CNN.com - Transcripts

Transcript Providers

Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Wolf Blitzer Reports

Buffett to Advise Schwarzenegger; Interview With Christopher Christie; Liberian Looters on Rampage

Aired August 13, 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: Saddam Hussein, is he reaching out again, this time not using his name?
And, Arnold Schwarzenegger's big surprise, how billionaire Warren Buffett is boosting his chances.

WOLF BLITZER REPORTS starts right now.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): The shoulder-fired missile threat and now the suspect's apparent motive.

CHRISTOPHER CHRISTIE, U.S. ATTY., DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY: ...referred to Americans as bastards.

BLITZER: I'll speak live with the U.S. attorney for New Jersey.

A flying target, how much of a threat these weapons pose to commercial airliners, and a dramatic step by British Airways to counter security lapses.

A Baghdad neighborhood rebels, what provoked a rage of thousands against U.S. forces?

And, Liberian looters on the rampage, are the peacekeepers too late?

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: It's Wednesday, August 13, 2003. Hello from New York, I'm Wolf Blitzer reporting.

Prosecutors say he called Osama bin Laden a hero, referred to Americans as bastards, and praised the September 11 attacks. The British man charged with smuggling a surface-to-air missile into the United States for a terror attack appeared in court today.

CNN's Jeanne Meserve has the latest on the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRISTIE: This morning the terrorist who threatened America lost an ally in their quest to kill our citizens. JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Hemant Lakhani was charged in a Newark, New Jersey courtroom with attempting to provide material support to terrorists by allegedly selling a shoulder-fired missile.

Prosecutors say Lakhani, described as a significant international arms dealer, offered the missile to an FBI informant who posed as a representative of a Somali group wanting to shoot down a U.S. commercial airliner.

Government sources say U.S. law enforcement educated the informant about missiles and arms dealing to bolster his credibility. According to court documents, over a year and a half more than 150 of his conversations with Lakhani were recorded on audio and video tape.

According to court documents, Lakhani says at one point the buyer wanted the missiles for the anniversary, presumed to be a reference to 9/11. Lakhani is described as willing, even eager to close the deal.

CHRISTIE: He, on many occasions in recorded conversations, referred to Americans as bastards, Osama bin Laden as a hero who had done something right and set the Americans straight.

MESERVE: Government sources say the U.S. paid for the dummy SA- 18 shoulder-fired missile, which Russian undercover agents provided to Lakhani. Lakhani wanted to broker the sale of 50 more and asked the Russians about obtaining multi-ton quantities of C4 plastic explosives as well, according to court documents. Two other men have been charged in connection with the money side of the transaction. Law enforcement hopes these arrests will lead to others.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And we're always looking to develop further information, continue on with the case. A case like this, a major transaction, law enforcement will analyze ever aspect of it.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MESERVE: Lakhani's lawyers have had no comment. Law enforcement is calling this an important case because of the international cooperation that helped crack it and the danger of the weapon involved but experts caution there are a lot more shoulder-fired missiles, arms dealers, and potential buyers out there -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Jeanne Meserve in Washington, thanks very much.

Christopher Christie is the United States attorney for New Jersey. He's joining me now here in New York to talk about the case. Thanks very much, Mr. Christie, for joining us. Is there any evidence that Hemant Lakhani was involved with al Qaeda in the past?

CHRISTIE: No, Wolf. There's no direct evidence that Mr. Lakhani had any direct ties to al Qaeda but I'd like to caution that the investigation is continuing and we're continuing to work on this and other aspects of the case.

BLITZER: There's a report in "Newsweek" suggesting that there may have been a premature leak of all of this sting operation in London causing you guys to go ahead and arrest him, although some officials at the Justice Department supposedly had hoped you could have turned Lakhani and made him a witness and, in fact, get him to work for the U.S. What do you make of that story?

CHRISTIE: I don't make much of it. I think everything went according to the plan that we had been laying out over a long period of time. This investigation has gone on for 18 months and yesterday we executed the plan in almost exactly the way we laid it out.

BLITZER: So, where do you go from here? What kind of charges, what kind of prison sentence or worse is Mr. Lakhani expecting?

CHRISTIE: Well, Mr. Lakhani is facing up to a maximum of 25 years in jail and $1.25 million in fines so he's facing significant penalties in light of the charges that we filed against him today and where we go from here is to continue to work hard every day the way we've done over the last 18 months to try to make sure that we stop any of this activity from harming American citizens. That's our mission.

BLITZER: Based on what you know right now, and you obviously know a great deal, how vulnerable are U.S. commercial aircraft to these kinds of portable surface-to-air missiles?

CHRISTIE: You know, Wolf, I'm not an aviation expert so I can't really speak to that. What I can tell you is that law enforcement is aware of this kind of threat as well as all the other kind of threats that we face in this country right now.

The president has said we're in an ongoing war on terrorism. He's right and today is a battle that has been won in that war but it doesn't mean the war is over. The war continues and we're going to get right back to work tomorrow morning.

BLITZER: This was a sting operation. There were these so-called money men involved. You heard Jeanne Meserve talk about them. You know their alleged roles in this as well. What exactly did they allegedly do and what kind of charges are they facing?

CHRISTIE: Well, they're both facing charges regarding conspiracy and illegal money remitting and what they did, the role they played, Mr. Abraham, as alleged in the criminal complaint was the person who accepted the first $30,000 deposit on the missile that was brought into the country yesterday and he then took care of making sure that money got to where Mr. Lakhani wanted it to get overseas.

Mr. Hameed who was also -- filed a criminal complaint against him today, he was the person who was to receive, along with Mr. Abraham, the $500,000 deposit that they were expecting on the order for the next 50 of these IGLA shoulder-launched missiles and that was their role. But, as I said before, the investigation is continuing and I'm confident that we'll develop more out of this.

BLITZER: And, one final question on that "Newsweek" story, is there any evidence as far as you can tell, and obviously you're on top of this more than anyone else, that leaks to the news media whether in Britain or here in the United States compromised your investigation?

CHRISTIE: Absolutely not.

BLITZER: Christopher Christie, thanks very much for joining us.

CHRISTIE: It's been a pleasure to be with you. Thank you.

BLITZER: Thank you very much.

There's other important news unfolding right now as well. No, no, no to America. That cry went out on the streets of Baghdad earlier today. A protest drew thousands of angry people who say American troops defiled a religious school and there's word of another letter, purportedly written by Saddam Hussein.

CNN's Rym Brahimi is joining us now live from Baghdad with more -- Rym.

RYM BRAHIMI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, well very interesting that those protests and people went out, 2,000, 3,000 people in this neighborhood previously known as Saddam City and what's interesting is that basically takes the challenge with regard to U.S. forces or U.S. presence here outside of the so-called Sunni Triangle.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRAHIMI (voice-over): It began with a black flag at the top of a communications tower right in the heart of what was previously known as Saddam City, one of Baghdad's Shia neighborhoods the flag, a symbol for Muslim Shias of their loyalty to their faith.

These pictures shot by an amateur cameraman show a U.S. military helicopter hovering over the tower and what eyewitnesses say is a U.S. soldier trying to remove the flag. Later, the helicopter moved away. The flag was still flying. A couple of people were then seen at the top of the tower, apparently waving their fists at the aircraft.

In the street below the scene seemed to have triggered major agitation. Some climbed up the tower to add more flags, green and red, also typical of Shia Muslims loyalty to their faith and an Iraqi flag. The suburb where the incident happened is heavily populated, home to more than one-fifth of Baghdad's population. It's now known as (unintelligible) city.

Events got out of control as scene on the videotape which shows angry crowds throwing objects at U.S. soldiers passing by in vehicles. In gunfire that followed, U.S. officials say one Iraqi died and four were wounded.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRAHIMI: Now, what's interesting here, Wolf, is also what U.S. reaction there has been. On the one hand, a U.S. commander immediately wrote a letter to a cleric from that area apologizing for the incident. He doesn't go into details but he does apologize and offers to provide medical treatment for those people that have been wounded. He also offers to reduce the number of patrols by helicopter and by foot by U.S. troops there.

But when we spoke to U.S. officials here, Wolf, well they didn't actually respond to the question what was that soldier doing with the flag from the helicopter? There's been no answer to that whatsoever. The only answer we've had until now is U.S. military officials saying the helicopter was just hovering above that area and the flag was blown down basically by the wind created by the helicopter blades -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Rym, what about this letter purportedly written by Saddam Hussein released over there. I guess Al-Jazeera released it. What do we know about this?

BRAHIMI: Well, all we know is that it's a letter that Al-Jazeera says came in the form of a reply to questions asked by a reporter by Al-Jazeera in written form so basically this person would have written a letter with questions to the former Iraqi president and the reply came.

Al-Jazeera says it was in Saddam Hussein's handwriting, although it's not clear how they would be able to -- how anyone would be able to confirm that at this stage but what's interesting is that the former Iraqi president makes two points.

On the one hand he praises a Shia Muslim cleric, Ayatollah Sistani for his stand with regard to the Americans. He says that he does well or his position is appreciated that he's not collaborating with U.S. occupation forces but he also calls on a jihad or a holy war as he sees it saying that it will unify the country -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Rym Brahimi in Baghdad thanks very much.

The search for Saddam Hussein clearly will continue.

For American troops in Iraq the death toll from hostile actions seems to be climbing every day. A soldier with the U.S. Army's 4th Infantry Division was killed and another wounded today when their armored personnel carrier hit a roadside bomb. The incident happened on a road just north of Baghdad. Sixty American troops have been killed by hostile action since President Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1st.

Some U.S. military families and veterans are stepping up their pledge to get U.S. troops out of Iraq. The group, Military Families Speak Out, launched a new national campaign today in Washington. It's called Bring Them Home Now.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NANCY LESSIN, MILITARY FAMILIES SPEAK OUT: George Bush said "Bring 'em on." We say "Bring Them Home Now." Bring them home because our troops should not have been in Iraq in the first place. Bring them home because there was no imminent danger to the United States. Bring them home because there was no weapons of mass destruction. Bring them home because there was no link between al Qaeda and Saddam Hussein.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Unclear how many families this group does represent in this continuing debate here in the United States.

Group leaders say the operation in Iraq does suffer from a lack of planning, lack of support and inadequate protection for Americans. U.S. military planners, of course, deny all of that.

U.S. forces continue to monitor what's happening in Liberia, looting and pillaging in the streets of Monrovia, that's coming up, as U.S. Marines possibly prepare to move in. We'll go live to the Pentagon and to Monrovia.

Plus, son of bin Laden is he trying to take his father's place? We'll take a much closer look at the terror family tree.

And, get this, a marriage made in the heavens, I'll speak with a woman who tied the knot with a Russian cosmonaut in mid mission.

First, though, the news quiz.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER (voice-over): Besides a wedding what other worldly event has taken place in space, birth, funeral, Bar Mitzvah, college graduation, the answer coming up.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Thousands of Liberians greeted a new peace initiative between rebels and West African leaders with widespread looting in the port city. Some even said rebel troops gave them the green light to take anything they wanted.

CNN's Jeff Koinange is joining us now live from Monrovia with more -- Jeff.

JEFF KOINANGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, on the eve of U.S. troop and West African peacekeepers deployment at Monrovia's free port, scenes of chaos and confusion.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KOINANGE (voice-over): A free for all in Monrovia's free port barely 24 hours before peacekeepers are scheduled to move in. These are civilians who have been hiding in their homes for nearly a month with hardly any food or water.

(on camera): First it was the rebels, now it's the civilians' turn literally on a looting spree on this side of the bridge in these final hours even as LURD rebels prepare to leave the port area and give way to the incoming peacekeepers. (voice-over): The lucky ones came prepared loading up their cars before speeding off. Others used more unconventional means of transport. Most were simply content to carry what they could on their heads.

But not everything was up for grabs. Here LURD rebels prevent civilians from taking empty fuel containers. They say they need those for themselves. But Liberia's starving population wasn't discouraged. These bags of rice weigh over 100 pounds each. The weight it seems doesn't seem to affect the looters' steps.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm hungry so (unintelligible).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I am very happy because at least we can get our (unintelligible) to eat.

KOINANGE: As rebels watched on these hungry Liberians went into warehouse after warehouse stripping everything bare before moving on.

U.S. helicopter gun ships looked on as these civilians took advantage of the absence of any authority at the port. At this warehouse more rebels urged civilians to hurry up and take what they could before they themselves take the rest from trucks belonging to aid agencies.

Peacekeepers are expected to move into the port area Thursday but as long as the looting continued it was clear the West African forces would have little to protect in the free port of Monrovia.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KOINANGE: Now, Wolf, once those U.S. troops are deployed on the ground the feeling is they will secure the airport area and the West African peacekeepers who are already there will roll into Monrovia and across the bridge about 15 hours from now and secure the free port area -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Shocking information coming from Monrovia, Jeff Koinange doing an excellent job for us, once again thanks very much Jeff. Be careful over there.

President Bush meanwhile is vowing that U.S. forces will play a supporting role in the peace effort in Liberia. Three U.S. warships with 2,300 Marines onboard are waiting in waters off the capital of Monrovia.

CNN's Chris Plante is over at the Pentagon. He has more now on the U.S. defense strategy in the West African nation -- Chris.

CHRIS PLANTE, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, the information we're getting here at the Pentagon is a little bit different than what Jeff is getting there in Liberia.

The expectation here at the Pentagon is that 200 additional Marines will go ashore tomorrow from that three ship group. They will join nearly 100 Marines that are currently ashore now providing security at the embassy there.

The expectation what we're being told here is that the Marines will provide a quick reaction force that will back up Nigerian troops if necessary if they find themselves in a conflict but that the Nigeria troops, there are about 746 of them there in Liberia now, will in fact secure the airport themselves. They will secure the seaport.

The U.S. Marines with helicopters, Super Cobra attack helicopters, possibly Harrier jump jets, will provide security to the Nigerian force as it moves over to secure the harbor area which, as Jeff was saying, is now under no one's control effectively.

But, at this point, the expectation is that the U.S. forces will not engage in any combat. They will provide backup for the Nigeria peacekeeping force that is in there for the ECOWAS and 12 Navy SEALS, ten to 12 Navy SEALS will also clear the waterways into the port to make sure it's clear so that humanitarian supplies can begin to flow in there -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Chris Plante at the Pentagon with the latest from there, thanks Chris very much.

Big names jump into a big race. Bill Clinton and Warren Buffett pick sides. Find out who's advising whom in the California governor's race.

Also...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: This administration is optimistic about job creation.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Bush economics, will optimism be enough to turn the economy around?

And troubled times at "Penthouse" magazine, it's on the skids. We'll tell you why.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Some new faces and some well known faces are cropping up taking on roles in the California recall election. The billionaire investor Warren Buffett is signing up as an unpaid financial and economic adviser to Arnold Schwarzenegger's campaign.

In a statement, Buffet says Schwarzenegger will make a great governor and can solve California's economic crises. Several top aides to former California Governor Pete Wilson also have joined Schwarzenegger's campaign.

Meanwhile, a source confirms to CNN that former President Bill Clinton has consulted several times with the Governor Gray Davis and the source says the former first lady, now the United States Senator Hillary Clinton offered to do an event with Davis when she was recently in California but Davis had to decline because he was out of town.

Joining me now from Los Angeles to talk about the recall chaos, the long time California political observer Patt Morrison. She is a columnist with the "L.A. Times" and an award-winning host of the nightly news and current affairs program "Life and Time on Public Television." Pat, thanks very much for joining us.

First of all, Warren Buffett's entry into this California contest, he's a billionaire very well known to the elite out there. He's giving Arnold Schwarzenegger a vote of confidence. What's going to be the impact?

PATT MORRISON, "L.A. TIMES" COLUMNIST: This is a battle of the titans. We have Bill Clinton. We have Warren Buffett. President Bush is coming out on a two-day tour tomorrow. Whether he'll show up in Schwarzenegger's camp remains to be seen.

But, Warren Buffett bringing his expertise to the California fiscal disaster is going to persuade a lot of people that Arnold Schwarzenegger is serious even if he doesn't know much about the economics of the state. He's trying to bring in people who do.

BLITZER: Does he have any other big names up his sleeve? Obviously, Warren Buffett is a huge name.

MORRISON: I don't know how many bigger names you can get or need than Warren Buffett but he's also bringing in, as you pointed out, some political advisers who have been around the block several times in statewide elections here and I think that will serve him well.

BLITZER: Pete Wilson is one of his co-chairmen, the former governor. He obviously brings some credibility but he also brings some political baggage.

MORRISON: There is baggage to Pete Wilson. As, "Remember the Alamo" galvanizes Texans, Proposition 187 galvanizes Latinos in California and not in favor of it. Proposition 187 in 1994 would have cut off services to illegal immigrants like school and health services and it turned out the Latino vote in a fashion that had never come out before.

And, many people blame that and Pete Wilson who put it through for losing California to the Democrats in the last two presidential elections and losing both branches of the state house and all of the state government to Democrats as well.

BLITZER: He is consulting, Gray Davis, the current governor of course, with Bill Clinton the master in political damage control. How much of a factor could potentially Bill Clinton coming into campaign against the recall be?

MORRISON: Both Clintons are still very popular here in California. Bill Clinton did very well in California. Al Gore did very well in California in part because of Clinton. I think they both have tremendous draw and tremendous star power. How much people are going to separate Gray Davis from the Clintons out here is what Gray Davis has to worry about.

BLITZER: Some of the political pundits out there are now suggesting Maria Shriver, Arnold Schwarzenegger's wife, the former, I believe she's on leave now from NBC News, Maria Shriver of the Kennedy clan is going to be a huge political asset for Arnold Schwarzenegger. How do you see her role shaping up?

MORRISON: We reported today that she's going to be a strategist in the campaign. I think this was leveraged in part because she was unhappy with her husband's first appearances on the New York based national talk shows.

Evidently, he was tired. He didn't answer some of the questions. He looked unprepared and this was not a good launch for his campaign. She's very media savvy. She has any number of connections, of course, as a Kennedy and as a television person and she can bring to bear a lot of that expertise in advising her husband if he'll listen.

BLITZER: All right, we'll all be watching all of that. Patt Morrison thanks very much for joining us.

MORRISON: Glad to.

BLITZER: And, adding to the circus-like atmosphere surrounding the recall, the former Green Party presidential candidate Ralph Nader got a pie in the face as he was endorsing a fellow party member Peter Camejo. The pie culprit got away. Camejo suggested Democrats might be behind it because they feel threatened by the Green Party. Ralph Nader gets hit in the face with a pie.

Son of bin Laden, is he trying to fill his father's shoes? We'll take a closer look.

Also, British Airways calls off all flights to Saudi Arabia because of security concerns. Find out the threat that's keeping them from the kingdom.

And, married in space, we'll talk to a newlywed whose husband was hundreds of miles from earth when they tied the knot.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: An airline takes action after a threat to overseas flights.

Also, where is Osama bin Laden's son hiding out? Coming up targeting bin Laden's offspring.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back to CNN.

British Airways is banning all flights to Saudi Arabia. The terrorist threat that's keeping them grounding. Should American companies be concerned? We'll take a closer look.

First, though, the latest headlines.

(NEWSBREAK)

BLITZER: The government of Saudi Arabia says Osama bin Laden's son is among the suspected al Qaeda members being held by the Iranian government, but Tehran won't comment. Others have said Saad bin Laden is in Pakistan.

Just who is Saad bin Laden, and how important is he to al Qaeda?

Here's CNN's senior producer, Henry Schuster.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HENRY SCHUSTER, CNN SR. PRODUCER (voice-over): His father's image is one of the most famous in the world. But you won't find a picture of Saad bin Laden. Like his whereabouts, it's one of the many mysteries about Osama bin Laden's son. He's thought to be in his 20s and the son most tied to his father's work.

RORAN GUNARATNA, AUTHOR, "INSIDE AL QAEDA": Saad bin Laden was a bodyguard to Osama bin Laden, and he served for a significant period of time under Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, learning how to conduct clandestine terrorist operations.

SCHUSTER: Gunaratna says with the capture of the group's operation commander, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed earlier this year, Saad bin Laden may play a more prominent role.

Saad bin Laden is also credited by intelligence officials with helping to set up al Qaeda's Internet activities, which the group has used for communication and propaganda.

But intelligence officials now say he's playing a key role in al Qaeda, experts doubt he will succeed his father.

GUNARATNA: We know that Osama released a statement some time ago that the children of al Qaeda leaders should not expect to be naturally appointed as leaders of al Qaeda, that they have to prove themselves.

SCHUSTER: Wherever he proves to be, intelligence officials say Saad bin Laden would be a big catch in the war against al Qaeda.

Henry Schuster, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: More now on our top story. A British man has been charged with smuggling a surface-to-air missile into the country, thinking he was going to sell it to terrorists. The weapon in question is a frightening tool, especially, of course in the wrong hands.

CNN's Jason Bellini shows us what an SA-18 can do.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JASON BELLINI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Light, about 40 pounds. Cheap, about $85,000 on the black market. And widely available. Experts believe there are thousands around the world.

The Russian-made SA-18 missile system, standing for surface-to- air, is designed to shoot down low-flying aircraft as high as two miles. It launches heat-seeking missiles which go straight for a plane's engines, chasing them at twice the speed of sound. The operator of the SA-18 can aim and fire from either a kneeling or standing position. The 5-and-a-half-foot launch tube balanced on the shoulder.

The missiles can be fired either head-on at their target or used in the tail chasing mode.

(on camera): According to Jane's Military Research (ph), the Russians introduced the SA-18 in 1983. The Soviets exported it to countries that include Angola, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Iraq, North Korea, Poland and Slovakia.

(voice-over): The SA-18 is at the top of its class in Russian surface-to-air missiles. It's more sophisticated, for example, than the SA-7, also Russian made, which an al Qaeda-linked terrorist group used in a failed attempt last November at shooting down an Israeli jet taking off from Mombasa, Kenya. It uses technology designed to avoid flare decoys like those employed on U.S. military aircraft.

The Federation of American Sciences says there's a little better than 1 in 1 chance the missile will hit its target on an unprotected aircraft.

Jason Bellini, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: One of the world's largest airlines, British Airways, is suspending flights to Saudi Arabia, citing security concerns. A U.S. official tells CNN, issues include a document seized during antiterror searches in Saudi Arabia that detailed casing of the airport and the shootout this week in the Saudi capital with terror suspects.

Joining us now from Washington to talk about all of this is Adel Al-Jubeir, the foreign policy adviser to the Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah.

Mr. Al-Jubeir, thanks very much for joining us.

First of all, why do you believe British Airways, based on what they knew, decided to cancel these flights? How specific of a threat is there?

ADEL AL-JUBEIR, FOR. POLICY ADVISER TO SAUDI CROWN PRINCE ABDULLAH: I believe it was a judgment call on the part of British Airways. They decided that given the threat that was there, given the possibility that the airline was targeted, that it may have -- it may be wiser for them to suspend operations to Saudi Arabia temporarily. That's really a decision that they have to make, and I think the rationale for that is really up to them.

We believe that the security situation in Saudi Arabia is safe. We believe that this was a successful attempt by Saudi law enforcement authorities to break up a cell and arrest its members before they could do damage. And it's in line with what we have been doing for months now.

BLITZER: You're privy to the intelligence. Was the threat specifically aimed at Britain?

AL-JUBEIR: It was -- in one of the cells that was arrested this past weekend, there was a -- there were the maps that you talked about in your show. It was obvious that the target was a British Airlines aircraft, and I believe British Airways, on that basis, made the decision to suspend operations.

We believe that the airport is very secure in terms of its perimeters and in terms of the defenses that are there. We doubt that the operation would have been successful. But, again, British Airways has a responsibility to its passengers and they have to make a decision based on what they see.

BLITZER: As you well remember, a few months back there was an attempt to shoot down a U.S. plane at the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, not far from Riyadh. How much security is in place at the international airports in Riyadh and Jeddah, to make sure not only British planes, if they are -- resume those flights -- but other European and other aircraft, including Saudi and Arab aircraft -- are safe?

AL-JUBEIR: Right. I believe that the security at our airports probably among the strictest, if not the strictest in the world as we speak. We have beefed up our security substantially after the bombings in Riyadh on May 12. We continue to look for areas to improve them. We believe -- we have much better intelligence gathering capabilities now, thanks to the hundreds of people that we have arrested. We learn more as every day goes by and we apprehend more terrorists every day, as every day goes by. And we are determined to crush this organization. I have no doubt that we will succeed.

With regards to the security in our airports, as I mentioned earlier, the airports in Saudi Arabia are very secure. We intend to keep them that way and we intend to make sure that terrorists are not able to disrupt the normal functioning of a society.

BLITZER: While I have you, Mr. Al-Jubeir, you heard Henry Schuster's report on Saad bin Laden, the son of Osama bin Laden. What can you tell us about this son?

AL-JUBEIR: He has been with his father for years. He is a part of what I would refer to as al Qaeda's board of directors. His father relies on him tremendously. We know that Saad bin Laden was responsible to a large extent for communications between bin Laden and Ayman al Zawahiri on one hand and the other operations personal in al Khidoh (ph) on the other hand. We have been tracking him. We've lost track of him after the attacks -- after the war in Afghanistan began. He would be definitely a very, very tremendous catch, if he were apprehended.

BLITZER: Do you know anything about any efforts he may have had to try to get back into Saudi Arabia?

AL-JUBEIR: I doubt that he would have tried to get back into Saudi Arabia, because he is very, very high on our watch list. We knew that he was operating out of areas along the Pakistan/Afghanistan border. We suspect that he may now be in Iran, but we're not sure. There is intelligence that he may be there.

We have asked the Iranians about him, as well as other al Qaeda members who may be in Iran, and we have indications from the Iranians that they will extradite any Saudi members of al Qaeda to Saudi Arabia. But that hasn't occurred yet and we will continue to work with the Iranians until we bring any Saudi individual who is a member of al Qaeda, to Saudi Arabia, so they can face justice.

BLITZER: Adel Al-Jubeir, thanks for joining us.

AL-JUBEIR: Thank you.

BLITZER: President Bush is upbeat about the downward slide in the U.S. economy. Does he have a plan to turn it around before the next election. We'll go live to Crawford, Texas.

And spaced out. Meet the woman who had a stellar wedding.

But first, a quick look at some other news making news around the world.

No access -- Iran's president says he will not let the United States interrogate al Qaeda operatives in Iranian custody. The country is believed to be holding as many as 15 members of the terror organization, some said to be high level.

Crime and punishment: Israeli forces demolished a house in a Palestinian refugee camp, leaving a dozen people homeless. The building was home to a teenage Palestinian suicide bomber, who blew himself up in an Israeli supermarket.

China wants to show it's serious about cracking down on counterfeit compact disks. One local government held a public ceremony in which it says millions of pirated CDs were shredded.

A violent end for the Iceman: the 5,000-year-old mummy unearthed in the Alps a decade ago. Researchers say DNA shows he probably died after a long battle and had traces of blood from four people on his clothes and weapons. A stone's throw: in northern India, a dangerous festival. Participants throw stones at each other, re-enacting an ancient mythical battle. At least 100 people were injured. 50 of them seriously.

And Cherie Blair has one of the summer's hottest dance hits.

(SINGING)

BLITZER: Deejays have remixed her rendition of this Beatles tune, which she jokingly warbled out on a trip to China last month. One music industry insider says the song is a favorite in clubs around Europe.

And that's our look around the world.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: President Bush is strongly defending his economic policy saying his tax cuts have helped save the country from a deep recession. That issue topped the agenda today as the president met with his economic team at his Texas ranch. To Crawford now and our White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux -- Suzanne.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf it was a very high-powered meeting with his aide. His secretaries of treasury as well as labor and commerce all met at the Crawford ranch earlier today. The whole point is to convince voters, consumers, that, yes, the worst is over for the economy. That it is on the mends. That we are seeing a productivity increase, as well as retail sales, jobless rate going down, but the president still arguing that more has to be done.

He is looking for some initiatives for aid from Congress and tort reform, a new energy policy, as well as fiscal restraint. But the big news today is that the president argued there is no need for yet another tax cut, that this one is in full swing and they're beginning to see the results.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: In the discussions today, we feel like the tax relief plans that we have passed will be robust enough to create the conditions necessary for economic growth and, therefore, people will find a job. If we change our opinion, we'll let you know.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: I spoke earlier today with Secretary of Treasury John Snow who says just be patient, that this is going to work in good time. Of course, a Bush aides realize this is a critical re-election issue. Not only talking about Democrats but also economists who are criticizing the Bush administration's handling of the economy. They point to 3 million jobs lost, a $455 billion federal deficit, and the big problem they say is the long-term, the deficit would have and the government trying to pay out for Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare --Wolf.

BLITZER: Suzanne Malveaux in Crawford, Texas. Thanks Suzanne very much.

And here's your chance to weigh in on this story. Our Web question of the day is this, do you think President Bush will turn around the economy before next year's election? You can answer yes or no. We'll have the results later in this broadcast. You can vote right now at CNN.com/wolf.

What's a bride to do when her groom can't even be on planet Earth. Coming up, the space bride speaks to me and you. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Earlier we asked -- besides a wedding, what other worldly event has taken place in space? The answer -- a funeral. The ashes of 24 space pioneers and enthusiasts, including "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry and rocket scientist Craft Eric (ph) were sent into orbit in 1997.

A Russian cosmonaut has gone where no man has ever gone before, to the altar from outer space. On Saturday, a crew member on the International Space Station exchanged vows with his bride, who was at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. Earlier I talked with the bride about her space age wedding.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Ekaterina, first of all, congratulations.

EKATERINA DMITRIEV, BRIDE: Thank you.

BLITZER: I guess this is an unusual wedding. But why couldn't you wait?

DMITRIEV: Because Yuri and I are so much in love. Just ecstatically in love.

BLITZER: Another month or two would have been a big deal?

DMITRIEV: No.

BLITZER: So how did you come up with this idea to do it via, I guess, satellite, is the only way I can describe it.

DMITRIEV: Well, our whole relationship has been very different from the get-go. I mean, we've had a long distance relationship over the telephone. We've gotten to know each other through words, not through physical bonding or anything like that, but through I guess the old fashioned way. So to him, while he's up there, for us to do it through the phone just seemed correct. And I got a bonus from NASA, because they allowed us to put it on the screen. He could see me and I could see him.

BLITZER: And what was the biggest challenge in trying to orchestrate this space wedding, if you want to call it that?

DMITRIEV: Well, the biggest challenge really was just getting everything together, organizing everything. I mean, just like a wedding. I just had a few other items to work with. And you know, just work with everybody on it, and get everything coordinated, get everything thrown together so that it would run smoothly. And sure enough, it ran very, very smooth.

BLITZER: But there were bridesmaids and ushers and all that kind of thing?

DMITRIEV: Yes. Yes.

BLITZER: You did a real formal, kind of traditional wedding.

DMITRIEV: Yes. It was traditional with a non-traditional touch.

BLITZER: And then you had a reception?

DMITRIEV: Yes, I did.

BLITZER: What was that for?

DMITRIEV: The reception was for basically for the support and to thank everybody for everything they helped me with, everything they did.

BLITZER: Afterwards, did you cut the cake and all that kind of thing?

DMITRIEV: I cut the cake. I did everything. I had the first dance with my father. So.

BLITZER: Did you throw the bouquet?

DMITRIEV: I forgot to do that.

BLITZER: You forgot to do that?

DMITRIEV: Yeah.

BLITZER: Now, what about a honeymoon?

DMITRIEV: Honeymoon will be in Australia, is what we're thinking of now.

BLITZER: You go to Australia. And then where do you live happily ever after?

DMITRIEV: In Moscow.

BLITZER: In Moscow?

DMITRIEV: Yes.

BLITZER: That will be a great -- we're looking forward to seeing that reunion, once he comes down. Are you a little nervous up there?

DMITRIEV: Yeah. Yes. I'm ready to see him, and I'm ready for us to start our lives together, because that's what I really, really want right now.

BLITZER: Congratulations to both of you.

DMITRIEV: Thank you so much.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Congratulations indeed.

I want to go to the State Department. Now, we're following up on a story involving Saudi Arabia. Our State Department correspondent Andrea Koppel is standing by. She's got new information -- Andrea.

ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN STATE DEPARTMENT CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, this is an alert that the State Department routinely sends out. This one has to do with Saudi Arabia. It's a travel warning to all American citizens to defer all non-essential travel, due obviously to the decision by British Airways earlier today to suspend all their flights to both Riyadh and to Jeddah. Americans, if they have any questions, Wolf, should contact the U.S. consulate, or contact the State Department -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Andrea Koppel with the latest on a travel alert to Saudi Arabia. We'll continue to follow up on this story as well.

Our hot Web question of the day is this -- do you think President Bush will turn around the economy before next year's election? You can vote, cnn.com/wolf, and we'll have the results when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Here is how you're weighing in our Web question of the day. Remember, we've been asking you this question: Do you think President Bush will turn around the economy before, repeat before, next year's election? Look at this, only 8 percent of you, who voted at least, say yes; 92 percent of you say no. As always, we remind you, this is not, repeat, not a scientific poll. You can continue to find the exact vote tally -- continue to vote, by the way, on our Web site, cnn.com/wolf.

A reminder, we're on every weekday, 5:00 p.m. Eastern. Also, noon Eastern. Until then, thanks very much for joining us. I'm Wolf Blitzer in New York. "LOU DOBBS TONIGHT" with Jan Hopkins sitting in starts right now.

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

Christopher Christie; Liberian Looters on Rampage>

Aired August 13, 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: Saddam Hussein, is he reaching out again, this time not using his name?
And, Arnold Schwarzenegger's big surprise, how billionaire Warren Buffett is boosting his chances.

WOLF BLITZER REPORTS starts right now.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): The shoulder-fired missile threat and now the suspect's apparent motive.

CHRISTOPHER CHRISTIE, U.S. ATTY., DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY: ...referred to Americans as bastards.

BLITZER: I'll speak live with the U.S. attorney for New Jersey.

A flying target, how much of a threat these weapons pose to commercial airliners, and a dramatic step by British Airways to counter security lapses.

A Baghdad neighborhood rebels, what provoked a rage of thousands against U.S. forces?

And, Liberian looters on the rampage, are the peacekeepers too late?

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: It's Wednesday, August 13, 2003. Hello from New York, I'm Wolf Blitzer reporting.

Prosecutors say he called Osama bin Laden a hero, referred to Americans as bastards, and praised the September 11 attacks. The British man charged with smuggling a surface-to-air missile into the United States for a terror attack appeared in court today.

CNN's Jeanne Meserve has the latest on the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRISTIE: This morning the terrorist who threatened America lost an ally in their quest to kill our citizens. JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Hemant Lakhani was charged in a Newark, New Jersey courtroom with attempting to provide material support to terrorists by allegedly selling a shoulder-fired missile.

Prosecutors say Lakhani, described as a significant international arms dealer, offered the missile to an FBI informant who posed as a representative of a Somali group wanting to shoot down a U.S. commercial airliner.

Government sources say U.S. law enforcement educated the informant about missiles and arms dealing to bolster his credibility. According to court documents, over a year and a half more than 150 of his conversations with Lakhani were recorded on audio and video tape.

According to court documents, Lakhani says at one point the buyer wanted the missiles for the anniversary, presumed to be a reference to 9/11. Lakhani is described as willing, even eager to close the deal.

CHRISTIE: He, on many occasions in recorded conversations, referred to Americans as bastards, Osama bin Laden as a hero who had done something right and set the Americans straight.

MESERVE: Government sources say the U.S. paid for the dummy SA- 18 shoulder-fired missile, which Russian undercover agents provided to Lakhani. Lakhani wanted to broker the sale of 50 more and asked the Russians about obtaining multi-ton quantities of C4 plastic explosives as well, according to court documents. Two other men have been charged in connection with the money side of the transaction. Law enforcement hopes these arrests will lead to others.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And we're always looking to develop further information, continue on with the case. A case like this, a major transaction, law enforcement will analyze ever aspect of it.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MESERVE: Lakhani's lawyers have had no comment. Law enforcement is calling this an important case because of the international cooperation that helped crack it and the danger of the weapon involved but experts caution there are a lot more shoulder-fired missiles, arms dealers, and potential buyers out there -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Jeanne Meserve in Washington, thanks very much.

Christopher Christie is the United States attorney for New Jersey. He's joining me now here in New York to talk about the case. Thanks very much, Mr. Christie, for joining us. Is there any evidence that Hemant Lakhani was involved with al Qaeda in the past?

CHRISTIE: No, Wolf. There's no direct evidence that Mr. Lakhani had any direct ties to al Qaeda but I'd like to caution that the investigation is continuing and we're continuing to work on this and other aspects of the case.

BLITZER: There's a report in "Newsweek" suggesting that there may have been a premature leak of all of this sting operation in London causing you guys to go ahead and arrest him, although some officials at the Justice Department supposedly had hoped you could have turned Lakhani and made him a witness and, in fact, get him to work for the U.S. What do you make of that story?

CHRISTIE: I don't make much of it. I think everything went according to the plan that we had been laying out over a long period of time. This investigation has gone on for 18 months and yesterday we executed the plan in almost exactly the way we laid it out.

BLITZER: So, where do you go from here? What kind of charges, what kind of prison sentence or worse is Mr. Lakhani expecting?

CHRISTIE: Well, Mr. Lakhani is facing up to a maximum of 25 years in jail and $1.25 million in fines so he's facing significant penalties in light of the charges that we filed against him today and where we go from here is to continue to work hard every day the way we've done over the last 18 months to try to make sure that we stop any of this activity from harming American citizens. That's our mission.

BLITZER: Based on what you know right now, and you obviously know a great deal, how vulnerable are U.S. commercial aircraft to these kinds of portable surface-to-air missiles?

CHRISTIE: You know, Wolf, I'm not an aviation expert so I can't really speak to that. What I can tell you is that law enforcement is aware of this kind of threat as well as all the other kind of threats that we face in this country right now.

The president has said we're in an ongoing war on terrorism. He's right and today is a battle that has been won in that war but it doesn't mean the war is over. The war continues and we're going to get right back to work tomorrow morning.

BLITZER: This was a sting operation. There were these so-called money men involved. You heard Jeanne Meserve talk about them. You know their alleged roles in this as well. What exactly did they allegedly do and what kind of charges are they facing?

CHRISTIE: Well, they're both facing charges regarding conspiracy and illegal money remitting and what they did, the role they played, Mr. Abraham, as alleged in the criminal complaint was the person who accepted the first $30,000 deposit on the missile that was brought into the country yesterday and he then took care of making sure that money got to where Mr. Lakhani wanted it to get overseas.

Mr. Hameed who was also -- filed a criminal complaint against him today, he was the person who was to receive, along with Mr. Abraham, the $500,000 deposit that they were expecting on the order for the next 50 of these IGLA shoulder-launched missiles and that was their role. But, as I said before, the investigation is continuing and I'm confident that we'll develop more out of this.

BLITZER: And, one final question on that "Newsweek" story, is there any evidence as far as you can tell, and obviously you're on top of this more than anyone else, that leaks to the news media whether in Britain or here in the United States compromised your investigation?

CHRISTIE: Absolutely not.

BLITZER: Christopher Christie, thanks very much for joining us.

CHRISTIE: It's been a pleasure to be with you. Thank you.

BLITZER: Thank you very much.

There's other important news unfolding right now as well. No, no, no to America. That cry went out on the streets of Baghdad earlier today. A protest drew thousands of angry people who say American troops defiled a religious school and there's word of another letter, purportedly written by Saddam Hussein.

CNN's Rym Brahimi is joining us now live from Baghdad with more -- Rym.

RYM BRAHIMI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, well very interesting that those protests and people went out, 2,000, 3,000 people in this neighborhood previously known as Saddam City and what's interesting is that basically takes the challenge with regard to U.S. forces or U.S. presence here outside of the so-called Sunni Triangle.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRAHIMI (voice-over): It began with a black flag at the top of a communications tower right in the heart of what was previously known as Saddam City, one of Baghdad's Shia neighborhoods the flag, a symbol for Muslim Shias of their loyalty to their faith.

These pictures shot by an amateur cameraman show a U.S. military helicopter hovering over the tower and what eyewitnesses say is a U.S. soldier trying to remove the flag. Later, the helicopter moved away. The flag was still flying. A couple of people were then seen at the top of the tower, apparently waving their fists at the aircraft.

In the street below the scene seemed to have triggered major agitation. Some climbed up the tower to add more flags, green and red, also typical of Shia Muslims loyalty to their faith and an Iraqi flag. The suburb where the incident happened is heavily populated, home to more than one-fifth of Baghdad's population. It's now known as (unintelligible) city.

Events got out of control as scene on the videotape which shows angry crowds throwing objects at U.S. soldiers passing by in vehicles. In gunfire that followed, U.S. officials say one Iraqi died and four were wounded.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRAHIMI: Now, what's interesting here, Wolf, is also what U.S. reaction there has been. On the one hand, a U.S. commander immediately wrote a letter to a cleric from that area apologizing for the incident. He doesn't go into details but he does apologize and offers to provide medical treatment for those people that have been wounded. He also offers to reduce the number of patrols by helicopter and by foot by U.S. troops there.

But when we spoke to U.S. officials here, Wolf, well they didn't actually respond to the question what was that soldier doing with the flag from the helicopter? There's been no answer to that whatsoever. The only answer we've had until now is U.S. military officials saying the helicopter was just hovering above that area and the flag was blown down basically by the wind created by the helicopter blades -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Rym, what about this letter purportedly written by Saddam Hussein released over there. I guess Al-Jazeera released it. What do we know about this?

BRAHIMI: Well, all we know is that it's a letter that Al-Jazeera says came in the form of a reply to questions asked by a reporter by Al-Jazeera in written form so basically this person would have written a letter with questions to the former Iraqi president and the reply came.

Al-Jazeera says it was in Saddam Hussein's handwriting, although it's not clear how they would be able to -- how anyone would be able to confirm that at this stage but what's interesting is that the former Iraqi president makes two points.

On the one hand he praises a Shia Muslim cleric, Ayatollah Sistani for his stand with regard to the Americans. He says that he does well or his position is appreciated that he's not collaborating with U.S. occupation forces but he also calls on a jihad or a holy war as he sees it saying that it will unify the country -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Rym Brahimi in Baghdad thanks very much.

The search for Saddam Hussein clearly will continue.

For American troops in Iraq the death toll from hostile actions seems to be climbing every day. A soldier with the U.S. Army's 4th Infantry Division was killed and another wounded today when their armored personnel carrier hit a roadside bomb. The incident happened on a road just north of Baghdad. Sixty American troops have been killed by hostile action since President Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1st.

Some U.S. military families and veterans are stepping up their pledge to get U.S. troops out of Iraq. The group, Military Families Speak Out, launched a new national campaign today in Washington. It's called Bring Them Home Now.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NANCY LESSIN, MILITARY FAMILIES SPEAK OUT: George Bush said "Bring 'em on." We say "Bring Them Home Now." Bring them home because our troops should not have been in Iraq in the first place. Bring them home because there was no imminent danger to the United States. Bring them home because there was no weapons of mass destruction. Bring them home because there was no link between al Qaeda and Saddam Hussein.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Unclear how many families this group does represent in this continuing debate here in the United States.

Group leaders say the operation in Iraq does suffer from a lack of planning, lack of support and inadequate protection for Americans. U.S. military planners, of course, deny all of that.

U.S. forces continue to monitor what's happening in Liberia, looting and pillaging in the streets of Monrovia, that's coming up, as U.S. Marines possibly prepare to move in. We'll go live to the Pentagon and to Monrovia.

Plus, son of bin Laden is he trying to take his father's place? We'll take a much closer look at the terror family tree.

And, get this, a marriage made in the heavens, I'll speak with a woman who tied the knot with a Russian cosmonaut in mid mission.

First, though, the news quiz.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER (voice-over): Besides a wedding what other worldly event has taken place in space, birth, funeral, Bar Mitzvah, college graduation, the answer coming up.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Thousands of Liberians greeted a new peace initiative between rebels and West African leaders with widespread looting in the port city. Some even said rebel troops gave them the green light to take anything they wanted.

CNN's Jeff Koinange is joining us now live from Monrovia with more -- Jeff.

JEFF KOINANGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, on the eve of U.S. troop and West African peacekeepers deployment at Monrovia's free port, scenes of chaos and confusion.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KOINANGE (voice-over): A free for all in Monrovia's free port barely 24 hours before peacekeepers are scheduled to move in. These are civilians who have been hiding in their homes for nearly a month with hardly any food or water.

(on camera): First it was the rebels, now it's the civilians' turn literally on a looting spree on this side of the bridge in these final hours even as LURD rebels prepare to leave the port area and give way to the incoming peacekeepers. (voice-over): The lucky ones came prepared loading up their cars before speeding off. Others used more unconventional means of transport. Most were simply content to carry what they could on their heads.

But not everything was up for grabs. Here LURD rebels prevent civilians from taking empty fuel containers. They say they need those for themselves. But Liberia's starving population wasn't discouraged. These bags of rice weigh over 100 pounds each. The weight it seems doesn't seem to affect the looters' steps.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm hungry so (unintelligible).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I am very happy because at least we can get our (unintelligible) to eat.

KOINANGE: As rebels watched on these hungry Liberians went into warehouse after warehouse stripping everything bare before moving on.

U.S. helicopter gun ships looked on as these civilians took advantage of the absence of any authority at the port. At this warehouse more rebels urged civilians to hurry up and take what they could before they themselves take the rest from trucks belonging to aid agencies.

Peacekeepers are expected to move into the port area Thursday but as long as the looting continued it was clear the West African forces would have little to protect in the free port of Monrovia.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KOINANGE: Now, Wolf, once those U.S. troops are deployed on the ground the feeling is they will secure the airport area and the West African peacekeepers who are already there will roll into Monrovia and across the bridge about 15 hours from now and secure the free port area -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Shocking information coming from Monrovia, Jeff Koinange doing an excellent job for us, once again thanks very much Jeff. Be careful over there.

President Bush meanwhile is vowing that U.S. forces will play a supporting role in the peace effort in Liberia. Three U.S. warships with 2,300 Marines onboard are waiting in waters off the capital of Monrovia.

CNN's Chris Plante is over at the Pentagon. He has more now on the U.S. defense strategy in the West African nation -- Chris.

CHRIS PLANTE, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, the information we're getting here at the Pentagon is a little bit different than what Jeff is getting there in Liberia.

The expectation here at the Pentagon is that 200 additional Marines will go ashore tomorrow from that three ship group. They will join nearly 100 Marines that are currently ashore now providing security at the embassy there.

The expectation what we're being told here is that the Marines will provide a quick reaction force that will back up Nigerian troops if necessary if they find themselves in a conflict but that the Nigeria troops, there are about 746 of them there in Liberia now, will in fact secure the airport themselves. They will secure the seaport.

The U.S. Marines with helicopters, Super Cobra attack helicopters, possibly Harrier jump jets, will provide security to the Nigerian force as it moves over to secure the harbor area which, as Jeff was saying, is now under no one's control effectively.

But, at this point, the expectation is that the U.S. forces will not engage in any combat. They will provide backup for the Nigeria peacekeeping force that is in there for the ECOWAS and 12 Navy SEALS, ten to 12 Navy SEALS will also clear the waterways into the port to make sure it's clear so that humanitarian supplies can begin to flow in there -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Chris Plante at the Pentagon with the latest from there, thanks Chris very much.

Big names jump into a big race. Bill Clinton and Warren Buffett pick sides. Find out who's advising whom in the California governor's race.

Also...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: This administration is optimistic about job creation.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Bush economics, will optimism be enough to turn the economy around?

And troubled times at "Penthouse" magazine, it's on the skids. We'll tell you why.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Some new faces and some well known faces are cropping up taking on roles in the California recall election. The billionaire investor Warren Buffett is signing up as an unpaid financial and economic adviser to Arnold Schwarzenegger's campaign.

In a statement, Buffet says Schwarzenegger will make a great governor and can solve California's economic crises. Several top aides to former California Governor Pete Wilson also have joined Schwarzenegger's campaign.

Meanwhile, a source confirms to CNN that former President Bill Clinton has consulted several times with the Governor Gray Davis and the source says the former first lady, now the United States Senator Hillary Clinton offered to do an event with Davis when she was recently in California but Davis had to decline because he was out of town.

Joining me now from Los Angeles to talk about the recall chaos, the long time California political observer Patt Morrison. She is a columnist with the "L.A. Times" and an award-winning host of the nightly news and current affairs program "Life and Time on Public Television." Pat, thanks very much for joining us.

First of all, Warren Buffett's entry into this California contest, he's a billionaire very well known to the elite out there. He's giving Arnold Schwarzenegger a vote of confidence. What's going to be the impact?

PATT MORRISON, "L.A. TIMES" COLUMNIST: This is a battle of the titans. We have Bill Clinton. We have Warren Buffett. President Bush is coming out on a two-day tour tomorrow. Whether he'll show up in Schwarzenegger's camp remains to be seen.

But, Warren Buffett bringing his expertise to the California fiscal disaster is going to persuade a lot of people that Arnold Schwarzenegger is serious even if he doesn't know much about the economics of the state. He's trying to bring in people who do.

BLITZER: Does he have any other big names up his sleeve? Obviously, Warren Buffett is a huge name.

MORRISON: I don't know how many bigger names you can get or need than Warren Buffett but he's also bringing in, as you pointed out, some political advisers who have been around the block several times in statewide elections here and I think that will serve him well.

BLITZER: Pete Wilson is one of his co-chairmen, the former governor. He obviously brings some credibility but he also brings some political baggage.

MORRISON: There is baggage to Pete Wilson. As, "Remember the Alamo" galvanizes Texans, Proposition 187 galvanizes Latinos in California and not in favor of it. Proposition 187 in 1994 would have cut off services to illegal immigrants like school and health services and it turned out the Latino vote in a fashion that had never come out before.

And, many people blame that and Pete Wilson who put it through for losing California to the Democrats in the last two presidential elections and losing both branches of the state house and all of the state government to Democrats as well.

BLITZER: He is consulting, Gray Davis, the current governor of course, with Bill Clinton the master in political damage control. How much of a factor could potentially Bill Clinton coming into campaign against the recall be?

MORRISON: Both Clintons are still very popular here in California. Bill Clinton did very well in California. Al Gore did very well in California in part because of Clinton. I think they both have tremendous draw and tremendous star power. How much people are going to separate Gray Davis from the Clintons out here is what Gray Davis has to worry about.

BLITZER: Some of the political pundits out there are now suggesting Maria Shriver, Arnold Schwarzenegger's wife, the former, I believe she's on leave now from NBC News, Maria Shriver of the Kennedy clan is going to be a huge political asset for Arnold Schwarzenegger. How do you see her role shaping up?

MORRISON: We reported today that she's going to be a strategist in the campaign. I think this was leveraged in part because she was unhappy with her husband's first appearances on the New York based national talk shows.

Evidently, he was tired. He didn't answer some of the questions. He looked unprepared and this was not a good launch for his campaign. She's very media savvy. She has any number of connections, of course, as a Kennedy and as a television person and she can bring to bear a lot of that expertise in advising her husband if he'll listen.

BLITZER: All right, we'll all be watching all of that. Patt Morrison thanks very much for joining us.

MORRISON: Glad to.

BLITZER: And, adding to the circus-like atmosphere surrounding the recall, the former Green Party presidential candidate Ralph Nader got a pie in the face as he was endorsing a fellow party member Peter Camejo. The pie culprit got away. Camejo suggested Democrats might be behind it because they feel threatened by the Green Party. Ralph Nader gets hit in the face with a pie.

Son of bin Laden, is he trying to fill his father's shoes? We'll take a closer look.

Also, British Airways calls off all flights to Saudi Arabia because of security concerns. Find out the threat that's keeping them from the kingdom.

And, married in space, we'll talk to a newlywed whose husband was hundreds of miles from earth when they tied the knot.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: An airline takes action after a threat to overseas flights.

Also, where is Osama bin Laden's son hiding out? Coming up targeting bin Laden's offspring.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back to CNN.

British Airways is banning all flights to Saudi Arabia. The terrorist threat that's keeping them grounding. Should American companies be concerned? We'll take a closer look.

First, though, the latest headlines.

(NEWSBREAK)

BLITZER: The government of Saudi Arabia says Osama bin Laden's son is among the suspected al Qaeda members being held by the Iranian government, but Tehran won't comment. Others have said Saad bin Laden is in Pakistan.

Just who is Saad bin Laden, and how important is he to al Qaeda?

Here's CNN's senior producer, Henry Schuster.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HENRY SCHUSTER, CNN SR. PRODUCER (voice-over): His father's image is one of the most famous in the world. But you won't find a picture of Saad bin Laden. Like his whereabouts, it's one of the many mysteries about Osama bin Laden's son. He's thought to be in his 20s and the son most tied to his father's work.

RORAN GUNARATNA, AUTHOR, "INSIDE AL QAEDA": Saad bin Laden was a bodyguard to Osama bin Laden, and he served for a significant period of time under Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, learning how to conduct clandestine terrorist operations.

SCHUSTER: Gunaratna says with the capture of the group's operation commander, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed earlier this year, Saad bin Laden may play a more prominent role.

Saad bin Laden is also credited by intelligence officials with helping to set up al Qaeda's Internet activities, which the group has used for communication and propaganda.

But intelligence officials now say he's playing a key role in al Qaeda, experts doubt he will succeed his father.

GUNARATNA: We know that Osama released a statement some time ago that the children of al Qaeda leaders should not expect to be naturally appointed as leaders of al Qaeda, that they have to prove themselves.

SCHUSTER: Wherever he proves to be, intelligence officials say Saad bin Laden would be a big catch in the war against al Qaeda.

Henry Schuster, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: More now on our top story. A British man has been charged with smuggling a surface-to-air missile into the country, thinking he was going to sell it to terrorists. The weapon in question is a frightening tool, especially, of course in the wrong hands.

CNN's Jason Bellini shows us what an SA-18 can do.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JASON BELLINI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Light, about 40 pounds. Cheap, about $85,000 on the black market. And widely available. Experts believe there are thousands around the world.

The Russian-made SA-18 missile system, standing for surface-to- air, is designed to shoot down low-flying aircraft as high as two miles. It launches heat-seeking missiles which go straight for a plane's engines, chasing them at twice the speed of sound. The operator of the SA-18 can aim and fire from either a kneeling or standing position. The 5-and-a-half-foot launch tube balanced on the shoulder.

The missiles can be fired either head-on at their target or used in the tail chasing mode.

(on camera): According to Jane's Military Research (ph), the Russians introduced the SA-18 in 1983. The Soviets exported it to countries that include Angola, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Iraq, North Korea, Poland and Slovakia.

(voice-over): The SA-18 is at the top of its class in Russian surface-to-air missiles. It's more sophisticated, for example, than the SA-7, also Russian made, which an al Qaeda-linked terrorist group used in a failed attempt last November at shooting down an Israeli jet taking off from Mombasa, Kenya. It uses technology designed to avoid flare decoys like those employed on U.S. military aircraft.

The Federation of American Sciences says there's a little better than 1 in 1 chance the missile will hit its target on an unprotected aircraft.

Jason Bellini, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: One of the world's largest airlines, British Airways, is suspending flights to Saudi Arabia, citing security concerns. A U.S. official tells CNN, issues include a document seized during antiterror searches in Saudi Arabia that detailed casing of the airport and the shootout this week in the Saudi capital with terror suspects.

Joining us now from Washington to talk about all of this is Adel Al-Jubeir, the foreign policy adviser to the Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah.

Mr. Al-Jubeir, thanks very much for joining us.

First of all, why do you believe British Airways, based on what they knew, decided to cancel these flights? How specific of a threat is there?

ADEL AL-JUBEIR, FOR. POLICY ADVISER TO SAUDI CROWN PRINCE ABDULLAH: I believe it was a judgment call on the part of British Airways. They decided that given the threat that was there, given the possibility that the airline was targeted, that it may have -- it may be wiser for them to suspend operations to Saudi Arabia temporarily. That's really a decision that they have to make, and I think the rationale for that is really up to them.

We believe that the security situation in Saudi Arabia is safe. We believe that this was a successful attempt by Saudi law enforcement authorities to break up a cell and arrest its members before they could do damage. And it's in line with what we have been doing for months now.

BLITZER: You're privy to the intelligence. Was the threat specifically aimed at Britain?

AL-JUBEIR: It was -- in one of the cells that was arrested this past weekend, there was a -- there were the maps that you talked about in your show. It was obvious that the target was a British Airlines aircraft, and I believe British Airways, on that basis, made the decision to suspend operations.

We believe that the airport is very secure in terms of its perimeters and in terms of the defenses that are there. We doubt that the operation would have been successful. But, again, British Airways has a responsibility to its passengers and they have to make a decision based on what they see.

BLITZER: As you well remember, a few months back there was an attempt to shoot down a U.S. plane at the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, not far from Riyadh. How much security is in place at the international airports in Riyadh and Jeddah, to make sure not only British planes, if they are -- resume those flights -- but other European and other aircraft, including Saudi and Arab aircraft -- are safe?

AL-JUBEIR: Right. I believe that the security at our airports probably among the strictest, if not the strictest in the world as we speak. We have beefed up our security substantially after the bombings in Riyadh on May 12. We continue to look for areas to improve them. We believe -- we have much better intelligence gathering capabilities now, thanks to the hundreds of people that we have arrested. We learn more as every day goes by and we apprehend more terrorists every day, as every day goes by. And we are determined to crush this organization. I have no doubt that we will succeed.

With regards to the security in our airports, as I mentioned earlier, the airports in Saudi Arabia are very secure. We intend to keep them that way and we intend to make sure that terrorists are not able to disrupt the normal functioning of a society.

BLITZER: While I have you, Mr. Al-Jubeir, you heard Henry Schuster's report on Saad bin Laden, the son of Osama bin Laden. What can you tell us about this son?

AL-JUBEIR: He has been with his father for years. He is a part of what I would refer to as al Qaeda's board of directors. His father relies on him tremendously. We know that Saad bin Laden was responsible to a large extent for communications between bin Laden and Ayman al Zawahiri on one hand and the other operations personal in al Khidoh (ph) on the other hand. We have been tracking him. We've lost track of him after the attacks -- after the war in Afghanistan began. He would be definitely a very, very tremendous catch, if he were apprehended.

BLITZER: Do you know anything about any efforts he may have had to try to get back into Saudi Arabia?

AL-JUBEIR: I doubt that he would have tried to get back into Saudi Arabia, because he is very, very high on our watch list. We knew that he was operating out of areas along the Pakistan/Afghanistan border. We suspect that he may now be in Iran, but we're not sure. There is intelligence that he may be there.

We have asked the Iranians about him, as well as other al Qaeda members who may be in Iran, and we have indications from the Iranians that they will extradite any Saudi members of al Qaeda to Saudi Arabia. But that hasn't occurred yet and we will continue to work with the Iranians until we bring any Saudi individual who is a member of al Qaeda, to Saudi Arabia, so they can face justice.

BLITZER: Adel Al-Jubeir, thanks for joining us.

AL-JUBEIR: Thank you.

BLITZER: President Bush is upbeat about the downward slide in the U.S. economy. Does he have a plan to turn it around before the next election. We'll go live to Crawford, Texas.

And spaced out. Meet the woman who had a stellar wedding.

But first, a quick look at some other news making news around the world.

No access -- Iran's president says he will not let the United States interrogate al Qaeda operatives in Iranian custody. The country is believed to be holding as many as 15 members of the terror organization, some said to be high level.

Crime and punishment: Israeli forces demolished a house in a Palestinian refugee camp, leaving a dozen people homeless. The building was home to a teenage Palestinian suicide bomber, who blew himself up in an Israeli supermarket.

China wants to show it's serious about cracking down on counterfeit compact disks. One local government held a public ceremony in which it says millions of pirated CDs were shredded.

A violent end for the Iceman: the 5,000-year-old mummy unearthed in the Alps a decade ago. Researchers say DNA shows he probably died after a long battle and had traces of blood from four people on his clothes and weapons. A stone's throw: in northern India, a dangerous festival. Participants throw stones at each other, re-enacting an ancient mythical battle. At least 100 people were injured. 50 of them seriously.

And Cherie Blair has one of the summer's hottest dance hits.

(SINGING)

BLITZER: Deejays have remixed her rendition of this Beatles tune, which she jokingly warbled out on a trip to China last month. One music industry insider says the song is a favorite in clubs around Europe.

And that's our look around the world.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: President Bush is strongly defending his economic policy saying his tax cuts have helped save the country from a deep recession. That issue topped the agenda today as the president met with his economic team at his Texas ranch. To Crawford now and our White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux -- Suzanne.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf it was a very high-powered meeting with his aide. His secretaries of treasury as well as labor and commerce all met at the Crawford ranch earlier today. The whole point is to convince voters, consumers, that, yes, the worst is over for the economy. That it is on the mends. That we are seeing a productivity increase, as well as retail sales, jobless rate going down, but the president still arguing that more has to be done.

He is looking for some initiatives for aid from Congress and tort reform, a new energy policy, as well as fiscal restraint. But the big news today is that the president argued there is no need for yet another tax cut, that this one is in full swing and they're beginning to see the results.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: In the discussions today, we feel like the tax relief plans that we have passed will be robust enough to create the conditions necessary for economic growth and, therefore, people will find a job. If we change our opinion, we'll let you know.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: I spoke earlier today with Secretary of Treasury John Snow who says just be patient, that this is going to work in good time. Of course, a Bush aides realize this is a critical re-election issue. Not only talking about Democrats but also economists who are criticizing the Bush administration's handling of the economy. They point to 3 million jobs lost, a $455 billion federal deficit, and the big problem they say is the long-term, the deficit would have and the government trying to pay out for Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare --Wolf.

BLITZER: Suzanne Malveaux in Crawford, Texas. Thanks Suzanne very much.

And here's your chance to weigh in on this story. Our Web question of the day is this, do you think President Bush will turn around the economy before next year's election? You can answer yes or no. We'll have the results later in this broadcast. You can vote right now at CNN.com/wolf.

What's a bride to do when her groom can't even be on planet Earth. Coming up, the space bride speaks to me and you. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Earlier we asked -- besides a wedding, what other worldly event has taken place in space? The answer -- a funeral. The ashes of 24 space pioneers and enthusiasts, including "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry and rocket scientist Craft Eric (ph) were sent into orbit in 1997.

A Russian cosmonaut has gone where no man has ever gone before, to the altar from outer space. On Saturday, a crew member on the International Space Station exchanged vows with his bride, who was at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. Earlier I talked with the bride about her space age wedding.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Ekaterina, first of all, congratulations.

EKATERINA DMITRIEV, BRIDE: Thank you.

BLITZER: I guess this is an unusual wedding. But why couldn't you wait?

DMITRIEV: Because Yuri and I are so much in love. Just ecstatically in love.

BLITZER: Another month or two would have been a big deal?

DMITRIEV: No.

BLITZER: So how did you come up with this idea to do it via, I guess, satellite, is the only way I can describe it.

DMITRIEV: Well, our whole relationship has been very different from the get-go. I mean, we've had a long distance relationship over the telephone. We've gotten to know each other through words, not through physical bonding or anything like that, but through I guess the old fashioned way. So to him, while he's up there, for us to do it through the phone just seemed correct. And I got a bonus from NASA, because they allowed us to put it on the screen. He could see me and I could see him.

BLITZER: And what was the biggest challenge in trying to orchestrate this space wedding, if you want to call it that?

DMITRIEV: Well, the biggest challenge really was just getting everything together, organizing everything. I mean, just like a wedding. I just had a few other items to work with. And you know, just work with everybody on it, and get everything coordinated, get everything thrown together so that it would run smoothly. And sure enough, it ran very, very smooth.

BLITZER: But there were bridesmaids and ushers and all that kind of thing?

DMITRIEV: Yes. Yes.

BLITZER: You did a real formal, kind of traditional wedding.

DMITRIEV: Yes. It was traditional with a non-traditional touch.

BLITZER: And then you had a reception?

DMITRIEV: Yes, I did.

BLITZER: What was that for?

DMITRIEV: The reception was for basically for the support and to thank everybody for everything they helped me with, everything they did.

BLITZER: Afterwards, did you cut the cake and all that kind of thing?

DMITRIEV: I cut the cake. I did everything. I had the first dance with my father. So.

BLITZER: Did you throw the bouquet?

DMITRIEV: I forgot to do that.

BLITZER: You forgot to do that?

DMITRIEV: Yeah.

BLITZER: Now, what about a honeymoon?

DMITRIEV: Honeymoon will be in Australia, is what we're thinking of now.

BLITZER: You go to Australia. And then where do you live happily ever after?

DMITRIEV: In Moscow.

BLITZER: In Moscow?

DMITRIEV: Yes.

BLITZER: That will be a great -- we're looking forward to seeing that reunion, once he comes down. Are you a little nervous up there?

DMITRIEV: Yeah. Yes. I'm ready to see him, and I'm ready for us to start our lives together, because that's what I really, really want right now.

BLITZER: Congratulations to both of you.

DMITRIEV: Thank you so much.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Congratulations indeed.

I want to go to the State Department. Now, we're following up on a story involving Saudi Arabia. Our State Department correspondent Andrea Koppel is standing by. She's got new information -- Andrea.

ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN STATE DEPARTMENT CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, this is an alert that the State Department routinely sends out. This one has to do with Saudi Arabia. It's a travel warning to all American citizens to defer all non-essential travel, due obviously to the decision by British Airways earlier today to suspend all their flights to both Riyadh and to Jeddah. Americans, if they have any questions, Wolf, should contact the U.S. consulate, or contact the State Department -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Andrea Koppel with the latest on a travel alert to Saudi Arabia. We'll continue to follow up on this story as well.

Our hot Web question of the day is this -- do you think President Bush will turn around the economy before next year's election? You can vote, cnn.com/wolf, and we'll have the results when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Here is how you're weighing in our Web question of the day. Remember, we've been asking you this question: Do you think President Bush will turn around the economy before, repeat before, next year's election? Look at this, only 8 percent of you, who voted at least, say yes; 92 percent of you say no. As always, we remind you, this is not, repeat, not a scientific poll. You can continue to find the exact vote tally -- continue to vote, by the way, on our Web site, cnn.com/wolf.

A reminder, we're on every weekday, 5:00 p.m. Eastern. Also, noon Eastern. Until then, thanks very much for joining us. I'm Wolf Blitzer in New York. "LOU DOBBS TONIGHT" with Jan Hopkins sitting in starts right now.

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

Christopher Christie; Liberian Looters on Rampage>