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CNN Wolf Blitzer Reports

Bin Laden Videotape Released; Interview with Howard Dean; Miami Serial Rapist Almost Caught By Victim's Brother-In-Law

Aired September 10, 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: There he is once again on videotape after being low profile. Osama bin Laden appears to come out issuing this warning to America. You haven't seen anything yet.
Stand by for hard news on WOLF BLITZER REPORTS.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): On the eve of September 11th, an apparent anniversary message from Osama bin Laden and his top lieutenant.

AYMAN AL-ZAWAHIRI (through translator): The real battle has not started yet.

BLITZER: Why Vice President Cheney won't be at Ground Zero.

A CNN special report, is America's closest ally the next terror target?

Strike and counter strike, a bride buried on what was to have been her wedding day.

Israel attacks a militant leader in his home. Hamas answers with an ominous warning.

Breaking ranks on the Middle East.

SEN. JOSEPH LIEBERMAN (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Howard Dean's statements break a 50-year record.

BLITZER: I'll speak live with Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean.

They stood up to Saddam Hussein, now they speak up about the U.S.-led occupation as others speak up here at home.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mr. Rumsfeld you're fired.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANNOUNCER: CNN live this hour, WOLF BLITZER REPORTS, live from the nation's capital with correspondents from around the world. WOLF BLITZER REPORTS starts now.

BLITZER: It's Wednesday, September 10, 2003. Hello from Washington, I'm Wolf Blitzer reporting. On the eve of the second anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, a new call to arms purportedly by Osama bin Laden airs on the Arabic news network Al-Jazeera. Both bin Laden and his top deputy urge Muslims to kill Americans and turn Iraq into their graveyard.

CNN National Correspondent Mike Boettcher is joining us now from the CNN Center in Atlanta with more - Mike.

MIKE BOETTCHER, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, for several days terrorism analysts had been expecting al Qaeda to release a tape on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks and it was a tough message that was released. Indeed, it did come in the form of audio and video.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BOETTCHER (voice-over): There's no telling when this footage of Osama bin Laden and his deputy Ayman al-Zawahiri was shot. In the tape, which was aired first on Al-Jazeera, both men look in good health, bin Laden showing no obvious signs of the injuries intelligence sources say he suffered in the siege of Tora Bora in December, 2001.

Bin Laden also had an audio message, which offered no clues as to when it was recorded either. In it he praised the 9/11 hijackers and called for a continued jihad against the west.

OSAMA BIN LADEN (through translator): Those who don't agree with killing then let them step out of the way.

BOETTCHER: In his audio message, al-Zawahiri noted the second anniversary of 9/11 but his most fiery rhetoric was about Iraq. He said if the Americans stayed in Iraq they would be devoured there.

AYMAN AL-ZAWAHIRI (through translator): We recommend to the mothers of the soldiers if you live to see your sons then hasten to ask your government to return them rather than coming back to you in coffins.

BOETTCHER: Al-Zawarhiri's message was in many ways a repeat of what he said on a tape from several months ago as he specifically mentioned Afghanistan and Palestine alongside Iraq.

AL-ZAWAHIRI (through translator): We would like to let you know also an emphasize that what you've seen so far are just the first skirmishes and the real battle has not started yet.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BOETTCHER: What is now of concern to coalition intelligence analysts is the videotape and audio tape. In the past when there have been such messages, often they are followed by attacks, so they're looking very closely, looking for any signals and they will be examining that tape for the next several days - Wolf.

BLITZER: CNN's Mike Boettcher with the latest from the CNN Center, thanks Mike very much for that report.

President Bush today said America will never forget the burning towers and those who plotted the September 11th attacks. With al Qaeda apparently sending a fresh reminder, let's go live to our Senior White House Correspondent John King - John.

JOHN KING, CNN SR. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: And, Wolf, word of that fresh reminder, the purported reminder anyway, came as the president was touring the FBI crime lab in Quantico, Virginia. He was there to deliver his assessment of the war on terrorism on the eve of the September 11th anniversary.

Haven't heard it yet is what the president told reporters when he was asked about that tape but his speech there certainly underscored the White House message. The White House says two-thirds of the top al Qaeda leaders have been captured or killed.

Bin Laden and his top deputy who we are allegedly hearing from again today, of course, are among those unaccounted for. That is why the president said today that the war must go on, that terrorists must not be appeased. They must be hunted, captured, or killed.

Here at the White House, Wolf, they say they will analyze this tape to see whether or not it is authentic. They say whether it is or not the president is trying to make the case that this will be a long war. Many of his critics, of course, are saying the president should have focused on Osama bin Laden before worrying about Saddam Hussein - Wolf.

BLITZER: John, anything special the president planning to do on the second anniversary?

KING: A very low key event in the sense you won't hear from the president all that much. He will attend church services in the morning. There will be a moment of silence here at the White House at the moment of the first attack, the White House believing it is best to keep relatively quiet this year, simply honor the victims not a day for the politicians to be giving speeches.

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

CNN's Chief International Correspondent Christiane Amanpour recently returned from Afghanistan where she joined U.S. and Afghan troops hunting for Taliban and al Qaeda forces. Christiane is now joining us live from London.

Christiane, you looked at this videotape that came out today, purportedly new videotape, did you see anything that suggested to you areas where you might have visited only within the past few days?

CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Do you know it's so similar, whether it be eastern Afghanistan, the mountainous area, or the Pakistani border area it's really so hard for us, in fact, impossible for somebody like me to say exactly where that was. The terrain is very similar in many parts of that border area. The thing that I think is interesting is that there is an upsurge of Taliban and al Qaeda operations in Afghanistan. The U.S. forces Operation Enduring Freedom, as it's known, have been waging a massive offensive against them for the last couple of weeks and it's still going on.

The U.S. has taken several casualties and this is, as I spoke to senior military officials there, a worry to them, this resurgence. Why is it happening now? They believe it's a last desperate stand for power but, of course, it is gathering some momentum in that it's causing a lot of death, not just amongst coalition soldiers there but also among Afghans who support the Americans, what they do, and who support the U.S.-backed central government in Afghanistan.

BLITZER: Christiane, you've been reporting of a resurgence of these Taliban elements in Afghanistan. This audio/videotape that's now being released by Al-Jazeera what, if any, impact is that likely to have on these elements of the Taliban that may seek to try to gain some strength right now?

AMANPOUR: Well, I think obviously psychologically the impact is going to be very important. It's been a long, long time, more than a year since a videotape of bin Laden has been released and it's clearly going to be something that followers will call a (unintelligible).

It's obviously a signal that the network exists. Whether or not it was taped recently it's still a message to followers, so that of course is worrying for the war on terror and is, of course, something that will galvanize those who are seeking to capitalize, for instance, on the current situation in Iraq.

BLITZER: CNN's Christiane Amanpour with some analysis for us, thanks Christiane very much.

BLITZER: And joining us now at CNN Center in Atlanta with his take on this purported new bin Laden tape, the terrorism expert Magnus Ranstorp. Thanks very much, Magnus, for joining us.

MAGNUS RANSTORP, TERRORISM EXPERT: My pleasure.

BLITZER: What struck you immediately when studying this new videotape?

RANSTORP: Well, I think it's significant that the videotape occurred. It wasn't a great surprise but certainly it warns, it puts Iraq at the epicenter. It urges jihadists to flock there. This is the Ayman al-Zawahiri call for arms.

At the same time, this was one of the first visible evidence that we have of bin Laden seemingly being well, being alive. I was watching very closely his left arm, whether he was using that but it's still too early to be able to say what time this was recorded so I think we have to wait for a while.

Certainly, this video is designed to do three things, first of all to taunt the United States that they are in a leisurely fashion still alive and well that the U.S. military might can not be able to reach them.

And secondly, it is to warn of impending attacks that the United States can expect greater attacks even than 9/11. And thirdly, and I think most importantly, this is part of al Qaeda's and bin Laden's psychological warfare.

They are out to try to mobilize new recruits, of trying to focus with Iraq at the epicenter new jihadists to join the call to confront American forces and to confront the west in general.

BLITZER: Magnus, you mention his left hand. There's been a lot of speculation over the past couple of years that there may have been some injury that he endured. I'm going to show the viewers once again this videotape. What do you make of his physical condition, especially his left hand?

RANSTORP: Well, I was watching this video and I think there are mixed messages. On the one hand he is quite immobile but, on the other hand, he's using his cane. He's walking down the mountain. I think that he certainly was injured. We know that for sure.

Possibly, there are reports that Ayman al-Zawahiri may have operated on him but it is very difficult to say at what stage he is in. I think most people would concur with the conclusion that he's still alive and that the noose is tightening around him just south of Kabul.

BLITZER: Magnus Ranstorp who studied Osama bin Laden for many years, Magnus thanks very much.

RANSTORP: My pleasure.

BLITZER: And here's your turn to weigh in on the story. Our web question of the day is this. "Do you feel the U.S. government has done enough since 9/11 to make you safe?" We'll have the results later in this broadcast but you can vote right now at cnn.com/wolf.

While you're there I'd love to hear directly from you. Send me your comments. I'll try to read some of them on the air each day at the end of this program and that's also, of course, where you can read my daily online column, cnn.com/wolf.

Stay with us. We're standing by for more developments regarding this videotape, purportedly a new videotape from Osama bin Laden.

Also Donald Rumsfeld getting some career advice...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mr. Rumsfeld you're fired.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: The defense secretary, the latest member of the Pentagon's top echelon to come under fire for the Iraq War. We'll bring you that full exchange over at the National Press Club here in Washington earlier today.

But just ahead, the vice president asked not to attend an important 9/11 anniversary event in New York City tomorrow. The mayor insists Dick Cheney has not been dis-invited but we'll have details.

And, could Howard Dean's latest remarks on Israel cost him key votes? I'll have some tough questions for the Democratic presidential hopeful. I'll speak with him live this hour. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: A CNN special report "BRACING FOR TERROR" the cost of being America's ally. We'll take you to a country whose citizens say they believe they could be next. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: The subject was the war on terrorism but there was a dramatic interruption during Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's speech today at the National Press Club.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD RUMSFELD, DEFENSE SECRETARY: On the run in a matter of months.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mr. Rumsfeld you're fired. Your foreign policy is based on lies. The war in Iraq is unjust and illegal and the occupation is immoral. There are U.S. soldiers dying in Iraq every day.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Go home. Go home.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Bring the troops home now.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Go home.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Tell us when the troops are coming home. They need to come home. Hey Rumsfeld what do you say how many troops did you kill today. Hey Rumsfeld what do you say how many troops did you kill today. Hey, hey, what do you say how many troops did you kill today.

RUMSFELD: Well now, you know I just came in from Baghdad and there are now over 100 newspapers in the free press in Iraq in a free Iraq where people are able to say whatever they wish. People are debating. People are discussing something they had not done for decades and so if one looks back just four and a half months ago that regime was still in place. It was still creating mass graves and filling them with bodies of innocent men, women, and children.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: And during Saddam Hussein's rule, ordinary Iraqis lived under the fear of the dictator's iron fist. Now they spend each day with another type of fear but one just as deadly. CNN's Ben Wedeman talks to one Iraqi who dared speak out against Saddam Hussein and now speaks out about the U.S. occupation.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This was not part of the scenario envisioned for the new Iraq, a series of terrorist bombings that have killed more than 100 civilians.

What do Iraqis make of this wave of terror? Some worry the wave may get much bigger. Iraqi journalist Subhy Haddad was once imprisoned by Saddam Hussein for speaking his mind.

SUBHY HADDAD, IRAQI JOURNALIST: Do we need an 11th of September in Baghdad now? Do we, a new 11th of September, thousands of people getting killed in a building or in a district because terrorists are coming into Iraq?

WEDEMAN: What President Bush now calls the central front in the war on terror is in the view of many Iraqis a front of America's own making. They point to the heavy handedness of many U.S. raids, which have sparked resentment among ordinary Iraqis. Public resentment of the U.S. military may not breed terrorists but it can create a more hospitable environment for them.

The U.S. military is now taking pains to carry out more carefully targeted raids in which fewer Iraqi civilians are swept up in the searches but the Americans have a lot of bad will to overcome. Waiting for hours in the sun thousands of members of the disbanded Iraqi military line up for their month's stipends from the coalition authority.

"Four or five Americans are killed a day" says this non- commissioned officer. "One hundred or more should be killed a day because of the way they're treating people," perhaps just venting.

For a more reasoned voice we spoke with Wadhmi Nazim a professor who, when I first met him four years ago, did something I've never seen any Iraqi do on camera. He criticized Saddam Hussein. We thought a man who dared speak his mind under Saddam was worth asking if the U.S. could overcome the terrorists.

WADHMI NAZIM, BAGHDAD UNIVERSITY: But I see just the opposite that the Americans will have to face so many fronts with difficult and different military demands that the American army in the long run will be exhausted.

WEDEMAN (on camera): The scenario for post war Iraq featured democracy and economic development. The sooner those are in place, Iraqis say, the less likely their country will remain a battlefield in the war on terror.

Ben Wedeman, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE) BLITZER: And, stay with us. We have much more on the purported new audio tape and videotape of Osama bin Laden. Could the airing of this tape backfire on him?

Plus, a deadly strike by Israeli forces, an ominous warning from Hamas. Are they on the verge of a full scale war?

They're America's closest ally in the war on terror but they've been put on the defensive at home. Our Sheila MacVicar has a new report on what the British really think of their role in this ongoing war and its costs.

And, a sexual predator in downtown Miami, I'll speak live with Miami police chief John Timoney about a series of recent attacks.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Israel today struck back for yesterday's twin suicide bombings that killed 15 people in Jerusalem and near Tel Aviv. An Air Force jet fired a missile which destroyed the Gaza home of a militant leader. Hamas co-founder Mahmood al-Zahar, his wife and daughter were wounded. His son and another man were killed.

Hours after the missile strike, Hamas, which had claimed responsibility for the suicide bombings, issued a warning saying it will strike at Israeli houses and apartment buildings.

Calling this a "very dangerous moment for both sides" the Palestinian Parliament Speaker Ahmed Qorei today accepted the post of prime minister. He immediately came under strong pressure from President Bush to unleash Palestinian security forces to dismantle terror groups.

The pattern of strike and counterstrike in the Middle East has led to countless tragedies. Here's the story of one family shattered by the suicide bombing at a Jerusalem cafe, a father and a daughter who died together on the eve of her wedding.

CNN's Matthew Chance reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Shrouded in white, the body of Nava Applebaum (ph) is carried by loved ones and laid to rest. This was meant to be her wedding day not her funeral at just 20 years old.

The man she was to marry, Hannan (ph), tossed a ring into the grave. Beyond words himself his father spoke instead.

ZVI SAND, GROOM'S FATHER: People of Israel went through times. We're three and a half thousand years struggling and this is not going to break us. This is just going to make us stronger.

JOANNE BARTH, RELATIVE: We were supposed to go and dance at this girl's wedding tonight. This is the invitation to the wedding, Nava and Hannan Yakov (ph) were supposed to be getting married. Instead we buried her.

CHANCE: At her side in death, a father who gave his life to saving others. Dr. David Applebaum ran the emergency room at a Jerusalem hospital and was all too familiar with attacks like this in which he and Nava were killed. He'd been lecturing in New York on treating the victims of emergencies like 9/11 just days before.

ZALMAN OEUISCH, FAMILY FRIEND: A tremendous humanist, a tremendous caring for people of all sorts. He saved thousands of Jewish people. He saved thousands of Arab people.

CHANCE: It is another terrible loss to be prayed for and grieved.

(on camera): This Israeli-Palestinian conflict has claimed thousands of other lives but this was one man who had saved many and his daughter who had hurt no one. For many here and elsewhere their loss is a sad and painful tragedy.

(voice-over): And one which Israel now mourns with all the rest.

Matthew Chance, CNN, Jerusalem.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: What a tragedy.

It's been almost two years since President Bush vowed to hunt down al Qaeda's chief and the hunt still goes on, can the latest tape provide clues for bin Laden's hideout?

Here is someone you will not see at the New York anniversary tomorrow. Find out why when we return.

And later, Howard Dean in his own words, I'll speak to the Democratic presidential candidate about last night's debate and the advice he has for President Bush. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Topping the news at this half hour on the eve of the second anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, the Arabic news network Al- Jazeera airs what is says is a new videotape of Osama bin Laden.

The tape shows the al Qaeda leader walking down a hillside with his chief deputy Ayman al-Zawahiri. An audio tape attributed to bin Laden that aired with the video praises the 9/11 anniversary message really from al Qaeda? Could this latest tape actually backfire on Osama bin Laden?

Let's turn to our national security correspondent, David Ensor -- David.

DAVID ENSOR, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, U.S. intelligence officials say the CIA is analyzing the tape very closely. Within a day or so, they'll be able to say whether the voices are those of his Osama bin Laden and his deputy, Ayman Al- Zawahiri.

Officials say their preliminary view is that the videotape was not recorded recently. Al Jazeera television, which first broadcast the tape, said it believes the tape was produced in late April or early May of this year.

Whoever made the tape and whenever they did so, it was clearly designed to get attention around the second anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. One intelligence official today calling it -- quote -- "a PR ploy" designed to draw attention to -- quote -- "their standard rhetoric."

The most blunt threat on the tape comes from Ayman Al-Zawahiri and it is addressed largely to American mothers. Quote -- "We advise the mothers of the crusader soldiers, if they hope to see their sons, to quickly ask their governments to return them before they return them in coffins" -- unquote. U.S. officials will analyze the tape for clues as to where it was filmed, though they believe by now the two al Qaeda leaders must be far from that location.

They continue to tell us their best estimate is that bin Laden and Al-Zawahiri are along the Afghan-Pakistani border somewhere. The two have apparently given up using modern communications methods of any kind, officials say. So if they're directing al Qaeda's operations directly anymore, it's by written and spoken messages sent by courier -- Wolf.

BLITZER: All right. David Ensor with the latest on this important story today. Thanks, David, very much.

Vice President Dick Cheney plans to be in New York tomorrow for ceremonies marking the second anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. But at the request of Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the vice president will skip one key event.

CNN's Kris Osborn is in New York with the latest.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KRIS OSBORN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): New York Mayor Bloomberg said security preparations made it would be impractical for Vice President Dick Cheney to attend the second anniversary memorial at Ground Zero.

MAYOR MICHAEL BLOOMBERG (R), NEW YORK: It turned out to be so complicated to provide the security that the vice president's Secret Service agents wanted that, in the end, he thought it would take away from the families.

OSBORN: Instead, the vice president plans to attend a later memorial honoring fallen Port Authority officers at a church uptown.

SCOTT MCCLELLAN, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECY.: The last thing we want to do is be disruptive of any remembrance ceremony that is occurring.

OSBORN: Bloomberg said the decision is made out of respect for the victims' families. The mayor said the decision was a collaborative one.

BLOOMBERG: If you think about the magnitude of the number of people coming, providing security for everybody as though it was a small event indoors, just turned out -- it was a little bit impractical. But mainly, it was intrusive on the families.

OSBORN: A year ago, President Bush attended the memorial, walking into Ground Zero with victims' families.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

OSBORN: And this year, the families have been a bit more divided with some hoping the president would again attend the ceremony, and others are saying they don't want any major politicians there so that the focus can sharpen on the children and the plan to read the names of the 9/11 victims -- Wolf.

CNN's Kris Osborn on assignment in New York for us. Thanks very much, Kris, for that report.

BLITZER: Britain's support of the United States in the war on terror and the war in Iraq are raising some fears in that country. Some experts say the close ties have set Britain up for possible attack.

Here's CNN's senior international correspondent Sheila MacVicar.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SHELIA MACVICAR, CNN SR. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice- over): Police in gas masks. In London's subway, firefighters in decontamination suits.

This is a training exercise, but repeatedly British politicians and authorities warn this country is at risk.

ALISTAIR DARLING, TRANSPORT SECRETARY: We live in difficult times. We know we have to prepare for terrorist attacks.

MACVICAR: The authorities rule nothing out. They talk of suicide bombers, of truck bombs, of biological or chemical attacks.

One risk analysis group recently concluded the U.K. faces the greatest risk from terrorism of any European state.

(on camera): In the last week, the head of London's metropolitan police force said a terror attack here was -- quote -- "almost inevitable." And without making public any specific intelligence, he said the alert level was the highest it had ever been.

(voice-over): One reason is the close relationship between Britain's prime minister and the American president. As the U.S. has gone to war in Iraq, so has Britain. Analysts say that makes Britain a more likely focus of anger from extremists.

CHARLES SHOEBRIDGE, SECURITY ANALYST: Without doubt, at the current time, the greatest threat to the U.K security is from Islamic extremism.

MACVICAR: Charles Shoebridge is a former counterterrorism intelligence officer.

SHOEBRIDGE: It becomes an easier target to hit because of (UNINTELLIGIBLE) the Muslim population here. But also it becomes a more valuable target in terms of symbolic importance.

MACVICAR: For years, European intelligence agencies criticized British authorities for allowing extremist clerics like Abu Hamza to continue to approach. He and others have been accused of recruiting Muslims to militant causes.

In a very public change of policy, British police raided his mosque, have silenced him and arrested others, a move supported by many in Britain's Muslim community.

But there is now also a recognition the threat may come from within.

GARTH WHITTY, ROYAL UNITED SERVICES INSTITUTE: Of course, it came as a huge shock to the security intelligence agencies within the United Kingdom when we had two British citizens go to Israel with the intent of being suicide attackers. So that very much changed the focus.

MACVICAR: In less than a year, British police have discovered a primitive lab meant to produce small quantities of highly toxic ricin. In a high profile and some suggest exaggerated maneuver, British troops were deployed at Heathrow Airport after reported threats to shoot down a passenger jet.

British Airways temporarily suspended flights to Saudi Arabia and Kenya after more missile threats. The airline now acknowledges it is considering it is considering installing anti-missile technology on its jets.

Security has had to be improved at the houses of Parliament and at the country's airports.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The whole essence of Islamic extremist terrorism -- the way it's developing at the moment is with groups semi-independent around the world occasionally coming together for big operations.

MACVICAR: The concern is that as extremists move further underground, here, their contacts will be harder to detect, their plots more difficult to uncover. The authorities may warn about the inevitability of the attack. But what they do not know and cannot tell their people is when or what.

Sheila MacVicar, CNN, London.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Democratic president hopeful Howard Dean has some strong words for president bush. He had them last night.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HOWARD DEAN (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I believe the president of the United States should swallow his pride.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Find out why when we talk to Howard Dean right after this break.

And later, Miami is on the hunt for a serial rapist. We'll get the report from the Miami police chief.

First, let's take a quick look at some other news making headlines "Around the World."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): Jungle rescue. Peru's national police repelling from helicopters at the start of the mission that rescued dozens of kidnapped indigenous people in the southeastern part of the country. Officials said the hostages had been held by Shining Path rebels as slaves and human shields for several years.

Deadly bus crash. Thirty-five people, including five children, were killed when the bus they were on slammed into a truck in western Venezuela. The truck driver was also killed.

Swedish official attacked. Foreign Minister Ana Lindh was stabbed several times in a Stockholm department store. The attacker escaped. Lindh he was hospitalized in serious condition. Officials say her injuries are not life-threatening.

Bali death sentence. The man accused of being the intellectual mastermind of last year's nightclub bombings in Bali, Indonesia has been sentenced to death by firing squad. Imam Samudra (ph) shouted "God is great" as the verdict was read. The attack killed more than 200 people.

Ancient discovery. Mongolian and Turkish archaeologists have found a large temple site dedicated to a ruler of the pre-Islamic Turkic empire. Among items discovered were the ruler's crown and gold and silver ornaments adorned with precious stones.

Attacking Barbie. Saudi Arabia's religious police have declared Barbie dolls a threat to morality. Officials say the revealing clothes of what they describe as a Jewish toy is offensive to Islam. Barbie has been banned in the kingdom for more than 10 years.

And that's our look "Around the World."

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back.

A heated exchange last night between two of the nine Democrats who hope to unseat President Bush at a debate in Baltimore. Howard Dean and Senator Joe Lieberman sparred over U.S. policy toward Israel. That debate, sponsored by the Congressional Black Caucus Institute and the Fox News Channel. Lieberman accused Dean of trying to break the close ties between the U.S. and Israel with his recent comments that Israel should pull out of the West Bank.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DEAN: It doesn't help, Joe, to demagogue this issue. We're all Democrats. We need to beat George Bush s we can have peace in the Middle East.

SEN. JOE LIEBERMAN (D-CT), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I will say one sentence.

BRIT HUME, FOX NEWS CHANNEL ANCHOR: Quickly, Senator, please.

LIEBERMAN: I will simply say that Howard Dean's statements break a 50-year record in which presidents, Republican and Democrat, members of Congress of both parties, have supported our relationship with Israel based on shared values.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Howard Dean, arguably the Democratic frontrunner right now, is with me from South Burlington, Vermont.

Governor, thanks very much for joining us.

DEAN: Thanks, Wolf.

BLITZER: You've caused quite a stir when you suggested that the U.S. should -- quote -- "not take sides in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict." A lot of supporters of Israel think you're backing away from America's traditional support.

DEAN: Well, that simply isn't the fact. The fact is this is mostly a -- an attempt by supporters of both President Bush and Senator Lieberman to try to inject some controversy where there is none. The fact is that American policy has been the same for 54 years. We do have a special relationship with Israel. We would defend Israel, if necessary. I think that's well-known.

However, we are also the only country capable of bringing peace to the Middle East, and when we sit at the negotiating table, we do have to have the trust of both sides, or we will never succeed. And I think this president, who put the Middle East on hold for 18 month, has a problem here, which is one of the reasons his supports and Joe's supporters are trying to make this into an issue that it is not.

I think it's unfortunate that Senator Lieberman is trying to divide the Democratic Party. The Democratic Party, under Harry Truman, recognized Israel. We were the first country to that. But, let me just say this -- having spent some time there, I can tell you that it is incredibly traumatic, both for Israeli mothers to let their children go to school without knowing if they're going to come home, and for Palestinians, 80 percent of whom now live below the poverty line. I believe that people on both sides of the Green Line want peace and I think they would happily settle for a two-state solution if the security of their borders could be guaranteed.

BLITZER: It's not just your Democratic opponents for the nomination, but other Democrats -- Howard Berman, a Democratic Congressman, circulating right now a letter on Capitol Hill. Nancy Pelosi apparently is with him on this -- Stenny Hoyer, other Democrats saying that you're wrong in saying the U.S. should not take sides.

Among other things, they write this. "American foreign policy has been and must continue to be based on unequivocal support for Israel's right to exist and to be free from terror."

They don't want you to say that there's sort of an equal policy between the Israelis and the Palestinians.

DEAN: The American policy is and will continue to be based on Israel's right to exist. No one is challenging this.

In all due -- the people who are stirring this up are composed in two camps. Some are supporters of -- evidently, if Nancy is supporting this, Senator Lieberman, Representative Gephardt and President Bush. And some are genuinely concerned about what my position might be.

My position very -- is very clear. It 's the same position that Bill Clinton had, who nearly succeeded in bringing the Israelis and the Palestinians together. I think it's the responsible position and I've just stated what it is.

BLITZER: Let's go through some specifics to flesh it out. Israeli settlements. Should they dismantle them?

DEAN: Well, first of all, I think that's going to be left up to the negotiation between the parties. Everybody, including Prime Minister Sharon, has said there will be a dismantling of some of the settlements. The question is now going to be how many. The United States needs to play the role of bringing both parties together so they can negotiate that.

BLITZER: What about targeted killings, as the Israeli called them -- assassinations of Hamas militants?

DEAN: I think no one likes to see violence of any kind. That's why the United States is involved in this.

I will say, however, that there is a war going on in the Middle East, and members of Hamas are soldiers in that war, and, therefore, it seems to me, that they are going to be casualties if they are going to make war. So I would prefer and strongly speak out against violence of any kind in the Middle East. That's what I mean by being even-handed. Somebody asked me -- even-handed was a poor choice of words, as I now find out. That's a very sensitive word. But somebody asked me -- the question was -- and that's how this word came about is -- who do you blame?

First, you must condemn civilian killings, including any terrorist attacks. Secondly, when we are blaming people -- actually, I think when you're at the negotiating table, you don't sit down and blame people when you're negotiating. There's a difference between our policy in Israel, which has always been supportive, including the willingness to defend Israel, and what you do at the negotiating table, which clearly has to have the trust of both sides.

BLITZER: Should the Israelis expel Yasser Arafat from the West Bank?

DEAN: That -- I wouldn't recommend it, because I think Yasser Arafat will become a martyr. But again, I've actually had conversations with the Prime Minister Sharon about that very subject. I don't think they will do that.

BLITZER: What about the security fence that they're building? Should they go forward with it?

DEAN: Well, the problem with the fence is that it's not along the Green Line. And so, I think Israel has every right to defend itself. But I think it's also important that the defense not become a de facto to border.

BLITZER: Not just Lieberman, Senator Edwards is criticizing for saying you're the only Democratic candidate who speaks about race before white audiences. He says he does that all the time. And we checked. He does.

DEAN: Well, I don't know what his context is, but I said exactly what I said last night at the -- at Jessie Jackson's Push Forum out in Chicago about two months ago and I never heard a peep from any of these candidates about that.

No, the honest truth is that most of this -- I think what the -- what Joe and others are doing on Israel is despicable. I think that is a real mistake and it does divide the Democratic Party, which has been a very a strong supporter of Israel.

But I think lot of this stuff is motivated by my position in the polls right now, and that's part of politics. I don think it's a good part of politics, though. And it's Washington politics at its worst.

BLITZER: What about -- your campaign staff suggesting you want this president, President Bush, to use the former president Bill Clinton in some sort of way in the Middle East.

DEAN: I think Bill Clinton is the president who has come the closest to bringing the Israelis and the Palestinians together and I actually have called on George Bush formally to swallow his pride and call Bill Clinton and ask Bill Clinton to go to the Middle East and begin the process of negotiating -- setting up the negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians.

We have got to have peace there. There is too much at stake for Israelis. There is too much at stake for Palestinians. I believe the majority on both sides want peace. They would settle for a two-state solution if their security could be guaranteed, and Bill Clinton may be just the person we need to put those negotiations back on track.

BLITZER: We only have a few seconds, Governor. Was it a mistake to say the U.S. should have an even-handed policy towards the Israelis and the Palestinians?

DEAN: Well, I have since learned that is a sensitive word to use in certain communities. So perhaps I could have used a different euphemism. But the fact of the matter is, at the negotiating table, we have to have the trust of both sides.

BLITZER: So no apology coming from you on that front?

DEAN: No. I believe -- the position that I take on Israel is exactly the position the United States has taken for 54 years.

BLITZER: Governor Howard Dean, thanks very much for joining us.

DEAN: Thank you.

BLITZER: An attack averted.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JUAN RODRIGUEZ, RELATIVE OF VICTIM: I jump on him and we fell.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Was the assailant the Miami serial rapist? We'll talk to the police chief to track down a predator.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: The man Miami police describe as a serial rapist has attacked again. The police chief John Timoney says DNA evidence collected at the scene of Saturday's attacks, matches forensic evidence collected from seven other rapes in the same general area. The victim was assaulted but not raped. Her screams were heard by relatives who fought with the attacker before he escaped.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RODRIGUEZ: He had my sister-in-law from the back. When he saw me, he tried to escape. I jump on him and we fell.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Since September of last year there have been ten sexual attacks, all in downtown Miami. The ages of the victims range from 11 years old to 79. Joining us from Miami, the police chief. Thanks for joining us. How close are you to catching this guy. JOHN TIMONEY, MIAMI POLICE CHIEF: Good evening, Blitz. I think we're close because now as a result of Saturday we have at least three witnesses who were not subject to assault, in other words, who were not traumatized. We have a very good description. We have a partial plate and quite literally hundreds of investigators combing the area. We're starting to get some good tips coming in. Hopefully, hopefully, we'll catch this guy.

BLITZER: All these rapes have been in the same general area. What do you want people in Miami to be doing right now?

TIMONEY: Well, it's interesting. They break down to two broad categories. One, the very young. There were three young girls, 11 12 and 13, getting off school buses coming home. So we need the schools and the parents to make sure that the kids watch -- a lot of latchkey kids -- watch before they go into the home that nobody is follow them.

The other women who were either in home or in the backyard doing laundry that were accosted by this guy inquiring about apartments for rent, or something like that, some other excuse, engages them in conversations and then gets them to their apartment.

On Saturday, he engaged a woman in conversation in the alleyway. She became suspicious, pushed past him. She then screamed when he grabbed her. Fortunately her brother-in-law came out. There was a pretty tough fight. He almost killed the guy, strangled him. It was as a result of his sister-in-law screaming to let him go that allowed this guy to escape. But meanwhile he bit the gentleman on the arm. As a result of that bite, we were able to take a swab and produce DNA that matched up with the 9 other assaults.

BLITZER: Chief, Good luck to you. Good luck to all of our friend in Miami.

TIMONEY: Thanks, Wolf.

BLITZER: Thanks very much.

The results of the Web question coming up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Those are the results of our Web question of the day. Remember, not a scientific poll. There's been a new development in the case of Zacarious Moussaui. Citing what they called the interests of national security, federal prosecutors today said today they will not cooperate with the judge's order to let 2 top al Qaeda captives testify on Moussaoui behalf.

We'll have much more details on this coming up throughout the night. "LOU DOBBS TONIGHT" starts right now.

END

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Miami Serial Rapist Almost Caught By Victim's Brother-In-Law>


Aired September 10, 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: There he is once again on videotape after being low profile. Osama bin Laden appears to come out issuing this warning to America. You haven't seen anything yet.
Stand by for hard news on WOLF BLITZER REPORTS.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): On the eve of September 11th, an apparent anniversary message from Osama bin Laden and his top lieutenant.

AYMAN AL-ZAWAHIRI (through translator): The real battle has not started yet.

BLITZER: Why Vice President Cheney won't be at Ground Zero.

A CNN special report, is America's closest ally the next terror target?

Strike and counter strike, a bride buried on what was to have been her wedding day.

Israel attacks a militant leader in his home. Hamas answers with an ominous warning.

Breaking ranks on the Middle East.

SEN. JOSEPH LIEBERMAN (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Howard Dean's statements break a 50-year record.

BLITZER: I'll speak live with Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean.

They stood up to Saddam Hussein, now they speak up about the U.S.-led occupation as others speak up here at home.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mr. Rumsfeld you're fired.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANNOUNCER: CNN live this hour, WOLF BLITZER REPORTS, live from the nation's capital with correspondents from around the world. WOLF BLITZER REPORTS starts now.

BLITZER: It's Wednesday, September 10, 2003. Hello from Washington, I'm Wolf Blitzer reporting. On the eve of the second anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, a new call to arms purportedly by Osama bin Laden airs on the Arabic news network Al-Jazeera. Both bin Laden and his top deputy urge Muslims to kill Americans and turn Iraq into their graveyard.

CNN National Correspondent Mike Boettcher is joining us now from the CNN Center in Atlanta with more - Mike.

MIKE BOETTCHER, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, for several days terrorism analysts had been expecting al Qaeda to release a tape on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks and it was a tough message that was released. Indeed, it did come in the form of audio and video.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BOETTCHER (voice-over): There's no telling when this footage of Osama bin Laden and his deputy Ayman al-Zawahiri was shot. In the tape, which was aired first on Al-Jazeera, both men look in good health, bin Laden showing no obvious signs of the injuries intelligence sources say he suffered in the siege of Tora Bora in December, 2001.

Bin Laden also had an audio message, which offered no clues as to when it was recorded either. In it he praised the 9/11 hijackers and called for a continued jihad against the west.

OSAMA BIN LADEN (through translator): Those who don't agree with killing then let them step out of the way.

BOETTCHER: In his audio message, al-Zawahiri noted the second anniversary of 9/11 but his most fiery rhetoric was about Iraq. He said if the Americans stayed in Iraq they would be devoured there.

AYMAN AL-ZAWAHIRI (through translator): We recommend to the mothers of the soldiers if you live to see your sons then hasten to ask your government to return them rather than coming back to you in coffins.

BOETTCHER: Al-Zawarhiri's message was in many ways a repeat of what he said on a tape from several months ago as he specifically mentioned Afghanistan and Palestine alongside Iraq.

AL-ZAWAHIRI (through translator): We would like to let you know also an emphasize that what you've seen so far are just the first skirmishes and the real battle has not started yet.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BOETTCHER: What is now of concern to coalition intelligence analysts is the videotape and audio tape. In the past when there have been such messages, often they are followed by attacks, so they're looking very closely, looking for any signals and they will be examining that tape for the next several days - Wolf.

BLITZER: CNN's Mike Boettcher with the latest from the CNN Center, thanks Mike very much for that report.

President Bush today said America will never forget the burning towers and those who plotted the September 11th attacks. With al Qaeda apparently sending a fresh reminder, let's go live to our Senior White House Correspondent John King - John.

JOHN KING, CNN SR. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: And, Wolf, word of that fresh reminder, the purported reminder anyway, came as the president was touring the FBI crime lab in Quantico, Virginia. He was there to deliver his assessment of the war on terrorism on the eve of the September 11th anniversary.

Haven't heard it yet is what the president told reporters when he was asked about that tape but his speech there certainly underscored the White House message. The White House says two-thirds of the top al Qaeda leaders have been captured or killed.

Bin Laden and his top deputy who we are allegedly hearing from again today, of course, are among those unaccounted for. That is why the president said today that the war must go on, that terrorists must not be appeased. They must be hunted, captured, or killed.

Here at the White House, Wolf, they say they will analyze this tape to see whether or not it is authentic. They say whether it is or not the president is trying to make the case that this will be a long war. Many of his critics, of course, are saying the president should have focused on Osama bin Laden before worrying about Saddam Hussein - Wolf.

BLITZER: John, anything special the president planning to do on the second anniversary?

KING: A very low key event in the sense you won't hear from the president all that much. He will attend church services in the morning. There will be a moment of silence here at the White House at the moment of the first attack, the White House believing it is best to keep relatively quiet this year, simply honor the victims not a day for the politicians to be giving speeches.

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

CNN's Chief International Correspondent Christiane Amanpour recently returned from Afghanistan where she joined U.S. and Afghan troops hunting for Taliban and al Qaeda forces. Christiane is now joining us live from London.

Christiane, you looked at this videotape that came out today, purportedly new videotape, did you see anything that suggested to you areas where you might have visited only within the past few days?

CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Do you know it's so similar, whether it be eastern Afghanistan, the mountainous area, or the Pakistani border area it's really so hard for us, in fact, impossible for somebody like me to say exactly where that was. The terrain is very similar in many parts of that border area. The thing that I think is interesting is that there is an upsurge of Taliban and al Qaeda operations in Afghanistan. The U.S. forces Operation Enduring Freedom, as it's known, have been waging a massive offensive against them for the last couple of weeks and it's still going on.

The U.S. has taken several casualties and this is, as I spoke to senior military officials there, a worry to them, this resurgence. Why is it happening now? They believe it's a last desperate stand for power but, of course, it is gathering some momentum in that it's causing a lot of death, not just amongst coalition soldiers there but also among Afghans who support the Americans, what they do, and who support the U.S.-backed central government in Afghanistan.

BLITZER: Christiane, you've been reporting of a resurgence of these Taliban elements in Afghanistan. This audio/videotape that's now being released by Al-Jazeera what, if any, impact is that likely to have on these elements of the Taliban that may seek to try to gain some strength right now?

AMANPOUR: Well, I think obviously psychologically the impact is going to be very important. It's been a long, long time, more than a year since a videotape of bin Laden has been released and it's clearly going to be something that followers will call a (unintelligible).

It's obviously a signal that the network exists. Whether or not it was taped recently it's still a message to followers, so that of course is worrying for the war on terror and is, of course, something that will galvanize those who are seeking to capitalize, for instance, on the current situation in Iraq.

BLITZER: CNN's Christiane Amanpour with some analysis for us, thanks Christiane very much.

BLITZER: And joining us now at CNN Center in Atlanta with his take on this purported new bin Laden tape, the terrorism expert Magnus Ranstorp. Thanks very much, Magnus, for joining us.

MAGNUS RANSTORP, TERRORISM EXPERT: My pleasure.

BLITZER: What struck you immediately when studying this new videotape?

RANSTORP: Well, I think it's significant that the videotape occurred. It wasn't a great surprise but certainly it warns, it puts Iraq at the epicenter. It urges jihadists to flock there. This is the Ayman al-Zawahiri call for arms.

At the same time, this was one of the first visible evidence that we have of bin Laden seemingly being well, being alive. I was watching very closely his left arm, whether he was using that but it's still too early to be able to say what time this was recorded so I think we have to wait for a while.

Certainly, this video is designed to do three things, first of all to taunt the United States that they are in a leisurely fashion still alive and well that the U.S. military might can not be able to reach them.

And secondly, it is to warn of impending attacks that the United States can expect greater attacks even than 9/11. And thirdly, and I think most importantly, this is part of al Qaeda's and bin Laden's psychological warfare.

They are out to try to mobilize new recruits, of trying to focus with Iraq at the epicenter new jihadists to join the call to confront American forces and to confront the west in general.

BLITZER: Magnus, you mention his left hand. There's been a lot of speculation over the past couple of years that there may have been some injury that he endured. I'm going to show the viewers once again this videotape. What do you make of his physical condition, especially his left hand?

RANSTORP: Well, I was watching this video and I think there are mixed messages. On the one hand he is quite immobile but, on the other hand, he's using his cane. He's walking down the mountain. I think that he certainly was injured. We know that for sure.

Possibly, there are reports that Ayman al-Zawahiri may have operated on him but it is very difficult to say at what stage he is in. I think most people would concur with the conclusion that he's still alive and that the noose is tightening around him just south of Kabul.

BLITZER: Magnus Ranstorp who studied Osama bin Laden for many years, Magnus thanks very much.

RANSTORP: My pleasure.

BLITZER: And here's your turn to weigh in on the story. Our web question of the day is this. "Do you feel the U.S. government has done enough since 9/11 to make you safe?" We'll have the results later in this broadcast but you can vote right now at cnn.com/wolf.

While you're there I'd love to hear directly from you. Send me your comments. I'll try to read some of them on the air each day at the end of this program and that's also, of course, where you can read my daily online column, cnn.com/wolf.

Stay with us. We're standing by for more developments regarding this videotape, purportedly a new videotape from Osama bin Laden.

Also Donald Rumsfeld getting some career advice...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mr. Rumsfeld you're fired.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: The defense secretary, the latest member of the Pentagon's top echelon to come under fire for the Iraq War. We'll bring you that full exchange over at the National Press Club here in Washington earlier today.

But just ahead, the vice president asked not to attend an important 9/11 anniversary event in New York City tomorrow. The mayor insists Dick Cheney has not been dis-invited but we'll have details.

And, could Howard Dean's latest remarks on Israel cost him key votes? I'll have some tough questions for the Democratic presidential hopeful. I'll speak with him live this hour. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: A CNN special report "BRACING FOR TERROR" the cost of being America's ally. We'll take you to a country whose citizens say they believe they could be next. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: The subject was the war on terrorism but there was a dramatic interruption during Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's speech today at the National Press Club.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD RUMSFELD, DEFENSE SECRETARY: On the run in a matter of months.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mr. Rumsfeld you're fired. Your foreign policy is based on lies. The war in Iraq is unjust and illegal and the occupation is immoral. There are U.S. soldiers dying in Iraq every day.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Go home. Go home.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Bring the troops home now.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Go home.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Tell us when the troops are coming home. They need to come home. Hey Rumsfeld what do you say how many troops did you kill today. Hey Rumsfeld what do you say how many troops did you kill today. Hey, hey, what do you say how many troops did you kill today.

RUMSFELD: Well now, you know I just came in from Baghdad and there are now over 100 newspapers in the free press in Iraq in a free Iraq where people are able to say whatever they wish. People are debating. People are discussing something they had not done for decades and so if one looks back just four and a half months ago that regime was still in place. It was still creating mass graves and filling them with bodies of innocent men, women, and children.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: And during Saddam Hussein's rule, ordinary Iraqis lived under the fear of the dictator's iron fist. Now they spend each day with another type of fear but one just as deadly. CNN's Ben Wedeman talks to one Iraqi who dared speak out against Saddam Hussein and now speaks out about the U.S. occupation.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This was not part of the scenario envisioned for the new Iraq, a series of terrorist bombings that have killed more than 100 civilians.

What do Iraqis make of this wave of terror? Some worry the wave may get much bigger. Iraqi journalist Subhy Haddad was once imprisoned by Saddam Hussein for speaking his mind.

SUBHY HADDAD, IRAQI JOURNALIST: Do we need an 11th of September in Baghdad now? Do we, a new 11th of September, thousands of people getting killed in a building or in a district because terrorists are coming into Iraq?

WEDEMAN: What President Bush now calls the central front in the war on terror is in the view of many Iraqis a front of America's own making. They point to the heavy handedness of many U.S. raids, which have sparked resentment among ordinary Iraqis. Public resentment of the U.S. military may not breed terrorists but it can create a more hospitable environment for them.

The U.S. military is now taking pains to carry out more carefully targeted raids in which fewer Iraqi civilians are swept up in the searches but the Americans have a lot of bad will to overcome. Waiting for hours in the sun thousands of members of the disbanded Iraqi military line up for their month's stipends from the coalition authority.

"Four or five Americans are killed a day" says this non- commissioned officer. "One hundred or more should be killed a day because of the way they're treating people," perhaps just venting.

For a more reasoned voice we spoke with Wadhmi Nazim a professor who, when I first met him four years ago, did something I've never seen any Iraqi do on camera. He criticized Saddam Hussein. We thought a man who dared speak his mind under Saddam was worth asking if the U.S. could overcome the terrorists.

WADHMI NAZIM, BAGHDAD UNIVERSITY: But I see just the opposite that the Americans will have to face so many fronts with difficult and different military demands that the American army in the long run will be exhausted.

WEDEMAN (on camera): The scenario for post war Iraq featured democracy and economic development. The sooner those are in place, Iraqis say, the less likely their country will remain a battlefield in the war on terror.

Ben Wedeman, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE) BLITZER: And, stay with us. We have much more on the purported new audio tape and videotape of Osama bin Laden. Could the airing of this tape backfire on him?

Plus, a deadly strike by Israeli forces, an ominous warning from Hamas. Are they on the verge of a full scale war?

They're America's closest ally in the war on terror but they've been put on the defensive at home. Our Sheila MacVicar has a new report on what the British really think of their role in this ongoing war and its costs.

And, a sexual predator in downtown Miami, I'll speak live with Miami police chief John Timoney about a series of recent attacks.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Israel today struck back for yesterday's twin suicide bombings that killed 15 people in Jerusalem and near Tel Aviv. An Air Force jet fired a missile which destroyed the Gaza home of a militant leader. Hamas co-founder Mahmood al-Zahar, his wife and daughter were wounded. His son and another man were killed.

Hours after the missile strike, Hamas, which had claimed responsibility for the suicide bombings, issued a warning saying it will strike at Israeli houses and apartment buildings.

Calling this a "very dangerous moment for both sides" the Palestinian Parliament Speaker Ahmed Qorei today accepted the post of prime minister. He immediately came under strong pressure from President Bush to unleash Palestinian security forces to dismantle terror groups.

The pattern of strike and counterstrike in the Middle East has led to countless tragedies. Here's the story of one family shattered by the suicide bombing at a Jerusalem cafe, a father and a daughter who died together on the eve of her wedding.

CNN's Matthew Chance reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Shrouded in white, the body of Nava Applebaum (ph) is carried by loved ones and laid to rest. This was meant to be her wedding day not her funeral at just 20 years old.

The man she was to marry, Hannan (ph), tossed a ring into the grave. Beyond words himself his father spoke instead.

ZVI SAND, GROOM'S FATHER: People of Israel went through times. We're three and a half thousand years struggling and this is not going to break us. This is just going to make us stronger.

JOANNE BARTH, RELATIVE: We were supposed to go and dance at this girl's wedding tonight. This is the invitation to the wedding, Nava and Hannan Yakov (ph) were supposed to be getting married. Instead we buried her.

CHANCE: At her side in death, a father who gave his life to saving others. Dr. David Applebaum ran the emergency room at a Jerusalem hospital and was all too familiar with attacks like this in which he and Nava were killed. He'd been lecturing in New York on treating the victims of emergencies like 9/11 just days before.

ZALMAN OEUISCH, FAMILY FRIEND: A tremendous humanist, a tremendous caring for people of all sorts. He saved thousands of Jewish people. He saved thousands of Arab people.

CHANCE: It is another terrible loss to be prayed for and grieved.

(on camera): This Israeli-Palestinian conflict has claimed thousands of other lives but this was one man who had saved many and his daughter who had hurt no one. For many here and elsewhere their loss is a sad and painful tragedy.

(voice-over): And one which Israel now mourns with all the rest.

Matthew Chance, CNN, Jerusalem.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: What a tragedy.

It's been almost two years since President Bush vowed to hunt down al Qaeda's chief and the hunt still goes on, can the latest tape provide clues for bin Laden's hideout?

Here is someone you will not see at the New York anniversary tomorrow. Find out why when we return.

And later, Howard Dean in his own words, I'll speak to the Democratic presidential candidate about last night's debate and the advice he has for President Bush. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Topping the news at this half hour on the eve of the second anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, the Arabic news network Al- Jazeera airs what is says is a new videotape of Osama bin Laden.

The tape shows the al Qaeda leader walking down a hillside with his chief deputy Ayman al-Zawahiri. An audio tape attributed to bin Laden that aired with the video praises the 9/11 anniversary message really from al Qaeda? Could this latest tape actually backfire on Osama bin Laden?

Let's turn to our national security correspondent, David Ensor -- David.

DAVID ENSOR, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, U.S. intelligence officials say the CIA is analyzing the tape very closely. Within a day or so, they'll be able to say whether the voices are those of his Osama bin Laden and his deputy, Ayman Al- Zawahiri.

Officials say their preliminary view is that the videotape was not recorded recently. Al Jazeera television, which first broadcast the tape, said it believes the tape was produced in late April or early May of this year.

Whoever made the tape and whenever they did so, it was clearly designed to get attention around the second anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. One intelligence official today calling it -- quote -- "a PR ploy" designed to draw attention to -- quote -- "their standard rhetoric."

The most blunt threat on the tape comes from Ayman Al-Zawahiri and it is addressed largely to American mothers. Quote -- "We advise the mothers of the crusader soldiers, if they hope to see their sons, to quickly ask their governments to return them before they return them in coffins" -- unquote. U.S. officials will analyze the tape for clues as to where it was filmed, though they believe by now the two al Qaeda leaders must be far from that location.

They continue to tell us their best estimate is that bin Laden and Al-Zawahiri are along the Afghan-Pakistani border somewhere. The two have apparently given up using modern communications methods of any kind, officials say. So if they're directing al Qaeda's operations directly anymore, it's by written and spoken messages sent by courier -- Wolf.

BLITZER: All right. David Ensor with the latest on this important story today. Thanks, David, very much.

Vice President Dick Cheney plans to be in New York tomorrow for ceremonies marking the second anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. But at the request of Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the vice president will skip one key event.

CNN's Kris Osborn is in New York with the latest.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KRIS OSBORN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): New York Mayor Bloomberg said security preparations made it would be impractical for Vice President Dick Cheney to attend the second anniversary memorial at Ground Zero.

MAYOR MICHAEL BLOOMBERG (R), NEW YORK: It turned out to be so complicated to provide the security that the vice president's Secret Service agents wanted that, in the end, he thought it would take away from the families.

OSBORN: Instead, the vice president plans to attend a later memorial honoring fallen Port Authority officers at a church uptown.

SCOTT MCCLELLAN, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECY.: The last thing we want to do is be disruptive of any remembrance ceremony that is occurring.

OSBORN: Bloomberg said the decision is made out of respect for the victims' families. The mayor said the decision was a collaborative one.

BLOOMBERG: If you think about the magnitude of the number of people coming, providing security for everybody as though it was a small event indoors, just turned out -- it was a little bit impractical. But mainly, it was intrusive on the families.

OSBORN: A year ago, President Bush attended the memorial, walking into Ground Zero with victims' families.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

OSBORN: And this year, the families have been a bit more divided with some hoping the president would again attend the ceremony, and others are saying they don't want any major politicians there so that the focus can sharpen on the children and the plan to read the names of the 9/11 victims -- Wolf.

CNN's Kris Osborn on assignment in New York for us. Thanks very much, Kris, for that report.

BLITZER: Britain's support of the United States in the war on terror and the war in Iraq are raising some fears in that country. Some experts say the close ties have set Britain up for possible attack.

Here's CNN's senior international correspondent Sheila MacVicar.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SHELIA MACVICAR, CNN SR. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice- over): Police in gas masks. In London's subway, firefighters in decontamination suits.

This is a training exercise, but repeatedly British politicians and authorities warn this country is at risk.

ALISTAIR DARLING, TRANSPORT SECRETARY: We live in difficult times. We know we have to prepare for terrorist attacks.

MACVICAR: The authorities rule nothing out. They talk of suicide bombers, of truck bombs, of biological or chemical attacks.

One risk analysis group recently concluded the U.K. faces the greatest risk from terrorism of any European state.

(on camera): In the last week, the head of London's metropolitan police force said a terror attack here was -- quote -- "almost inevitable." And without making public any specific intelligence, he said the alert level was the highest it had ever been.

(voice-over): One reason is the close relationship between Britain's prime minister and the American president. As the U.S. has gone to war in Iraq, so has Britain. Analysts say that makes Britain a more likely focus of anger from extremists.

CHARLES SHOEBRIDGE, SECURITY ANALYST: Without doubt, at the current time, the greatest threat to the U.K security is from Islamic extremism.

MACVICAR: Charles Shoebridge is a former counterterrorism intelligence officer.

SHOEBRIDGE: It becomes an easier target to hit because of (UNINTELLIGIBLE) the Muslim population here. But also it becomes a more valuable target in terms of symbolic importance.

MACVICAR: For years, European intelligence agencies criticized British authorities for allowing extremist clerics like Abu Hamza to continue to approach. He and others have been accused of recruiting Muslims to militant causes.

In a very public change of policy, British police raided his mosque, have silenced him and arrested others, a move supported by many in Britain's Muslim community.

But there is now also a recognition the threat may come from within.

GARTH WHITTY, ROYAL UNITED SERVICES INSTITUTE: Of course, it came as a huge shock to the security intelligence agencies within the United Kingdom when we had two British citizens go to Israel with the intent of being suicide attackers. So that very much changed the focus.

MACVICAR: In less than a year, British police have discovered a primitive lab meant to produce small quantities of highly toxic ricin. In a high profile and some suggest exaggerated maneuver, British troops were deployed at Heathrow Airport after reported threats to shoot down a passenger jet.

British Airways temporarily suspended flights to Saudi Arabia and Kenya after more missile threats. The airline now acknowledges it is considering it is considering installing anti-missile technology on its jets.

Security has had to be improved at the houses of Parliament and at the country's airports.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The whole essence of Islamic extremist terrorism -- the way it's developing at the moment is with groups semi-independent around the world occasionally coming together for big operations.

MACVICAR: The concern is that as extremists move further underground, here, their contacts will be harder to detect, their plots more difficult to uncover. The authorities may warn about the inevitability of the attack. But what they do not know and cannot tell their people is when or what.

Sheila MacVicar, CNN, London.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Democratic president hopeful Howard Dean has some strong words for president bush. He had them last night.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HOWARD DEAN (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I believe the president of the United States should swallow his pride.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Find out why when we talk to Howard Dean right after this break.

And later, Miami is on the hunt for a serial rapist. We'll get the report from the Miami police chief.

First, let's take a quick look at some other news making headlines "Around the World."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): Jungle rescue. Peru's national police repelling from helicopters at the start of the mission that rescued dozens of kidnapped indigenous people in the southeastern part of the country. Officials said the hostages had been held by Shining Path rebels as slaves and human shields for several years.

Deadly bus crash. Thirty-five people, including five children, were killed when the bus they were on slammed into a truck in western Venezuela. The truck driver was also killed.

Swedish official attacked. Foreign Minister Ana Lindh was stabbed several times in a Stockholm department store. The attacker escaped. Lindh he was hospitalized in serious condition. Officials say her injuries are not life-threatening.

Bali death sentence. The man accused of being the intellectual mastermind of last year's nightclub bombings in Bali, Indonesia has been sentenced to death by firing squad. Imam Samudra (ph) shouted "God is great" as the verdict was read. The attack killed more than 200 people.

Ancient discovery. Mongolian and Turkish archaeologists have found a large temple site dedicated to a ruler of the pre-Islamic Turkic empire. Among items discovered were the ruler's crown and gold and silver ornaments adorned with precious stones.

Attacking Barbie. Saudi Arabia's religious police have declared Barbie dolls a threat to morality. Officials say the revealing clothes of what they describe as a Jewish toy is offensive to Islam. Barbie has been banned in the kingdom for more than 10 years.

And that's our look "Around the World."

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back.

A heated exchange last night between two of the nine Democrats who hope to unseat President Bush at a debate in Baltimore. Howard Dean and Senator Joe Lieberman sparred over U.S. policy toward Israel. That debate, sponsored by the Congressional Black Caucus Institute and the Fox News Channel. Lieberman accused Dean of trying to break the close ties between the U.S. and Israel with his recent comments that Israel should pull out of the West Bank.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DEAN: It doesn't help, Joe, to demagogue this issue. We're all Democrats. We need to beat George Bush s we can have peace in the Middle East.

SEN. JOE LIEBERMAN (D-CT), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I will say one sentence.

BRIT HUME, FOX NEWS CHANNEL ANCHOR: Quickly, Senator, please.

LIEBERMAN: I will simply say that Howard Dean's statements break a 50-year record in which presidents, Republican and Democrat, members of Congress of both parties, have supported our relationship with Israel based on shared values.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Howard Dean, arguably the Democratic frontrunner right now, is with me from South Burlington, Vermont.

Governor, thanks very much for joining us.

DEAN: Thanks, Wolf.

BLITZER: You've caused quite a stir when you suggested that the U.S. should -- quote -- "not take sides in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict." A lot of supporters of Israel think you're backing away from America's traditional support.

DEAN: Well, that simply isn't the fact. The fact is this is mostly a -- an attempt by supporters of both President Bush and Senator Lieberman to try to inject some controversy where there is none. The fact is that American policy has been the same for 54 years. We do have a special relationship with Israel. We would defend Israel, if necessary. I think that's well-known.

However, we are also the only country capable of bringing peace to the Middle East, and when we sit at the negotiating table, we do have to have the trust of both sides, or we will never succeed. And I think this president, who put the Middle East on hold for 18 month, has a problem here, which is one of the reasons his supports and Joe's supporters are trying to make this into an issue that it is not.

I think it's unfortunate that Senator Lieberman is trying to divide the Democratic Party. The Democratic Party, under Harry Truman, recognized Israel. We were the first country to that. But, let me just say this -- having spent some time there, I can tell you that it is incredibly traumatic, both for Israeli mothers to let their children go to school without knowing if they're going to come home, and for Palestinians, 80 percent of whom now live below the poverty line. I believe that people on both sides of the Green Line want peace and I think they would happily settle for a two-state solution if the security of their borders could be guaranteed.

BLITZER: It's not just your Democratic opponents for the nomination, but other Democrats -- Howard Berman, a Democratic Congressman, circulating right now a letter on Capitol Hill. Nancy Pelosi apparently is with him on this -- Stenny Hoyer, other Democrats saying that you're wrong in saying the U.S. should not take sides.

Among other things, they write this. "American foreign policy has been and must continue to be based on unequivocal support for Israel's right to exist and to be free from terror."

They don't want you to say that there's sort of an equal policy between the Israelis and the Palestinians.

DEAN: The American policy is and will continue to be based on Israel's right to exist. No one is challenging this.

In all due -- the people who are stirring this up are composed in two camps. Some are supporters of -- evidently, if Nancy is supporting this, Senator Lieberman, Representative Gephardt and President Bush. And some are genuinely concerned about what my position might be.

My position very -- is very clear. It 's the same position that Bill Clinton had, who nearly succeeded in bringing the Israelis and the Palestinians together. I think it's the responsible position and I've just stated what it is.

BLITZER: Let's go through some specifics to flesh it out. Israeli settlements. Should they dismantle them?

DEAN: Well, first of all, I think that's going to be left up to the negotiation between the parties. Everybody, including Prime Minister Sharon, has said there will be a dismantling of some of the settlements. The question is now going to be how many. The United States needs to play the role of bringing both parties together so they can negotiate that.

BLITZER: What about targeted killings, as the Israeli called them -- assassinations of Hamas militants?

DEAN: I think no one likes to see violence of any kind. That's why the United States is involved in this.

I will say, however, that there is a war going on in the Middle East, and members of Hamas are soldiers in that war, and, therefore, it seems to me, that they are going to be casualties if they are going to make war. So I would prefer and strongly speak out against violence of any kind in the Middle East. That's what I mean by being even-handed. Somebody asked me -- even-handed was a poor choice of words, as I now find out. That's a very sensitive word. But somebody asked me -- the question was -- and that's how this word came about is -- who do you blame?

First, you must condemn civilian killings, including any terrorist attacks. Secondly, when we are blaming people -- actually, I think when you're at the negotiating table, you don't sit down and blame people when you're negotiating. There's a difference between our policy in Israel, which has always been supportive, including the willingness to defend Israel, and what you do at the negotiating table, which clearly has to have the trust of both sides.

BLITZER: Should the Israelis expel Yasser Arafat from the West Bank?

DEAN: That -- I wouldn't recommend it, because I think Yasser Arafat will become a martyr. But again, I've actually had conversations with the Prime Minister Sharon about that very subject. I don't think they will do that.

BLITZER: What about the security fence that they're building? Should they go forward with it?

DEAN: Well, the problem with the fence is that it's not along the Green Line. And so, I think Israel has every right to defend itself. But I think it's also important that the defense not become a de facto to border.

BLITZER: Not just Lieberman, Senator Edwards is criticizing for saying you're the only Democratic candidate who speaks about race before white audiences. He says he does that all the time. And we checked. He does.

DEAN: Well, I don't know what his context is, but I said exactly what I said last night at the -- at Jessie Jackson's Push Forum out in Chicago about two months ago and I never heard a peep from any of these candidates about that.

No, the honest truth is that most of this -- I think what the -- what Joe and others are doing on Israel is despicable. I think that is a real mistake and it does divide the Democratic Party, which has been a very a strong supporter of Israel.

But I think lot of this stuff is motivated by my position in the polls right now, and that's part of politics. I don think it's a good part of politics, though. And it's Washington politics at its worst.

BLITZER: What about -- your campaign staff suggesting you want this president, President Bush, to use the former president Bill Clinton in some sort of way in the Middle East.

DEAN: I think Bill Clinton is the president who has come the closest to bringing the Israelis and the Palestinians together and I actually have called on George Bush formally to swallow his pride and call Bill Clinton and ask Bill Clinton to go to the Middle East and begin the process of negotiating -- setting up the negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians.

We have got to have peace there. There is too much at stake for Israelis. There is too much at stake for Palestinians. I believe the majority on both sides want peace. They would settle for a two-state solution if their security could be guaranteed, and Bill Clinton may be just the person we need to put those negotiations back on track.

BLITZER: We only have a few seconds, Governor. Was it a mistake to say the U.S. should have an even-handed policy towards the Israelis and the Palestinians?

DEAN: Well, I have since learned that is a sensitive word to use in certain communities. So perhaps I could have used a different euphemism. But the fact of the matter is, at the negotiating table, we have to have the trust of both sides.

BLITZER: So no apology coming from you on that front?

DEAN: No. I believe -- the position that I take on Israel is exactly the position the United States has taken for 54 years.

BLITZER: Governor Howard Dean, thanks very much for joining us.

DEAN: Thank you.

BLITZER: An attack averted.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JUAN RODRIGUEZ, RELATIVE OF VICTIM: I jump on him and we fell.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Was the assailant the Miami serial rapist? We'll talk to the police chief to track down a predator.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: The man Miami police describe as a serial rapist has attacked again. The police chief John Timoney says DNA evidence collected at the scene of Saturday's attacks, matches forensic evidence collected from seven other rapes in the same general area. The victim was assaulted but not raped. Her screams were heard by relatives who fought with the attacker before he escaped.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RODRIGUEZ: He had my sister-in-law from the back. When he saw me, he tried to escape. I jump on him and we fell.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Since September of last year there have been ten sexual attacks, all in downtown Miami. The ages of the victims range from 11 years old to 79. Joining us from Miami, the police chief. Thanks for joining us. How close are you to catching this guy. JOHN TIMONEY, MIAMI POLICE CHIEF: Good evening, Blitz. I think we're close because now as a result of Saturday we have at least three witnesses who were not subject to assault, in other words, who were not traumatized. We have a very good description. We have a partial plate and quite literally hundreds of investigators combing the area. We're starting to get some good tips coming in. Hopefully, hopefully, we'll catch this guy.

BLITZER: All these rapes have been in the same general area. What do you want people in Miami to be doing right now?

TIMONEY: Well, it's interesting. They break down to two broad categories. One, the very young. There were three young girls, 11 12 and 13, getting off school buses coming home. So we need the schools and the parents to make sure that the kids watch -- a lot of latchkey kids -- watch before they go into the home that nobody is follow them.

The other women who were either in home or in the backyard doing laundry that were accosted by this guy inquiring about apartments for rent, or something like that, some other excuse, engages them in conversations and then gets them to their apartment.

On Saturday, he engaged a woman in conversation in the alleyway. She became suspicious, pushed past him. She then screamed when he grabbed her. Fortunately her brother-in-law came out. There was a pretty tough fight. He almost killed the guy, strangled him. It was as a result of his sister-in-law screaming to let him go that allowed this guy to escape. But meanwhile he bit the gentleman on the arm. As a result of that bite, we were able to take a swab and produce DNA that matched up with the 9 other assaults.

BLITZER: Chief, Good luck to you. Good luck to all of our friend in Miami.

TIMONEY: Thanks, Wolf.

BLITZER: Thanks very much.

The results of the Web question coming up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Those are the results of our Web question of the day. Remember, not a scientific poll. There's been a new development in the case of Zacarious Moussaui. Citing what they called the interests of national security, federal prosecutors today said today they will not cooperate with the judge's order to let 2 top al Qaeda captives testify on Moussaoui behalf.

We'll have much more details on this coming up throughout the night. "LOU DOBBS TONIGHT" starts right now.

END

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Miami Serial Rapist Almost Caught By Victim's Brother-In-Law>