Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Wolf Blitzer Reports
Saudi King Vows To Strike Back Against Terrorists; Interview With Tom Daschle; Prince Charles Comes Back To Britain Facing New Scandal
Aired November 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: Happening now, Saudi King Fahd is vowing to strike with an iron fist against the terrorists responsible for the latest car bombing in Riyadh but there are intelligence reports another strike could happen at any moment.
Stand by for hard news on WOLF BLITZER REPORTS.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER (voice-over): Held without charge, do terror suspects have rights? Why the Supreme Court cares.
Saudi shock, what's the next target? Al Qaeda stalks the kingdom.
From anthrax to 9/11, Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle talks about a time that changed America.
Moment of truth a royal returns to a rude reception.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANNOUNCER: This is WOLF BLITZER REPORTS for Monday, November 10, 2003.
BLITZER: It's a decision that could shape the war against terror being fought off in far off corners of the world. The United States Supreme Court today agreeing to rule whether detainees from the campaign in Afghanistan are being held illegally.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER (voice-over): More than 600 prisoners from some 40 countries held in near isolation by the American military at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba. One of them Fawzi al-Odah, a Kuwaiti national picked up in Pakistan suspected of being a member of al Qaeda. His father, who fought alongside U.S. forces in the first Gulf War, said his son was an aid worker teaching Islamic studies to the poor.
KHALIL AL-ODAH, FATHER OF DETAINEE: He went in 2001, in August also. He was there trying to help people and to teach them and then the 9/11 events, horrible events, happened and he was caught there in this mess over there during the war. BLITZER: Neither Fawzi al-Odah nor any of his fellow detainees has ever had access to a lawyer. Now, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear two appeals on whether the detainees at Guantanamo are being held illegally.
The Bush administration argues this is lawful. A war on terror is ongoing. U.S. troops are in conflict overseas against what the White House calls an unprincipled, unconventional, and savage foe.
JEFFREY TOOBIN, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: This administration, you know, there is no greater priority than the war on terror and no greater enemy than al Qaeda and the people that we were fighting over in Afghanistan. They simply are saying these are the equivalent of prisoners of war and we simply don't give them lawyers. We don't give them access to the legal process.
BLITZER: Boiled down, the court will decide if U.S. constitutional law has any jurisdiction over the holding of foreign nationals by the U.S. government on the soil of another sovereign nation.
One other complication, some detainees are from nations allied with the U.S. in the war on terror and the Bush administration has promised at least two of those countries, Britain and Australia, that the cases of their citizens at Guantanamo would get special review.
This is the first time the Supreme Court will have examined the enforcement of sweeping anti-terrorism policies enacted since September 11. The court refused to even consider previous appeals. Why now?
TOM GOLDSTEIN, CONSTITUTIONAL LAW EXPERT: The fact that the Supreme Court has taken these cases doesn't mean that they're ready to open the courthouse doors to people who are being detained at GITMO. All it means is this is an incredibly important constitutional question that we need to know the answer to now and we're going to need to know the answer for centuries.
BLITZER: Arguments will be heard sometime early next year. A ruling is expected by June.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: And U.S. officials say there are signs al Qaeda is "planning for an attack" right now in Sudan and Americans there are being urged to lie low. The U.S. embassy in Khartoum has warned Americans of a possible threat to U.S. interests and is urging them to keep a low profile. The embassy itself is being closed for the week as officials review security measures.
Meanwhile, the Saudis are getting ready for the next attack on their soil. The victims of a bloody weekend attack in Riyadh were from a dozen countries but Saudi authorities say the kingdom itself is the target.
CNN's Senior International Correspondent Nic Robertson is joining us now live via videophone in Riyadh. Nic, tell us the latest.
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SR. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (via videophone): Well, Wolf, the very latest from here King Fahd of Saudi Arabia has said that the terrorists will be crushed with an iron fist.
And we certainly understand from government sources here that the government fully intends they say to pursue al Qaeda whom they hold responsible for the attack on Saturday, fully intend to pursue them to the bitter end.
They say that this is Saudi Arabia's war against terrorism. They define al Qaeda in Saudi Arabia as a domestic al Qaeda and that they say this is now their war against them.
Certainly government sources telling us that they expect at least one, maybe more attacks but these attacks they say could come at any moment now. Security around diplomatic compounds in Riyadh is high.
Security in the rest of the country around other key installations is high and it is at its highest in the holy city of Mecca where the government here has deployed some 4,600 troops to.
Mecca receives millions of Islamic pilgrims from all over the world every year. The worst image, the worst message that could be sent out for the Saudi government is that a bomb could go off in the holy city of Mecca.
This is a very holy time for Muslims. This is the holy month of Ramadan and certainly the government sources we're talking to are telling us that the government expects to keep that additional 4,600 troops in Mecca at least until the end of Ramadan -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Nic, very briefly, you've been to Saudi Arabia before. Are the security precautions surrounding you different this time?
ROBERTSON: Well, certainly there are security precautions that have been put in place in this city since the May the 12th attack that killed at least 34 people here. There are other security steps that have been taken in the last few days since the attack over the weekend.
The diplomatic compound here essentially, one of the diplomatic compounds essentially almost fully locked down, very difficult and time consuming to get in and to get out and certainly comparing it to the last decade or so much changed -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Nic Robertson in Riyadh for us thanks Nic very much. Please be careful over there.
U.S. intelligence couldn't prevent the attack but it did predict it and officials say the Saudis are right to be very worried about another assault.
Let's turn to our National Security Correspondent David Ensor. David, what are you hearing? DAVID ENSOR, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, U.S. officials believe there will be additional attacks and possibly soon.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ENSOR (voice-over): As Saudi officials continue to search the bomb site for evidence U.S. officials warn that "this is not the end." There is intelligence suggesting additional attacks could come in Saudi Arabia at any time.
RICHARD BOUCHER, STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN: That's a continuing threat.
RICHARD ARMITAGE, DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE: And I think this is another shocking, a shocking development to our Saudi friends.
ENSOR: Traveling in the region, Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage praised Saudi efforts since the al Qaeda attacks last May to crack down on the terrorist group. He was a fatalist about future attacks.
ARMITAGE: We, the defenders, have to be right 100 percent of the time and the terrorists only have to be right once.
ENSOR: U.S. officials say this latest attack "looks and smells like al Qaeda" though that's not yet proven. Since the attack follows the exit of a large number of U.S. troops from the kingdom officials say it shows al Qaeda wants more than just foreigners out. It wants to overthrow the Saudi monarchy.
SIMON HENDERSON, AUTHOR, "AFTER KING FAHD": I fear that unless the Saudis are prepared to use force against these people and to do it quickly I think that Islamic extremism will begin to threaten the whole of Saudi Arabia.
ENSOR: With word that victims of the weekend bombing are mostly Arabs and include five children some officials suggest the attack could backfire turning many Arabs against al Qaeda.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ENSOR: This was a case where U.S. intelligence got it right. The U.S. knew something was going to happen and got the embassy closed and likely targets protected. The problem was the terrorists went after a soft target, a housing compound where most of the residents are non-Saudi Arabs -- Wolf.
BLITZER: David Ensor with the latest thanks David very much.
So far there's been no al Qaeda claim of responsibility for the attack on Riyadh at least not on al Qaeda's website but those monitoring it say there have been clear messages from al Qaeda in recent weeks that attacks in Saudi Arabia were indeed likely.
Joining us now to talk more about the attack in Riyadh the spokesman for the Saudi Embassy here in Washington, Nail Al-Jubeir, thanks very much, Mr. Jubeir for joining us. What are you hearing right now? How concerned are you about more al Qaeda attacks?
NAIL AL-JUBEIR, SAUDI EMBASSY SPOKESMAN: We're concerned. Since the May 12 attack in Saudi Arabia we've been merciless in trying to track the al Qaeda in Saudi Arabia as well as the sympathizers.
We've seen them running out of the country. We've seen them hiding. We've uncovered weapons and they're on the run and these are desperate acts for a desperate group.
BLITZER: Well, what else can you do that you're not doing?
AL-JUBEIR: Well, we're working with our allies, both in the U.S. and other countries trying to find ways to stop them but it's difficult to stop a person who's committed to kill people and get killed himself in these actions. It is a struggle that is going to be a long term struggle but at the end we will succeed.
BLITZER: There's a sense, at least many members of Congress suggesting that you have yourself. The Saudis have themselves to blame for this for supporting various Islamic groups, charities as you call them over the years and now this is coming back to hit you.
AL-JUBEIR: Well, I don't think this has anything to do with the charity groups that we have supported, the charity groups that we've dealt with. There's a U.S. joint Saudi task force in Saudi Arabia to look at some of these but what we're looking at is a group of people that are committed to overthrow the Saudi state to create an Afghan- type Taliban rule in Saudi Arabia. We're not going to have them succeed.
BLITZER: Is there a determination now to go after these madrassas, these religious schools where so many of these al Qaeda operatives come from?
AL-JUBEIR: Well, there is an intent to go after anybody who promotes hatred. We have fired 2,000 imams in Saudi Arabia. We have dismissed about 500 back to school to learn what's going on. The idea is we are dealing with an enemy who is committed to commit crimes regardless of the target.
Remember the May 12th attack in Saudi Arabia was intended, their excuse, to get American troops out of Saudi Arabia. It happened weeks after Saudi Arabia and the United States agreed that the U.S. troops will leave Saudi Arabia.
This attack happened after reforms happened in Saudi Arabia so they have no agenda. Their agenda is to kill people and, as we see yesterday, that's what they're after.
BLITZER: And a major difference between this bombing and the one in May is that the one in May targeted foreigners living in Saudi Arabia. This one targeted Arabs, whether from Lebanon, from Egypt, from other Arab countries living in Saudi Arabia. AL-JUBEIR: I don't think they differentiate. It's just a target of convenience for them. Back in June we uncovered bomb factories in the holy city of Mecca. We uncovered booby trapped Qurans in the holy city of Mecca that these criminals had. Now who is going to read a holy book except the Muslims so their targets are humanity. It has nothing to do. It's just an excuse trying to gain sympathy.
BLITZER: How do you know for sure this is al Qaeda?
AL-JUBEIR: Well, we don't know for absolutely sure it is al Qaeda but all indications are it is. It's the operation. It's the targets. It's the methods. It's very, very similar to the Riyadh bombing.
It's just a matter of days before we can be absolutely sure. Al Qaeda usually doesn't claim responsibilities until later and I think things will point towards al Qaeda in this case.
BLITZER: Nail al-Jubeir good luck to you.
AL-JUBEIR: Thank you.
BLITZER: And to all people in Saudi Arabia. Thanks very much.
AL-JUBEIR: Thank you.
BLITZER: And here's your chance to weigh in on this important story. Our Web question of the day is this. "Should the U.S. courts be able to intervene in U.S. military detentions on foreign soil?" You can vote right now. Go to cnn.com/wolf. We'll have the results later in this broadcast.
The White House goes on alert. The president wasn't there but the Vice President Dick Cheney was. Find out precisely why and what happened; and this...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DR. MAHDI KHAFAZJI, TREATED LYNCH: We have cleaned already completely I am and with my assistant.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: The Iraqi doctor who treated Jessica Lynch refutes claims the young private was raped. Hear more of what he has to say. That's coming up.
And later, the United States Senator who received a potentially deadly letter, Tom Daschle, he'll join us to talk about security after 9/11. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: He's used to getting royal receptions, what Prince Charles received in his native land at least today was anything but that story coming up on WOLF BLITZER REPORTS. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back.
An Iraqi doctor who treated Jessica Lynch disputes a claim in a new book that Lynch was raped after she was captured in Iraq. The authorized book entitled "I am a Soldier too" cites a medical report stating that Lynch was sexually assaulted. In an interview, one of Lynch's Iraqi doctors says that's simply not the case.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DR. MAHDI KHAFAZJI, TREATED LYNCH: To have seen the patient from the first day from the day of the operation when we have certain (UNINTELLIGIBLE) to do in terms of fixation for her fractured femur. We have cleaned already completely I am and with my assistant. There is not any signs of injury or superficial injuries to her genitalia or to the back or the front. There is not any signs of anything.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: An Iraqi lawyer who played a key role in Lynch's rescue says the young woman experienced incredible hardship during her captivity.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MOHAMMED ODEH AL-REHAIEF, IRAQI ATTORNEY: I have not read her book. Also, I know what I saw and I am sure about that and I think you'll agree with me she had a very difficult time in Iraq. She suffered a lot and I believe she is a hero.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Another revelation in the book on Lynch is that she fought off an attempt by Iraqi doctors to amputate her leg by screaming and turning her head as a nurse tried to cover her face with a mask.
In Iraq, meanwhile, another American soldier has been killed in an attack. Officials say the military police soldier was killed by a rocket-propelled grenade last night about 40 miles south of Baghdad. He's the 38th soldier killed this month bringing the total number of Americans killed in the war to 398.
CNN's Matthew Chance is in the Iraqi capital with a report on another kind of war once that pits Iraqi against Iraqi.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): If you think Baghdad is dangerous for the coalition just visit the city's emergency rooms. These are the Iraqi casualties of chaos, civilians with bullet wounds, stabbings, and beatings.
"They stabbed and kicked me until I felt to the ground" Ayad tells us. "Then they snatched my money all $600 of it. I know who they are and where they live" he says.
Baghdad is a city where much crime like this goes uninvestigated and unpunished. In the operating room of Yermouk Hospital, one of the city's busiest, surgeons struggle to save the life of one gunshot victim. Since the fall of Baghdad, doctors like Nissan Abdullah have seen the number of injuries from violent crimes rocket.
DR. NISSAN ABDULLAH, SURGEON: All these types of injury were present before the war but very less number in comparison after the war (unintelligible).
CHANCE: Saba (ph) just a teenager lies wounded in his bed, the fragments of shrapnel from a cluster bomb picked from his chest. His brother Thoraj (ph) was killed when the device they found in a field exploded.
"America dropped them and they're everywhere" says this man. "They're destroying us for no reason" says another. "This man is a victim and there are three others over there. He's just a laborer. What did he do to deserve this?"
(on camera): There's been much talk about how dangerous Baghdad has become for the coalition forces and for others like aid workers but with crime and insecurity running right from the streets of this city. It's ordinary Iraqis who are feeling it slide into chaos more than anyone else.
(voice-over): And coalition officials acknowledge providing better security to these ordinary Iraqis must happen if hearts and minds are to be won.
Matthew Chance, CNN, Baghdad.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: Security breach find out what the Secret Service plans to do with the man who caused the White House to go on alert a few hours ago.
And comic relief as the president talks to workers in South Carolina, we'll show you the tape and what was so funny.
Rosie O'Donnell preparing for the final stages of her trial, we'll get all the details of what happened today, first today's News Quiz.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER (voice-over): In high school, entertainer Rosie O'Donnell was voted which of the following, homecoming queen, prom queen, senior class president, class clown," the answer coming up.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) BLITZER: A brief scare today at the White House, authorities say a small plane crossed into restricted airspace triggering a Secret Service alert, CNN's Patty Davis covering the story for us from the Pentagon -- Patty.
PATTY DAVIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, that plane violated Washington, D.C. restricted airspace and came within ten miles of the White House. Now, fortunately President and Mrs. Bush were not at the White House at the time but Vice President Cheney and Andrew Card, the Chief of Staff, were there. The Secret Service took them to a secure location.
Now, NORAD says that it scrambled two F-16s to intercept that small plane. It was a Mooney M-20, a four-seater, a single engine. NORAD said the impression that we got, this is from a spokesman is that he, the pilot, was cooperative and there was no hostile intent.
Now, NORAD says it believes that the stray into restricted airspace was indeed inadvertent on the part of that pilot. The fighter jets escorted the plane out of the area. It landed in Siler City, North Carolina, where it was met by local police and the Secret Service.
Now, the Secret Service tells me that it did interview that pilot. It is now done. It found that pilot is not deemed to be a threat. It found no weapons onboard the plane and, in fact, will let him go.
Now, a spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration says an investigation there is what's in order at this point. Now, the FAA could either give this pilot of letter of warning or, indeed, it could yank his license.
There have been lots of violations into restricted airspace in the Washington, D.C. area according to the FAA, 600 in the past several months, in fact since February so quite a lot of these, not though so close to the White House. The last one that was this close to the White House was a Frontier Airlines jet that passed close by last spring -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Patty Davis underscoring just how jittery people can be when it comes to airspace, the White House and planes. Thanks very much Patty for that. Totally understandable after 9/11.
He's seen the Senate through some of its most frightening times, now the Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle recounts 9/11 and the anthrax attacks and minces no words about President Bush, the war in Iraq and other subjects. I'll speak live with Senator Daschle. That's just ahead.
Critical testimony in a lawsuit over Rosie O'Donnell's involvement in a magazine, we'll go live to New York for a complete recap what happened today.
And a growing scandal for Britain's Prince Charles but it's still mired in secrecy. We'll go to London to find out what's happening. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: A California sheriff calls it a case of domestic terror, what's in the mailbox that's causing such a scare?
And, the U.S. Senator who supported the war in Iraq, has the Senate Democratic leader changed his mind? We'll ask Tom Daschle live. That's coming up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back to CNN. We're talking security, anthrax, terrorism, lots with the Senate minority leader, Tom Daschle. That's coming up.
First, though, a quick check of the latest headlines.
(NEWSBREAK)
BLITZER: President Bush is on the road today adding to his campaign war chest with appearances in Arkansas and South Carolina, where he's also been talking trade.
Our White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux is in Greer, South Carolina. She's joining us now live.
What's going on, Suzanne?
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, the president is expected to raise more than $2 million for his reelection campaign while squeezing in a roundtable discussion on the economy at the BMW auto plant here in Greer, South Carolina, focusing on free trade and opening markets. The president making the case that a company like BMW employs 5,000 workers, partners with an American steel company that also employs thousands of local workers so that free trade and open markets is good all around.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: You hear this -- a lot of talk about trade. You're living the trade world. And if we do a good job about making sure trade is free and fair, people are going to find work here in America.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: Wolf, this comes at an important time. The World Trade Organization, WTO, said that it is illegal -- ruled illegal for the U.S. to slap those tariffs on steel imports. They say it is just unfair. The Bush administration says it's necessary to protect domestic steel industry and to remain competitive. But WTO saying that it just doesn't follow the rules.
The president really facing a tough decision now, whether or not to lift those tariffs or face $2.2 billion in possible sanctions from the European Union. Some of those members saying that they will focus on states that sell goods, those states being very important, critical to a Bush reelection.
Should also let you know, Wolf, there was a rather light moment as well when the representative from the BMW plant said that they don't only make autos but, also, beer kegs.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Spartanburg Stainless makes metal stampings and assemblies. But we also beer kegs. We're the only American beer keg manufacturer in North America.
BUSH: I quit drinking in '86. But I bet some of the people out here use the product. I'm not going to point out which ones.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, we did notice a dip in demand at a point in time.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: So, Wolf, he was good natured about all that. All in good fun.
But, yes, also, serious as well, talking about the importance for open markets and free trade -- Wolf.
BLITZER: All right. Suzanne Malveaux reporting for us. Thanks, Suzanne, very much.
The former Vice President Al Gore is blasting President Bush for launching a major attack on -- what he says the freedoms and liberties Americans have enjoyed for centuries. In a speech yesterday, Gore condemned what he called the Bush administration's -- and I'm quoting now -- "Big Brother style government." Many in the crowd of 3,000 rose to their feet when Gore called for a repeal of the Patriot Act, the measure expanding the government's surveillance and detention power.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
AL GORE, FORMER VICE PRESIDENT: Under the rubric of protecting national security, they have obtained new powers to gather information from citizens and keep it secret. Yet at the same time they, themselves, refuse to disclose information that is highly relevant to the war against terrorism. They are even arrogantly refusing to provide information about 9/11 in their possession to the 9/11 commission.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Gore also said President Bush still has no serious strategy for domestic security.
Another leading Democrat offers his take on the Bush administration as well as the remarkable events of the last two years in a new book. It's called, "Like No Other Time: The 107th Congress and the Two Years That Changed America Forever." The author is the Senate minority leader, Tom Daschle.
Senator Daschle is joining us now live from New York.
Thanks very much, Senator, for joining us. Congratulations on the new book.
But let's get to what the former Vice President Al Gore just said. The Patriot Act. You voted for the Patriot Act. Was that a mistake?
SEN. TOM DASCHLE (D-SD), MINORITY LEADER: I don't think it was a mistake, Wolf. I think we really do need to coordinate all the intelligence gathering and the police force effort, especially as we deal with terrorist activity.
What we have to do is to strike the right balance. One of the reasons we sunseted the legislation in the first place was to force Congress and the administration to take another look at it down the road. We're going to do that.
BLITZER: Do you think the Supreme Court should take another look at how the detainees, the 600 detainees are being treated at the U.S. naval base in Guantanamo. That's what they're about to do. But you think that those detainees should get some rights?
DASCHLE: Well, I do think that the detainees deserve at least some -- some resolution here. I think to hold them indefinitely without any real legal status is not in keeping with all the democratic and constitutional principals that we've avowed for the last 220 years.
BLITZER: The -- one of the Democratic presidential candidates, at least one, General Wesley Clark, the former NATO commander, wants NATO to take over what's happening in Iraq right now militarily and the U.N. to take over politically. Do you think that's a good idea?
DASCHLE: Well, Wolf, we talked quite a bit about that in the book. And what we -- what we recalled at the time was a real debate about how it was that we needed to coordinate more effectively with our international allies.
We needed a NATO or a U.N. presence. We don't have that today, and I think we're paying a very significant price, now, two years later.
BLITZER: So what -- so you think they should fire Paul Bremer and let the U.N. and NATO take charge?
DASCHLE: I don't think it requires firing anybody. I do think, though, it's critical that we involve international effort. And I believe that the most important or appropriate approach would be to go to NATO, go to the United Nations, see if we can coordinate a far more successful international effort than we are today. We're not doing that now. And as I said, I think we're paying a very high price.
BLITZER: Do you agree with Senator John McCain that another division, perhaps 15,000 U.S. troops, should be sent over to Iraq?
DASCHLE: Well, I believe that more troops ought to be sent to Iraq. I just don't think it ought to be ours constantly.
At some point, we've got to say this unilateral approach is just not good -- not for our troops, not for our losses and not for the certainly American taxpayer, who's footing most of the bill.
It's time for international presence. But certainly more troops are necessary.
BLITZER: One of the quotes from your book -- and I'll put up on the screen. We'll take it right out of the book "Like No Other Time." You write this -- "This is as revealing as anything we're ever going to see. Talk about getting inside the White House's political head. This provided an incredible window into the White House strategy to maximize the value of war for political purposes."
You're talking about a disk that Karl Rove, the top political adviser to the president -- some Democratic staffer found it and it was made public.
But there's a similar debate unfolding in the Senate Intelligence Committee right now, some Democratic staffer writing a memo saying, Exploit this division on intelligence right now.
Are you suggesting that the Democrats and the Senate Intelligence Committee are doing what you condemned Karl Rove for doing?
DASCHLE: Well, Wolf, I think that's a good question.
I think what Karl Rove and so many others did was to try to exploit the political gain that came from the war in Iraq to begin with. That's been going on now, of course, ever since the war started.
What the Democrats on the Intelligence Committee were trying to do is exploit the effort -- exploit may be too strong a word. But try to find a way with which to force the committee to look into both the use as well as the quality of the intelligence gathered as we made our decisions on Iraq.
That hasn't been done. There's been a reluctance, an intransigence, an unwillingness on the part of the Republicans to look into the use, perhaps abuse of intelligence. That's what this memo was all about.
BLITZER: Senator Zell Miller, the Democrat from Georgia, has said now he will vote for President Bush. He's condemned the Democrats for simply ignoring the Democrats in the South, among other things. You have to work with him for another year right now. Are you basically going to isolate him from your caucus?
DASCHLE: Not at all. That's not our practice.
I disagree strongly with Senator Miller on those comments. I think we that are reaching very effectively on matters relating to education and Medicare and healthcare, things they care a lot about. But we're not going to isolate anybody. He is welcome in our caucus as long as he's in the Senate.
BLITZER: Let me briefly talk to you about anthrax. Do you believe you were targeted personally for death when you got the anthrax letter in the fall of 2001?
DASCHLE: I do. I'm not sure what the motivation was, why they chose my office or me. But yes, I believe that that was the case.
BLITZER: Are you frustrated they still haven't found the anthrax killer?
DASCHLE: I am, Wolf. It's been now two years. And I'm very troubled by the fact we haven't found him or her or them. And I think it's so important that we keep the effort going. I don't think that we'll rest comfortably, we won't be confident until we know who is responsible.
BLITZER: "Like No Other Time." It's an important new book by Senator Tam Daschle. A good read. Thanks very much for joining us, Senator.
DASCHLE: Thank you, Wolf.
BLITZER: A not so rosy war. The former talk show host turned magazine maven defends herself in court. Now, it is the judge's turn.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROSIE O'DONNELL, FORMER TALK SHOW HOST: The nerves are gone. As soon as I was able to tell my story. I'm quite happy with the progress of the trial, and I'm looking forward to Judge Gammerman's decision.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Plus, royal rumors. Charles in a scandal that's rocking the U.K. More on the prince of Wales and his woes. That's coming up later.
And a plea in the case of the Washington area sniper suspect, Lee Boyd Malvo. What's his defense?
First, though, a quick look at some other news making headlines around the world.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) BLITZER (voice-over): Japanese elections. Following a setback in yesterday's national elections, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi may find it harder to help President Bush in Iraq. The opposition Democratic Party won 40 new seats in parliament and vows to use those gains to fight the prime minister's plan to send Japanese troops to Iraq in coming months.
Prisoner swap. The Israeli cabinet has narrowly approved a prisoner exchange with Hezbollah in Lebanon. Under the deal, Israel will free more than 400 prisoners in return for an Israeli businessman and the bodies of three Israeli soldiers. The plan could collapse because Israel is refusing to include a Lebanese inmate who killed three Israeli civilians in 1979. Hezbollah says that man must be part of the deal.
High seas workout. Three Indian warships have arrived at Shanghai for the first ever joint navy exercises with China. The maneuvers between the two neighbors who fought a border war in 1962 are set to start Friday.
Super sonic gifts. Looking for the perfect holiday present? How about the nose of the Concorde jetliner, or the pilot's seat? Those and more than 200 other items from the supersonic jet will be auctioned by Christie's in Paris Saturday. And that's our look around the world.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back. The second sniper suspect trial has begun. That story topping our "Justice Report." Jury selection now under way in the case of 18-year-old Lee Boyd Malvo. He pleaded not guilty today to charges including terrorism and murder. His lawyers have said they'll argue Malvo was completely controlled by the other sniper suspect, John Allen Muhammad. The judge says Malvo's trial could last six weeks.
In New York City, the bitter battle between Rosie O'Donnell and the former publishers of the magazine that carried her name is now in its final stages. CNN's Mary Snow covering this case for us, joining us now live. Mary, what's the latest?
MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, Rosie O'Donnell left the court today saying she was disappointed, and sarcastically said, I can't wait to come back on Wednesday. That's because her trial was expected to wrap up today, but judge sent everyone home early, ordering them back on Wednesday after lawyers for Gruner & Jahr asked for more time.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SNOW (voice-over): With her testimony on the stand over, Rosie O'Donnell showed up for the final stages of her trial against Gruner & Jahr both relieved, she said, and eager. O'DONNELL: The nerves are gone. As soon as I was able to tell my story, I'm quite happy with the progress of the trial. And I'm looking forward to Judge Gammerman's decision.
SNOW: While much of the trial is focused on name-calling, the last stage turned to the numbers. O'Donnell's lawyers are claiming that books were cooked to keep O'Donnell at the magazine. They zeroed in on a clause in the joint agreement that would have allowed either party to walk away from their contract if they lost more than $4.2 million by June of 2002. In an e-mail to G&J CEO in Germany, the U.S. chief financial officer wrote: "The management team of G&J USA is recommending to you that we manage the financials, such that we don't fall below the required threshold point, so that we can continue to publish 'Rosie.' We are asking for your approval to this strategy."
G&J's Germany CEO testified on videotape that he didn't recall ever getting the e-mail, but that the company does not manage books or manipulate numbers. O'Donnell's lawyers claim that because the magazine was losing money, G&J was making editorial changes in violation of O'Donnell's contract to boost sales.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SNOW: When she left the court today, O'Donnell was asked about constant comparisons to Oprah Winfrey and Martha Stewart. On Oprah Winfrey, she said she doesn't need advice since she's already battled the beef industry in court. And as for Martha Stewart, she said she'll have plenty to say about that case once her own trial is over -- Wolf.
BLITZER: CNN's Mary Snow in New York. Thanks, Mary, very much.
Will Prince Charles defend his royal reputation with a huge scandal brewing in Britain? What's a future king to do?
And an amazing, truly amazing poolside story. Everyone thought she was dead. But what happened next may surprise you. First, though, the answer to our news quiz.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER (voice-over): Earlier we asked -- In high school, entertainer Rosie O'Donnell was voted which of the following? The answer, all of them. Homecoming queen, prom queen, senior class president and class clown.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back.
It is a huge potential scandal in Britain. Prince Charles' rude reception. That's the story today. Let's check in with Diana Muriel in London. What happened? DIANA MURIEL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, Prince Charles back to face yet another royal scandal that centered on allegations that still can't be print in England or Wales but, nonetheless, are out there.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MURIEL (voice-over): Back in Britain. The Prince of Wales' royal standard hangs dejectedly from the British Airways jet, bringing a subdued prince home to face another royal scandal. Prince Charles was immediately whisked off to his country residence for meetings with senior advisers.
The issue, an allegation reported by the "Mail on Sunday" newspaper by a former royal valet, George Smith, about an alleged sexual incident he claims to have witnessed involving a senior royal.
The specific allegations are the subject of the court ordered reporting ban in England and Wales. But last week Prince Charles let it be known the allegations concern him and that the claims are false. Now the details have appeared in international newspapers as well as in Scotland and on the Net.
MARK STEPHENS, INTERNATIONAL MEDIA LAWYER: We are in a different media environment. We are in a different legal environment. And in those circumstances, information is coming into the public domain. Unless it can be firmly and squarely put back through a judgment of the court, which would be jurors, ordinary folk, giving a judgment that they believe Prince Charles not guilty of these allegations. In those circumstances, I think that there is every opportunity for the prince to clear his name.
MURIEL: But Clarence House the prince's official residence, has told CNN the prince has no plans to take any legal action. And, contrary to newspaper reports, his office confirmed the prince will not be making a televised issue. But should the prince defend himself?
MAX CLIFFORD, PUBLICIST: In a perfect scenario, he would be able to come across in a very warm, friendly, almost humorous manner and diffuse the whole thing. But, I don't think he's capable of doing that.
MURIEL: Or just ignore it?
DICKIE ARBITER, FRM. ROYAL PRESS SECRETARY: Mud does stick a little bit. But, by getting on with the job, getting his head down, he will be seen for what he is and that's a man who does some pretty good work.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MURIEL: Some sympathy then for the prince. Previously the royal family have adopted the adage, never complain, never explain, but many believe it could be too late for them to do that now -- Wolf.
BLITZER: CNN's Diana Muriel in London following the story. Thank you very much.
Nothing says celebrate like a bottle of champagne. But Why so many glasses in this high tower toast? Look at this. We'll explain.
And our Web question of the day is this, "should U.S. courts be able to intervene in the U.S. military detentions on foreign soil?" You can vote right now. Go to CNN.com/wolf. The results, that's coming up.
First, though, our weekend snapshot.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER (voice-over): A southern California toddler was revived more than 40 minutes after being declared dead from drowning. An investigating officer noticed the child's chest moving and alerted doctors. The 20 month-old was in critical condition, but responding to touch and sound.
A freight train bound for Baltimore derailed in Sykesville, Maryland. 21 of the train's 143 cars jumped the tracks. No one was hurt. The cause is under investigation.
In northern California, the ceremonial opening of the country's first major suspension bridge in 30 years. The $400 million, 3,400 foot span is part of interstate 80, northeast of San Francisco.
Sky watchers were treated to a spectacular show, a total eclipse of the moon. It was visible from every continent except Australia.
And an unusual call for Dallas police. Sent to investigate reports of a tiger on the loose. What they found was this cub who only wanted to play. It was taken to a shelter while police tried to find its owner.
And that's our weekend snapshot.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Those are the results of the web question of the day. Remember this is not a scientific poll.
Our picture of the day. For Denver residents it's a sure sign the holidays are approaching, it's the annual champagne cascade at the cities historic Brown Palace Hotel. Fine French bubbly is opened with a sword, then poured down a pyramid of crystal glasses. The structure is 2 stories high and made up of more than 6,000 individual glasses.
That's all the time we have. "LOU DOBBS TONIGHT" 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
Interview With Tom Daschle; Prince Charles Comes Back To Britain Facing New Scandal>
Aired November 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: Happening now, Saudi King Fahd is vowing to strike with an iron fist against the terrorists responsible for the latest car bombing in Riyadh but there are intelligence reports another strike could happen at any moment.
Stand by for hard news on WOLF BLITZER REPORTS.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER (voice-over): Held without charge, do terror suspects have rights? Why the Supreme Court cares.
Saudi shock, what's the next target? Al Qaeda stalks the kingdom.
From anthrax to 9/11, Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle talks about a time that changed America.
Moment of truth a royal returns to a rude reception.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANNOUNCER: This is WOLF BLITZER REPORTS for Monday, November 10, 2003.
BLITZER: It's a decision that could shape the war against terror being fought off in far off corners of the world. The United States Supreme Court today agreeing to rule whether detainees from the campaign in Afghanistan are being held illegally.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER (voice-over): More than 600 prisoners from some 40 countries held in near isolation by the American military at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba. One of them Fawzi al-Odah, a Kuwaiti national picked up in Pakistan suspected of being a member of al Qaeda. His father, who fought alongside U.S. forces in the first Gulf War, said his son was an aid worker teaching Islamic studies to the poor.
KHALIL AL-ODAH, FATHER OF DETAINEE: He went in 2001, in August also. He was there trying to help people and to teach them and then the 9/11 events, horrible events, happened and he was caught there in this mess over there during the war. BLITZER: Neither Fawzi al-Odah nor any of his fellow detainees has ever had access to a lawyer. Now, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear two appeals on whether the detainees at Guantanamo are being held illegally.
The Bush administration argues this is lawful. A war on terror is ongoing. U.S. troops are in conflict overseas against what the White House calls an unprincipled, unconventional, and savage foe.
JEFFREY TOOBIN, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: This administration, you know, there is no greater priority than the war on terror and no greater enemy than al Qaeda and the people that we were fighting over in Afghanistan. They simply are saying these are the equivalent of prisoners of war and we simply don't give them lawyers. We don't give them access to the legal process.
BLITZER: Boiled down, the court will decide if U.S. constitutional law has any jurisdiction over the holding of foreign nationals by the U.S. government on the soil of another sovereign nation.
One other complication, some detainees are from nations allied with the U.S. in the war on terror and the Bush administration has promised at least two of those countries, Britain and Australia, that the cases of their citizens at Guantanamo would get special review.
This is the first time the Supreme Court will have examined the enforcement of sweeping anti-terrorism policies enacted since September 11. The court refused to even consider previous appeals. Why now?
TOM GOLDSTEIN, CONSTITUTIONAL LAW EXPERT: The fact that the Supreme Court has taken these cases doesn't mean that they're ready to open the courthouse doors to people who are being detained at GITMO. All it means is this is an incredibly important constitutional question that we need to know the answer to now and we're going to need to know the answer for centuries.
BLITZER: Arguments will be heard sometime early next year. A ruling is expected by June.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: And U.S. officials say there are signs al Qaeda is "planning for an attack" right now in Sudan and Americans there are being urged to lie low. The U.S. embassy in Khartoum has warned Americans of a possible threat to U.S. interests and is urging them to keep a low profile. The embassy itself is being closed for the week as officials review security measures.
Meanwhile, the Saudis are getting ready for the next attack on their soil. The victims of a bloody weekend attack in Riyadh were from a dozen countries but Saudi authorities say the kingdom itself is the target.
CNN's Senior International Correspondent Nic Robertson is joining us now live via videophone in Riyadh. Nic, tell us the latest.
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SR. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (via videophone): Well, Wolf, the very latest from here King Fahd of Saudi Arabia has said that the terrorists will be crushed with an iron fist.
And we certainly understand from government sources here that the government fully intends they say to pursue al Qaeda whom they hold responsible for the attack on Saturday, fully intend to pursue them to the bitter end.
They say that this is Saudi Arabia's war against terrorism. They define al Qaeda in Saudi Arabia as a domestic al Qaeda and that they say this is now their war against them.
Certainly government sources telling us that they expect at least one, maybe more attacks but these attacks they say could come at any moment now. Security around diplomatic compounds in Riyadh is high.
Security in the rest of the country around other key installations is high and it is at its highest in the holy city of Mecca where the government here has deployed some 4,600 troops to.
Mecca receives millions of Islamic pilgrims from all over the world every year. The worst image, the worst message that could be sent out for the Saudi government is that a bomb could go off in the holy city of Mecca.
This is a very holy time for Muslims. This is the holy month of Ramadan and certainly the government sources we're talking to are telling us that the government expects to keep that additional 4,600 troops in Mecca at least until the end of Ramadan -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Nic, very briefly, you've been to Saudi Arabia before. Are the security precautions surrounding you different this time?
ROBERTSON: Well, certainly there are security precautions that have been put in place in this city since the May the 12th attack that killed at least 34 people here. There are other security steps that have been taken in the last few days since the attack over the weekend.
The diplomatic compound here essentially, one of the diplomatic compounds essentially almost fully locked down, very difficult and time consuming to get in and to get out and certainly comparing it to the last decade or so much changed -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Nic Robertson in Riyadh for us thanks Nic very much. Please be careful over there.
U.S. intelligence couldn't prevent the attack but it did predict it and officials say the Saudis are right to be very worried about another assault.
Let's turn to our National Security Correspondent David Ensor. David, what are you hearing? DAVID ENSOR, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, U.S. officials believe there will be additional attacks and possibly soon.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ENSOR (voice-over): As Saudi officials continue to search the bomb site for evidence U.S. officials warn that "this is not the end." There is intelligence suggesting additional attacks could come in Saudi Arabia at any time.
RICHARD BOUCHER, STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN: That's a continuing threat.
RICHARD ARMITAGE, DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE: And I think this is another shocking, a shocking development to our Saudi friends.
ENSOR: Traveling in the region, Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage praised Saudi efforts since the al Qaeda attacks last May to crack down on the terrorist group. He was a fatalist about future attacks.
ARMITAGE: We, the defenders, have to be right 100 percent of the time and the terrorists only have to be right once.
ENSOR: U.S. officials say this latest attack "looks and smells like al Qaeda" though that's not yet proven. Since the attack follows the exit of a large number of U.S. troops from the kingdom officials say it shows al Qaeda wants more than just foreigners out. It wants to overthrow the Saudi monarchy.
SIMON HENDERSON, AUTHOR, "AFTER KING FAHD": I fear that unless the Saudis are prepared to use force against these people and to do it quickly I think that Islamic extremism will begin to threaten the whole of Saudi Arabia.
ENSOR: With word that victims of the weekend bombing are mostly Arabs and include five children some officials suggest the attack could backfire turning many Arabs against al Qaeda.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ENSOR: This was a case where U.S. intelligence got it right. The U.S. knew something was going to happen and got the embassy closed and likely targets protected. The problem was the terrorists went after a soft target, a housing compound where most of the residents are non-Saudi Arabs -- Wolf.
BLITZER: David Ensor with the latest thanks David very much.
So far there's been no al Qaeda claim of responsibility for the attack on Riyadh at least not on al Qaeda's website but those monitoring it say there have been clear messages from al Qaeda in recent weeks that attacks in Saudi Arabia were indeed likely.
Joining us now to talk more about the attack in Riyadh the spokesman for the Saudi Embassy here in Washington, Nail Al-Jubeir, thanks very much, Mr. Jubeir for joining us. What are you hearing right now? How concerned are you about more al Qaeda attacks?
NAIL AL-JUBEIR, SAUDI EMBASSY SPOKESMAN: We're concerned. Since the May 12 attack in Saudi Arabia we've been merciless in trying to track the al Qaeda in Saudi Arabia as well as the sympathizers.
We've seen them running out of the country. We've seen them hiding. We've uncovered weapons and they're on the run and these are desperate acts for a desperate group.
BLITZER: Well, what else can you do that you're not doing?
AL-JUBEIR: Well, we're working with our allies, both in the U.S. and other countries trying to find ways to stop them but it's difficult to stop a person who's committed to kill people and get killed himself in these actions. It is a struggle that is going to be a long term struggle but at the end we will succeed.
BLITZER: There's a sense, at least many members of Congress suggesting that you have yourself. The Saudis have themselves to blame for this for supporting various Islamic groups, charities as you call them over the years and now this is coming back to hit you.
AL-JUBEIR: Well, I don't think this has anything to do with the charity groups that we have supported, the charity groups that we've dealt with. There's a U.S. joint Saudi task force in Saudi Arabia to look at some of these but what we're looking at is a group of people that are committed to overthrow the Saudi state to create an Afghan- type Taliban rule in Saudi Arabia. We're not going to have them succeed.
BLITZER: Is there a determination now to go after these madrassas, these religious schools where so many of these al Qaeda operatives come from?
AL-JUBEIR: Well, there is an intent to go after anybody who promotes hatred. We have fired 2,000 imams in Saudi Arabia. We have dismissed about 500 back to school to learn what's going on. The idea is we are dealing with an enemy who is committed to commit crimes regardless of the target.
Remember the May 12th attack in Saudi Arabia was intended, their excuse, to get American troops out of Saudi Arabia. It happened weeks after Saudi Arabia and the United States agreed that the U.S. troops will leave Saudi Arabia.
This attack happened after reforms happened in Saudi Arabia so they have no agenda. Their agenda is to kill people and, as we see yesterday, that's what they're after.
BLITZER: And a major difference between this bombing and the one in May is that the one in May targeted foreigners living in Saudi Arabia. This one targeted Arabs, whether from Lebanon, from Egypt, from other Arab countries living in Saudi Arabia. AL-JUBEIR: I don't think they differentiate. It's just a target of convenience for them. Back in June we uncovered bomb factories in the holy city of Mecca. We uncovered booby trapped Qurans in the holy city of Mecca that these criminals had. Now who is going to read a holy book except the Muslims so their targets are humanity. It has nothing to do. It's just an excuse trying to gain sympathy.
BLITZER: How do you know for sure this is al Qaeda?
AL-JUBEIR: Well, we don't know for absolutely sure it is al Qaeda but all indications are it is. It's the operation. It's the targets. It's the methods. It's very, very similar to the Riyadh bombing.
It's just a matter of days before we can be absolutely sure. Al Qaeda usually doesn't claim responsibilities until later and I think things will point towards al Qaeda in this case.
BLITZER: Nail al-Jubeir good luck to you.
AL-JUBEIR: Thank you.
BLITZER: And to all people in Saudi Arabia. Thanks very much.
AL-JUBEIR: Thank you.
BLITZER: And here's your chance to weigh in on this important story. Our Web question of the day is this. "Should the U.S. courts be able to intervene in U.S. military detentions on foreign soil?" You can vote right now. Go to cnn.com/wolf. We'll have the results later in this broadcast.
The White House goes on alert. The president wasn't there but the Vice President Dick Cheney was. Find out precisely why and what happened; and this...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DR. MAHDI KHAFAZJI, TREATED LYNCH: We have cleaned already completely I am and with my assistant.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: The Iraqi doctor who treated Jessica Lynch refutes claims the young private was raped. Hear more of what he has to say. That's coming up.
And later, the United States Senator who received a potentially deadly letter, Tom Daschle, he'll join us to talk about security after 9/11. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: He's used to getting royal receptions, what Prince Charles received in his native land at least today was anything but that story coming up on WOLF BLITZER REPORTS. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back.
An Iraqi doctor who treated Jessica Lynch disputes a claim in a new book that Lynch was raped after she was captured in Iraq. The authorized book entitled "I am a Soldier too" cites a medical report stating that Lynch was sexually assaulted. In an interview, one of Lynch's Iraqi doctors says that's simply not the case.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DR. MAHDI KHAFAZJI, TREATED LYNCH: To have seen the patient from the first day from the day of the operation when we have certain (UNINTELLIGIBLE) to do in terms of fixation for her fractured femur. We have cleaned already completely I am and with my assistant. There is not any signs of injury or superficial injuries to her genitalia or to the back or the front. There is not any signs of anything.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: An Iraqi lawyer who played a key role in Lynch's rescue says the young woman experienced incredible hardship during her captivity.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MOHAMMED ODEH AL-REHAIEF, IRAQI ATTORNEY: I have not read her book. Also, I know what I saw and I am sure about that and I think you'll agree with me she had a very difficult time in Iraq. She suffered a lot and I believe she is a hero.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Another revelation in the book on Lynch is that she fought off an attempt by Iraqi doctors to amputate her leg by screaming and turning her head as a nurse tried to cover her face with a mask.
In Iraq, meanwhile, another American soldier has been killed in an attack. Officials say the military police soldier was killed by a rocket-propelled grenade last night about 40 miles south of Baghdad. He's the 38th soldier killed this month bringing the total number of Americans killed in the war to 398.
CNN's Matthew Chance is in the Iraqi capital with a report on another kind of war once that pits Iraqi against Iraqi.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): If you think Baghdad is dangerous for the coalition just visit the city's emergency rooms. These are the Iraqi casualties of chaos, civilians with bullet wounds, stabbings, and beatings.
"They stabbed and kicked me until I felt to the ground" Ayad tells us. "Then they snatched my money all $600 of it. I know who they are and where they live" he says.
Baghdad is a city where much crime like this goes uninvestigated and unpunished. In the operating room of Yermouk Hospital, one of the city's busiest, surgeons struggle to save the life of one gunshot victim. Since the fall of Baghdad, doctors like Nissan Abdullah have seen the number of injuries from violent crimes rocket.
DR. NISSAN ABDULLAH, SURGEON: All these types of injury were present before the war but very less number in comparison after the war (unintelligible).
CHANCE: Saba (ph) just a teenager lies wounded in his bed, the fragments of shrapnel from a cluster bomb picked from his chest. His brother Thoraj (ph) was killed when the device they found in a field exploded.
"America dropped them and they're everywhere" says this man. "They're destroying us for no reason" says another. "This man is a victim and there are three others over there. He's just a laborer. What did he do to deserve this?"
(on camera): There's been much talk about how dangerous Baghdad has become for the coalition forces and for others like aid workers but with crime and insecurity running right from the streets of this city. It's ordinary Iraqis who are feeling it slide into chaos more than anyone else.
(voice-over): And coalition officials acknowledge providing better security to these ordinary Iraqis must happen if hearts and minds are to be won.
Matthew Chance, CNN, Baghdad.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: Security breach find out what the Secret Service plans to do with the man who caused the White House to go on alert a few hours ago.
And comic relief as the president talks to workers in South Carolina, we'll show you the tape and what was so funny.
Rosie O'Donnell preparing for the final stages of her trial, we'll get all the details of what happened today, first today's News Quiz.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER (voice-over): In high school, entertainer Rosie O'Donnell was voted which of the following, homecoming queen, prom queen, senior class president, class clown," the answer coming up.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) BLITZER: A brief scare today at the White House, authorities say a small plane crossed into restricted airspace triggering a Secret Service alert, CNN's Patty Davis covering the story for us from the Pentagon -- Patty.
PATTY DAVIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, that plane violated Washington, D.C. restricted airspace and came within ten miles of the White House. Now, fortunately President and Mrs. Bush were not at the White House at the time but Vice President Cheney and Andrew Card, the Chief of Staff, were there. The Secret Service took them to a secure location.
Now, NORAD says that it scrambled two F-16s to intercept that small plane. It was a Mooney M-20, a four-seater, a single engine. NORAD said the impression that we got, this is from a spokesman is that he, the pilot, was cooperative and there was no hostile intent.
Now, NORAD says it believes that the stray into restricted airspace was indeed inadvertent on the part of that pilot. The fighter jets escorted the plane out of the area. It landed in Siler City, North Carolina, where it was met by local police and the Secret Service.
Now, the Secret Service tells me that it did interview that pilot. It is now done. It found that pilot is not deemed to be a threat. It found no weapons onboard the plane and, in fact, will let him go.
Now, a spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration says an investigation there is what's in order at this point. Now, the FAA could either give this pilot of letter of warning or, indeed, it could yank his license.
There have been lots of violations into restricted airspace in the Washington, D.C. area according to the FAA, 600 in the past several months, in fact since February so quite a lot of these, not though so close to the White House. The last one that was this close to the White House was a Frontier Airlines jet that passed close by last spring -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Patty Davis underscoring just how jittery people can be when it comes to airspace, the White House and planes. Thanks very much Patty for that. Totally understandable after 9/11.
He's seen the Senate through some of its most frightening times, now the Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle recounts 9/11 and the anthrax attacks and minces no words about President Bush, the war in Iraq and other subjects. I'll speak live with Senator Daschle. That's just ahead.
Critical testimony in a lawsuit over Rosie O'Donnell's involvement in a magazine, we'll go live to New York for a complete recap what happened today.
And a growing scandal for Britain's Prince Charles but it's still mired in secrecy. We'll go to London to find out what's happening. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: A California sheriff calls it a case of domestic terror, what's in the mailbox that's causing such a scare?
And, the U.S. Senator who supported the war in Iraq, has the Senate Democratic leader changed his mind? We'll ask Tom Daschle live. That's coming up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back to CNN. We're talking security, anthrax, terrorism, lots with the Senate minority leader, Tom Daschle. That's coming up.
First, though, a quick check of the latest headlines.
(NEWSBREAK)
BLITZER: President Bush is on the road today adding to his campaign war chest with appearances in Arkansas and South Carolina, where he's also been talking trade.
Our White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux is in Greer, South Carolina. She's joining us now live.
What's going on, Suzanne?
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, the president is expected to raise more than $2 million for his reelection campaign while squeezing in a roundtable discussion on the economy at the BMW auto plant here in Greer, South Carolina, focusing on free trade and opening markets. The president making the case that a company like BMW employs 5,000 workers, partners with an American steel company that also employs thousands of local workers so that free trade and open markets is good all around.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: You hear this -- a lot of talk about trade. You're living the trade world. And if we do a good job about making sure trade is free and fair, people are going to find work here in America.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: Wolf, this comes at an important time. The World Trade Organization, WTO, said that it is illegal -- ruled illegal for the U.S. to slap those tariffs on steel imports. They say it is just unfair. The Bush administration says it's necessary to protect domestic steel industry and to remain competitive. But WTO saying that it just doesn't follow the rules.
The president really facing a tough decision now, whether or not to lift those tariffs or face $2.2 billion in possible sanctions from the European Union. Some of those members saying that they will focus on states that sell goods, those states being very important, critical to a Bush reelection.
Should also let you know, Wolf, there was a rather light moment as well when the representative from the BMW plant said that they don't only make autos but, also, beer kegs.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Spartanburg Stainless makes metal stampings and assemblies. But we also beer kegs. We're the only American beer keg manufacturer in North America.
BUSH: I quit drinking in '86. But I bet some of the people out here use the product. I'm not going to point out which ones.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, we did notice a dip in demand at a point in time.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: So, Wolf, he was good natured about all that. All in good fun.
But, yes, also, serious as well, talking about the importance for open markets and free trade -- Wolf.
BLITZER: All right. Suzanne Malveaux reporting for us. Thanks, Suzanne, very much.
The former Vice President Al Gore is blasting President Bush for launching a major attack on -- what he says the freedoms and liberties Americans have enjoyed for centuries. In a speech yesterday, Gore condemned what he called the Bush administration's -- and I'm quoting now -- "Big Brother style government." Many in the crowd of 3,000 rose to their feet when Gore called for a repeal of the Patriot Act, the measure expanding the government's surveillance and detention power.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
AL GORE, FORMER VICE PRESIDENT: Under the rubric of protecting national security, they have obtained new powers to gather information from citizens and keep it secret. Yet at the same time they, themselves, refuse to disclose information that is highly relevant to the war against terrorism. They are even arrogantly refusing to provide information about 9/11 in their possession to the 9/11 commission.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Gore also said President Bush still has no serious strategy for domestic security.
Another leading Democrat offers his take on the Bush administration as well as the remarkable events of the last two years in a new book. It's called, "Like No Other Time: The 107th Congress and the Two Years That Changed America Forever." The author is the Senate minority leader, Tom Daschle.
Senator Daschle is joining us now live from New York.
Thanks very much, Senator, for joining us. Congratulations on the new book.
But let's get to what the former Vice President Al Gore just said. The Patriot Act. You voted for the Patriot Act. Was that a mistake?
SEN. TOM DASCHLE (D-SD), MINORITY LEADER: I don't think it was a mistake, Wolf. I think we really do need to coordinate all the intelligence gathering and the police force effort, especially as we deal with terrorist activity.
What we have to do is to strike the right balance. One of the reasons we sunseted the legislation in the first place was to force Congress and the administration to take another look at it down the road. We're going to do that.
BLITZER: Do you think the Supreme Court should take another look at how the detainees, the 600 detainees are being treated at the U.S. naval base in Guantanamo. That's what they're about to do. But you think that those detainees should get some rights?
DASCHLE: Well, I do think that the detainees deserve at least some -- some resolution here. I think to hold them indefinitely without any real legal status is not in keeping with all the democratic and constitutional principals that we've avowed for the last 220 years.
BLITZER: The -- one of the Democratic presidential candidates, at least one, General Wesley Clark, the former NATO commander, wants NATO to take over what's happening in Iraq right now militarily and the U.N. to take over politically. Do you think that's a good idea?
DASCHLE: Well, Wolf, we talked quite a bit about that in the book. And what we -- what we recalled at the time was a real debate about how it was that we needed to coordinate more effectively with our international allies.
We needed a NATO or a U.N. presence. We don't have that today, and I think we're paying a very significant price, now, two years later.
BLITZER: So what -- so you think they should fire Paul Bremer and let the U.N. and NATO take charge?
DASCHLE: I don't think it requires firing anybody. I do think, though, it's critical that we involve international effort. And I believe that the most important or appropriate approach would be to go to NATO, go to the United Nations, see if we can coordinate a far more successful international effort than we are today. We're not doing that now. And as I said, I think we're paying a very high price.
BLITZER: Do you agree with Senator John McCain that another division, perhaps 15,000 U.S. troops, should be sent over to Iraq?
DASCHLE: Well, I believe that more troops ought to be sent to Iraq. I just don't think it ought to be ours constantly.
At some point, we've got to say this unilateral approach is just not good -- not for our troops, not for our losses and not for the certainly American taxpayer, who's footing most of the bill.
It's time for international presence. But certainly more troops are necessary.
BLITZER: One of the quotes from your book -- and I'll put up on the screen. We'll take it right out of the book "Like No Other Time." You write this -- "This is as revealing as anything we're ever going to see. Talk about getting inside the White House's political head. This provided an incredible window into the White House strategy to maximize the value of war for political purposes."
You're talking about a disk that Karl Rove, the top political adviser to the president -- some Democratic staffer found it and it was made public.
But there's a similar debate unfolding in the Senate Intelligence Committee right now, some Democratic staffer writing a memo saying, Exploit this division on intelligence right now.
Are you suggesting that the Democrats and the Senate Intelligence Committee are doing what you condemned Karl Rove for doing?
DASCHLE: Well, Wolf, I think that's a good question.
I think what Karl Rove and so many others did was to try to exploit the political gain that came from the war in Iraq to begin with. That's been going on now, of course, ever since the war started.
What the Democrats on the Intelligence Committee were trying to do is exploit the effort -- exploit may be too strong a word. But try to find a way with which to force the committee to look into both the use as well as the quality of the intelligence gathered as we made our decisions on Iraq.
That hasn't been done. There's been a reluctance, an intransigence, an unwillingness on the part of the Republicans to look into the use, perhaps abuse of intelligence. That's what this memo was all about.
BLITZER: Senator Zell Miller, the Democrat from Georgia, has said now he will vote for President Bush. He's condemned the Democrats for simply ignoring the Democrats in the South, among other things. You have to work with him for another year right now. Are you basically going to isolate him from your caucus?
DASCHLE: Not at all. That's not our practice.
I disagree strongly with Senator Miller on those comments. I think we that are reaching very effectively on matters relating to education and Medicare and healthcare, things they care a lot about. But we're not going to isolate anybody. He is welcome in our caucus as long as he's in the Senate.
BLITZER: Let me briefly talk to you about anthrax. Do you believe you were targeted personally for death when you got the anthrax letter in the fall of 2001?
DASCHLE: I do. I'm not sure what the motivation was, why they chose my office or me. But yes, I believe that that was the case.
BLITZER: Are you frustrated they still haven't found the anthrax killer?
DASCHLE: I am, Wolf. It's been now two years. And I'm very troubled by the fact we haven't found him or her or them. And I think it's so important that we keep the effort going. I don't think that we'll rest comfortably, we won't be confident until we know who is responsible.
BLITZER: "Like No Other Time." It's an important new book by Senator Tam Daschle. A good read. Thanks very much for joining us, Senator.
DASCHLE: Thank you, Wolf.
BLITZER: A not so rosy war. The former talk show host turned magazine maven defends herself in court. Now, it is the judge's turn.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROSIE O'DONNELL, FORMER TALK SHOW HOST: The nerves are gone. As soon as I was able to tell my story. I'm quite happy with the progress of the trial, and I'm looking forward to Judge Gammerman's decision.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Plus, royal rumors. Charles in a scandal that's rocking the U.K. More on the prince of Wales and his woes. That's coming up later.
And a plea in the case of the Washington area sniper suspect, Lee Boyd Malvo. What's his defense?
First, though, a quick look at some other news making headlines around the world.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) BLITZER (voice-over): Japanese elections. Following a setback in yesterday's national elections, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi may find it harder to help President Bush in Iraq. The opposition Democratic Party won 40 new seats in parliament and vows to use those gains to fight the prime minister's plan to send Japanese troops to Iraq in coming months.
Prisoner swap. The Israeli cabinet has narrowly approved a prisoner exchange with Hezbollah in Lebanon. Under the deal, Israel will free more than 400 prisoners in return for an Israeli businessman and the bodies of three Israeli soldiers. The plan could collapse because Israel is refusing to include a Lebanese inmate who killed three Israeli civilians in 1979. Hezbollah says that man must be part of the deal.
High seas workout. Three Indian warships have arrived at Shanghai for the first ever joint navy exercises with China. The maneuvers between the two neighbors who fought a border war in 1962 are set to start Friday.
Super sonic gifts. Looking for the perfect holiday present? How about the nose of the Concorde jetliner, or the pilot's seat? Those and more than 200 other items from the supersonic jet will be auctioned by Christie's in Paris Saturday. And that's our look around the world.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back. The second sniper suspect trial has begun. That story topping our "Justice Report." Jury selection now under way in the case of 18-year-old Lee Boyd Malvo. He pleaded not guilty today to charges including terrorism and murder. His lawyers have said they'll argue Malvo was completely controlled by the other sniper suspect, John Allen Muhammad. The judge says Malvo's trial could last six weeks.
In New York City, the bitter battle between Rosie O'Donnell and the former publishers of the magazine that carried her name is now in its final stages. CNN's Mary Snow covering this case for us, joining us now live. Mary, what's the latest?
MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, Rosie O'Donnell left the court today saying she was disappointed, and sarcastically said, I can't wait to come back on Wednesday. That's because her trial was expected to wrap up today, but judge sent everyone home early, ordering them back on Wednesday after lawyers for Gruner & Jahr asked for more time.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SNOW (voice-over): With her testimony on the stand over, Rosie O'Donnell showed up for the final stages of her trial against Gruner & Jahr both relieved, she said, and eager. O'DONNELL: The nerves are gone. As soon as I was able to tell my story, I'm quite happy with the progress of the trial. And I'm looking forward to Judge Gammerman's decision.
SNOW: While much of the trial is focused on name-calling, the last stage turned to the numbers. O'Donnell's lawyers are claiming that books were cooked to keep O'Donnell at the magazine. They zeroed in on a clause in the joint agreement that would have allowed either party to walk away from their contract if they lost more than $4.2 million by June of 2002. In an e-mail to G&J CEO in Germany, the U.S. chief financial officer wrote: "The management team of G&J USA is recommending to you that we manage the financials, such that we don't fall below the required threshold point, so that we can continue to publish 'Rosie.' We are asking for your approval to this strategy."
G&J's Germany CEO testified on videotape that he didn't recall ever getting the e-mail, but that the company does not manage books or manipulate numbers. O'Donnell's lawyers claim that because the magazine was losing money, G&J was making editorial changes in violation of O'Donnell's contract to boost sales.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SNOW: When she left the court today, O'Donnell was asked about constant comparisons to Oprah Winfrey and Martha Stewart. On Oprah Winfrey, she said she doesn't need advice since she's already battled the beef industry in court. And as for Martha Stewart, she said she'll have plenty to say about that case once her own trial is over -- Wolf.
BLITZER: CNN's Mary Snow in New York. Thanks, Mary, very much.
Will Prince Charles defend his royal reputation with a huge scandal brewing in Britain? What's a future king to do?
And an amazing, truly amazing poolside story. Everyone thought she was dead. But what happened next may surprise you. First, though, the answer to our news quiz.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER (voice-over): Earlier we asked -- In high school, entertainer Rosie O'Donnell was voted which of the following? The answer, all of them. Homecoming queen, prom queen, senior class president and class clown.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back.
It is a huge potential scandal in Britain. Prince Charles' rude reception. That's the story today. Let's check in with Diana Muriel in London. What happened? DIANA MURIEL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, Prince Charles back to face yet another royal scandal that centered on allegations that still can't be print in England or Wales but, nonetheless, are out there.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MURIEL (voice-over): Back in Britain. The Prince of Wales' royal standard hangs dejectedly from the British Airways jet, bringing a subdued prince home to face another royal scandal. Prince Charles was immediately whisked off to his country residence for meetings with senior advisers.
The issue, an allegation reported by the "Mail on Sunday" newspaper by a former royal valet, George Smith, about an alleged sexual incident he claims to have witnessed involving a senior royal.
The specific allegations are the subject of the court ordered reporting ban in England and Wales. But last week Prince Charles let it be known the allegations concern him and that the claims are false. Now the details have appeared in international newspapers as well as in Scotland and on the Net.
MARK STEPHENS, INTERNATIONAL MEDIA LAWYER: We are in a different media environment. We are in a different legal environment. And in those circumstances, information is coming into the public domain. Unless it can be firmly and squarely put back through a judgment of the court, which would be jurors, ordinary folk, giving a judgment that they believe Prince Charles not guilty of these allegations. In those circumstances, I think that there is every opportunity for the prince to clear his name.
MURIEL: But Clarence House the prince's official residence, has told CNN the prince has no plans to take any legal action. And, contrary to newspaper reports, his office confirmed the prince will not be making a televised issue. But should the prince defend himself?
MAX CLIFFORD, PUBLICIST: In a perfect scenario, he would be able to come across in a very warm, friendly, almost humorous manner and diffuse the whole thing. But, I don't think he's capable of doing that.
MURIEL: Or just ignore it?
DICKIE ARBITER, FRM. ROYAL PRESS SECRETARY: Mud does stick a little bit. But, by getting on with the job, getting his head down, he will be seen for what he is and that's a man who does some pretty good work.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MURIEL: Some sympathy then for the prince. Previously the royal family have adopted the adage, never complain, never explain, but many believe it could be too late for them to do that now -- Wolf.
BLITZER: CNN's Diana Muriel in London following the story. Thank you very much.
Nothing says celebrate like a bottle of champagne. But Why so many glasses in this high tower toast? Look at this. We'll explain.
And our Web question of the day is this, "should U.S. courts be able to intervene in the U.S. military detentions on foreign soil?" You can vote right now. Go to CNN.com/wolf. The results, that's coming up.
First, though, our weekend snapshot.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER (voice-over): A southern California toddler was revived more than 40 minutes after being declared dead from drowning. An investigating officer noticed the child's chest moving and alerted doctors. The 20 month-old was in critical condition, but responding to touch and sound.
A freight train bound for Baltimore derailed in Sykesville, Maryland. 21 of the train's 143 cars jumped the tracks. No one was hurt. The cause is under investigation.
In northern California, the ceremonial opening of the country's first major suspension bridge in 30 years. The $400 million, 3,400 foot span is part of interstate 80, northeast of San Francisco.
Sky watchers were treated to a spectacular show, a total eclipse of the moon. It was visible from every continent except Australia.
And an unusual call for Dallas police. Sent to investigate reports of a tiger on the loose. What they found was this cub who only wanted to play. It was taken to a shelter while police tried to find its owner.
And that's our weekend snapshot.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Those are the results of the web question of the day. Remember this is not a scientific poll.
Our picture of the day. For Denver residents it's a sure sign the holidays are approaching, it's the annual champagne cascade at the cities historic Brown Palace Hotel. Fine French bubbly is opened with a sword, then poured down a pyramid of crystal glasses. The structure is 2 stories high and made up of more than 6,000 individual glasses.
That's all the time we have. "LOU DOBBS TONIGHT" 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
Interview With Tom Daschle; Prince Charles Comes Back To Britain Facing New Scandal>