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CNN Live At Daybreak
Iraq on Brink of Milestone; Tony Blair Tackling Iraq War Issue Again
Aired March 05, 2004 - 06:00 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.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning everyone.
It is Friday, March 5.
From the CNN headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Catherine Callaway. I'm in for Carol this morning.
Here's the headlines.
President Bush hosts Mexican President Vicente Fox at his Texas ranch today. He may use the event to announce a change in how some Mexicans enter the U.S.
And U.S. Marines expand their patrols in Haiti. But militant supporters out ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide remain defiant there and rebels are not giving up the guns like they said they would.
Deliberations resume this morning in the trial of Martha Stewart and her former stockbroker. Away from the courtroom, Stewart got some good news, though -- six daytime Emmy nominations for her television show.
Prospective jury members in the Scott Peterson double murder trial are asked their opinions on extramarital affairs and the death penalty. Seating that jury could take two months.
And we update the top stories every 15 minutes. Our next update at 6:15.
Well, Iraq is on the brink of a milestone. The signing of its new interim constitution is just two hours away. And while in Britain it's a moment of truth for Tony Blair, as he defends his decision to go to war in Iraq.
We have two reports, Matthew Chance from London with the latest on Blair's speech and Ben Wedeman in Baghdad, as the powers prepare to sign that constitution -- Ben, let's begin with you.
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Catherine, the members of the Iraqi Governing Council will be signing that interim constitution in just two hours amidst massive security at a conference center that used to be the site of some of Saddam Hussein's famous conferences. But in the run up to that, there's been more reminders of the instability that has been plaguing this country.
Earlier today, we heard a series of blasts. According to Iraqi police, a roadside bomb went off on the road to the airport. And in addition to that, coalition sources are telling us that between six and eight .60 millimeter mortar rounds slammed into the grounds of the Baghdad International Airport. But in both those cases, there were no casualties or fatalities.
Now, this constitution, this interim constitution was supposed to be signed on Wednesday, but due to the bomb blasts that went off in Karbala and Baghdad on Tuesday, that was postponed until today.
Now, this interim constitution does represent a dramatic move forward towards the transition of power from the U.S.-led coalition Provisional Authority to an Iraqi government. This constitution includes 60 articles, which enshrine freedom of speech, freedom of religion. They also allow Iraqi women to occupy as many as 25 percent of the seats in the national assembly.
The constitution recognizes Islam as the major source of legislation, however, not the major source of legislation -- or, rather, the only major source of legislation, as was demanded by many Islamic conservatives. And it also enshrines a federal system for Iraq, which will ensure some sort of autonomy for the Kurds in the north -- Catherine.
CALLAWAY: OK, Ben, thank you very much.
That's Ben Wedeman.
And Iraq's interim constitution tries to guarantee freedom of speech and religion and rights for women.
And our Jane Arraf has more on the draft and how it's being received.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JANE ARRAF, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): There was no doubt this was history.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This document is historical because not only it reflects the agreement among the widest spectrum of Iraqi society, but it also is an aspirational.
ARRAF: Much of Iraq's proposed new constitution unprecedented in this region, including a target that women make up 25 percent of members of an elected national assembly. "We worked diligently to give women their rights," said Dr. Raja Habib Khuzaai, a Shia member of the Governing Council.
The document, agreed upon unanimously just before dawn Monday after weeks of negotiations, protects individual rights of all Iraqis and sets up democratic institutions like an independent justice system. But it sets some tough questions aside, including exactly how much power the Kurds, who have governed their own territory since 1991, will retain.
(on camera): In the streets of Baghdad, most people aren't sure what this document means. It hasn't been discussed with them or even explained to them. Many are skeptical.
(voice-over): At Baghdad University, engineering student Amar Sami (ph) said Iraqis were more concerned about feeling secure.
AMAR SAMI (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): What is more important now is that American forces put more stress on security. And after that, there should be general elections and then we can deal with a constitution.
ARRAF: One of the document's main aims is protecting religious freedom. In the Khadimiya neighborhood of Baghdad, home to one of the holiest sites in Shia Islam, followers practiced a ritual banned under the Baath Party, beating themselves to mark the killing of Imam Hussein 14 centuries ago. Hassan Mohammed Ali al-Yassein (ph), organizing a campaign for the faithful to give blood instead of making themselves bleed, said Shias wanted that freedom for everyone.
"In the way we are now practicing our rituals freely, the others have the same rights. There's no difference between Sunni, Shia and even non-Muslims. We're all Iraqis," said Khalid al-Karaluci (ph).
That's the intent behind the constitution. The hard work will be making all Iraqis feel that way.
Jane Arraf, CNN, Baghdad.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CALLAWAY: And as we've been telling you this morning, Britain's Tony Blair is right now tackling the Iraq war issue again.
And for the latest on the prime minister's defensive moves, we take you live to Matthew Chance in London, where the prime minister is continuing to speak -- hey, Matthew.
MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Catherine, thank you very much.
And Tony Blair is making this key address to his constituents in Sedgefield in northern England, addressing the issue of the Iraq war, the failure of the international community to find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, and, of course, his very controversial decision, in this country at least, to take this country's armed forces into the conflict in Iraq. He acknowledged that the decision to go to war in Iraq, his decision to take Britain into war, was one of the most divisive of his political career and he said he couldn't easily sweep aside the concerns of those who were opposed to his decision to go to war.
But he said that we -- we heard some of the arguments we've heard before about that justification, about the failure so far to find weapons of mass destruction. Also, about the legality of the war, which has been questioned quite recently here in Britain.
But what was interesting about this speech so far is Tony Blair's attempt to frame the war in Iraq within the larger picture of the international war against terrorism. He said that before the events of September 11, he, along with President Bush, had become increasingly concerned about, first of all, the rise of international Islamic terrorism, he called it; and, secondly, about the increasing number of states developing weapons of mass destruction and the increasing availability of those networks to distribute, potentially, weapons of mass destruction. He said that the events of 9/11 had defined that new unconventional threat and within that context he said it was impossible for him to ignore Iraq and just keep on with that policy of containing it.
So this is something of an argument that's been made in the United States quite a lot, that President Bush has made. But it's not something that so far the British public have been willing to accept at face value -- back to you.
CALLAWAY: Yes, we're hearing that argument on both sides of the pond, Matthew.
You said this is taking place, this speech is taking place in Sedgefield.
Is this being televised nationally over there?
CHANCE: Absolutely. All the British networks, of course, are going live on this speech because this is such an important issue for Tony Blair. Remember, this issue of his war in Iraq, his decision to take Britain into war, the issue of the failure of the international community and the Iraq Survey Group to so far find any weapons of mass destruction in Iraq hasn't gone away for Tony Blair. It's a big political issue for him. In fact, it's been intensifying over recent months.
Just last week, we saw one of his former cabinet ministers, Claire Short, come out and accuse the British intelligence services of spying on the U.N. secretary general, Kofi Annan, in the run up to war. This has reignited controversy.
Again, there are these questions in Britain, as well, about the legality of the war, questions that may have been raised by the British attorney general, but that are not being made public at this stage.
So even though there's been an attempt by Tony Blair to move the public debate onto other, more domestic issues, he seems now to be confronting this controversy, again, head on -- Catherine.
CALLAWAY: All right, Matthew, thank you very much.
Next hour on CNN, an interview with Paul Bremer. He's the coalition's civilian administrator in Iraq -- and Adnan Pachachi, he's of the Iraqi Governing Council. That's during the 7:00 Eastern time hour on AMERICAN MORNING. Stay with us for that.
And in about four hours, firefighters and families of 9/11 victims plan to publicly call on President Bush to drop some controversial campaign ads. Now, the ads in question show the wreckage of the World Trade Center and an American flag flying amid the debris. Some 9/11 families say that the president should not use the terrorist attacks for political gain. White House aides defend the ads as appropriate for an election about public policy.
And the man who was mayor of New York at the time of those attacks defends the president's use of those ads.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "ANDERSON COOPER 360")
RUDY GIULIANI, FORMER NEW YORK CITY MAYOR: I think it's been used in a very appropriate way. I think, you know, we've gone through six months of Democrats kind of over the top attacking the president, calling him names and part of it being his whole, his whole reaction to terrorism and the way in which they would have done it differently, feel they would have done it differently.
I mean he has a right to lay out his record. He almost can't run for reelection if you don't allow the man to lay out his record. Forever and ever in our history, his handling of September 11 is going to be part of his record.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CALLAWAY: You can hear more from former Mayor Rudy Giuliani coming up next hour. He will also be a guest on AMERICAN MORNING.
Well, a transit strike in Minnesota's Twin Cities tops this look at stories across America this morning. City officials in Minneapolis say that they were prepared for the strike and that helped avoid major headaches. But this morning's commute could be different. That's because up to five inches of snow is expected. An estimated 75,000 people ride more than 700 buses daily there.
And in Philadelphia, a judge has approved a custody plan to gradually reunite a mother with her 6-year-old daughter. The woman thought the girl was killed in a fire as an infant. But police have charged another woman with setting that fire and kidnapping the girl.
The greater Phoenix area will be drying out this morning after some heavy rain caused all kinds of flooding there. The National Weather Service says the downpour averaged between a half to one inch per hour. It came down so fast that some motorists were stranded. Look at that. But they were rescued by police, thank goodness.
ROB MARCIANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: They don't get much, but when they get it, they get it...
CALLAWAY: It comes all at one time.
MARCIANO: They get it in a hurry, that's for sure.
(WEATHER REPORT)
CALLAWAY: Coming up, a fitting tribute or cashing in on a tragedy? We'll have the story behind this new piece of plastic. And a football program in the national spotlight, using recognition to make major changes. We're going to talk about the new recruiting policy at the University of Colorado.
And peering in a public potty? What can passersby really see? We'll tell you, coming up.
This is DAYBREAK.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
CALLAWAY: It is 15 minutes after the hour and here are the headlines this morning.
Iraq's Governing Council plans to sign an interim constitution today. The agreement includes democratic legal principles. It's considered key to U.S. plans to transfer power to Iraqis in June.
And in Haiti, about 500 Marines are expected to arrive this weekend in Haiti. They'll join 500 other Marines already there patrolling the campaign after President Aristide was ousted.
It is another day of waiting for Martha Stewart. Jury members in her obstruction of justice trial will begin a third day of deliberations today.
The top stories every 15 minutes. The next update coming up at 6:30 Eastern time.
It's also time now for a little business buzz. Can a credit card honor the victims of the 9/11 attacks and still be in the good taste?
Well, let's go to Carrie Lee, who's joining us from the NASDAQ market site in Times Square -- good morning to you.
CARRIE LEE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Catherine.
MBNA has a new credit card and according to the "New York Daily News," it's causing some consternation. The MBNA Spirit of America MasterCard depicts the world famous image of three New York firefighters heaving a flag over the World Trade Center wreckage. The paper reports that a small portion of the card's proceeds actually benefit some charities, including The Bravest Fund, which was established by the three firefighters. The paper has done some investigation, though, and finding out that a small portion of the money has actually gone to disbursement, to the victims.
Take a look at the "New York Daily News" right here. There's a picture of the credit card. Here's a picture of the "New York Daily News." You can see it's a front page story, "Profits of Doom." This is the way they're depicting it. According to the fund's attorney, about $750,000 have been taken in for this fund, but they've only dispersed about $72,000. Some of the victims' family members really have a problem with this idea of a charity, but yet MBNA taking this card and using it for profit. MBNA could not be immediately reached for comment, but this is the latest, Catherine. A lot of people have a problem with this whole idea.
CALLAWAY: Yes, well, unless you're a victim or the family of a victim, you really can't understand, can you?
LEE: No.
CALLAWAY: All right, Carrie, thank you very much.
Coming up, a masterpiece in the sky.
And, on the trail of Osama bin Laden -- who's talking and where does the search stand.
Sold -- Jackson collectibles, no longer in that famous family.
Also coming up, our Photo of the Day. Can you tell us what this is?
We have the answer coming up.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
CALLAWAY:
(WEATHER REPORT)
CALLAWAY:
Scientists say that they see a lot of similarities between Vincent Van Gogh's painting,
The Hubble's picture shows
20 light years away.
So, do you just want to get away from it all? Find out some of the best places to vacation this year and what you'll have to do to get a spot on one of them.
Also coming up, is it the world's
Osama bin Laden.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
CALLAWAY: Here's our Photo of the Day.
So, did you figure it out? What is it?
Rob, do you know?
MARCIANO: It's dog hair, I don't know.
CALLAWAY: Oh, that's very good, Rob.
MARCIANO: Is it really?
CALLAWAY: Yes, it's a bershan freesey (ph) at the Crufts Dog Show in England.
MARCIANO: Well, that's not a real dog.
CALLAWAY: Yes, it is. Isn't she adorable? Her name is Firefly. She's getting a little trim before her performance at that show, which, incidentally, runs through the weekend. Twenty-four thousand dogs there.
MARCIANO: Wow.
CALLAWAY: I must be allergic to dog hair. I've been coughing all morning, Rob.
MARCIANO: Have you? No, it's going around.
CALLAWAY: Oh, my goodness.
MARCIANO: I think I have it, too.
CALLAWAY: Have a coughing fit at the top of the hour. I apologize for our viewers.
MARCIANO: Well, do have a little glass of water next to you?
CALLAWAY: You know, the crew here is so great. They've started bringing me water and cough drops.
MARCIANO: I bet.
CALLAWAY: It happens, of course, when you don't have a, you know, co-anchor.
MARCIANO: My crew up here is awesome, as well.
CALLAWAY: It's just you, isn't it?
MARCIANO: Yes. It is so lonely up here, you know? And it...
CALLAWAY: Well, if you start coughing we'll run you up some cough drops.
MARCIANO: OK. That's a deal.
(WEATHER REPORT)
MARCIANO: You're doing all right.
CALLAWAY: I'm trying. I just, you know...
MARCIANO: Fifteen days till spring.
CALLAWAY: ... I'm a little embarrassed about coughing on the air, but, you know, it happens, right?
MARCIANO: It happens, yes.
CALLAWAY: I see you got your graphics fixed.
MARCIANO: Yes. I don't know what -- I couldn't even tell you what happened. That's how scary it is up here. I don't know what went on. But I apologize.
CALLAWAY: Little gremlins everywhere this morning.
MARCIANO: Yes.
CALLAWAY: See you later.
MARCIANO: OK.
CALLAWAY: So what do Vincent van Gogh and the Hubble telescope have in common? Well, apparently quite a lot. Scientists say that they see a lot of similarities between Vincent van Gogh's painting, which is called "Starry Night," and this newly released image of a distant expanding star. Look at that. Now, van Gogh created his night sky rendition from memory when he was in a mental asylum. The Hubble's picture shows never before seen swirls of interstellar dust 20 light years away.
So, do you just want to get away from it all? Find out some of the best places to vacation this year and what you'll have to do to get a spot on one of them.
Also coming up, is it the world's worst kept secret? We'll tell you what the people at the top are saying about the hunt for Osama bin Laden.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
CALLAWAY: Well, good morning everyone, and welcome back to DAYBREAK.
I'm Catherine Callaway and it is Friday, March 5.
Here's the top stories this morning.
The same-sex marriage issue heats up in New York. A gay rights group says that it will file a lawsuit in Manhattan State Court today seeking marriage rights for gays and lesbians.
In Venezuela, operations of President Hugo Chavez demonstrate to demand the release of some 350 people arrested during recent demonstrations there.
And in Grand Forks, North Dakota, Alphonso Rodriguez, Jr. has a court hearing today. He's accused of the November kidnapping of college student Dru Sjodin. She's been missing since November 22.
Across the U.S., consumer confidence is up from last month. The index that checks on such things finds that Americans are apparently feeling a little bit better about their own finances, as well as the national economy.
We update the top stories every 15 minutes and our next update is coming up at 6:45 Eastern time.
If the Bush campaign officials wanted to get people talking, well, they have accomplished it. But it is unlikely that they expected such a controversy when they released campaign commercials showing footage from 9/11.
Here's CNN's Jason Carroll.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Issue Again>
Aired March 5, 2004 - 06:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning everyone.
It is Friday, March 5.
From the CNN headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Catherine Callaway. I'm in for Carol this morning.
Here's the headlines.
President Bush hosts Mexican President Vicente Fox at his Texas ranch today. He may use the event to announce a change in how some Mexicans enter the U.S.
And U.S. Marines expand their patrols in Haiti. But militant supporters out ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide remain defiant there and rebels are not giving up the guns like they said they would.
Deliberations resume this morning in the trial of Martha Stewart and her former stockbroker. Away from the courtroom, Stewart got some good news, though -- six daytime Emmy nominations for her television show.
Prospective jury members in the Scott Peterson double murder trial are asked their opinions on extramarital affairs and the death penalty. Seating that jury could take two months.
And we update the top stories every 15 minutes. Our next update at 6:15.
Well, Iraq is on the brink of a milestone. The signing of its new interim constitution is just two hours away. And while in Britain it's a moment of truth for Tony Blair, as he defends his decision to go to war in Iraq.
We have two reports, Matthew Chance from London with the latest on Blair's speech and Ben Wedeman in Baghdad, as the powers prepare to sign that constitution -- Ben, let's begin with you.
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Catherine, the members of the Iraqi Governing Council will be signing that interim constitution in just two hours amidst massive security at a conference center that used to be the site of some of Saddam Hussein's famous conferences. But in the run up to that, there's been more reminders of the instability that has been plaguing this country.
Earlier today, we heard a series of blasts. According to Iraqi police, a roadside bomb went off on the road to the airport. And in addition to that, coalition sources are telling us that between six and eight .60 millimeter mortar rounds slammed into the grounds of the Baghdad International Airport. But in both those cases, there were no casualties or fatalities.
Now, this constitution, this interim constitution was supposed to be signed on Wednesday, but due to the bomb blasts that went off in Karbala and Baghdad on Tuesday, that was postponed until today.
Now, this interim constitution does represent a dramatic move forward towards the transition of power from the U.S.-led coalition Provisional Authority to an Iraqi government. This constitution includes 60 articles, which enshrine freedom of speech, freedom of religion. They also allow Iraqi women to occupy as many as 25 percent of the seats in the national assembly.
The constitution recognizes Islam as the major source of legislation, however, not the major source of legislation -- or, rather, the only major source of legislation, as was demanded by many Islamic conservatives. And it also enshrines a federal system for Iraq, which will ensure some sort of autonomy for the Kurds in the north -- Catherine.
CALLAWAY: OK, Ben, thank you very much.
That's Ben Wedeman.
And Iraq's interim constitution tries to guarantee freedom of speech and religion and rights for women.
And our Jane Arraf has more on the draft and how it's being received.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JANE ARRAF, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): There was no doubt this was history.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This document is historical because not only it reflects the agreement among the widest spectrum of Iraqi society, but it also is an aspirational.
ARRAF: Much of Iraq's proposed new constitution unprecedented in this region, including a target that women make up 25 percent of members of an elected national assembly. "We worked diligently to give women their rights," said Dr. Raja Habib Khuzaai, a Shia member of the Governing Council.
The document, agreed upon unanimously just before dawn Monday after weeks of negotiations, protects individual rights of all Iraqis and sets up democratic institutions like an independent justice system. But it sets some tough questions aside, including exactly how much power the Kurds, who have governed their own territory since 1991, will retain.
(on camera): In the streets of Baghdad, most people aren't sure what this document means. It hasn't been discussed with them or even explained to them. Many are skeptical.
(voice-over): At Baghdad University, engineering student Amar Sami (ph) said Iraqis were more concerned about feeling secure.
AMAR SAMI (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): What is more important now is that American forces put more stress on security. And after that, there should be general elections and then we can deal with a constitution.
ARRAF: One of the document's main aims is protecting religious freedom. In the Khadimiya neighborhood of Baghdad, home to one of the holiest sites in Shia Islam, followers practiced a ritual banned under the Baath Party, beating themselves to mark the killing of Imam Hussein 14 centuries ago. Hassan Mohammed Ali al-Yassein (ph), organizing a campaign for the faithful to give blood instead of making themselves bleed, said Shias wanted that freedom for everyone.
"In the way we are now practicing our rituals freely, the others have the same rights. There's no difference between Sunni, Shia and even non-Muslims. We're all Iraqis," said Khalid al-Karaluci (ph).
That's the intent behind the constitution. The hard work will be making all Iraqis feel that way.
Jane Arraf, CNN, Baghdad.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CALLAWAY: And as we've been telling you this morning, Britain's Tony Blair is right now tackling the Iraq war issue again.
And for the latest on the prime minister's defensive moves, we take you live to Matthew Chance in London, where the prime minister is continuing to speak -- hey, Matthew.
MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Catherine, thank you very much.
And Tony Blair is making this key address to his constituents in Sedgefield in northern England, addressing the issue of the Iraq war, the failure of the international community to find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, and, of course, his very controversial decision, in this country at least, to take this country's armed forces into the conflict in Iraq. He acknowledged that the decision to go to war in Iraq, his decision to take Britain into war, was one of the most divisive of his political career and he said he couldn't easily sweep aside the concerns of those who were opposed to his decision to go to war.
But he said that we -- we heard some of the arguments we've heard before about that justification, about the failure so far to find weapons of mass destruction. Also, about the legality of the war, which has been questioned quite recently here in Britain.
But what was interesting about this speech so far is Tony Blair's attempt to frame the war in Iraq within the larger picture of the international war against terrorism. He said that before the events of September 11, he, along with President Bush, had become increasingly concerned about, first of all, the rise of international Islamic terrorism, he called it; and, secondly, about the increasing number of states developing weapons of mass destruction and the increasing availability of those networks to distribute, potentially, weapons of mass destruction. He said that the events of 9/11 had defined that new unconventional threat and within that context he said it was impossible for him to ignore Iraq and just keep on with that policy of containing it.
So this is something of an argument that's been made in the United States quite a lot, that President Bush has made. But it's not something that so far the British public have been willing to accept at face value -- back to you.
CALLAWAY: Yes, we're hearing that argument on both sides of the pond, Matthew.
You said this is taking place, this speech is taking place in Sedgefield.
Is this being televised nationally over there?
CHANCE: Absolutely. All the British networks, of course, are going live on this speech because this is such an important issue for Tony Blair. Remember, this issue of his war in Iraq, his decision to take Britain into war, the issue of the failure of the international community and the Iraq Survey Group to so far find any weapons of mass destruction in Iraq hasn't gone away for Tony Blair. It's a big political issue for him. In fact, it's been intensifying over recent months.
Just last week, we saw one of his former cabinet ministers, Claire Short, come out and accuse the British intelligence services of spying on the U.N. secretary general, Kofi Annan, in the run up to war. This has reignited controversy.
Again, there are these questions in Britain, as well, about the legality of the war, questions that may have been raised by the British attorney general, but that are not being made public at this stage.
So even though there's been an attempt by Tony Blair to move the public debate onto other, more domestic issues, he seems now to be confronting this controversy, again, head on -- Catherine.
CALLAWAY: All right, Matthew, thank you very much.
Next hour on CNN, an interview with Paul Bremer. He's the coalition's civilian administrator in Iraq -- and Adnan Pachachi, he's of the Iraqi Governing Council. That's during the 7:00 Eastern time hour on AMERICAN MORNING. Stay with us for that.
And in about four hours, firefighters and families of 9/11 victims plan to publicly call on President Bush to drop some controversial campaign ads. Now, the ads in question show the wreckage of the World Trade Center and an American flag flying amid the debris. Some 9/11 families say that the president should not use the terrorist attacks for political gain. White House aides defend the ads as appropriate for an election about public policy.
And the man who was mayor of New York at the time of those attacks defends the president's use of those ads.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "ANDERSON COOPER 360")
RUDY GIULIANI, FORMER NEW YORK CITY MAYOR: I think it's been used in a very appropriate way. I think, you know, we've gone through six months of Democrats kind of over the top attacking the president, calling him names and part of it being his whole, his whole reaction to terrorism and the way in which they would have done it differently, feel they would have done it differently.
I mean he has a right to lay out his record. He almost can't run for reelection if you don't allow the man to lay out his record. Forever and ever in our history, his handling of September 11 is going to be part of his record.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CALLAWAY: You can hear more from former Mayor Rudy Giuliani coming up next hour. He will also be a guest on AMERICAN MORNING.
Well, a transit strike in Minnesota's Twin Cities tops this look at stories across America this morning. City officials in Minneapolis say that they were prepared for the strike and that helped avoid major headaches. But this morning's commute could be different. That's because up to five inches of snow is expected. An estimated 75,000 people ride more than 700 buses daily there.
And in Philadelphia, a judge has approved a custody plan to gradually reunite a mother with her 6-year-old daughter. The woman thought the girl was killed in a fire as an infant. But police have charged another woman with setting that fire and kidnapping the girl.
The greater Phoenix area will be drying out this morning after some heavy rain caused all kinds of flooding there. The National Weather Service says the downpour averaged between a half to one inch per hour. It came down so fast that some motorists were stranded. Look at that. But they were rescued by police, thank goodness.
ROB MARCIANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: They don't get much, but when they get it, they get it...
CALLAWAY: It comes all at one time.
MARCIANO: They get it in a hurry, that's for sure.
(WEATHER REPORT)
CALLAWAY: Coming up, a fitting tribute or cashing in on a tragedy? We'll have the story behind this new piece of plastic. And a football program in the national spotlight, using recognition to make major changes. We're going to talk about the new recruiting policy at the University of Colorado.
And peering in a public potty? What can passersby really see? We'll tell you, coming up.
This is DAYBREAK.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
CALLAWAY: It is 15 minutes after the hour and here are the headlines this morning.
Iraq's Governing Council plans to sign an interim constitution today. The agreement includes democratic legal principles. It's considered key to U.S. plans to transfer power to Iraqis in June.
And in Haiti, about 500 Marines are expected to arrive this weekend in Haiti. They'll join 500 other Marines already there patrolling the campaign after President Aristide was ousted.
It is another day of waiting for Martha Stewart. Jury members in her obstruction of justice trial will begin a third day of deliberations today.
The top stories every 15 minutes. The next update coming up at 6:30 Eastern time.
It's also time now for a little business buzz. Can a credit card honor the victims of the 9/11 attacks and still be in the good taste?
Well, let's go to Carrie Lee, who's joining us from the NASDAQ market site in Times Square -- good morning to you.
CARRIE LEE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Catherine.
MBNA has a new credit card and according to the "New York Daily News," it's causing some consternation. The MBNA Spirit of America MasterCard depicts the world famous image of three New York firefighters heaving a flag over the World Trade Center wreckage. The paper reports that a small portion of the card's proceeds actually benefit some charities, including The Bravest Fund, which was established by the three firefighters. The paper has done some investigation, though, and finding out that a small portion of the money has actually gone to disbursement, to the victims.
Take a look at the "New York Daily News" right here. There's a picture of the credit card. Here's a picture of the "New York Daily News." You can see it's a front page story, "Profits of Doom." This is the way they're depicting it. According to the fund's attorney, about $750,000 have been taken in for this fund, but they've only dispersed about $72,000. Some of the victims' family members really have a problem with this idea of a charity, but yet MBNA taking this card and using it for profit. MBNA could not be immediately reached for comment, but this is the latest, Catherine. A lot of people have a problem with this whole idea.
CALLAWAY: Yes, well, unless you're a victim or the family of a victim, you really can't understand, can you?
LEE: No.
CALLAWAY: All right, Carrie, thank you very much.
Coming up, a masterpiece in the sky.
And, on the trail of Osama bin Laden -- who's talking and where does the search stand.
Sold -- Jackson collectibles, no longer in that famous family.
Also coming up, our Photo of the Day. Can you tell us what this is?
We have the answer coming up.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
CALLAWAY:
(WEATHER REPORT)
CALLAWAY:
Scientists say that they see a lot of similarities between Vincent Van Gogh's painting,
The Hubble's picture shows
20 light years away.
So, do you just want to get away from it all? Find out some of the best places to vacation this year and what you'll have to do to get a spot on one of them.
Also coming up, is it the world's
Osama bin Laden.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
CALLAWAY: Here's our Photo of the Day.
So, did you figure it out? What is it?
Rob, do you know?
MARCIANO: It's dog hair, I don't know.
CALLAWAY: Oh, that's very good, Rob.
MARCIANO: Is it really?
CALLAWAY: Yes, it's a bershan freesey (ph) at the Crufts Dog Show in England.
MARCIANO: Well, that's not a real dog.
CALLAWAY: Yes, it is. Isn't she adorable? Her name is Firefly. She's getting a little trim before her performance at that show, which, incidentally, runs through the weekend. Twenty-four thousand dogs there.
MARCIANO: Wow.
CALLAWAY: I must be allergic to dog hair. I've been coughing all morning, Rob.
MARCIANO: Have you? No, it's going around.
CALLAWAY: Oh, my goodness.
MARCIANO: I think I have it, too.
CALLAWAY: Have a coughing fit at the top of the hour. I apologize for our viewers.
MARCIANO: Well, do have a little glass of water next to you?
CALLAWAY: You know, the crew here is so great. They've started bringing me water and cough drops.
MARCIANO: I bet.
CALLAWAY: It happens, of course, when you don't have a, you know, co-anchor.
MARCIANO: My crew up here is awesome, as well.
CALLAWAY: It's just you, isn't it?
MARCIANO: Yes. It is so lonely up here, you know? And it...
CALLAWAY: Well, if you start coughing we'll run you up some cough drops.
MARCIANO: OK. That's a deal.
(WEATHER REPORT)
MARCIANO: You're doing all right.
CALLAWAY: I'm trying. I just, you know...
MARCIANO: Fifteen days till spring.
CALLAWAY: ... I'm a little embarrassed about coughing on the air, but, you know, it happens, right?
MARCIANO: It happens, yes.
CALLAWAY: I see you got your graphics fixed.
MARCIANO: Yes. I don't know what -- I couldn't even tell you what happened. That's how scary it is up here. I don't know what went on. But I apologize.
CALLAWAY: Little gremlins everywhere this morning.
MARCIANO: Yes.
CALLAWAY: See you later.
MARCIANO: OK.
CALLAWAY: So what do Vincent van Gogh and the Hubble telescope have in common? Well, apparently quite a lot. Scientists say that they see a lot of similarities between Vincent van Gogh's painting, which is called "Starry Night," and this newly released image of a distant expanding star. Look at that. Now, van Gogh created his night sky rendition from memory when he was in a mental asylum. The Hubble's picture shows never before seen swirls of interstellar dust 20 light years away.
So, do you just want to get away from it all? Find out some of the best places to vacation this year and what you'll have to do to get a spot on one of them.
Also coming up, is it the world's worst kept secret? We'll tell you what the people at the top are saying about the hunt for Osama bin Laden.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
CALLAWAY: Well, good morning everyone, and welcome back to DAYBREAK.
I'm Catherine Callaway and it is Friday, March 5.
Here's the top stories this morning.
The same-sex marriage issue heats up in New York. A gay rights group says that it will file a lawsuit in Manhattan State Court today seeking marriage rights for gays and lesbians.
In Venezuela, operations of President Hugo Chavez demonstrate to demand the release of some 350 people arrested during recent demonstrations there.
And in Grand Forks, North Dakota, Alphonso Rodriguez, Jr. has a court hearing today. He's accused of the November kidnapping of college student Dru Sjodin. She's been missing since November 22.
Across the U.S., consumer confidence is up from last month. The index that checks on such things finds that Americans are apparently feeling a little bit better about their own finances, as well as the national economy.
We update the top stories every 15 minutes and our next update is coming up at 6:45 Eastern time.
If the Bush campaign officials wanted to get people talking, well, they have accomplished it. But it is unlikely that they expected such a controversy when they released campaign commercials showing footage from 9/11.
Here's CNN's Jason Carroll.
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