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CNN Wolf Blitzer Reports

Video released of gun practice before Columbine massacre; Muhammad asks for lawyers now in D.C. sniper trial

Aired October 22, 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: It's happening right now, shocking new pictures of the lead up to the Columbine High School massacre. For the first time we'll hear directly from the kids who killed.
Stand by for hard news on WOLF BLITZER REPORTS.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): Sniper trial, eye-to-eye, and a change of heart in the courtroom.

Target practice chilling scenes before the Columbine massacre new video from Colorado authorities.

Beyond borders what turned a Hollywood bad girl into a U.N. goodwill ambassador? I'll ask Oscar-winning actress Angelina Jolie.

Rumsfeld's worries a private memo about the war on terrorism.

Mr. October, a World Series hero is back this time to drive home an important message. I'll speak live with Reggie Jackson.

(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, October 22, 2003. Hello from Washington, I'm Wolf Blitzer reporting.

Just released disturbing new video of the Columbine killers never before seen by the public, it shows violent images of the teen gunmen firing an arsenal of weapons just weeks before their high school rampage.

We have two reporters covering this story, CNN's Brian Cabell, he'll tell us why this video is just now being released almost four years after the killings, and CNN's Mike Brooks, he'll dissect what we see in these very unsettling images.

Let's begin with Brian. They're both at the CNN Center in Atlanta -- Brian. BRIAN CABELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department has been holding onto these tapes for the last four and a half years. They've essentially been sitting on a shelf but a task force there looking into the massacre said they should be released to the public, the public deserves a right to see them so that's precisely what's happened today. They were released this afternoon, this one particular tape, about 15 minutes long.

Let's take a look at that tape right now. What you see from the very start, Eric Harris, one of the two shooters, he and Dylan Klebold, the principles in this tape. What you see is two boys in an actual forest south of Denver about March 6, 1995. You can see some snow still on the ground. This was almost exactly six weeks before the Columbine massacre.

You see them with a variety of weapons, not particularly skilled shooting at bowling pins. They were in a bowling class apparently just hours before this was shot. The weapons they are shooting with were illegally modified, at least a couple of them.

As I say, firing at bowling pins, firing at trees, pine trees there, firing haphazardly in the forest. It looks from just general appearances as though it's two teenagers playing with guns, joking around. Also you see a supplier. That is one of them, Mark Manes by name. He was sentenced to six years in prison for supplying some of the guns. He was released to a halfway house after about two years.

Also on this tape a gentleman by the name of Phillip Duran. You will see him coming up right there. He was sentenced to four and a half years for supplying these weapons. It was Duran apparently who taped most of this target practice, although others had their hand in it as well.

All in all it appears to be a lighthearted outing out in the forest with some very deadly weapons.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Imagine that in someone's (expletive) brain.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It hurt my wrist like a (expletive).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Is that so?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CABELL: Interestingly this tape, this 15-minute tape has been made available not only to the media but also to the public. It's being sold by the sheriff's department for $20. It is a processing fee. I just talked to someone in the records office in Jefferson County about an hour ago. She said so far it's been the media for the most part that's been buying them. I asked are other people coming in, curiosity seekers? So far she says no.

There is another tape or two out there, Wolf, the so-called basement tapes. Those have not been released to the public yet. Those are tapes that were taped several months before the shootings. The media have seen those tapes but so far those have not been released to the public.

BLITZER: Brian, I assume they shared these video, these very disturbing pictures with the families of the kids who were killed before they released this to the public?

CABELL: Yes, they have and there's been mixed reaction apparently from the families in Colorado as to whether they want to be seen but the general feeling is that this is something people should see. After four and a half years of investigation this is something that people should see to try to understand exactly what happened back in Littleton, Colorado back in 1999.

BLITZER: All right, Brian Cabell, thanks very much.

Let's get some more analysis now of this videotape, what it reveals, what we've learned. For that we'll turn to CNN's Mike Brooks. He's also joining us from Atlanta.

Mike, you looked at these very disturbing images. You're a former law enforcement official. What did you see here?

MIKE BROOKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: What I saw, Wolf was some kids out in the woods with some very high-powered weapons, not particularly skilled. A couple of the weapons had been modified. What we saw if we can look at the video we see them with a high-powered rifle right here.

We're looking at a .45 caliber. They refer to it as a Desert, which would be a Desert Eagle, a very expensive gun. Here we see a modified shotgun that has been sawed off. It looks like a double- barreled shotgun that he's holding there.

We also see another pump action shotgun that has been also modified, a .30 caliber, it looks like a .30 caliber high-powered rifle with a folding stock one, possibly two, one with a scope, the other with not.

This is a Tech-9 gun here that we see all the time on the street. As a law enforcement officer I used to see that quite often again, just playing around with these weapons, not particularly skilled.

Here it looks like one of the sawed off shotguns and it's very powerful. In fact, you see the recoil with that gun is just very, very, very large recoil.

Now, Wolf, what I have here in the studio with me is a weapon like you see being fired there. This is a shotgun that had been modified. It was cut off right here. We also see it cut off here to make it more concealable.

Back in the '70s it was a choice, a weapon of choice of a lot of bank robbers because they could put it under long coats like you see them in video. And, also in the video, Wolf, you see them, you hear them talking about the sawed off shotgun. They know it's illegal. They know it's wrong to have.

BLITZER: Mike, when we take a look at these pictures what strikes me is that these two boys obviously planned this thing for some time. They weren't simply target practicing for no reason out there. How easy was it for these kids to get these deadly weapons?

BROOKS: Well, they had some help apparently, Wolf. One of the people there we saw in the video was one of the people that helped them procure the weapons.

As I said two of the weapons are illegal to have. They were sawed off, the shotgun, violations of the National Firearms Act. How they got them, who sawed them off we don't know.

We also saw with one of the Tech-9s that they had a suppressor, a screw-on suppressor to deaden some of the silence used with the Tech- 9. Again, you have to have a tax stamp by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms to even have, to be in possession of one of these.

But, again, they say in one of them look at the damage that the .9mm does as opposed to a slug and this is what they're referring to as a rifled slug that's fired out of one of those shotguns and again Wolf, very disturbing that they would even have access to some of these guns, especially the sawed off shotguns.

BLITZER: A horror of four years ago, a vivid reminder of what occurred during that nightmare. Thanks very much, Mike Brooks, Brian Cabell as well.

Let's move on now, more surprises today in the trial of the D.C. area sniper suspect John Allen Muhammad. He's changing his mind about representing himself, plus another appearance in the courtroom by his alleged accomplice.

CNN's Patty Davis is covering the trial. She's joining us once again from Virginia Beach, Virginia -- Patty.

PATTY DAVIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, word of Muhammad's decision this morning came as court began and prosecutors say that they were shocked.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAVIS (voice-over): Just three days ago, sniper suspect John Muhammad stunned the courtroom when he decided he'd act as his own attorney. Wednesday he changed his mind and put his lawyers back in charge.

The reason given in a sidebar with the judge was that he hurt his tooth Tuesday night. His lawyers couldn't talk for him unless they took control. Some legal experts say is lawyers lost some opportunities but that Muhammad may benefit from his unorthodox tactics.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Apparently he was very polite calling people sir and ma'am so now he's a person and it's much harder to vote to execute a person, somebody whose humanity you've gotten to see.

DAVIS: Meanwhile, his alleged accomplice, Lee Boyd Malvo, was brought briefly into court to be identified in connection with the September 15 shooting outside this Maryland liquor store. Victim Mohammed Rashid identified Malvo as his attacker but backed off under cross-examination saying that Malvo only looked similar.

In a big win the defense derailed prosecution efforts suggesting a high-powered rifle was used in the liquor store shooting. As Malvo left court he and Muhammad made eye contact. Muhammad gestured with a lose fist and shook it at Malvo.

Earlier, a used car salesman testified he sold Muhammad a dark blue Chevy Caprice. That car did not originally have tinted windows or a hole above the license plate. He said as Muhammad looked over the car he stretched his body inside the trunk keeping his feet on the ground. Prosecutors believe Muhammad and Malvo fired at victims from a sniper's perch hidden in that same modified trunk.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

DAVIS: Just minutes ago, Lee Boyd Malvo brought once again into court a very tearful eyewitness James Alan Gray (ph) positively identified Malvo as the man who ran away from the scene of a liquor shooting in Montgomery, Alabama in September. Now one woman was killed in that attack, another wounded -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Patty Davis reporting on this trial for us, Patty thanks very much.

Investigators looking into last week's Staten Island Ferry crash which killed ten people are being thwarted by the vessel's captain who is refusing to talk.

Let's go live to CNN's Deborah Feyerick. She's joining us now from New York -- Deborah.

DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, the captain's silence is really frustrating city officials. They want to know exactly where was the captain and why didn't he prevent that deadly accident.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FEYERICK (voice-over): The captain of the most deadly ferry accident in New York City's history is not cooperating with investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board, city officials say.

Captain Michael Gansas defied a court-issued subpoena ordering him to answer questions, this after he canceled a meeting with investigators yesterday.

MAYOR MICHAEL BLOOMBERG, NEW YORK: It's an outrage that somebody who can give us information to perhaps find out how we can improve service refuses to talk and a person like that has no business working for this city.

FEYERICK: City officials today suspended Gansas without pay. Initially his lawyers said Gansas failed to speak to investigators because he needed more time to get ready. Now his lawyer says Gansas is traumatized and that a physician caring for him has advised him to avoid stress.

His lawyer says: "Mr. Gansas is being unfairly vilified by those who should know better. Inflammatory remarks and name calling simply will not help to resolve the issues raised by this matter."

Investigators are eager to hear the captain's story. Officials believe the assistant captain passed out at the controls and that the captain may have been too far away to stop the accident in time.

IRIS WEINSHALL, NYC TRANSPORTATION COMMISSIONER: We want Captain Gansas to explain to us what happened on that afternoon in terms of where he was and what happened in the pilot house.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FEYERICK: New York City's mayor says police and prosecutors are looking to see whether they can file criminal charges. The captain's lawyer says the captain will cooperate fully when he's legally and medically free to do so -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Deborah Feyerick all over the story for us, thanks Deborah very much.

Right to die and now to live, dramatic new developments in the fight to keep a brain damaged woman alive. The family battle intensifies very dramatically today; also this...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (Unintelligible.)

JOLIE: Are you going to tell me where we're going?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A place near the border.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Beyond borders and beyond ordinary, the actress, the Academy Award-winning actress Angelina Jolie, she'll join me live this hour on her new film and her real life humanitarian work around the world.

Plus, Reggie, Reggie, they're screaming for Mr. October himself, the baseball hall-of-famer Reggie Jackson making headlines at the World Series for a different reason. I'll speak with him live, first today's News Quiz.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER (voice-over): "Reggie Jackson was the first player in Major League history to amass 100 or more homeruns for three clubs, two being the New York Yankees and the Oakland A's. What was the third, Baltimore Orioles, California Angels, Kansas City Athletics, Texas Rangers," the answer coming up.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Academy Award-winning actress and more, much more, this talented lady is not just your average celebrity. She's also a United Nations goodwill ambassador. Angelina Jolie she's here live at the United Nations. I'll speak with her next. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back.

The United Nations is taking a cautious and heavily-armed step into a dangerous corner of the Democratic Republic of Congo. A humanitarian convoy accompanied by three dozen peacekeepers and two attack helicopters is trying to deliver 20 tons of relief supplies right now.

The part of the country they're trying to reach is controlled by gangs and militias. It's been virtually cut off from the outside world for years. War in the region is blamed for more than three million deaths, most from starvation and disease, many children dead as a result.

The actress Angelina Jolie has just signed on for two more years as a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. Her humanitarian work is mirrored in her latest movie "Beyond Borders" which revolves around the plight of the world's displaced people.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANGELINA JOLIE, UNHCR GOODWILL AMBASSADOR: If this shipment is harmed in any way your name will show up in a follow-up investigation.

BLITZER: In "Beyond Borders" Angelina Jolie plays Sarah Jordan, a socialite turned philanthropist. She meets a charismatic relief doctor and over the course of two decades their story of love and danger unfolds against a backdrop of humanitarian crisis. Jolie says the project opened her eyes.

JOLIE: I read the script five years ago and I was really moved by it but I knew nothing of its contents and so I got a bunch of books on every different organization and every different chapter of the U.N. and was stunned when I read about UNHCR and 20 million people displaced so I wanted to understand that and I went to Sierra Leone with them and it completely changed my life.

BLITZER: Jolie is the daughter of actor John Voight. Her parents separated when she was just a year old and she was raised by her mother in New York. She moved to Los Angeles while still in her teens and after a string of forgettable films began making a name for herself as an actress and a Hollywood bad girl.

JOLIE: Just one step and I'll jam this in my aorta. Go ahead.

BLITZER: Her career hit a new high in 2000 when she won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for "Girl Interrupted." That same year she married actor Billy Bob Thornton. It was her second marriage and his fifth. The marriage lasted two years.

All the while here interest in humanitarian work grew. In 2001, she was asked to become goodwill ambassador for the United Nations High Commission or refugees. Since then the single mother's visited hot spots around the world from South America to Africa to Asia where she adopted a Cambodian boy last year and now has a home.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: And tonight, Angelina Jolie will be honored for her humanitarian work. She'll be presented with the United Nations Correspondents Association Citizen of the World award. Angelina Jolie is joining us now live from the United Nations. Angelina thanks very much for joining us. Congratulations to you on this honor.

What does it mean to you to be given this award by the U.N. Correspondents Association?

ANGELINA JOLIE, UNHCR GOODWILL AMBASSADOR: Oh, God, it means so much. I've spent the last few years learning so much about the United Nations and working with them and seeing them in the field and I'm so aware of all that they do and I'm so proud to represent them and it means a lot that I do it right. And so this award means that I'm doing an OK job and they think it so that means a lot to me.

BLITZER: Well, what exactly does it mean to be a goodwill ambassador for the U.N.? What do you do?

JOLIE: I think in every different organization it might different. UNHCR is the organization that is with refugees so I spend a lot of time on borders meeting with people, meeting with families, understanding the situation, trying to bring awareness.

A lot of time just spending time with families but of just across the border and learning about why they did and what's happened to them and just being somebody that says that we haven't forgotten them and we care and people back home want to know your story so please tell me and that seems to mean a lot to them.

BLITZER: We see in your new movie "Beyond Borders" that opens up this weekend the intersection, if you will, of your two passions, making movies, being a film star but also your work for the U.N. Talk a little bit about that.

JOLIE: Oh, God, it was so nice to be. It was never meant to be related to anything I did but I'm so -- after reading the script the first time it did affect me so I'm just so happy that I got to learn about what's really happening in the world, what the world is really about. And, Hollywood is such a tiny, tiny part of what really exists in this world and what really matters so to do a film and to use what I know as an actor, to be able to bring attention to something that I think is so important that I think a lot of people do want to know about.

And especially to these people that really spend -- these real aid workers that spend every day in the field because they are our modern day heroes and we really should be paying more attention to them and to the people that are these survivors of war that these amazing people that they look after.

BLITZER: Angelina, what do you hope the people who go see this film they emerge with?

JOLIE: I hope that they just -- that they -- I had an awakening. I hope they have the same experience I did to realize that there's so much more in the world that they don't get on their headline news and that they maybe weren't taught school and it will inspire them to want to learn and to go on the Internet tonight and figure it out

Or to get a backpack on and travel or just make sure their children know about other peoples in the world and I just hope it inspires that just the beginning of people really educating themselves and seeing what they can do to help.

BLITZER: How frustrated, Angelina, are you that there are such awful things, especially in Africa but in Asia, South America, all over the world happening especially to young kids, millions of them and that we really don't pay much attention to that?

JOLIE: It makes me very angry. At first I was just shocked but the more I've seen, the more kids I've seen, the more women I've seen raped, the more child soldiers I've met I think we should all, you know, we can actually stop it.

I'm one of those people that didn't know how it could change or how you could make a difference but if it can be clear to me how you can prevent these things then it can be clear to anybody because I'm not an intellectual. I'm not a politician. I'm not somebody making these choices but I know that there are simple things that can be done to prevent these things from exploding.

And at the end of the day we need to give kids an option if, you know, to have real jobs or real education and if you don't have that how do you prevent them from getting into trouble or being in dangerous situations or hurting each other, picking up weapons? So, there's a lot that can be done before these things start to happen.

BLITZER: Angelina, we've seen some other actors and actresses make the transition from politics, from acting to politics, if you will, including the current governor-elect of California. You're passionate about this. You want to do something about this. You want to stay on and be a goodwill ambassador at the U.N. What about really getting involved and getting your hat into the political ring? JOLIE: I don't know. I don't know. I don't know how you see it. If I felt I could really make a difference and be useful I'd certainly consider it. I don't know if I'm aware enough yet, if I'm smart enough, if I've educated myself enough about all issues and I think that's really important if you really are going to make that transition.

So, we'll see but, you know, I do find myself speaking more and more about these things and wanting to do things but I don't know. I think I've got a little too much in my closet for that for a political life.

BLITZER: You know what I don't hear you turning, you know, rejecting it out of hand so let's just leave that open the possibility that Angelina Jolie some day may follow in the footsteps of Arnold Schwarzenegger and others and go into the world of politics.

JOLIE: Well, yes. I'm just going to stay with the U.N. for now and stay with the field officers and learning. So, I'm still the student.

BLITZER: All right, Angelina Jolie you're delightful. You're a great actress. Maybe we smell Academy Award 2 coming up but we'll see with your new film "Beyond Borders." Thanks very much and once again congratulations.

JOLIE: Thank you.

BLITZER: All right, here in Washington the Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has just emerged from a meeting with members of Congress. He's speaking to reporters. Let's listen in.

DONALD RUMSFELD, DEFENSE SECRETARY: That we can win Iraq but the battle in Iraq and the battle in Afghanistan it will be a slug, long hard slug, but the big question is the broader one about the global war on terror and I didn't use that phrase in connection with the subject of the memo, namely the global war on terror.

It will be a long -- as the president said it's going to take time and it's going to require the use of all elements of national power to deal with the global war on terror. It's not simply a Defense Department matter.

It's a matter for the Treasury Department dealing with their finances, dealing with the education of people who are being trained to be terrorists. That was the thrust of it. I asked questions. I didn't answer questions.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And what is your answer?

RUMSFELD: I'm a question asker. I should be sitting where you're sitting. I'll take one last question.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In regards to the global war on terrorism do you think there is an immediate need for some type of yardstick to measure the progress in the war? RUMSFELD: We have lots of yardsticks and metrics where we can measure things like what's taking place in Iraq, what's taking place in Afghanistan, how we're doing in the finances, how we're doing in capturing and killing, for example, the top 55 Iraqi leaders or the top al Qaeda leaders. We know all those metrics.

The tough one is the macro one. How many young people are being taught to go out as suicide bombers and kill people? That's the question. How many are there? And how does that inflow of terrorists in the world get reduced so that the number of people being captured or killed is greater than the ones being produced?

There isn't anyone who knows a metric for that because it's too vast and too complex but elevating that issue I think forces people to think about it in the broadest possible context, which is why I did so. Thanks very much folks.

BLITZER: The Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld speaking about a memo that was first reported today in the newspaper "USA Today," a memo suggesting that he had some questions about how the U.S., the Pentagon in particular, was fighting the war on terror the defense secretary clarifying his comments, explaining why he was raising those questions. We'll have some more on that coming up.

We're also following other developments including new developments, important new developments in the case of Terri Schiavo, the family conflict over the brain-damaged woman is heating up. We're live in Florida for that.

And dismissing conspiracy theories about Princess Diana's death, the royal family is speaking out for the first time on this issue. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back.

In Florida, the bitter family fight over Terri Schiavo's right to live or die is intensifying. One day after Governor Jeb Bush ordered Schiavo's feeding tube to be reinserted, she remains at the center of a battle between her husband on the one hand, and her parents on the other.

And there's word she's being rehydrated as doctors prepare to re- insert the feeding tube.

CNN national correspondent Susan Candiotti is joining us now live from Pinellas Park in Florida -- Susan.

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Wolf.

I'm outside the hospice where Terri Schiavo had been until yesterday. She is now at a hospital.

And basically, the only news we've had all day is the latest news we just received a little while ago. And that is that a judge has ordered attorneys for both Terri Schiavo's husband as well as her parents to get together and agree upon a guardian, a guardian whose job it will be to report to Florida Governor Jeb Bush, that was part of that controversial executive order signed by him yesterday.

However, at this hour, it is unclear whether that feeding tube has been reinserted into Terri Schiavo at the hospital, whether it's been reinserted. At last word, she was being high rehydrated at a hospital in Clearwater, Florida. That, too, would be giving her nutrition that would keep her alive. It was removed from her last Wednesday by court order, as her husband has wanted and fought for for nearly 10 years. But as you know, after Terri Schiavo's parents pleaded with Florida Governor Jeb Bush to intervene, he did yesterday -- the Florida legislator basically giving him the power to overturn various court orders and to have that tube reinserted.

The attorney representing Michael Schiavo, Terri's husband, calls this entire affairs a horrible tragedy and says Terri may already be suffering from organ failure.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (AUDIO GAP)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CANDIOTTI: All right. I'm afraid that we had trouble with that sound. But we'll move on.

Meantime, Terri Schiavo's family is now being allowed to see her after a flurry of legal activity today. Now, Terri Schiavo's husband will allow them to see her at the hospital. The last time they saw her was yesterday. And they say that a home video they took of their daughter is one of the things that convinces them that she should be allowed to live.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BOB SCHINDLER JR., TERRI SCHIAVO'S FATHER: We've been saying over and over again that what's been said about my sister has been -- it's wrong. And everytime we see her she just -- she tries so desperately to communicate with us and she reacts and responds to us. And we just know if she could just get some rehabilitation, some therapy, we can improve her quality of life.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CANDIOTTI: However, most doctors say that the involuntary movements you've seen are simply that -- involuntary, that she is in a vegetative state with virtually no chance of improvement.

Finally, each side has five days to submit written legal arguments to a judge to argue over this executive order and whether it should be overturned.

Back to you, Wolf. BLITZER: Thanks very much, Susan Candiotti, with this heart- wrenching human story very much in the news right now. Thanks, Susan, very much.

Prowler patrols in California. An intruder targeting young children has parents on edge.

And new revelations about Princess Diana. Now some members of the royal family might consider legal action.

And this -- the hall of fame slugger Reggie Jackson scoring points with a new program. The man known as Mr. October to baseball fans around the world joins me live this hour.

First, let's take a look at some top vacation destinations this winter.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARION ASNES, MONEY MAGAZINE, SENIOR EDITOR: When winter comes, lots of families want to hit the beach. It's a great way to relax. And so "Money" magazine really looked out for a super family vacation family spot that offered lots of values.

With Cocoa Beach we really think we've found a winner. There is great surfing for older kids and the Cape Canaveral National Seashore for young ones who want to comb the sand.

And best of all, you've got the Kennedy Space Center and families can find some amazing tours of the facilities.

And then, when you choose, head over to Orlando and hit some of the great theme park that are there.

This is a place to go, relax and do some special activities that you will remember for a long time.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back to CNN.

High-level questions about whether the United States is doing enough to win the war on terror. We'll get to that.

First, though, a quick check of the latest headlines.

(NEWSBREAK)

BLITZER: Is the United States doing enough to win the war on terror and wrap up the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan? The Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has some doubts and he's expressed them in a memo to top aids. We just heard directly from the defense secretary himself up on Capital Hill. Let's get some more now. Our senior Pentagon correspondent Jamie McIntyre is standing by -- Jaime. JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, this memo was meant to be seen only by Rumsfeld's closest aids. This is it, a two- pager. A snowflake is what Rumsfeld's staff calls it. One of his memos -- traditional memos, designed to try to get his staff to come up with unique solutions to sold problems. But at the same time, the memo does seem to reflect some dissatisfaction with the progress in the war on terror.

For instance, a long, hard slog, that is how Rumsfeld portrays the prospects in Iraq and Afghanistan. He also says quote, "we have not made truly bold moves," that's referring to transforming the Pentagon to fight terrorism. And he says, "we lack metrics or measures to know if we're winning or losing the global war on terrorism."

Rumsfeld also states flatly that he can't change the Pentagon fast enough to fight the war on terrorism and he wonders in this memo if perhaps a new institution should be fashioned.

So is this an admission that things aren't going as well as Rumsfeld seems to indicate in his public appearances? No, argues the Pentagon. They insist it's just a reflection of his management style.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LARRY DIRITA, PENTAGON SPOKESMAN: It's what he does. He injects urgency, he asks questions and he gets people thinking about things. That's what this memo, hopefully will do. It appears to have had that effect.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MCINTYRE: The White House is voicing support for Rumsfeld. White House Spokesman, Scott McClellan, traveling with President Bush in Australia said quote, "that's exactly what a strong and capable defense secretary should do." Wolf.

BLITZER: Jamie McIntyre with that. Thanks very much.

President Bush, meanwhile, is in Australia, having wrapped up a swing through Asia with a show the flag stop in Bali, the Indonesian island which was the scene of that massive terror attack last year. The themes of the visit, terrorism and tolerance. Our senior White House correspondent, John King, reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN KING, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): War ships on alert off the coast of Bali, this stop designed to send a message to the terrorists who claim Islam is inspiration.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Murder has no place in any religious tradition must find no home in Indonesia.

KING: The extraordinary security included 5,000 troops and police, reflecting the Indonesian government's assessment of an imminent terrorist threat. Mr. Bush was on the ground just a few hours but considered it crucial to offer support and encouragement to President Megawati Sukarnoputri.

BUSH: Under her leadership Indonesia is hunting and finding dangerous killers.

KING: Mr. Bush visited Indonesia two months after a bombing in Jakarta and a year after the Bali night club bombing that killed more than 200.

Anti-American sentiment runs deep in the majority Muslim nation of 210 million people. And President Megawati's political role to stand with the United States against al Qaeda and other terror networks has, at times, been questioned.

BALBINA HWANG, HERITAGE FOUNDATION: Now I think she has shown some more proactive leadership. But clearly, there is more work that needs to be done in Indonesia.

KING: In this meeting with Indonesian religious leaders, Muslim clerics claim the U.S. policy in the Middle East is biased toward Israel. Mr. Bush countered by saying, he is the first U.S. president publicly embrace a Palestinian State. But in private, and later in public, he did not shy away from criticizing the Palestinian leadership.

BUSH: There needs to be leadership willing to fight off the terror that is trying to prevent the state from emerging.

KING: An top al Qaeda operative, known as Hambali, now in U.S. custody, is a suspect in several Indonesian terror attacks. And Indonesian officials say Mr. Bush promised they would eventually be allowed to interrogate him.

From Bali it was off to Australia, the sixth and final stop of the presidents overseas trip.

(on camera): As he flew here, the president told reporters on Air Force One, the Muslim clerics in Indonesia were direct but polite and that he hoped the session hoped prove his respect for Islam and helped refute their perception that Americans believe Muslims are terrorists. John King, CNN, Canberra, Australia.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: A deadly crash claims the life of a young race car driver.

And secrets of the princess. The memoirs of one of Diana's former butlers continuing to cause a palace uproar. We'll have details

And it's Mr. October, Reggie Jackson, takes a swing at this year's World Series. I'll speak with him live. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) BLITZER: We're getting this just in to here at CNN. The FBI and federal postal authorities are investigating the discovery of traces of the deadly toxin ricin in a postal handling facility in South Carolina.

The material was found last week in a sealed envelope which also contained a threatening note. On the basis of the note, federal authorities say they have no reason to suspect a terrorism connection. And officials say there is not, repeat not, a high probability of a public health threat. We'll continue to follow this story and get more information for our viewers here in CNN throughout the evening.

From London, meanwhile, reports of outrage at Buckingham Palace over a new book by the former butler for Princess Diana. A London tabloid is publishing excerpts from the book, including the claim that Diana was worried about being the victim of a staged car accident.

The latest revelations concern Diana's relationship with the royal family. And now, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip are said to be considering legal action. Here's CNN Diana Muriel.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DIANA MURIEL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Six years after she died, Diana, Princess of Wales, still making headlines. The latest scandal, publication of personal letters said to be written by the princess and her father-in-law, Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh, due out Monday in a new book by former royal butler, Paul Burrell.

The book, serialized in a British tabloid newspaper this week, highlights one letter that foretells her death in a car crash. The duke's letters appear broadly supportive of his daughter-in-law. But one asks Diana to ask whether she might be partly responsible for the failure of her marriage to Charles. Buckingham Palace has received excerpts of the book and is believed assessing whether Phillip has a case for breach of copyright.

MARK STEPHENS, MEDIA LAWYER: He could bring an infringement of copyright action. But of course, the problem with that is there is a defense of reporting news and current events. And to some extent, the royal family are the augers of their own misfortune here.

If there had been a coroner's inquest, as there should have been by law, then all of the letters would have been considered, given the appropriate weight, and we would have had a judicial ruling on the definitive reasons for her death.

MURIEL: Many have publicly condemned the lack of a British led investigation into the deaths of Diana and her lover, Dodi al Fayed in Paris. Although there will be a formal coroner's inquest.

There has been real unease here about the lack of any inquest or any formal legal inquiry into what happened, there's been nothing at all. And that has created an atmosphere of the British establishment covering up something. MURIEL: British Prime Minister Tony Blair has ruled out a public inquiry. Pointing, instead, to the results of a lengthy French investigation, which found the driver of the car in which Diana was travelling was drunk and speeding.

The coroner may well decide to conduct a full investigation. No date has been set for the coroner's inquest, but further revelations from the butler's book are expected to continue all this week. Diana Muriel, CNN, London.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: With the World Series now in full swing, one of baseball's best known sluggers is taking on a new challenge. I will speak live with the Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson. That's coming up next.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Earlier we asked, Reggie Jackson was the first player in Major League history to amass 100 or more home runs for three clubs. Two being the New York Yankees and the Oakland A's. What was the third?

The answer is the California Angels. Jackson played for the Angels from 1982 to 1986. He compiled a lifetime slugging percentage of .490 and led the league in home runs with all three teams.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: It has been a dramatic post season for Major League Baseball. As the Yankee's and Marlins square off again tonight, one of the great World Series hero is back. He is nicknamed Mr. October. Remember the four home runs in four straight swings of his bat? The hall of famer Reggie Jackson is leading a new campaign now, it's called C.H.A.M.P.S.S., Children Helping and Motivating Parent to Stop Smoking.

Reggie Jackson is joining us live from Miami. Reggie, thanks very much. We'll talk baseball in a second. C.H.A.M.P.S.S., tell us about this program.

REGGIE JACKSON, BASEBALL HALL OF FAMER: Thanks for having me, Wolf. Well, I got a call a couple of months ago from Glaxo-Smith Klein and asked me if I would join there team to talk to children about no smokes stop smoking and talking to their parents. I kind of wonder where they are coming from, but I got it pretty quickly. I had a my mom with a heart condition and my mom also smoked.

I tried an awful lot of times over many, mean years to get my mother to stop smoking. Finally, she had a stroke. Her life wasn't very much quality the last 10 years or so. So when I had this opportunity to do something with kids, talk to their parents about not smoking, I got on board to help and motivating parents to quit smoking. I also recognized, Wolf, that if you stop smoke for a year, just in 12 month your chances for receiving, you know -- or contracting a heart attack go down 50 percent. Those are pretty good numbers. I wish I had tools like Nicorette gum, the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) lozenges. It would have been cool for me to talk to my mom about these things because they are pretty simple.

BLITZER: If the kids can get their parents to stop smoking, that would be good. The anti-smoking effort, I want to point out to our views, co-sponsored by the Campaign For Tobacco Free Kids and as you point out the pharmaceutical company Glaxo-Smith-Klein. We don't have a lot of time Reggie, you have to tell me about this crazy World Series and the playoff games. Who's going to win the World Series?

JACKSON: Well, certainly I hope the Yankees do. I'm on their staff. And I'm down here with their team. We're up two games to one, Wolf. I think the important thing is don't let the dog out, if you will. While you have his nose in the dirt, keep your foot on the neck. The Florida Marlins are a great representative for the National League and they are a good ball club. So, we need to be aware and stay on the business at hand and make sure to do our best to win one game at a time. Tonight's game is most important.

BLITZER: How big of a problem, if it is a problem, these undetected supplements now that some of the athletes may or may not be taking, especially baseball players?

JACKSON: Well, I get concerned about it, wolf, because I think that eventually something may happen where a guy may have a heart attack, a guy may have a seizure. Something may happen with one of his children or whatever have you if the pills get loose or whatever. We know it's out there. We know it is rampant. I think the important thing is for baseball to be taking the steps they are now, to be doing testing the way basketball and football does. Have some real stiff penalties and fines of that nature. And so, I just trust that the leadership of different sport that is are out there are doing the right things and, you know, with Sandy and our gang, who is a pretty tough guy, I think things will get corrected. I certainly hope they do before we have a tragedy.

BLITZER: A brief conversation with a hero with young people and older people, including me. Reggie Jackson, we have reason to like you right now, what you're doing to stop people from smoking. Thanks. Good luck to you.

JACKSON: Thanks so much, Wolf. It is a pleasure and honor to be on your show.

BLITZER: Appreciate it very much. We'll be right back.

Right after this though, we'll talk about tragedy on the racetrack. A crash claims the life of an up and coming Indy driver. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: That's all the time we have. "LOU DOBBS TONIGHT" in Washington 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





Muhammad asks for lawyers now in D.C. sniper trial>


Aired October 22, 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: It's happening right now, shocking new pictures of the lead up to the Columbine High School massacre. For the first time we'll hear directly from the kids who killed.
Stand by for hard news on WOLF BLITZER REPORTS.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): Sniper trial, eye-to-eye, and a change of heart in the courtroom.

Target practice chilling scenes before the Columbine massacre new video from Colorado authorities.

Beyond borders what turned a Hollywood bad girl into a U.N. goodwill ambassador? I'll ask Oscar-winning actress Angelina Jolie.

Rumsfeld's worries a private memo about the war on terrorism.

Mr. October, a World Series hero is back this time to drive home an important message. I'll speak live with Reggie Jackson.

(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, October 22, 2003. Hello from Washington, I'm Wolf Blitzer reporting.

Just released disturbing new video of the Columbine killers never before seen by the public, it shows violent images of the teen gunmen firing an arsenal of weapons just weeks before their high school rampage.

We have two reporters covering this story, CNN's Brian Cabell, he'll tell us why this video is just now being released almost four years after the killings, and CNN's Mike Brooks, he'll dissect what we see in these very unsettling images.

Let's begin with Brian. They're both at the CNN Center in Atlanta -- Brian. BRIAN CABELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department has been holding onto these tapes for the last four and a half years. They've essentially been sitting on a shelf but a task force there looking into the massacre said they should be released to the public, the public deserves a right to see them so that's precisely what's happened today. They were released this afternoon, this one particular tape, about 15 minutes long.

Let's take a look at that tape right now. What you see from the very start, Eric Harris, one of the two shooters, he and Dylan Klebold, the principles in this tape. What you see is two boys in an actual forest south of Denver about March 6, 1995. You can see some snow still on the ground. This was almost exactly six weeks before the Columbine massacre.

You see them with a variety of weapons, not particularly skilled shooting at bowling pins. They were in a bowling class apparently just hours before this was shot. The weapons they are shooting with were illegally modified, at least a couple of them.

As I say, firing at bowling pins, firing at trees, pine trees there, firing haphazardly in the forest. It looks from just general appearances as though it's two teenagers playing with guns, joking around. Also you see a supplier. That is one of them, Mark Manes by name. He was sentenced to six years in prison for supplying some of the guns. He was released to a halfway house after about two years.

Also on this tape a gentleman by the name of Phillip Duran. You will see him coming up right there. He was sentenced to four and a half years for supplying these weapons. It was Duran apparently who taped most of this target practice, although others had their hand in it as well.

All in all it appears to be a lighthearted outing out in the forest with some very deadly weapons.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Imagine that in someone's (expletive) brain.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It hurt my wrist like a (expletive).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Is that so?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CABELL: Interestingly this tape, this 15-minute tape has been made available not only to the media but also to the public. It's being sold by the sheriff's department for $20. It is a processing fee. I just talked to someone in the records office in Jefferson County about an hour ago. She said so far it's been the media for the most part that's been buying them. I asked are other people coming in, curiosity seekers? So far she says no.

There is another tape or two out there, Wolf, the so-called basement tapes. Those have not been released to the public yet. Those are tapes that were taped several months before the shootings. The media have seen those tapes but so far those have not been released to the public.

BLITZER: Brian, I assume they shared these video, these very disturbing pictures with the families of the kids who were killed before they released this to the public?

CABELL: Yes, they have and there's been mixed reaction apparently from the families in Colorado as to whether they want to be seen but the general feeling is that this is something people should see. After four and a half years of investigation this is something that people should see to try to understand exactly what happened back in Littleton, Colorado back in 1999.

BLITZER: All right, Brian Cabell, thanks very much.

Let's get some more analysis now of this videotape, what it reveals, what we've learned. For that we'll turn to CNN's Mike Brooks. He's also joining us from Atlanta.

Mike, you looked at these very disturbing images. You're a former law enforcement official. What did you see here?

MIKE BROOKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: What I saw, Wolf was some kids out in the woods with some very high-powered weapons, not particularly skilled. A couple of the weapons had been modified. What we saw if we can look at the video we see them with a high-powered rifle right here.

We're looking at a .45 caliber. They refer to it as a Desert, which would be a Desert Eagle, a very expensive gun. Here we see a modified shotgun that has been sawed off. It looks like a double- barreled shotgun that he's holding there.

We also see another pump action shotgun that has been also modified, a .30 caliber, it looks like a .30 caliber high-powered rifle with a folding stock one, possibly two, one with a scope, the other with not.

This is a Tech-9 gun here that we see all the time on the street. As a law enforcement officer I used to see that quite often again, just playing around with these weapons, not particularly skilled.

Here it looks like one of the sawed off shotguns and it's very powerful. In fact, you see the recoil with that gun is just very, very, very large recoil.

Now, Wolf, what I have here in the studio with me is a weapon like you see being fired there. This is a shotgun that had been modified. It was cut off right here. We also see it cut off here to make it more concealable.

Back in the '70s it was a choice, a weapon of choice of a lot of bank robbers because they could put it under long coats like you see them in video. And, also in the video, Wolf, you see them, you hear them talking about the sawed off shotgun. They know it's illegal. They know it's wrong to have.

BLITZER: Mike, when we take a look at these pictures what strikes me is that these two boys obviously planned this thing for some time. They weren't simply target practicing for no reason out there. How easy was it for these kids to get these deadly weapons?

BROOKS: Well, they had some help apparently, Wolf. One of the people there we saw in the video was one of the people that helped them procure the weapons.

As I said two of the weapons are illegal to have. They were sawed off, the shotgun, violations of the National Firearms Act. How they got them, who sawed them off we don't know.

We also saw with one of the Tech-9s that they had a suppressor, a screw-on suppressor to deaden some of the silence used with the Tech- 9. Again, you have to have a tax stamp by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms to even have, to be in possession of one of these.

But, again, they say in one of them look at the damage that the .9mm does as opposed to a slug and this is what they're referring to as a rifled slug that's fired out of one of those shotguns and again Wolf, very disturbing that they would even have access to some of these guns, especially the sawed off shotguns.

BLITZER: A horror of four years ago, a vivid reminder of what occurred during that nightmare. Thanks very much, Mike Brooks, Brian Cabell as well.

Let's move on now, more surprises today in the trial of the D.C. area sniper suspect John Allen Muhammad. He's changing his mind about representing himself, plus another appearance in the courtroom by his alleged accomplice.

CNN's Patty Davis is covering the trial. She's joining us once again from Virginia Beach, Virginia -- Patty.

PATTY DAVIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, word of Muhammad's decision this morning came as court began and prosecutors say that they were shocked.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAVIS (voice-over): Just three days ago, sniper suspect John Muhammad stunned the courtroom when he decided he'd act as his own attorney. Wednesday he changed his mind and put his lawyers back in charge.

The reason given in a sidebar with the judge was that he hurt his tooth Tuesday night. His lawyers couldn't talk for him unless they took control. Some legal experts say is lawyers lost some opportunities but that Muhammad may benefit from his unorthodox tactics.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Apparently he was very polite calling people sir and ma'am so now he's a person and it's much harder to vote to execute a person, somebody whose humanity you've gotten to see.

DAVIS: Meanwhile, his alleged accomplice, Lee Boyd Malvo, was brought briefly into court to be identified in connection with the September 15 shooting outside this Maryland liquor store. Victim Mohammed Rashid identified Malvo as his attacker but backed off under cross-examination saying that Malvo only looked similar.

In a big win the defense derailed prosecution efforts suggesting a high-powered rifle was used in the liquor store shooting. As Malvo left court he and Muhammad made eye contact. Muhammad gestured with a lose fist and shook it at Malvo.

Earlier, a used car salesman testified he sold Muhammad a dark blue Chevy Caprice. That car did not originally have tinted windows or a hole above the license plate. He said as Muhammad looked over the car he stretched his body inside the trunk keeping his feet on the ground. Prosecutors believe Muhammad and Malvo fired at victims from a sniper's perch hidden in that same modified trunk.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

DAVIS: Just minutes ago, Lee Boyd Malvo brought once again into court a very tearful eyewitness James Alan Gray (ph) positively identified Malvo as the man who ran away from the scene of a liquor shooting in Montgomery, Alabama in September. Now one woman was killed in that attack, another wounded -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Patty Davis reporting on this trial for us, Patty thanks very much.

Investigators looking into last week's Staten Island Ferry crash which killed ten people are being thwarted by the vessel's captain who is refusing to talk.

Let's go live to CNN's Deborah Feyerick. She's joining us now from New York -- Deborah.

DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, the captain's silence is really frustrating city officials. They want to know exactly where was the captain and why didn't he prevent that deadly accident.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FEYERICK (voice-over): The captain of the most deadly ferry accident in New York City's history is not cooperating with investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board, city officials say.

Captain Michael Gansas defied a court-issued subpoena ordering him to answer questions, this after he canceled a meeting with investigators yesterday.

MAYOR MICHAEL BLOOMBERG, NEW YORK: It's an outrage that somebody who can give us information to perhaps find out how we can improve service refuses to talk and a person like that has no business working for this city.

FEYERICK: City officials today suspended Gansas without pay. Initially his lawyers said Gansas failed to speak to investigators because he needed more time to get ready. Now his lawyer says Gansas is traumatized and that a physician caring for him has advised him to avoid stress.

His lawyer says: "Mr. Gansas is being unfairly vilified by those who should know better. Inflammatory remarks and name calling simply will not help to resolve the issues raised by this matter."

Investigators are eager to hear the captain's story. Officials believe the assistant captain passed out at the controls and that the captain may have been too far away to stop the accident in time.

IRIS WEINSHALL, NYC TRANSPORTATION COMMISSIONER: We want Captain Gansas to explain to us what happened on that afternoon in terms of where he was and what happened in the pilot house.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FEYERICK: New York City's mayor says police and prosecutors are looking to see whether they can file criminal charges. The captain's lawyer says the captain will cooperate fully when he's legally and medically free to do so -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Deborah Feyerick all over the story for us, thanks Deborah very much.

Right to die and now to live, dramatic new developments in the fight to keep a brain damaged woman alive. The family battle intensifies very dramatically today; also this...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (Unintelligible.)

JOLIE: Are you going to tell me where we're going?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A place near the border.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Beyond borders and beyond ordinary, the actress, the Academy Award-winning actress Angelina Jolie, she'll join me live this hour on her new film and her real life humanitarian work around the world.

Plus, Reggie, Reggie, they're screaming for Mr. October himself, the baseball hall-of-famer Reggie Jackson making headlines at the World Series for a different reason. I'll speak with him live, first today's News Quiz.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER (voice-over): "Reggie Jackson was the first player in Major League history to amass 100 or more homeruns for three clubs, two being the New York Yankees and the Oakland A's. What was the third, Baltimore Orioles, California Angels, Kansas City Athletics, Texas Rangers," the answer coming up.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Academy Award-winning actress and more, much more, this talented lady is not just your average celebrity. She's also a United Nations goodwill ambassador. Angelina Jolie she's here live at the United Nations. I'll speak with her next. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back.

The United Nations is taking a cautious and heavily-armed step into a dangerous corner of the Democratic Republic of Congo. A humanitarian convoy accompanied by three dozen peacekeepers and two attack helicopters is trying to deliver 20 tons of relief supplies right now.

The part of the country they're trying to reach is controlled by gangs and militias. It's been virtually cut off from the outside world for years. War in the region is blamed for more than three million deaths, most from starvation and disease, many children dead as a result.

The actress Angelina Jolie has just signed on for two more years as a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. Her humanitarian work is mirrored in her latest movie "Beyond Borders" which revolves around the plight of the world's displaced people.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANGELINA JOLIE, UNHCR GOODWILL AMBASSADOR: If this shipment is harmed in any way your name will show up in a follow-up investigation.

BLITZER: In "Beyond Borders" Angelina Jolie plays Sarah Jordan, a socialite turned philanthropist. She meets a charismatic relief doctor and over the course of two decades their story of love and danger unfolds against a backdrop of humanitarian crisis. Jolie says the project opened her eyes.

JOLIE: I read the script five years ago and I was really moved by it but I knew nothing of its contents and so I got a bunch of books on every different organization and every different chapter of the U.N. and was stunned when I read about UNHCR and 20 million people displaced so I wanted to understand that and I went to Sierra Leone with them and it completely changed my life.

BLITZER: Jolie is the daughter of actor John Voight. Her parents separated when she was just a year old and she was raised by her mother in New York. She moved to Los Angeles while still in her teens and after a string of forgettable films began making a name for herself as an actress and a Hollywood bad girl.

JOLIE: Just one step and I'll jam this in my aorta. Go ahead.

BLITZER: Her career hit a new high in 2000 when she won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for "Girl Interrupted." That same year she married actor Billy Bob Thornton. It was her second marriage and his fifth. The marriage lasted two years.

All the while here interest in humanitarian work grew. In 2001, she was asked to become goodwill ambassador for the United Nations High Commission or refugees. Since then the single mother's visited hot spots around the world from South America to Africa to Asia where she adopted a Cambodian boy last year and now has a home.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: And tonight, Angelina Jolie will be honored for her humanitarian work. She'll be presented with the United Nations Correspondents Association Citizen of the World award. Angelina Jolie is joining us now live from the United Nations. Angelina thanks very much for joining us. Congratulations to you on this honor.

What does it mean to you to be given this award by the U.N. Correspondents Association?

ANGELINA JOLIE, UNHCR GOODWILL AMBASSADOR: Oh, God, it means so much. I've spent the last few years learning so much about the United Nations and working with them and seeing them in the field and I'm so aware of all that they do and I'm so proud to represent them and it means a lot that I do it right. And so this award means that I'm doing an OK job and they think it so that means a lot to me.

BLITZER: Well, what exactly does it mean to be a goodwill ambassador for the U.N.? What do you do?

JOLIE: I think in every different organization it might different. UNHCR is the organization that is with refugees so I spend a lot of time on borders meeting with people, meeting with families, understanding the situation, trying to bring awareness.

A lot of time just spending time with families but of just across the border and learning about why they did and what's happened to them and just being somebody that says that we haven't forgotten them and we care and people back home want to know your story so please tell me and that seems to mean a lot to them.

BLITZER: We see in your new movie "Beyond Borders" that opens up this weekend the intersection, if you will, of your two passions, making movies, being a film star but also your work for the U.N. Talk a little bit about that.

JOLIE: Oh, God, it was so nice to be. It was never meant to be related to anything I did but I'm so -- after reading the script the first time it did affect me so I'm just so happy that I got to learn about what's really happening in the world, what the world is really about. And, Hollywood is such a tiny, tiny part of what really exists in this world and what really matters so to do a film and to use what I know as an actor, to be able to bring attention to something that I think is so important that I think a lot of people do want to know about.

And especially to these people that really spend -- these real aid workers that spend every day in the field because they are our modern day heroes and we really should be paying more attention to them and to the people that are these survivors of war that these amazing people that they look after.

BLITZER: Angelina, what do you hope the people who go see this film they emerge with?

JOLIE: I hope that they just -- that they -- I had an awakening. I hope they have the same experience I did to realize that there's so much more in the world that they don't get on their headline news and that they maybe weren't taught school and it will inspire them to want to learn and to go on the Internet tonight and figure it out

Or to get a backpack on and travel or just make sure their children know about other peoples in the world and I just hope it inspires that just the beginning of people really educating themselves and seeing what they can do to help.

BLITZER: How frustrated, Angelina, are you that there are such awful things, especially in Africa but in Asia, South America, all over the world happening especially to young kids, millions of them and that we really don't pay much attention to that?

JOLIE: It makes me very angry. At first I was just shocked but the more I've seen, the more kids I've seen, the more women I've seen raped, the more child soldiers I've met I think we should all, you know, we can actually stop it.

I'm one of those people that didn't know how it could change or how you could make a difference but if it can be clear to me how you can prevent these things then it can be clear to anybody because I'm not an intellectual. I'm not a politician. I'm not somebody making these choices but I know that there are simple things that can be done to prevent these things from exploding.

And at the end of the day we need to give kids an option if, you know, to have real jobs or real education and if you don't have that how do you prevent them from getting into trouble or being in dangerous situations or hurting each other, picking up weapons? So, there's a lot that can be done before these things start to happen.

BLITZER: Angelina, we've seen some other actors and actresses make the transition from politics, from acting to politics, if you will, including the current governor-elect of California. You're passionate about this. You want to do something about this. You want to stay on and be a goodwill ambassador at the U.N. What about really getting involved and getting your hat into the political ring? JOLIE: I don't know. I don't know. I don't know how you see it. If I felt I could really make a difference and be useful I'd certainly consider it. I don't know if I'm aware enough yet, if I'm smart enough, if I've educated myself enough about all issues and I think that's really important if you really are going to make that transition.

So, we'll see but, you know, I do find myself speaking more and more about these things and wanting to do things but I don't know. I think I've got a little too much in my closet for that for a political life.

BLITZER: You know what I don't hear you turning, you know, rejecting it out of hand so let's just leave that open the possibility that Angelina Jolie some day may follow in the footsteps of Arnold Schwarzenegger and others and go into the world of politics.

JOLIE: Well, yes. I'm just going to stay with the U.N. for now and stay with the field officers and learning. So, I'm still the student.

BLITZER: All right, Angelina Jolie you're delightful. You're a great actress. Maybe we smell Academy Award 2 coming up but we'll see with your new film "Beyond Borders." Thanks very much and once again congratulations.

JOLIE: Thank you.

BLITZER: All right, here in Washington the Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has just emerged from a meeting with members of Congress. He's speaking to reporters. Let's listen in.

DONALD RUMSFELD, DEFENSE SECRETARY: That we can win Iraq but the battle in Iraq and the battle in Afghanistan it will be a slug, long hard slug, but the big question is the broader one about the global war on terror and I didn't use that phrase in connection with the subject of the memo, namely the global war on terror.

It will be a long -- as the president said it's going to take time and it's going to require the use of all elements of national power to deal with the global war on terror. It's not simply a Defense Department matter.

It's a matter for the Treasury Department dealing with their finances, dealing with the education of people who are being trained to be terrorists. That was the thrust of it. I asked questions. I didn't answer questions.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And what is your answer?

RUMSFELD: I'm a question asker. I should be sitting where you're sitting. I'll take one last question.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In regards to the global war on terrorism do you think there is an immediate need for some type of yardstick to measure the progress in the war? RUMSFELD: We have lots of yardsticks and metrics where we can measure things like what's taking place in Iraq, what's taking place in Afghanistan, how we're doing in the finances, how we're doing in capturing and killing, for example, the top 55 Iraqi leaders or the top al Qaeda leaders. We know all those metrics.

The tough one is the macro one. How many young people are being taught to go out as suicide bombers and kill people? That's the question. How many are there? And how does that inflow of terrorists in the world get reduced so that the number of people being captured or killed is greater than the ones being produced?

There isn't anyone who knows a metric for that because it's too vast and too complex but elevating that issue I think forces people to think about it in the broadest possible context, which is why I did so. Thanks very much folks.

BLITZER: The Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld speaking about a memo that was first reported today in the newspaper "USA Today," a memo suggesting that he had some questions about how the U.S., the Pentagon in particular, was fighting the war on terror the defense secretary clarifying his comments, explaining why he was raising those questions. We'll have some more on that coming up.

We're also following other developments including new developments, important new developments in the case of Terri Schiavo, the family conflict over the brain-damaged woman is heating up. We're live in Florida for that.

And dismissing conspiracy theories about Princess Diana's death, the royal family is speaking out for the first time on this issue. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back.

In Florida, the bitter family fight over Terri Schiavo's right to live or die is intensifying. One day after Governor Jeb Bush ordered Schiavo's feeding tube to be reinserted, she remains at the center of a battle between her husband on the one hand, and her parents on the other.

And there's word she's being rehydrated as doctors prepare to re- insert the feeding tube.

CNN national correspondent Susan Candiotti is joining us now live from Pinellas Park in Florida -- Susan.

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Wolf.

I'm outside the hospice where Terri Schiavo had been until yesterday. She is now at a hospital.

And basically, the only news we've had all day is the latest news we just received a little while ago. And that is that a judge has ordered attorneys for both Terri Schiavo's husband as well as her parents to get together and agree upon a guardian, a guardian whose job it will be to report to Florida Governor Jeb Bush, that was part of that controversial executive order signed by him yesterday.

However, at this hour, it is unclear whether that feeding tube has been reinserted into Terri Schiavo at the hospital, whether it's been reinserted. At last word, she was being high rehydrated at a hospital in Clearwater, Florida. That, too, would be giving her nutrition that would keep her alive. It was removed from her last Wednesday by court order, as her husband has wanted and fought for for nearly 10 years. But as you know, after Terri Schiavo's parents pleaded with Florida Governor Jeb Bush to intervene, he did yesterday -- the Florida legislator basically giving him the power to overturn various court orders and to have that tube reinserted.

The attorney representing Michael Schiavo, Terri's husband, calls this entire affairs a horrible tragedy and says Terri may already be suffering from organ failure.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (AUDIO GAP)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CANDIOTTI: All right. I'm afraid that we had trouble with that sound. But we'll move on.

Meantime, Terri Schiavo's family is now being allowed to see her after a flurry of legal activity today. Now, Terri Schiavo's husband will allow them to see her at the hospital. The last time they saw her was yesterday. And they say that a home video they took of their daughter is one of the things that convinces them that she should be allowed to live.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BOB SCHINDLER JR., TERRI SCHIAVO'S FATHER: We've been saying over and over again that what's been said about my sister has been -- it's wrong. And everytime we see her she just -- she tries so desperately to communicate with us and she reacts and responds to us. And we just know if she could just get some rehabilitation, some therapy, we can improve her quality of life.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CANDIOTTI: However, most doctors say that the involuntary movements you've seen are simply that -- involuntary, that she is in a vegetative state with virtually no chance of improvement.

Finally, each side has five days to submit written legal arguments to a judge to argue over this executive order and whether it should be overturned.

Back to you, Wolf. BLITZER: Thanks very much, Susan Candiotti, with this heart- wrenching human story very much in the news right now. Thanks, Susan, very much.

Prowler patrols in California. An intruder targeting young children has parents on edge.

And new revelations about Princess Diana. Now some members of the royal family might consider legal action.

And this -- the hall of fame slugger Reggie Jackson scoring points with a new program. The man known as Mr. October to baseball fans around the world joins me live this hour.

First, let's take a look at some top vacation destinations this winter.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARION ASNES, MONEY MAGAZINE, SENIOR EDITOR: When winter comes, lots of families want to hit the beach. It's a great way to relax. And so "Money" magazine really looked out for a super family vacation family spot that offered lots of values.

With Cocoa Beach we really think we've found a winner. There is great surfing for older kids and the Cape Canaveral National Seashore for young ones who want to comb the sand.

And best of all, you've got the Kennedy Space Center and families can find some amazing tours of the facilities.

And then, when you choose, head over to Orlando and hit some of the great theme park that are there.

This is a place to go, relax and do some special activities that you will remember for a long time.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back to CNN.

High-level questions about whether the United States is doing enough to win the war on terror. We'll get to that.

First, though, a quick check of the latest headlines.

(NEWSBREAK)

BLITZER: Is the United States doing enough to win the war on terror and wrap up the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan? The Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has some doubts and he's expressed them in a memo to top aids. We just heard directly from the defense secretary himself up on Capital Hill. Let's get some more now. Our senior Pentagon correspondent Jamie McIntyre is standing by -- Jaime. JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, this memo was meant to be seen only by Rumsfeld's closest aids. This is it, a two- pager. A snowflake is what Rumsfeld's staff calls it. One of his memos -- traditional memos, designed to try to get his staff to come up with unique solutions to sold problems. But at the same time, the memo does seem to reflect some dissatisfaction with the progress in the war on terror.

For instance, a long, hard slog, that is how Rumsfeld portrays the prospects in Iraq and Afghanistan. He also says quote, "we have not made truly bold moves," that's referring to transforming the Pentagon to fight terrorism. And he says, "we lack metrics or measures to know if we're winning or losing the global war on terrorism."

Rumsfeld also states flatly that he can't change the Pentagon fast enough to fight the war on terrorism and he wonders in this memo if perhaps a new institution should be fashioned.

So is this an admission that things aren't going as well as Rumsfeld seems to indicate in his public appearances? No, argues the Pentagon. They insist it's just a reflection of his management style.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LARRY DIRITA, PENTAGON SPOKESMAN: It's what he does. He injects urgency, he asks questions and he gets people thinking about things. That's what this memo, hopefully will do. It appears to have had that effect.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MCINTYRE: The White House is voicing support for Rumsfeld. White House Spokesman, Scott McClellan, traveling with President Bush in Australia said quote, "that's exactly what a strong and capable defense secretary should do." Wolf.

BLITZER: Jamie McIntyre with that. Thanks very much.

President Bush, meanwhile, is in Australia, having wrapped up a swing through Asia with a show the flag stop in Bali, the Indonesian island which was the scene of that massive terror attack last year. The themes of the visit, terrorism and tolerance. Our senior White House correspondent, John King, reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN KING, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): War ships on alert off the coast of Bali, this stop designed to send a message to the terrorists who claim Islam is inspiration.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Murder has no place in any religious tradition must find no home in Indonesia.

KING: The extraordinary security included 5,000 troops and police, reflecting the Indonesian government's assessment of an imminent terrorist threat. Mr. Bush was on the ground just a few hours but considered it crucial to offer support and encouragement to President Megawati Sukarnoputri.

BUSH: Under her leadership Indonesia is hunting and finding dangerous killers.

KING: Mr. Bush visited Indonesia two months after a bombing in Jakarta and a year after the Bali night club bombing that killed more than 200.

Anti-American sentiment runs deep in the majority Muslim nation of 210 million people. And President Megawati's political role to stand with the United States against al Qaeda and other terror networks has, at times, been questioned.

BALBINA HWANG, HERITAGE FOUNDATION: Now I think she has shown some more proactive leadership. But clearly, there is more work that needs to be done in Indonesia.

KING: In this meeting with Indonesian religious leaders, Muslim clerics claim the U.S. policy in the Middle East is biased toward Israel. Mr. Bush countered by saying, he is the first U.S. president publicly embrace a Palestinian State. But in private, and later in public, he did not shy away from criticizing the Palestinian leadership.

BUSH: There needs to be leadership willing to fight off the terror that is trying to prevent the state from emerging.

KING: An top al Qaeda operative, known as Hambali, now in U.S. custody, is a suspect in several Indonesian terror attacks. And Indonesian officials say Mr. Bush promised they would eventually be allowed to interrogate him.

From Bali it was off to Australia, the sixth and final stop of the presidents overseas trip.

(on camera): As he flew here, the president told reporters on Air Force One, the Muslim clerics in Indonesia were direct but polite and that he hoped the session hoped prove his respect for Islam and helped refute their perception that Americans believe Muslims are terrorists. John King, CNN, Canberra, Australia.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: A deadly crash claims the life of a young race car driver.

And secrets of the princess. The memoirs of one of Diana's former butlers continuing to cause a palace uproar. We'll have details

And it's Mr. October, Reggie Jackson, takes a swing at this year's World Series. I'll speak with him live. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) BLITZER: We're getting this just in to here at CNN. The FBI and federal postal authorities are investigating the discovery of traces of the deadly toxin ricin in a postal handling facility in South Carolina.

The material was found last week in a sealed envelope which also contained a threatening note. On the basis of the note, federal authorities say they have no reason to suspect a terrorism connection. And officials say there is not, repeat not, a high probability of a public health threat. We'll continue to follow this story and get more information for our viewers here in CNN throughout the evening.

From London, meanwhile, reports of outrage at Buckingham Palace over a new book by the former butler for Princess Diana. A London tabloid is publishing excerpts from the book, including the claim that Diana was worried about being the victim of a staged car accident.

The latest revelations concern Diana's relationship with the royal family. And now, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip are said to be considering legal action. Here's CNN Diana Muriel.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DIANA MURIEL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Six years after she died, Diana, Princess of Wales, still making headlines. The latest scandal, publication of personal letters said to be written by the princess and her father-in-law, Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh, due out Monday in a new book by former royal butler, Paul Burrell.

The book, serialized in a British tabloid newspaper this week, highlights one letter that foretells her death in a car crash. The duke's letters appear broadly supportive of his daughter-in-law. But one asks Diana to ask whether she might be partly responsible for the failure of her marriage to Charles. Buckingham Palace has received excerpts of the book and is believed assessing whether Phillip has a case for breach of copyright.

MARK STEPHENS, MEDIA LAWYER: He could bring an infringement of copyright action. But of course, the problem with that is there is a defense of reporting news and current events. And to some extent, the royal family are the augers of their own misfortune here.

If there had been a coroner's inquest, as there should have been by law, then all of the letters would have been considered, given the appropriate weight, and we would have had a judicial ruling on the definitive reasons for her death.

MURIEL: Many have publicly condemned the lack of a British led investigation into the deaths of Diana and her lover, Dodi al Fayed in Paris. Although there will be a formal coroner's inquest.

There has been real unease here about the lack of any inquest or any formal legal inquiry into what happened, there's been nothing at all. And that has created an atmosphere of the British establishment covering up something. MURIEL: British Prime Minister Tony Blair has ruled out a public inquiry. Pointing, instead, to the results of a lengthy French investigation, which found the driver of the car in which Diana was travelling was drunk and speeding.

The coroner may well decide to conduct a full investigation. No date has been set for the coroner's inquest, but further revelations from the butler's book are expected to continue all this week. Diana Muriel, CNN, London.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: With the World Series now in full swing, one of baseball's best known sluggers is taking on a new challenge. I will speak live with the Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson. That's coming up next.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Earlier we asked, Reggie Jackson was the first player in Major League history to amass 100 or more home runs for three clubs. Two being the New York Yankees and the Oakland A's. What was the third?

The answer is the California Angels. Jackson played for the Angels from 1982 to 1986. He compiled a lifetime slugging percentage of .490 and led the league in home runs with all three teams.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: It has been a dramatic post season for Major League Baseball. As the Yankee's and Marlins square off again tonight, one of the great World Series hero is back. He is nicknamed Mr. October. Remember the four home runs in four straight swings of his bat? The hall of famer Reggie Jackson is leading a new campaign now, it's called C.H.A.M.P.S.S., Children Helping and Motivating Parent to Stop Smoking.

Reggie Jackson is joining us live from Miami. Reggie, thanks very much. We'll talk baseball in a second. C.H.A.M.P.S.S., tell us about this program.

REGGIE JACKSON, BASEBALL HALL OF FAMER: Thanks for having me, Wolf. Well, I got a call a couple of months ago from Glaxo-Smith Klein and asked me if I would join there team to talk to children about no smokes stop smoking and talking to their parents. I kind of wonder where they are coming from, but I got it pretty quickly. I had a my mom with a heart condition and my mom also smoked.

I tried an awful lot of times over many, mean years to get my mother to stop smoking. Finally, she had a stroke. Her life wasn't very much quality the last 10 years or so. So when I had this opportunity to do something with kids, talk to their parents about not smoking, I got on board to help and motivating parents to quit smoking. I also recognized, Wolf, that if you stop smoke for a year, just in 12 month your chances for receiving, you know -- or contracting a heart attack go down 50 percent. Those are pretty good numbers. I wish I had tools like Nicorette gum, the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) lozenges. It would have been cool for me to talk to my mom about these things because they are pretty simple.

BLITZER: If the kids can get their parents to stop smoking, that would be good. The anti-smoking effort, I want to point out to our views, co-sponsored by the Campaign For Tobacco Free Kids and as you point out the pharmaceutical company Glaxo-Smith-Klein. We don't have a lot of time Reggie, you have to tell me about this crazy World Series and the playoff games. Who's going to win the World Series?

JACKSON: Well, certainly I hope the Yankees do. I'm on their staff. And I'm down here with their team. We're up two games to one, Wolf. I think the important thing is don't let the dog out, if you will. While you have his nose in the dirt, keep your foot on the neck. The Florida Marlins are a great representative for the National League and they are a good ball club. So, we need to be aware and stay on the business at hand and make sure to do our best to win one game at a time. Tonight's game is most important.

BLITZER: How big of a problem, if it is a problem, these undetected supplements now that some of the athletes may or may not be taking, especially baseball players?

JACKSON: Well, I get concerned about it, wolf, because I think that eventually something may happen where a guy may have a heart attack, a guy may have a seizure. Something may happen with one of his children or whatever have you if the pills get loose or whatever. We know it's out there. We know it is rampant. I think the important thing is for baseball to be taking the steps they are now, to be doing testing the way basketball and football does. Have some real stiff penalties and fines of that nature. And so, I just trust that the leadership of different sport that is are out there are doing the right things and, you know, with Sandy and our gang, who is a pretty tough guy, I think things will get corrected. I certainly hope they do before we have a tragedy.

BLITZER: A brief conversation with a hero with young people and older people, including me. Reggie Jackson, we have reason to like you right now, what you're doing to stop people from smoking. Thanks. Good luck to you.

JACKSON: Thanks so much, Wolf. It is a pleasure and honor to be on your show.

BLITZER: Appreciate it very much. We'll be right back.

Right after this though, we'll talk about tragedy on the racetrack. A crash claims the life of an up and coming Indy driver. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: That's all the time we have. "LOU DOBBS TONIGHT" in Washington starts right now.

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Muhammad asks for lawyers now in D.C. sniper trial>