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CNN Wolf Blitzer Reports

Should Iraqi Elections Be Postponed?; Are Police Close to Catching BTK Killer?

Aired December 02, 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.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Happening now, we're gearing up for the lighting of the National Christmas Tree. You'll see the president and the Pageant of Peace. That's coming up live here.
Also the president standing firm on the scheduled day for Iraqi elections in the face of new violence.

Stand by for hard news on WOLF BLITZER REPORTS.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Violence in Iraq. U.S. senators are on the scene.

DIANNE FEINSTEIN (D), CALIFORNIA: I saw a lot of fear. I saw people huddled on streets.

BLITZER: Should the president postpone the election?

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: It's time for these people to vote.

BLITZER: Serial killer. He terrorized Kansas decades ago and showed up again this year. Are police close to cracking the case?

Abstinence. They're teaching that safe sex means no sex, but what else are they teaching?

Hormone help or hormone hype? A new patch to patch up women's flagging sex drive is catching controversy.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANNOUNCER: This is WOLF BLITZER REPORTS for Thursday, December 2nd, 2004.

BLITZER: A mortar barrage today in Baghdad. The latest sign there's no real letup to the violence in Iraq and there's no sign that Iraqi forces are yet up to the job of securing the elections set for January 30th. Sunni Muslim groups say the vote should be delayed but President Bush is having none of that.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BUSH: Well, first of all, the elections should not be postponed. It's time for the Iraqi citizens to go to the polls and that's why we are very firm on the January 30th day.

Secondly, I have always said that I will listen to the requests of our commanders on the ground, and our commanders requested some troops delay their departure home and the expedition of other troops to help these elections go forward. And I honored their request.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: The president spoke a day after the Pentagon said it's sending another 1500 U.S. troops to Iraq and keeping thousands more there for longer tours.

That mortar attack in the heart of Baghdad killed one person and injured at least a dozen more. It comes as key U.S. lawmakers get a firsthand look at the security situation.

CNN's Karl Penhaul reports from the Iraqi capital.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Civilians run in panic. The mid-morning calm shattered by a barrage of explosions in downtown Baghdad. A pall of smoke wafts over the cityscape, vehicles are on fire on Nabou-Nawaz (ph) Street, close to a theater and city hall.

A few streets south a man lies dead on the back of a pickup truck. This mortar blast, one of five in as many minutes confirmed by the police, rocked the headquarters of the Iraq mobile phone company.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): We were standing on the corner of this street and we heard the sound of a mortar being fired.

PENHAUL: At least four others were injured in that attack on the telecom building.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): We didn't know what hit us, whether it was a mortar or a suicide car bomb. Then I saw many injured fall in front of me. I wasn't badly hurt, but many people were.

PENHAUL: Some 10 blocks away another shell hit just short of the technology university campus. Police say eight students on their way to and from the library were wounded.

(on camera): Police say these were random attacks designed to sow panic, but other security sources suggest the real target may have been the government and coalition buildings just across the river from here in the so-called Green Zone.

(voice-over): The attacks coincided with a visit of a group of U.S. senators to Iraq. Their schedule included a trip to meet troops in Falluja.

SEN. LINCOLN CHAFEE (R), RHODE ISLAND: When I got here this year I asked the first soldier I saw, how are we doing? And he said, we're pushing the rock up the hill. And as you all know, we have tremendous challenges ahead of us.

PENHAUL: Coming shortly after Washington's announcement, it would mean increasing troop levels to their highest ever. Other senators warned U.S. soldiers could be here for years.

SEN. JOSEPH BIDEN (D), DELAWARE: There has not been a single officer with whom I have met here and/or in Washington who has indicated there's any possibility of America not having significant troop levels here for, five, seven years. We should tell the American people the truth.

PENHAUL: Underscoring the fragile security situation, the U.S. embassy said Thursday it had banned its personnel to from traveling the frequently bombed highway to Baghdad Airport until further notice.

Too dangerous for those who want to leave and too dangerous for those who have to stay.

Karl Penhaul, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: While the violence rages in central Iraq, in the north the Kurdish population has carved out a safe haven and special U.S. Army units are helping to create what they call a success story.

Our senior international correspondent Nic Robertson on the ground for us and reports now this report.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MAJ. ROBERT SCHULTZ, U.S. ARMY: That one is clogged too, in poor shape.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SR. INTL. CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): When Civil Affairs Officer Major Robert Schultz begins his day's work in Kurdish-controlled northern Iraq, he has much to be thankful for.

SCHULTZ: Is this the water closet facility that needs the most attention?

ROBERTSON: Unlike his fellow servicemen an hour's drive to the south, Schultz find the Kurds to the north actually welcome his help.

SCHULTZ: They say because what we have done here in this region, they don't want anything to happen to us. There are secret police that are out on the streets that are watching us. Anything that goes wrong or looks suspicious they're out there asking questions.

It looks like it's progressing pretty good. They have got the walls up.

ROBERTSON: In the next 12 months, Schultz and his teams expect to spend more than $100 million helping the Kurds strengthen their civil society.

SCHULTZ: That's good it's also raised off the ground, it gives you more control of the cameras.

ROBERTSON: Hastily-arranged visits like this one to check on the building work in a TV station they're helping, are enabling them to get more bang for their bucks.

SGT. BLUE ROWE, U.S. ARMY: Because we don't have all of the security measures here that they have to go through down there, we are able to (UNINTELLIGIBLE) the participation of a lot more people and do a lot more things and network a lot better here.

ROBERTSON: That, also made easier, they say, by good cooperation from their hosts.

(on camera): The result is that even with just a few civil affairs teams to cover 1.1 million people in an area the size of Rhode Island, they were able to work on a diverse number of projects from aiding refugees and displaced people to helping out at hospitals, rebuilding schools, equipping and training the police to helping advance women's issues.

(voice-over): Computer classes for women are supported. Laptops have been given for outlying communities and plans are under way to help women learn to drive and maybe even help them develop a much- needed women's sports facility.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): I hope in the south they will learn from us as they see us rebuild our country. That the more peace you have the quicker you can do it.

ROBERTSON: But from all of the optimism there is anger the instability in the center of Iraq is costing the Kurds much wanted international aid.

MOSA ALI BAKIR, REFUGEE COORDINATOR: You cannot make all Iraq the victim.

ROBERTSON: A point not lost on these civil affairs officers who can't themselves lucky to make a difference.

Nic Robertson, CNN, northern Iraq.

BLITZER: Ukraine's supreme court sent a fourth day deliberating over the country's disputed election. There's no ruling yet, but from the streets of Kiev to Moscow and Washington, everyone's watching very closely. Russia's President Vladimir Putin today voiced doubt at the value of a new vote, while President Bush seemed to warn Russia against meddling, saying any new election in the Ukraine must be free from, quote, "foreign influence."

A high-level American delegation will attend the inauguration of Hamid Karzai as Afghanistan's first directly elected president. The White House announced that Vice President Dick Cheney will head the group which will include his wife Lynne Cheney, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and Karen Hughes, a former counselor to President Bush. The event will take place Tuesday in Kabul. One other note from the administration, President Bush has nominated Nebraska Governor Michael Johanns as his new agriculture secretary. Bush praised Johanns as, quote, "a faithful friend to America's farmers and ranchers." He has to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman announced her resignation last month.

Men have Viagra. Now there's a new patch for women, but not everyone thinks it's such a good idea. We'll show you why.

And a holiday tradition under way this hour here in Washington. We'll take you there live. You're looking live at the Pageant of Peace on the Mall in Washington. We'll go there live for the lighting of the National Christmas Tree.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: We've got a story just coming into CNN. Let's immediately go out to CNN's Keith Oppenheim in Chicago with word on the so-called BTK serial killer suspect. What's the latest, Keith?

KEITH OPPENHEIM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, we've been reporting all day that Wichita police had a man in custody who they thought could possibly be the suspect in the famous BTK killer case. Quick background. BTK stands for bind, torture, kill and since 1977 Wichita police have been getting letters mostly between 1977 to 1979 and then more recently this year after a 25-year gap, letters which took responsibility for eight deaths, eight unsolved murders in Wichita area.

More recently this year, police released some of the details and this week specifically they gave out some details which indicated that the man they were looking for was around 64, 65 years old and lived near railroad tracks. Last night a man who basically fit that description, Wolf, was arrested and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation conducted some DNA tests on this person who was arrested on minor charges and there had been quite a bit of activity in Wichita about this case today giving certainly the media some feeling that this could be a major break, but now with the DNA results transferred to the Wichita police it turns out that it does not appear to be a match and police are saying that this is not the BTK killer, not a suspect in that investigation. Back to you.

BLITZER: All right, Keith Oppenheim. False alarm and false hopes raised throughout this day, but he is not, repeat not, the BTK suspect. The BTK killer, bind, torture and kill. The hunt will continue. Keith Oppenheim reporting breaking that news for us here. The suspect in custody is not the so-called BTK killer.

Men have Viagra to help combat sexual impotence. Now a drug company wants to help women with low sex drive, but today federal health advisers say that at least for now the new drug should not be approved. Our medical correspondent, Elizabeth Cohen is at CNN center in Atlanta and joins us live.

ELIZABETH COHEN, MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, a group of medical experts say they have some serious safety questions about this drug for women with sexual problems.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(voice-over): Rosalynn Washington (ph) is convinced that the solution to her less than satisfying sex life was a testosterone patch. She was part of a study on the patch in women with sexual dysfunction.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I knew there was a noticeable increase in my sexual desire, just physically and mentally I just felt great.

COHEN: But others don't appear to be quite so impressed. Thursday an advisory panel to the Food and Drug Administration said more safety data should be required before the patch is allowed on the market. The manufacturer says it's not aware of any safety problems. The panel raised concerns that other hormones given to post-menopausal women like Washington have been associated with higher rates of heart disease and cancer. Also it appears the FDA isn't so sure how well the patch works. In a memo the agency stated it is not clear that the differences between the patch and a placebo are clinically meaningful. Specifically the FDA noted that in a four-week period women who used the testosterone patch had just one more satisfying sexual event compared to women not using the patch, but Procter & Gamble, the makers of the Intrinsa Patch said the numbers aren't what counts. It's how a woman feels.

DR. JIM SIMON, WOMEN'S HEALTH RESEARCH CENTER: In the studies it is very clear that women, using the testosterone patches felt sexier, felt better about their sexual life, felt better about themselves in general and about their relationships.

COHEN: And another concern that women will see this patch as the female Viagra. If the FDA does end up approving it, it will only be for women who have had their ovaries removed. Women who aren't in that category may need to look elsewhere for other solutions.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(on camera): If the patch does get on the market it will be the first drug specifically for women with sexual dysfunction -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Elizabeth Cohen, thank you very much for that report.

BLITZER: A new congressional report sharply criticizes federally-funded abstinence education programs saying they contain and I'm quoting now, "false, misleading or distorted information." Our congressional correspondent Joe Johns is standing by live on Capitol Hill.

JOE JOHNS, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, these are community-based programs that have really caught on over the last several years especially during the Bush administration, but now some Democrats are asking whether they're telling the truth to kids.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) (voice-over): Abstinence-only education programs teach kids and teens that the only sure way to prevent pregnancy and avoid catching sexually transmitted diseases is not to have sex, but a new report by Congressional Democrats say some of the programs funded with 170 million federal dollars are deceiving young Americans about the effectiveness of contraceptives and the risks of abortion, effectively hyping the fear factor to scare kids away from having sex. Advocates of sex education say abstinence-only programs are going too far.

WILLIAM SMITH, SEX EDUCATION ADVOCATE: These programs are completely out of control. They're using millions of taxpayer dollars to provide medical misinformation to use fear and shame-based messages in an effort to convince young people to change their behavior.

JOHNS: Democrats on the House government reform committee looked at 11 separate curricula used in 25 states and found what the report called false, misleading or distorted information about reproductive health. Among the alleged errors cited a repeated citation of a single disputed study that showed condoms failed to prevent HIV 31 percent of the time in heterosexual sex. And a claim that up to 10 percent of women who have abortions will be sterile. One Georgia- based publisher of abstinence-only material says the congressional report is misleading and full of inaccuracies and gross generalizations.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The question that ought to be asked by Waxman and others, does it work? and it's interesting in his study he totally ignored studies that show abstinence-education truly works and reduces initiation of teen sex.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

JOHNS: Proponents of abstinence only accuse Congressional Democrats of playing politics with their report. They say it zeroed in on a few specific issues while ignoring the rest of the story -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Joe Johns reporting for us from Capitol Hill, thank you very much.

Three years after the attack on the World Trade Center hundreds of pieces of jewelry, some very valuable belonging to the victims remain unclaimed. We'll show you how officials are now trying to correct that.

Plus is the president of Nigeria the key power broker to end what the United States government calls genocide on the African continent? He's my guest. Also ahead, a sign of the season. We'll go live to the lighting of the National Christmas Tree here in Washington. You're looking at live pictures right now.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: They're sad reminders of the World Trade Center tragedy. Hundreds of pieces of jewelry recovered from the wreckage. Now a new effort is under way to get them to the victims' loved ones. CNN's Mary Snow is live in New York. She's joining us with more -- Mary.

MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, New York police are struggling with a dilemma. They have 654 pieces of jewelry belonging to victims killed on 9/11, and it is unaccounted for. Now police believe they're one step closer to finding out who it belongs to.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SNOW (voice-over): More than three years after September 11th, the New York City Police Department is hoping technology will provide closure. It's launched a Web site hoping families will find on the Internet what they haven't been able to locate on their own. Police are looking to match more than 600 pieces of unclaimed jewelry with victims' family members, like Carol Ashley, who lost her 25-year-old daughter at the World Trade Center.

CAROL ASHLEY, MOTHER OF 9/11 VICTIM: It's like some of the other things that I have of hers. I know she touched them. I know she wore them, and to me it means something, to have those things that she was wearing.

SNOW: The items were recovered from ground zero, from the Fresh Kills landfill, where much of the rubble was taken, and from the city morgue. Rings are the most common items. Some are described as being in good condition, others are severely damaged. The husband of victim Katherine Wolf is hoping his wife's ring is among the items.

CHARLES WOLF, HUSBAND OF 9/11 VICTIM: If it happens, it happens. If it doesn't, it doesn't. You know, I can't predict. You can't predict your emotions on something that's never happened before.

SNOW: To prevent fraud, the police department is not posting pictures on its Web site. Rather it's asking people to fill out detailed questionnaires about the items they're looking for.

INSPECTOR JACK TRABITZ, NEW YORK POLICE: It's heart wrenching to watch them go through it. For some people, we pray that it's closure. For other people, they are overwhelmed by their emotions at this time.

SNOW: New York's police department says to date, it's returned thousands of personal items, and by passing on pieces of family heritage, the department hopes to close a very painful chapter for New York.

COMM. RAY KELLY, NYPD: And also, to a certain extent, it gives us closure here in the department. We've had thousands of items that have been processed, catalogued, distributed. We have a lot of people that have devoted over three years to this challenge.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SNOW: And the police department says to date, it has returned more than 19,000 personal belongings -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Mary Snow, reporting for us a heartbreaking story. Indeed, thank you, Mary, very much. Caught on tape. A Florida teacher and the teen she's accused of having sex with talking on the phone.

Also ahead, we'll take you back to the White House, Christmas tree lighting ceremony. You're looking at live pictures right now. Darren Holden is singing. Let's listen in briefly.

(MUSIC)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back. Coming up, caught on tape. The suspended Florida school teacher and the teenager she's accused of having sex with talking on the phone. We'll get to that.

First, though, a quick check of some other stories now in the news.

New York Yankees slugger Jason Giambi reportedly testified to injecting human growth hormone and using steroids for at least three seasons. That's according to a report in "The San Francisco Chronicle," which reviewed a transcript of Giambi's testimony before a grand jury last year. Giambi has publicly denied ever using performance-enhancing drugs.

Two written statements from Private First Class Lynndie England can be used against her in a court-martial connected to the Abu Ghraib prison abuse scandal. A military judge today denied a motion to have the statements in which England reportedly admits taking part in the abuse of Iraqi prisoners thrown out. England could face 38 years in prison.

More emotional pleas at the sentencing phase of the Scott Peterson double murder trial. A longtime friend testified that Peterson was known for its volunteer work in high school and said it would be, quote, "a horrendous tragedy" if he were sentenced to death. Peterson has been convicted of murdering his wife Laci and their unborn son.

There's also a dramatic new twist in the Florida case involving a middle school teacher accused of having sex with a student.

CNN's Brian Todd is following the case. He is joining us live -- Brian.

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, prosecutors in Hillsborough County, Florida, have agreed to various requests from local media there for excerpts of taped phone conversations. As a result, we hear the accused teacher's voice for the first time.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TODD (voice-over): Debra Lafave has never spoken publicly, but in audiotapes just released by prosecutors, the suspended Tampa area middle school teacher is heard speaking on the phone with the then 14- year-old boy she's accused of having a sexual affair with. DEBRA LAFAVE, DEFENDANT: Pinky promise.

TODD: The prosecutor's office tells CNN the boy's voice has been altered to protect his identity. CNN has decided to avoid using his audio altogether because we believe there are detectable speech patterns.

Law enforcement sources tell CNN police taped calls by the 14- year-old to Lafave with his consent between June 18 and June 21 of this year. In one conversation, they discuss a call that Lafave had made to the boy's mother.

LAFAVE: Yes, I called her when I got home last night.

TODD: The boy replies, "Oh, how did that go?"

LAFAVE: It was -- I just told her, I was like, you know, I'm sorry, bad judgment. And I should have double checked with you, blah, blah, blah.

TODD: The boy says: "Uh-huh. Well, I guess I don't think we should be going to Ocala anymore."

LAFAVE: No. No.

TODD: The boy, "But everything went smooth in the portable." And a moment later, he says: "So whatever. If we decide to do anything again, then that should probably be our place for now."

LAFAVE: That's true. Are you OK?

TODD: Lafave faces charges of lewd and lascivious acts with a child for allegedly having sex with a teenager in, among other places, a portable school classroom and inside an SUV in Ocala, Florida, while the boy's 15-year-old cousin was driving.

In another call, they discuss birth control. The boy says like: "I don't want you to, like, get pregnant or anything. I was just thinking about it and I was just thinking if next time now that we've had sex about three times, if I should use a condom or something."

LAFAVE: Oh, you're being weird.

TODD: Earlier this week, Lafave's attorney told the judge he'll likely pursue the insanity defense. Prosecutors wouldn't comment directly on that, but did speak about possible use of these taped conversations.

MICHAEL SINACORE, ASSISTANT STATE PROSECUTOR: If insanity is raised in any particular case, controlled calls could also be valuable, so you can see the defendant's state of mind at or near the time of the crime.

TODD: We tried to contact Debra Lafave's attorney for reaction to the audiotapes. He didn't return our calls. Her trial is scheduled to begin in April. (END VIDEOTAPE)

TODD: Late this afternoon, law enforcement authorities sent us a copy of the written statement the boy gave them back in June. In it, he writes -- quote -- "During the last week of school, a teacher at Greco Middle School named Debra Lafave told me that she had feelings for me. She told me that she was thinking about me a lot and had feelings for me, that she didn't know what to do with them" -- end quote.

He then lists three different times he claims they had sex. We again called Lafave's attorney, John Fitzgibbons, for comment. He did not return our calls -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Brian Todd with the latest on this story -- thanks, Brian, very much.

A royal source of oil facing major problems. I'll speak with the president of Nigeria. He's here in Washington, fresh from a White House meeting with President Bush.

Plus, ceremonies marking the lighting of the National Christmas Tree unfolding right now.

Let's listen in briefly, "O, Holy Night."

(MUSIC)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: We're getting word on a replacement for Tom Ridge as secretary of homeland security.

Let's immediately go over to the White House. Elaine Quijano has the word -- Elaine.

ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good evening to you, Wolf.

Two senior administration officials are confirming to us that Bernard Kerik, the former New York City police commissioner, is the president's pick to succeed outgoing Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, that news coming to us just a few minutes ago. Of course, Kerik is a familiar face. In the days after September 11, he was quite visible. And he is also a man who more recently had been tapped to take on the daunting task of building police forces in Iraq, a person that clearly has the president's trust, a person that the president feels quite confident with.

And senior administration officials saying that an announcement will be made tomorrow, but confirming to CNN tonight that in fact Bernard Kerik is the president's choice to succeed Homeland Security Chief Tom Ridge, who announced his resignation -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Elaine Quijano reporting for us from the White House, Bernard Kerik, the former New York City police commissioner who worked under Mayor Rudy Giuliani on 9/11, nominated, will be nominated by the president to succeed Tom Ridge, secretary of homeland security.

Thanks, Elaine, very much.

The president had a White House meeting today with the leader of the world's seventh largest oil exporter. In that meeting, the president praised Nigerian President Obasanjo for his help in the war on terror and efforts to bring peace and security to Africa. And he urged those efforts to continue.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I think it is vital that the continent of Africa be a place of freedom and democracy and prosperity and hope.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Earlier, I spoke with President Obasanjo about some of the serious problems he faces at home in Africa, especially the violence in Sudan's Darfur region.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Mr. President, welcome to Washington. Thanks very much for joining us.

Let's get right to the issue of Sudan. Do you agree with President Bush and Secretary of State Powell that genocide is occurring in the Darfur province of Sudan right now?

OLUSEGUN OBASANJO, NIGERIAN PRESIDENT: Wolf, thank you very much. It's a pleasure for being here with you.

We have to define what is genocide. To me, genocide occurs when a particular group of people, a tribe or a religious group or a social group decides to get rid of another group, eliminate them from the surface of the Earth. Now, and it also have the backing or the support of an authority like a government.

BLITZER: Like the Sudanese government...

OBASANJO: Like any government. In that case, it will be the Sudanese government.

Now, what I know of Sudan it does not fit in all respects to that definition.

BLITZER: So you disagree with the president and the secretary of state?

OBASANJO: In the class...

(CROSSTALK)

BLITZER: You don't think this is genocide.

(CROSSTALK)

OBASANJO: ... classical case of genocide.

BLITZER: Because a lot of people feel this is genocide and that it should be treated as genocide and the government of Sudan should be condemned as a result.

OBASANJO: The government of Sudan can be condemned, but it's not as genocide, because what happened, to the best of my knowledge of this, the rebels up in arms, they were about overrun what you would call the government establishment.

BLITZER: But you don't think the Janjaweed, the rebels are -- have the backing of the Sudanese government?

OBASANJO: The Janjaweed have the backing of the Sudanese government, but the Janjaweed were not meant to eliminate a particular tribe or all of the tribes that took up arms. Government was about to be overrun and government thought, what can we do to prevent this? They arm another group of people who they see as opposed to the rebels to stop the overrunning of government.

BLITZER: So is this disagreement you have with President Bush, was it a serious issue in your meeting with him today?

OBASANJO: No, we didn't even talk about it, because we agreed that there's a problem in Darfur and in Sudan that we have to deal with. The fine definition of what is genocide or what is not genocide, we didn't go into that. We know that there is a problem in Darfur, crisis, that has to be stopped and we have to deal with it.

BLITZER: What are you going to do to stop it as the chairman of the African Union?

OBASANJO: We will do more of what we're already doing.

One, we know that the problem of Darfur is not really a military problem. It is a political problem which has mushroomed into a military, when the rebels took up arms. And we know that as a result of the military operation, humanitarian issues have come out. Security issues have come up.

Now, while we are dealing with those humanitarian issues and security issues, the real issue of Darfur is governance. How can the people of Darfur accept and believe that they are getting what is due to them in Sudan, in the united Sudan? And that is what the stakeholders' meeting in Abuja is all about.

BLITZER: Let's talk about some other issues on the agenda. I assume the issue of Nigerian oil exports to the United States was discussed during your meeting with the president.

OBASANJO: We discussed about the issue of security, availability and stability of supply, of hydrocarbons, not only from Nigeria, but from the whole belt which is termed Gulf of Guinea. BLITZER: Are you going to increase the export of oil to the United States? Right now you provide about 7 percent of U.S. imported oil.

OBASANJO: I want us to be able to provide 15 percent if possible. We want to move from about 2.8 capacity -- 2.8 million capacity a day that we are in now to about 4 million capacity.

BLITZER: Given the violence unfolding, is that realistic?

OBASANJO: Very much realistic. Well, the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) we are already dealing with that.

BLITZER: What about AIDS? Yesterday was World AIDS Day. This is a plague, especially in Africa and women in Africa. Is it understood well in Nigeria, the enormity of what's going on?

OBASANJO: Very much so, Wolf.

Maybe you will remember that one of the things that I did when I came into government from four years ago was to call the attention of the world by actually having a summit on HIV/AIDS. That was the first time that was done. As a result of that summit, the secretary-general of the United Nations came and broached the idea of a global trust fund which President Bush here launched.

BLITZER: But are you making a dent right now in dealing with this or is it just getting worse and worse and worse every day?

OBASANJO: Well, Wolf, I'll tell you the story about Nigeria. We do prevalence survey every two years.

We did one in 2001, which puts Nigeria prevalence at 5.8 percent. We did another one last year. We've got it down to 5 percent. Now, I am not satisfied with that. I will want to bring it down to zero. But even that little success must be acknowledged, must be celebrated. And we must do more of what has brought about that success. And that is exactly what we are doing. We are also treating, because, before 2001 that I mentioned, we were not even treating those who were -- they were regarded as totally hopeless. Today, we are treating over 15,000 Nigerians who are HIV/AIDS positive.

BLITZER: You certainly have a full agenda on your plate. And I'm grateful to you for spending a few moments with us while you're here in Washington.

OBASANJO: Wolf, thank you very much. It's always a pleasure to be here with you in CNN any time I have the opportunity.

BLITZER: Good luck to you and all the people of Nigeria.

OBASANJO: Thank you.

BLITZER: And let's immediately go to our senior United Nations correspondent, Richard Roth. He's on the phone. He's got a breaking news story. Richard, tell our viewers.

RICHARD ROTH, CNN SENIOR U.N. CORRESPONDENT: U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Danforth has resigned. Danforth recently led the entire Security Council to Nairobi, Kenya, for a meeting on Sudan.

The spokesman for John Danforth, Rick Rannell (ph), confirming us to the resignation, not giving a reason. Danforth chairing meetings this week on Africa here at the Security Council. He had been on somebody's short list to potentially be the next secretary of state, but we have no idea exactly why he might be resigning at this time -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Because that raises the suggestion, Richard, that because Condoleezza Rice has been nominated by the president to be secretary of state, there was widespread speculation he was on that short list. He might be frustrated and disappointed, hence, his resignation. Are you get getting any indication of that at all?

ROTHENBERG: Well, I didn't get that close to him during his very brief stay here. He did not seem that upset before or after on the possibility of being secretary of state, taking the attitude, if it's offered, fine.

And he has certainly had so many high-profile posts, whether it's Waco investigation, the Senate hearings, adviser to Clarence Thomas. He didn't strike me as someone who was going to be frustrated if he didn't get the top post. But we have not spoken to him personally at this time.

Of course, it hasn't been exactly a great portfolio here, considering the United States has the U.N. very low on its totem pole, the big fuss over oil-for-food, Kofi Annan calling the war illegal, the U.N. not supporting the U.S. invasion of Iraq and not coming to the aid with more troops in Iraq. It's a very difficult role at this time for the former Missouri senator.

BLITZER: We'll get some more information about Richard Danforth -- or John Danforth, that is, from Richard Roth. And we'll get that to our viewers as quickly as we can.

But we have confirmed that John Danforth, a short time at the United Nations as the U.S. ambassador, has decided to step down and resign, no word on why.

A presidential home for the holidays.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LAURA BUSH, FIRST LADY: Here's Barney building a snowman or else eating the carrot.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: The first lady, Laura Bush, showing off the White House, decked halls and all. And we'll think you live to the lighting of the National Christmas Tree in Washington, only moments away. The president will do it. You will see it live here on CNN.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Laura Bush is getting into the holiday spirit.

For those dreaming of a White House Christmas, the first lady is showing off this year's holiday decorations.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

L. BUSH: This room is always so beautiful, however it's decorated, but especially this year, with the snow-covered trees and the red tablecloth, the white tulips. I think it really makes a beautiful room and this is the room that, of course, all of our guests who will be coming to parties all over the holiday season, will be able to fill their plate.

And, as you can see back here behind us, we have Frosty the Snowman, made by Thaddeus Dubois, our pastry chef. So that's the dessert table that is set up back there. And then on each of the mantles in this room is one of the songs that American children know and remember, and we have Rudolph over here, and Marshmallow World on that one, Frosty the Snowman back here, and Toy Land on the other mantle.

So, of course, I want peace. And I hope we have peace in the new year.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: First lady at the White House giving a tour of the Christmas decorations earlier today.

Just ahead, a flick of the switch. We're standing by. Take a look at this live picture, the Ellipse near the White House. The National Christmas Tree is waiting for the signal to shine. The president will do it.

And we'll bring it to you live. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: And let's go back to the Ellipse, near the White House, for the lighting of the National Christmas Tree. The president is there. He is about to be introduced.

Let's listen in to the program.

(INTERRUPTED FOR COVERAGE OF LIVE EVENT)

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 December 2, 2004 - 17:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Happening now, we're gearing up for the lighting of the National Christmas Tree. You'll see the president and the Pageant of Peace. That's coming up live here.
Also the president standing firm on the scheduled day for Iraqi elections in the face of new violence.

Stand by for hard news on WOLF BLITZER REPORTS.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Violence in Iraq. U.S. senators are on the scene.

DIANNE FEINSTEIN (D), CALIFORNIA: I saw a lot of fear. I saw people huddled on streets.

BLITZER: Should the president postpone the election?

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: It's time for these people to vote.

BLITZER: Serial killer. He terrorized Kansas decades ago and showed up again this year. Are police close to cracking the case?

Abstinence. They're teaching that safe sex means no sex, but what else are they teaching?

Hormone help or hormone hype? A new patch to patch up women's flagging sex drive is catching controversy.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANNOUNCER: This is WOLF BLITZER REPORTS for Thursday, December 2nd, 2004.

BLITZER: A mortar barrage today in Baghdad. The latest sign there's no real letup to the violence in Iraq and there's no sign that Iraqi forces are yet up to the job of securing the elections set for January 30th. Sunni Muslim groups say the vote should be delayed but President Bush is having none of that.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BUSH: Well, first of all, the elections should not be postponed. It's time for the Iraqi citizens to go to the polls and that's why we are very firm on the January 30th day.

Secondly, I have always said that I will listen to the requests of our commanders on the ground, and our commanders requested some troops delay their departure home and the expedition of other troops to help these elections go forward. And I honored their request.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: The president spoke a day after the Pentagon said it's sending another 1500 U.S. troops to Iraq and keeping thousands more there for longer tours.

That mortar attack in the heart of Baghdad killed one person and injured at least a dozen more. It comes as key U.S. lawmakers get a firsthand look at the security situation.

CNN's Karl Penhaul reports from the Iraqi capital.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Civilians run in panic. The mid-morning calm shattered by a barrage of explosions in downtown Baghdad. A pall of smoke wafts over the cityscape, vehicles are on fire on Nabou-Nawaz (ph) Street, close to a theater and city hall.

A few streets south a man lies dead on the back of a pickup truck. This mortar blast, one of five in as many minutes confirmed by the police, rocked the headquarters of the Iraq mobile phone company.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): We were standing on the corner of this street and we heard the sound of a mortar being fired.

PENHAUL: At least four others were injured in that attack on the telecom building.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): We didn't know what hit us, whether it was a mortar or a suicide car bomb. Then I saw many injured fall in front of me. I wasn't badly hurt, but many people were.

PENHAUL: Some 10 blocks away another shell hit just short of the technology university campus. Police say eight students on their way to and from the library were wounded.

(on camera): Police say these were random attacks designed to sow panic, but other security sources suggest the real target may have been the government and coalition buildings just across the river from here in the so-called Green Zone.

(voice-over): The attacks coincided with a visit of a group of U.S. senators to Iraq. Their schedule included a trip to meet troops in Falluja.

SEN. LINCOLN CHAFEE (R), RHODE ISLAND: When I got here this year I asked the first soldier I saw, how are we doing? And he said, we're pushing the rock up the hill. And as you all know, we have tremendous challenges ahead of us.

PENHAUL: Coming shortly after Washington's announcement, it would mean increasing troop levels to their highest ever. Other senators warned U.S. soldiers could be here for years.

SEN. JOSEPH BIDEN (D), DELAWARE: There has not been a single officer with whom I have met here and/or in Washington who has indicated there's any possibility of America not having significant troop levels here for, five, seven years. We should tell the American people the truth.

PENHAUL: Underscoring the fragile security situation, the U.S. embassy said Thursday it had banned its personnel to from traveling the frequently bombed highway to Baghdad Airport until further notice.

Too dangerous for those who want to leave and too dangerous for those who have to stay.

Karl Penhaul, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: While the violence rages in central Iraq, in the north the Kurdish population has carved out a safe haven and special U.S. Army units are helping to create what they call a success story.

Our senior international correspondent Nic Robertson on the ground for us and reports now this report.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MAJ. ROBERT SCHULTZ, U.S. ARMY: That one is clogged too, in poor shape.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SR. INTL. CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): When Civil Affairs Officer Major Robert Schultz begins his day's work in Kurdish-controlled northern Iraq, he has much to be thankful for.

SCHULTZ: Is this the water closet facility that needs the most attention?

ROBERTSON: Unlike his fellow servicemen an hour's drive to the south, Schultz find the Kurds to the north actually welcome his help.

SCHULTZ: They say because what we have done here in this region, they don't want anything to happen to us. There are secret police that are out on the streets that are watching us. Anything that goes wrong or looks suspicious they're out there asking questions.

It looks like it's progressing pretty good. They have got the walls up.

ROBERTSON: In the next 12 months, Schultz and his teams expect to spend more than $100 million helping the Kurds strengthen their civil society.

SCHULTZ: That's good it's also raised off the ground, it gives you more control of the cameras.

ROBERTSON: Hastily-arranged visits like this one to check on the building work in a TV station they're helping, are enabling them to get more bang for their bucks.

SGT. BLUE ROWE, U.S. ARMY: Because we don't have all of the security measures here that they have to go through down there, we are able to (UNINTELLIGIBLE) the participation of a lot more people and do a lot more things and network a lot better here.

ROBERTSON: That, also made easier, they say, by good cooperation from their hosts.

(on camera): The result is that even with just a few civil affairs teams to cover 1.1 million people in an area the size of Rhode Island, they were able to work on a diverse number of projects from aiding refugees and displaced people to helping out at hospitals, rebuilding schools, equipping and training the police to helping advance women's issues.

(voice-over): Computer classes for women are supported. Laptops have been given for outlying communities and plans are under way to help women learn to drive and maybe even help them develop a much- needed women's sports facility.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): I hope in the south they will learn from us as they see us rebuild our country. That the more peace you have the quicker you can do it.

ROBERTSON: But from all of the optimism there is anger the instability in the center of Iraq is costing the Kurds much wanted international aid.

MOSA ALI BAKIR, REFUGEE COORDINATOR: You cannot make all Iraq the victim.

ROBERTSON: A point not lost on these civil affairs officers who can't themselves lucky to make a difference.

Nic Robertson, CNN, northern Iraq.

BLITZER: Ukraine's supreme court sent a fourth day deliberating over the country's disputed election. There's no ruling yet, but from the streets of Kiev to Moscow and Washington, everyone's watching very closely. Russia's President Vladimir Putin today voiced doubt at the value of a new vote, while President Bush seemed to warn Russia against meddling, saying any new election in the Ukraine must be free from, quote, "foreign influence."

A high-level American delegation will attend the inauguration of Hamid Karzai as Afghanistan's first directly elected president. The White House announced that Vice President Dick Cheney will head the group which will include his wife Lynne Cheney, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and Karen Hughes, a former counselor to President Bush. The event will take place Tuesday in Kabul. One other note from the administration, President Bush has nominated Nebraska Governor Michael Johanns as his new agriculture secretary. Bush praised Johanns as, quote, "a faithful friend to America's farmers and ranchers." He has to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman announced her resignation last month.

Men have Viagra. Now there's a new patch for women, but not everyone thinks it's such a good idea. We'll show you why.

And a holiday tradition under way this hour here in Washington. We'll take you there live. You're looking live at the Pageant of Peace on the Mall in Washington. We'll go there live for the lighting of the National Christmas Tree.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: We've got a story just coming into CNN. Let's immediately go out to CNN's Keith Oppenheim in Chicago with word on the so-called BTK serial killer suspect. What's the latest, Keith?

KEITH OPPENHEIM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, we've been reporting all day that Wichita police had a man in custody who they thought could possibly be the suspect in the famous BTK killer case. Quick background. BTK stands for bind, torture, kill and since 1977 Wichita police have been getting letters mostly between 1977 to 1979 and then more recently this year after a 25-year gap, letters which took responsibility for eight deaths, eight unsolved murders in Wichita area.

More recently this year, police released some of the details and this week specifically they gave out some details which indicated that the man they were looking for was around 64, 65 years old and lived near railroad tracks. Last night a man who basically fit that description, Wolf, was arrested and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation conducted some DNA tests on this person who was arrested on minor charges and there had been quite a bit of activity in Wichita about this case today giving certainly the media some feeling that this could be a major break, but now with the DNA results transferred to the Wichita police it turns out that it does not appear to be a match and police are saying that this is not the BTK killer, not a suspect in that investigation. Back to you.

BLITZER: All right, Keith Oppenheim. False alarm and false hopes raised throughout this day, but he is not, repeat not, the BTK suspect. The BTK killer, bind, torture and kill. The hunt will continue. Keith Oppenheim reporting breaking that news for us here. The suspect in custody is not the so-called BTK killer.

Men have Viagra to help combat sexual impotence. Now a drug company wants to help women with low sex drive, but today federal health advisers say that at least for now the new drug should not be approved. Our medical correspondent, Elizabeth Cohen is at CNN center in Atlanta and joins us live.

ELIZABETH COHEN, MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, a group of medical experts say they have some serious safety questions about this drug for women with sexual problems.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(voice-over): Rosalynn Washington (ph) is convinced that the solution to her less than satisfying sex life was a testosterone patch. She was part of a study on the patch in women with sexual dysfunction.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I knew there was a noticeable increase in my sexual desire, just physically and mentally I just felt great.

COHEN: But others don't appear to be quite so impressed. Thursday an advisory panel to the Food and Drug Administration said more safety data should be required before the patch is allowed on the market. The manufacturer says it's not aware of any safety problems. The panel raised concerns that other hormones given to post-menopausal women like Washington have been associated with higher rates of heart disease and cancer. Also it appears the FDA isn't so sure how well the patch works. In a memo the agency stated it is not clear that the differences between the patch and a placebo are clinically meaningful. Specifically the FDA noted that in a four-week period women who used the testosterone patch had just one more satisfying sexual event compared to women not using the patch, but Procter & Gamble, the makers of the Intrinsa Patch said the numbers aren't what counts. It's how a woman feels.

DR. JIM SIMON, WOMEN'S HEALTH RESEARCH CENTER: In the studies it is very clear that women, using the testosterone patches felt sexier, felt better about their sexual life, felt better about themselves in general and about their relationships.

COHEN: And another concern that women will see this patch as the female Viagra. If the FDA does end up approving it, it will only be for women who have had their ovaries removed. Women who aren't in that category may need to look elsewhere for other solutions.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(on camera): If the patch does get on the market it will be the first drug specifically for women with sexual dysfunction -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Elizabeth Cohen, thank you very much for that report.

BLITZER: A new congressional report sharply criticizes federally-funded abstinence education programs saying they contain and I'm quoting now, "false, misleading or distorted information." Our congressional correspondent Joe Johns is standing by live on Capitol Hill.

JOE JOHNS, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, these are community-based programs that have really caught on over the last several years especially during the Bush administration, but now some Democrats are asking whether they're telling the truth to kids.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) (voice-over): Abstinence-only education programs teach kids and teens that the only sure way to prevent pregnancy and avoid catching sexually transmitted diseases is not to have sex, but a new report by Congressional Democrats say some of the programs funded with 170 million federal dollars are deceiving young Americans about the effectiveness of contraceptives and the risks of abortion, effectively hyping the fear factor to scare kids away from having sex. Advocates of sex education say abstinence-only programs are going too far.

WILLIAM SMITH, SEX EDUCATION ADVOCATE: These programs are completely out of control. They're using millions of taxpayer dollars to provide medical misinformation to use fear and shame-based messages in an effort to convince young people to change their behavior.

JOHNS: Democrats on the House government reform committee looked at 11 separate curricula used in 25 states and found what the report called false, misleading or distorted information about reproductive health. Among the alleged errors cited a repeated citation of a single disputed study that showed condoms failed to prevent HIV 31 percent of the time in heterosexual sex. And a claim that up to 10 percent of women who have abortions will be sterile. One Georgia- based publisher of abstinence-only material says the congressional report is misleading and full of inaccuracies and gross generalizations.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The question that ought to be asked by Waxman and others, does it work? and it's interesting in his study he totally ignored studies that show abstinence-education truly works and reduces initiation of teen sex.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

JOHNS: Proponents of abstinence only accuse Congressional Democrats of playing politics with their report. They say it zeroed in on a few specific issues while ignoring the rest of the story -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Joe Johns reporting for us from Capitol Hill, thank you very much.

Three years after the attack on the World Trade Center hundreds of pieces of jewelry, some very valuable belonging to the victims remain unclaimed. We'll show you how officials are now trying to correct that.

Plus is the president of Nigeria the key power broker to end what the United States government calls genocide on the African continent? He's my guest. Also ahead, a sign of the season. We'll go live to the lighting of the National Christmas Tree here in Washington. You're looking at live pictures right now.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: They're sad reminders of the World Trade Center tragedy. Hundreds of pieces of jewelry recovered from the wreckage. Now a new effort is under way to get them to the victims' loved ones. CNN's Mary Snow is live in New York. She's joining us with more -- Mary.

MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, New York police are struggling with a dilemma. They have 654 pieces of jewelry belonging to victims killed on 9/11, and it is unaccounted for. Now police believe they're one step closer to finding out who it belongs to.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SNOW (voice-over): More than three years after September 11th, the New York City Police Department is hoping technology will provide closure. It's launched a Web site hoping families will find on the Internet what they haven't been able to locate on their own. Police are looking to match more than 600 pieces of unclaimed jewelry with victims' family members, like Carol Ashley, who lost her 25-year-old daughter at the World Trade Center.

CAROL ASHLEY, MOTHER OF 9/11 VICTIM: It's like some of the other things that I have of hers. I know she touched them. I know she wore them, and to me it means something, to have those things that she was wearing.

SNOW: The items were recovered from ground zero, from the Fresh Kills landfill, where much of the rubble was taken, and from the city morgue. Rings are the most common items. Some are described as being in good condition, others are severely damaged. The husband of victim Katherine Wolf is hoping his wife's ring is among the items.

CHARLES WOLF, HUSBAND OF 9/11 VICTIM: If it happens, it happens. If it doesn't, it doesn't. You know, I can't predict. You can't predict your emotions on something that's never happened before.

SNOW: To prevent fraud, the police department is not posting pictures on its Web site. Rather it's asking people to fill out detailed questionnaires about the items they're looking for.

INSPECTOR JACK TRABITZ, NEW YORK POLICE: It's heart wrenching to watch them go through it. For some people, we pray that it's closure. For other people, they are overwhelmed by their emotions at this time.

SNOW: New York's police department says to date, it's returned thousands of personal items, and by passing on pieces of family heritage, the department hopes to close a very painful chapter for New York.

COMM. RAY KELLY, NYPD: And also, to a certain extent, it gives us closure here in the department. We've had thousands of items that have been processed, catalogued, distributed. We have a lot of people that have devoted over three years to this challenge.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SNOW: And the police department says to date, it has returned more than 19,000 personal belongings -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Mary Snow, reporting for us a heartbreaking story. Indeed, thank you, Mary, very much. Caught on tape. A Florida teacher and the teen she's accused of having sex with talking on the phone.

Also ahead, we'll take you back to the White House, Christmas tree lighting ceremony. You're looking at live pictures right now. Darren Holden is singing. Let's listen in briefly.

(MUSIC)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back. Coming up, caught on tape. The suspended Florida school teacher and the teenager she's accused of having sex with talking on the phone. We'll get to that.

First, though, a quick check of some other stories now in the news.

New York Yankees slugger Jason Giambi reportedly testified to injecting human growth hormone and using steroids for at least three seasons. That's according to a report in "The San Francisco Chronicle," which reviewed a transcript of Giambi's testimony before a grand jury last year. Giambi has publicly denied ever using performance-enhancing drugs.

Two written statements from Private First Class Lynndie England can be used against her in a court-martial connected to the Abu Ghraib prison abuse scandal. A military judge today denied a motion to have the statements in which England reportedly admits taking part in the abuse of Iraqi prisoners thrown out. England could face 38 years in prison.

More emotional pleas at the sentencing phase of the Scott Peterson double murder trial. A longtime friend testified that Peterson was known for its volunteer work in high school and said it would be, quote, "a horrendous tragedy" if he were sentenced to death. Peterson has been convicted of murdering his wife Laci and their unborn son.

There's also a dramatic new twist in the Florida case involving a middle school teacher accused of having sex with a student.

CNN's Brian Todd is following the case. He is joining us live -- Brian.

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, prosecutors in Hillsborough County, Florida, have agreed to various requests from local media there for excerpts of taped phone conversations. As a result, we hear the accused teacher's voice for the first time.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TODD (voice-over): Debra Lafave has never spoken publicly, but in audiotapes just released by prosecutors, the suspended Tampa area middle school teacher is heard speaking on the phone with the then 14- year-old boy she's accused of having a sexual affair with. DEBRA LAFAVE, DEFENDANT: Pinky promise.

TODD: The prosecutor's office tells CNN the boy's voice has been altered to protect his identity. CNN has decided to avoid using his audio altogether because we believe there are detectable speech patterns.

Law enforcement sources tell CNN police taped calls by the 14- year-old to Lafave with his consent between June 18 and June 21 of this year. In one conversation, they discuss a call that Lafave had made to the boy's mother.

LAFAVE: Yes, I called her when I got home last night.

TODD: The boy replies, "Oh, how did that go?"

LAFAVE: It was -- I just told her, I was like, you know, I'm sorry, bad judgment. And I should have double checked with you, blah, blah, blah.

TODD: The boy says: "Uh-huh. Well, I guess I don't think we should be going to Ocala anymore."

LAFAVE: No. No.

TODD: The boy, "But everything went smooth in the portable." And a moment later, he says: "So whatever. If we decide to do anything again, then that should probably be our place for now."

LAFAVE: That's true. Are you OK?

TODD: Lafave faces charges of lewd and lascivious acts with a child for allegedly having sex with a teenager in, among other places, a portable school classroom and inside an SUV in Ocala, Florida, while the boy's 15-year-old cousin was driving.

In another call, they discuss birth control. The boy says like: "I don't want you to, like, get pregnant or anything. I was just thinking about it and I was just thinking if next time now that we've had sex about three times, if I should use a condom or something."

LAFAVE: Oh, you're being weird.

TODD: Earlier this week, Lafave's attorney told the judge he'll likely pursue the insanity defense. Prosecutors wouldn't comment directly on that, but did speak about possible use of these taped conversations.

MICHAEL SINACORE, ASSISTANT STATE PROSECUTOR: If insanity is raised in any particular case, controlled calls could also be valuable, so you can see the defendant's state of mind at or near the time of the crime.

TODD: We tried to contact Debra Lafave's attorney for reaction to the audiotapes. He didn't return our calls. Her trial is scheduled to begin in April. (END VIDEOTAPE)

TODD: Late this afternoon, law enforcement authorities sent us a copy of the written statement the boy gave them back in June. In it, he writes -- quote -- "During the last week of school, a teacher at Greco Middle School named Debra Lafave told me that she had feelings for me. She told me that she was thinking about me a lot and had feelings for me, that she didn't know what to do with them" -- end quote.

He then lists three different times he claims they had sex. We again called Lafave's attorney, John Fitzgibbons, for comment. He did not return our calls -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Brian Todd with the latest on this story -- thanks, Brian, very much.

A royal source of oil facing major problems. I'll speak with the president of Nigeria. He's here in Washington, fresh from a White House meeting with President Bush.

Plus, ceremonies marking the lighting of the National Christmas Tree unfolding right now.

Let's listen in briefly, "O, Holy Night."

(MUSIC)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: We're getting word on a replacement for Tom Ridge as secretary of homeland security.

Let's immediately go over to the White House. Elaine Quijano has the word -- Elaine.

ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good evening to you, Wolf.

Two senior administration officials are confirming to us that Bernard Kerik, the former New York City police commissioner, is the president's pick to succeed outgoing Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, that news coming to us just a few minutes ago. Of course, Kerik is a familiar face. In the days after September 11, he was quite visible. And he is also a man who more recently had been tapped to take on the daunting task of building police forces in Iraq, a person that clearly has the president's trust, a person that the president feels quite confident with.

And senior administration officials saying that an announcement will be made tomorrow, but confirming to CNN tonight that in fact Bernard Kerik is the president's choice to succeed Homeland Security Chief Tom Ridge, who announced his resignation -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Elaine Quijano reporting for us from the White House, Bernard Kerik, the former New York City police commissioner who worked under Mayor Rudy Giuliani on 9/11, nominated, will be nominated by the president to succeed Tom Ridge, secretary of homeland security.

Thanks, Elaine, very much.

The president had a White House meeting today with the leader of the world's seventh largest oil exporter. In that meeting, the president praised Nigerian President Obasanjo for his help in the war on terror and efforts to bring peace and security to Africa. And he urged those efforts to continue.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I think it is vital that the continent of Africa be a place of freedom and democracy and prosperity and hope.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Earlier, I spoke with President Obasanjo about some of the serious problems he faces at home in Africa, especially the violence in Sudan's Darfur region.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Mr. President, welcome to Washington. Thanks very much for joining us.

Let's get right to the issue of Sudan. Do you agree with President Bush and Secretary of State Powell that genocide is occurring in the Darfur province of Sudan right now?

OLUSEGUN OBASANJO, NIGERIAN PRESIDENT: Wolf, thank you very much. It's a pleasure for being here with you.

We have to define what is genocide. To me, genocide occurs when a particular group of people, a tribe or a religious group or a social group decides to get rid of another group, eliminate them from the surface of the Earth. Now, and it also have the backing or the support of an authority like a government.

BLITZER: Like the Sudanese government...

OBASANJO: Like any government. In that case, it will be the Sudanese government.

Now, what I know of Sudan it does not fit in all respects to that definition.

BLITZER: So you disagree with the president and the secretary of state?

OBASANJO: In the class...

(CROSSTALK)

BLITZER: You don't think this is genocide.

(CROSSTALK)

OBASANJO: ... classical case of genocide.

BLITZER: Because a lot of people feel this is genocide and that it should be treated as genocide and the government of Sudan should be condemned as a result.

OBASANJO: The government of Sudan can be condemned, but it's not as genocide, because what happened, to the best of my knowledge of this, the rebels up in arms, they were about overrun what you would call the government establishment.

BLITZER: But you don't think the Janjaweed, the rebels are -- have the backing of the Sudanese government?

OBASANJO: The Janjaweed have the backing of the Sudanese government, but the Janjaweed were not meant to eliminate a particular tribe or all of the tribes that took up arms. Government was about to be overrun and government thought, what can we do to prevent this? They arm another group of people who they see as opposed to the rebels to stop the overrunning of government.

BLITZER: So is this disagreement you have with President Bush, was it a serious issue in your meeting with him today?

OBASANJO: No, we didn't even talk about it, because we agreed that there's a problem in Darfur and in Sudan that we have to deal with. The fine definition of what is genocide or what is not genocide, we didn't go into that. We know that there is a problem in Darfur, crisis, that has to be stopped and we have to deal with it.

BLITZER: What are you going to do to stop it as the chairman of the African Union?

OBASANJO: We will do more of what we're already doing.

One, we know that the problem of Darfur is not really a military problem. It is a political problem which has mushroomed into a military, when the rebels took up arms. And we know that as a result of the military operation, humanitarian issues have come out. Security issues have come up.

Now, while we are dealing with those humanitarian issues and security issues, the real issue of Darfur is governance. How can the people of Darfur accept and believe that they are getting what is due to them in Sudan, in the united Sudan? And that is what the stakeholders' meeting in Abuja is all about.

BLITZER: Let's talk about some other issues on the agenda. I assume the issue of Nigerian oil exports to the United States was discussed during your meeting with the president.

OBASANJO: We discussed about the issue of security, availability and stability of supply, of hydrocarbons, not only from Nigeria, but from the whole belt which is termed Gulf of Guinea. BLITZER: Are you going to increase the export of oil to the United States? Right now you provide about 7 percent of U.S. imported oil.

OBASANJO: I want us to be able to provide 15 percent if possible. We want to move from about 2.8 capacity -- 2.8 million capacity a day that we are in now to about 4 million capacity.

BLITZER: Given the violence unfolding, is that realistic?

OBASANJO: Very much realistic. Well, the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) we are already dealing with that.

BLITZER: What about AIDS? Yesterday was World AIDS Day. This is a plague, especially in Africa and women in Africa. Is it understood well in Nigeria, the enormity of what's going on?

OBASANJO: Very much so, Wolf.

Maybe you will remember that one of the things that I did when I came into government from four years ago was to call the attention of the world by actually having a summit on HIV/AIDS. That was the first time that was done. As a result of that summit, the secretary-general of the United Nations came and broached the idea of a global trust fund which President Bush here launched.

BLITZER: But are you making a dent right now in dealing with this or is it just getting worse and worse and worse every day?

OBASANJO: Well, Wolf, I'll tell you the story about Nigeria. We do prevalence survey every two years.

We did one in 2001, which puts Nigeria prevalence at 5.8 percent. We did another one last year. We've got it down to 5 percent. Now, I am not satisfied with that. I will want to bring it down to zero. But even that little success must be acknowledged, must be celebrated. And we must do more of what has brought about that success. And that is exactly what we are doing. We are also treating, because, before 2001 that I mentioned, we were not even treating those who were -- they were regarded as totally hopeless. Today, we are treating over 15,000 Nigerians who are HIV/AIDS positive.

BLITZER: You certainly have a full agenda on your plate. And I'm grateful to you for spending a few moments with us while you're here in Washington.

OBASANJO: Wolf, thank you very much. It's always a pleasure to be here with you in CNN any time I have the opportunity.

BLITZER: Good luck to you and all the people of Nigeria.

OBASANJO: Thank you.

BLITZER: And let's immediately go to our senior United Nations correspondent, Richard Roth. He's on the phone. He's got a breaking news story. Richard, tell our viewers.

RICHARD ROTH, CNN SENIOR U.N. CORRESPONDENT: U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Danforth has resigned. Danforth recently led the entire Security Council to Nairobi, Kenya, for a meeting on Sudan.

The spokesman for John Danforth, Rick Rannell (ph), confirming us to the resignation, not giving a reason. Danforth chairing meetings this week on Africa here at the Security Council. He had been on somebody's short list to potentially be the next secretary of state, but we have no idea exactly why he might be resigning at this time -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Because that raises the suggestion, Richard, that because Condoleezza Rice has been nominated by the president to be secretary of state, there was widespread speculation he was on that short list. He might be frustrated and disappointed, hence, his resignation. Are you get getting any indication of that at all?

ROTHENBERG: Well, I didn't get that close to him during his very brief stay here. He did not seem that upset before or after on the possibility of being secretary of state, taking the attitude, if it's offered, fine.

And he has certainly had so many high-profile posts, whether it's Waco investigation, the Senate hearings, adviser to Clarence Thomas. He didn't strike me as someone who was going to be frustrated if he didn't get the top post. But we have not spoken to him personally at this time.

Of course, it hasn't been exactly a great portfolio here, considering the United States has the U.N. very low on its totem pole, the big fuss over oil-for-food, Kofi Annan calling the war illegal, the U.N. not supporting the U.S. invasion of Iraq and not coming to the aid with more troops in Iraq. It's a very difficult role at this time for the former Missouri senator.

BLITZER: We'll get some more information about Richard Danforth -- or John Danforth, that is, from Richard Roth. And we'll get that to our viewers as quickly as we can.

But we have confirmed that John Danforth, a short time at the United Nations as the U.S. ambassador, has decided to step down and resign, no word on why.

A presidential home for the holidays.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LAURA BUSH, FIRST LADY: Here's Barney building a snowman or else eating the carrot.

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BLITZER: The first lady, Laura Bush, showing off the White House, decked halls and all. And we'll think you live to the lighting of the National Christmas Tree in Washington, only moments away. The president will do it. You will see it live here on CNN.

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BLITZER: Laura Bush is getting into the holiday spirit.

For those dreaming of a White House Christmas, the first lady is showing off this year's holiday decorations.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

L. BUSH: This room is always so beautiful, however it's decorated, but especially this year, with the snow-covered trees and the red tablecloth, the white tulips. I think it really makes a beautiful room and this is the room that, of course, all of our guests who will be coming to parties all over the holiday season, will be able to fill their plate.

And, as you can see back here behind us, we have Frosty the Snowman, made by Thaddeus Dubois, our pastry chef. So that's the dessert table that is set up back there. And then on each of the mantles in this room is one of the songs that American children know and remember, and we have Rudolph over here, and Marshmallow World on that one, Frosty the Snowman back here, and Toy Land on the other mantle.

So, of course, I want peace. And I hope we have peace in the new year.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: First lady at the White House giving a tour of the Christmas decorations earlier today.

Just ahead, a flick of the switch. We're standing by. Take a look at this live picture, the Ellipse near the White House. The National Christmas Tree is waiting for the signal to shine. The president will do it.

And we'll bring it to you live. Stay with us.

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BLITZER: And let's go back to the Ellipse, near the White House, for the lighting of the National Christmas Tree. The president is there. He is about to be introduced.

Let's listen in to the program.

(INTERRUPTED FOR COVERAGE OF LIVE EVENT)

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