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CNN Wolf Blitzer Reports

Terrorists Retaliate for Prisoner Abuse Scandal

Aired May 11, 2004 - 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.


(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WOLF BLITZER, HOST: Happening now. Islamic terrorists say they've retaliated for the prisoner abuse scandal. The victim, a 26- year-old American worker from Pennsylvania. The punishment, decapitation.

Stand by for hard news on WOLF BLITZER REPORTS.

How did it happen?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Lack of discipline and no training whatsoever and no supervision.

BLITZER: He turned the spotlight on the abuse at Abu Ghraib now he's in the spotlight. So is this senator.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And I'm probably not the only one at this table that is more outraged by the outrage that we are (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

Hand-over, will Iraqis take custody of Saddam Hussein and his henchmen before they take custody of their country?

"America's Most Wanted."

JOHN WALSH, HOST, "AMERICA'S MOST WANTED": This guy actually killed a chief of police 20 years ago, 1980. We've been looking for him, I think we profiled him 12 times.

BLITZER: Crime fighter John Walsh tells us about his own new deck of cards.

ANNOUNCER: This is WOLF BLITZER REPORTS for Tuesday, May 11, 2004.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: A shocking image and a vicious threat aimed at Americans in Iraq and their families back home. An Islamic Web site linked to al Qaeda shows a U.S. civilian being beheaded. And it says Americans should be prepared to receive more coffins. CNN is not showing the beheading but many viewers may find the rest of the video disturbing as well. The tape begins with Nick Berg stating his name, the names of his parents and siblings and his hometown, Westchester, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia. According to the Associated Press, the 26-year-old Berg owned a company that built, maintained and inspected communications towers. His parents say he had been missing since April 9. On the tape, Berg is shown sitting in front of five hooded men, one of whom reads a statement referring directly to the prisoner abuse scandal at Abu Ghraib prison. He says his group offered to exchange Berg for some of the detainees in Abu Ghraib, but he says U.S. officials refused. He then says, quote, "so we tell you that the dignity of the Muslim men and women in Abu Ghraib and others is not redeemed except by blood and souls. You will not receive anything from us but coffins after coffins slaughtered in this way."

Then Berg is pushed to the floor and killed. His severed head is later displayed to the camera. Berg's body was found Monday in Baghdad. Berg's family had already been informed of his murder and knew he had been decapitated but they did not learn details of the gruesome videotape until today. The website says Abu Musab al Zarqawi carried out the execution but CNN staffers familiar with Zarqawi's voice say the voice on the tape does not match his. Zarqawi is the leader of an Islamist terrorist group that has claimed responsibility for numerous attacks on coalition forces in Iraq. Before today's gruesome picture surfaced Nicholas Berg's father Michael spoke with a reporter over the weekend before he knew the fate of his son.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAEL BERG, NICHOLAS BERG'S FATHER: He just really wanted to be part of something that was important. He supported the administration's being in Iraq. He supported everything that they were doing. And he wanted to help. And he wanted to help in a positive way by building rather than breaking down.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: United States Congressman Jim Gerlach of Pennsylvania represents Nick Berg's hometown in Pennsylvania. He is joining us now on the phone. Congressman, thanks for joining us. I know you have spoken with the family. What are they saying? How are they coping?

REP. JIM GERLACH (R), PENNSYLVANIA: Well, the family first of all as you can imagine is very, very much emotionally traumatized by this death. Yet at the same time they are very strong and very composed in just basically want to try to do everything possible to as quickly as possible have Nick's remains returned to the United States so they can take care of the burial of the remains. And they also want to find out a lot more information, ever since Nick was reported missing, what happened, what transpired between that point in time and what happened up to the time of his death. So they are very interested in finding out more about those circumstances.

BLITZER: When I saw the videotape, Congressman, it reminded me of the beheading of Daniel Pearl, the "Wall Street Journal" reporter. I don't know if you saw that and saw this one as well. Are there similarities? Because Daniel Pearl, as you know, is Jewish and I take it Nick Berg was Jewish, as well. GERLACH: I have not seen this videotape and so I do not want to compare the two incidents at this point. There's no indication from the information we have at this point in time that Nick's religion was involved in the murder. But that's certainly something that we hope to ferret out in the coming days and weeks to get more information, more background about what transpired in this whole incident.

BLITZER: Congressman Gerlach please give our deepest condolences to the family. Thanks so much for joining us.

CNN's Ben Wedeman is standing by in Baghdad. Ben, what do we know about the people that we suspect are behind this gruesome killing?

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Abu Musab al Zarqawi is a Jordanian from a northern Jordanian town but originally of Palestinian origin and coalition officials believe that he may be behind many of the attacks on coalition forces here in Iraq in addition to some of the suicide car bombings that have killed hundreds of Iraqis. Now, not everyone is convinced that he plays such a major role. Many Iraqis believe that Zarqawi is simply somebody the coalition wants to pin a lot of these attacks on. But certainly there have been reasons to believe he's active in Iraq. You may recall several months ago the coalition apparently got their hands on a computer and found on that computer, on the hard disk a letter that purported to be from Zarqawi to the al Qaeda leadership in that letter he called for support and backing from al Qaeda, money and other sorts of instructions, to carry on the fight here. Of course, the authenticity of that letter has not been confirmed -- Wolf.

BLITZER: CNN's Ben Wedeman in Baghdad. Ben, thank you very much.

The White House press secretary Scott McClellan said President Bush's thoughts and prayers are with the Berg family right now. McClellan said the video of insurgents beheading Nicholas Berg shows the true nature of the enemies of freedom. McClellan goes on to say the United States will pursue those responsible for the killing and I'm quoting now, "will bring them to justice."

That gruesome videotape alludes to the prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison and to the humiliations inflicted there. On Capitol Hill today the army general who investigated those abuses testified before the Senate armed services committee and he painted a picture of what went wrong. CNN's Sean Callebs is joining us now live with more -- Sean.

SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Indeed, Wolf, today attention on the Hill focusing on General Antonio Taguba. His report first brought the abuse to light. Today he testified the harsh treatment was a small number of soldiers apparently in collaboration with military intelligence interrogators.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CALLEBS (voice-over): It's the question everyone wants to know.

SEN. JOHN WARNER (R-VA), ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE: In simple words, your own soldier's language, how did this happen?

MAJ. GEN. ANTONIO TAGUBA, U.S. ARMY: Failure in leadership, sir, from the brigade commander on down, lack of discipline, no training whatsoever, and no supervision. Supervisory omission was rampant.

CALLEBS: The photographs speak for themselves. Taguba was here to speak about his investigation that first chronicled the abuse. Some troops at the heart of the scandal say they were following orders that they were told by military intelligence to soften up prisoners for interrogation by sleep deprivation, hooding or covering their heads and humiliating detainees by stripping them. He says the abuse was limited to a small number of troops.

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R-AZ), ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE: In your judgment, were these abuses a result of an overall military or intelligence policy to, quote, soften up detainees for interrogation?

TAGUBA: Sir, we did not gain any evidence where it was an overall military intelligence policy of the sort.

CALLEBS: Taguba says he found no evidence that troops were ordered to commit abuse. The committee wanted to speak with Taguba alone but changed after the Defense Department asked that another general and Undersecretary of Defense Stephen Cambone appear with Taguba. Taguba and Cambone clashed on exactly who controlled the notorious prison. Taguba saying it had been turned over to military intelligence. Cambone saying it resided with military police. Regardless Cambone admitted the U.S. is mandated to obey the rules of the Geneva Convention. Despite the graphic photos he believes the U.S. can win the hearts of minds of Iraqis.

STEPHEN CAMBONE, UNDERSECRETARY OF DEFENSE: I believe we can repair the damage done to our credibility in the region if we hold true to our principles and continue to keep our commitments to the people of Iraq and Afghanistan, eventually the nobility of that mission will touch the hearts of more people in the Arab world.

CALLEBS: Taking a different tone, Oklahoma Republican Senator James Inhofe says he's outraged that so many, in his words, "humanitarian do-gooders are looking for human rights violations while U.S. troops are fighting and dying.

SEN. JAMES INHOFE (R-OK), ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE: They are not there for traffic violations. If they're in Cell block 1A or 1B, these prisoners, they are murderers, they're terrorists, they're insurgents. Many of them probably have American blood on their hands.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CALLEBS: According to a red cross report given to the Bush administration this year, 70 to 90 percent of the thousands of detainees have been arrested by mistake. It went on to say the abuse of prisoners in was in some cases tantamount to torture -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Sean Callebs, thanks very much. To our viewers here is your chance to weigh in on this important story. Our "Web Question of the Day" is this -- have the prisoner abuse allegations changed your view of the Iraq war? You can vote right now. Go to cnn.com/wolf. We'll have the results later in this broadcast.

Outraged by outrage strong words from one senator about the prison abuse scandal.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

INHOFE: I am also outraged that we have so many humanitarian do- gooders right now crawling all over the prisons looking for human rights violations while our troops, heroes, are fighting and dying.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: More reaction coming up live from Republican Senator James Inhofe. He'll join me along with Democratic Senator Jack Reed. They're both members of the Armed Services Committee.

Handing over Saddam Hussein to the people he once ruled. Will the coalition be ready to turn the former dictator over before June 30?

Plus this...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WALSH: On Saturday night, millions of eyes are going to see this face. And I know somebody knows whose this guy is.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Hunting "America's Most Wanted." John Walsh, the host of the nation's No. 1 crime show, unveils brand new tactic to finding the bad guys. We'll get to all of that.

First, though, today's "News Quiz."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER (voice-over): Which of the following actors was considered for hosting duties on "America's Most Wanted?" Robert Stack, Brian Dennehy, Dennis Franz, Tyne Daly. The answer coming up.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: There's news on the possible fate of Saddam Hussein and it has to do with the June 30 transfer of sovereignty date. CNN's Brian Todd is here with details -- Brian.

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, when Iraqis get their autonomy, at least in name, the question now stands: will they also get their former tormentors?

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TODD (voice-over): Salem Chalabi, head of the Iraq War Crimes Tribunal, says the U.S. lead coalition is considering the possibility of handing over Saddam Hussein to the Iraqis before June 30 date for Iraqi sovereignty. But Chalabi tells CNN he's not sure if the coalition is ready to do that. The coalition is not sure either.

RICHARD BOUCHER, STATE DEPT. SPOKESMAN: We would turn him over at the appropriate time and appropriate manner. But as far as I can tell no decision has been made at this point.

TODD: And this from a Pentagon spokesman. "It has been the intention of the U.S. to see that Saddam is tried by the Iraqi people, but there has been no time or date to when that will happen."

Saddam Hussein is accused of allowing the killing and torture of thousands of his own people during his 24 years in power. The U.S. has sent a team of investigators and prosecutors to Iraq to help the War Crimes Tribunal collect evidence against Saddam and other suspects from his government.

Salem Chalabi said the tribunal will try to have the trial complete bid tend of next year. But in an interview with CNN three weeks ago he indicated they are still not close to filing charges.

SALEM CHALABI, IRAQI WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL: I would imagine it's going to take several months for us to prepare the indictment and then from that, you know, will take some time before we get to trial.

And Chalabi said they may not even start with Saddam Hussein. Another strong candidate for a war crimes trial, Saddam's cousin Ali Hassan al Majid, also known as "Chemical Ali."

CHALABI: I think somebody like "Chemical Ali" would be one of the earlier ones because over the last few years we've been doing investigations on his role in at least one crime which is Halabjah, the chemical attack on Halabjah. And our evidence gathering is quite well developed.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TODD: Saddam Hussein now being held by U.S. authorities at an undisclosed location and is described as being less than cooperative during his interrogations. The death penalty in Iraq has been suspended by Coalition Administrator Paul Bremer. That suspension could be lifted by Iraqi authorities in time for Saddam's trial -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Brian Todd with that report. Thanks, Brian, very much.

Protests in the streets of Najaf. Why this demonstration is a hopeful sign for the coalition.

In the spotlight. We'll take a closer look at the Army general who first reported on the abuses at Abu Ghraib.

Plus, Kobe Bryant formerly arraigned now on a rape charge. What is next in this closely watched case? Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back. More now on the prisoner abuse scandal and today's sometimes contentious Senate hearing. I'm joined by two members of the armed services committee. Jack Reed is a Democrat from Rhode Island. James Inhofe, a Republican from Oklahoma. We heard his comments just a little while ago, a few moments ago on this program. They are joining us from Capitol Hill. Senators, thanks very much for joining us. Let me begin with you, Senator Inhofe and get your reaction to the killing, this brutal killing, the beheading of this American in Iraq from Pennsylvania, Nicholas Berg. When you heard that they were linking this to the prisoner abuse scandal at Abu Ghraib prison, what went through your mind?

INHOFE: Well, first of all, I don't believe that. But it does show us what brutal people we're dealing with. I think a lot of the American people don't know what animals these people are. And capable of this kind of a murder, which they have done one like -- before that. And which was just a way of life for Saddam Hussein when he was in charge. So I think it is a huge tragedy and we all just weep for the family and, but, again, that's the kind of people we're dealing with, the people of America need to know that.

BLITZER: Senator Reed, they said, in the videotape, this gruesome videotape, that this was revenge for the -- what was happening at the Abu Ghraib prison. What do you think?

SEN. JACK REED (D-RI), ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE: This is a horrible situation. It shows again the depravity of these people. They don't need an excuse to be attacking us. They do it because of many other motivations. I'm afraid what's happened is that the situation at the prison has given them an excuse that they are trying to peddle in the Middle East and I'm afraid that some might see that this is not justified but see some connection between the prison abuses and this terrible situation. But this is the kind of depravity and evil that these terrorists have been dealing with for years.

BLITZER: You were, Senator Inhofe, very outspoken earlier today when you spoke out against the way, I guess, the news media, everyone else seems to be reacting to the abuses at Abu Ghraib. Why did you get so agitated about that?

INHOFE: I got agitated because we have 140,000 troops over there. They are all great people. The terrible thing that went on was perpetrated by these seven guards. And I mean, this is something that is confined to one prison, just seven of them. There are 700 guards. Only seven of them were responsible. They are now before a military court and justice will prevail. But it seemed to me and I know a lot of people disagree with this that we are spending an awful lot of time worrying about the human rights of a bunch of murderers and terrorists, people who are in Cell block 1A and 1B which means they are the very worst kind. And yet we are not nearly as concerned about our own fighting troops. I don't want the atrocities committed by these seven people to, in any way, make people think our troops are this way. These are the exceptions.

BLITZER: You know the International Red Cross, in their report that was published yesterday in the "Wall Street Journal" is now widely available, they say that as many as 90 percent of the detainees at the Abu Ghraib prison, most of whom have been released were there -- were picked up by mistake.

INHOFE: That's not true, Wolf. They said between 70 and 90 percent had not committed crimes. Now when they bring them in to interrogate them, they immediately find out that about 90 percent of the people don't have any information. They turn around and let them out. It's called the revolving door. These people are not incarcerated. These are people that came in and they determined that they did not have information that would justify incarceration.

BLITZER: Senator Reed, what do you think about the complaint that Senator Inhofe makes?

REED: The outrage is shared by both the Democrats and Republicans about the situation in this prison. I've heard Senator Warner, Senator McCain, others talk about how they were outraged, I think would be a fair description of their reaction. This is an issue we have to address because of the impact in Iraq and across the Islamic world. Frankly, one of the most compelling things I heard this afternoon was American military officers, general officers, who said that we cannot tolerate this type of behavior. This type of behavior that violates the Geneva Convention. That violates the commander's orders about treating prisoners. Our ultimate claim and protection for our prisoners is that other countries follow the Geneva Convention. So this is a very serious issue and it's taken seriously by both sides of the aisle.

BLITZER: Senator Inhofe, I was going to say, do you think, Senator Inhofe, this was simply the work of these seven soldiers who are now being prosecuted? Because we did hear Major General Taguba suggest they were influenced, that was the word he used, by higher ups.

INHOFE: No, we asked that question specifically to two panels today. I agree with the statement just made by Senator Reed, and I think that we asked specifically the question, these are seven people, they are no more than that, that was just in one prison, there are some 25 other prisons. Nobody else has had these accusations against them so it's an isolated case. And if it came from higher up we would see this prevalent in other prisons, too.

BLITZER: He said there was no order. He couldn't the evidence of orders but there was some sort of influence, that was the word he used. But let me get to the thrust of the current issue at stake, at least one of the issues right now, Senator Inhofe, releasing more of these pictures and the videotape. Should the administration, the Congress, let the American public see the rest?

INHOFE: Well, my personal feeling is they should not. But it's too late for that and the pictures are already out. As they said, and they testified today, justice was being administered without all the pictures coming out. But that gives a lot of ammunition for them to be able to use unnecessarily. And gives the wrong impression as to the character of our troops.

BLITZER: Senator Reed, what do you think about releasing more of these photos and the videotape?

REED: Well, as Senator Inhofe pointed out, it's almost inevitable that the pressure would build up. If we don't release the material there will be stories that it's much worse than it actually might be, although I told that it is quite graphic and quite disturbing. There might be a way through simply some type of a list and a description of the pictures to let that out first. But I think ultimately, these pictures will come out and the primary reason is because if we don't, people will invent even more sinister interpretations of why the pictures aren't released.

BLITZER: Senator Reed, Senator Inhofe, we have to leave it right there. Thanks to both of you for joining us.

REED: Thank you.

BLITZER: The army turned to one of its own to detail the torture suspected inside Abu Ghraib prison. Just ahead the man behind the report on the abuses at the Iraqi prison. We'll have a profile of Major General Antonio Taguba.

Also, Kobe Bryant's cross country court to court commute led to a plea today on rape charges. We'll tell you what he told the judge.

And an American pop star is having problems adjusting to her life as part of the land of gentry in England. The latest mess for the material girl. That is coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back.

The man who detailed abuse at an Iraqi prison testified about what went wrong. We'll have a closer look at Major General Antonio Taguba.

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

A 26-year-old American civilian who went to work in Iraq was beheaded by an al Qaeda-linked terrorist group. The death of Nicholas Berg of Westchester, Pennsylvania, was scene on a videotape released to a-pro al Qaeda Web site. The Web site says the execution was carried out by the terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.

President Bush today signed an executive order to implement sanctions against Syria. The White House accuses the Syrians of continuing to support terrorist groups, as well as pursuing weapons of mass destruction. The White House said month of diplomatic efforts to alter Syria's behavior had been unsuccessful. A procedural vote in the U.S. Senate to extend emergency federal unemployment benefits to out-of-work Americans failed by a single vote today. The amendment was attached to a massive Republican-sponsored corporate tax relief bill. The proposal would have extended federal unemployment insurance benefits for 13 weeks.

Vice President Dick Cheney got a clean bill of health today from his heart doctors. The vice president has had heart trouble for years. In 2001, he had a pacemaker installed. Today's annual checkup determined his heart is functioning normally. After his exam, the vice president went back to work.

Insurgents continue to launch attacks against coalition forces around Iraq.

CNN's Karl Penhaul brings us up to date.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: U.S. officials have said that 21 trucks, part of a civilian convoy, came under fire from suspected insurgents this morning, as that convoy worked its way from Jordan along the main highway to Baghdad.

The U.S. official at the time said that a number of personnel on board that convoy were unaccounted for, though he did specify that no military personnel had been traveling with that. Since then, a spokesperson for Kellogg, Brown & Root, a subsidiary of Halliburton, has released a statement saying that a subcontractor for Kellogg, Brown & Root were responsible for that convoy and that all drivers have been accounted for now.

The spokesperson, though, didn't specify what damage had occurred to the vehicles in the convoy or whether there had been any casualties among the personnel aboard. Also this morning in the northern city of Kirkuk, the city that's claimed by Kurds, by Turkmen and Arabs, are continuing the spate of violence there. A bomb went off in a crowded marketplace in a Kurdish neighborhood and officials in the city tell us that three civilians were killed and at least 22 others were injured.

So far, there's been no claim of responsibility as to who may have been behind that attack. Now, from north to south, to the holy city of Najaf, which lies south of the capital, Baghdad, a continuing standoff between coalition forces there and the firebrand cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and his so-called Mahdi Army militia.

In fighting overnight, 13 members of the Mahdi Army were killed in fighting on the outskirts of Najaf; 14 others, we understand, were captured by coalition forces. And then in the course of the day we understand that there was a spontaneous celebration -- a demonstration, rather -- by about 1,000 people, shopkeepers and civilians, who came out calling for Muqtada al-Sadr and his Mahdi Army to leave the city to spare the city from the possibility of further bloodshed.

Karl Penhaul, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: With critics calling for his ouster over the Iraq prison abuse scandal, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld held a town hall-style meeting over at the Pentagon today. He said staffers there are heartsick over the acts which were committed and over the price which he said America will pay.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD RUMSFELD, SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: It is a body blow when we find that we have, as we have just within the last week or seven days, a few who have betrayed our values by their conduct. Pete Pace can tell you that the look on the faces of the people who have viewed the photographs and the videos from what took place there, they were stunned, absolutely stunned, that any Americans wearing a uniform could do what they did.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: The U.S. Army general investigating problems at Abu Ghraib blames a systematic failure of leadership and more for the prisoner abuse.

Major General Antonio Taguba went into Abu Ghraib to find out what was going on.

Tom Foreman is joining us now with a closer look at this amazing general -- Tom.

TOM FOREMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Is an amazing general, Wolf.

And up until this report on prison abuse came out, not many people even in the military knew much about Major General Tony Taguba. Now, of course, everybody wants to know everything.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FOREMAN (voice-over): The pictures are igniting public fury, but this 53 page report is providing the hard facts. And the man who wrote it, Major General Tony Taguba, minces no words about the U.S. soldiers he accuses of wrongdoing.

MAJ. GEN. ANTONIO TAGUBA, U.S. ARMY: It put into question the reputation of our nation and the reputation of those who continue to serve in uniform and who would willingly sacrifice their lives to safeguard our freedom.

FOREMAN: Taguba was born in the Philippines in the wake of World War II. But at the age of 11, when his family moved to Hawaii, his father, Thomas (ph), made it clear, America was home, and with good reason. As a career Army man, Thomas Taguba served on some of the most dangerous battle fronts of the Pacific. He was captured by the Japanese. He escaped during the Baton Death March. He told his children little of what he endured, but saw discipline as their key to survival. As a boy, Tony spent every Saturday polishing his father's Army boots. As a man, he went to college on an ROTC scholarship. His Army career has taken him to Korea, Germany, Kuwait, where his reputation for demanding honesty has grown.

SEN. DANIEL AKAKA (D), HAWAII: He speaks the truth and let the heavens may fall.

FOREMAN (on camera): That's always been the way he has been?

AKAKA: Yes. Yes. He does it in a very low-key, nonthreatening manner. And he talks about that difficulties of his parents that they face.

FOREMAN: And that's his inspiration for being this way.

AKAKA: Yes. Right.

Your task was not an easy one. However, your honesty and your integrity reflect the character we expect from soldiers in our military.

FOREMAN: Today, this son of a former POW was praised for his bravery on behalf of prisoners' rights, while his family said they have never been more proud.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FOREMAN: This is dangerous business for Tony Taguba. Many people here do not like his message. They don't like the messenger either. His family is very worried about his career, whether he will be forced into retirement.

I spoke to his older sister today. And he says to her: "Don't worry about me. I just did my job" -- Wolf.

BLITZER: I guess there are some people who like to blame the messenger.

Thanks very much, Tom Foreman, for that report.

Back in court in Colorado, this time, a key move in the Kobe Bryant sexual assault case.

And his TV show takes crimefighting to a new level. Now "America's Most Wanted" has a new tactic to catch dangerous fugitives. I'll speak with the host, John Walsh.

We'll get to all of that. First, though, a quick look at some other news making headlines around the world.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): Palestinian militant groups call for negotiations after a major Israeli operation in Gaza City. Six Israeli soldiers and seven Palestinians were killed. Israeli defense forces say they were targeting weapons-making workshops. Hours after the fighting, three militant groups, Hamas, the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade and Islamic Jihad, said they were holding body parts of Israeli soldiers for use in negotiation with Israel.

An explosion at a plastics factory in Scotland left two dozen people hurt and an unknown number of people trapped in the collapsed building. Police in Glasgow say as many as 16 people were unaccounted for after today's blast. A firefighter says an industrial accident could be to blame.

Pop star Madonna has found something she doesn't like about living in England, the tradition of allowing people access to privately owned land so they can go walking. The material girl and her husband, director Guy Ritchie, are appealing a decision that classifies about 100 acres of their estate as open country.

How do you keep a baby elephant happy during warm weather? If you're a group of zookeepers in Austria, you fill up a wading pool. Staff at a Vienna zoo didn't expect it to get hot so soon, so the elephants' regular outside pool had not been filled with water yet. But the 11-month old pachyderm doesn't seem to mind and is taking to the kiddie pool quite well.

And that's our look around the world.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Kobe Bryant pleaded not guilty to rape charges in Colorado today. The plea came after months of legal sparring. Now the judge can set a trial date for the NBA star accused of raping a 19-year-old woman.

Our national correspondent Gary Tuchman is joining us now live from Eagle, Colorado -- Gary.

GARY TUCHMAN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, hello.

Ten months and 11 days after Kobe Bryant allegedly raped a hotel concierge, in Edwards, Colorado, he finally issued a formal plea. The plea, as we expected, not guilty. It starts a countdown. Under Colorado law, he has to have a trial now within six months. The judge was expected to announce a trial date. Instead, he said we are still waiting for some test results. We have some motions and will say the trial date two weeks from now.

However, CNN learned that, last week, the judge and attorneys held a teleconference and they all agreed that August would be a good time to start the trial. Cameras were allowed in for the arraignment. It only lasted a few minutes.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It carries a possible penalty of four years, up to life in the department of corrections or 20 years up to life if probation is imposed pursuant to 181.3.104. It also carries a possible fine of $3,000 to $750,000, fine, jail or both.

Do you understand that charge?

KOBE BRYANT, DEFENDANT: Yes, sir.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How do you plead, not guilty or guilty.

BRYANT: Not guilty.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TUCHMAN: After the Laker guard issued his plea, he left the courthouse in an SUV going to the airport to fly back to Los Angeles, where his Lakers have an important playoff game against the San Antonio Spurs tonight.

The judge still two critical decisions to make. Will part of the accuser's sexual history be allowed in a trial? That decision is not expected to come before the end of June. Another decision, will a statement made by Kobe Bryant to police which was secretly recorded by police be allowed in the trial? That decision could come at any time -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Gary Tuchman covering this case for us -- thanks very much, Gary, for that.

A key ruling in the Scott Peterson murder trial, that story tops our "Justice Report." The judge denied a defense request to move the trial from a San Francisco suburb to Los Angeles. It was previously moved from Modesto, California, but his lawyer argued the case is still too close to Scott Peterson's hometown to find an impartial jury. Peterson is accused of killing his wife and unborn child.

And no charges in the sexual abuse scandal at the University of Colorado. The state attorney general cited concerns about evidence and alleged victims reluctant to go forward with the case. At least eight women have accused school football players and recruits of rape over the last seven years.

Still ahead, America sees a new version of the most wanted deck of cards.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WALSH: I knew that a child abductor, a serial child predator, never stops.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Up next, John Walsh hunts for the country's worst criminals.

And twisters rip through Colorado, the amazing pictures up close and personal in our picture of the day.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Earlier, we asked which of the following actors was considered for hosting duties on "America's Most Wanted"? The answer, Brian Dennehy. According to John Walsh's 1997 autobiography, Dennehy was one of several actors considered. However, the show debuted February 7, 1988, with Walsh as host.

In life, it is said imitation is the most sincere form of flattery. Remember the deck of playing cards with the top 50 or so wanted in Iraq. The gimmick worked so well for the U.S. military, it's now showing up in other places as well.

John Walsh, the host of "America's Most Wanted" has his own deck of cards right now, as I found out when we spoke just a short while ago.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: John Walsh, thanks very much for joining us.

You have got a new "America's Most Wanted" deck of cards. This is not an original idea.

WALSH: No, they worked very well in Iraq. If you remember, the 52 most wanted deck in Iraq produced a lot of results. And we have come up with a concept of putting some of our most dangerous fugitives on the cards and distributing them throughout the country. I know firsthand from cases of missing children that 70 percent of missing children are recovered because of pictures. So the cards are a good idea.

BLITZER: You are hoping people get these decks of cards. Let's talk about the king of spades, Donald Eugene Webb.

WALSH: Now, this guy actually killed a chief of police 20 years ago in 1980. And we've been looking for him. I think we have profiled him 12 times on "America's Most Wanted." And this family wants some justice.

BLITZER: He is still at large, presumably.

WALSH: Still at large.

BLITZER: All of these people in these decks of cards are still at large.

WALSH: Absolutely. They are still all fugitives.

BLITZER: The two of clubs, William Wallace Stabler Jr.

WALSH: Career criminal, wanted for trying to kill two police officers. And he also kidnapped an individual in an escape attempt, bad guy, still out there.

BLITZER: Dennis "Slick" Lilly.

WALSH: Dennis "Slick" Lilly actually escaped from prison twice. He was in prison for shooting a police officer, and he escaped. And while he was on the run, police went to his house. He shot at police officers for the second time, tried to kill them, went in prison and stole a guard's uniform. He's at large. So, he shot three cops and he's right at the top of the list.

BLITZER: These guys all look so sinister.

Dewey Daniels, the five of diamonds.

WALSH: Fascinating guy, was a former police officer, committed tons of robberies. He actually kidnap a smalltown chief of police. He was the only cop in town, the chief. He chained him to a tree, took the chief's car, and robbed a bank. So he has actually shot police officers and he's a former cop.

BLITZER: And this Barrera, Mitch Barrera.

WALSH: Miami bank robber, shot it out. And he's wanted by Miami police for attempted murder on a cop. So they are all attempted cop killers and one cop killer.

BLITZER: This guy, this was the ace of spades, James Joseph "Whitey" Bulger. The ace of spades, remember, Saddam Hussein was the ace of spades. Why does he deserve to be the ace of spades?

WALSH: If you know Whitey's history -- and he is the one guy I have profiled the most on "America's Most Wanted." His brother was the president of the Massachusetts Senate at one time and the president of a university in Massachusetts.

Whitey is wanted by the FBI. He's been on the FBI's top 10 for years. He's the guy that ran the Irish mob in Boston. Meanwhile, when he was on the FBI payroll, he did contract murders for the mafia. They want him. And the Irish mob that he ran, he killed -- he is a suspect in 41 homicides.

BLITZER: All right, let's talk about someone who is not on this 52 the deck of cards, the "America's Most Wanted" deck of cards, Armando Garcia. You're going to be profiling him as well.

WALSH: He's a cop killer. He's alleged to have killed a deputy sheriff last year. He didn't make the deck. And he is on the run now. He's a very violent fugitive and is alleged to have killed a deputy sheriff in Southern California.

BLITZER: There's a heart wrenching story that only you can really give justice to. This little 5-year-old girl, Brittany Fish, talk a little bit about that, because I know you have done some extraordinary work in this case.

Brittany Fish's case broke my heart when she went missing. She went missing last April. And everybody in Syracuse, New York, rallied to look for this little girl. A man who was going to an abandoned building to possibly purchase it as a real estate investment heard what he thought was a cat. He went through the building and pulled over a tarp. And he heard this whining. He pulled over a tarp and there was little Brittany Fish bound with duct tape around her head and her hands alive.

Now, horrible case, wonderful ending that she is back alive. But I knew that a child abductor, a serial child predator, never stops. I have known this since my son was murdered 22 years ago. I have studied and hunted these guys. So we sent our best forensic artist, Jeanne Boylan. She is world renowned. She was a crime victim herself. She is the one who put together the composite of the Unabomber. She is the one who put together the composite of Richard Allen Davis, who killed Polly Klaas, kidnapped her from that slumber party years ago.

And she went and talked to Brittany Fish. I sent her. I called up the Syracuse police and said, I was born in that area. I think you need help. They said absolutely. She spent seven hours with little Brittany, a 5-year-old girl. And this girl gave her this phenomenal composite. On Saturday night, millions of eyes are going to see this face. And I know somebody knows who this guy is, absolutely.

BLITZER: You'll be showcasing that.

If somebody wants to get a copy of these cards, what do they do?

WALSH: Visit our Web site, AMW.com. They can get the cards. They can pictures of fugitives. You know, Wolf, we have caught two FBI top-10 fugitives off of that Web site. And they can also look at this composite, because I still say it, why "America's Most Wanted" been so successful, 787 captures, is because people don't want to call the police. You can call "America's Most Wanted." You can remain anonymous.

This guy, somebody knows who he is. We need to catch him. We need to get justice for little Brittany Fish. We need to get him off the streets.

BLITZER: John Walsh, you are doing a good job. Thanks.

WALSH: Thanks for having me, Wolf.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: We'll have the results of our "Web Question of the Day." That's coming up next. Plus, a storm chaser hits the jackpot. More amazing pictures of this twister when we return.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Here's how you're weighing in our "Web Question of the Day." Take a look at the results, knowing is not a scientific poll.

Let's get to some of your e-mail. Doris writes this: "We have shown the so-called humiliating pictures of Iraqi prisoners. And now our reward is the beheading of an American. How many more Americans have to make the ultimate sacrifice? I wouldn't call suppressing stupid, frivolous pictures censorship. I would call it common sense to protect our soldiers."

Marshall writes this: "If the pictures had not been shown to the public, the president and his people would have let the torture continue. Some say the pictures damage our image, but how can anything hurt the image of a country more than its lies to make an unprovoked war and the torturing of its prisoners?"

A frightening force of nature is our picture of the day. This funnel -- look at this -- swept through Elbert County in Colorado last night, one of seven spotted in the area. A farmhouse and barn were destroyed, but the sheriff says no one, thank God, was injured.

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


Aired May 11, 2004 - 17:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WOLF BLITZER, HOST: Happening now. Islamic terrorists say they've retaliated for the prisoner abuse scandal. The victim, a 26- year-old American worker from Pennsylvania. The punishment, decapitation.

Stand by for hard news on WOLF BLITZER REPORTS.

How did it happen?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Lack of discipline and no training whatsoever and no supervision.

BLITZER: He turned the spotlight on the abuse at Abu Ghraib now he's in the spotlight. So is this senator.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And I'm probably not the only one at this table that is more outraged by the outrage that we are (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

Hand-over, will Iraqis take custody of Saddam Hussein and his henchmen before they take custody of their country?

"America's Most Wanted."

JOHN WALSH, HOST, "AMERICA'S MOST WANTED": This guy actually killed a chief of police 20 years ago, 1980. We've been looking for him, I think we profiled him 12 times.

BLITZER: Crime fighter John Walsh tells us about his own new deck of cards.

ANNOUNCER: This is WOLF BLITZER REPORTS for Tuesday, May 11, 2004.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: A shocking image and a vicious threat aimed at Americans in Iraq and their families back home. An Islamic Web site linked to al Qaeda shows a U.S. civilian being beheaded. And it says Americans should be prepared to receive more coffins. CNN is not showing the beheading but many viewers may find the rest of the video disturbing as well. The tape begins with Nick Berg stating his name, the names of his parents and siblings and his hometown, Westchester, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia. According to the Associated Press, the 26-year-old Berg owned a company that built, maintained and inspected communications towers. His parents say he had been missing since April 9. On the tape, Berg is shown sitting in front of five hooded men, one of whom reads a statement referring directly to the prisoner abuse scandal at Abu Ghraib prison. He says his group offered to exchange Berg for some of the detainees in Abu Ghraib, but he says U.S. officials refused. He then says, quote, "so we tell you that the dignity of the Muslim men and women in Abu Ghraib and others is not redeemed except by blood and souls. You will not receive anything from us but coffins after coffins slaughtered in this way."

Then Berg is pushed to the floor and killed. His severed head is later displayed to the camera. Berg's body was found Monday in Baghdad. Berg's family had already been informed of his murder and knew he had been decapitated but they did not learn details of the gruesome videotape until today. The website says Abu Musab al Zarqawi carried out the execution but CNN staffers familiar with Zarqawi's voice say the voice on the tape does not match his. Zarqawi is the leader of an Islamist terrorist group that has claimed responsibility for numerous attacks on coalition forces in Iraq. Before today's gruesome picture surfaced Nicholas Berg's father Michael spoke with a reporter over the weekend before he knew the fate of his son.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAEL BERG, NICHOLAS BERG'S FATHER: He just really wanted to be part of something that was important. He supported the administration's being in Iraq. He supported everything that they were doing. And he wanted to help. And he wanted to help in a positive way by building rather than breaking down.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: United States Congressman Jim Gerlach of Pennsylvania represents Nick Berg's hometown in Pennsylvania. He is joining us now on the phone. Congressman, thanks for joining us. I know you have spoken with the family. What are they saying? How are they coping?

REP. JIM GERLACH (R), PENNSYLVANIA: Well, the family first of all as you can imagine is very, very much emotionally traumatized by this death. Yet at the same time they are very strong and very composed in just basically want to try to do everything possible to as quickly as possible have Nick's remains returned to the United States so they can take care of the burial of the remains. And they also want to find out a lot more information, ever since Nick was reported missing, what happened, what transpired between that point in time and what happened up to the time of his death. So they are very interested in finding out more about those circumstances.

BLITZER: When I saw the videotape, Congressman, it reminded me of the beheading of Daniel Pearl, the "Wall Street Journal" reporter. I don't know if you saw that and saw this one as well. Are there similarities? Because Daniel Pearl, as you know, is Jewish and I take it Nick Berg was Jewish, as well. GERLACH: I have not seen this videotape and so I do not want to compare the two incidents at this point. There's no indication from the information we have at this point in time that Nick's religion was involved in the murder. But that's certainly something that we hope to ferret out in the coming days and weeks to get more information, more background about what transpired in this whole incident.

BLITZER: Congressman Gerlach please give our deepest condolences to the family. Thanks so much for joining us.

CNN's Ben Wedeman is standing by in Baghdad. Ben, what do we know about the people that we suspect are behind this gruesome killing?

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Abu Musab al Zarqawi is a Jordanian from a northern Jordanian town but originally of Palestinian origin and coalition officials believe that he may be behind many of the attacks on coalition forces here in Iraq in addition to some of the suicide car bombings that have killed hundreds of Iraqis. Now, not everyone is convinced that he plays such a major role. Many Iraqis believe that Zarqawi is simply somebody the coalition wants to pin a lot of these attacks on. But certainly there have been reasons to believe he's active in Iraq. You may recall several months ago the coalition apparently got their hands on a computer and found on that computer, on the hard disk a letter that purported to be from Zarqawi to the al Qaeda leadership in that letter he called for support and backing from al Qaeda, money and other sorts of instructions, to carry on the fight here. Of course, the authenticity of that letter has not been confirmed -- Wolf.

BLITZER: CNN's Ben Wedeman in Baghdad. Ben, thank you very much.

The White House press secretary Scott McClellan said President Bush's thoughts and prayers are with the Berg family right now. McClellan said the video of insurgents beheading Nicholas Berg shows the true nature of the enemies of freedom. McClellan goes on to say the United States will pursue those responsible for the killing and I'm quoting now, "will bring them to justice."

That gruesome videotape alludes to the prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison and to the humiliations inflicted there. On Capitol Hill today the army general who investigated those abuses testified before the Senate armed services committee and he painted a picture of what went wrong. CNN's Sean Callebs is joining us now live with more -- Sean.

SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Indeed, Wolf, today attention on the Hill focusing on General Antonio Taguba. His report first brought the abuse to light. Today he testified the harsh treatment was a small number of soldiers apparently in collaboration with military intelligence interrogators.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CALLEBS (voice-over): It's the question everyone wants to know.

SEN. JOHN WARNER (R-VA), ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE: In simple words, your own soldier's language, how did this happen?

MAJ. GEN. ANTONIO TAGUBA, U.S. ARMY: Failure in leadership, sir, from the brigade commander on down, lack of discipline, no training whatsoever, and no supervision. Supervisory omission was rampant.

CALLEBS: The photographs speak for themselves. Taguba was here to speak about his investigation that first chronicled the abuse. Some troops at the heart of the scandal say they were following orders that they were told by military intelligence to soften up prisoners for interrogation by sleep deprivation, hooding or covering their heads and humiliating detainees by stripping them. He says the abuse was limited to a small number of troops.

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R-AZ), ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE: In your judgment, were these abuses a result of an overall military or intelligence policy to, quote, soften up detainees for interrogation?

TAGUBA: Sir, we did not gain any evidence where it was an overall military intelligence policy of the sort.

CALLEBS: Taguba says he found no evidence that troops were ordered to commit abuse. The committee wanted to speak with Taguba alone but changed after the Defense Department asked that another general and Undersecretary of Defense Stephen Cambone appear with Taguba. Taguba and Cambone clashed on exactly who controlled the notorious prison. Taguba saying it had been turned over to military intelligence. Cambone saying it resided with military police. Regardless Cambone admitted the U.S. is mandated to obey the rules of the Geneva Convention. Despite the graphic photos he believes the U.S. can win the hearts of minds of Iraqis.

STEPHEN CAMBONE, UNDERSECRETARY OF DEFENSE: I believe we can repair the damage done to our credibility in the region if we hold true to our principles and continue to keep our commitments to the people of Iraq and Afghanistan, eventually the nobility of that mission will touch the hearts of more people in the Arab world.

CALLEBS: Taking a different tone, Oklahoma Republican Senator James Inhofe says he's outraged that so many, in his words, "humanitarian do-gooders are looking for human rights violations while U.S. troops are fighting and dying.

SEN. JAMES INHOFE (R-OK), ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE: They are not there for traffic violations. If they're in Cell block 1A or 1B, these prisoners, they are murderers, they're terrorists, they're insurgents. Many of them probably have American blood on their hands.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CALLEBS: According to a red cross report given to the Bush administration this year, 70 to 90 percent of the thousands of detainees have been arrested by mistake. It went on to say the abuse of prisoners in was in some cases tantamount to torture -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Sean Callebs, thanks very much. To our viewers here is your chance to weigh in on this important story. Our "Web Question of the Day" is this -- have the prisoner abuse allegations changed your view of the Iraq war? You can vote right now. Go to cnn.com/wolf. We'll have the results later in this broadcast.

Outraged by outrage strong words from one senator about the prison abuse scandal.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

INHOFE: I am also outraged that we have so many humanitarian do- gooders right now crawling all over the prisons looking for human rights violations while our troops, heroes, are fighting and dying.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: More reaction coming up live from Republican Senator James Inhofe. He'll join me along with Democratic Senator Jack Reed. They're both members of the Armed Services Committee.

Handing over Saddam Hussein to the people he once ruled. Will the coalition be ready to turn the former dictator over before June 30?

Plus this...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WALSH: On Saturday night, millions of eyes are going to see this face. And I know somebody knows whose this guy is.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Hunting "America's Most Wanted." John Walsh, the host of the nation's No. 1 crime show, unveils brand new tactic to finding the bad guys. We'll get to all of that.

First, though, today's "News Quiz."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER (voice-over): Which of the following actors was considered for hosting duties on "America's Most Wanted?" Robert Stack, Brian Dennehy, Dennis Franz, Tyne Daly. The answer coming up.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: There's news on the possible fate of Saddam Hussein and it has to do with the June 30 transfer of sovereignty date. CNN's Brian Todd is here with details -- Brian.

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, when Iraqis get their autonomy, at least in name, the question now stands: will they also get their former tormentors?

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TODD (voice-over): Salem Chalabi, head of the Iraq War Crimes Tribunal, says the U.S. lead coalition is considering the possibility of handing over Saddam Hussein to the Iraqis before June 30 date for Iraqi sovereignty. But Chalabi tells CNN he's not sure if the coalition is ready to do that. The coalition is not sure either.

RICHARD BOUCHER, STATE DEPT. SPOKESMAN: We would turn him over at the appropriate time and appropriate manner. But as far as I can tell no decision has been made at this point.

TODD: And this from a Pentagon spokesman. "It has been the intention of the U.S. to see that Saddam is tried by the Iraqi people, but there has been no time or date to when that will happen."

Saddam Hussein is accused of allowing the killing and torture of thousands of his own people during his 24 years in power. The U.S. has sent a team of investigators and prosecutors to Iraq to help the War Crimes Tribunal collect evidence against Saddam and other suspects from his government.

Salem Chalabi said the tribunal will try to have the trial complete bid tend of next year. But in an interview with CNN three weeks ago he indicated they are still not close to filing charges.

SALEM CHALABI, IRAQI WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL: I would imagine it's going to take several months for us to prepare the indictment and then from that, you know, will take some time before we get to trial.

And Chalabi said they may not even start with Saddam Hussein. Another strong candidate for a war crimes trial, Saddam's cousin Ali Hassan al Majid, also known as "Chemical Ali."

CHALABI: I think somebody like "Chemical Ali" would be one of the earlier ones because over the last few years we've been doing investigations on his role in at least one crime which is Halabjah, the chemical attack on Halabjah. And our evidence gathering is quite well developed.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TODD: Saddam Hussein now being held by U.S. authorities at an undisclosed location and is described as being less than cooperative during his interrogations. The death penalty in Iraq has been suspended by Coalition Administrator Paul Bremer. That suspension could be lifted by Iraqi authorities in time for Saddam's trial -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Brian Todd with that report. Thanks, Brian, very much.

Protests in the streets of Najaf. Why this demonstration is a hopeful sign for the coalition.

In the spotlight. We'll take a closer look at the Army general who first reported on the abuses at Abu Ghraib.

Plus, Kobe Bryant formerly arraigned now on a rape charge. What is next in this closely watched case? Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back. More now on the prisoner abuse scandal and today's sometimes contentious Senate hearing. I'm joined by two members of the armed services committee. Jack Reed is a Democrat from Rhode Island. James Inhofe, a Republican from Oklahoma. We heard his comments just a little while ago, a few moments ago on this program. They are joining us from Capitol Hill. Senators, thanks very much for joining us. Let me begin with you, Senator Inhofe and get your reaction to the killing, this brutal killing, the beheading of this American in Iraq from Pennsylvania, Nicholas Berg. When you heard that they were linking this to the prisoner abuse scandal at Abu Ghraib prison, what went through your mind?

INHOFE: Well, first of all, I don't believe that. But it does show us what brutal people we're dealing with. I think a lot of the American people don't know what animals these people are. And capable of this kind of a murder, which they have done one like -- before that. And which was just a way of life for Saddam Hussein when he was in charge. So I think it is a huge tragedy and we all just weep for the family and, but, again, that's the kind of people we're dealing with, the people of America need to know that.

BLITZER: Senator Reed, they said, in the videotape, this gruesome videotape, that this was revenge for the -- what was happening at the Abu Ghraib prison. What do you think?

SEN. JACK REED (D-RI), ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE: This is a horrible situation. It shows again the depravity of these people. They don't need an excuse to be attacking us. They do it because of many other motivations. I'm afraid what's happened is that the situation at the prison has given them an excuse that they are trying to peddle in the Middle East and I'm afraid that some might see that this is not justified but see some connection between the prison abuses and this terrible situation. But this is the kind of depravity and evil that these terrorists have been dealing with for years.

BLITZER: You were, Senator Inhofe, very outspoken earlier today when you spoke out against the way, I guess, the news media, everyone else seems to be reacting to the abuses at Abu Ghraib. Why did you get so agitated about that?

INHOFE: I got agitated because we have 140,000 troops over there. They are all great people. The terrible thing that went on was perpetrated by these seven guards. And I mean, this is something that is confined to one prison, just seven of them. There are 700 guards. Only seven of them were responsible. They are now before a military court and justice will prevail. But it seemed to me and I know a lot of people disagree with this that we are spending an awful lot of time worrying about the human rights of a bunch of murderers and terrorists, people who are in Cell block 1A and 1B which means they are the very worst kind. And yet we are not nearly as concerned about our own fighting troops. I don't want the atrocities committed by these seven people to, in any way, make people think our troops are this way. These are the exceptions.

BLITZER: You know the International Red Cross, in their report that was published yesterday in the "Wall Street Journal" is now widely available, they say that as many as 90 percent of the detainees at the Abu Ghraib prison, most of whom have been released were there -- were picked up by mistake.

INHOFE: That's not true, Wolf. They said between 70 and 90 percent had not committed crimes. Now when they bring them in to interrogate them, they immediately find out that about 90 percent of the people don't have any information. They turn around and let them out. It's called the revolving door. These people are not incarcerated. These are people that came in and they determined that they did not have information that would justify incarceration.

BLITZER: Senator Reed, what do you think about the complaint that Senator Inhofe makes?

REED: The outrage is shared by both the Democrats and Republicans about the situation in this prison. I've heard Senator Warner, Senator McCain, others talk about how they were outraged, I think would be a fair description of their reaction. This is an issue we have to address because of the impact in Iraq and across the Islamic world. Frankly, one of the most compelling things I heard this afternoon was American military officers, general officers, who said that we cannot tolerate this type of behavior. This type of behavior that violates the Geneva Convention. That violates the commander's orders about treating prisoners. Our ultimate claim and protection for our prisoners is that other countries follow the Geneva Convention. So this is a very serious issue and it's taken seriously by both sides of the aisle.

BLITZER: Senator Inhofe, I was going to say, do you think, Senator Inhofe, this was simply the work of these seven soldiers who are now being prosecuted? Because we did hear Major General Taguba suggest they were influenced, that was the word he used, by higher ups.

INHOFE: No, we asked that question specifically to two panels today. I agree with the statement just made by Senator Reed, and I think that we asked specifically the question, these are seven people, they are no more than that, that was just in one prison, there are some 25 other prisons. Nobody else has had these accusations against them so it's an isolated case. And if it came from higher up we would see this prevalent in other prisons, too.

BLITZER: He said there was no order. He couldn't the evidence of orders but there was some sort of influence, that was the word he used. But let me get to the thrust of the current issue at stake, at least one of the issues right now, Senator Inhofe, releasing more of these pictures and the videotape. Should the administration, the Congress, let the American public see the rest?

INHOFE: Well, my personal feeling is they should not. But it's too late for that and the pictures are already out. As they said, and they testified today, justice was being administered without all the pictures coming out. But that gives a lot of ammunition for them to be able to use unnecessarily. And gives the wrong impression as to the character of our troops.

BLITZER: Senator Reed, what do you think about releasing more of these photos and the videotape?

REED: Well, as Senator Inhofe pointed out, it's almost inevitable that the pressure would build up. If we don't release the material there will be stories that it's much worse than it actually might be, although I told that it is quite graphic and quite disturbing. There might be a way through simply some type of a list and a description of the pictures to let that out first. But I think ultimately, these pictures will come out and the primary reason is because if we don't, people will invent even more sinister interpretations of why the pictures aren't released.

BLITZER: Senator Reed, Senator Inhofe, we have to leave it right there. Thanks to both of you for joining us.

REED: Thank you.

BLITZER: The army turned to one of its own to detail the torture suspected inside Abu Ghraib prison. Just ahead the man behind the report on the abuses at the Iraqi prison. We'll have a profile of Major General Antonio Taguba.

Also, Kobe Bryant's cross country court to court commute led to a plea today on rape charges. We'll tell you what he told the judge.

And an American pop star is having problems adjusting to her life as part of the land of gentry in England. The latest mess for the material girl. That is coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back.

The man who detailed abuse at an Iraqi prison testified about what went wrong. We'll have a closer look at Major General Antonio Taguba.

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

A 26-year-old American civilian who went to work in Iraq was beheaded by an al Qaeda-linked terrorist group. The death of Nicholas Berg of Westchester, Pennsylvania, was scene on a videotape released to a-pro al Qaeda Web site. The Web site says the execution was carried out by the terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.

President Bush today signed an executive order to implement sanctions against Syria. The White House accuses the Syrians of continuing to support terrorist groups, as well as pursuing weapons of mass destruction. The White House said month of diplomatic efforts to alter Syria's behavior had been unsuccessful. A procedural vote in the U.S. Senate to extend emergency federal unemployment benefits to out-of-work Americans failed by a single vote today. The amendment was attached to a massive Republican-sponsored corporate tax relief bill. The proposal would have extended federal unemployment insurance benefits for 13 weeks.

Vice President Dick Cheney got a clean bill of health today from his heart doctors. The vice president has had heart trouble for years. In 2001, he had a pacemaker installed. Today's annual checkup determined his heart is functioning normally. After his exam, the vice president went back to work.

Insurgents continue to launch attacks against coalition forces around Iraq.

CNN's Karl Penhaul brings us up to date.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: U.S. officials have said that 21 trucks, part of a civilian convoy, came under fire from suspected insurgents this morning, as that convoy worked its way from Jordan along the main highway to Baghdad.

The U.S. official at the time said that a number of personnel on board that convoy were unaccounted for, though he did specify that no military personnel had been traveling with that. Since then, a spokesperson for Kellogg, Brown & Root, a subsidiary of Halliburton, has released a statement saying that a subcontractor for Kellogg, Brown & Root were responsible for that convoy and that all drivers have been accounted for now.

The spokesperson, though, didn't specify what damage had occurred to the vehicles in the convoy or whether there had been any casualties among the personnel aboard. Also this morning in the northern city of Kirkuk, the city that's claimed by Kurds, by Turkmen and Arabs, are continuing the spate of violence there. A bomb went off in a crowded marketplace in a Kurdish neighborhood and officials in the city tell us that three civilians were killed and at least 22 others were injured.

So far, there's been no claim of responsibility as to who may have been behind that attack. Now, from north to south, to the holy city of Najaf, which lies south of the capital, Baghdad, a continuing standoff between coalition forces there and the firebrand cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and his so-called Mahdi Army militia.

In fighting overnight, 13 members of the Mahdi Army were killed in fighting on the outskirts of Najaf; 14 others, we understand, were captured by coalition forces. And then in the course of the day we understand that there was a spontaneous celebration -- a demonstration, rather -- by about 1,000 people, shopkeepers and civilians, who came out calling for Muqtada al-Sadr and his Mahdi Army to leave the city to spare the city from the possibility of further bloodshed.

Karl Penhaul, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: With critics calling for his ouster over the Iraq prison abuse scandal, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld held a town hall-style meeting over at the Pentagon today. He said staffers there are heartsick over the acts which were committed and over the price which he said America will pay.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD RUMSFELD, SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: It is a body blow when we find that we have, as we have just within the last week or seven days, a few who have betrayed our values by their conduct. Pete Pace can tell you that the look on the faces of the people who have viewed the photographs and the videos from what took place there, they were stunned, absolutely stunned, that any Americans wearing a uniform could do what they did.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: The U.S. Army general investigating problems at Abu Ghraib blames a systematic failure of leadership and more for the prisoner abuse.

Major General Antonio Taguba went into Abu Ghraib to find out what was going on.

Tom Foreman is joining us now with a closer look at this amazing general -- Tom.

TOM FOREMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Is an amazing general, Wolf.

And up until this report on prison abuse came out, not many people even in the military knew much about Major General Tony Taguba. Now, of course, everybody wants to know everything.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FOREMAN (voice-over): The pictures are igniting public fury, but this 53 page report is providing the hard facts. And the man who wrote it, Major General Tony Taguba, minces no words about the U.S. soldiers he accuses of wrongdoing.

MAJ. GEN. ANTONIO TAGUBA, U.S. ARMY: It put into question the reputation of our nation and the reputation of those who continue to serve in uniform and who would willingly sacrifice their lives to safeguard our freedom.

FOREMAN: Taguba was born in the Philippines in the wake of World War II. But at the age of 11, when his family moved to Hawaii, his father, Thomas (ph), made it clear, America was home, and with good reason. As a career Army man, Thomas Taguba served on some of the most dangerous battle fronts of the Pacific. He was captured by the Japanese. He escaped during the Baton Death March. He told his children little of what he endured, but saw discipline as their key to survival. As a boy, Tony spent every Saturday polishing his father's Army boots. As a man, he went to college on an ROTC scholarship. His Army career has taken him to Korea, Germany, Kuwait, where his reputation for demanding honesty has grown.

SEN. DANIEL AKAKA (D), HAWAII: He speaks the truth and let the heavens may fall.

FOREMAN (on camera): That's always been the way he has been?

AKAKA: Yes. Yes. He does it in a very low-key, nonthreatening manner. And he talks about that difficulties of his parents that they face.

FOREMAN: And that's his inspiration for being this way.

AKAKA: Yes. Right.

Your task was not an easy one. However, your honesty and your integrity reflect the character we expect from soldiers in our military.

FOREMAN: Today, this son of a former POW was praised for his bravery on behalf of prisoners' rights, while his family said they have never been more proud.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FOREMAN: This is dangerous business for Tony Taguba. Many people here do not like his message. They don't like the messenger either. His family is very worried about his career, whether he will be forced into retirement.

I spoke to his older sister today. And he says to her: "Don't worry about me. I just did my job" -- Wolf.

BLITZER: I guess there are some people who like to blame the messenger.

Thanks very much, Tom Foreman, for that report.

Back in court in Colorado, this time, a key move in the Kobe Bryant sexual assault case.

And his TV show takes crimefighting to a new level. Now "America's Most Wanted" has a new tactic to catch dangerous fugitives. I'll speak with the host, John Walsh.

We'll get to all of that. First, though, a quick look at some other news making headlines around the world.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): Palestinian militant groups call for negotiations after a major Israeli operation in Gaza City. Six Israeli soldiers and seven Palestinians were killed. Israeli defense forces say they were targeting weapons-making workshops. Hours after the fighting, three militant groups, Hamas, the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade and Islamic Jihad, said they were holding body parts of Israeli soldiers for use in negotiation with Israel.

An explosion at a plastics factory in Scotland left two dozen people hurt and an unknown number of people trapped in the collapsed building. Police in Glasgow say as many as 16 people were unaccounted for after today's blast. A firefighter says an industrial accident could be to blame.

Pop star Madonna has found something she doesn't like about living in England, the tradition of allowing people access to privately owned land so they can go walking. The material girl and her husband, director Guy Ritchie, are appealing a decision that classifies about 100 acres of their estate as open country.

How do you keep a baby elephant happy during warm weather? If you're a group of zookeepers in Austria, you fill up a wading pool. Staff at a Vienna zoo didn't expect it to get hot so soon, so the elephants' regular outside pool had not been filled with water yet. But the 11-month old pachyderm doesn't seem to mind and is taking to the kiddie pool quite well.

And that's our look around the world.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Kobe Bryant pleaded not guilty to rape charges in Colorado today. The plea came after months of legal sparring. Now the judge can set a trial date for the NBA star accused of raping a 19-year-old woman.

Our national correspondent Gary Tuchman is joining us now live from Eagle, Colorado -- Gary.

GARY TUCHMAN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, hello.

Ten months and 11 days after Kobe Bryant allegedly raped a hotel concierge, in Edwards, Colorado, he finally issued a formal plea. The plea, as we expected, not guilty. It starts a countdown. Under Colorado law, he has to have a trial now within six months. The judge was expected to announce a trial date. Instead, he said we are still waiting for some test results. We have some motions and will say the trial date two weeks from now.

However, CNN learned that, last week, the judge and attorneys held a teleconference and they all agreed that August would be a good time to start the trial. Cameras were allowed in for the arraignment. It only lasted a few minutes.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It carries a possible penalty of four years, up to life in the department of corrections or 20 years up to life if probation is imposed pursuant to 181.3.104. It also carries a possible fine of $3,000 to $750,000, fine, jail or both.

Do you understand that charge?

KOBE BRYANT, DEFENDANT: Yes, sir.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How do you plead, not guilty or guilty.

BRYANT: Not guilty.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TUCHMAN: After the Laker guard issued his plea, he left the courthouse in an SUV going to the airport to fly back to Los Angeles, where his Lakers have an important playoff game against the San Antonio Spurs tonight.

The judge still two critical decisions to make. Will part of the accuser's sexual history be allowed in a trial? That decision is not expected to come before the end of June. Another decision, will a statement made by Kobe Bryant to police which was secretly recorded by police be allowed in the trial? That decision could come at any time -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Gary Tuchman covering this case for us -- thanks very much, Gary, for that.

A key ruling in the Scott Peterson murder trial, that story tops our "Justice Report." The judge denied a defense request to move the trial from a San Francisco suburb to Los Angeles. It was previously moved from Modesto, California, but his lawyer argued the case is still too close to Scott Peterson's hometown to find an impartial jury. Peterson is accused of killing his wife and unborn child.

And no charges in the sexual abuse scandal at the University of Colorado. The state attorney general cited concerns about evidence and alleged victims reluctant to go forward with the case. At least eight women have accused school football players and recruits of rape over the last seven years.

Still ahead, America sees a new version of the most wanted deck of cards.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WALSH: I knew that a child abductor, a serial child predator, never stops.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Up next, John Walsh hunts for the country's worst criminals.

And twisters rip through Colorado, the amazing pictures up close and personal in our picture of the day.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Earlier, we asked which of the following actors was considered for hosting duties on "America's Most Wanted"? The answer, Brian Dennehy. According to John Walsh's 1997 autobiography, Dennehy was one of several actors considered. However, the show debuted February 7, 1988, with Walsh as host.

In life, it is said imitation is the most sincere form of flattery. Remember the deck of playing cards with the top 50 or so wanted in Iraq. The gimmick worked so well for the U.S. military, it's now showing up in other places as well.

John Walsh, the host of "America's Most Wanted" has his own deck of cards right now, as I found out when we spoke just a short while ago.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: John Walsh, thanks very much for joining us.

You have got a new "America's Most Wanted" deck of cards. This is not an original idea.

WALSH: No, they worked very well in Iraq. If you remember, the 52 most wanted deck in Iraq produced a lot of results. And we have come up with a concept of putting some of our most dangerous fugitives on the cards and distributing them throughout the country. I know firsthand from cases of missing children that 70 percent of missing children are recovered because of pictures. So the cards are a good idea.

BLITZER: You are hoping people get these decks of cards. Let's talk about the king of spades, Donald Eugene Webb.

WALSH: Now, this guy actually killed a chief of police 20 years ago in 1980. And we've been looking for him. I think we have profiled him 12 times on "America's Most Wanted." And this family wants some justice.

BLITZER: He is still at large, presumably.

WALSH: Still at large.

BLITZER: All of these people in these decks of cards are still at large.

WALSH: Absolutely. They are still all fugitives.

BLITZER: The two of clubs, William Wallace Stabler Jr.

WALSH: Career criminal, wanted for trying to kill two police officers. And he also kidnapped an individual in an escape attempt, bad guy, still out there.

BLITZER: Dennis "Slick" Lilly.

WALSH: Dennis "Slick" Lilly actually escaped from prison twice. He was in prison for shooting a police officer, and he escaped. And while he was on the run, police went to his house. He shot at police officers for the second time, tried to kill them, went in prison and stole a guard's uniform. He's at large. So, he shot three cops and he's right at the top of the list.

BLITZER: These guys all look so sinister.

Dewey Daniels, the five of diamonds.

WALSH: Fascinating guy, was a former police officer, committed tons of robberies. He actually kidnap a smalltown chief of police. He was the only cop in town, the chief. He chained him to a tree, took the chief's car, and robbed a bank. So he has actually shot police officers and he's a former cop.

BLITZER: And this Barrera, Mitch Barrera.

WALSH: Miami bank robber, shot it out. And he's wanted by Miami police for attempted murder on a cop. So they are all attempted cop killers and one cop killer.

BLITZER: This guy, this was the ace of spades, James Joseph "Whitey" Bulger. The ace of spades, remember, Saddam Hussein was the ace of spades. Why does he deserve to be the ace of spades?

WALSH: If you know Whitey's history -- and he is the one guy I have profiled the most on "America's Most Wanted." His brother was the president of the Massachusetts Senate at one time and the president of a university in Massachusetts.

Whitey is wanted by the FBI. He's been on the FBI's top 10 for years. He's the guy that ran the Irish mob in Boston. Meanwhile, when he was on the FBI payroll, he did contract murders for the mafia. They want him. And the Irish mob that he ran, he killed -- he is a suspect in 41 homicides.

BLITZER: All right, let's talk about someone who is not on this 52 the deck of cards, the "America's Most Wanted" deck of cards, Armando Garcia. You're going to be profiling him as well.

WALSH: He's a cop killer. He's alleged to have killed a deputy sheriff last year. He didn't make the deck. And he is on the run now. He's a very violent fugitive and is alleged to have killed a deputy sheriff in Southern California.

BLITZER: There's a heart wrenching story that only you can really give justice to. This little 5-year-old girl, Brittany Fish, talk a little bit about that, because I know you have done some extraordinary work in this case.

Brittany Fish's case broke my heart when she went missing. She went missing last April. And everybody in Syracuse, New York, rallied to look for this little girl. A man who was going to an abandoned building to possibly purchase it as a real estate investment heard what he thought was a cat. He went through the building and pulled over a tarp. And he heard this whining. He pulled over a tarp and there was little Brittany Fish bound with duct tape around her head and her hands alive.

Now, horrible case, wonderful ending that she is back alive. But I knew that a child abductor, a serial child predator, never stops. I have known this since my son was murdered 22 years ago. I have studied and hunted these guys. So we sent our best forensic artist, Jeanne Boylan. She is world renowned. She was a crime victim herself. She is the one who put together the composite of the Unabomber. She is the one who put together the composite of Richard Allen Davis, who killed Polly Klaas, kidnapped her from that slumber party years ago.

And she went and talked to Brittany Fish. I sent her. I called up the Syracuse police and said, I was born in that area. I think you need help. They said absolutely. She spent seven hours with little Brittany, a 5-year-old girl. And this girl gave her this phenomenal composite. On Saturday night, millions of eyes are going to see this face. And I know somebody knows who this guy is, absolutely.

BLITZER: You'll be showcasing that.

If somebody wants to get a copy of these cards, what do they do?

WALSH: Visit our Web site, AMW.com. They can get the cards. They can pictures of fugitives. You know, Wolf, we have caught two FBI top-10 fugitives off of that Web site. And they can also look at this composite, because I still say it, why "America's Most Wanted" been so successful, 787 captures, is because people don't want to call the police. You can call "America's Most Wanted." You can remain anonymous.

This guy, somebody knows who he is. We need to catch him. We need to get justice for little Brittany Fish. We need to get him off the streets.

BLITZER: John Walsh, you are doing a good job. Thanks.

WALSH: Thanks for having me, Wolf.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: We'll have the results of our "Web Question of the Day." That's coming up next. Plus, a storm chaser hits the jackpot. More amazing pictures of this twister when we return.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Here's how you're weighing in our "Web Question of the Day." Take a look at the results, knowing is not a scientific poll.

Let's get to some of your e-mail. Doris writes this: "We have shown the so-called humiliating pictures of Iraqi prisoners. And now our reward is the beheading of an American. How many more Americans have to make the ultimate sacrifice? I wouldn't call suppressing stupid, frivolous pictures censorship. I would call it common sense to protect our soldiers."

Marshall writes this: "If the pictures had not been shown to the public, the president and his people would have let the torture continue. Some say the pictures damage our image, but how can anything hurt the image of a country more than its lies to make an unprovoked war and the torturing of its prisoners?"

A frightening force of nature is our picture of the day. This funnel -- look at this -- swept through Elbert County in Colorado last night, one of seven spotted in the area. A farmhouse and barn were destroyed, but the sheriff says no one, thank God, was injured.

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

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