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CNN Wolf Blitzer Reports
Hurricane Jeanne Heads for Florida, Residents Get Ready to Evacuate; Bush, Kerry Disagree Over Iraq War; Saddam's Trial in Turnabout; Great White Shark Shocks Community
Aired September 24, 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.
JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Happening now. A killer storm's updated track. Will it be Florida's fourth in one season?
Tonight coastal communities are on notice and residents are getting ready to get out. Stand by for hard news on WOLF BLITZER REPORTS.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MESERVE (voice-over): Racing for Jean, Florida boards up again.
GOV. JEB BUSH (R), FLORIDA: Sometimes it feels like this is a test of the resiliency for our state, other times I feel like I'm Bill Murray in "Groundhog's Day."
MESERVE: It's far from clear where the storm is headed but all too clear where it's been. The horror in Haiti.
Fighting over the war.
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The president's misjudgment, miscalculation, and mismanagement of the war in Iraq all make the war on terror harder to win.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: And so I went to the Congress and I said I see a threat, my administration sees a threat, and they looked at the same intelligence I did and came to the same conclusion. I know some of them are trying to rewrite history.
MESERVE: Saddam's trial in a turnabout. Officials say it won't be anytime soon. Why justice is being put on hold.
Big fish in a small pond? How about a great white shark?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm going to have to ask you guys to leave.
MESERVE: A shallow water shocker.
ANNOUNCER: This is WOLF BLITZER REPORTS for Friday, September 24, 2004.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MESERVE: I'm Jeanne Meserve in Washington. Wolf is off today. Thanks for joining us. There is another Jeanne, of course, the storm that's making its way across the Caribbean, leaving death and destruction in its wake, and it looks like Florida may soon get hit with its fourth hurricane of the season. Residents who have already been hammered by Charley, Frances, and Ivan are taking no chances. With a watch posted along much of Florida's eastern coast, people are battening down the hatches.
In parts of Haiti there's nothing left to protect. The death toll is well over 1,000 and likely to rise much higher. Survivors are homeless and starving.
What lies in Jeanne's path? CNN meteorologist Orelon Sidney is standing by at the CNN Weather Center in Atlanta. CNN's Karl Penhaul is in Haiti with a shocking look at what the storm has left behind. But we begin with our John Zarrella in West Palm Beach, where once again weather-weary Floridians are getting ready. John, they must be tired of this.
JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Jeanne, that's the understatement. People have really had it. They had had it before Ivan, and they have certainly had it now. And I think the headline in the "Palm Beach Post" this morning pretty much says it all. "Not Again."
We are here at an Exxon station in West Palm, which up until about two hours ago had a gas line that stretched down the block, but you can see now the pump is covered. There is no fuel here. The owner hopes that he'll have fuel back maybe this evening. And everywhere you look there are either gas lines that are stretching around the corners and around blocks or cars pulling in, even here, hoping to find gas. Lots of stations running out already.
Up the coast about 30 miles from here in Palm City, which is near Stewart, which took the eye of Hurricane Frances literally three weeks ago, debris still covers the streets and residential neighborhoods, and on the main drags up there, and it's not likely to get picked up before Jeanne makes a calling, and certainly if it goes inland there it could be trouble.
People there, one lady in particular, decided that what she was going to do rather than risk that debris becoming flying and airborne, was going ahead and burn some of her debris today. She says she just doesn't want to take any chances. There's enough other debris still on the streets there that could become hazardous in the case of Hurricane Jeanne making a landfall anywhere here.
And of course, that's still the wild card. Nobody knows where it's going to be. In Palm Beach County tomorrow morning shelters are going to be opened up. All up and down the east coast of Florida voluntary and mandatory evacuations are going into place starting tonight and tomorrow. And again, it is deja vu. It's as the governor said. It's "Groundhog Day." It feels like it.
And for the folks here in Florida it really is enough is enough. People telling us that, in fact, maybe, some of them say, Florida's not the paradise it used to be and maybe it's time to think about moving somewhere else. I'm going to show you real quick here, here in the building at Tigermart, they're already beginning to put up the shutters here. We've seen that, shutters and plywood going up all over southeast Florida today, all the way from Miami northward, simply because no one knows, Jeanne, where your namesake is going to be headed in the next 48 hours -- Jeanne.
ZARRELLA: John, if people want to leave are there places for them to go? Are there people still in shelters and still in hotels from the previous storms?
ZARRELLA: Exactly. That is another very difficult situation that's faced here. Many of the hotels are still filled with people who had to evacuate from Jeanne -- or evacuate from Frances, who had no place to go back to yet. They're filling up some of the hotels. The shelters are going to reopen but there's even a problem getting a lot of -- some of the shelters open. There may just not be enough shelter space, and even some shelters in places suffered some damage and may not be able to reopen to full capacity before this storm hits. So it's really just watching and waiting, though, and everybody again hoping that it misses and for some miraculous way heads out to sea -- Jeanne.
MESERVE: John Zarrella, thanks. And brace yourself.
Right now the storm is bearing down on the Bahamas. CNN meteorologist Orelon Sidney joins us with the latest forecast. Orelon, what can you tell us?
ORELON SIDNEY, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Well, the latest advisory just came in a few minutes ago from the National Hurricane Center. This is the satellite picture showing a pretty healthy system. Winds are holding at 105 miles an hour, but you can see that it is making a pretty good track now to the west at about 12 miles an hour.
These are the latest coordinates. 26.4 north, 73.5 west. 400 miles east of the southeastern Florida coast. Still a category 2 storm. And it looks like it will hold at two, perhaps maybe a strong three by the time it makes its way in. The hurricane watch from St. Augustine down to Florida City is now a hurricane warning. That means hurricane conditions are expected within 24 hours. Hurricane watch is now in effect from St. Augustine, Florida northward to -- I'm going to say this wrong. Altamaha Sound in Georgia. That area may see hurricane conditions within 36 hours.
So we're looking at a big area of the coast that could be affected. And what we see may be driving this system is two areas of anti-cyclonic flow in the upper atmosphere. This is thousands of feet up. We think that the northern cyclone is going to build a little to the west, and Jeanne then is going to follow that up and around probably making its way kind of scraping the coast as we go through the weekend.
So for now it looks like sometime on late Saturday, early Sunday morning it makes its way toward the coast, scrapes along, continues up toward Charleston, and then northward and out to sea we think somewhere around Cape Hatteras. Remember, though, large possibility on either side of that line. Don't pay attention to the line. Pay attention to the possibility -- Jeanne.
MESERVE: Orelon, thanks.
Jeanne hit Haiti last weekend as a tropical storm. The results are catastrophic. Haitian authorities confirm more than 1,100 dead with a similar number listed as missing. More than a quarter million people are homeless, and the relief operation is floundering. Let's go live to CNN's Karl Penhaul in Gonaives. Karl, it sounds pretty desperate.
KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon, Jeanne. In fact, Haitian authorities have now confirmed around 1,200 people confirmed dead. As you say, an equal number also still listed as missing. They're still trying to get to certain villages that have been hit by tropical storm more than a week ago, and they still face very difficult parts of the northwest of Haiti, still underwater, still affected by very heavy mud. But it's not so much the dead that are causing concern now. It's the fate of the living. And it's very difficult getting food aid and clean drinking water through to them. There's an immense lack of clean drinking water, and that could prompt the risk of epidemics now. But certainly at the food distribution centers some very terrible fights there as people try to fill their bellies -- Jeanne.
MESERVE: Karl Penhaul in Gonaives, Haiti. Thank you so much.
And further illustration of the destruction caused by Hurricane Jeanne, take a look at this satellite picture showing a portion of the island before the storm hit. And then we'll look at a second picture which shows it after the storm hit. There we go. When comparing them, you'll notice some extreme changes in the before and after picture, showing the flooding, especially in the peninsula on the upper left.
New information on where Jeanne is now headed. We're live from the National Hurricane Center ahead.
Plus, trial on hold. Why a senior U.S. official says Saddam Hussein will not face a judge anytime soon.
Also ahead...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KERRY: I would have made Osama bin Laden the priority.
BUSH: I strongly disagree with the assessment of my opponent.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MESERVE: Kerry versus Bush on Saddam Hussein versus Osama bin Laden. Opposing views on the war on terror.
And later...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's just the talk of the town, you know. This is like once in a lifetime thing for us.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MESERVE: Tourist attraction. A small town with a great white shark.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MESERVE: There are several critical developments surrounding the pending trial of Saddam Hussein, including word that it may not happen anytime soon. CNN's senior international correspondent Brent Sadler has details from the Iraqi capital.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BRENT SADLER, CNN SR. INTL. CORRESPONDENT: Building a case to convict the deposed Iraqi president is proving a complex and dangerous job, indefinitely delaying a trial that had been expected this year, according to a senior U.S. official.
Since Saddam Hussein's dramatic court appearance some three months ago, the Iraqi Special Tribunal, empowered to try him and 11 of his former top officials, has made slow progress.
Inquiries by a team of 21 investigative judges have been obstructed by poor security, often making it difficult if not impossible to reach key witnesses, gather information, and inspect mass grave sites, many of which were dug up by hysterical relatives in the immediate aftermath of the fall of the old regime, destroying some evidence.
No formal charges have as yet been brought against Saddam or any of his closest advisers. They include Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz, one of Saddam's best-known diplomats, as well as the infamous Chemical Ali, Ali Hassan al-Majid, Saddam's cousin, suspected of ordering gas attacks against the Iraqi Kurds back in the 1980s.
It is crucial for the prosecution to establish Saddam Hussein's command responsibility, linking him to alleged crimes. But the disappearance of documents, witnesses, and evidence is making that difficult to prove and time consuming.
Building a defense team is also fraught with difficulty. Some Iraqi lawyers, according to the U.S. official, have refused to represent leaders of the toppled regime. While a team of lawyer based in Jordan claims their efforts to defend Saddam are being hampered by the interim Iraqi government.
A new bomb- and bulletproof courthouse is under construction though, to accommodate the trial on an elusive date.
Brent Sadler, CNN, Baghdad.
(END VIDEOTAPE) MESERVE: Other headlines from Iraq: Fresh airstrikes on Fallujah. American warplanes bombed two areas on the outskirts of the city, where terror leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi is believed holed up. There are no reports of casualties. The aerial assault is the latest in an ongoing U.S. campaign to crush the insurgency in Fallujah.
Violence also in the capital. Police say insurgents fired a rocket that killed at least four Iraqis and wounded 14. A police station is believed to have been the target.
Also, the Egyptian foreign ministry is confirming that six Egyptians have been kidnapped in Iraq in the last 24 hours.
Meanwhile, the family of a kidnapped British man is desperately working to secure his release. Ken Bigley's family and the British Foreign Office distributed 50,000 leaflets in Baghdad pleading for help in finding him. Bigley's captors, who beheaded two American hostages this week, are demanding the release of Muslim women held in Iraqi prisons.
The war on terror takes center stage in the race for the White House. Kerry critiques Bush on Osama bin Laden. We'll hear the Bush camp's response.
The suspected mastermind of the Iraqi insurgency, just who is al- Zarqawi?
And a caped crusader caper. But there's more to this stunt than meets the eye.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MESERVE: On the campaign trail, they're battling over the war in Iraq and the war on terror. Democratic presidential candidate Senator John Kerry was in Philadelphia today, and that's where we find our national correspondent, Bob Franken.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: John Kerry will now spend the weekend in Boston before heading for Wisconsin. And most public events are not going to happen because he's going to be involved in intense debate preparations. Throughout this week he has been sharpening his message, particularly on matters having to do with Iraq and the war on terror.
In Pennsylvania he gave a detailed speech outlining what he would do differently from the Bush administration if he were the president. The first thing he said is that when the president committed to the war on Iraq he distracted from the war on terrorism.
KERRY: George Bush made Saddam Hussein the priority. I would have made Osama bin Laden the priority.
FRANKEN: Kerry outlined a seven-point plan, the list of things that he would do if he was president to improve the efforts in the war on terror. Most of them he said before. All of them would be improvements, he said, on the way they're being done by the Bush administration. Bob Franken, CNN, Philadelphia.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MESERVE: And here's your turn to weigh in on this story. Our web question of the day is who has a better plan for winning the war on terror, President George Bush or Senator John Kerry? You can vote at CNN.com/wolf right now. We'll have the results later in this broadcast. And we will also have a report on President Bush and what he's saying about Iraq and the war on terror today.
He is blamed for the beheadings in Iraq. We'll tell you about the man who has turned terror into a powerful weapon. Abu Musab al Zarqawi.
They were kidnapped in Baghdad, but what's happened to two Italian aid workers? A deepening mystery there.
And what has been lurking in the shallow waters on the Massachusetts coast? A great white shock.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MESERVE: Welcome back. Under sharp attack for his policies in Iraq and in the war on terror, President Bush has been battling back. He's speaking right now in Racine, Wisconsin, and that's where we find CNN's Elaine Quijano -- Elaine.
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Here in Wisconsin, as you said, President Bush stumping for votes. Wisconsin an important state for this president. He lost here in 2000 by just 5,700 votes. Now campaign officials say they're optimistic about his chances of carrying it this year. But here in Wisconsin President Bush hit back hard against Senator John Kerry's comments yesterday regarding the interim Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi. You'll remember that Senator Kerry said that both Prime Minister Allawi, he felt, as well as President Bush were painting an overly optimistic, too rosy of a picture on the situation on the ground in Iraq. Well, today here in Wisconsin at an earlier stop today in Jamesville, Wisconsin, President Bush shot back.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BUSH: And my opponent chose to criticize the prime minister of Iraq. This brave man came to our country to talk about how he's risking his life for a free Iraq which helps America. And Senator Kerry held a press conference and questioned Prime Minister Allawi's credibility.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
QUIJANO: Now, the Kerry camp insists that Senator Kerry was not criticizing the prime minister. They, though, maintain that President Bush has not been forthcoming with the facts and they say that they will continue to point out when they feel the president is not being forthcoming with the facts on Iraq.
Meantime, here in Wisconsin President Bush currently in a tight race here. This is a traditionally Democratic state, but again, the Bush campaign feels that they have made significant inroads. This area, however, Racine, Wisconsin, is one where voters very much have the issue of jobs on their minds. The national unemployment average is 5.4 percent, but here in Racine by some statistics they show them as high as 6.8 percent. So the Bush campaign understanding they still have some work to do, but they are optimistic about their chances here in Wisconsin -- Jeanne.
MESERVE: Elaine Quijano with the president. Thank you.
And more now on our top story, Hurricane Jeanne now threatening Florida in the southeast coast. National Hurricane Center director Max Mayfield is joining us from Coral Gables with the latest forecast. Floridians in particular want to know, when, where, and how bad?
MAX MAYFIELD, NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER: Well, right now, Jeanne is a category 2 hurricane. We really think that there's a chance for it to strengthen and could well become a category 3 hurricane before it gets to the Florida east coast. We have a hurricane warning up now that goes from Florida city down here in the southeastern tip up to St. Augustine up in northeastern Florida.
So the most likely track will be something like this. We know that we don't want to focus on that skinny line. That's why we have that cone of uncertainty. But people within that hurricane warning area on the coastline as well as inland need to be listening to the advice of their local officials very carefully.
MESERVE: This would be Florida's fourth hurricane this year. Has that happened before?
MAYFIELD: We've never had four hurricanes to strike Florida before. We've had three before. But at least that we know of never four. We had four strike Texas back in 1886, I think. We've had other busy years, like 1985, where six hurricanes strike nine states plus two tropical storms, but never four in one state in recent memory.
MESERVE: Now, we've seen Jeanne do a loop in the Atlantic and come back toward shore. We've seen Ivan swoop back down and create more problems down in the south. Is this the usual?
MAYFIELD: That's pretty unusual, to have -- these were all very long-lived storms. And in fact, Jeanne, this is the 45th advisory. So over 11 days we've been running advisories on Jeanne alone.
MESERVE: Now, with Jeanne, what do you think the biggest problem is going to be? Is it going to be the wind? Is it going to be the rain?
MAYFIELD: We're really going to have to deal with all of the hazards. Number one is that storm surge at least in the Bahamas that's a real concern there. But by the time you get to Florida, likely four to six feet near and to the north to the center part of the coast, we'll have the large battering waves that will do damage on top of that that will likely affect a good portion of the Florida east coast. The wind, we know what winds in a category 2 or 3 hurricane can do. And then the rainfall, likely five to ten inches along the path of the hurricane.
MESERVE: We hear a lot about climatic changes, and I'm just wondering. This, as you said, is very unusual, to see four hurricanes this year. What's causing it? And will it continue in the years ahead?
MAYFIELD: Well, it certainly is almost unheard of to, you know, have four to strike one state in a given year. You know, there are some resource meteorologists that have been saying that we're in an active monthly decayal period and that period will likely continue for another 10 to 30 years.
At least from my perspective I know we've had more tropical storms and more hurricanes since 1995 than any other nine consecutive year period on record. So it seems to me we are in this active period but that certainly doesn't mean that Florida is going to get four hurricanes every year. That would be unheard of.
MESERVE: But it does probably mean that you're going to be a busy guy.
MAYFIELD: Yes, ma'am.
MESERVE: OK. Max Mayfield, thanks a lot for joining us today.
And now a quick check of other stories now in the news.
An Iraqi judge has dismissed charges against one-time Pentagon insider Ahmad Chalabi. Chalabi, who heads a political party primarily composed of Iraqi exiles, had been accused of being involved in a complex counterfeiting scheme. The judge said the charges could be refiled if more evidence comes to light.
Iraq's interim prime minister told world leaders that those opposing his government are an extreme minority bent on destroying democracy in the country. Addressing the United Nations General Assembly, Iyad Allawi said he's committed to holding elections in January. He went on to say that debt, rather than security, is the country's biggest problem and called on the international community to assist.
Keeping you informed, CNN, the most trusted name in news.
And three U.S. Navy SEALs are facing charges for allegedly maltreating an Iraqi detainee who later died.
CNN's senior Pentagon correspondent Jamie McIntyre joins us now with details -- Jamie.
JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN SR. MILITARY AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: That's right. The three Navy SEALs are charged with maltreatment of a detainee in connection with an incident in which a detainee died shortly after being turned over to the U.S. Army in Mosul, Iraq, back in April of this year.
The charges against the three include aggravated assault with intent to cause death or serious bodily harm, maltreatment of detainees, dereliction of duty, and failure to report abuse to authorities and higher-ups. Four other Navy SEALs were previously charged with the death of another detainee at the Abu Ghraib prison back last year in 2003.
In addition, sources tell CNN that two soldiers from the 1st Cavalry Division are facing charges of premeditated murder in connection with the deaths of three Iraqis. According to sources, the investigation centers around an allegation that one soldier may have told others to shoot Iraqi citizens who were unarmed while they were on patrol in Sadr City. Again, these are charges that will proceed through the military justice system.
As of this time, Jeanne, the U.S. Army reports that they've had 222 cases of abuse and of those 54 have involved the deaths of detainees -- Jeanne.
MESERVE: Jamie McIntyre at the Pentagon, thanks.
He is arguably the most wanted man in Iraq and the single biggest obstacle to U.S. efforts to stabilize that country. So who exactly is Abu Musab al-Zarqawi?
CNN Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr shows us.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The U.S. believes Abu Musab al-Zarqawi beheaded the American hostage Eugene Armstrong. With a bounty on his head, Zarqawi now is squarely in the crosshairs of President Bush.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: My message to Mr. Zarqawi is, you cannot drive us out of Iraq by your brutality.
STARR: Almost daily airstrikes in the Sunni stronghold of Fallujah are now aimed at Zarqawi and his followers. Over the last 18 months, Zarqawi has led foreign fighters inside Iraq.
GEN. MARK KIMMITT, U.S. ARMY: Zarqawi, born in Jordan, is the most capable terrorist in Iraq today, and his network and contacts extend to Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
STARR: He is believed to have masterminded the beheading of American Nicholas Berg and attacks on the United Nations and Red Cross.
PETER BERGEN, CNN TERRORISM ANALYST: This guy is a full-time jihadist, no doubt about it.
STARR: Some analysts say Zarqawi's power to simply terrorize is now his most effective weapon.
KEN POLLACK, SABAN CENTER AT BROOKINGS INSTITUTION: Abu Musab Al Zarqawi was probably far more important to the insurgency early on after the fall of Baghdad. At that point in time, the insurgents were disorganized.
STARR: The U.S. believes Zarqawi appealed to Al Qaeda to help start a civil war in Iraq, but now Zarqawi and Osama bin Laden, perhaps more in competition than cooperation.
BERGEN: It's significant that Zarqawi set up his own camp in Herat in western Afghanistan, because it was hundreds of miles away from bin Laden's camps in southern and eastern Afghanistan.
STARR (on camera): The Pentagon says at least six key Zarqawi lieutenants have been killed in recent days, but no prediction on when he will be caught.
Barbara Starr, CNN, the Pentagon.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MESERVE: Italy is gripped by an unfolding hostage drama. Two Italian aid workers, both women, have been held in Iraq. But that's about all anyone knows for certain.
CNN Rome bureau chief Alessio Vinci is following developments.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ALESSIO VINCI, CNN ROME BUREAU CHIEF (voice-over): Italian officials are treating Internet claims that the two female aid workers have been executed with -- quote -- "total suspicion."
The first claim appeared on an Islamic Web site open to anyone to post entries, one that proved to be unreliable in the past. A second claim on a different Web page used occasionally by Iraqi terrorists before mentions a videotape which never materialized. Government officials are urging caution and try to reassure an anguished nation.
FRANCO FRATTINI, ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER: Everything in our possibility will be done, of course, in order to obtain soon release of these two hostages. So I cannot fold in details on that. It is a very delicate moment.
VINCI: Unlike other hostage situations in Iraq, since the two women were kidnapped on September the 7th, there has been no video to prove their captivity and no reliable demands or claims of responsibility. Intelligence experts warn the latest Internet claims could be an attempt by Islamic extremists not necessarily connected with the hostage takers to carry out terrorism through the media.
If they're seeking exposure, that's what they got in Italy. For days now, newscasts and newspaper headlines have been filled with reports ranging from anguish to hope. Regular programs are often interrupted to give latest developments, a rare practice here. Outside the home of one of the hostages, friends and bystanders gather spontaneously to express support. "We all hope that they're freed or that something nice happens," he says. "That would be the right thing to do. They don't deserve this."
Italian politicians, usually divided on Iraq, are displaying a rare show of unity in dealing with the crisis, a welcome support needed by Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who sent close to 3,000 troops to Iraq, against popular will. Yet, analysts say, in the long run, Berlusconi could suffer a setback.
(on camera): The hostage crisis has left the nation in a somber mood, waiting and hoping. Yet too many questions about the kidnappings remain unanswered, leaving the feeling of uncertainty that makes any wait longer and much more difficult to bear.
Alessio Vinci, CNN, Rome.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MESERVE: A Turkish journalist has unique insight into what those hostages may be going through. She was freed last week after being held in Iraq for four days.
CNN's Anderson Cooper had a conversation with her today. He joins us now from New York.
Anderson, that must have been a fascinating conversation.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, it's a gripping account of what it is actually like to be a hostage in Iraq.
You know, Jeanne, it is rare any hostage gets out alive. Zenap Terrell (ph) knows she is very lucky indeed. She was passed from one group of insurgents to another. She tried to communicate, tried to get across she's Muslim, female, obviously. What she found is that there is no way to rationalize with these people. And she found there was no way to escape.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They've got no logic.
There's no reasonable point that you can reach them. The only thing that you can reach them by their emotions, touching their Islamic sides. And you cannot talk to them in a reasonable way. There is no point on that. You know, first, I have to emphasize this.
I'm still against this occupation, but I would like to say something now which has changed in my mind. You know, when we see that the Americans sometimes, you know, bomb the civilian places and, you know, I was getting so much angry while watching the television. Now something has changed in my mind. I mean, any child, you know, if he is old enough to -- big enough to carry a gun, he is a part of resistance.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COOPER: Jeanne, everywhere she went while she was held in captivity, people were helping the terrorists who were holding her, giving them food, giving them water. She was guarded by little children, all of whom said they wanted to be martyrs. It's an unbelievable look.
She was even handed over to her kidnappers by Iraqi police. She had stopped in a taxi, asked for directions from Iraqi police officers. They handed her over to this group of hostage takers. It's an amazing account of what it's like being a hostage, Jeanne.
MESERVE: Anderson, thanks.
And, of course, you can see the full interview with the former hostage on "ANDERSON COOPER 360." That's tonight at 7:00 Eastern.
Courting the female voters across the country. Which candidate is ahead with women? Carlos Watson has "The Inside Edge" as we look ahead to the election. He joins me next.
Then later, what happens when one of the fearsome forces of the deep sea ends up swimming in just a few feet of water? We'll take a look.
And this:
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TIM FRISBY, SOUTH CAROLINA FOOTBALL PLAYER: Yes, I'm not out here just to stay in shape. You know, I give it 100 percent out there on the practice field, and you know, hopefully it pays off on the game field out here.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MESERVE: A college football freshman at 39 years old. That story coming up.
But, first, a quick look at some other stories making headlines around the world.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MESERVE (voice-over): Israeli security forces are on high alert for the Yom Kippur holiday. The police and military increased patrols and tightened border closures. This came as much of Israel shut down at sundown for the holiest day on the Jewish calendar.
Fertility breakthrough. A Belgian cancer survivor has given birth following an ovarian tissue transplant. It's the first time a baby has been born as a result of the procedure. The sample was removed from the mother and frozen before she underwent radiation and chemotherapy.
Caped crusaders. Two British men dressed as Batman and Robin scaled a bridge to demand better access to their children. The men say they're part of a group campaigning for more legal rights for divorced and separated fathers.
Break with tradition. Japan's Royal Palace took the unusual step of releasing home video of Crown Princess Masako and her 2-year-old daughter. Masako has been undergoing treatment for a stress-related disorder.
And that's our look around the world.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MESERVE: It's Friday, and that means it's time to check in with CNN political analyst Carlos Watson. He's joining us today from our New York bureau with "The Inside Edge."
Carlos, hey.
CARLOS WATSON, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Hey. Happy Friday.
MESERVE: Thank you. Very glad to see it, I'll tell you.
The polls, make some sense of them. It looks like President Bush is doing pretty well at this point. But, then again, some of the other polls show him a little closer. Make some sense of this for us.
WATSON: You know what's really funny, Jeanne, is that the polls have kind of flipped. It looks like better news for the president in some of these individual state polls, like Iowa, but maybe a little bit not so good news for him frankly in some of the national polls.
Two weeks ago, you saw the president with double-digit leads in a couple of the national polls, but now things seemed to have tighten. The post-Republican Convention bounce seems to have worn away. And in at least one new poll, "The Wall Street Journal" poll, it looks like the race is within the margin of error. So a close race, and this is fundamentally a good September, if you will, for John Kerry.
MESERVE: Is Nader having much of an impact?
WATSON: Not yet, although that's yet to be seen. He won't be in the debates, or at least so it seems. He is on a number of ballots. It looks like he won't get on the 43 ballots that he was on last time. But it looks like he could end up on north of 30 ballots, including some critical ones like Florida. So, ultimately, I do think he'll have an impact. How much of an impact, we're yet to see.
MESERVE: Women, key voters always, where are they right now?
WATSON: Well, remember that four years ago Al Gore won among women by 11 points and George Bush had the mirror, or the reverse, if you will, where he won among men by 11 points.
But given that there are more women voters, ultimately, Al Gore surged ahead in the popular vote, winning it by some half million votes. John Kerry for most of the year has led among women. Right after the Republican Convention, it seemed that a number of women, particularly given the interest in security issues, seemed to move towards the president for a brief time. But once again John Kerry seems to be opening up a lead among women, maybe as many as seven points in one of the recent polls, so still not double-digits, which he probably wants to see, but better than where he was just two weeks ago.
MESERVE: Are you seeing the candidates changing their strategies?
WATSON: You know, interestingly enough, you do see it, Jeanne, in a couple of different ways.
In the case of John Kerry, he certainly is much more aggressive. And as opposed to trying to drive home domestic issues, namely jobs and maybe health care, which you heard a lot of in July and some in August, and frankly he wasn't able to break through the swift boat ads, instead, you now hear him going with the flow and really focusing on Iraq. And that has obviously been easier, given that Prime Minister Allawi was here, given that President Bush spoke at the U.N.
And that seems to be maybe offering him some traction. The president, maybe one of the most interesting things he's doing is, there seems to be a loophole which might allow his campaign to spend more money in coordination with the Republican National Committee. They've got about $93 million on hand, and typically he'd only get to coordinate maybe $16 million in spending. But through a loophole, he may have found a way to spend more, so more ads for the president in big important states, and not just the natural battleground ones, Jeanne. But, interestingly enough, some new battleground states, maybe like New Jersey, we'll start to see some ads from the president.
MESERVE: Coming up this next week, the first of the debates. Just how pivotal -- pivotal -- I can talk -- pivotal a moment could that be for both John Kerry and the president?
WATSON: Obviously important for both. And I think the question is, do they get a bounce or do they get a boost?
Four years ago, President Bush, who was thought to be the winner, perceived to be the winner of each of the three debates, seemed to get a bounce, meaning he would go up a couple points, but then before the next debate, he'd go down a couple of points, which is in contrast to 1980, where Ronald Reagan seemed to get a sustained boost.
Granted, there was only one debate and it was shortly before the election. But there was fundamentally a 17-point swing. So very important for John Kerry in particular. If John Kerry is able to not only meet the president at his best, but even do better, more people will tune in to the second debate, and that will be his real opportunity, in Missouri, to shine.
MESERVE: Is Iraq going to be the issue from here on out? And how does each candidate have to handle that? WATSON: You know what, Jeanne? I bet it's going to keep changing. You know, we think Iraq now. We're focused on Iraq now, but God forbid that there is some kind of terrorist incident, whether it's here or somewhere else. Certainly, our attention could shift.
And it's worth noting that had, in just a couple of weeks, in fact the very same day of the second debate in Saint Louis, Missouri, is a day that the unemployment numbers for September come out. So, for all we know, we could be talking about a great number or we could be talking about some difficult times. So it's not clear to me that Iraq will remain the central issue in the final six weeks.
MESERVE: OK, Carlos Watson in New York, thanks a lot for your insight today.
WATSON: Good to see you. Have a good weekend.
MESERVE: Thanks. You, too.
A surprise guest becomes a major attraction in a small Northeastern town.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You just kind of take it in, the beauty of this wild animal that's unfortunately been trapped in this really enclosed area.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MESERVE: Close encounters with a great white shark -- next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MESERVE: Researchers have put a satellite tracking device on a great white shark stuck in shallow waters off Cape Cod, Massachusetts. They are hopeful that the shark, the first of its kind to be tagged in the Atlantic, will find its way back out to sea. But in the meantime, it's attracting a lot of attention.
Lauren Przybyl of CNN affiliate WHDH has more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LAUREN PRZYBYL, WHDH REPORTER (voice-over): We hopped on board with Captain Gray Eldridge (ph). And within minutes, there it was, a great white shark.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He's really big.
PRZYBYL: At times, it glided effortlessly through Lackeys Bay (ph). But then it would find itself almost stuck in a shallow area.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You just kind of take it in, the beauty of this wild animal that's unfortunately been trapped in this really enclosed area. PRZYBYL: The shark was first spotted in the bay three days ago.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, there he is.
PRZYBYL: Now it has lots of fans watching its every move.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I was ready to cut off my little toe and throw it in the water, I wanted to see the thing so bad.
PRZYBYL (on camera): The shark has been circling around and around in this area. And you can see some of the onlookers. The shark even went right underneath our boat at one point. I did see the movie "Jaws." I was just a little bit scared. He is about 2,000 pounds and 17 feet long.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm going to have to ask you guys to leave. We're trying to keep out all unnecessary boat traffic just for the safety of the shark.
PRZYBYL:(voice-over): Today, environmental police cleared out the bay as biologists worked to figure out how to get this king of the wide open ocean back to where he belongs.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's just the talk of the town, you know? This is like a once-in-a-lifetime thing for us. So it's definitely something special.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MESERVE: It sure is. And that was Lauren Przybyl of CNN affiliate WHDH.
Results of our Web question of the day are just ahead.
Plus, his teammates call him pops. Now this 39-year-old is getting the green light to play college football.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MESERVE: And here's how you're weighing in on our Web question of the day: Who has a better plan for winning the war on terror? Forty-seven percent of you say President George W. Bush; 53 percent of you say Senator John Kerry. We emphasize this is not a scientific poll.
When football coaches talk about veteran leadership, they're not usually referring to 39-year-olds who have seen combat duty in Iraq and Kosovo. But that is exactly the case with Tim Frisby, who will suit up for the South Carolina Gamecocks when they play Troy State tomorrow. And get this. He'll be listed in the program as a freshman. Frisby spent 20 years as an Army Ranger. The NCAA ruled this week that he is still eligible for collegiate athletics. The player, named "Pops" by his teammates, says he's serious about contributing.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) FRISBY: Yes, I'm not out here just to stay in shape. You know, I give it 100 percent out there on the practice field, and you know, hopefully it pays off on the game field out here.
LOU HOLTZ, USC FOOTBALL COACH: I mean, it's really incredible, the guy's desire. And never once has he asked for any leniency or cut corners or, I can't be here or I can't do that, never once.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MESERVE: And a reminder, you can always catch WOLF BLITZER REPORTS weekdays at this time, 5:00 Eastern. And tune into "LATE EDITION," the last word in Sunday talk. Among Wolf's guests, Secretary of State Colin Powell. That's Sunday, noon Eastern.
Thanks so much for joining us this Friday.
"LOU DOBBS TONIGHT" is going to start 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 September 24, 2004 - 17:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Happening now. A killer storm's updated track. Will it be Florida's fourth in one season?
Tonight coastal communities are on notice and residents are getting ready to get out. Stand by for hard news on WOLF BLITZER REPORTS.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MESERVE (voice-over): Racing for Jean, Florida boards up again.
GOV. JEB BUSH (R), FLORIDA: Sometimes it feels like this is a test of the resiliency for our state, other times I feel like I'm Bill Murray in "Groundhog's Day."
MESERVE: It's far from clear where the storm is headed but all too clear where it's been. The horror in Haiti.
Fighting over the war.
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The president's misjudgment, miscalculation, and mismanagement of the war in Iraq all make the war on terror harder to win.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: And so I went to the Congress and I said I see a threat, my administration sees a threat, and they looked at the same intelligence I did and came to the same conclusion. I know some of them are trying to rewrite history.
MESERVE: Saddam's trial in a turnabout. Officials say it won't be anytime soon. Why justice is being put on hold.
Big fish in a small pond? How about a great white shark?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm going to have to ask you guys to leave.
MESERVE: A shallow water shocker.
ANNOUNCER: This is WOLF BLITZER REPORTS for Friday, September 24, 2004.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MESERVE: I'm Jeanne Meserve in Washington. Wolf is off today. Thanks for joining us. There is another Jeanne, of course, the storm that's making its way across the Caribbean, leaving death and destruction in its wake, and it looks like Florida may soon get hit with its fourth hurricane of the season. Residents who have already been hammered by Charley, Frances, and Ivan are taking no chances. With a watch posted along much of Florida's eastern coast, people are battening down the hatches.
In parts of Haiti there's nothing left to protect. The death toll is well over 1,000 and likely to rise much higher. Survivors are homeless and starving.
What lies in Jeanne's path? CNN meteorologist Orelon Sidney is standing by at the CNN Weather Center in Atlanta. CNN's Karl Penhaul is in Haiti with a shocking look at what the storm has left behind. But we begin with our John Zarrella in West Palm Beach, where once again weather-weary Floridians are getting ready. John, they must be tired of this.
JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Jeanne, that's the understatement. People have really had it. They had had it before Ivan, and they have certainly had it now. And I think the headline in the "Palm Beach Post" this morning pretty much says it all. "Not Again."
We are here at an Exxon station in West Palm, which up until about two hours ago had a gas line that stretched down the block, but you can see now the pump is covered. There is no fuel here. The owner hopes that he'll have fuel back maybe this evening. And everywhere you look there are either gas lines that are stretching around the corners and around blocks or cars pulling in, even here, hoping to find gas. Lots of stations running out already.
Up the coast about 30 miles from here in Palm City, which is near Stewart, which took the eye of Hurricane Frances literally three weeks ago, debris still covers the streets and residential neighborhoods, and on the main drags up there, and it's not likely to get picked up before Jeanne makes a calling, and certainly if it goes inland there it could be trouble.
People there, one lady in particular, decided that what she was going to do rather than risk that debris becoming flying and airborne, was going ahead and burn some of her debris today. She says she just doesn't want to take any chances. There's enough other debris still on the streets there that could become hazardous in the case of Hurricane Jeanne making a landfall anywhere here.
And of course, that's still the wild card. Nobody knows where it's going to be. In Palm Beach County tomorrow morning shelters are going to be opened up. All up and down the east coast of Florida voluntary and mandatory evacuations are going into place starting tonight and tomorrow. And again, it is deja vu. It's as the governor said. It's "Groundhog Day." It feels like it.
And for the folks here in Florida it really is enough is enough. People telling us that, in fact, maybe, some of them say, Florida's not the paradise it used to be and maybe it's time to think about moving somewhere else. I'm going to show you real quick here, here in the building at Tigermart, they're already beginning to put up the shutters here. We've seen that, shutters and plywood going up all over southeast Florida today, all the way from Miami northward, simply because no one knows, Jeanne, where your namesake is going to be headed in the next 48 hours -- Jeanne.
ZARRELLA: John, if people want to leave are there places for them to go? Are there people still in shelters and still in hotels from the previous storms?
ZARRELLA: Exactly. That is another very difficult situation that's faced here. Many of the hotels are still filled with people who had to evacuate from Jeanne -- or evacuate from Frances, who had no place to go back to yet. They're filling up some of the hotels. The shelters are going to reopen but there's even a problem getting a lot of -- some of the shelters open. There may just not be enough shelter space, and even some shelters in places suffered some damage and may not be able to reopen to full capacity before this storm hits. So it's really just watching and waiting, though, and everybody again hoping that it misses and for some miraculous way heads out to sea -- Jeanne.
MESERVE: John Zarrella, thanks. And brace yourself.
Right now the storm is bearing down on the Bahamas. CNN meteorologist Orelon Sidney joins us with the latest forecast. Orelon, what can you tell us?
ORELON SIDNEY, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Well, the latest advisory just came in a few minutes ago from the National Hurricane Center. This is the satellite picture showing a pretty healthy system. Winds are holding at 105 miles an hour, but you can see that it is making a pretty good track now to the west at about 12 miles an hour.
These are the latest coordinates. 26.4 north, 73.5 west. 400 miles east of the southeastern Florida coast. Still a category 2 storm. And it looks like it will hold at two, perhaps maybe a strong three by the time it makes its way in. The hurricane watch from St. Augustine down to Florida City is now a hurricane warning. That means hurricane conditions are expected within 24 hours. Hurricane watch is now in effect from St. Augustine, Florida northward to -- I'm going to say this wrong. Altamaha Sound in Georgia. That area may see hurricane conditions within 36 hours.
So we're looking at a big area of the coast that could be affected. And what we see may be driving this system is two areas of anti-cyclonic flow in the upper atmosphere. This is thousands of feet up. We think that the northern cyclone is going to build a little to the west, and Jeanne then is going to follow that up and around probably making its way kind of scraping the coast as we go through the weekend.
So for now it looks like sometime on late Saturday, early Sunday morning it makes its way toward the coast, scrapes along, continues up toward Charleston, and then northward and out to sea we think somewhere around Cape Hatteras. Remember, though, large possibility on either side of that line. Don't pay attention to the line. Pay attention to the possibility -- Jeanne.
MESERVE: Orelon, thanks.
Jeanne hit Haiti last weekend as a tropical storm. The results are catastrophic. Haitian authorities confirm more than 1,100 dead with a similar number listed as missing. More than a quarter million people are homeless, and the relief operation is floundering. Let's go live to CNN's Karl Penhaul in Gonaives. Karl, it sounds pretty desperate.
KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon, Jeanne. In fact, Haitian authorities have now confirmed around 1,200 people confirmed dead. As you say, an equal number also still listed as missing. They're still trying to get to certain villages that have been hit by tropical storm more than a week ago, and they still face very difficult parts of the northwest of Haiti, still underwater, still affected by very heavy mud. But it's not so much the dead that are causing concern now. It's the fate of the living. And it's very difficult getting food aid and clean drinking water through to them. There's an immense lack of clean drinking water, and that could prompt the risk of epidemics now. But certainly at the food distribution centers some very terrible fights there as people try to fill their bellies -- Jeanne.
MESERVE: Karl Penhaul in Gonaives, Haiti. Thank you so much.
And further illustration of the destruction caused by Hurricane Jeanne, take a look at this satellite picture showing a portion of the island before the storm hit. And then we'll look at a second picture which shows it after the storm hit. There we go. When comparing them, you'll notice some extreme changes in the before and after picture, showing the flooding, especially in the peninsula on the upper left.
New information on where Jeanne is now headed. We're live from the National Hurricane Center ahead.
Plus, trial on hold. Why a senior U.S. official says Saddam Hussein will not face a judge anytime soon.
Also ahead...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KERRY: I would have made Osama bin Laden the priority.
BUSH: I strongly disagree with the assessment of my opponent.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MESERVE: Kerry versus Bush on Saddam Hussein versus Osama bin Laden. Opposing views on the war on terror.
And later...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's just the talk of the town, you know. This is like once in a lifetime thing for us.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MESERVE: Tourist attraction. A small town with a great white shark.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MESERVE: There are several critical developments surrounding the pending trial of Saddam Hussein, including word that it may not happen anytime soon. CNN's senior international correspondent Brent Sadler has details from the Iraqi capital.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BRENT SADLER, CNN SR. INTL. CORRESPONDENT: Building a case to convict the deposed Iraqi president is proving a complex and dangerous job, indefinitely delaying a trial that had been expected this year, according to a senior U.S. official.
Since Saddam Hussein's dramatic court appearance some three months ago, the Iraqi Special Tribunal, empowered to try him and 11 of his former top officials, has made slow progress.
Inquiries by a team of 21 investigative judges have been obstructed by poor security, often making it difficult if not impossible to reach key witnesses, gather information, and inspect mass grave sites, many of which were dug up by hysterical relatives in the immediate aftermath of the fall of the old regime, destroying some evidence.
No formal charges have as yet been brought against Saddam or any of his closest advisers. They include Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz, one of Saddam's best-known diplomats, as well as the infamous Chemical Ali, Ali Hassan al-Majid, Saddam's cousin, suspected of ordering gas attacks against the Iraqi Kurds back in the 1980s.
It is crucial for the prosecution to establish Saddam Hussein's command responsibility, linking him to alleged crimes. But the disappearance of documents, witnesses, and evidence is making that difficult to prove and time consuming.
Building a defense team is also fraught with difficulty. Some Iraqi lawyers, according to the U.S. official, have refused to represent leaders of the toppled regime. While a team of lawyer based in Jordan claims their efforts to defend Saddam are being hampered by the interim Iraqi government.
A new bomb- and bulletproof courthouse is under construction though, to accommodate the trial on an elusive date.
Brent Sadler, CNN, Baghdad.
(END VIDEOTAPE) MESERVE: Other headlines from Iraq: Fresh airstrikes on Fallujah. American warplanes bombed two areas on the outskirts of the city, where terror leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi is believed holed up. There are no reports of casualties. The aerial assault is the latest in an ongoing U.S. campaign to crush the insurgency in Fallujah.
Violence also in the capital. Police say insurgents fired a rocket that killed at least four Iraqis and wounded 14. A police station is believed to have been the target.
Also, the Egyptian foreign ministry is confirming that six Egyptians have been kidnapped in Iraq in the last 24 hours.
Meanwhile, the family of a kidnapped British man is desperately working to secure his release. Ken Bigley's family and the British Foreign Office distributed 50,000 leaflets in Baghdad pleading for help in finding him. Bigley's captors, who beheaded two American hostages this week, are demanding the release of Muslim women held in Iraqi prisons.
The war on terror takes center stage in the race for the White House. Kerry critiques Bush on Osama bin Laden. We'll hear the Bush camp's response.
The suspected mastermind of the Iraqi insurgency, just who is al- Zarqawi?
And a caped crusader caper. But there's more to this stunt than meets the eye.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MESERVE: On the campaign trail, they're battling over the war in Iraq and the war on terror. Democratic presidential candidate Senator John Kerry was in Philadelphia today, and that's where we find our national correspondent, Bob Franken.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: John Kerry will now spend the weekend in Boston before heading for Wisconsin. And most public events are not going to happen because he's going to be involved in intense debate preparations. Throughout this week he has been sharpening his message, particularly on matters having to do with Iraq and the war on terror.
In Pennsylvania he gave a detailed speech outlining what he would do differently from the Bush administration if he were the president. The first thing he said is that when the president committed to the war on Iraq he distracted from the war on terrorism.
KERRY: George Bush made Saddam Hussein the priority. I would have made Osama bin Laden the priority.
FRANKEN: Kerry outlined a seven-point plan, the list of things that he would do if he was president to improve the efforts in the war on terror. Most of them he said before. All of them would be improvements, he said, on the way they're being done by the Bush administration. Bob Franken, CNN, Philadelphia.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MESERVE: And here's your turn to weigh in on this story. Our web question of the day is who has a better plan for winning the war on terror, President George Bush or Senator John Kerry? You can vote at CNN.com/wolf right now. We'll have the results later in this broadcast. And we will also have a report on President Bush and what he's saying about Iraq and the war on terror today.
He is blamed for the beheadings in Iraq. We'll tell you about the man who has turned terror into a powerful weapon. Abu Musab al Zarqawi.
They were kidnapped in Baghdad, but what's happened to two Italian aid workers? A deepening mystery there.
And what has been lurking in the shallow waters on the Massachusetts coast? A great white shock.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MESERVE: Welcome back. Under sharp attack for his policies in Iraq and in the war on terror, President Bush has been battling back. He's speaking right now in Racine, Wisconsin, and that's where we find CNN's Elaine Quijano -- Elaine.
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Here in Wisconsin, as you said, President Bush stumping for votes. Wisconsin an important state for this president. He lost here in 2000 by just 5,700 votes. Now campaign officials say they're optimistic about his chances of carrying it this year. But here in Wisconsin President Bush hit back hard against Senator John Kerry's comments yesterday regarding the interim Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi. You'll remember that Senator Kerry said that both Prime Minister Allawi, he felt, as well as President Bush were painting an overly optimistic, too rosy of a picture on the situation on the ground in Iraq. Well, today here in Wisconsin at an earlier stop today in Jamesville, Wisconsin, President Bush shot back.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BUSH: And my opponent chose to criticize the prime minister of Iraq. This brave man came to our country to talk about how he's risking his life for a free Iraq which helps America. And Senator Kerry held a press conference and questioned Prime Minister Allawi's credibility.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
QUIJANO: Now, the Kerry camp insists that Senator Kerry was not criticizing the prime minister. They, though, maintain that President Bush has not been forthcoming with the facts and they say that they will continue to point out when they feel the president is not being forthcoming with the facts on Iraq.
Meantime, here in Wisconsin President Bush currently in a tight race here. This is a traditionally Democratic state, but again, the Bush campaign feels that they have made significant inroads. This area, however, Racine, Wisconsin, is one where voters very much have the issue of jobs on their minds. The national unemployment average is 5.4 percent, but here in Racine by some statistics they show them as high as 6.8 percent. So the Bush campaign understanding they still have some work to do, but they are optimistic about their chances here in Wisconsin -- Jeanne.
MESERVE: Elaine Quijano with the president. Thank you.
And more now on our top story, Hurricane Jeanne now threatening Florida in the southeast coast. National Hurricane Center director Max Mayfield is joining us from Coral Gables with the latest forecast. Floridians in particular want to know, when, where, and how bad?
MAX MAYFIELD, NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER: Well, right now, Jeanne is a category 2 hurricane. We really think that there's a chance for it to strengthen and could well become a category 3 hurricane before it gets to the Florida east coast. We have a hurricane warning up now that goes from Florida city down here in the southeastern tip up to St. Augustine up in northeastern Florida.
So the most likely track will be something like this. We know that we don't want to focus on that skinny line. That's why we have that cone of uncertainty. But people within that hurricane warning area on the coastline as well as inland need to be listening to the advice of their local officials very carefully.
MESERVE: This would be Florida's fourth hurricane this year. Has that happened before?
MAYFIELD: We've never had four hurricanes to strike Florida before. We've had three before. But at least that we know of never four. We had four strike Texas back in 1886, I think. We've had other busy years, like 1985, where six hurricanes strike nine states plus two tropical storms, but never four in one state in recent memory.
MESERVE: Now, we've seen Jeanne do a loop in the Atlantic and come back toward shore. We've seen Ivan swoop back down and create more problems down in the south. Is this the usual?
MAYFIELD: That's pretty unusual, to have -- these were all very long-lived storms. And in fact, Jeanne, this is the 45th advisory. So over 11 days we've been running advisories on Jeanne alone.
MESERVE: Now, with Jeanne, what do you think the biggest problem is going to be? Is it going to be the wind? Is it going to be the rain?
MAYFIELD: We're really going to have to deal with all of the hazards. Number one is that storm surge at least in the Bahamas that's a real concern there. But by the time you get to Florida, likely four to six feet near and to the north to the center part of the coast, we'll have the large battering waves that will do damage on top of that that will likely affect a good portion of the Florida east coast. The wind, we know what winds in a category 2 or 3 hurricane can do. And then the rainfall, likely five to ten inches along the path of the hurricane.
MESERVE: We hear a lot about climatic changes, and I'm just wondering. This, as you said, is very unusual, to see four hurricanes this year. What's causing it? And will it continue in the years ahead?
MAYFIELD: Well, it certainly is almost unheard of to, you know, have four to strike one state in a given year. You know, there are some resource meteorologists that have been saying that we're in an active monthly decayal period and that period will likely continue for another 10 to 30 years.
At least from my perspective I know we've had more tropical storms and more hurricanes since 1995 than any other nine consecutive year period on record. So it seems to me we are in this active period but that certainly doesn't mean that Florida is going to get four hurricanes every year. That would be unheard of.
MESERVE: But it does probably mean that you're going to be a busy guy.
MAYFIELD: Yes, ma'am.
MESERVE: OK. Max Mayfield, thanks a lot for joining us today.
And now a quick check of other stories now in the news.
An Iraqi judge has dismissed charges against one-time Pentagon insider Ahmad Chalabi. Chalabi, who heads a political party primarily composed of Iraqi exiles, had been accused of being involved in a complex counterfeiting scheme. The judge said the charges could be refiled if more evidence comes to light.
Iraq's interim prime minister told world leaders that those opposing his government are an extreme minority bent on destroying democracy in the country. Addressing the United Nations General Assembly, Iyad Allawi said he's committed to holding elections in January. He went on to say that debt, rather than security, is the country's biggest problem and called on the international community to assist.
Keeping you informed, CNN, the most trusted name in news.
And three U.S. Navy SEALs are facing charges for allegedly maltreating an Iraqi detainee who later died.
CNN's senior Pentagon correspondent Jamie McIntyre joins us now with details -- Jamie.
JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN SR. MILITARY AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: That's right. The three Navy SEALs are charged with maltreatment of a detainee in connection with an incident in which a detainee died shortly after being turned over to the U.S. Army in Mosul, Iraq, back in April of this year.
The charges against the three include aggravated assault with intent to cause death or serious bodily harm, maltreatment of detainees, dereliction of duty, and failure to report abuse to authorities and higher-ups. Four other Navy SEALs were previously charged with the death of another detainee at the Abu Ghraib prison back last year in 2003.
In addition, sources tell CNN that two soldiers from the 1st Cavalry Division are facing charges of premeditated murder in connection with the deaths of three Iraqis. According to sources, the investigation centers around an allegation that one soldier may have told others to shoot Iraqi citizens who were unarmed while they were on patrol in Sadr City. Again, these are charges that will proceed through the military justice system.
As of this time, Jeanne, the U.S. Army reports that they've had 222 cases of abuse and of those 54 have involved the deaths of detainees -- Jeanne.
MESERVE: Jamie McIntyre at the Pentagon, thanks.
He is arguably the most wanted man in Iraq and the single biggest obstacle to U.S. efforts to stabilize that country. So who exactly is Abu Musab al-Zarqawi?
CNN Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr shows us.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The U.S. believes Abu Musab al-Zarqawi beheaded the American hostage Eugene Armstrong. With a bounty on his head, Zarqawi now is squarely in the crosshairs of President Bush.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: My message to Mr. Zarqawi is, you cannot drive us out of Iraq by your brutality.
STARR: Almost daily airstrikes in the Sunni stronghold of Fallujah are now aimed at Zarqawi and his followers. Over the last 18 months, Zarqawi has led foreign fighters inside Iraq.
GEN. MARK KIMMITT, U.S. ARMY: Zarqawi, born in Jordan, is the most capable terrorist in Iraq today, and his network and contacts extend to Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
STARR: He is believed to have masterminded the beheading of American Nicholas Berg and attacks on the United Nations and Red Cross.
PETER BERGEN, CNN TERRORISM ANALYST: This guy is a full-time jihadist, no doubt about it.
STARR: Some analysts say Zarqawi's power to simply terrorize is now his most effective weapon.
KEN POLLACK, SABAN CENTER AT BROOKINGS INSTITUTION: Abu Musab Al Zarqawi was probably far more important to the insurgency early on after the fall of Baghdad. At that point in time, the insurgents were disorganized.
STARR: The U.S. believes Zarqawi appealed to Al Qaeda to help start a civil war in Iraq, but now Zarqawi and Osama bin Laden, perhaps more in competition than cooperation.
BERGEN: It's significant that Zarqawi set up his own camp in Herat in western Afghanistan, because it was hundreds of miles away from bin Laden's camps in southern and eastern Afghanistan.
STARR (on camera): The Pentagon says at least six key Zarqawi lieutenants have been killed in recent days, but no prediction on when he will be caught.
Barbara Starr, CNN, the Pentagon.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MESERVE: Italy is gripped by an unfolding hostage drama. Two Italian aid workers, both women, have been held in Iraq. But that's about all anyone knows for certain.
CNN Rome bureau chief Alessio Vinci is following developments.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ALESSIO VINCI, CNN ROME BUREAU CHIEF (voice-over): Italian officials are treating Internet claims that the two female aid workers have been executed with -- quote -- "total suspicion."
The first claim appeared on an Islamic Web site open to anyone to post entries, one that proved to be unreliable in the past. A second claim on a different Web page used occasionally by Iraqi terrorists before mentions a videotape which never materialized. Government officials are urging caution and try to reassure an anguished nation.
FRANCO FRATTINI, ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER: Everything in our possibility will be done, of course, in order to obtain soon release of these two hostages. So I cannot fold in details on that. It is a very delicate moment.
VINCI: Unlike other hostage situations in Iraq, since the two women were kidnapped on September the 7th, there has been no video to prove their captivity and no reliable demands or claims of responsibility. Intelligence experts warn the latest Internet claims could be an attempt by Islamic extremists not necessarily connected with the hostage takers to carry out terrorism through the media.
If they're seeking exposure, that's what they got in Italy. For days now, newscasts and newspaper headlines have been filled with reports ranging from anguish to hope. Regular programs are often interrupted to give latest developments, a rare practice here. Outside the home of one of the hostages, friends and bystanders gather spontaneously to express support. "We all hope that they're freed or that something nice happens," he says. "That would be the right thing to do. They don't deserve this."
Italian politicians, usually divided on Iraq, are displaying a rare show of unity in dealing with the crisis, a welcome support needed by Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who sent close to 3,000 troops to Iraq, against popular will. Yet, analysts say, in the long run, Berlusconi could suffer a setback.
(on camera): The hostage crisis has left the nation in a somber mood, waiting and hoping. Yet too many questions about the kidnappings remain unanswered, leaving the feeling of uncertainty that makes any wait longer and much more difficult to bear.
Alessio Vinci, CNN, Rome.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MESERVE: A Turkish journalist has unique insight into what those hostages may be going through. She was freed last week after being held in Iraq for four days.
CNN's Anderson Cooper had a conversation with her today. He joins us now from New York.
Anderson, that must have been a fascinating conversation.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, it's a gripping account of what it is actually like to be a hostage in Iraq.
You know, Jeanne, it is rare any hostage gets out alive. Zenap Terrell (ph) knows she is very lucky indeed. She was passed from one group of insurgents to another. She tried to communicate, tried to get across she's Muslim, female, obviously. What she found is that there is no way to rationalize with these people. And she found there was no way to escape.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They've got no logic.
There's no reasonable point that you can reach them. The only thing that you can reach them by their emotions, touching their Islamic sides. And you cannot talk to them in a reasonable way. There is no point on that. You know, first, I have to emphasize this.
I'm still against this occupation, but I would like to say something now which has changed in my mind. You know, when we see that the Americans sometimes, you know, bomb the civilian places and, you know, I was getting so much angry while watching the television. Now something has changed in my mind. I mean, any child, you know, if he is old enough to -- big enough to carry a gun, he is a part of resistance.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COOPER: Jeanne, everywhere she went while she was held in captivity, people were helping the terrorists who were holding her, giving them food, giving them water. She was guarded by little children, all of whom said they wanted to be martyrs. It's an unbelievable look.
She was even handed over to her kidnappers by Iraqi police. She had stopped in a taxi, asked for directions from Iraqi police officers. They handed her over to this group of hostage takers. It's an amazing account of what it's like being a hostage, Jeanne.
MESERVE: Anderson, thanks.
And, of course, you can see the full interview with the former hostage on "ANDERSON COOPER 360." That's tonight at 7:00 Eastern.
Courting the female voters across the country. Which candidate is ahead with women? Carlos Watson has "The Inside Edge" as we look ahead to the election. He joins me next.
Then later, what happens when one of the fearsome forces of the deep sea ends up swimming in just a few feet of water? We'll take a look.
And this:
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TIM FRISBY, SOUTH CAROLINA FOOTBALL PLAYER: Yes, I'm not out here just to stay in shape. You know, I give it 100 percent out there on the practice field, and you know, hopefully it pays off on the game field out here.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MESERVE: A college football freshman at 39 years old. That story coming up.
But, first, a quick look at some other stories making headlines around the world.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MESERVE (voice-over): Israeli security forces are on high alert for the Yom Kippur holiday. The police and military increased patrols and tightened border closures. This came as much of Israel shut down at sundown for the holiest day on the Jewish calendar.
Fertility breakthrough. A Belgian cancer survivor has given birth following an ovarian tissue transplant. It's the first time a baby has been born as a result of the procedure. The sample was removed from the mother and frozen before she underwent radiation and chemotherapy.
Caped crusaders. Two British men dressed as Batman and Robin scaled a bridge to demand better access to their children. The men say they're part of a group campaigning for more legal rights for divorced and separated fathers.
Break with tradition. Japan's Royal Palace took the unusual step of releasing home video of Crown Princess Masako and her 2-year-old daughter. Masako has been undergoing treatment for a stress-related disorder.
And that's our look around the world.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MESERVE: It's Friday, and that means it's time to check in with CNN political analyst Carlos Watson. He's joining us today from our New York bureau with "The Inside Edge."
Carlos, hey.
CARLOS WATSON, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Hey. Happy Friday.
MESERVE: Thank you. Very glad to see it, I'll tell you.
The polls, make some sense of them. It looks like President Bush is doing pretty well at this point. But, then again, some of the other polls show him a little closer. Make some sense of this for us.
WATSON: You know what's really funny, Jeanne, is that the polls have kind of flipped. It looks like better news for the president in some of these individual state polls, like Iowa, but maybe a little bit not so good news for him frankly in some of the national polls.
Two weeks ago, you saw the president with double-digit leads in a couple of the national polls, but now things seemed to have tighten. The post-Republican Convention bounce seems to have worn away. And in at least one new poll, "The Wall Street Journal" poll, it looks like the race is within the margin of error. So a close race, and this is fundamentally a good September, if you will, for John Kerry.
MESERVE: Is Nader having much of an impact?
WATSON: Not yet, although that's yet to be seen. He won't be in the debates, or at least so it seems. He is on a number of ballots. It looks like he won't get on the 43 ballots that he was on last time. But it looks like he could end up on north of 30 ballots, including some critical ones like Florida. So, ultimately, I do think he'll have an impact. How much of an impact, we're yet to see.
MESERVE: Women, key voters always, where are they right now?
WATSON: Well, remember that four years ago Al Gore won among women by 11 points and George Bush had the mirror, or the reverse, if you will, where he won among men by 11 points.
But given that there are more women voters, ultimately, Al Gore surged ahead in the popular vote, winning it by some half million votes. John Kerry for most of the year has led among women. Right after the Republican Convention, it seemed that a number of women, particularly given the interest in security issues, seemed to move towards the president for a brief time. But once again John Kerry seems to be opening up a lead among women, maybe as many as seven points in one of the recent polls, so still not double-digits, which he probably wants to see, but better than where he was just two weeks ago.
MESERVE: Are you seeing the candidates changing their strategies?
WATSON: You know, interestingly enough, you do see it, Jeanne, in a couple of different ways.
In the case of John Kerry, he certainly is much more aggressive. And as opposed to trying to drive home domestic issues, namely jobs and maybe health care, which you heard a lot of in July and some in August, and frankly he wasn't able to break through the swift boat ads, instead, you now hear him going with the flow and really focusing on Iraq. And that has obviously been easier, given that Prime Minister Allawi was here, given that President Bush spoke at the U.N.
And that seems to be maybe offering him some traction. The president, maybe one of the most interesting things he's doing is, there seems to be a loophole which might allow his campaign to spend more money in coordination with the Republican National Committee. They've got about $93 million on hand, and typically he'd only get to coordinate maybe $16 million in spending. But through a loophole, he may have found a way to spend more, so more ads for the president in big important states, and not just the natural battleground ones, Jeanne. But, interestingly enough, some new battleground states, maybe like New Jersey, we'll start to see some ads from the president.
MESERVE: Coming up this next week, the first of the debates. Just how pivotal -- pivotal -- I can talk -- pivotal a moment could that be for both John Kerry and the president?
WATSON: Obviously important for both. And I think the question is, do they get a bounce or do they get a boost?
Four years ago, President Bush, who was thought to be the winner, perceived to be the winner of each of the three debates, seemed to get a bounce, meaning he would go up a couple points, but then before the next debate, he'd go down a couple of points, which is in contrast to 1980, where Ronald Reagan seemed to get a sustained boost.
Granted, there was only one debate and it was shortly before the election. But there was fundamentally a 17-point swing. So very important for John Kerry in particular. If John Kerry is able to not only meet the president at his best, but even do better, more people will tune in to the second debate, and that will be his real opportunity, in Missouri, to shine.
MESERVE: Is Iraq going to be the issue from here on out? And how does each candidate have to handle that? WATSON: You know what, Jeanne? I bet it's going to keep changing. You know, we think Iraq now. We're focused on Iraq now, but God forbid that there is some kind of terrorist incident, whether it's here or somewhere else. Certainly, our attention could shift.
And it's worth noting that had, in just a couple of weeks, in fact the very same day of the second debate in Saint Louis, Missouri, is a day that the unemployment numbers for September come out. So, for all we know, we could be talking about a great number or we could be talking about some difficult times. So it's not clear to me that Iraq will remain the central issue in the final six weeks.
MESERVE: OK, Carlos Watson in New York, thanks a lot for your insight today.
WATSON: Good to see you. Have a good weekend.
MESERVE: Thanks. You, too.
A surprise guest becomes a major attraction in a small Northeastern town.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You just kind of take it in, the beauty of this wild animal that's unfortunately been trapped in this really enclosed area.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MESERVE: Close encounters with a great white shark -- next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MESERVE: Researchers have put a satellite tracking device on a great white shark stuck in shallow waters off Cape Cod, Massachusetts. They are hopeful that the shark, the first of its kind to be tagged in the Atlantic, will find its way back out to sea. But in the meantime, it's attracting a lot of attention.
Lauren Przybyl of CNN affiliate WHDH has more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LAUREN PRZYBYL, WHDH REPORTER (voice-over): We hopped on board with Captain Gray Eldridge (ph). And within minutes, there it was, a great white shark.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He's really big.
PRZYBYL: At times, it glided effortlessly through Lackeys Bay (ph). But then it would find itself almost stuck in a shallow area.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You just kind of take it in, the beauty of this wild animal that's unfortunately been trapped in this really enclosed area. PRZYBYL: The shark was first spotted in the bay three days ago.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, there he is.
PRZYBYL: Now it has lots of fans watching its every move.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I was ready to cut off my little toe and throw it in the water, I wanted to see the thing so bad.
PRZYBYL (on camera): The shark has been circling around and around in this area. And you can see some of the onlookers. The shark even went right underneath our boat at one point. I did see the movie "Jaws." I was just a little bit scared. He is about 2,000 pounds and 17 feet long.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm going to have to ask you guys to leave. We're trying to keep out all unnecessary boat traffic just for the safety of the shark.
PRZYBYL:(voice-over): Today, environmental police cleared out the bay as biologists worked to figure out how to get this king of the wide open ocean back to where he belongs.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's just the talk of the town, you know? This is like a once-in-a-lifetime thing for us. So it's definitely something special.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MESERVE: It sure is. And that was Lauren Przybyl of CNN affiliate WHDH.
Results of our Web question of the day are just ahead.
Plus, his teammates call him pops. Now this 39-year-old is getting the green light to play college football.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MESERVE: And here's how you're weighing in on our Web question of the day: Who has a better plan for winning the war on terror? Forty-seven percent of you say President George W. Bush; 53 percent of you say Senator John Kerry. We emphasize this is not a scientific poll.
When football coaches talk about veteran leadership, they're not usually referring to 39-year-olds who have seen combat duty in Iraq and Kosovo. But that is exactly the case with Tim Frisby, who will suit up for the South Carolina Gamecocks when they play Troy State tomorrow. And get this. He'll be listed in the program as a freshman. Frisby spent 20 years as an Army Ranger. The NCAA ruled this week that he is still eligible for collegiate athletics. The player, named "Pops" by his teammates, says he's serious about contributing.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) FRISBY: Yes, I'm not out here just to stay in shape. You know, I give it 100 percent out there on the practice field, and you know, hopefully it pays off on the game field out here.
LOU HOLTZ, USC FOOTBALL COACH: I mean, it's really incredible, the guy's desire. And never once has he asked for any leniency or cut corners or, I can't be here or I can't do that, never once.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MESERVE: And a reminder, you can always catch WOLF BLITZER REPORTS weekdays at this time, 5:00 Eastern. And tune into "LATE EDITION," the last word in Sunday talk. Among Wolf's guests, Secretary of State Colin Powell. That's Sunday, noon Eastern.
Thanks so much for joining us this Friday.
"LOU DOBBS TONIGHT" is going to start right now.
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