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CNN Live At Daybreak
Iraq Constitution; More Than 20 People Plucked from Water in Baltimore Harbor
Aired March 08, 2004 - 05:00 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.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning to you.
It is Monday, March 8.
From the CNN global headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Carol Costello.
Let me bring you up to date right now.
The signing goes on. In fact, it just happened. Despite disagreements inside and violence outside, the Iraqi Governing Council has approved the country's new constitution and they're going to sign it momentarily. This is the ceremony live you're looking at, live from Baghdad.
A Human Rights Watch report out today is highly critical of U.S. forces in Afghanistan. The report cites needless civilian casualties, illegal arrests and the alleged torture of prisoners.
Martha Stewart reports to her probation officer today. She'll be told about restrictions on her life before she is sentenced on June 17.
And Bishop Gene Robinson officially takes control of the Episcopal Church in New Hampshire. The openly gay bishop says he'll keep reaching out to those troubled by his homosexuality.
We update the top stories every 15 minutes. The next news update comes your way at 5:15 Eastern.
It is the key to the U.S. transfer of power in Iraq, but delays led to concern a new constitution would never be signed. Well, now the time has come.
Let's head live to Baghdad and our bureau chief there, Jane Arraf.
She's actually standing outside the convention center here, where a new interim constitution is about to be signed -- Jane, tell us what's happening.
JANE ARRAF, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Carol, we're actually in this hall where history is being made. Now, just behind us, what we're seeing is something very similar to what we saw on Friday, but this time it actually is going to culminate in the signing of the constitution. Now, we have children here who are lined up to sing national songs. We have just had a prayer for the dead in Karbala and in Baghdad, those terrible bombings, as well as readings from the Koran, versus which call for unity and brotherhood. And at least for these brief moments, that is what we are seeing.
These 25 members of the Governing Council, who had failed to be able to ratify this constitution, have gotten together here, have walked into this room, and in the presence of L. Paul Bremer, the chief civilian administrator, General Ricardo Sanchez, the head of land forces, they are going to sign a document that will set Iraq on the path to democracy, everyone here hopes -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Of course, this day comes not without violence. We did hear of explosions outside of the convention center.
Do you know anything about those, Jane?
ARRAF: Carol, the only thing we can say with certainty is that as this country goes forward on this path to democracy, a very uneven path, we are going to be hearing a lot of explosions. Those particular ones did not hit close to here. They weren't see or felt here. And here, again, is the convention center, right across from the Rashid Hotel, which was rocketed last night.
But applause here for the children who are signing and we're about to get to the ceremony. But there's no one in this room, no one in the streets who expects that the violence and the explosions are going to stop any time soon -- Carol.
COSTELLO: So, a courageous move by the Governing Council today.
Jane Arraf, I don't know if you can stick around with us, but we also have our senior producer, David Clinch, from our international desk, to help us out with this story.
DAVID CLINCH, CNN INTERNATIONAL EDITOR: Hey, Carol.
COSTELLO: This is a momentous occasion, not just for the Iraqis, but the United States, as well.
CLINCH: It is. It's interim, and we have to stress that. It's temporary, but it's an essential interim and temporary step, in the view of the U.S., in order to get to that June 30th hand over that we've been talking about again and again. The U.S. and the British, of course, playing very much by the rules. Everything has to be done legally. Everything has to be signed.
The pressure, though, the intense pressure, particularly on the Shiite leadership, over the last two days -- I mean we had a canceled signing on Friday -- over the last two days to come around and not agree to change anything in the constitution, but basically agree, according to what we're hearing, the Shiites agreeing to put aside the disagreements, particularly over this federation arrangement, about how much power the Kurds would have versus the Shiites versus the Sunnis. Those disagreements still... COSTELLO: Exist.
CLINCH: ... believe me, still exist, we're being told, very much still exist. But according to what we're hearing, the Shiites agreeing that it was more important to get this document signed, to move on, to get the process going towards that hand over of power, which, of course, is, again, one other step towards what they want, which is true elections. And then, of course, they want to see the Shiites and others, how that process goes forward.
COSTELLO: And I know you want to break away so you can watch some of the ceremony...
CLINCH: Yes.
COSTELLO: ... and to ferret out some more information for us.
CLINCH: Right. I'll be back in a bit.
COSTELLO: Thank you, David Clinch.
Jane Arraf is going to be trolling around the convention center there in Baghdad to find out more information, as well.
But the new news this morning, an Iraqi interim constitution has been signed.
On with other news this morning now.
The first group of Justice Department officials involved in the war crimes trial of Saddam Hussein is on the way to Iraq. Ultimately, some 50 U.S. lawyers, investigators and prosecutors will gather and organize evidence in the case. But Iraqis will be in charge of the actual prosecution.
And in less than an hour, former Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide is expected to address journalists in the Central African Republic. It'll be his first public appearance since arriving in the country a week ago. Back in his home country, violence erupted during an anti-Aristide demonstration in the capital of Port-au-Prince. At least four people were killed during skirmishes with Aristide's supporters near the presidential palace.
It is being called a miraculous rescue effort. More than 20 people were plucked from the water after a taxi boat flipped over in a freak storm Saturday in the Baltimore Harbor. We're bringing you new pictures just coming into CNN from the U.S. Navy taken right after they arrived on the scene. Three people are still missing this morning. They are presumed dead. And also this morning, the search for them will continue.
More now from CNN's Kathleen Koch.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): All day, rescue vessels and helicopters searched the mouth of Baltimore's Inner Harbor for signs of the missing passengers. By late afternoon, divers were lowered into the zero visibility waters near two buoys identified by special on board dog teams.
CHIEF BILL GOODMAN, BALTIMORE FIRE DEPARTMENT: We have had some indicators from the search dogs in that area, so we're backing that up with intense re-searches.
KOCH: A large crane was brought in to right the water taxi that had been towed in, examined and photographed by investigators. The National Transportation Safety Board is interviewing passengers, witnesses and crew. Weather is said to be a very key focus of the investigation. Another question, whether the ferry company had properly prepared passengers for such an emergency.
ELLEN ENGLEMAN-CONNERS, CHAIRMAN, NTSB: Did people know how to help themselves when the accident was looming? Did they have access to the life jackets? Did they know where they were? Were they properly informed?
KOCH: Navy reservists first on the scene Saturday described driving rain, phenomenal swells. The Navy releasing photos of the passengers' dramatic rescue.
DAVID ROMANO, PETTY OFFICER, 1ST CLASS: They were pretty upset, screaming, hollering that they had people underneath the boat that were trapped.
KOCH: Half a dozen sailors dove in to find them.
ROMANO: It was very cold. It was very rough. There was a current. There's not really a high concern for one's person. You want to save people, save as many people as possible.
KOCH: Tourists boarding Harbor water taxis a day after the tragedy had mixed emotions.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm a little bit nervous, but it's not going to tear me from getting where I want to go. But I will know where the life jackets are.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is probably the safest day to be riding, it, the day after a problem. I'm sure that everybody here is watching things very carefully.
KOCH (on camera): The NTSB says everyone they've interviewed, including the captain and first mate, is cooperating. As part of standard procedure, toxicology tests are being conducted on blood and urine samples taken from the captain to check for the presence of alcohol or drugs. The investigation here in Baltimore is expected to continue for days.
Kathleen Koch, CNN, Baltimore.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: And you can find out more about the water taxi investigation later this morning on CNN.
NTSB Chairman Ellen Engleman-Connors will be a guest in the eight o'clock Eastern hour of AMERICAN MORNING.
A bizarre story about the possible sale of body parts is one of the other stories making news across America this morning. Two arrests have been made. One of those arrested is the director of the UCLA Medical Center's Willed Body Program. The program handles bodies that are donated to the university for medical research. A news conference on the investigation and arrests scheduled for later this afternoon.
In Maryland, more than 300,000 chickens were destroyed after the bird flu was found on a farm. The strain is the same found last month at two Delaware farms. Agriculture officials immediately quarantined all farms around the infected area.
And the son of Hall of Famer Ted Williams is dead. John Henry Williams died of leukemia over the weekend. He had undergone a bone marrow transplant just a few months ago. John Henry Williams, you may remember, had his father cryogenically frozen after his death in 2002. John Henry Williams was only 35 years old.
Iraq and 9/11, two issues that are front and center in the presidential campaign. John Kerry may revisit these issues when he stumps in Florida today. In the meantime, Bush campaign officials are firing back at Kerry, saying the president has provided extraordinary cooperation to the 9/11 Commission.
CNN's Candy Crowley is with the Kerry campaign.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Senator, can I kiss you?
CANDY CROWLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In a campaign dedicated to the proposition that no presidential utterance go unanswered, John Kerry says he, too, will talk about 9/11 during the campaign. For instance, what's the administration doing to aid the investigation of pre-9/11 intelligence?
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I think they're slow walking it and I think it is, I think they don't want accountability. You know, they want to get it out of the way as fast as they can so the memory of Americans might be shorter.
CROWLEY: Before blasting the president to reporters, Kerry went to a Jackson, Mississippi church for a little scripture and politics.
KERRY: What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? As I look at the broken promises, as I look around and see people talk about uniting and then they divide, talk about bringing the country together and on Martin Luther King's birthday they attack affirmative action.
CROWLEY: Though well received, afterwards Kerry did run into one congregant less than enthused with his sermon.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You openly ridiculed President Bush for his foreign policies. But isn't it true that you actually agreed with him on a lot of his domestic and foreign policies initially?
KERRY: No. I agreed that we ought to hold Saddam Hussein accountable.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK.
KERRY: But I didn't agree we should do it the way he did it.
CROWLEY: Kerry's yes vote on Iraq is one of several under scrutiny as his star rises. The senator also voted yes on the president's education bill he now critics, and yes on the Patriot Act, that he and most of his audiences now rail against.
KERRY: Two words to describe what is most wrong with the Patriot Act -- John Ashcroft.
CROWLEY: Pushing back against Republican criticism he flip-flops on issues for political expedience, Kerry says it's the president who's a walking contradiction.
(on camera): On Iraq, Kerry says he'd like a group to go over there to assess the situation for him so he can put together a detailed policy position. He leaves open the possibility he might go himself, but the senator says he doesn't want to politicize the journey.
Candy Crowley, CNN, Tugaloo, Mississippi.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: To the forecast -- Chad.
CHAD MYERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Welcome back, Carol.
COSTELLO: And welcome back to you. I flipped on DAYBREAK and you were gone, too.
Where'd you go?
MYERS: I had to go to a severe weather conference in Oklahoma City.
COSTELLO: Your favorite thing.
MYERS: Yes. And, you know, it's funny, because the other people in this office, they go to conferences like in Hawaii and steamboat and Puerto Rico and I get to go to Oklahoma. Not that there was anything wrong with it, but it isn't Hawaii.
COSTELLO: Of course not.
MYERS: There's not a beach there. COSTELLO: No, not quite.
MYERS: Yes, you actually have to go to the meetings, because there's not much else to do.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: Oh, look, our spring countdown. Only 12 days.
MYERS: Twelve days.
COSTELLO: That's fantastic.
MYERS: And a snowstorm coming for the Northeast next Tuesday.
COSTELLO: Oh, we'll just ignore that.
MYERS: OK.
COSTELLO: Although probably not a good idea to do that.
Thank you, Chad.
MYERS: You're welcome.
COSTELLO: Buried alive under six feet of snow. Speaking of snow, well, a Scout group lives to tell their tale. Hear their amazing survival stories straight ahead.
CHRIS BURNS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And I'm Chris Burns in Jerusalem.
We'll have the latest fallout from yesterday's Israeli incursion into the Gaza Strip that left 14 Palestinians dead.
COSTELLO: Plus, a new day for the Episcopal Church. We'll take you to New Hampshire, where that state is welcoming its first openly gay bishop. Hear what the people there have to say about it.
And out of the ring, but not out of mind. A Hall of Fame boxer comes home.
It is Monday, March 8.
You are watching DAYBREAK.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: It is now 5:16 Eastern time.
Time to take a quick look at the top stories now.
In our DAYBREAK early briefing, the Iraqi Governing Council is finally, oh, just about to sign the country's oft delayed constitution. Last minute disagreements postponed last week's signing ceremony. You're looking at a live picture of that ceremony right now.
Jury selection resumes today and should be completed this week in the murder trial of convicted Oklahoma City bombing co-conspirator Terry Nichols.
And NASA will run tests today to find out why the rover Opportunity has been unable to collect rock samples from an important area on Mars.
We update the top stories every 15 minutes. The next update comes your way at 5:15 Eastern.
Time now, though, to check the overseas markets to see what Wall Street investors will wake up to.
For that, we head live to London and Todd Benjamin -- good morning, Todd.
TODD BENJAMIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.
Let's start with the European markets, because, of course, last week they hit 20 month highs three times and then, of course, they were tripped up by the much weaker than expected employment report out of the U.S. on Friday. But they're back in the running today, with both the DAX and the CAC both yup about a half percent. The FTSE, though, is flat.
In the currency market, if you're coming to Europe, the euro is at 123.81, just below that 124 level. Of course, on Friday, the dollar weakened considerably following that weak employment report.
And sterling is back above 185 to the dollar. And earlier in the week, on the expectation the employment report would be strong, it was below 182. So it's had a big comeback, also.
Of course, this is where things settled at the close on Friday.
As to what we can expect today, no major economic data. But we'll get an update from Texas Instruments, the big chip company, after the close of trading on Wall Street this Monday.
And the futures right now pointing to a slightly higher open for the NASDAQ, a pretty flat open for the S&P 500 -- back to you.
COSTELLO: Todd Benjamin, many thanks.
It is one of the deadliest gun battles in more than a year and today a pledge of revenge from the Palestinians. After six hours of fighting in Gaza, 14 are dead, including three boys ages eight, 12 and 15.
We take you live now to Chris Burns.
He's in Jerusalem this morning -- Chris, what's the atmosphere like there today? BURNS: Carol, an atmosphere of tension, an atmosphere of watching for what will happen next. A lot of security, a lot of heavy security here in Israel. Also on the Palestinian side, vows of revenge by the Hamas militants and other militant groups inside Gaza.
We saw some very furious and angry scenes in Gaza yesterday after that Israeli incursion into the el-Bureij and Nusseirat refugee camps, where some 14 people were killed. Most of them, 11 of them were Palestinian militants that were fighting with the Israelis as they moved in with tanks and armed personnel carriers in an apparent effort to draw those gunmen out into the streets and fight them and to fire with them.
There was a very heavy exchange of gunfire and also even, the Israelis said that more than a dozen missiles were fired at the tanks, as well. So very heavy fighting. But, of course, three young boys were also killed in that fighting. The vow by the militants is to strike back at Israel in any way they can and they did fire a rocket into Israel early this morning. No injuries.
Another incident in Gaza this morning, a 14-year-old Palestinian boy was shot and killed as, according to Palestinian sources, that as he worked in a field with his father near a Jewish settlement in Gaza. So more violence today, as well.
On the Israeli side, very heavy security. This is the Purim Festival weekend and today it is wrapping up. A lot of children are on the street dressed in little sort of Halloween looking costumes and disguises. This is marking the festival that marks the deliverance of the Jews from the threat of genocide in ancient Iran -- Persia, that is.
So this is a very festive atmosphere, but at the same time, a lot of tension, a lot of anticipation. When will the next attack by the militants be on the Israeli side -- Carol.
COSTELLO: All right, Chris Burns live from Jerusalem this morning.
A camping trip turns into a true test of survival for a group of Boy Scouts.
And check this out -- here we come. See that frog there? That's one frog. You know, they say two heads are better than one, but three?
This is DAYBREAK for Monday.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Buried alive -- that tops our DAYBREAK Eye-Opener.
In Utah, a group of Boy Scouts got more than they bargained for during an emergency survival outing. Thirty-nine Scouts were trapped under six feet of snow after high winds caused their snow caves to collapse. Scout leaders sleeping outside the caves called in the rescue crews, who successfully dug out the Scouts.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BOB THOMAS, SCOUTMASTER: Well, our whole idea was to go out and be prepared for certain circumstances where you might be trapped in the outdoors in such conditions. But we in no way anticipated actually putting our training to use that night.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: But they did, successfully.
The first real stage of the Iditarod sled dog race went off without a hitch. A record 87 teams with more than 1,300 dogs are making the trek through Alaska. Last year's winner took just over nine days to complete the 1,100 mile course.
And check this out. See these three frog -- I can't speak this morning because I'm looking at this weird picture. This is one frog with three heads. Yes, one big, ugly mutant frog, Chad.
MYERS: Hmmm.
COSTELLO: It was found in a children's school in England and I'm sure those kids are now in therapy. It makes you wonder how exactly this happened and what kind of water these frogs were in, doesn't it?
MYERS: Yikes. It's kind of a little scary there, exactly. Hmmm.
COSTELLO: Freaky.
MYERS: They don't have those kind of frogs in Poipu, Carol.
COSTELLO: No, the frogs are big, fat and normal looking.
MYERS: Exactly, because they like all that rain, even though Poipu is the sunny side of the island.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: A new Imax movie out, Chad.
MYERS: Is that right?
COSTELLO: I saw it advertised in the New York paper. It's NASCAR.
MYERS: No kidding?
COSTELLO: Wouldn't that be fun?
MYERS: That would be fun.
COSTELLO: Yes, we'll have to keep looking for it in Atlanta because I know you would want to see that. MYERS: They one over at the museum in Decatur.
COSTELLO: Yes.
MYERS: I'll take you there.
COSTELLO: Yes.
It sounds fun.
Thank you.
MYERS: Sure.
COSTELLO: Thank you, Chad.
MYERS: All right.
COSTELLO: Back on track, what does a signed constitution really mean for Iraq and will we see things change?
We're going to take you back live to Baghdad.
And a week after Aristide flees, some of the worst violence yet in Haiti.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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in Baltimore Harbor>
Aired March 8, 2004 - 05:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning to you.
It is Monday, March 8.
From the CNN global headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Carol Costello.
Let me bring you up to date right now.
The signing goes on. In fact, it just happened. Despite disagreements inside and violence outside, the Iraqi Governing Council has approved the country's new constitution and they're going to sign it momentarily. This is the ceremony live you're looking at, live from Baghdad.
A Human Rights Watch report out today is highly critical of U.S. forces in Afghanistan. The report cites needless civilian casualties, illegal arrests and the alleged torture of prisoners.
Martha Stewart reports to her probation officer today. She'll be told about restrictions on her life before she is sentenced on June 17.
And Bishop Gene Robinson officially takes control of the Episcopal Church in New Hampshire. The openly gay bishop says he'll keep reaching out to those troubled by his homosexuality.
We update the top stories every 15 minutes. The next news update comes your way at 5:15 Eastern.
It is the key to the U.S. transfer of power in Iraq, but delays led to concern a new constitution would never be signed. Well, now the time has come.
Let's head live to Baghdad and our bureau chief there, Jane Arraf.
She's actually standing outside the convention center here, where a new interim constitution is about to be signed -- Jane, tell us what's happening.
JANE ARRAF, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Carol, we're actually in this hall where history is being made. Now, just behind us, what we're seeing is something very similar to what we saw on Friday, but this time it actually is going to culminate in the signing of the constitution. Now, we have children here who are lined up to sing national songs. We have just had a prayer for the dead in Karbala and in Baghdad, those terrible bombings, as well as readings from the Koran, versus which call for unity and brotherhood. And at least for these brief moments, that is what we are seeing.
These 25 members of the Governing Council, who had failed to be able to ratify this constitution, have gotten together here, have walked into this room, and in the presence of L. Paul Bremer, the chief civilian administrator, General Ricardo Sanchez, the head of land forces, they are going to sign a document that will set Iraq on the path to democracy, everyone here hopes -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Of course, this day comes not without violence. We did hear of explosions outside of the convention center.
Do you know anything about those, Jane?
ARRAF: Carol, the only thing we can say with certainty is that as this country goes forward on this path to democracy, a very uneven path, we are going to be hearing a lot of explosions. Those particular ones did not hit close to here. They weren't see or felt here. And here, again, is the convention center, right across from the Rashid Hotel, which was rocketed last night.
But applause here for the children who are signing and we're about to get to the ceremony. But there's no one in this room, no one in the streets who expects that the violence and the explosions are going to stop any time soon -- Carol.
COSTELLO: So, a courageous move by the Governing Council today.
Jane Arraf, I don't know if you can stick around with us, but we also have our senior producer, David Clinch, from our international desk, to help us out with this story.
DAVID CLINCH, CNN INTERNATIONAL EDITOR: Hey, Carol.
COSTELLO: This is a momentous occasion, not just for the Iraqis, but the United States, as well.
CLINCH: It is. It's interim, and we have to stress that. It's temporary, but it's an essential interim and temporary step, in the view of the U.S., in order to get to that June 30th hand over that we've been talking about again and again. The U.S. and the British, of course, playing very much by the rules. Everything has to be done legally. Everything has to be signed.
The pressure, though, the intense pressure, particularly on the Shiite leadership, over the last two days -- I mean we had a canceled signing on Friday -- over the last two days to come around and not agree to change anything in the constitution, but basically agree, according to what we're hearing, the Shiites agreeing to put aside the disagreements, particularly over this federation arrangement, about how much power the Kurds would have versus the Shiites versus the Sunnis. Those disagreements still... COSTELLO: Exist.
CLINCH: ... believe me, still exist, we're being told, very much still exist. But according to what we're hearing, the Shiites agreeing that it was more important to get this document signed, to move on, to get the process going towards that hand over of power, which, of course, is, again, one other step towards what they want, which is true elections. And then, of course, they want to see the Shiites and others, how that process goes forward.
COSTELLO: And I know you want to break away so you can watch some of the ceremony...
CLINCH: Yes.
COSTELLO: ... and to ferret out some more information for us.
CLINCH: Right. I'll be back in a bit.
COSTELLO: Thank you, David Clinch.
Jane Arraf is going to be trolling around the convention center there in Baghdad to find out more information, as well.
But the new news this morning, an Iraqi interim constitution has been signed.
On with other news this morning now.
The first group of Justice Department officials involved in the war crimes trial of Saddam Hussein is on the way to Iraq. Ultimately, some 50 U.S. lawyers, investigators and prosecutors will gather and organize evidence in the case. But Iraqis will be in charge of the actual prosecution.
And in less than an hour, former Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide is expected to address journalists in the Central African Republic. It'll be his first public appearance since arriving in the country a week ago. Back in his home country, violence erupted during an anti-Aristide demonstration in the capital of Port-au-Prince. At least four people were killed during skirmishes with Aristide's supporters near the presidential palace.
It is being called a miraculous rescue effort. More than 20 people were plucked from the water after a taxi boat flipped over in a freak storm Saturday in the Baltimore Harbor. We're bringing you new pictures just coming into CNN from the U.S. Navy taken right after they arrived on the scene. Three people are still missing this morning. They are presumed dead. And also this morning, the search for them will continue.
More now from CNN's Kathleen Koch.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): All day, rescue vessels and helicopters searched the mouth of Baltimore's Inner Harbor for signs of the missing passengers. By late afternoon, divers were lowered into the zero visibility waters near two buoys identified by special on board dog teams.
CHIEF BILL GOODMAN, BALTIMORE FIRE DEPARTMENT: We have had some indicators from the search dogs in that area, so we're backing that up with intense re-searches.
KOCH: A large crane was brought in to right the water taxi that had been towed in, examined and photographed by investigators. The National Transportation Safety Board is interviewing passengers, witnesses and crew. Weather is said to be a very key focus of the investigation. Another question, whether the ferry company had properly prepared passengers for such an emergency.
ELLEN ENGLEMAN-CONNERS, CHAIRMAN, NTSB: Did people know how to help themselves when the accident was looming? Did they have access to the life jackets? Did they know where they were? Were they properly informed?
KOCH: Navy reservists first on the scene Saturday described driving rain, phenomenal swells. The Navy releasing photos of the passengers' dramatic rescue.
DAVID ROMANO, PETTY OFFICER, 1ST CLASS: They were pretty upset, screaming, hollering that they had people underneath the boat that were trapped.
KOCH: Half a dozen sailors dove in to find them.
ROMANO: It was very cold. It was very rough. There was a current. There's not really a high concern for one's person. You want to save people, save as many people as possible.
KOCH: Tourists boarding Harbor water taxis a day after the tragedy had mixed emotions.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm a little bit nervous, but it's not going to tear me from getting where I want to go. But I will know where the life jackets are.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is probably the safest day to be riding, it, the day after a problem. I'm sure that everybody here is watching things very carefully.
KOCH (on camera): The NTSB says everyone they've interviewed, including the captain and first mate, is cooperating. As part of standard procedure, toxicology tests are being conducted on blood and urine samples taken from the captain to check for the presence of alcohol or drugs. The investigation here in Baltimore is expected to continue for days.
Kathleen Koch, CNN, Baltimore.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: And you can find out more about the water taxi investigation later this morning on CNN.
NTSB Chairman Ellen Engleman-Connors will be a guest in the eight o'clock Eastern hour of AMERICAN MORNING.
A bizarre story about the possible sale of body parts is one of the other stories making news across America this morning. Two arrests have been made. One of those arrested is the director of the UCLA Medical Center's Willed Body Program. The program handles bodies that are donated to the university for medical research. A news conference on the investigation and arrests scheduled for later this afternoon.
In Maryland, more than 300,000 chickens were destroyed after the bird flu was found on a farm. The strain is the same found last month at two Delaware farms. Agriculture officials immediately quarantined all farms around the infected area.
And the son of Hall of Famer Ted Williams is dead. John Henry Williams died of leukemia over the weekend. He had undergone a bone marrow transplant just a few months ago. John Henry Williams, you may remember, had his father cryogenically frozen after his death in 2002. John Henry Williams was only 35 years old.
Iraq and 9/11, two issues that are front and center in the presidential campaign. John Kerry may revisit these issues when he stumps in Florida today. In the meantime, Bush campaign officials are firing back at Kerry, saying the president has provided extraordinary cooperation to the 9/11 Commission.
CNN's Candy Crowley is with the Kerry campaign.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Senator, can I kiss you?
CANDY CROWLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In a campaign dedicated to the proposition that no presidential utterance go unanswered, John Kerry says he, too, will talk about 9/11 during the campaign. For instance, what's the administration doing to aid the investigation of pre-9/11 intelligence?
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I think they're slow walking it and I think it is, I think they don't want accountability. You know, they want to get it out of the way as fast as they can so the memory of Americans might be shorter.
CROWLEY: Before blasting the president to reporters, Kerry went to a Jackson, Mississippi church for a little scripture and politics.
KERRY: What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? As I look at the broken promises, as I look around and see people talk about uniting and then they divide, talk about bringing the country together and on Martin Luther King's birthday they attack affirmative action.
CROWLEY: Though well received, afterwards Kerry did run into one congregant less than enthused with his sermon.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You openly ridiculed President Bush for his foreign policies. But isn't it true that you actually agreed with him on a lot of his domestic and foreign policies initially?
KERRY: No. I agreed that we ought to hold Saddam Hussein accountable.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK.
KERRY: But I didn't agree we should do it the way he did it.
CROWLEY: Kerry's yes vote on Iraq is one of several under scrutiny as his star rises. The senator also voted yes on the president's education bill he now critics, and yes on the Patriot Act, that he and most of his audiences now rail against.
KERRY: Two words to describe what is most wrong with the Patriot Act -- John Ashcroft.
CROWLEY: Pushing back against Republican criticism he flip-flops on issues for political expedience, Kerry says it's the president who's a walking contradiction.
(on camera): On Iraq, Kerry says he'd like a group to go over there to assess the situation for him so he can put together a detailed policy position. He leaves open the possibility he might go himself, but the senator says he doesn't want to politicize the journey.
Candy Crowley, CNN, Tugaloo, Mississippi.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: To the forecast -- Chad.
CHAD MYERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Welcome back, Carol.
COSTELLO: And welcome back to you. I flipped on DAYBREAK and you were gone, too.
Where'd you go?
MYERS: I had to go to a severe weather conference in Oklahoma City.
COSTELLO: Your favorite thing.
MYERS: Yes. And, you know, it's funny, because the other people in this office, they go to conferences like in Hawaii and steamboat and Puerto Rico and I get to go to Oklahoma. Not that there was anything wrong with it, but it isn't Hawaii.
COSTELLO: Of course not.
MYERS: There's not a beach there. COSTELLO: No, not quite.
MYERS: Yes, you actually have to go to the meetings, because there's not much else to do.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: Oh, look, our spring countdown. Only 12 days.
MYERS: Twelve days.
COSTELLO: That's fantastic.
MYERS: And a snowstorm coming for the Northeast next Tuesday.
COSTELLO: Oh, we'll just ignore that.
MYERS: OK.
COSTELLO: Although probably not a good idea to do that.
Thank you, Chad.
MYERS: You're welcome.
COSTELLO: Buried alive under six feet of snow. Speaking of snow, well, a Scout group lives to tell their tale. Hear their amazing survival stories straight ahead.
CHRIS BURNS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And I'm Chris Burns in Jerusalem.
We'll have the latest fallout from yesterday's Israeli incursion into the Gaza Strip that left 14 Palestinians dead.
COSTELLO: Plus, a new day for the Episcopal Church. We'll take you to New Hampshire, where that state is welcoming its first openly gay bishop. Hear what the people there have to say about it.
And out of the ring, but not out of mind. A Hall of Fame boxer comes home.
It is Monday, March 8.
You are watching DAYBREAK.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: It is now 5:16 Eastern time.
Time to take a quick look at the top stories now.
In our DAYBREAK early briefing, the Iraqi Governing Council is finally, oh, just about to sign the country's oft delayed constitution. Last minute disagreements postponed last week's signing ceremony. You're looking at a live picture of that ceremony right now.
Jury selection resumes today and should be completed this week in the murder trial of convicted Oklahoma City bombing co-conspirator Terry Nichols.
And NASA will run tests today to find out why the rover Opportunity has been unable to collect rock samples from an important area on Mars.
We update the top stories every 15 minutes. The next update comes your way at 5:15 Eastern.
Time now, though, to check the overseas markets to see what Wall Street investors will wake up to.
For that, we head live to London and Todd Benjamin -- good morning, Todd.
TODD BENJAMIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.
Let's start with the European markets, because, of course, last week they hit 20 month highs three times and then, of course, they were tripped up by the much weaker than expected employment report out of the U.S. on Friday. But they're back in the running today, with both the DAX and the CAC both yup about a half percent. The FTSE, though, is flat.
In the currency market, if you're coming to Europe, the euro is at 123.81, just below that 124 level. Of course, on Friday, the dollar weakened considerably following that weak employment report.
And sterling is back above 185 to the dollar. And earlier in the week, on the expectation the employment report would be strong, it was below 182. So it's had a big comeback, also.
Of course, this is where things settled at the close on Friday.
As to what we can expect today, no major economic data. But we'll get an update from Texas Instruments, the big chip company, after the close of trading on Wall Street this Monday.
And the futures right now pointing to a slightly higher open for the NASDAQ, a pretty flat open for the S&P 500 -- back to you.
COSTELLO: Todd Benjamin, many thanks.
It is one of the deadliest gun battles in more than a year and today a pledge of revenge from the Palestinians. After six hours of fighting in Gaza, 14 are dead, including three boys ages eight, 12 and 15.
We take you live now to Chris Burns.
He's in Jerusalem this morning -- Chris, what's the atmosphere like there today? BURNS: Carol, an atmosphere of tension, an atmosphere of watching for what will happen next. A lot of security, a lot of heavy security here in Israel. Also on the Palestinian side, vows of revenge by the Hamas militants and other militant groups inside Gaza.
We saw some very furious and angry scenes in Gaza yesterday after that Israeli incursion into the el-Bureij and Nusseirat refugee camps, where some 14 people were killed. Most of them, 11 of them were Palestinian militants that were fighting with the Israelis as they moved in with tanks and armed personnel carriers in an apparent effort to draw those gunmen out into the streets and fight them and to fire with them.
There was a very heavy exchange of gunfire and also even, the Israelis said that more than a dozen missiles were fired at the tanks, as well. So very heavy fighting. But, of course, three young boys were also killed in that fighting. The vow by the militants is to strike back at Israel in any way they can and they did fire a rocket into Israel early this morning. No injuries.
Another incident in Gaza this morning, a 14-year-old Palestinian boy was shot and killed as, according to Palestinian sources, that as he worked in a field with his father near a Jewish settlement in Gaza. So more violence today, as well.
On the Israeli side, very heavy security. This is the Purim Festival weekend and today it is wrapping up. A lot of children are on the street dressed in little sort of Halloween looking costumes and disguises. This is marking the festival that marks the deliverance of the Jews from the threat of genocide in ancient Iran -- Persia, that is.
So this is a very festive atmosphere, but at the same time, a lot of tension, a lot of anticipation. When will the next attack by the militants be on the Israeli side -- Carol.
COSTELLO: All right, Chris Burns live from Jerusalem this morning.
A camping trip turns into a true test of survival for a group of Boy Scouts.
And check this out -- here we come. See that frog there? That's one frog. You know, they say two heads are better than one, but three?
This is DAYBREAK for Monday.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Buried alive -- that tops our DAYBREAK Eye-Opener.
In Utah, a group of Boy Scouts got more than they bargained for during an emergency survival outing. Thirty-nine Scouts were trapped under six feet of snow after high winds caused their snow caves to collapse. Scout leaders sleeping outside the caves called in the rescue crews, who successfully dug out the Scouts.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BOB THOMAS, SCOUTMASTER: Well, our whole idea was to go out and be prepared for certain circumstances where you might be trapped in the outdoors in such conditions. But we in no way anticipated actually putting our training to use that night.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: But they did, successfully.
The first real stage of the Iditarod sled dog race went off without a hitch. A record 87 teams with more than 1,300 dogs are making the trek through Alaska. Last year's winner took just over nine days to complete the 1,100 mile course.
And check this out. See these three frog -- I can't speak this morning because I'm looking at this weird picture. This is one frog with three heads. Yes, one big, ugly mutant frog, Chad.
MYERS: Hmmm.
COSTELLO: It was found in a children's school in England and I'm sure those kids are now in therapy. It makes you wonder how exactly this happened and what kind of water these frogs were in, doesn't it?
MYERS: Yikes. It's kind of a little scary there, exactly. Hmmm.
COSTELLO: Freaky.
MYERS: They don't have those kind of frogs in Poipu, Carol.
COSTELLO: No, the frogs are big, fat and normal looking.
MYERS: Exactly, because they like all that rain, even though Poipu is the sunny side of the island.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: A new Imax movie out, Chad.
MYERS: Is that right?
COSTELLO: I saw it advertised in the New York paper. It's NASCAR.
MYERS: No kidding?
COSTELLO: Wouldn't that be fun?
MYERS: That would be fun.
COSTELLO: Yes, we'll have to keep looking for it in Atlanta because I know you would want to see that. MYERS: They one over at the museum in Decatur.
COSTELLO: Yes.
MYERS: I'll take you there.
COSTELLO: Yes.
It sounds fun.
Thank you.
MYERS: Sure.
COSTELLO: Thank you, Chad.
MYERS: All right.
COSTELLO: Back on track, what does a signed constitution really mean for Iraq and will we see things change?
We're going to take you back live to Baghdad.
And a week after Aristide flees, some of the worst violence yet in Haiti.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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