Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Saturday Morning News
Ramsey Case Suspect To Arrive In Los Angeles Tomorrow; Israel Raids Hezbollah Stronghold Deep in Lebanon
Aired August 19, 2006 - 08:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: "Now in the News," new developments this morning in the JonBenet Ramsey murder case. We have learned details about plans to bring the suspect back to the U.S.
Now, authorities say John Mark Karr is expected to arrive in Los Angeles from Thailand tomorrow. He'll be taken to Boulder, Colorado, to face charges.
We have a live report from Boulder straight ahead.
TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: In Lebanon, the Israeli military says it launched a successful raid today in the Bekaa Valley to prevent Hezbollah from receiving weapons smuggled from Syria and Iran. An Israeli officer was killed and two others were wounded. An Israeli diplomat says such operations are necessary despite the current cease- fire because U.N. troops are not yet in place.
With the French flag waving behind them, boats brought the first French troops to the shores of Lebanon. The French soldiers are the first of the international forces whose job it will be to enforce the cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah. France announced it will deploy 200 soldiers to the region.
In Iraq, we're just now getting word of at least 13 people killed today in various attacks around the country. According to The Associated Press, a roadside bomb south of Baghdad killed four people. The Associated Press also reports that seven Shiites were killed last night while walking through a Sunni neighborhood.
NGUYEN: Now to Reynolds Wolf for a quick check of the weather outside.
I can tell you one thing, it is hot through the central portions.
REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Oh, I know.
(WEATHER REPORT)
NGUYEN: See you soon, Reynolds.
WOLF: All right.
NGUYEN: We run down the top stories every 15 minutes right here on CNN SATURDAY MORNING with in-depth coverage all morning long. You know that. So your next check of the headlines coming up at 8:15 Eastern. So, is it civil war in Iraq? Coming up in 10 minutes, why Iraq has gone from bad to worse.
From the CNN Center, this is CNN SATURDAY MORNING. It is August 19th.
Good morning, Tony.
HARRIS: Betty, good morning.
NGUYEN: How you doing?
HARRIS: Great. Great. Thank you.
NGUYEN: All right -- 8:00 a.m. here at CNN headquarters in Atlanta, 6:00 a.m. in Boulder, Colorado. We'll tell you there live shortly.
In the meantime, good morning, everybody.
I'm Betty Nguyen.
HARRIS: And I'm Tony Harris.
Thank you for being with us.
Our top story, the suspect in the JonBenet Ramsey murder case will soon be back in the United States. John Mark Karr is expected to arrive in Los Angeles from Thailand tomorrow evening. From there, it's on to Boulder, Colorado, to face charges.
CNN's Peter Viles joins us now live from Boulder.
Peter, good morning.
PETER VILES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Tony.
John Karr is on a fast track to be sent back to the United States to face these charges. As you say, he will fly from Thailand to Los Angeles tomorrow, arriving Los Angeles tomorrow night. It's possible he could get to Colorado late Sunday night. More likely he gets here Monday morning.
Now, I know viewers are saying, what's taking so long? He was arrested last week, why isn't he there already? But, in point of fact, this is actually pretty fast for this kind of process.
Extradition, taking a criminal suspect from one country to another, can take weeks, sometimes even months, but this is not an extradition. The government of Thailand is essentially doing the United States government a favor here.
They are not extraditing him, which could have taken longer. They are deporting him, which is essentially kicking him out of the country. They have revoked his visa and declared him an undesirable person. It doesn't have anything to do with the ultimate charges against him. It just gets him here faster. And when he arrives in Colorado, as you'll recall, the district attorney here has said their investigation is not complete.
So this will allow them to complete that investigation or to continue the investigation a little bit faster if they get him here on Monday either to answer questions or to take more DNA samples. But again, he'll be in Los Angeles, we understand, tomorrow night, and here in Colorado at the latest by Monday as we understand it -- Tony.
HARRIS: Hey, Peter, just a question. You're going to be -- as you know, you're going to be in Boulder for a while now. Hope you brought enough clothes and hope you're comfortable there.
VILES: Sure.
HARRIS: In the time that you've been on the ground in Boulder, what's been the reaction in the restaurants you visited, people that you've talked to around town?
VILES: Well, I think it's similar to anybody around the country who has followed this case over the years, except it's more so in the sense that people here know a lot about this case. They've been living with it and reading about it for years. It is front page news, it's the lead story on the local news.
Who is this guy? Was he ever in Boulder? The discussion people are having around the country, is this a false confession, and what kind of evidence do they have? It's just more magnified here.
And I guess the other element here is there is an emotional attachment to the case in the sense that people would like to see it solved. I think people would like to believe that this is the guy. At least would it bring some closure to this.
So, I would say that it's -- anybody you know in the country who is following this case closely, imagine a whole community that's like that. And following it very closely, as I say.
HARRIS: Yes.
VILES: It's the lead story. One of the stories in the paper today is a columnist who met John Karr four years ago and his -- John Karr's obsession with the case four years ago. That kind of story is a lead story here today.
HARRIS: CNN's Peter Viles for us in Boulder, Colorado.
Peter, thank you. Appreciate it.
NGUYEN: Well, the story definitely has people talking, and a report this morning says John Mark Karr's name was mentioned in connection with the Ramsey case five years ago. "The Washington Post" quotes an attorney who represented Karr on misdemeanor child pornography charges in 2001.
Marie Case tells the paper what she says members of the Sonoma County Sheriff's Department told her, that "there was possibly some involvement in the Ramsey slaying 1,200 miles away in Boulder, Colorado, just saying, 'Hey, we're looking at it at this time and looking at this guy.'" Now, Case says "she was not contacted by law enforcement officials from Boulder and that no one sought to test her client's DNA to determine whether it matched evidence from the crime."
HARRIS: Well, now it's time to hear what you think about the JonBenet Ramsey murder case. E-mail us your thoughts and observations. Here is the address: weekends@CNN.com. And we'll read some of those e-mails a later in the hour.
And this programming note. Larry King will have an exclusive interview with the Ramsey family attorney, Lin Wood, and the Colorado professor who led police to Karr. That's Monday night, 9:00 p.m. Eastern.
NGUYEN: All right. We're going to get to the crisis in the Middle East right now.
A small contingent of French troops arrive in southern Lebanon, there to bolster a still assembling U.N. peacekeeping force there. But during that deployment, Israeli troops raid a Hezbollah stronghold deep inside Lebanon.
Anthony Mills joins us live now with the latest from Beirut.
Anthony, bring us up to speed on this.
ANTHONY MILLS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Betty.
Well, the Lebanese army is telling us that in the early hours of the morning, a helicopter, an Israeli helicopter, landed in the vicinity of the village of Boudai. That's close to the Hezbollah stronghold of Baalbek in the Bekaa Valley, east of Beirut and about 15 miles from the Lebanese-Syrian border.
Now, that helicopter, he said, was carrying two jeeps, Israeli jeeps, which then transported Israeli soldiers, who then came under attack after they were intercepted by Hezbollah fighters. There was an ensuing fight, and according to the Lebanese army, it wounded Israeli soldiers, who were then airlifted out of there.
So that appears to be, at least from the Lebanese army side, what happened. The Lebanese army source says -- he denies the report that up to three Hezbollah fighters were killed, saying no Lebanese people were killed.
Now, for reaction to this strike, let's listen to what the Hezbollah member of parliament, Hassan Hobballah, had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HASSAN HOBBALLAH, HEZBOLLAH MP (through translator): This is new proof that the Israeli enemy is still carrying on with its aggression over Lebanon and that it doesn't care about the resolutions taken by the U.N. Security Council. As we have stressed before, it is attacking Lebanon and has greediness in this country. Therefore, we do not consider what happened as new for the enemy, but the resistance is still insisting that it will fight against any Israeli attempts.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MILLS: Hezbollah MP Hassan Hobballah there saying that Hezbollah would continue fighting, is what he called continued Israeli aggression. And it should be noted that the area where this happened was very close to the Lebanese-Israeli border. Israel is claiming that strike was carried out to prevent the transfer of rockets from Iran and Syria.
And as I say, it was close to the Lebanese-Syrian border. And that whole stretch of border in that area is notorious for smuggling routes. But it's not possible at this point to say whether there were indeed rockets being smuggled.
NGUYEN: CNN's Anthony Mills joining us live from Beirut this morning.
Thank you, Anthony.
And you can't argue with the numbers. Why new death figures out of Iraq is silencing any talk of U.S. troops coming home any time soon.
HARRIS: And potential trouble for Olympic gold medallist Marion Jones. Details on a drug test straight ahead.
NGUYEN: But first, here is Dr. Sanjay Gupta to tell us what is coming up on "House Call".
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN SR. MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, thanks, guys.
A really intriguing show on tap this morning. We're looking at medical mysteries, the rarest of the rare conditions. Something few doctors ever even see.
You're going to visit a woman whose body is slowly turning into bone, all bone. And you'll also hear about a disease that isn't even considered a disease yet.
A heated debate between doctors and researchers, all that coming up on "House Call" at 8:30.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: And good morning, everyone.
"Now in the News," detained and soon to be deported. New information this morning on plans to return the JonBenet Ramsey murder suspect to the United States. Authorities say John Mark Karr is expected to arrive in Los Angeles tomorrow evening on a flight from Bangkok, Thailand. He'll then be taken to Boulder, Colorado, to face charges.
NGUYEN: In Lebanon, the Israeli military says it launched a successful raid today in the Bekaa Valley to prevent Hezbollah from receiving weapons smuggled from Syria and Iran. The Israeli officer, or at least one, was killed and two others wounded. And an Israeli diplomat says such operations are necessary despite the current cease- fire because U.N. troops are not yet in place.
In the southern port of Nicora (ph), about 50 French troops came ashore just a few hours ago to take up U.N. security duties. They are the first of the international forces whose job it will be to enforce the cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah. France announced it will deploy 200 additional soldiers to the region.
HARRIS: Israel has arrested Palestinian deputy prime minister Naser al-Din Shaer. He is a top official of the Hamas militant group.
Since late June, Israel has arrested more than two dozen Hamas lawmakers and several other cabinet ministers. Israel says it's trying to pressure the Hamas government to secure the release of a kidnapped Israeli soldier.
NGUYEN: Well, she is running into more problems. U.S. sprinter Marion Jones may have failed her drug test at the U.S. national championships in Indianapolis. This according to sources who reportedly have knowledge of these results.
She had been accused of doping before. That back in 2003. An accusation she strongly denies. Now an additional B test is supposed to be performed to determine whether Jones is looking at a doping violation.
We'll stay on top of that.
And we do run down the top stories every 15 minutes right here on CNN SATURDAY MORNING, with in-depth coverage all morning long.
So your next check of the headlines coming up at 8:30 Eastern.
HARRIS: You know, there's been a tremendous amount of attention focused on what is going on to the east of Iraq, but the reality is sectarian violence is threatening to launch into an all-out civil war over there. And at this point, U.S. troops coming home isn't a conversation military officials are entertaining.
CNN's Pentagon correspondent, Barbara Starr, has the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (voice over): A new U.S. military intelligence report says if the sectarian violence isn't controlled, Iraq could plunge into civil war.
Last month, 2,625 improvised explosive devices were planted across Iraq. The highest number of roadside bombs this year, almost double the number seven months ago.
On average, about half of all IEDs are found before they explode. But it is civilians paying the price.
One hundred and ten Iraqis are killed in the war every day. The Pentagon says it's a grim statistic that has doubled in the last year.
By many measures, it is getting worse. Today, one third of all attacks target civilians and Iraqi security forces. In some areas of Baghdad and Anbar province it's been as high as 60 percent in recent weeks.
No more talk of U.S. troops coming home.
GEN. GEORGE CASEY, COMMANDER, U.S. FORCES IN IRAQ: I'm very much against setting timetables, because as we have seen just in the last six to eight weeks, conditions on the ground here change.
STARR: The U.S. believes security operations in Baghdad are helping, but there are ongoing worries about the long-term outlook.
TONY SNOW, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: There's always the danger that you think you're chasing around an elusive enemy, and there's no doubt that some guys are going to run and hide and try out something else.
STARR: And concern about Iraq's ability to fend for itself.
SNOW: The United States in and of itself cannot be chasing all over Iraq for each and every piece of insurrection.
STARR (on camera): According to the Iraqi Health Ministry, nearly 3,500 Iraqis were killed last month in the violence, the highest monthly total since the war began. President Bush has been meeting with outside experts to talk about the situation in Iraq, but administration officials say there are no new ideas on the table.
Barbara Starr, CNN, the Pentagon.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HARRIS: Well, a doctor says these waters hold the key to the fountain of youth. We will explain why and where you can find them. That's what I want to know.
NGUYEN: And coming up in the next hour of CNN SATURDAY MORNING, think you don't have enough time to work out? Well, you may be saying that, I may be saying that, but it's no excuse. Fitness guru Jerry Anderson shows us how to exercise just sitting at your office desk. See, there is no excuse.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Take a look in the western Caribbean. A cruise ship comes upon nine Cuban rafters. This photo from I-Reporter Fionnuala Jacabulci (ph), a passenger aboard the Carnival Glory. Now, she tells CNN that the rafters refused the cruise ship's offer to come aboard, so the crew handed down fresh water, food and life jackets. The ship waited until the Coast Guard arrived.
HARRIS: That's pretty good, huh? An example of what we're getting.
If you've got a picture like that, go to CNN.com -- there we go -- send in an I-Report and join the world's most powerful news team.
NGUYEN: Yes. You can see you report for CNN.
HARRIS: Our e-mail "Question of the Day": What do you think of the JonBenet Ramsey murder case and where things stand right now?
Chris from College Station, Texas, writes, "I have no doubt the guy is a pedophile, but I have serious doubt JonBenet was one of the victims. Until there is hard evidence against the man, I will continue to believe it's someone getting their 15 minutes of fame. If it is the guy, good; I'm sure he won't last long in prison."
NGUYEN: Well, Tod in Virginia writes, "I think he is a sick, pathetic, twisted little that man has convinced himself he did it to empower himself. He didn't do it. The individuals who have always refused to take a lie detector test are protecting the identity of the killer."
So obviously some very strong feelings. Really, just take a look at the information that we have so far in this alleged confession.
HARRIS: Yes. Yes.
NGUYEN: Tell us what you think. Do you believe what's going on, what he says, Mr. Karr, says he has done?
The JonBenet Ramsey murder case, what do you think? E-mail us, weekends@CNN.com.
HARRIS: Let's bring in a good guy. Let's do that.
NGUYEN: Yes. Well, you're a good guy.
HARRIS: Reynolds Wolf -- well, sometimes.
WOLF: OK.
HARRIS: Reynolds Wolf with the forecast for us from the weather center.
Reynolds, good morning.
WOLF: Good morning.
(WEATHER REPORT)
HARRIS: The world of medical mysteries. In about five minutes, Dr. Sanjay Gupta searches for answers to some fascinating cases.
NGUYEN: Yes. And coming up at the top of the hour, we will go live to Bangkok, where a suspect is being held in connection with the death of JonBenet Ramsey.
HARRIS: We leave you with a look at the media frenzy surrounding this case.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: "Now in the News," plans are set to bring JonBenet Ramsey murder suspect John Mark Karr back to the U.S. Karr is scheduled to leave Bangkok, Thailand, less than 24 hours from now. Authorities say he is due to arrive in L.A. tomorrow evening.
You'll want to watch "LARRY KING LIVE" Monday for an exclusive interview with the Ramsey's attorney, Lin Wood, and the University of Colorado professor who led police to Karr. That is Monday, 9:00 p.m. Eastern on "LARRY KING LIVE".
In Lebanon, the Israeli military says it launched a successful raid today in the Bekaa Valley to prevent Hezbollah from receiving weapons smuggled from Syria and Iran. An Israeli officer was killed and two others wounded. An Israeli diplomat says such operations are necessary despite the current cease-fire because U.N. troops are not yet in place.
Now to Iraq. We are hearing news of at least 13 people killed today in various attacks around the country. According to The Associated Press, a roadside bomb south of Baghdad killed four people. AP also reports that seven Shiites were killed last night while walking through a Sunni neighborhood.
Back here in the U.S., for now a Chicago church will provide sanctuary for an illegal immigrant facing deportation to Mexico. Government officials say they won't enter the church to get the woman who is hiding there with her 7-year-old son. The mother was supposed to turn herself over to authorities Tuesday to be deported.
And the Associated Press reports U.S. sprinter Marion Jones failed her drug test at the U.S. National Championships in Indianapolis back in June. A.P. cites sources familiar with the results. Now, another test will be performed to determine whether Jones is looking at a doping violation.
Want to get you straight to Reynolds Wolf for a quick check of the weather outside. Good morning, Reynolds.
(WEATHER REPORT)
NGUYEN: Your next check of the headlines coming up at the top of the hour, but first, "HOUSE CALL WITH DR. SANJAY GUPTA" starts right now.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
