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CNN Wolf Blitzer Reports

Does Turkey's Rebuff Represent U.S. Strategy Setback?

Aired March 03, 2003 - 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: WOLF BLITZER REPORTS starts right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): Interrogation. He may have planned a string of deadly terror strikes. What can a captured al Qaeda leader reveal about the next attack?

Is the arrest already paying off? The hunt for al Qaeda suspects in this country.

Should the U.S. resort to torture? We'll hear from civil rights expert Alan Dershowitz. His answers may surprise you.

Showdown: Iraq. Warplanners scramble as Turkey shuts down a second front.

ARI FLEISCHER, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECY.: Whatever route is taken, the ultimate military mission will remain successful.

Iraq scraps more missiles. Is there a way out of war? I'll ask Senate intelligence chairman, Pat Roberts.

And somewhere in the desert, making the best of a desolate deployment.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're have a cordon bleu and Polish sausage.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: It's Monday, March 3, 2003. I'm Wolf Blitzer in Washington.

The rage which netted al Qaeda's operations boss, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed also yielded an intelligence windfall. U.S. authorities are racing against time to try to take advantage of the information they're turning up.

Let's begin our coverage with CNN national security correspondent, David Ensor -- David.

DAVID ENSOR, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, it is a windfall and it presents real opportunities, but, as you say, time is of the essence.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ENSOR (voice-over): Among the information seized at the house where the al Qaeda operations chief was captured, U.S. sources tell CNN, is a treasure trove on al Qaeda, including the names of suspected al Qaeda operatives, some of them believed to be in cities in the United States.

Sources say Washington, D.C. is among the cities, the information suggests, may contain al Qaeda personnel. U.S. officials have said they have evidence Khalid Shaikh Mohammed was trying recently to organize another attack against the United States.

U.S. intelligence officials are declining comment on the information gleaned during the raid, but other U.S. sources say FBI agents are speeding to try to track down the suspected operatives named in it, hoping to stop any imminent attack.

MICHAEL CHERTOFF, ASST. ATTORNEY GENERAL: We are obviously always mindful of the need to be vigilant and move as quickly as possible to frustrate anything that's ongoing in terms of potential terrorist threats.

ENSOR: Mohammed, meantime, is under intense interrogation at an undisclosed location by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency. Officials say all appropriate pressure will be used in an effort to stop any attacks the new prisoner may know of.

FLEISCHER: The standard for any type of interrogation of some body in American custody is to be humane and to follow all international laws and accords dealing with this type subject. That is precisely what has been happening and exactly what will happen.

ENSOR: Although the White House expressed warm gratitude to Pakistan's President Musharraf, some U.S. officials privately expressed dismay that Pakistani officials made news of the seizure public so quickly. U.S. officials would have liked more time to try to roll up al Qaeda cells before the word got to them that their operations chief was an in enemy hands.

PETER BERGER, TERRORISM ANALYST: It's quite possible that people may panic and try and push something forward because they're worried he may talk. Most of the al Qaeda leadership have eventually talked. The question is really time. You know, time is of the essence.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ENSOR: Time is of the essence and U.S. officials express confidence that Khalid Shaikh Mohammed can eventually be convinced to cooperate with his interrogators. But they're in a hurry -- Wolf.

BLITZER: With good reason. David Ensor, thanks very much for that report.

Several times during that last few months, authorities in Pakistan thought they had Khalid Shaikh Mohammed cornered but he managed to slip away. CNN Islamabad bureau chief, Ash-har Quraishi, has a timeline on the arrest and previous attempts to nab the suspected al Qaeda leader.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ASH-HAR QURAISHI, CNN ISLAMABAD BUREAU CHIEF (voice-over): September 11, 2002. Pakistani police thought they were going capture Khalid Shaikh Mohammed in the southern port city of Karachi. The early morning raid turns into a fire fight, when police enter the apartment complex and Khalid Shaikh Mohammed gets away.

When the shooting stops, security forces have captured another key al Qaeda operative, Ramsi Binalshibh. Investigators follow intelligence leads to Quetta, in the southwestern province of Balochistan.

In a raid on February 14, authorities capture an al Qaeda operative reported to be an Egyptian. Khalid Shaikh Mohammed slips through the dragnet again.

Using information gathered from the operative nabbed in Quetta, authorities track Khalid Shaikh Mohammed to Rawalpindi, just nine miles from Pakistan's capital. He is, authorities soon learn, staying in the home of Ahmed Abdul Qadoo, a member of Pakistan's largest religious political party, Jamaat-e-Islami.

At 3:00 a.m. Saturday, in a jointly planned operation, more than two dozen American and Pakistani security agents surround Qadoo's house. Agents enter the home, herding the women and children into a small room.

QUDISA, AHMED ABDUL QADOO'S SISTER: They banged open the doors, broke the locks and they pushed my husband, my sister-in-law and the kids into a room and they had a rifle held to their head. And we're told to sit quietly. And my brother, he went out. And they took him away.

QURAISI: Khalid Shaikh Mohammed is surprised while still in bed. Knowledgeable law enforcement sources tell CNN he pulls out a Kalashnikov rifle and opens fire, injuring several agents.

Finally overpowering their man, the security forces take Mohammed into custody, along with Qadoos and another suspected al Qaeda operative, described as a Somali.

SHEIKH BASHID AHMED, PAKISTANI INFO MINISTER: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) are looking for him after long time, but he always escape and today, in the early morning, he had been arrested.

QURAISI (on camera): According to senior U.S. intelligence officials and highly placed Pakistani sources, Mohammed was handed ever to U.S. officials within hours of the raid and then transported out of the country. Despite conflicting public statements by the Pakistani administration, CNN sources in Washington and Islamabad insist that Khalid Shaikh Mohammed is no longer in Pakistan.

Ah-har Quraisi, CNN, Islamabad, Pakistan.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: And here's your chance to weigh in on this story. Our "Web Question of the Day" is this: "Should U.S. interrogators torture Khalid Shaikh Mohammed to find out what he knows about al Qaeda plots against the Untied States?" We'll have the results later in this broadcast. Vote at cnn.com/wolf.

And coming up at the half hour, we'll hear from both sides of that debate. Harvard Law professor Alan Dershowitz and Ken Roth of Human Rights Watch will join me live.

Turning now to the showdown with Iraq, the buildup continues. But the Turkish parliament's weekend refusal to let U.S. troops deploy for a possible attack is forcing military strategists to fall back to Plan B.

Let's go live to our senior Pentagon correspondent, Jamie McIntyre -- Jamie.

JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN SR. PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, the U.S. Military needed an answer from the Turkish parliament, really, about a week or two ago. They're still holding out some hope, but meanwhile, the U.S. military is moving ahead with other plans.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MCINTYRE (voice-over): U.S. B-52 bombers, which will fire air launch cruise missiles on the opening night of the war, have begun arriving in England, while in Texas the army's 17,000 strong first cavalry division got its orders to ship out.

It's evidence that while more than 20 U.S. transport ships cool their rudders in the Mediterranean, waiting to see if Turkey will have a change of heart, the Pentagon is moving ahead with Plan B -- to invade Iraq with or without Turkish support.

FLEISCHER: If the president of the United States makes the determination that force must be used to disarm Saddam Hussein, whatever route is taken, ultimate military mission will successful.

MCINTYRE: Sources say the Pentagon decided weeks ago to send, not just part, but the entire 101st airborne division to Kuwait, as a backup, so the U.S. would not have to wait for the heavier fourth infantry division to either get into Turkey or move to Kuwait.

BRIG. GEN. DAVID GRANGE, CNN MILITARY ANALYST (RET.): The U.S. will go in with other means, lighter forces to take down the targets in northern Iraq. Probably more paratrooper, air assault with helicopter techniques.

MCINTYRE: Under that option, the U.S. will rely more on seizing forward bases in Iraq, such as this old Iraqi air base near the Turkish border, and would not be able to move as many forces as quickly into the north.

GRANGE: There may be more risk involved, it may involve more casualties and it will probably take longer.

MCINTYRE: Right now, the Turkish parliament is saying no to an all in one package deal. But sources say the U.S. may press for Turkey to allow more modest, less provocative steps, such as basing of search and rescue crews, and granting of overflight rights.

Currently, Plan A is for two U.S. carriers in the eastern Mediterranean to fly into northern Iraq by way of Turkey. But Plan B is to move the carriers south to the Red Sea, so they can overfly Saudi Arabia, as was done in the 1991 Persian Gulf War.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MCINTYRE: And sources say a sixth carrier, the "USS Nimitz," which is not due to arrive in the region until early April, could be added to the war plan to make up for land-based plans that were to be sent to Turkey -- Wolf.

Jamie McIntyre, thanks very much. Jamie McIntyre at the Pentagon.

With Turkey getting cold feet about a U.S.-led invasion of Iraq and with Baghdad itself seemingly cooperating with the U.S. by destroying more of its Al Samoud 2 missiles, has the Bush administration suffered a double setback to its Iraq strategy?

Let's go live to our senior white house correspondent, John King -- John.

JOHN KING, CNN SR. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, officials here concede that point. This is a setback, they say, both the Turkey decision and, at least temporarily, Iraq's -- what apparent cooperation, as Iraq would call it, with the weapons inspectors.

Jamie covered the military perspective. From a political perspective, the administration hoped to open this week with those troops going ashore in Turkey to make the case that the United Nations that there was broad international support, growing international support for the president's position that war might be necessary to fully disarm Saddam Hussein. Now that Iraq is destroying some of those Al Samoud 2 missiles, U.S. officials say a significant diplomatic challenge of the United Nations trying to win support for that new resolution, the administration wants a vote one week from today.

The administration's message now is you have -- to all members of the Security Council, we have been down this road before. Saddam Hussein is only cooperating a little bit because he's under pressure. The message from the White House, Don't be fooled.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

FLEISCHER: It is not real disarmament. There is one standard of disarmament: full, complete and immediate. The United Nations resolutions did not call for a little piece of disarmament. It didn't say 10 percent disarmament, four months after we call on you do it immediately. None of that was in 1441. And the only reason this is even happening today, in the small degree that it has indeed happened, is because he is under great pressure from President Bush, the United States and the coalition of the willing.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: In the days leading up to the Security Council debate on that new resolution, look for the administration over and over again to ask this question publicly: Where is the VX? Where is the Sarin gas? Where are the more than 20,000 munitions Iraq has that are known to be capable of delivering chemical and biological weapons?

The administration has made this argument before, but it will make it in all the more intense ways in dates ahead, hoping to pull up the votes necessary to win in the Security Council, but senior officials also saying that if the president cannot carry the day in the Security Council, cannot get that resolution approved, in the words of one senior official -- quote -- "nothing will prevent the president from carrying on" -- Wolf.

BLITZER: John, a quick question. We heard Ari Fleischer at the briefing today try to clarify what the administration's position is on regime change in the face of some serious criticism over the past few days that they were flip-flopping on this issue.

What precisely is the White House stance as far as regime change in Baghdad is concerned?

KING: The administration's position is that Saddam Hussein must go. When you say that publicly from the White House podium it gives ammunition to France and others at the Security Council who say all the United Nations has endorsed is disarmament. So the administration backing off of it a bit publicly about but, make no mistake about it, they say the only goal here is full and complete disarmament. But this White House they say they know Saddam Hussein is not capable of doing that so the regime must go.

BLITZER: John King at the White House. Thanks, John, very much.

Let's look at other developments in the showdown with Iraq. While it is now on hold, the U.S.-Turkey agreement would reportedly let Turkish troops deploy into Kurdish areas of Northern Iraq. Tens of thousands of Kurds took to the streets of Rabil today in protest fearing Turkey would take away their freedoms. Gun merchants report Kurds are buying weapons and local officials warned of clashes if -- if the Turks move in.

Gulf Arab foreign ministers today failed to endorse a measure calling for Saddam Hussein to step down. The idea was raised at a meeting with the Gulf Cooperation Council in Qatar. While several member states favor the proposal, the group said it would need broader backing in the Arab world.

The USS Nimitz has left California for the Persian Gulf region where for a short time, at least, it will bring to six, that's six the number of U.S. aircraft carriers within striking the distance of Iraq. The Nimitz and it's battle group will eventually replace the USS Abraham Lincoln.

Saying he opposes any U.N. resolution that would allow the force against Iraq, the French president, Jacques Chirac, today insisted weapons inspectors -- inspections are producing results and need more time. But he also said Iraq must be pressured to cooperate fully. President Chirac spoke in Algeria, the first visit by a French leader since that nation gained independence from France in 1962.

As his government destroyed several more missiles today, the Iraqi President Saddam Hussein met with his military commanders.

CNN's Senior international correspondent Nic Robertson is reporting now from Baghdad.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice- over): Sporting a Fedora and looking relaxed, President Saddam Hussein arrived for a meeting with top officials. Amidst the sumptuous splendor of the meeting, an unwritten message for the Iraqi audience. Support for the leader, from ministers just returned from the Arab Summit, where there were calls for him to step down. To the North of Baghdad, outside the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) barracks where six more of Iraq's Al Samoud II missiles were being destroyed, plenty of activity but no pictures of destruction.

GEN. AMER AL-SA'ADI, HUSSEIN SCIENTIFIC ADVISER: They're legitimate weapons that we -- that are not prescribed. That's why it hurts.

ROBERTSON: A warning also should the U.S. Move towards war.

AL-SA'ADI: If it turns out at an early stage during this month that America is not going the legal way, then why should we continue?

ROBERTSON: In a Baghdad church efforts for peace, however, continue. A delegation of African-American religious leaders, the first such group to come to Baghdad, hopeful their heritage can bring understanding and peace.

REV. HERBERT DAUGHTRY, LORDS PENTECOSTAL CHURCH NEW YORK: Once you start a war, it is going to leap the oceans, it is going to leap the mountains and god knows where it will end. So this is why we appeal with all the emphasis we can command to the leaders of the world, avert war.

ROBERTSON (on camera): An appeal that may already be too late. Iraqi commanders talk of training for urban warfare. And Coalition aircraft are increasing their sorties and targeting in the Northern and Southern no-fly zones.

Nic Robertson, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Should the White House move forward on war plans with or without world support?

I'll ask the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Pat Roberts, when we come back.

Plus, it is against international and U.S. law but should the U.S. torture terror suspects to get information?

We'll have a debate, an important debate. That's coming up.

And did this anti-abortion activist turn into a home grown terrorist?

The man accused of gunning down a doctor faces justice. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Movement toward a possible war against Iraq and progress in the war on terrorism are top two stories.

Joining us now to discuss those subjects, someone privy to the nation's top secrets, the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Pat Roberts of Kansas.

Senator Roberts, thanks. Welcome to -- thank you very much. As far as you can tell us, you've been attending briefings, is Khalid Shaikh Mohammed already talking?

SEN. PAT ROBERTS (R-KS), CHAIRMAN, SENATE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE: I don't know if he's talking or not, but he probably will. And this is the biggest step we have taken on the war on terrorism in terms of the top ten. It is a real credit to the Pakistanis and to President Musharraf, a joint effort that this was a Pakistani takedown. We were just there a week ago, trying to underscore that our resolve, we will be there for the Pakistanis. They in turn promised they would continue the war on terrorism. This is a little bolder approach more aggressive, and it worked.

BLITZER: How you to know he will be talking if he isn't yet?

ROBERTS: I think we'll get the reports from the Intelligence Committee once we ask the agency. But that kind of thing goes on and on. And basically they try to keep that under wraps as much as possible.

BLITZER: How important is it that he talks right now because there is a time sensitivity to his information in order to, a, find other al Qaeda terrorists through the and, b, prevent certain operations, plots that may be in the works.

ROBERTS: That's absolutely important because the al Qaeda is in a state of despair. Most of the chatter that we hear today is all about this particular incident as opposed to planning attacks. So if you take the mastermind, you take the brain, that's what they call him, of 9/11 and future attacks and the USS Cole, take him out of commission, take a look at the documents, try to interrogate him quickly, hopefully you can prevent any terrorist attacks, it's is important.

BLITZER: Where do you stand on the whole issue of torture, someone who may be a ticking time bomb, may have information, but you to squeeze it out in some way and maybe torture is the only way.

ROBERTS: No, I don't think torture is the answer. I think obviously when we have somebody in custody, we adhere to the Geneva rules of convention or the -- or the convention rules. I don't think it is necessary. I think we have means, psychologically, that can get roughly the same kind of answers.

BLITZER: What about the whole showdown with Iraq right now?

How close, in your opinion, based on what you know and you obviously know a lot is the U.S. to war?

ROBERTS: About mid-March. If we can solve the Turkey thing it might come -- it might come a little more quickly. I hope that happens, but as you've already reported there are other contingency plans, we asked that about a week ago. It is not our preferred plan, but we can conduct a war and we be successful.

BLITZER: Mid-March is not far away, a week, ten days from now that could be mid-March.

ROBERTS: That's exactly right.

BLITZER: So you have no doubt this is going down?

ROBERTS: Well, there is always the last-minute chance. Whether he goes to exile or he disarms, I would say that's between slim and none and probably slim left town.

BLITZER: So if Turkey is not included though, everybody seems to suggest, including Senator Rockefeller yesterday of West Virginia, a member of your committee, the vice chairman, who said with Turkey in the equation it is a month-long war. Without Turkey, probably a two- month war.

ROBERTS: Well, let's don't say two months to put a time frame on it. We do have, as you indicated, a lot of carriers there. We do have air left, we do have -- I don't want to get into specifics in terms of the battle plan.

Yes, it is more difficult. If it goes right in terms of this war, it is weeks. If it goes wrong, it is probably several months.

BLITZER: And the notion of Saddam Hussein using, actually using chemical or biological warfare against U.S. troops moving in?

ROBERTS; We expect that.

BLITZER: You do expect that and...

ROBERTS: We do expect that and we're ready. BLITZER: But that -- presumably if they're all coming in from one area, Kuwait, that makes a -- potentially a lot of sitting ducks out there.

ROBERTS: We're not going to come in from just from one area. I can assure you of that.

BLITZER: So there are other plans.

ROBERTS: You bet.

BLITZER: Senator Roberts, thanks, as usual, for joining us. We always like having you on the show.

ROBERTS: Thank you. Appreciate it.

BLITZER: Appreciate it very much.

Democrats and Iraq. Is there an opposition party left in the United States?

And debating torture. Is it a valid way to retrieve information from terrorism suspects?

Plus, a look at the trial of the anti-abortion activist accused of killing Dr. Bernard Slepian. You're watching CNN, the most trusted name is news.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Around the world President Bush is running into a lot of opposition to his threat to use force to topple Saddam Hussein. But except for a few outspoken voices of dissent on Capitol Hill, protests from Democrats seem to be a little bit more than a whimper. Senior Political Correspondent Candy Crowley looks at what is going on.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CANDY CROWLEY, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): You can find it alongside a highway in New Mexico, beside the snow- covered sidewalks of Iowa, inside the Democratic Party.

HOWARD DEAN (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: What I want to know is why in the world the Democratic Party leadership is supporting the president's unilateral attack on Iraq?

CROWLEY: Anti-war sentiment in the Democratic Party has brought a bright light to a dark horse on the '04 campaign trail. It is the topic in Iowa and New Hampshire, forcing tough times for pro-war contenders.

SEN. JOSEPH LIEBERMAN (D-CT), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Let's disagree respectfully.

CROWLEY: And tough questions for candidates who are pro-war with exceptions.

SEN, JOHN KERRY (D-MA) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I don't want to be perceived, and I don't want us to be perceived, as not caring about how we're going to make America safe.

CROWLEY: In contrast to the campaign trail, the hallowed halls of Congress are largely silent. Since January, only five House Democrats have used their free floor time to oppose the war.

REP. SHEILA JACKSON LEE (D), TEXAS: It is imperative for this Congress to stand up and be heard and be counted.

CROWLEY: Late last year, before anti-war sentiment blossomed in the streets, Congress was heard and counted. Well over half the Democrats on Capitol Hill voted for a resolution of war against Iraq.

At the grassroots level, a late February poll on the use of U.S. ground troops in Iraq found that most Democrats, 52 percent, are opposed. Yet 44 percent of Democrats support the use of ground troops. It is enough to muddle the party's stance and frustrate anti- war lawmakers.

SEN. ROBERT BYRD (D), WEST VIRGINIA: We stand passively mute in the United States Senate today, paralyzed by our own uncertainty, seemingly stunned by the sheer turmoil of events.

CROWLEY (on camera): Politically there is no percentage in Democrats opposing a war likely to be over before the primaries begin. Instead most Democrats are now focused on phase two, with stinging criticisms that the Bush administration is ill prepared to deal with post-Saddam Iraq.

Candy Crowley, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Torture techniques. Should they ever be used to get information out of terrorism suspects? We'll have a debate, Dershowitz vs. Roth. That's coming up.

But first, in case you were out enjoying your days off, here's "Our Weekend Snapshot."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(AUDIO GAP)

BLITZER (voice-over): ... near the State Department. Members of the Interfaith Coalition urged President Bush to end what they called his rhetoric on war with Iraq.

Wrong move. A U.S. Airways flight was diverted to Charlotte, North Carolina after a passenger tried to open an emergency exit. The FBI says Richard Perez was overpowered by a Federal Air Marshal and three off duty New York police officers. Perez was charged with interfering with a flight crew. He could be sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Bad move. Relatives of victims of the Chicago nightclub stampede say they're angry over the release of a videotape of the tragedy. The father of a son among the 21 people killed says it's like a recurrence of the incident. Footage from the E2 Club's internal surveillance system was shown on television on Friday after a judge released the tape over the objections of lawyers for the city.

Missing parts. Officials in Philadelphia have identified a body whose vital organs had been cut out. The body of a 60-year-old man was found in an abandoned house. Police say they don't know if the man was murdered or if his body was mutilated after he died of natural causes or a drug overdose.

No Tiger in Dubai. Tiger Woods has pulled out of the Dubai Desert Classic in the United Arab Emirates. With the possibility of a U.S. invasion of Iraq, Woods says he doesn't think it is safe to be in that part of the world at this time.

Is Oscar next? "Chicago" wins again picking up its second major film industry award in two days. The hit musical was named the best picture of the year by the Producers Guild of America last night. The night before the Directors Guilt of America selected Rob Marshall as director of the year.

And that's our look at "Our Weekend Snapshot."

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back to CNN. I'm Wolf Blitzer.

Coming up, human rights versus a need to know. Should the U.S. torture a terror suspect when lives are at stake, even though it's illegal under international standards? That debate coming up.

(NEWS ALERT)

BLITZER: Of course, we want to know what you think as well. Our "Web Question of The Day" is this: "Should U.S. interrogators torture Khalid Shaikh Mohammed to find out what he knows about al Qaeda plots against the U.S.?" Vote at CNN.com/Wolf. Go there now. We'll have the results later this hour.

Homegrown terrorists or misunderstood activist, the man accused of gunning down a doctor over abortion heads to court. We'll have that and more when we return. You're watching CNN, the most trusted name in news.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: In Buffalo, New York, jury selection has begun for the murder trial of a man accused in the 1998 shooting of a doctor who performed abortions. James Kopp was a fugitive for more than two years before being caught overseas. CNN's Jamie Colby reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JAMIE COLBY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): James Kopp was a man on the run, to Mexico, the United Kingdom and eventually France after the sniper slaying of Dr. Barnett Slepian in 1998. Slepian was a popular obstetrician and gynecologist who sometimes performed abortions at a Buffalo clinic. His wife and four sons were home when a .30 caliber bullet fired from a rifle in the woods behind the house pierced a window and then Slepian's back. A Nashville, Tennessee, pawnshop had sold the rife to a man matching Kopp's description. The FBI says his DNA matched hair fibers on a hat buried with the weapon.

FRANK CLARK, ERIE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY: The warrant for Kopp's arrest has issued from a local criminal court.

COLBY: Placed on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted list in 1999, Kopp remained on the lam for two years. The FBI caught Kopp in France after tracking e-mails of two friends sending him money from the U.S.

DENISE O'DONNELL, FORMER U.S. ATTORNEY: I am gratified today that the French police have made an arrest of James Charles Kopp.

COLBY: Kopp was extradited to New York last year after the U.S. promised France he would not face the death penalty. Kopp says he is innocent of any crime, though the "Buffalo News" says he told them in a jailhouse interview he targeted Slepian to stop him from performing abortions. Saying in the article -- quote -- "The truth is not that I regret shooting Dr. Slepian. I regret that he died." Buffalo has been the site of anti-abortion protests for years and Kopp has his supporters.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Someone had to stop Barnett Slepian from killing any more babies.

COLBY: Jurors are filling out questionnaires, gauging their views on abortion and their knowledge of the highly publicized case.

(on camera): Jury selection is expected to take two weeks. The trial, a month. If Kopp is convicted, he'll face 25 years to life in prison.

Jamie Colby, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Home away from home. All the luxuries of the U.S. located in the Persian Gulf. A tour inside Camp Patriot, but first, a look at some other news making headlines around the world.

Taking it to the top. Israeli troops stormed a Palestinian refugee camp in Gaza. At the time Israeli started targeting the top leadership of the militant Hamas organization, troops arrested a co- founder and destroyed his house. Eight Palestinians including a pregnant woman were killed. Eyes on Ireland. Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair and Ireland's Prime Minister Bertie Ahern met in Belfast in hopes of reviving Northern Ireland's coalition government. Protestants have withdrawn from the government citing doubts that Catholics are committed to peace.

Swiss Navy? For the first time ever, a European team has won the Americas Cup. Landlocked, Switzerland won the best of nine yachting series with five consecutive victories against the defending champion, New Zealand.

Rio bravo. Seventy thousand spectators packed the stadium as Rio de Janeiro celebrated carnival. Glitter dusted women just barely in compliance with a no nudity rule danced the samba, accompanied by thundering drumbeats and loud cheers.

Orange you enjoying this? The battle of the oranges is an annual tradition in Italy. People on foot throw oranges at people in carts and the people in the carts throw the oranges back at the people on foot. The result, say participants, is fruity fun, not to mention a lot of orange juice. And that's our look around the world.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: As more and more U.S. troops pour into the Persian Gulf region, one base is quickly taking on all the creature comforts of home. At least, for now, before their possible baptism of fire, many of the young men and women there say military life isn't so bad after all.

CNN's Juan Carlos Lopez reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JUAN CARLOS LOPEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Tents keep going up, but the Navy seems at work. True to their motto -- we build, we fight -- they're erecting Camp Patriot somewhere in the Arabian Peninsula. For Gulf War veterans like Antonio Barajas, they're doing a great job.

ANTONIO BARAJAS, YEOMAN FIRST CLASS, U.S. NAVY: Everything is better for us now than it was the last time around. The Navy has -- and the CVs have made such improvements in here. It's made it a lot easier for us to handle our jobs.

LOPEZ: Such improvements include a barbershop where New Yorker, Veronica Armijos, gets to talk with the troops, but she also has to report to her mom back home.

SEAMAN VERONICA ARMIJOS, U.S. NAVY: She's more worried about that -- for me to keep eating and stay healthy and keep forward and keep optimistic about everything.

LOPEZ: Those stationed here also have access to showers with running water, a post office, phones and an Internet cafe. CPL. MICHAEL SLATER, U.S. MARINES: I think it's real nice. It helps the morale of the troops, the Marines, Navy personnel. It keeps it a little bit more touch at home.

LOPEZ: This is home to members of all forces in the U.S. military, some in transit, others permanent.

Camp Patriot is run like a city, a very efficient one. It's the only camp in the region where food is served and prepared by military personnel.

(voice-over): Before it was prepared by local contractors. Many say the quality of the food is better now. The menu is better.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're having Cordon Bleu and polish sausage.

LOPEZ: But there are also options for those who prefer to eat out. Well, not really. But this food court is the place to get away from the sun. Sports fans also have their spot. The troops hope their relatives know that with amenities like these, they're doing OK.

ROBERT GOODSON, PETTY OFFICER, U.S. NAVY: I'd like them to know that we're safe and everything is well and nothing to fear, nothing to worry. We'll be all right. We'll be coming home soon.

LOPEZ: In the meantime, Camp Patriot takes the place of home, a slice of America in the Persian Gulf.

Juan Carlos Lopez, CNN, Arabian Peninsula.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: And don't forget time is running out for your turn to weigh in on our "Web Question of The Day." Should U.S. interrogators torture Khalid Shaikh Mohammed to find out what knows about al Qaeda plots against the United States? Log on to CNN.com/Wolf. That's where you can vote and we'll have the results immediately when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Here's how you're weighing in on our "Web Question of The Day." Remember, we've been asking you this question -- should U.S. interrogators torture Khalid Shaikh Mohammed to find out what he knows about al Qaeda plots against the United States. Look at this, 47 percent of you say yes, 53 percent of you so far say no. You can find the exact vote, continue to vote, by the way, on our website, CNN.com/Wolf. Remember, of course, this is not a scientific poll.

Let's get to some of your e-mail. We've been getting flooded with e-mail on this whole issue of torture. Ted writes this -- "The notion of torturing prisoners, even terrorists, is disgusting and nothing short of barbaric. We are sinking to the level of the people we hate if we resort to such horrific practices."

Dominic disagrees -- "While I'm not enthusiastic about using torture as a means to get information, the terrorists did not hold back in torturing the innocent people who died September 11, 2001. So as the saying goes, 'All is fair in love and war.'"

And this from Bruce -- "President Bush says he will prosecute Iraqis who kill innocent civilians during the upcoming war as war criminals. Who will prosecute George Bush as a war criminal when his bombs kill innocent civilians."

A lot of passionate e-mail. We're getting a lot more coming in all the time. Remember, go to CNN.com/Wolf. We'd love to hear from you as well.

And that's all the time unfortunately we have for today. I'd like to extend a special welcome to our viewers in Japan, who as of now, are watching us live. And to our viewers in Japan, please join me again tomorrow and every weekday morning at 7:00 a.m. Japan time. That, of course is 5:00 p.m. Eastern here in the United States.

Don't forget, "SHOWDOWN: IRAQ" noon Eastern. We have a special series we're unfolding this week all about military readiness for the war. That's tomorrow, noon Eastern, gearing up for the ground troops. Until then, thank very much for watching. I'm Wolf Blitzer in Washington.

"LOU DOBBS MONEYLINE" is up next.

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







Aired March 3, 2003 - 17:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: WOLF BLITZER REPORTS starts right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): Interrogation. He may have planned a string of deadly terror strikes. What can a captured al Qaeda leader reveal about the next attack?

Is the arrest already paying off? The hunt for al Qaeda suspects in this country.

Should the U.S. resort to torture? We'll hear from civil rights expert Alan Dershowitz. His answers may surprise you.

Showdown: Iraq. Warplanners scramble as Turkey shuts down a second front.

ARI FLEISCHER, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECY.: Whatever route is taken, the ultimate military mission will remain successful.

Iraq scraps more missiles. Is there a way out of war? I'll ask Senate intelligence chairman, Pat Roberts.

And somewhere in the desert, making the best of a desolate deployment.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're have a cordon bleu and Polish sausage.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: It's Monday, March 3, 2003. I'm Wolf Blitzer in Washington.

The rage which netted al Qaeda's operations boss, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed also yielded an intelligence windfall. U.S. authorities are racing against time to try to take advantage of the information they're turning up.

Let's begin our coverage with CNN national security correspondent, David Ensor -- David.

DAVID ENSOR, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, it is a windfall and it presents real opportunities, but, as you say, time is of the essence.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ENSOR (voice-over): Among the information seized at the house where the al Qaeda operations chief was captured, U.S. sources tell CNN, is a treasure trove on al Qaeda, including the names of suspected al Qaeda operatives, some of them believed to be in cities in the United States.

Sources say Washington, D.C. is among the cities, the information suggests, may contain al Qaeda personnel. U.S. officials have said they have evidence Khalid Shaikh Mohammed was trying recently to organize another attack against the United States.

U.S. intelligence officials are declining comment on the information gleaned during the raid, but other U.S. sources say FBI agents are speeding to try to track down the suspected operatives named in it, hoping to stop any imminent attack.

MICHAEL CHERTOFF, ASST. ATTORNEY GENERAL: We are obviously always mindful of the need to be vigilant and move as quickly as possible to frustrate anything that's ongoing in terms of potential terrorist threats.

ENSOR: Mohammed, meantime, is under intense interrogation at an undisclosed location by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency. Officials say all appropriate pressure will be used in an effort to stop any attacks the new prisoner may know of.

FLEISCHER: The standard for any type of interrogation of some body in American custody is to be humane and to follow all international laws and accords dealing with this type subject. That is precisely what has been happening and exactly what will happen.

ENSOR: Although the White House expressed warm gratitude to Pakistan's President Musharraf, some U.S. officials privately expressed dismay that Pakistani officials made news of the seizure public so quickly. U.S. officials would have liked more time to try to roll up al Qaeda cells before the word got to them that their operations chief was an in enemy hands.

PETER BERGER, TERRORISM ANALYST: It's quite possible that people may panic and try and push something forward because they're worried he may talk. Most of the al Qaeda leadership have eventually talked. The question is really time. You know, time is of the essence.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ENSOR: Time is of the essence and U.S. officials express confidence that Khalid Shaikh Mohammed can eventually be convinced to cooperate with his interrogators. But they're in a hurry -- Wolf.

BLITZER: With good reason. David Ensor, thanks very much for that report.

Several times during that last few months, authorities in Pakistan thought they had Khalid Shaikh Mohammed cornered but he managed to slip away. CNN Islamabad bureau chief, Ash-har Quraishi, has a timeline on the arrest and previous attempts to nab the suspected al Qaeda leader.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ASH-HAR QURAISHI, CNN ISLAMABAD BUREAU CHIEF (voice-over): September 11, 2002. Pakistani police thought they were going capture Khalid Shaikh Mohammed in the southern port city of Karachi. The early morning raid turns into a fire fight, when police enter the apartment complex and Khalid Shaikh Mohammed gets away.

When the shooting stops, security forces have captured another key al Qaeda operative, Ramsi Binalshibh. Investigators follow intelligence leads to Quetta, in the southwestern province of Balochistan.

In a raid on February 14, authorities capture an al Qaeda operative reported to be an Egyptian. Khalid Shaikh Mohammed slips through the dragnet again.

Using information gathered from the operative nabbed in Quetta, authorities track Khalid Shaikh Mohammed to Rawalpindi, just nine miles from Pakistan's capital. He is, authorities soon learn, staying in the home of Ahmed Abdul Qadoo, a member of Pakistan's largest religious political party, Jamaat-e-Islami.

At 3:00 a.m. Saturday, in a jointly planned operation, more than two dozen American and Pakistani security agents surround Qadoo's house. Agents enter the home, herding the women and children into a small room.

QUDISA, AHMED ABDUL QADOO'S SISTER: They banged open the doors, broke the locks and they pushed my husband, my sister-in-law and the kids into a room and they had a rifle held to their head. And we're told to sit quietly. And my brother, he went out. And they took him away.

QURAISI: Khalid Shaikh Mohammed is surprised while still in bed. Knowledgeable law enforcement sources tell CNN he pulls out a Kalashnikov rifle and opens fire, injuring several agents.

Finally overpowering their man, the security forces take Mohammed into custody, along with Qadoos and another suspected al Qaeda operative, described as a Somali.

SHEIKH BASHID AHMED, PAKISTANI INFO MINISTER: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) are looking for him after long time, but he always escape and today, in the early morning, he had been arrested.

QURAISI (on camera): According to senior U.S. intelligence officials and highly placed Pakistani sources, Mohammed was handed ever to U.S. officials within hours of the raid and then transported out of the country. Despite conflicting public statements by the Pakistani administration, CNN sources in Washington and Islamabad insist that Khalid Shaikh Mohammed is no longer in Pakistan.

Ah-har Quraisi, CNN, Islamabad, Pakistan.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: And here's your chance to weigh in on this story. Our "Web Question of the Day" is this: "Should U.S. interrogators torture Khalid Shaikh Mohammed to find out what he knows about al Qaeda plots against the Untied States?" We'll have the results later in this broadcast. Vote at cnn.com/wolf.

And coming up at the half hour, we'll hear from both sides of that debate. Harvard Law professor Alan Dershowitz and Ken Roth of Human Rights Watch will join me live.

Turning now to the showdown with Iraq, the buildup continues. But the Turkish parliament's weekend refusal to let U.S. troops deploy for a possible attack is forcing military strategists to fall back to Plan B.

Let's go live to our senior Pentagon correspondent, Jamie McIntyre -- Jamie.

JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN SR. PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, the U.S. Military needed an answer from the Turkish parliament, really, about a week or two ago. They're still holding out some hope, but meanwhile, the U.S. military is moving ahead with other plans.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MCINTYRE (voice-over): U.S. B-52 bombers, which will fire air launch cruise missiles on the opening night of the war, have begun arriving in England, while in Texas the army's 17,000 strong first cavalry division got its orders to ship out.

It's evidence that while more than 20 U.S. transport ships cool their rudders in the Mediterranean, waiting to see if Turkey will have a change of heart, the Pentagon is moving ahead with Plan B -- to invade Iraq with or without Turkish support.

FLEISCHER: If the president of the United States makes the determination that force must be used to disarm Saddam Hussein, whatever route is taken, ultimate military mission will successful.

MCINTYRE: Sources say the Pentagon decided weeks ago to send, not just part, but the entire 101st airborne division to Kuwait, as a backup, so the U.S. would not have to wait for the heavier fourth infantry division to either get into Turkey or move to Kuwait.

BRIG. GEN. DAVID GRANGE, CNN MILITARY ANALYST (RET.): The U.S. will go in with other means, lighter forces to take down the targets in northern Iraq. Probably more paratrooper, air assault with helicopter techniques.

MCINTYRE: Under that option, the U.S. will rely more on seizing forward bases in Iraq, such as this old Iraqi air base near the Turkish border, and would not be able to move as many forces as quickly into the north.

GRANGE: There may be more risk involved, it may involve more casualties and it will probably take longer.

MCINTYRE: Right now, the Turkish parliament is saying no to an all in one package deal. But sources say the U.S. may press for Turkey to allow more modest, less provocative steps, such as basing of search and rescue crews, and granting of overflight rights.

Currently, Plan A is for two U.S. carriers in the eastern Mediterranean to fly into northern Iraq by way of Turkey. But Plan B is to move the carriers south to the Red Sea, so they can overfly Saudi Arabia, as was done in the 1991 Persian Gulf War.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MCINTYRE: And sources say a sixth carrier, the "USS Nimitz," which is not due to arrive in the region until early April, could be added to the war plan to make up for land-based plans that were to be sent to Turkey -- Wolf.

Jamie McIntyre, thanks very much. Jamie McIntyre at the Pentagon.

With Turkey getting cold feet about a U.S.-led invasion of Iraq and with Baghdad itself seemingly cooperating with the U.S. by destroying more of its Al Samoud 2 missiles, has the Bush administration suffered a double setback to its Iraq strategy?

Let's go live to our senior white house correspondent, John King -- John.

JOHN KING, CNN SR. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, officials here concede that point. This is a setback, they say, both the Turkey decision and, at least temporarily, Iraq's -- what apparent cooperation, as Iraq would call it, with the weapons inspectors.

Jamie covered the military perspective. From a political perspective, the administration hoped to open this week with those troops going ashore in Turkey to make the case that the United Nations that there was broad international support, growing international support for the president's position that war might be necessary to fully disarm Saddam Hussein. Now that Iraq is destroying some of those Al Samoud 2 missiles, U.S. officials say a significant diplomatic challenge of the United Nations trying to win support for that new resolution, the administration wants a vote one week from today.

The administration's message now is you have -- to all members of the Security Council, we have been down this road before. Saddam Hussein is only cooperating a little bit because he's under pressure. The message from the White House, Don't be fooled.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

FLEISCHER: It is not real disarmament. There is one standard of disarmament: full, complete and immediate. The United Nations resolutions did not call for a little piece of disarmament. It didn't say 10 percent disarmament, four months after we call on you do it immediately. None of that was in 1441. And the only reason this is even happening today, in the small degree that it has indeed happened, is because he is under great pressure from President Bush, the United States and the coalition of the willing.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: In the days leading up to the Security Council debate on that new resolution, look for the administration over and over again to ask this question publicly: Where is the VX? Where is the Sarin gas? Where are the more than 20,000 munitions Iraq has that are known to be capable of delivering chemical and biological weapons?

The administration has made this argument before, but it will make it in all the more intense ways in dates ahead, hoping to pull up the votes necessary to win in the Security Council, but senior officials also saying that if the president cannot carry the day in the Security Council, cannot get that resolution approved, in the words of one senior official -- quote -- "nothing will prevent the president from carrying on" -- Wolf.

BLITZER: John, a quick question. We heard Ari Fleischer at the briefing today try to clarify what the administration's position is on regime change in the face of some serious criticism over the past few days that they were flip-flopping on this issue.

What precisely is the White House stance as far as regime change in Baghdad is concerned?

KING: The administration's position is that Saddam Hussein must go. When you say that publicly from the White House podium it gives ammunition to France and others at the Security Council who say all the United Nations has endorsed is disarmament. So the administration backing off of it a bit publicly about but, make no mistake about it, they say the only goal here is full and complete disarmament. But this White House they say they know Saddam Hussein is not capable of doing that so the regime must go.

BLITZER: John King at the White House. Thanks, John, very much.

Let's look at other developments in the showdown with Iraq. While it is now on hold, the U.S.-Turkey agreement would reportedly let Turkish troops deploy into Kurdish areas of Northern Iraq. Tens of thousands of Kurds took to the streets of Rabil today in protest fearing Turkey would take away their freedoms. Gun merchants report Kurds are buying weapons and local officials warned of clashes if -- if the Turks move in.

Gulf Arab foreign ministers today failed to endorse a measure calling for Saddam Hussein to step down. The idea was raised at a meeting with the Gulf Cooperation Council in Qatar. While several member states favor the proposal, the group said it would need broader backing in the Arab world.

The USS Nimitz has left California for the Persian Gulf region where for a short time, at least, it will bring to six, that's six the number of U.S. aircraft carriers within striking the distance of Iraq. The Nimitz and it's battle group will eventually replace the USS Abraham Lincoln.

Saying he opposes any U.N. resolution that would allow the force against Iraq, the French president, Jacques Chirac, today insisted weapons inspectors -- inspections are producing results and need more time. But he also said Iraq must be pressured to cooperate fully. President Chirac spoke in Algeria, the first visit by a French leader since that nation gained independence from France in 1962.

As his government destroyed several more missiles today, the Iraqi President Saddam Hussein met with his military commanders.

CNN's Senior international correspondent Nic Robertson is reporting now from Baghdad.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice- over): Sporting a Fedora and looking relaxed, President Saddam Hussein arrived for a meeting with top officials. Amidst the sumptuous splendor of the meeting, an unwritten message for the Iraqi audience. Support for the leader, from ministers just returned from the Arab Summit, where there were calls for him to step down. To the North of Baghdad, outside the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) barracks where six more of Iraq's Al Samoud II missiles were being destroyed, plenty of activity but no pictures of destruction.

GEN. AMER AL-SA'ADI, HUSSEIN SCIENTIFIC ADVISER: They're legitimate weapons that we -- that are not prescribed. That's why it hurts.

ROBERTSON: A warning also should the U.S. Move towards war.

AL-SA'ADI: If it turns out at an early stage during this month that America is not going the legal way, then why should we continue?

ROBERTSON: In a Baghdad church efforts for peace, however, continue. A delegation of African-American religious leaders, the first such group to come to Baghdad, hopeful their heritage can bring understanding and peace.

REV. HERBERT DAUGHTRY, LORDS PENTECOSTAL CHURCH NEW YORK: Once you start a war, it is going to leap the oceans, it is going to leap the mountains and god knows where it will end. So this is why we appeal with all the emphasis we can command to the leaders of the world, avert war.

ROBERTSON (on camera): An appeal that may already be too late. Iraqi commanders talk of training for urban warfare. And Coalition aircraft are increasing their sorties and targeting in the Northern and Southern no-fly zones.

Nic Robertson, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Should the White House move forward on war plans with or without world support?

I'll ask the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Pat Roberts, when we come back.

Plus, it is against international and U.S. law but should the U.S. torture terror suspects to get information?

We'll have a debate, an important debate. That's coming up.

And did this anti-abortion activist turn into a home grown terrorist?

The man accused of gunning down a doctor faces justice. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Movement toward a possible war against Iraq and progress in the war on terrorism are top two stories.

Joining us now to discuss those subjects, someone privy to the nation's top secrets, the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Pat Roberts of Kansas.

Senator Roberts, thanks. Welcome to -- thank you very much. As far as you can tell us, you've been attending briefings, is Khalid Shaikh Mohammed already talking?

SEN. PAT ROBERTS (R-KS), CHAIRMAN, SENATE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE: I don't know if he's talking or not, but he probably will. And this is the biggest step we have taken on the war on terrorism in terms of the top ten. It is a real credit to the Pakistanis and to President Musharraf, a joint effort that this was a Pakistani takedown. We were just there a week ago, trying to underscore that our resolve, we will be there for the Pakistanis. They in turn promised they would continue the war on terrorism. This is a little bolder approach more aggressive, and it worked.

BLITZER: How you to know he will be talking if he isn't yet?

ROBERTS: I think we'll get the reports from the Intelligence Committee once we ask the agency. But that kind of thing goes on and on. And basically they try to keep that under wraps as much as possible.

BLITZER: How important is it that he talks right now because there is a time sensitivity to his information in order to, a, find other al Qaeda terrorists through the and, b, prevent certain operations, plots that may be in the works.

ROBERTS: That's absolutely important because the al Qaeda is in a state of despair. Most of the chatter that we hear today is all about this particular incident as opposed to planning attacks. So if you take the mastermind, you take the brain, that's what they call him, of 9/11 and future attacks and the USS Cole, take him out of commission, take a look at the documents, try to interrogate him quickly, hopefully you can prevent any terrorist attacks, it's is important.

BLITZER: Where do you stand on the whole issue of torture, someone who may be a ticking time bomb, may have information, but you to squeeze it out in some way and maybe torture is the only way.

ROBERTS: No, I don't think torture is the answer. I think obviously when we have somebody in custody, we adhere to the Geneva rules of convention or the -- or the convention rules. I don't think it is necessary. I think we have means, psychologically, that can get roughly the same kind of answers.

BLITZER: What about the whole showdown with Iraq right now?

How close, in your opinion, based on what you know and you obviously know a lot is the U.S. to war?

ROBERTS: About mid-March. If we can solve the Turkey thing it might come -- it might come a little more quickly. I hope that happens, but as you've already reported there are other contingency plans, we asked that about a week ago. It is not our preferred plan, but we can conduct a war and we be successful.

BLITZER: Mid-March is not far away, a week, ten days from now that could be mid-March.

ROBERTS: That's exactly right.

BLITZER: So you have no doubt this is going down?

ROBERTS: Well, there is always the last-minute chance. Whether he goes to exile or he disarms, I would say that's between slim and none and probably slim left town.

BLITZER: So if Turkey is not included though, everybody seems to suggest, including Senator Rockefeller yesterday of West Virginia, a member of your committee, the vice chairman, who said with Turkey in the equation it is a month-long war. Without Turkey, probably a two- month war.

ROBERTS: Well, let's don't say two months to put a time frame on it. We do have, as you indicated, a lot of carriers there. We do have air left, we do have -- I don't want to get into specifics in terms of the battle plan.

Yes, it is more difficult. If it goes right in terms of this war, it is weeks. If it goes wrong, it is probably several months.

BLITZER: And the notion of Saddam Hussein using, actually using chemical or biological warfare against U.S. troops moving in?

ROBERTS; We expect that.

BLITZER: You do expect that and...

ROBERTS: We do expect that and we're ready. BLITZER: But that -- presumably if they're all coming in from one area, Kuwait, that makes a -- potentially a lot of sitting ducks out there.

ROBERTS: We're not going to come in from just from one area. I can assure you of that.

BLITZER: So there are other plans.

ROBERTS: You bet.

BLITZER: Senator Roberts, thanks, as usual, for joining us. We always like having you on the show.

ROBERTS: Thank you. Appreciate it.

BLITZER: Appreciate it very much.

Democrats and Iraq. Is there an opposition party left in the United States?

And debating torture. Is it a valid way to retrieve information from terrorism suspects?

Plus, a look at the trial of the anti-abortion activist accused of killing Dr. Bernard Slepian. You're watching CNN, the most trusted name is news.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Around the world President Bush is running into a lot of opposition to his threat to use force to topple Saddam Hussein. But except for a few outspoken voices of dissent on Capitol Hill, protests from Democrats seem to be a little bit more than a whimper. Senior Political Correspondent Candy Crowley looks at what is going on.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CANDY CROWLEY, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): You can find it alongside a highway in New Mexico, beside the snow- covered sidewalks of Iowa, inside the Democratic Party.

HOWARD DEAN (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: What I want to know is why in the world the Democratic Party leadership is supporting the president's unilateral attack on Iraq?

CROWLEY: Anti-war sentiment in the Democratic Party has brought a bright light to a dark horse on the '04 campaign trail. It is the topic in Iowa and New Hampshire, forcing tough times for pro-war contenders.

SEN. JOSEPH LIEBERMAN (D-CT), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Let's disagree respectfully.

CROWLEY: And tough questions for candidates who are pro-war with exceptions.

SEN, JOHN KERRY (D-MA) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I don't want to be perceived, and I don't want us to be perceived, as not caring about how we're going to make America safe.

CROWLEY: In contrast to the campaign trail, the hallowed halls of Congress are largely silent. Since January, only five House Democrats have used their free floor time to oppose the war.

REP. SHEILA JACKSON LEE (D), TEXAS: It is imperative for this Congress to stand up and be heard and be counted.

CROWLEY: Late last year, before anti-war sentiment blossomed in the streets, Congress was heard and counted. Well over half the Democrats on Capitol Hill voted for a resolution of war against Iraq.

At the grassroots level, a late February poll on the use of U.S. ground troops in Iraq found that most Democrats, 52 percent, are opposed. Yet 44 percent of Democrats support the use of ground troops. It is enough to muddle the party's stance and frustrate anti- war lawmakers.

SEN. ROBERT BYRD (D), WEST VIRGINIA: We stand passively mute in the United States Senate today, paralyzed by our own uncertainty, seemingly stunned by the sheer turmoil of events.

CROWLEY (on camera): Politically there is no percentage in Democrats opposing a war likely to be over before the primaries begin. Instead most Democrats are now focused on phase two, with stinging criticisms that the Bush administration is ill prepared to deal with post-Saddam Iraq.

Candy Crowley, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Torture techniques. Should they ever be used to get information out of terrorism suspects? We'll have a debate, Dershowitz vs. Roth. That's coming up.

But first, in case you were out enjoying your days off, here's "Our Weekend Snapshot."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(AUDIO GAP)

BLITZER (voice-over): ... near the State Department. Members of the Interfaith Coalition urged President Bush to end what they called his rhetoric on war with Iraq.

Wrong move. A U.S. Airways flight was diverted to Charlotte, North Carolina after a passenger tried to open an emergency exit. The FBI says Richard Perez was overpowered by a Federal Air Marshal and three off duty New York police officers. Perez was charged with interfering with a flight crew. He could be sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Bad move. Relatives of victims of the Chicago nightclub stampede say they're angry over the release of a videotape of the tragedy. The father of a son among the 21 people killed says it's like a recurrence of the incident. Footage from the E2 Club's internal surveillance system was shown on television on Friday after a judge released the tape over the objections of lawyers for the city.

Missing parts. Officials in Philadelphia have identified a body whose vital organs had been cut out. The body of a 60-year-old man was found in an abandoned house. Police say they don't know if the man was murdered or if his body was mutilated after he died of natural causes or a drug overdose.

No Tiger in Dubai. Tiger Woods has pulled out of the Dubai Desert Classic in the United Arab Emirates. With the possibility of a U.S. invasion of Iraq, Woods says he doesn't think it is safe to be in that part of the world at this time.

Is Oscar next? "Chicago" wins again picking up its second major film industry award in two days. The hit musical was named the best picture of the year by the Producers Guild of America last night. The night before the Directors Guilt of America selected Rob Marshall as director of the year.

And that's our look at "Our Weekend Snapshot."

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back to CNN. I'm Wolf Blitzer.

Coming up, human rights versus a need to know. Should the U.S. torture a terror suspect when lives are at stake, even though it's illegal under international standards? That debate coming up.

(NEWS ALERT)

BLITZER: Of course, we want to know what you think as well. Our "Web Question of The Day" is this: "Should U.S. interrogators torture Khalid Shaikh Mohammed to find out what he knows about al Qaeda plots against the U.S.?" Vote at CNN.com/Wolf. Go there now. We'll have the results later this hour.

Homegrown terrorists or misunderstood activist, the man accused of gunning down a doctor over abortion heads to court. We'll have that and more when we return. You're watching CNN, the most trusted name in news.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: In Buffalo, New York, jury selection has begun for the murder trial of a man accused in the 1998 shooting of a doctor who performed abortions. James Kopp was a fugitive for more than two years before being caught overseas. CNN's Jamie Colby reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JAMIE COLBY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): James Kopp was a man on the run, to Mexico, the United Kingdom and eventually France after the sniper slaying of Dr. Barnett Slepian in 1998. Slepian was a popular obstetrician and gynecologist who sometimes performed abortions at a Buffalo clinic. His wife and four sons were home when a .30 caliber bullet fired from a rifle in the woods behind the house pierced a window and then Slepian's back. A Nashville, Tennessee, pawnshop had sold the rife to a man matching Kopp's description. The FBI says his DNA matched hair fibers on a hat buried with the weapon.

FRANK CLARK, ERIE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY: The warrant for Kopp's arrest has issued from a local criminal court.

COLBY: Placed on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted list in 1999, Kopp remained on the lam for two years. The FBI caught Kopp in France after tracking e-mails of two friends sending him money from the U.S.

DENISE O'DONNELL, FORMER U.S. ATTORNEY: I am gratified today that the French police have made an arrest of James Charles Kopp.

COLBY: Kopp was extradited to New York last year after the U.S. promised France he would not face the death penalty. Kopp says he is innocent of any crime, though the "Buffalo News" says he told them in a jailhouse interview he targeted Slepian to stop him from performing abortions. Saying in the article -- quote -- "The truth is not that I regret shooting Dr. Slepian. I regret that he died." Buffalo has been the site of anti-abortion protests for years and Kopp has his supporters.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Someone had to stop Barnett Slepian from killing any more babies.

COLBY: Jurors are filling out questionnaires, gauging their views on abortion and their knowledge of the highly publicized case.

(on camera): Jury selection is expected to take two weeks. The trial, a month. If Kopp is convicted, he'll face 25 years to life in prison.

Jamie Colby, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Home away from home. All the luxuries of the U.S. located in the Persian Gulf. A tour inside Camp Patriot, but first, a look at some other news making headlines around the world.

Taking it to the top. Israeli troops stormed a Palestinian refugee camp in Gaza. At the time Israeli started targeting the top leadership of the militant Hamas organization, troops arrested a co- founder and destroyed his house. Eight Palestinians including a pregnant woman were killed. Eyes on Ireland. Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair and Ireland's Prime Minister Bertie Ahern met in Belfast in hopes of reviving Northern Ireland's coalition government. Protestants have withdrawn from the government citing doubts that Catholics are committed to peace.

Swiss Navy? For the first time ever, a European team has won the Americas Cup. Landlocked, Switzerland won the best of nine yachting series with five consecutive victories against the defending champion, New Zealand.

Rio bravo. Seventy thousand spectators packed the stadium as Rio de Janeiro celebrated carnival. Glitter dusted women just barely in compliance with a no nudity rule danced the samba, accompanied by thundering drumbeats and loud cheers.

Orange you enjoying this? The battle of the oranges is an annual tradition in Italy. People on foot throw oranges at people in carts and the people in the carts throw the oranges back at the people on foot. The result, say participants, is fruity fun, not to mention a lot of orange juice. And that's our look around the world.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: As more and more U.S. troops pour into the Persian Gulf region, one base is quickly taking on all the creature comforts of home. At least, for now, before their possible baptism of fire, many of the young men and women there say military life isn't so bad after all.

CNN's Juan Carlos Lopez reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JUAN CARLOS LOPEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Tents keep going up, but the Navy seems at work. True to their motto -- we build, we fight -- they're erecting Camp Patriot somewhere in the Arabian Peninsula. For Gulf War veterans like Antonio Barajas, they're doing a great job.

ANTONIO BARAJAS, YEOMAN FIRST CLASS, U.S. NAVY: Everything is better for us now than it was the last time around. The Navy has -- and the CVs have made such improvements in here. It's made it a lot easier for us to handle our jobs.

LOPEZ: Such improvements include a barbershop where New Yorker, Veronica Armijos, gets to talk with the troops, but she also has to report to her mom back home.

SEAMAN VERONICA ARMIJOS, U.S. NAVY: She's more worried about that -- for me to keep eating and stay healthy and keep forward and keep optimistic about everything.

LOPEZ: Those stationed here also have access to showers with running water, a post office, phones and an Internet cafe. CPL. MICHAEL SLATER, U.S. MARINES: I think it's real nice. It helps the morale of the troops, the Marines, Navy personnel. It keeps it a little bit more touch at home.

LOPEZ: This is home to members of all forces in the U.S. military, some in transit, others permanent.

Camp Patriot is run like a city, a very efficient one. It's the only camp in the region where food is served and prepared by military personnel.

(voice-over): Before it was prepared by local contractors. Many say the quality of the food is better now. The menu is better.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're having Cordon Bleu and polish sausage.

LOPEZ: But there are also options for those who prefer to eat out. Well, not really. But this food court is the place to get away from the sun. Sports fans also have their spot. The troops hope their relatives know that with amenities like these, they're doing OK.

ROBERT GOODSON, PETTY OFFICER, U.S. NAVY: I'd like them to know that we're safe and everything is well and nothing to fear, nothing to worry. We'll be all right. We'll be coming home soon.

LOPEZ: In the meantime, Camp Patriot takes the place of home, a slice of America in the Persian Gulf.

Juan Carlos Lopez, CNN, Arabian Peninsula.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: And don't forget time is running out for your turn to weigh in on our "Web Question of The Day." Should U.S. interrogators torture Khalid Shaikh Mohammed to find out what knows about al Qaeda plots against the United States? Log on to CNN.com/Wolf. That's where you can vote and we'll have the results immediately when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Here's how you're weighing in on our "Web Question of The Day." Remember, we've been asking you this question -- should U.S. interrogators torture Khalid Shaikh Mohammed to find out what he knows about al Qaeda plots against the United States. Look at this, 47 percent of you say yes, 53 percent of you so far say no. You can find the exact vote, continue to vote, by the way, on our website, CNN.com/Wolf. Remember, of course, this is not a scientific poll.

Let's get to some of your e-mail. We've been getting flooded with e-mail on this whole issue of torture. Ted writes this -- "The notion of torturing prisoners, even terrorists, is disgusting and nothing short of barbaric. We are sinking to the level of the people we hate if we resort to such horrific practices."

Dominic disagrees -- "While I'm not enthusiastic about using torture as a means to get information, the terrorists did not hold back in torturing the innocent people who died September 11, 2001. So as the saying goes, 'All is fair in love and war.'"

And this from Bruce -- "President Bush says he will prosecute Iraqis who kill innocent civilians during the upcoming war as war criminals. Who will prosecute George Bush as a war criminal when his bombs kill innocent civilians."

A lot of passionate e-mail. We're getting a lot more coming in all the time. Remember, go to CNN.com/Wolf. We'd love to hear from you as well.

And that's all the time unfortunately we have for today. I'd like to extend a special welcome to our viewers in Japan, who as of now, are watching us live. And to our viewers in Japan, please join me again tomorrow and every weekday morning at 7:00 a.m. Japan time. That, of course is 5:00 p.m. Eastern here in the United States.

Don't forget, "SHOWDOWN: IRAQ" noon Eastern. We have a special series we're unfolding this week all about military readiness for the war. That's tomorrow, noon Eastern, gearing up for the ground troops. Until then, thank very much for watching. I'm Wolf Blitzer in Washington.

"LOU DOBBS MONEYLINE" is up next.

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