

DETTLINGER: But, anyway, see, the police had a bridge staked out. In fact, they had several bridges staked out. It was the last night of the stakeouts, and the -- one of the recruits underneath the bridge -- Jackson Parkway Bridge -- heard what he called -- that was a splash. He called up to another recruit who was up on the street, asked the recruit -- said, I heard a splash. Is there a car on the bridge? Recruit said, yes, he just came on now. Just saw the lights come on, something like that. So, Wayne Williams drove on by. That was Wayne Williams on the bridge. He drove by, and he went around the corner. Well, Carl Holden (ph) was the Atlanta police officer at that time. He's later gone to the pen, and he -- got in the chase car and chased Wayne Williams -- not chased him -- actually, that's -- the term of -- we call it -- anyway, he followed Wayne Williams and he ended up pulling Wayne Williams over on another bridge, which was like two, three miles away. And the only thing they had was a splash.

NGUYEN: So, you're saying all of it was just circumstantial evidence?

DETTLINGER: Oh, absolutely it was all circumstantial evidence. (INAUDIBLE) There's nothing wrong with circumstantial evidence.

NGUYEN: OK, but here's my question to you, then. Once Wayne Williams was arrested and later convicted -- he's now serving two life sentences -- these murders stopped. Correct?

DETTLINGER: No, they didn't.

NGUYEN: No?

DETTLINGER: No, there, again, that's a misconception. They stopped keeping a list of murders, but if you take that list, if you look at it, was arbitrary to begin with. The youngest person on that list was seven. The oldest was 28. There were females on the list. There were males on the list. They were killed by methods -- knifing, shooting, strangling, suffocating, ligature (ph) strangulation, bludgeoning. Those kind of murders never end, you know? It -- anybody -- what they did...

NGUYEN: So, you think that these murders are linked, though?

DETTLINGER: I'm sorry. Ma'am?

NGUYEN: If that's the case, do you think these murders are linked? That we're talking about a serial killer?

DETTLINGER: Well, I think there was a serial killer involved. I'm not sure all of those cases they have on that list are linked, because it was arbitrary to begin with. As I said, maybe 20 of them are linked, maybe 20 ain't. I don't know. Maybe three. But there's could be more than one killer. That's obvious.

NGUYEN: And you agree with the chief there, out in DeKalb county, wanting to reopen this case. What is it going to do for Williams, though?

DETTLINGER: Oh, I don't have no idea what it's going to do for Williams. In fact, yes, I agree with reopening the case. I don't know if you're aware of this or not, but Sidney Dorsey (ph), who was the former DeKalb sheriff, the one who was busted for murder of his successor, Mr. Brown here not too long ago, he, at one time, had planned on arresting Jamie Brooks, who obviously killed one of the victims. He obviously killed Clifford Condren (ph); there's no question of that. And he was going to open the case, and try to have Jamie Brooks tried, but Jamie Brooks was found in the penitentiary. He had AIDS and he died. So, that ended that chase. This is another attempt to get, I suppose, to at least part of the truth.

NGUYEN: That's what this is trying to do, obviously -- 26 years after the murders this case is being reopened to try to attempt to find out who, indeed, did kill these young men and boys, if it was not Wayne Williams.

Chet Dettlinger, we appreciate your time and insight on this case. Thank you.

We'll be right back. Stay tuned to more CNN SUNDAY (SIC) MORNING.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Both a symbol and the source of power for the plight against apartheid in South Africa, Nelson Mandela never gave up. He was imprisoned in 1962 for his leadership of the outlawed African National Congress in the battle to win equal rights for blacks. Mandela was released more than 27 years later. He received the Nobel Peace Prize and became the first black president of South Africa.

CROWD: Viva, Nelson Mandela! Viva!

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Married for the third time on his 80th birthday in 1998, he retired from the presidency one year later. Mandela is now 86 years old. After a battle with prostate cancer and other health problems, he retired from public life last year...

NELSON MANDELA, FMR SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT, NOBEL PEACE PRIZE RECIPIENT: Don't call me. I'll call you.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: ...only to re-emerge to spearhead a new cause. Mandela leads a fund-raising group for AIDS victims called 46664, after his prison number. The fight once again is personal for Mandela. His son died of AIDS in January.

MANDELA: Let us give publicity, to HIV/AIDS, and not to hide it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: Polish up those mint julep glasses. The key ingredient is the bourbon, Kentucky...

NGUYEN: Very key.

HARRIS: Post time is drawing near at The Kentucky Derby. Twenty horses will break out of gate. About nine hours from now, it is the largest field amid years (ph). CNN Sports' Ray D'Alessio is live at Churchill Downs. Good morning, Ray!

Good morning.

RAY D'ALESSIO, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: It is -- you saw Churchill Downs behind me -- a beautiful morning, unlike last year when we had -- were walking around in about three inches of mud. But, a record crowd yesterday for the Kentucky oaks; they're expecting another record crowd today and maybe they will see a Fleet Alex (ph) win -- A Fleet Alex, the early morning favorite. But history tells us being the favorite doesn't always translate to victory here at the Kentucky Derby. In fact, in the past 25 years, the favorite at post time has won this race only twice.

And that might be good news for Yankees owner George Steinbrenner -- he'll be looking for his first Kentucky Derby win in six tries. Of course, Steinbrenner has another one of today's top contenders in Bellamy Road. Now, this horse is very impressive. Won its last two races by a combined 33 lengths -- still some question whether Bellamy Road can live up to all the hype.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TODD PLETCHER, TRAINER OF 3 DERBY ENTRANTS: In his two starts this year, well, he's been extremely impressive. He's kind of had everything his way. Now, let's see if he can do it without everything his way.

NICK ZITO, TRAINER OF 5 DERBY ENTRANTS: If we lose, I have to come up with something, because you have five. But if we lose, we lose. I mean, that's the way it is. Sure, there's pressure. Five is better than one.

D. WAYNE LUKAS, TRAINER, "GOING WILD": I'm not saying he couldn't win it. I think we'll put a suicide watch out on Nick, if he doesn't win with one of those (INAUDIBLE), but...

(END VIDEOTAPE)

D'ALESSIO: That will get -- that's going to wrap it up here from Churchill Downs. Again, Nick Zito there with five horses in today's Kentucky Derby, one of which is Bellamy Road. Tony?

HARRIS: Horses ! All right, Ray, appreciate it. Thank you.

We'll take a break and come right back with more CNN SATURDAY MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(WEATHER REPORT)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: Well, we're flat out of time. Thank you for joining us this morning. We'll see you again tomorrow morning.

NGUYEN: Tomorrow morning! But, "OPEN HOUSE" -- that's straight ahead.

END

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Aired May 7, 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 in Atlanta, this is CNN SATURDAY MORNING. Good morning, Tony.
TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning.

NGUYEN: It is May 7th. I'm Betty Nguyen.

HARRIS: And I'm Tony Harris. It is 9:00 a.m. in the east and 6:00 a.m. in the west. Thank you for being with us. Let's get you started with today's top stories.

President Bush says Russian President Vladimir Putin should be embracing democracies in the nations surrounding Russia. The president is touring the Baltic states and Russia to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II. He praised the Baltic states for economic and social progress.

China has reportedly rebuffed Washington's proposal to cut off oil to North Korea in an attempt to force its return to the disarmament talks. "The Washington Post" cites unnamed U.S. officials in its report. North Korea imports all of its oil and depends on China for much of its oil and food.

In Georgia, police are reopening the investigation into the killings of four young boys more than two decades ago. A special cold case squad will look at murders. In 1982, Wayne Williams was found guilty of killing two men, and police then attributed as many as 27 other murders to Williams.

NGUYEN: Here's what we have coming up for you as well this morning,

President Bush gets a warm welcome in the Baltic states. We'll check in on his diplomacy skills.

And, after decades on ice, police in Georgia decide to reopen at least four cold case files. We are on this developing story surrounding convicted killer Wayne Williams.

And later, today is the 131st Kentucky Derby. We'll tell you which horse is the favorite in a live report from Churchill Downs.

HARRIS: As we mentioned this morning President Bush is testing his diplomatic skills, stoking anger in Russia and stirring Democratic pride in some of the former Soviet republics. Bush is spending the first day of his four-nation European tour in Latvia. He received the nation's highest honor, and in turn praised Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia for their march from communism to democracy.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PRES. GEORGE W. BUSH, UNITED STATES: These are extraordinary times that we're living in, and the three Baltic countries are capable of helping Russia and other countries in this part of the world see the benefits of what it means to live in a free society. And so we have a great opportunity to move beyond the past. Again, I repeat, I recognize the painful history. And my hope is that -- is that we're able to learn the lessons from that painful history, that tyranny's evil, and people deserve to live in a free society.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: From Latvia, Mr. Bush will travel to the Netherlands, his first visit there, then on to Moscow, where President Bush will gather with other leaders for Russia's Victory Day celebration on ending World War II -- on Monday. In just a few minutes, we'll hear more from CNN's John King who is traveling with the president.

NGUYEN: Back in the U.S., and back in time, police have reopened their investigation into the Atlanta child murders that riveted the nation a quarter-century ago. Then, police said more than two dozen murders were linked, but one lawman is haunted by lingering doubts.

Reporter Paul Yates of CNN affiliate WAGA looks into the investigations.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PAUL YATES, CNN AFFILIATE CORRESPONDENT, WAGA: What's your view of the likelihood that something dramatically new could be determined at this date?

ROBBIE HAMRICK, FORSYTH CO. CHIEF DEPUTY: I don't think that -- I don't see hot it can be.

YATES: Robbie Hamrick coordinated the investigation of Atlanta's murdered and missing children. He was a GBI inspector then and later the agency's director. Today, he is chief Forsythe County sheriff's deputy.

HAMRICK: I know of nothing that has changed over the years from the time -- from the original indictment and conviction.

YATES: But for others, doubts have persisted about Wayne Williams' guilt. None more so than Louis Graham, another law enforcement veteran, who is now DeKalb County police chief. He is reopening four of the DeKalb cases of the notorious list of murders.

LOUIS GRAHAM, DEKALB COUNTY POLICE CHIEF: Well, right now, as we speak, they are trying to locate the families, relatives of these victims, so that I can bring them in and talk to them about what we are trying to do. YATES: The four DeKalb cases -- Patrick Balltazar (ph), killed at age 11; Curtis Walker (ph), 13 years old; Joseph Bell (ph), 15; and William Bearen (ph), age 17.

Wayne Williams was convicted of two other murders, but investigators said carpet fibers taken from his family home and cars linked Williams to additional cases.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: And we'll be talking more about this case this morning with the former assistant chief of the Atlanta Police Department. That will be coming up just in a few minutes, so stay with us for that. Tony?

HARRIS: A Columbus, Georgia, high school student will return to class Monday after being suspended for talking on his cell phone. He refused to give up his cell phone, because his mother was calling from Iraq. At first, school officials suspended him for 10 days, then backed away from all that.

Now, the nuclear tension simmering on the Korean peninsula: China has reportedly rebuffed Washington's proposal to cut off oil to North Korea in an attempt to force its return to disarmament talks. "The Washington Post" cites unnamed U.S. officials in its report. The issue of North Korea's disarmament has taken on added urgency amid growing signs that it may be preparing for a nuclear weapons test. The United Nations nuclear chief shares his concerns on CNN's "LATE EDITION WITH WOLF BLITZER."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MOHAMED ELBARADEI, IAEA DIRECTOR GENERAL: I think everybody, today, should be calling Pyongyang, trying to persuade Kim Jong-Il not to go ahead with such tests.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: You can see that full interview tomorrow at noon Eastern -- 9:00 Pacific -- here, on CNN.

NGUYEN: Officially, the president's trip focuses on the 60th anniversary of the Nazi defeat. Unofficially, it's laden with symbolism and bitterness of the Cold War that followed. That was addressed in the presidential news conference about 90 minutes ago, and CNN's John King is traveling with the president and joins us from the Latvian capital of Riga to talk about all this.

Hi there, John.

JOHN KING, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello to, Betty.

As Mr. Bush is offering his perspective on those historic events of 60 years ago, he also is saying things that might in many ways affect modern-day relations with his close friend, President Vladimir Putin of Russia. Mr. Bush is here for a full day in Riga, a busy day of events including laying some flowers, standing alongside Latvia's president, at the foot of the Freedom Monument here, just up the street, in central Riga. Mr. Bush paying tribute to Latvia's democracy, and also meeting with leaders of other Baltic nations, the presidents of Estonia and Lithuania, joining the president of Latvia for discussions with Mr. Bush.

The four presidents had a news conference here, as you noted, just a short time ago. Now, Mr. Bush is going on from here to Moscow for a big celebration of the Russian role in defeating the Nazis 60 years ago. Mr. Bush says he very much wants to pay respects to the Russians for their enormous sacrifice defeating the Nazis, but also Mr. Bush also says, as he pays respect to that sacrifice, that he will never forget that when World War II ended, the United States had peace, but for the countries here in the Baltics and others in Eastern Europe, they suffered under the iron grip of Soviet communism.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BUSH: But, I recognize that in the West, the end of the second world war meant peace, but in the Baltics it brought occupation and communist oppression and the American people will never forget the occupation and communist oppression of the people of the Baltics. We recognize your painful history.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: Now, the Russians have objected to the use of the term occupation. They insist it was, and it was -- Soviet history insisted -- that the Soviet troops were invited into these Baltic nations. The leaders, here, of course, forcefully dispute that.

Mr. Bush says, as he goes on now to those celebrations in Moscow, he will try to convince his friend Vladimir Putin that the United States is not, as Moscow often suggests, meddling in affairs here by promoting democracy in Russia's backyard. Mr. Bush says he will try to convince Mr. Putin that having democracies in neighborhood is a good thing and that perhaps he should adopt more democratic reforms in his own country. Betty?

NGUYEN: John King, traveling with the president on this five-day trip. We'll be checking back in with you. Thanks, John.

We also want to hear from you this morning. What is the greatest threat now facing democracy? Send us your thoughts. All you have to do is e-mail them to wam@CNN.com.

HARRIS: Now, to a letter addressed to President Bush and signed by 90 Democrats in Congress. The lawmakers are asking Mr. Bush to respond to a London tabloid report. It claims the president coordinated military action in Iraq months before Congress actually authorized the action. The report cites confidential accounts of a meeting with British prime minister Tony Blair, who reportedly committed his country to supporting a U.S.-led war.

The Democrats' letter to President Bush alleges in part, quoting now, "if the disclosure is accurate, it raises troubling new questions regarding the legal justifications for the war as well as the integrity of your own administration."

And time now to check out some of the other stories making news around the world.

NGUYEN: There is no letup in the recent surge in violence in Iraq, and for those details we want to check in with Anand Naidoo at the international desk. Good morning, Anand.

ANAND NAIDOO, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hey, very good morning to you.

That's right, the insurgent onslaught continues in Iraq. The suicide car bombing in central Baghdad this morning killed at least 17 people, including four, quote, "Westerners." The bombing targeted a convoy of SUVs, the kind typically used by private contractors. The four Westerners who died were employed by a U.S. contracting company, but it's unclear if they were Americans. Thirteen of the dead and 33 wounded are Iraqi civilians. The explosion happened just across from the Tigris River from the heavily fortified "green zone."

And one other note about Iraq: Iraq's prime minister says that all the vacancies in his cabinet have now been filled. You recall that the key posts, the defense minister and oil minister, remained unfilled when part of the cabinet was sworn in earlier this week. Parliament will vote on those names tomorrow.

Now, to the crisis in Sudan's Darfur region. The first U.N. flight taking food into the war zone has landed in the Darfur state capital of Nyala. The World Food Program is trying to reach nearly two million people in the region. Officials say the food lift is vital during the coming rainy season when roads become impassable. Darfur is the scene of one the world's worst humanitarian crisis. It's left thousands -- hundreds of thousands of people dead. That's all from me. Back to Tony and Betty.

HARRIS: Anand, thank you.

NGUYEN: Right now, we want to get some more information on this investigation that has been reopened 26 years after the murder of some 29 young men in the Atlanta area, here in Georgia. On the phone with us is Chet Dettlinger, the former assistant chief of the Atlanta Police Department. He's with that department from 1974 to 1975 and even wrote a book about this. Good morning to you.

CHET DETTLINGER, FMR. ASST. CHIEF ATLANTA POLICE DEPT.: Good morning.

Well, first of all, can you set the scene for those who are unfamiliar with this case? What was it like back in 1979 and 1981, where all of these murders kept popping up in the Atlanta area?

Well, it was utter chaos, but -- that's a very difficult answer to answer in a short sound bite, but it was utter chaos.

NGUYEN: And did you have any idea at the time who was behind this? Because we know eventually Wayne Williams was convicted of two of the murders, but what led you to him? What was his role in this?

DETTLINGER: Well, personally, I don't think Wayne Williams killed anyone.

NGUYEN: Anyone at all? Not even the ones that he's convicted of killing?

DETTLINGER: No. Not the ones he's been convicted of.

NGUYEN: Why is that?

DETTLINGER: Well, the state never made a case against Wayne Williams. And, you know, this thing -- again, part of my problem in even talking about this case, is that you can't do this in a minute- and-a-half. That's why I wrote a book.

Wayne Williams -- no one said (ph) -- there were no eyewitnesses or weapons. There was -- the other half of the fiber match was never found. No fibers were ever found for many victims in the Wayne Williams environment. All the fibers were found in Wayne Williams' environment. There should have been a transfer for us and there wasn't.

NGUYEN: All right, let me ask you this, because Wayne Williams was a freelance photographer -- news photographer -- for here in the Atlanta area at the time. What led police to point the finger at him, if you say there was no evidence?

DETTLINGER: Well, there was a splash on a -- heard under a bridge. He was not necessarily a news photographer, now, either, by the way. He was in the music business. But the police...

NGUYEN: But, didn't he work as a news photographer at some point in this area?

DETTLINGER: Yes, ma'am, he was...

NGUYEN: OK.

DETTLINGER: ...at one time. His father was really the news photographer. Wayne did some freelance stuff, but he was in the music business.

NGUYEN: OK.

DETTLINGER: But, anyway, see, the police had a bridge staked out. In fact, they had several bridges staked out. It was the last night of the stakeouts, and the -- one of the recruits underneath the bridge -- Jackson Parkway Bridge -- heard what he called -- that was a splash. He called up to another recruit who was up on the street, asked the recruit -- said, I heard a splash. Is there a car on the bridge? Recruit said, yes, he just came on now. Just saw the lights come on, something like that. So, Wayne Williams drove on by. That was Wayne Williams on the bridge. He drove by, and he went around the corner. Well, Carl Holden (ph) was the Atlanta police officer at that time. He's later gone to the pen, and he -- got in the chase car and chased Wayne Williams -- not chased him -- actually, that's -- the term of -- we call it -- anyway, he followed Wayne Williams and he ended up pulling Wayne Williams over on another bridge, which was like two, three miles away. And the only thing they had was a splash.

NGUYEN: So, you're saying all of it was just circumstantial evidence?

DETTLINGER: Oh, absolutely it was all circumstantial evidence. (INAUDIBLE) There's nothing wrong with circumstantial evidence.

NGUYEN: OK, but here's my question to you, then. Once Wayne Williams was arrested and later convicted -- he's now serving two life sentences -- these murders stopped. Correct?

DETTLINGER: No, they didn't.

NGUYEN: No?

DETTLINGER: No, there, again, that's a misconception. They stopped keeping a list of murders, but if you take that list, if you look at it, was arbitrary to begin with. The youngest person on that list was seven. The oldest was 28. There were females on the list. There were males on the list. They were killed by methods -- knifing, shooting, strangling, suffocating, ligature (ph) strangulation, bludgeoning. Those kind of murders never end, you know? It -- anybody -- what they did...

NGUYEN: So, you think that these murders are linked, though?

DETTLINGER: I'm sorry. Ma'am?

NGUYEN: If that's the case, do you think these murders are linked? That we're talking about a serial killer?

DETTLINGER: Well, I think there was a serial killer involved. I'm not sure all of those cases they have on that list are linked, because it was arbitrary to begin with. As I said, maybe 20 of them are linked, maybe 20 ain't. I don't know. Maybe three. But there's could be more than one killer. That's obvious.

NGUYEN: And you agree with the chief there, out in DeKalb county, wanting to reopen this case. What is it going to do for Williams, though?

DETTLINGER: Oh, I don't have no idea what it's going to do for Williams. In fact, yes, I agree with reopening the case. I don't know if you're aware of this or not, but Sidney Dorsey (ph), who was the former DeKalb sheriff, the one who was busted for murder of his successor, Mr. Brown here not too long ago, he, at one time, had planned on arresting Jamie Brooks, who obviously killed one of the victims. He obviously killed Clifford Condren (ph); there's no question of that. And he was going to open the case, and try to have Jamie Brooks tried, but Jamie Brooks was found in the penitentiary. He had AIDS and he died. So, that ended that chase. This is another attempt to get, I suppose, to at least part of the truth.

NGUYEN: That's what this is trying to do, obviously -- 26 years after the murders this case is being reopened to try to attempt to find out who, indeed, did kill these young men and boys, if it was not Wayne Williams.

Chet Dettlinger, we appreciate your time and insight on this case. Thank you.

We'll be right back. Stay tuned to more CNN SUNDAY (SIC) MORNING.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Both a symbol and the source of power for the plight against apartheid in South Africa, Nelson Mandela never gave up. He was imprisoned in 1962 for his leadership of the outlawed African National Congress in the battle to win equal rights for blacks. Mandela was released more than 27 years later. He received the Nobel Peace Prize and became the first black president of South Africa.

CROWD: Viva, Nelson Mandela! Viva!

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Married for the third time on his 80th birthday in 1998, he retired from the presidency one year later. Mandela is now 86 years old. After a battle with prostate cancer and other health problems, he retired from public life last year...

NELSON MANDELA, FMR SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT, NOBEL PEACE PRIZE RECIPIENT: Don't call me. I'll call you.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: ...only to re-emerge to spearhead a new cause. Mandela leads a fund-raising group for AIDS victims called 46664, after his prison number. The fight once again is personal for Mandela. His son died of AIDS in January.

MANDELA: Let us give publicity, to HIV/AIDS, and not to hide it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

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HARRIS: Polish up those mint julep glasses. The key ingredient is the bourbon, Kentucky...

NGUYEN: Very key.

HARRIS: Post time is drawing near at The Kentucky Derby. Twenty horses will break out of gate. About nine hours from now, it is the largest field amid years (ph). CNN Sports' Ray D'Alessio is live at Churchill Downs. Good morning, Ray!

Good morning.

RAY D'ALESSIO, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: It is -- you saw Churchill Downs behind me -- a beautiful morning, unlike last year when we had -- were walking around in about three inches of mud. But, a record crowd yesterday for the Kentucky oaks; they're expecting another record crowd today and maybe they will see a Fleet Alex (ph) win -- A Fleet Alex, the early morning favorite. But history tells us being the favorite doesn't always translate to victory here at the Kentucky Derby. In fact, in the past 25 years, the favorite at post time has won this race only twice.

And that might be good news for Yankees owner George Steinbrenner -- he'll be looking for his first Kentucky Derby win in six tries. Of course, Steinbrenner has another one of today's top contenders in Bellamy Road. Now, this horse is very impressive. Won its last two races by a combined 33 lengths -- still some question whether Bellamy Road can live up to all the hype.

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TODD PLETCHER, TRAINER OF 3 DERBY ENTRANTS: In his two starts this year, well, he's been extremely impressive. He's kind of had everything his way. Now, let's see if he can do it without everything his way.

NICK ZITO, TRAINER OF 5 DERBY ENTRANTS: If we lose, I have to come up with something, because you have five. But if we lose, we lose. I mean, that's the way it is. Sure, there's pressure. Five is better than one.

D. WAYNE LUKAS, TRAINER, "GOING WILD": I'm not saying he couldn't win it. I think we'll put a suicide watch out on Nick, if he doesn't win with one of those (INAUDIBLE), but...

(END VIDEOTAPE)

D'ALESSIO: That will get -- that's going to wrap it up here from Churchill Downs. Again, Nick Zito there with five horses in today's Kentucky Derby, one of which is Bellamy Road. Tony?

HARRIS: Horses ! All right, Ray, appreciate it. Thank you.

We'll take a break and come right back with more CNN SATURDAY MORNING.

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HARRIS: Well, we're flat out of time. Thank you for joining us this morning. We'll see you again tomorrow morning.

NGUYEN: Tomorrow morning! But, "OPEN HOUSE" -- that's straight ahead.

END

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