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CNN Wolf Blitzer Reports
Is al Qaeda Hiding Messages on the Web?; Philadelphia Girl Abducted for Ransom
Aired July 23, 2002 - 17:00 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.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Now on WOLF BLITZER REPORTS: Tonight, CNN investigates. Looking for bin Laden in cyberspace. Is al Qaeda hiding messages on pornographic Web sites?
Israel kills a deadly enemy and at least nine children.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ARI FLEISCHER, WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN: The president views this as a heavy-handed action that is not consistent with dedication to peace in the Middle East.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
Another little girl is stolen, this time for ransom.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SERINA GILLIS, MOTHER: I want to tell you, Erica, we love you a lot.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Are such crimes on the rise? I'll ask John Walsh, the host of "America's Most Wanted."
Defying age and the advice of his aides: Is the pope taking a risk on this transatlantic trip?
And back to work, forced out of retirement by a falling stock market at age 85.
It's Tuesday, July 23rd, 2002. I'm Wolf Blitzer in Washington.
Is al Qaeda's leader alive? U.S. officials still aren't sure, but they're finding some possible clues on the Internet. This evening, CNN investigates. Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr has the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BARBARA STARR, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): CNN has learned that the trail to Usama bin Laden has gone so cold that U.S. intelligence is now largely reduced to hunting the world's most wanted man in cyberspace. U.S. counterterrorism experts are monitoring a number of Web sites, including this one, and computer servers they believe might contain recent messages from bin Laden himself. Some intelligence officials believe electronic messages containing "markers," or code words, are indications bin Laden is directly trying to signal supporters he is alive. One intelligence official told CNN, "It's either bin Laden or an elaborate cyber-deception campaign by his lieutenants."
As CNN reported earlier this year, al Qaeda has surfaced on the Internet before. U.S. intelligence is monitoring this Web site, which keeps changing its address to stay ahead in the cat-and-mouse game with investigators. On this site, al Qaeda posted messages warning of future attacks and sharing details of the 9/11 hijackers.
Investigators say al Qaeda is very computer-savvy. They are giving new attention to the idea that senior al Qaeda leaders -- perhaps even bin Laden -- are burying messages inside photographic computer files on pornographic Web sites, that renewed lead from information provided by detainees to U.S. interrogators.
CNN has learned that a recently completed counterterrorism analysis concludes -- no surprise -- nobody knows if Usama bin Laden is alive. A top FBI official said he thinks bin Laden is dead, but there are various scenarios being considered. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld confirms bin Laden hasn't been heard from since December. If he is alive, why isn't he letting the world know?
DONALD RUMSFELD, DEFENSE SECRETARY: One he might be, he's not physically able because he's injured in some way. Another might be because he is afraid if he does it, he'll get caught.
STARR: The new intelligence analysis also notes that if bin Laden is alive, he simply may be staying hidden, waiting to emerge when the next attack occurs.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
And Wolf, the betting money inside the intelligence community by many people is that bin Laden is alive just inside the Pakistan border, constantly on the move across possibly a several hundred- square-mile, until somebody turns him in.
Wolf?
BLITZER: And going to these Web sites, can investigators determine what where individuals are logging on from, what countries, perhaps what cities, addresses, in looking for possible leads?
STARR: That is the very tough question. That is what they are trying to track down, but there is a cat-and-mouse game going on. Some of these Web sites move from server to server. One official told us that some of these Web sites -- they have seen them internationally on servers abroad in foreign countries, and then they find them popping up in the United States. So it's very hard to find out where these people are logging on and just how these messages are being transmitted.
BLITZER: Barbara Starr, good reporting over at the Pentagon. Thank you very much.
Meanwhile, Pentagon officials insist the other fugitive, the Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar, was not the target of a July 1st attack in eastern Afghanistan that killed dozens of civilians at a wedding party. "The Washington Post" cites the U.S. commander in Afghanistan as saying the raid was linked to the hunt for Omar, but a senior Pentagon official says there was no specific intelligence that Omar was in the area. Officials say the United States did have indications that, quote, "high-value individuals" were operating in the region at the time.
The Justice Department is charging five Muslim guerrillas in the death of an American missionary in the Philippines. The men are alleged leaders of the separatist Abu Sayyaf group. Abu Sayyaf is a top target in President Bush's war on terror. The group kidnapped missionaries Martin and Gracia Burnham last year. Martin Burnham was killed in a military rescue mission. Gracia Burnham survived and is now back here in the United States.
Israel got the man at the top of its "most wanted" list, a top Hamas commander, but the missile strike in a densely-populated neighborhood killed 14 other people, most of them innocent children. CNN's Mike Hanna reports from Gaza on the aftermath.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MIKE HANNA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Volleys of gunfire ring out in the streets of Gaza City, a gesture of defiance and also a threat. Being buried in the afternoon, more than 10 people. Among them, a number of children, one a baby of less than 3 months.
(on camera): The mood of this crowd is grim. There is deep, deep anger, and the word on everyone's lips, "revenge."
(voice-over): Crowds gathered at the scene of the Israeli attack throughout the day. This man, who was one of the first on the scene, says it was like a horror movie. "I saw dead people on the ground," he says. "If you saw animals in this state, it would break your heart. So what about when it is human beings?"
The stated target of the Israeli attack was the apartment of the leader of the military wing of the Hamas movement, Salah Shehadeh.
(on camera): Israel contends Shehadeh was responsible for numerous terror attacks against Israeli civilians and describes this operation as one of self-defense. Palestinian leaders insist that nothing can justify so many Palestinian civilians being killed and wounded.
(voice-over): The Israeli prime minister expressed regret about the loss of civilian life, but describes the killing of the Hamas leader as a major success. RA'ANAN GISSIN, ISRAELI GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN: Salah Shehadeh had become a real ticking bomb. He would discharge suicide bombing after suicide bombing. In the past two years, he's responsible for the death and injury of over several hundred Israelis. And it left us with no other choice.
HANNA: The question asked here: Why did this come at a time when Palestinian militants, including Hamas, were discussing a possible suspension of attacks against Israeli civilians?
YASSER ABED RABBO, PALESTINIAN INFORMATION MINISTER: We believe that such a crime will encourage once again the cycle of violence in the region. And we think that Sharon knows very well that there will be a response, and he wants the continuation of bloodshed because he wants to prevent any possibility of a new political process.
HANNA: In the streets of Gaza, the Israeli attack is seen as a challenge. Those burying their dead insisting that blood begets blood.
Mike Hanna, CNN, Gaza City.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: The Israeli missile strike is drawing harsh reaction from around the world, including from Washington. Here's CNN White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In a rare move by the Bush administration, the White House strongly and publicly condemned Israel's attack.
FLEISCHER: The president has said repeatedly that Israel needs to be mindful of the consequence of its actions in order to preserve the path to peace in the Middle East. The president views this as a heavy-handed action that is not consistent with dedication to peace in the Middle East.
MALVEAUX: Israeli forces flew an F-16 over a crowded residential neighborhood in Gaza City and dropped a 1,000 pound missile on their target, the military leader of Hamas, Salah Shehadeh. They succeeded in killing him but in the process killed at least 14 civilians and injured dozens of others. Israeli officials dismissed the Bush's administration's criticism and called Shehadeh a "ticking bomb," who they say used innocent neighbors as human shields for cover.
GISSIN: We were left with no choice last night, and therefore we had to take that action. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) the fact that we regret the loss of innocent civilians. We tried to prevent that as much as possible. And believe me, had the Palestinian authority taken the action that we urged them to take, we would not have needed to go after Salah Shehadeh in the way that we did.
MALVEAUX: Bush critics say the Israeli raid is no different than U.S. military operations inside Afghanistan, where U.S. attacks on al Qaeda and Taliban sometimes result in civilian casualties. The White House dismissed the comparison.
FLEISCHER: It's always important (UNINTELLIGIBLE) pursuit of military objectives, as the United States does in Afghanistan, to always exercise every restraint to minimize those losses of life. But in this case, what happened in Gaza was a knowing (ph) attack against a building in which innocents were found.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MALVEAUX: Now, the president is engaged in a delicate balancing act here. On the one hand, he's insisting that Israelis have the right to defend themselves, to protect themselves from these suicide, homicide bombers, but at the same time acknowledging that Palestinians are seeking relief, that seven of their eight cities in the West Bank have been reoccupied by Israeli forces over the last month, that the Palestinians have been under a 24-hour curfew and that life for the Palestinians, as well, has become unbearable.
Wolf?
BLITZER: So the key question is this, Suzanne: What's next for the Bush administration's Middle East policy?
MALVEAUX: Well, certainly, the president says that this is not going to get in the way of moving forward. He's going to be meeting with King Abdullah of Jordan in a couple weeks. We have also been told of the mid-level meetings among State Department officials, as well as Arab allies. But clearly, the administration saying today that this was a setback in moving forward.
Wolf?
BLITZER: Suzanne Malveaux at the White House, thanks very much.
And meanwhile, Pope John Paul II arrived in Canada today, beginning an 11-day North American trip that will include visits to Guatemala and Mexico. Despite concerns about his stamina, he did walk down a long stairway from his plane to the tarmac.
CNN's Frank Buckley joins us now live from Toronto. He's following the pope's visit. Frank, it was a pretty exciting afternoon there.
FRANK BUCKLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It really was, Wolf. Quite surprising to see the pope moving down that stairway, considering the concerns about the pope's health, the 82-year-old pontiff suffering from the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. We're told by church officials to not expect this moment. We were told that the pope would, in fact, deplane from behind the aircraft, would come down a scissors (ph) truck and would then eventually appear at the front of the aircraft, on the platform on which he is wheeled into the hanger. Instead, he came down those stairs on his own power, surprising everyone here. He then later spoke to a group of about 500 hundred guests at a hanger at the international airport, a group that included the prime minister, Jean Chretien.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
POPE JOHN PAUL II: Too many lives begin and end without joy, without hope. That is one of the principal reasons for the World Youth Day.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BUCKLEY: After making his remarks, the pope then boarded a helicopter to be helicoptered to Strawberry Island, the retreat that is in the "cottage country" (ph) area of just north of Ontario. We're told that he actually requested a flyover of the location we're at, Exhibition Place. He, in fact, did do that and is now enjoying his vacation.
Wolf?
BLITZER: Frank Buckley in beautiful Toronto, Canada. Thanks for joining us.
Pope John Paul is the most traveled pope in history. He's completed 96 trips to more than 100 countries, including Cuba, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. He's circled the world at least 27 times, racking up a mileage total that would surpass a round trip from the earth to the moon.
The pope is 82 years old, and his health problems are prompting speculation his traveling days may be nearing an end. Joining us now from Atlanta is CNN medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta.
I know, Sanjay, that when you saw the pope walk down those stairs at the airport, you got a little nervous. Why?
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, I'll tell you. Certainly, I think everyone was holding their breath as he was walking down the stairs. Certainly, we know the pope has fallen in the past, had some significant falls, one time broke his femur, which is his leg, and one time dislocated his shoulder. So he has fallen in the past.
He also has strong symptoms of Parkinson's disease, as you can see, Wolf, and we've seen in the past, certainly with the tremor, with the rigidity, with the slowness, all these sorts of things. He also has a very stooped-over -- you can see it really good there, Wolf -- stooped-over gait, stooped over -- he -- in part, due to Parkinson's, in part due to significant arthritis -- all those things. Certainly, I was concerned, walking down that many steps, he might have some significant trouble. He obviously has a lot of help, but I think, like I said, Wolf, everyone was sort of holding their breath a bit during that.
BLITZER: I know I was. I'm sure all our viewers were watching it live here on CNN. But what does the pope risk at his age, with his health problems, 82 years old, undertaking these kinds of worldwide trips? GUPTA: Right. Well, certainly, a -- you know, these long plane rides and this extensive schedule at anybody's age, especially 82, can be a big -- a big challenge. Certainly, the long plane ride, he risks having clots in his legs that could potentially go to his -- his lungs. We've heard of those DVT (ph). Even Vice President Al Gore got those when he was vice president, so certainly, someone at 82 even at more risk.
When you're in a plane like that, you don't -- just don't have the access, the incredible access to medical facilities if something bad were to happen. When you have Parkinson's disease, you also have usually problems with blood pressure, sometimes problems with your heart, as well. And certainly, at that age, I think most doctors would probably be a little bit concerned about all that.
BLITZER: Sanjay, Let's take a look and show our viewers some of the other health problems the pope has had in recent years. In 1992, he had a tumor removed from his colon. In '93, he dislocated his shoulder. He had hip replacement surgery in '94. He had his appendix removed in 1996. As you mentioned, he's got Parkinson's. He's got severe arthritis. If he were your patient, what would you be advising him?
GUPTA: Well, I think, certainly, with all those things, really, again, at any age, I probably would not be advising him to be taking such extensive tours. I'd probably be telling him to -- to be getting rest. No question, the pope is unlike most 82-year-olds. He does have a -- a -- literally, an army of people to help him out and get him from place to place. But still, I think that just -- that's an extensive toll on somebody, on their heart, on their bones, with his arthritis, with the Parkinson's disease. I probably would not be telling him to engage in such a tour that he's got planned, all these countries.
BLITZER: He's a very independent-minded thinker, though, and his doctors may be giving him the same advice, but he's doing what he wants to do. Dr. Sanjay Gupta, thanks for your advice, as always.
And here's your chance to weigh in on this story. Our Web question of the day is this: Given Pope John Paul's health, should he have made this trip? Go to my Web page, cnn.com/wolf. That's where you can vote. While you're there, let me know what you're thinking. Send me your comments. I'll try to read some of them on the air each day at the end of this program. That's also, by the way, where you can read my daily on-line column, cnn.com/wolf.
In Detroit, Michigan, a human rights group is calling for a federal investigation into anti-Islamic graffiti. The group says the slurs were the work of federal agents who searched the home of a man charged with trying to the enter the United States with some $12 million in phony cashier's checks. The man's brother says he found the words, "Islam is evil" and "Christ is king," written on a Muslim prayer calendar on the refrigerator.
If you're a non-citizen but living legally in the United States, you need to know this. The Justice Department is cracking down. Non- citizens who don't register their addresses, as the law has long required, face possible deportation. Up to 11 million U.S. residents could be affected, and some are outraged. CNN national correspondent Gary Tuchman has one man's story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Chang Kim is living the American dream. He moved to Atlanta 11 years ago from South Korea and is now a legal U.S. resident who owns seven clothing stores. But he is not yet a U.S. citizen.
(on camera): So that's the article right there.
CHANG KIM, BUSINESS OWNER: Yeah. Uh-huh. This one here.
TUCHMAN (voice-over): So when he read this article in a Korean- American newspaper that mentioned non-citizens and "cracking down," in the same sentence, he was taken aback.
KIM: I'm really angry and that's -- that's not just -- we don't have freedom.
TUCHMAN: The U.S. Justice Department says it will now tighten enforcement of a mostly ignored law that all non-citizens, no matter how long they've been in the U.S., must register their address and all address changes. The goal, to help prevent terrorism. Chang Kim says he's upset because he's a taxpayer who works seven days a week, who is now being treated like a terrorist.
(on camera): You think it's fair?
KIM: Not fair. Not fair.
TUCHMAN (voice-over): Many non-citizens are concerned it will be held against them that they haven't registered their address before. The government says that's not the case, but adds, in this post-9/11 world, legal immigrants could be deported if they don't do so now. Some immigration attorneys say the law is not unfair, but...
DALE SCHWARTZ, IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY: If this is an attempt to thwart terrorism in some way, it's pretty obvious that real terrorists are not going to bother to notify the government of their address changes.
TUCHMAN (on camera): So how can the overburdened INS possibly keep track of all the addresses that will likely start rolling in now? Well, we don't know because, if there's a plan, it hasn't been announced yet.
(voice-over): There's also the matter of informing INS employees of this new enforcement. At the Atlanta INS office, workers were not aware of it until we told them.
Gary Tuchman, CNN, Atlanta.
(END VIDEOTAPE) BLITZER: Ransom demands are being made for a 7-year-old girl snatched by two men. We'll go live to Philadelphia for the latest in the search for Erica Pratt.
Plus, crime fighter John Walsh explains how to keep your kids safe.
Also, forced back to work after a sunny retirement. Seniors hit hard by the tanking markets.
And meet the love of your life on line. The national push to boost adoption.
Stay with us.
Which of the following moms are adoptive parents? Connie Chung, Jamie Lee Curtis, Rosie O'Donnell, Judy Woodruff? The answer coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back.
There's been another child abduction, this one in Philadelphia. Police say a 7-year-old girl was snatched off a street corner. CNN's Jason Carroll is standing by with some new information.
Jason, what's the very latest?
JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And good afternoon to you, Wolf.
Just a few moments ago, the police inspector here in Philadelphia released some more information about this particular case. They released the names and the photos of two men who are wanted for questioning in connection with the disappearance of Erica Pratt. I'll show you the first person here. Edward Johnson is the first man who is wanted, again, for questioning in the disappearance of Erica Pratt. The second man, he is James Burns. So once again, we have Edward Johnson. That is the man I believe you see there. The second man, James Burns. Both of them wanted for questioning in the disappearance of Erica Pratt.
Just to backtrack a little bit, in terms of what happened out here -- Erica lived right here in this neighborhood, basically, where I am. And in fact, she was walking down this street right out -- right out here on Monday night. She was walking down the street with her 5-year-old friend. Erica is 7 years old.
Police say, at that point, two men driving in an old model, some sort of a late-model white car, jumped out of the car, dragged Erica, dragged her into the car and then took off shortly after that. The passenger jumped out, once again, grabbing Erica. Apparently, the mother saying that he actually used her name, called out her name before grabbing her, dragging her and putting her into the car.
Very late last night, Erica's mother spoke out. She had a message for her daughter.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SERINA GILLIS, MOTHER: I just miss you so much. And don't worry because I think everything's going to be OK. And to them -- I just hope y'all burn in hell for doing this to a little girl. She got to deal with this for the rest of her life.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CARROLL: Twenty minutes after Erica's abduction last night, her grandmother -- she actually lived with her grandmother -- about 20 minutes after, received a phone call from someone asking for $150,000 in ransom. And it's because of that and other information that leads detectives on this case to believe that this was not a random act.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
INSP. WILLIAM COLARULO, PHILADELPHIA POLICE: It appears to be a targeted individual. The motive appears to be for ransom because they called a few times. They specifically asked for a set amount of money. There were two young girls, but they specifically grabbed one, as opposed to the other. So it does not seem to be a random act, and the motive seems to be for money, at this point.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CARROLL: Police have offered a $10,000 reward for the safe return of Erica. They say it doesn't really matter what the motive is to them. Their main goal here, their main focus is to get Erica back home safe and sound.
But once again, just to repeat, the police just a short while ago releasing the names of two men who are wanted for questioning in connection with the disappearance of Erica Pratt. Once again, their names, Edward Johnson and James Burns.
Wolf?
BLITZER: Jason, the notion that there's a ransom demand in this particular case, if, in fact, there really is a ransom demand, does that make the police investigators out there a little bit more upbeat, optimistic that this might be resolved in a -- in a -- in a good way?
CARROLL: Well, it is early on in their investigation. I think, suffice to say, it at least gives them more of an idea of where to go with their investigation, in terms of what direction to lead them in. This community is a community where people talk. It is obvious some people here in this community were able to give police information about two men, two possible people here who police want to talk to in connection with this case. So I don't know if we can use the word "optimistic," but they are definitely encouraged by the fact that at least this investigation can take them in a particular path.
Wolf?
BLITZER: Jason Carroll with the latest from Philadelphia.
But let's continue to update our viewers on what's going on. Joining us now from Philadelphia is the police inspector involved in this case, William Colarulo. He's joining us now live.
Inspector, can you see us? There you are. Inspector, can you hear me?
I guess we're having some technical problems. Inspector, can you hear me? It's Wolf Blitzer.
We're going to work on this problem. We're going to fix this problem with the inspector. We're going to come back to him. And as soon as we get this little technical glitch worked out, we'll go back to Philadelphia for an update on this case. It's obviously a case that's arousing concerns, given the number of cases involving missing children out there.
Could the murder, for example, of Samantha Runnion have been prevented? Later in this program, we'll talk to the prosecutor who watched her suspected killer walk away free two years ago after a jury acquitted him. Plus, "America's Most Wanted" John Walsh will weigh in, as well.
Also, forced back to work at 85 years old. Meet the real people affected by the sluggish market.
And banned from the United States, the snakehead fish bites back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back to CNN. I'm Wolf Blitzer in Washington.
Coming up: John Walsh of "America's Most Wanted" joins us live.
But first, a look at some stories making news now.
Despite safety concerns from Nevada lawmakers, President Bush today signed a bill making Yucca Mountain the nation's central nuclear waste site. If all goes according to schedule, starting in 2010, thousands of tons of radioactive waste will be transported across the country and buried in the desert mountain 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas. But the battle is not yet over. Nevada has five lawsuits pending against the project, and the Energy Department must still get a license.
The United States and Europe are locked in a dogfight to sell their warplanes to air forces around the world. The Farnsborough extravaganza's under way in England, with Lockheed-Martin's F-35 jet fighter going head to head with the Euro fighter Typhoon. Selling points for both: They're inexpensive, relatively speaking, and cheap to run, as far as jet fighters go. Farnsborough show also spotlights commercial planes.
The former president of Argentina denies he covered up Iran's alleged bombing of a Jewish center in Buenos Aires in 1994. Eighty- five people were killed in the attack. Yesterday's "New York Times" reported that Iran masterminded the bombing and paid Carlos Menem $10 million to deny charges of Iranian involvement. Menem says the "Times" report was false and the charges politically motivated. Iran says the report is, quote, "journalistic fantasy."
One of two American West pilots accused of being drunk on the job paid a bar tab of $122 only six hours before their flight. Thomas Cloyd and Christopher Hughes were arrested in Miami on July 1. According to court documents, the tab included seven 34-ounce beers, seven 16-ounce beers, a draft beer, and a martini and a hamburger. There's no indication how many people were served. The Federal Aviation Administration suspended the license of both men.
Another slugfest on Wall Street today, with the Dow suffering its fourth straight loss. After the bruising session ended, the Dow had lost 86 points, closing at 7698. Some of the people hit hardest by the market's nosedive are those about to retire or who've retired only to be forced to go back to work. CNN's Sean Callebs spoke with an 85- year-old great grandmother whose nest egg was shattered by the market's fall.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Five days a week, 85-year-old Martha Seals works not volunteers, but works at a senior citizens center in north Atlanta. Her family was shocked, but the great-grandmother says she has to do it. Three years ago, she invested her life savings in the stock markets. Now, that money is largely gone.
MARTHA SEALS, BACK-TO-WORK GRANDMOTHER: I've never been a gambler. It devastated me. It really did because everybody ought to have a little something in reserve. And I didn't have that, so I knew I had to do something.
CALLEBS: That something was go back to work, surrender her carefree days and free time after she lost $50,000 in the market freefall.
SEALS: In the first place, I really didn't want to go in the stock market. I went in against my better judgment, but I thought, well, you know, young people know better than we do.
CALLEBS (on-camera): Martha Seals' story is hardly unique. With more than 50 percent of the people in the U.S. invested in the market, many retirees are finding they have to go back to work simply to make ends meet. And centers that serve seniors say they are becoming overburdened with horror stories of financial collapse.
MELINDA DAVIS, FULTON CO. OFFICE OF AGING: It's very difficult to hear, especially from those that did everything, if you would, by the book, in planning their retirement, investing in the stock market, having a savings plan. It's very difficult to hear that they're losing money now and they're having to come forward and say, "I need a job."
CALLEBS (voice-over): Seals envisioned spending her golden years differently.
SEALS: Well, I'd love to make a trip, you know. And I'd like to do things like that, but I can't do it, not on my income. Even now, with the extra job, I can't do that.
CALLEBS: The reality is, medicine, housing, transportation costs are all going up. And at this point in her life, Seals never thought her nest egg would be close to a goose egg.
Sean Callebs, CNN, Atlanta.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: And the man accused of kidnapping and killing Samantha Runnion is no stranger to California authorities. In December of 2000, Alejandro Avila was tried on charges of molestation involving two 9-year-old girls and he was acquitted. We are joined now by Riverside County deputy district attorney, Michael Soccio, whose office prosecuted Avila.
Mr. Soccio, thanks for joining us. How is this possible given what the current charges against Mr. Avila right now? What happened briefly in that trial two years ago?
MICHAEL SOCCIO, CHIEF DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY, RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA: Well, first let me clarify, I wasn't the trial attorney. I'm the supervisor of that unit, the chief deputy of that division of sex crimes against children. But let me explain this. In a jury trial, there's no way to ever know exactly what happened when there's an acquittal.
You're correct, Mr. Avila was charged with a similar kind of conduct, at least the sexual counts against the two young victims. The case was a strong case. Both victims testified at the trial and according to people who were there and reports from the family, the girls did well in presenting their evidence. The prosecutor put the case on strongly and the jury came back with a verdict that baffled us.
BLITZER: And what kind of doubts, reasonable doubts, did the defense attorneys manage to raise in this case raising questions about whether Mr. Avila did in fact commit this crime?
SOCCIO: It seems like they were the typical kind of defense work that you would expect in a sex case when there are children involved and that is to put some doubt in the juror's minds as to whether or not the girls were telling the truth, whether they were accurate, to pick on and exploit inconsistencies in children's statements. Remember, children are the most vulnerable class of victims we deal with and it's easy to get them in a courtroom or somewhere else and point out where they may have made mistakes. So the defense took the predictable position and it worked with this particular jury.
BLITZER: Did -- both of these girls testified, obviously, against him and they gave very graphic, detailed testimony of the alleged molestation, didn't they? SOCCIO: Yes, they did and especially, the one victim that we alleged two counts. She told, in detail, the sexual acts that she said Mr. Avila committed against her, explained them fully, gave corroborating statements to other people and still the jury rendered their verdict.
BLITZER: There was some speculation that Mr. Avila, in allegedly going after little Samantha Runnion was actually looking for these other girls, the girls he allegedly molested earlier in connection with the trial that you supervised. Do you have any reason to believe that was the case?
SOCCIO: We have no direct evidence to show that. But, of course, there's reasonable speculation. He was in the same apartment building where one of these victims has lived and you have to wonder why he was there. Was it just coincidence? Had he seen Samantha there or other children? We don't know really the reason why.
BLITZER: Is there a sense of -- obviously, your team that you supervise, the prosecutors, must feel awful if in fact Mr. Avila did murder Samantha Runnion?
SOCCIO: That's correct. I mean obviously, Paul Dickerson, the trial attorney who handled this case, felt devastated when just the verdict came back and he had two living victims who had to live with the realization that they came to the justice system and came away either not believed or not believed enough. That was bad enough. To then have the whole prosecution team have to hear about what happened this past week, obviously, has been truly devastating to them.
BLITZER: Will the prosecution in Orange County, in going after Mr. Avila for the murder of Samantha Runnion, be able to use information, evidence, circumstances surrounding this earlier case for which he was acquitted?
SOCCIO: I'm sure that's an issue they'll take up with the trial judge in Orange County, but they should ask for that type of evidence to be presented. There's other circumstantial evidence from our case that they'll want to look at and probably use if they can.
BLITZER: OK, Mr. Soccio, thanks for updating us on that. Obviously, a tragic -- potentially tragic development. Thanks very much.
SOCCIO: Thank you.
BLITZER: And we're still awaiting the conversation I'll have with John Walsh, the host of "America's Most Wanted." When we come back, though, the northern snakehead, the Asian swamp eel, the lionfish. This is not a bad sci-fi movie. Those exotic fish were once nice pets, but are now wreaking havoc in America's rivers and lakes. We'll tell you how it happened and the extraordinary action taken today to stop this menace.
And another dangerous animal, this runaway jaguar. What happened to the car, driver and diver? (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Earlier we asked -- "Which of the following moms are adoptive parents?" The answer, all of the above. Each year, more than 120,000 children are adopted in the United States.
President and Mrs. Bush are backing a new effort to place thousands of foster children into permanent, adoptive homes. Actor Bruce Willis joined the Bushes at the White House today to unveil a new Web site and a public service announcement featuring him and the First Lady.
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BRUCE WILLIS, ACTOR: Mr. President, you have asked all Americans to serve a cause higher than themselves and to recognize that these children are our highest priority. You called on all of us to do what we can to make America better.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: The effort is aimed specifically at placing children with special circumstances, such as age, emotional needs or disabilities. The Web site will profile 6,500 of them.
Test results today are expected to show whether a Texas man has contracted West Nile Virus. He would be the first person in the state to be infected by the potentially deadly disease, which is spread by mosquitoes. The man is said to be in guarded condition, suffering from encephalitis or swelling of the brain. Until now, only birds and horses have tested positive for West Nile Virus in Texas.
Meanwhile, tests have already confirmed E.coli poisoning at a cheerleading camp in Washington State. Health officials say there are at least 26 cases, but they expect more to be confirmed as results come in. One victim is suffering from severe complications. Investigators are looking for the source of the contamination.
The show, "Survivor," has nothing on one group in South Africa. How to escape a snow-capped mountaintop using one bottle of tomato sauce? Just ahead. Let it never be said that our show isn't useful.
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BLITZER: Welcome back. What to do about the northern snakehead? Officials are pondering the best way to get the Chinese meat-eating fish out of a Maryland pond before it threatens native species. The snakehead is just the latest exotic species to arrive in U.S. waters. Others are already posing problems. Here to talk about it, Donald Boesch. He's the president of the University of Maryland Center For Environmental Science and the chairman of The Snakehead Task Force.
Dr. Boesch, thanks for joining us. What's the big deal with these fish?
DONALD BOESCH, CHAIRMAN, SNAKEHEAD TASK FORCE: Well, I think the northern snakehead is symptomatic of a bigger problem that we have with invasive species. This particular species here, found in this pond in Maryland, was able to invade, basically, by just two fish and reproduce and produce lots of small snakeheads. And they're very adaptable and could easily have escaped over time into Maryland waters and colonize many other ponds and rivers where they eat other fish and can, you know, change the food chain.
BLITZER: And -- so this is a very, very serious problem. It's just not some sort of the quirky, exotic little issue we're talking about?
BOESCH: Well, we really don't know how big effect it would have. We know that it has been successfully introduced in lot of other areas around the world, outside of where it occurs naturally in China and up through Korea and the like. So it's very adaptable and can colonize these areas. And where it it's introduced, it affects other fish so that other fish that are desirable tend to be preyed upon.
BLITZER: How did they get here, to the United States, these dangerous fish?
BOESCH: Well, this particular fish was introduced by an individual who bought it from a live fish food market in New York, and had it here in Maryland and decided to -- after keeping it in the aquarium, release it. And in fact, that's one of the principle ways that many of these nonnative fish get introduced into our waters by release from aquarium.
Another important way, of course, is by purposeful introduction. We have moved fish and other species around the world for beneficial reasons to stock a new fish species in one place or another. An additional -- another way that fish are introduced is for their use in bait. You know, baitfish are captured in one place and then, used -- and escape the hook elsewhere.
BLITZER: What about the fish behind you, that viewers are seeing, are any of them pretty dangerous?
BOESCH: Well, this, in fact, is a lionfish, which is a native of the tropical Pacific and Indian Oceans. And it, actually, is a fish that's recently been introduced into the waters of the East Coast, around Florida, through North Carolina and the like. And as you can see, it's a very delicate looking fish, but it survives because it has these long spines and could inject venom in prey and also humans who handle it. It's not a -- as far as we know, a particularly deleterious fish to the rest of the environment and other fish species here. But it's really a vivid demonstration of the potential that these fish can invade other waters.
BLITZER: So if that fish is in contact with a human, who happens to be swimming, could that fish kill someone?
BOESCH: I don't know if that's likely. I think it could give you some nasty wounds that would sting and then, fester it with infections down the road. BLITZER: What about the snakehead? The snakehead is the fish that a lot of people are focusing in on right now. What's it going to take to get rid of that fish?
BOESCH: Well, we've -- our scientific committee has looked at this pond and looked at the options and we're putting together our recommendations. We still have a few details to work out.
There was some -- actually, some tests done on about 70 or 80 of the young snakeheads that were captured from the pond today. But most likely, it's going to be a treatment with a chemical that kills fish called Rotenone and then, that would, of course, affect -- kill all of the fish in the pond. And we'd have to start over with that pond. But it would, at least, eradicate pretty completely if applied correctly the snakehead population in that pond. And so far, we think it's contained into that one pond.
BLITZER: Dr. Boesch, thanks for helping us better understand this problem -- appreciate it very much.
BOESCH: Thank you.
BLITZER: And let's get back to the another story that we've been following extensively over these past several days indeed, weeks -- missing children in the United States. Recent high-profile child abductions are, of course, heightening the concerns of many parents. Is there a growing problem here in the United States or are the news media simply overreacting? John Walsh is one of the nation's best- known advocates for missing children and their parents. He's joining us now live from Pasadena.
John, thanks, as usual, for joining us. Is there -- are there more numbers now that we're dealing with -- or are we only paying attention in greater numbers to what's going on?
JOHN WALSH, HOST, "AMERICA'S MOST WANTED": Well, the number of stranger abducted children has gone down, but they say it's about 150 this year. And you know what, Wolf, if it was 150 anchormen or 150 editors of newspapers, it would be an epidemic. And we've done 14 cases on "America's Most Wanted" since January of this year. We've got this little Erica Pratt kidnapped last night. Three days ago, Sara Robinson (ph), Oswego, Oregon, a 16-year-old girl was kidnapped. You know it's just so very disturbing -- and I'm right here in California -- to come out here to do this Samantha Runnion case, which they found her body three days ago. And thank God, they caught her murderer. But this trend and this large amount of kidnappings in a small amount of time is very, very disturbing.
BLITZER: Is it an issue of copycat kidnappings going on or has this been going on like -- we all know, tragically, you lost your son many years ago with one kind of incident like this?
WALSH: Well, Wolf, two years ago, there were 300 missing children whose cases were never solved or their bodies were found murdered and the media didn't give them that much attention. I think it's a good thing. I think the media is finally focused in, doing the right thing. If you went out and asked 50 people today -- who's the president of Enron and what did Enron do wrong, they couldn't tell you. But if you asked them, who was the little girl that was kidnapped out of her house in Salt Lake City, they'd tell you Elizabeth Smart. I think the media has finally figured out that people care more about children than they do about corporate fraud.
BLITZER: Most of the focus lately, as you know, has been on little girls, but what about little boys? Are they at risk right now as well?
WALSH: Oh, absolutely. We've got about four cases of little boys missing that we've been featuring. Some cases get a lot of attention, Wolf. And I still can't figure out why the media does this packed mentality. They'll focus in on one case and kind of ignore another case. But you know little boys are just at risk. My son was six years old. John Wayne Gacy, who was executed in Illinois, killed 33 boys. So it's not just little girls, it's little boys too.
BLITZER: Bottom line advice for our viewers out there who have kids or grandkids. What do they have to do to protect them?
WALSH: Summertime is a dangerous time. Don't assume it can't happen to you. It can happen in Oregon, Salt Lake City. It can happen in San Diego. Talk to your kids and tell them this -- "Don't go up to a car, don't be lured to a van or a car. Adults do not need help from children." Tell your kids that. Let adults get help from other adults.
BLITZER: As usual, good advice from John Walsh, the host of "America's Most Wanted." Thanks for spending some time with us, John.
WALSH: Thank you, Wolf.
BLITZER: Severe weather is hitting parts of the Northeast and the West. Thunderstorms with strong winds and possible hail are expected from New England southward into Virginia. A cold front triggering the storm should pass through Boston, New York and Philadelphia this evening. And out west, severe storms may develop over Montana, northern Wyoming and western parts of North and South Dakota later today.
Another danger in the west, this one, forest fires. More than 1,000 firefighters are battling a blaze threatening California's Giant Sequoia National Monument. As of Monday -- as of midday, actually, the fire had burned only some of the smaller trees. It's more of the same in Oregon, where National Guard troops are on the front lines in the battle against wildfires. One is the 34,000-acre Winter Fire. Containment is not expected until early next month.
There are several deaths of note to report today. Sources tell CNN neo-Nazi leader, William Pierce, has died of cancer at the age of 69. His novel about a violent overthrow of the U.S. government, "The Turner Diaries," is said to have inspired Timothy McVeigh's bombing of the Oklahoma City federal building.
Other deaths -- Chain Potok, who wrote about the Jewish experience in "The Chosen" and other novels, has died outside Philadelphia after a battle with cancer. He was 73.
And character actor, Leo McKern -- seen here on the right -- has died in England at 82. McKern starred as a curmudgeonly lawyer in "Rumple of The Bailey," seen in America on public television. His films included "The Mouse That Roared," "Lawrence of Arabia" and "A Man For All Seasons."
Just two minutes left to weigh in on our "Question of The Day." Given Pope John Paul's health, should he have made this trip to North America? Log on -- got to my web site, CNN.com/Wolf. That's where you can vote. The results in two minutes.
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BLITZER: Let's go to New York now and get a preview of "LOU DOBBS MONEYLINE." That, of course, begins right at the top of the hour -- Lou.
LOU DOBBS, HOST, "MONEYLINE": Wolf, thank you. We'll bring you, tonight, an exclusive interview with United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan. We'll be talking about the role of the United Nations and its initiatives in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We will also be discussing weapons inspections and the future of Iraq.
Also tonight, the role banks played in the collapse of Enron. Senator Carl Levin, the chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Investigations, is my guest. And Citigroup and J.P. Morgan Chase led blue chips lower today. The S&P closed below 800 for the first time in five years. We'll have complete coverage of Wall Street. All of that and a great deal more just ahead at the top of the hour. Please join us. Now, back to Wolf Blitzer -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Thank you very much, Lou. We'll be watching. And let's take a look at our "Picture of The Day." He recently set a world record with a solo, round-the-world balloon flight. Now, tycoon, Steve Fossett is in New Zealand, ready to try for a new record, this time in a high-tech glider. Fossett and a copilot hope to surf "waves of wind" in the stratosphere, reaching an altitude of -- get this -- 63,000 feet. Good luck.
Now, here's how you're weighing in on our "Web Question of The Day." Earlier, we asked -- "Given Pope John Paul's health, should he have made this trip to North America?" Fifty-five percent of you so far say, "yes." Forty-five percent say, "no." Remember, this is not a scientific poll.
Time now to hear from you. Many of you are writing about missing children cases that are capturing the nation's attention. Barbara writes this -- "The monster that killed Samantha Runnion must be put to death to prevent him from reproducing or further burdening society. He cannot be cured. He should be killed."
From Wendy -- "People are ignoring the obvious. As pornography spreads and becomes more and more commonplace in our society, we see more and more of these sex crimes committed against our children." Mike agrees -- "Our society as a whole is preying on children. Go to the movies, watch MTV and observe how our children are being educated in the classroom. Children nationwide are under assault. Does America really love its children? I do not believe it."
That's all the time we have today. I'll be back tomorrow, of course, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern. Until then, thanks very much for watching. I'm Wolf Blitzer in Washington. "LOU DOBBS MONEYLINE" begins right now.
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