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CNN Live At Daybreak
A Compromise in the Works; Investigation of Worst Friendly Fire Incident of Iraq War
Aired March 30, 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: Live from London right now -- did British police stop a terrorism attack?
And good morning to you.
From the CNN global headquarters in Atlanta, this is DAYBREAK for Tuesday, March 30th.
I'm Carol Costello.
Here are the latest headlines this hour.
British police launch a series of early morning anti-terrorism raids and arrest a number of people. Sources tell CNN the suspects are connected to possible Islamist terrorists. These are live pictures you're seeing. They're preparing for a news conference. When that begins, we'll take it live for you.
President Bush is heading to Wisconsin today as his aides work to keep a 9/11 issue from ballooning into a campaign liability. Democrat John Kerry is in California with a plan to cut gas prices.
A grand jury meets in a secret location to deal with the Michael Jackson molestation case. Prosecutors hope for an indictment so they won't have to reveal evidence at a preliminary hearing.
He was known in America for hosting high brow TV drama. But in his native England, he was a radio fixture for more than half a century. Alistair Cooke died overnight. He was 95 years old.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: Coming up first on DAYBREAK, a compromise in the works. White House officials have been meeting with the 9/11 Commission, trying to agree on how National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice can talk with the panel.
As CNN's John King reports, the White House wants to defuse a potentially explosive campaign issue.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOHN KING, CNN SR. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Welcoming seven new members to the NATO Alliance, a picture perfect event for a president whose reelection theme boils down to one word leadership. GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We will face the mortal danger of terrorism and we will overcome it together.
KING: But for all the celebration, Mr. Bush's stewardship of the war on terror is increasingly a campaign year question mark. Seventy percent of the American people say they are very closely or somewhat closely following former White House official Richard Clarke's allegation the president did not pay enough attention to terrorism before the September 11 attacks.
GLEN BOLGER, REPUBLICAN POLLSTER: People are paying a great deal of attention to this issue. You can't ignore it and hope it goes away.
KING: In a new CNN poll, the public is evenly divided when asked whether they are inclined to believe Clarke or the White House and evenly divided when asked if the president paid too little attention to terrorism because he was too focused on Saddam Hussein.
PETER HART, DEMOCRATIC POLLSTER: Any time you have the American public split between a bureaucrat and an administration, the administration is losing.
KING: Two-thirds of Americans do not think the Bush administration should have been able to prevent the 9/11 tragedy and the administration's hope is that come November voters will judge Mr. Bush more by his actions after the attacks.
DICK CHENEY, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I've seen calm when calm was needed, a decisive action when action was required. I'm honored to serve at his side.
KING: Despite mounting pressure, the White House says National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice will not testify before the 9/11 commission in public, something strategists in both parties say is risky.
HART: This has been a very bad period for the president. It almost feels like he's out of step or wearing two right shoes. Everything that he does seems off target and away from the heart of the matter.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: And here are some more details for you on Condoleezza Rice and the 9/11 panel. Rice was not under oath during her four hour February testimony before Commission members. No transcripts exist from the Rice testimony, only notes taken by commissioners and White House staffers. Those notes could be declassified and released.
And more than a thousand people have met with the Commission in private sessions.
New this morning, long time Bush adviser Karen Hughes is defending the president against accusations he ignored warnings about terrorism. ABC News is reporting Hughes coordinated the White House response to former counter-terrorism chief Richard Clarke's charges. Hughes is also weighing in on the issue of the Bush reelection campaign, using 9/11 images in its TV commercials.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "20/20" COURTESY OF ABC NEWS)
KAREN HUGHES, PRESIDENTIAL ADVISER: September 11 was a shared experience for our entire nation. It's not owned by anyone.
BARBARA WALTERS, HOST: That's not the point, really. The point is that should September 11 be part of a political partisan campaign?
HUGHES: I don't see how it can't. It's too important.
WALTERS: So those commercials will continue?
HUGHES: I believe they absolutely should. And I expect that we will continue to show tasteful images from September 11. It's too important to ignore.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Hughes moved back to Texas in 2002 for family reasons, but she still speaks with White House officials daily and is asked to help out on key issues.
John Kerry is campaigning in southern California today, the second of a two day swing through the Golden State. Kerry has chosen San Diego, with the nation's highest gas prices, to lay out his new plan to cut fuel costs. Kerry would pressure OPEC to increase production and he'd stop filling America's emergency crude oil reserves for the time being.
Kerry blames the spikes at the gas pump on George Bush's policies.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: And I noticed that gas is now close to $3 a gallon here in California. If it keeps going up like that, folks, Dick Cheney and President Bush are going to have to carpool to work together. Those are not Exxon prices, those are Halliburton prices, ladies and gentlemen.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: In a speech Monday, Dick Cheney said Kerry once supported a $0.50 a gallon hike in gas taxes. Kerry now says he opposes such a tax increase.
A state of emergency in North Dakota topes our look at stories making news across America. Heavy rains have caused flooding through a large part of northeastern North Dakota. Emergency officials say frozen ground kept the rainwater from seeping in, which, in turn, forced the flooding. The governor has declared a state of emergency for the area.
In Texas, testimony resumes today in the case of a mother who crushed two of her children to death with large rocks. Deanna Laney has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. A third, 14 month old child, was also seriously injured.
In Massachusetts, the legislature approves a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, but allowing legalized civil unions. A state court ruled last November that same-sex marriages were constitutional. Governor Mitt Romney says he'll seek a stay of the court's order until voters decide on the amendment. That vote is scheduled for the fall of 2006.
Now to the investigation of the worst friendly fire incident of the Iraq war. More than a year after the incident, a Marine captain has been blamed for mistakenly calling in air strikes on his fellow Marines.
Our senior Pentagon correspondent, Jamie McIntyre, has more for you.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): As Marines from Charlie Company fought to secure a key supply route through Nasiriya, the battle took a tragic turn. Pinned down by enemy fire the Marines were attacked by U.S. Air Force A-10s by mistake.
CAPT. DAN WITTNAM, CHARLIE COMPANY COMMANDER: The first thought that went through my mind was thank God an A-10 is on station.
MCINTYRE: And then?
WITTNAM: Holy cow. The earth went black from the dirt being kicked up and a feeling of absolute utter horror and disbelief.
MCINTYRE: Investigators faulted a Marine captain far from the action who called in the A-10 strikes unaware Charlie Company had pushed ahead of his unit. The two A-10s made multiple passes over a group of vehicles dropping bombs, firing missiles and (unintelligible) with their tank busting 30mm canons.
As many as ten Marines were killed but because a total of 18 Marines died in the battle and some had wounds from both enemy and friendly fire, the exact number of fratricide victims is unknown.
TINA CLINE, WIDOW OF CPL. DONALD CLINE: Unknown, everything is left unknown and you just have to come to your own conclusion what you want to believe.
MCINTYRE: That's left Tina Cline, widow of Corporal Donald Cline, still looking for closure.
CLINE: This actually I think has brought me to a new level of my grieving and it's the angry stage.
MCINTYRE (on camera): While the Air Force was absolved of blame, some in the Marine Corps question why the A-10 pilots weren't better trained to spot friendly vehicles, why they failed to see cease-fire flares fired by the Marines and why the cockpit videotapes of the incident disappeared, apparently recorded over. (END VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: It is a jam packed Tuesday here on DAYBREAK.
So much secrecy in the case against the king of pop. Will his young accuser testify before a grand jury? We'll have some answers for you.
Plus, bring on the sushi slugger. Major league baseball's season opener is getting under way in Japan. We'll have a live report for you out of Tokyo.
And are your kids sacrificing sleep? Well, there may be some serious implications. You'll want to stay alert for this story.
Plus...
DIANA MURIEL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Diana Muriel in Ireland.
Coming up soon on DAYBREAK, I'll be taking a look at how the first day of the total no smoking ban here in Ireland has gone down.
COMMERCIAL
COSTELLO: We mentioned this at the top of our show, breaking news to tell you about right now. British police have been conducting a series of early morning raids across London. They've arrested several people who are linked, they say, to possible Islamist terror. The man you're looking at is Peter Clarke. He is the deputy assistant commander of the London police. He's talking about finding fertilizer.
Let's listen in.
PETER CLARKE, LONDON POLICE: ... Hawling and Slough and three in Crawley.
The men who have been arrested will be interviewed by officers from the Metropolitan Police anti-terrorist branch. I should like to make it clear at this stage that this operation is not linked to either Irish Republican terrorism or to the recent attack in Madrid.
The men who have been arrested are all British citizens. They're aged between 17 and 32.
As we have said on many occasions in the past, we in the police service know that the overwhelming majority of the Muslim community are law abiding and completely reject all forms of violence. We have a responsibility to all communities to investigate suspected terrorist activity. Today, at both a local and a national level, we have been holding discussions with community leaders and other representatives to address any concerns they may have.
Today's operation, which involved some 700 officers in total, is part of continuing and extensive inquiries by police and the security service into alleged international terrorist activity. And I must stress that the threat from terrorism remains very real. The public must remain watchful and alert.
This is a complex and protracted investigation, which will be detailed, very thorough and take a considerable time to complete. Because of this, it is not yet appropriate for me to give any further details. I know, of course, that this case will lead to intense media coverage and it is quite right that it should. That's why we have taken this unusual step of making a statement at this very early stage.
All I would ask for, please, is for some restraint in the reporting of the case. Inaccurate speculation will benefit no one. It will alarm the public and might also prejudice any future court case.
I know you'll understand why I cannot take questions today. But I would please like to take the opportunity to thank you for attending and we will, of course, update you with further information as soon as it's possible to do so.
Thank you very much.
COSTELLO: And, again, you've been listening to Peter Clark, who is the deputy assistant commander from the London Police Department.
There have been a series of raids across Britain this morning. Seven hundred officers involved in this. British citizens have been arrested -- don't know how many just yet -- between the ages of 17 and 32, all suspected terrorists, not connected, Mr. Clark says, to the Madrid train bombings or the Irish Republican Army.
Very soon we'll have Sheila MacVicar on our air live from London to put this all in perspective for us. For now, though, we'll continue on with the news of the day.
Your news, money, weather and sports.
It is 5:16 Eastern time.
Here's what's all new this morning.
Gas prices enter the presidential campaign debate. John Kerry blames record high prices on the Bush administration.
In the meantime, the Bush-Cheney campaign releases a new radio ad with this catchy title: "The Man From Massachusetts." The ad says Kerry voted for higher taxes "at least 350 times."
In "Money," California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and his wife Maria reveal the state's new quarter. The coin shows conservationist John Muir plus a California condor and a mountain in Yosemite National Park.
In sports, these gals are going to the final four. The Yukon Huskies beat Penn State 66-49. And it was a close one, but LSU's Lady Tigers beat Georgia 62-60. In culture, ready for more of Janet Jackson? Two months after her revealing Super Bowl appearance, Jackson's new album, Damita Jo, is out. She'll host "Saturday Night Live" next month.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: Those are the latest headlines.
And it is official this morning -- Ireland is now the first European country to impose a ban on smoking in public workplaces.
Let's find out what the reaction has been.
Our Diana Muriel has been measuring the mood.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MURIEL: The first day of the no smoking ban here in Ireland passing off without incident. Around 200,000 workplaces up and down the country affected by this ban, where employees and members of the public using those areas are no longer able to smoke.
Customers in Dublin pubs enjoys a quiet pint on a Monday night were able to go outside in very mild weather to enjoy a cigarette. But many expressed concern over what it might be like where the weather should change, which it no doubt will here.
The government pointing in support of their ban to the research which indicates that there are around 7,000 deaths each year here in Ireland directly related to smoking and tobacco abuse. The health minister, Michael Martin, saying that lung cancer one of the biggest killers here in Ireland. And those statistics no longer acceptable.
Those who forget and who do light up a cigarette in a public workplace will not be fined or arrested, at least not in the first instance. The government wants to take a few months to introduce this more gently. But there are fines associated with breaking the ban. Individuals who smoke could be fined as much as $3,000 and publicans who allow customers to smoke could be fined as much as $4,000.
Many other European countries looking at this Orange experiment to see how it works. Some other countries also considering imposing a total ban on smoking in public places.
Diana Muriel, CNN, Dublin.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: Coming up next on DAYBREAK...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "DAVID LETTERMAN," COURTESY CBS/WORLDWIDE PANTS)
DAVID LETTERMAN: ... it was just an accident?
JANET JACKSON: No, it truly was an accident. LETTERMAN: Yes. And you are surprised at all of the furor over it?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Janet Jackson bears all. Well, not exactly this time. Here what the pop diva told David Letterman about that infamous wardrobe malfunction.
And a serial burglar has a change of heart. We'll tell you what drove him to confess.
This is DAYBREAK for Tuesday.
COMMERCIAL
COSTELLO: Welcome back to DAYBREAK.
For the first time since her revealing Super Bowl performance, Janet Jackson is giving TV interviews. She appeared last night on "David Letterman," hoping to promote her new CD, Damita Jo. It hits stores today. But David Letterman had other ideas.
Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "DAVID LETTERMAN," COURTESY CBS/WORLDWIDE PANTS)
LETTERMAN: You knew it was going to happen, right? You did know it was going to happen?
JACKSON: No, I didn't.
LETTERMAN: You didn't know it was going to happen?
JACKSON: No, I didn't.
LETTERMAN: So it came as a complete surprise to you?
JACKSON: Yes.
LETTERMAN: Really?
JACKSON: Yes. It was truly an accident. It wasn't a stunt.
LETTERMAN: It was not a stunt.
JACKSON: No.
LETTERMAN: It was not premeditated.
JACKSON: No.
LETTERMAN: It was nothing that you had rehearsed.
JACKSON: No. LETTERMAN: Yes. So how did it happen? What exactly transpired there?
JACKSON: Dave, you're going to make me relive this. I want to put all that behind me. I truly do. I did this...
LETTERMAN: Well, not me.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: It was an interesting outfit she was wearing, wasn't it?
CHAD MYERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes.
COSTELLO: It was very...
MYERS: There were no rivets on it.
COSTELLO: We don't know what she had on underneath, though.
MYERS: Yes, right.
COSTELLO: The funny part is, though, the censors. You know, they're on a 60 second delay on CBS.
MYERS: Yes.
COSTELLO: She said -- ooh, there's more of the outfit, Chad. She said Jesus, like "Jesus!," like that. And it was bleeped out of the "David Letterman" show.
MYERS: Is that a belt buckle? Man oh man, that's...
COSTELLO: It's unlike any outfit I've ever worn.
MYERS: It's some hardware.
COSTELLO: Her new album, there's a review in "Newsweek," and it did not get very good reviews. But it hits stores today.
MYERS: I was -- interesting that it was on a 60 second delay, you know?
COSTELLO: Yes.
MYERS: But I thought "David Letterman" was always taped at six o'clock.
COSTELLO: It is. Well, it's not done live in there, right.
MYERS: And they still had it on delay?
COSTELLO: Oh, time for our DAYBREAK Eye-Opener.
And another space tourist who has some real science on his mind. Scientist Gregory Olsen will become the next U.S. civilian to travel into space aboard a Russian rocket. Olsen, who made his fortune in fiber optics, plans to analyze pollution and possibly grow crystals while he's in space. Olsen leaves New York this week to begin his training for the $20 million trip.
Out in Arizona, police investigating a burglary got quite a surprise when a man came up to them and allegedly admitted to the crime. Twenty-year-old Turner Lee Bingham (ph) said he was motivated to turn himself in after seeing...
MYERS: "The Passion."
COSTELLO: "The Passion of the Christ." Yes. Police say Bingham also confessed to five or six other burglaries. They should just take that to the prisons and show it and see what they get.
MYERS: Yes.
COSTELLO: An announcement is expected this morning on the reopening of the Statue of Liberty. The landmark has been closed to visitors since the September 11 attacks.
And, Chad, as you know, I traveled to Washington, D.C. over the weekend to see the cherry blossoms.
MYERS: And you got 24 hour developing on your film.
COSTELLO: A digital camera.
MYERS: And so now it...
COSTELLO: I've like made it into the 20th century. But we've put together Carol's Awesome Adventures.
MYERS: I can't wait.
COSTELLO: It's a story in pictures. Here it is, Chad.
MYERS: I'd love D.C., actually. I lived there for two years.
COSTELLO: Oh, here we are at the Willard Hotel.
MYERS: Oh, nice.
COSTELLO: Is that not beautiful? That's where the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" was written. A beautiful hotel.
MYERS: So it's an old place?
COSTELLO: It's a very...
MYERS: It must be pretty old.
COSTELLO: There's me on Pennsylvania Avenue...
MYERS: Hey. COSTELLO: ... on my way to see the cherry blossoms. And that's the old post office behind me.
MYERS: There you are. Do they still have shops inside the old post office?
COSTELLO: Yes, they do, Chad. Yes.
This is a picture of the White House. And...
MYERS: Well, it looks like a stop sign.
COSTELLO: Well, it is. But you see the security there, how intense it is? That's the Ellipse in front of the White House. And if you could see closer, there would be snipers that you could spot on the roof of the White House.
MYERS: Oh, right. Right. They were behind the stop sign. I have to get you...
COSTELLO: I didn't say I was a good photographer, Chad.
This is me heading down to the tidal basin. And as you can see, that is beautiful. Look at that. Look. Look.
MYERS: Who was taking the pictures?
COSTELLO: Well, not me.
MYERS: Well, of course not.
COSTELLO: A friend of mine, a dear friend of mine was taking the pictures. And he did a mighty nice job.
This is along the tidal basin and you can see how open the cherry blossoms are.
MYERS: Oh, yes.
COSTELLO: Today they're probably even better.
MYERS: Yes, they're going to be great today. They're going to be great all week, although now it's cooler, so that actually may prolong how long they last so.
COSTELLO: Look at that shot.
MYERS: Oh, look at that, yes.
COSTELLO: The Washington Monument, the tidal basin in the foreground and all of those cherry blossoms. The people, there were a massive amount of people down there. I think tourism is coming back to D.C. The Jefferson Memorial, take a look at the steps.
MYERS: What's that? Is that like a school group?
COSTELLO: The Jefferson. No. Those are just tourists. That's...
MYERS: No kidding?
COSTELLO: No kidding.
MYERS: Wow!
COSTELLO: It's like an anthill.
MYERS: It does look like an anthill. A lot of people there.
COSTELLO: Well, it was nice to see.
The last picture to make your morning from Carol's Awesome Adventure, beautiful.
MYERS: Nice stuff.
COSTELLO: Yes. Go to Washington.
MYERS: It's good there.
COSTELLO: See it for yourself. It's worth the trip, definitely.
MYERS: Oh, yes. I really do love the Vietnam Memorial. It is so moving to walk by that.
COSTELLO: Yes. And the new WWII memorial is up and it's big.
MYERS: Oh, yes?
COSTELLO: It's not open till Memorial Day, but you can see it. It's amazing.
MYERS: All right, good.
COSTELLO: We're going to take a short break.
We'll be right back.
COMMERCIAL
COSTELLO: Terror attack foiled? Authorities in London announce the arrest of several suspects with possible links to Islamic terrorism.
And good morning to you.
Welcome to the second half hour of DAYBREAK.
It is Tuesday, March 30th.
From the CNN global headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Carol Costello.
Let me bring you up to date now. Around 700 British police officers and agents conducted a series of raids in and around London this morning. They have arrested a number of suspected Islamic terrorists and officials say they've seized 1,000 pounds of possible explosive materials.
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Aired March 30, 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: Live from London right now -- did British police stop a terrorism attack?
And good morning to you.
From the CNN global headquarters in Atlanta, this is DAYBREAK for Tuesday, March 30th.
I'm Carol Costello.
Here are the latest headlines this hour.
British police launch a series of early morning anti-terrorism raids and arrest a number of people. Sources tell CNN the suspects are connected to possible Islamist terrorists. These are live pictures you're seeing. They're preparing for a news conference. When that begins, we'll take it live for you.
President Bush is heading to Wisconsin today as his aides work to keep a 9/11 issue from ballooning into a campaign liability. Democrat John Kerry is in California with a plan to cut gas prices.
A grand jury meets in a secret location to deal with the Michael Jackson molestation case. Prosecutors hope for an indictment so they won't have to reveal evidence at a preliminary hearing.
He was known in America for hosting high brow TV drama. But in his native England, he was a radio fixture for more than half a century. Alistair Cooke died overnight. He was 95 years old.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: Coming up first on DAYBREAK, a compromise in the works. White House officials have been meeting with the 9/11 Commission, trying to agree on how National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice can talk with the panel.
As CNN's John King reports, the White House wants to defuse a potentially explosive campaign issue.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOHN KING, CNN SR. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Welcoming seven new members to the NATO Alliance, a picture perfect event for a president whose reelection theme boils down to one word leadership. GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We will face the mortal danger of terrorism and we will overcome it together.
KING: But for all the celebration, Mr. Bush's stewardship of the war on terror is increasingly a campaign year question mark. Seventy percent of the American people say they are very closely or somewhat closely following former White House official Richard Clarke's allegation the president did not pay enough attention to terrorism before the September 11 attacks.
GLEN BOLGER, REPUBLICAN POLLSTER: People are paying a great deal of attention to this issue. You can't ignore it and hope it goes away.
KING: In a new CNN poll, the public is evenly divided when asked whether they are inclined to believe Clarke or the White House and evenly divided when asked if the president paid too little attention to terrorism because he was too focused on Saddam Hussein.
PETER HART, DEMOCRATIC POLLSTER: Any time you have the American public split between a bureaucrat and an administration, the administration is losing.
KING: Two-thirds of Americans do not think the Bush administration should have been able to prevent the 9/11 tragedy and the administration's hope is that come November voters will judge Mr. Bush more by his actions after the attacks.
DICK CHENEY, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I've seen calm when calm was needed, a decisive action when action was required. I'm honored to serve at his side.
KING: Despite mounting pressure, the White House says National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice will not testify before the 9/11 commission in public, something strategists in both parties say is risky.
HART: This has been a very bad period for the president. It almost feels like he's out of step or wearing two right shoes. Everything that he does seems off target and away from the heart of the matter.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: And here are some more details for you on Condoleezza Rice and the 9/11 panel. Rice was not under oath during her four hour February testimony before Commission members. No transcripts exist from the Rice testimony, only notes taken by commissioners and White House staffers. Those notes could be declassified and released.
And more than a thousand people have met with the Commission in private sessions.
New this morning, long time Bush adviser Karen Hughes is defending the president against accusations he ignored warnings about terrorism. ABC News is reporting Hughes coordinated the White House response to former counter-terrorism chief Richard Clarke's charges. Hughes is also weighing in on the issue of the Bush reelection campaign, using 9/11 images in its TV commercials.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "20/20" COURTESY OF ABC NEWS)
KAREN HUGHES, PRESIDENTIAL ADVISER: September 11 was a shared experience for our entire nation. It's not owned by anyone.
BARBARA WALTERS, HOST: That's not the point, really. The point is that should September 11 be part of a political partisan campaign?
HUGHES: I don't see how it can't. It's too important.
WALTERS: So those commercials will continue?
HUGHES: I believe they absolutely should. And I expect that we will continue to show tasteful images from September 11. It's too important to ignore.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Hughes moved back to Texas in 2002 for family reasons, but she still speaks with White House officials daily and is asked to help out on key issues.
John Kerry is campaigning in southern California today, the second of a two day swing through the Golden State. Kerry has chosen San Diego, with the nation's highest gas prices, to lay out his new plan to cut fuel costs. Kerry would pressure OPEC to increase production and he'd stop filling America's emergency crude oil reserves for the time being.
Kerry blames the spikes at the gas pump on George Bush's policies.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: And I noticed that gas is now close to $3 a gallon here in California. If it keeps going up like that, folks, Dick Cheney and President Bush are going to have to carpool to work together. Those are not Exxon prices, those are Halliburton prices, ladies and gentlemen.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: In a speech Monday, Dick Cheney said Kerry once supported a $0.50 a gallon hike in gas taxes. Kerry now says he opposes such a tax increase.
A state of emergency in North Dakota topes our look at stories making news across America. Heavy rains have caused flooding through a large part of northeastern North Dakota. Emergency officials say frozen ground kept the rainwater from seeping in, which, in turn, forced the flooding. The governor has declared a state of emergency for the area.
In Texas, testimony resumes today in the case of a mother who crushed two of her children to death with large rocks. Deanna Laney has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. A third, 14 month old child, was also seriously injured.
In Massachusetts, the legislature approves a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, but allowing legalized civil unions. A state court ruled last November that same-sex marriages were constitutional. Governor Mitt Romney says he'll seek a stay of the court's order until voters decide on the amendment. That vote is scheduled for the fall of 2006.
Now to the investigation of the worst friendly fire incident of the Iraq war. More than a year after the incident, a Marine captain has been blamed for mistakenly calling in air strikes on his fellow Marines.
Our senior Pentagon correspondent, Jamie McIntyre, has more for you.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): As Marines from Charlie Company fought to secure a key supply route through Nasiriya, the battle took a tragic turn. Pinned down by enemy fire the Marines were attacked by U.S. Air Force A-10s by mistake.
CAPT. DAN WITTNAM, CHARLIE COMPANY COMMANDER: The first thought that went through my mind was thank God an A-10 is on station.
MCINTYRE: And then?
WITTNAM: Holy cow. The earth went black from the dirt being kicked up and a feeling of absolute utter horror and disbelief.
MCINTYRE: Investigators faulted a Marine captain far from the action who called in the A-10 strikes unaware Charlie Company had pushed ahead of his unit. The two A-10s made multiple passes over a group of vehicles dropping bombs, firing missiles and (unintelligible) with their tank busting 30mm canons.
As many as ten Marines were killed but because a total of 18 Marines died in the battle and some had wounds from both enemy and friendly fire, the exact number of fratricide victims is unknown.
TINA CLINE, WIDOW OF CPL. DONALD CLINE: Unknown, everything is left unknown and you just have to come to your own conclusion what you want to believe.
MCINTYRE: That's left Tina Cline, widow of Corporal Donald Cline, still looking for closure.
CLINE: This actually I think has brought me to a new level of my grieving and it's the angry stage.
MCINTYRE (on camera): While the Air Force was absolved of blame, some in the Marine Corps question why the A-10 pilots weren't better trained to spot friendly vehicles, why they failed to see cease-fire flares fired by the Marines and why the cockpit videotapes of the incident disappeared, apparently recorded over. (END VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: It is a jam packed Tuesday here on DAYBREAK.
So much secrecy in the case against the king of pop. Will his young accuser testify before a grand jury? We'll have some answers for you.
Plus, bring on the sushi slugger. Major league baseball's season opener is getting under way in Japan. We'll have a live report for you out of Tokyo.
And are your kids sacrificing sleep? Well, there may be some serious implications. You'll want to stay alert for this story.
Plus...
DIANA MURIEL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Diana Muriel in Ireland.
Coming up soon on DAYBREAK, I'll be taking a look at how the first day of the total no smoking ban here in Ireland has gone down.
COMMERCIAL
COSTELLO: We mentioned this at the top of our show, breaking news to tell you about right now. British police have been conducting a series of early morning raids across London. They've arrested several people who are linked, they say, to possible Islamist terror. The man you're looking at is Peter Clarke. He is the deputy assistant commander of the London police. He's talking about finding fertilizer.
Let's listen in.
PETER CLARKE, LONDON POLICE: ... Hawling and Slough and three in Crawley.
The men who have been arrested will be interviewed by officers from the Metropolitan Police anti-terrorist branch. I should like to make it clear at this stage that this operation is not linked to either Irish Republican terrorism or to the recent attack in Madrid.
The men who have been arrested are all British citizens. They're aged between 17 and 32.
As we have said on many occasions in the past, we in the police service know that the overwhelming majority of the Muslim community are law abiding and completely reject all forms of violence. We have a responsibility to all communities to investigate suspected terrorist activity. Today, at both a local and a national level, we have been holding discussions with community leaders and other representatives to address any concerns they may have.
Today's operation, which involved some 700 officers in total, is part of continuing and extensive inquiries by police and the security service into alleged international terrorist activity. And I must stress that the threat from terrorism remains very real. The public must remain watchful and alert.
This is a complex and protracted investigation, which will be detailed, very thorough and take a considerable time to complete. Because of this, it is not yet appropriate for me to give any further details. I know, of course, that this case will lead to intense media coverage and it is quite right that it should. That's why we have taken this unusual step of making a statement at this very early stage.
All I would ask for, please, is for some restraint in the reporting of the case. Inaccurate speculation will benefit no one. It will alarm the public and might also prejudice any future court case.
I know you'll understand why I cannot take questions today. But I would please like to take the opportunity to thank you for attending and we will, of course, update you with further information as soon as it's possible to do so.
Thank you very much.
COSTELLO: And, again, you've been listening to Peter Clark, who is the deputy assistant commander from the London Police Department.
There have been a series of raids across Britain this morning. Seven hundred officers involved in this. British citizens have been arrested -- don't know how many just yet -- between the ages of 17 and 32, all suspected terrorists, not connected, Mr. Clark says, to the Madrid train bombings or the Irish Republican Army.
Very soon we'll have Sheila MacVicar on our air live from London to put this all in perspective for us. For now, though, we'll continue on with the news of the day.
Your news, money, weather and sports.
It is 5:16 Eastern time.
Here's what's all new this morning.
Gas prices enter the presidential campaign debate. John Kerry blames record high prices on the Bush administration.
In the meantime, the Bush-Cheney campaign releases a new radio ad with this catchy title: "The Man From Massachusetts." The ad says Kerry voted for higher taxes "at least 350 times."
In "Money," California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and his wife Maria reveal the state's new quarter. The coin shows conservationist John Muir plus a California condor and a mountain in Yosemite National Park.
In sports, these gals are going to the final four. The Yukon Huskies beat Penn State 66-49. And it was a close one, but LSU's Lady Tigers beat Georgia 62-60. In culture, ready for more of Janet Jackson? Two months after her revealing Super Bowl appearance, Jackson's new album, Damita Jo, is out. She'll host "Saturday Night Live" next month.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: Those are the latest headlines.
And it is official this morning -- Ireland is now the first European country to impose a ban on smoking in public workplaces.
Let's find out what the reaction has been.
Our Diana Muriel has been measuring the mood.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MURIEL: The first day of the no smoking ban here in Ireland passing off without incident. Around 200,000 workplaces up and down the country affected by this ban, where employees and members of the public using those areas are no longer able to smoke.
Customers in Dublin pubs enjoys a quiet pint on a Monday night were able to go outside in very mild weather to enjoy a cigarette. But many expressed concern over what it might be like where the weather should change, which it no doubt will here.
The government pointing in support of their ban to the research which indicates that there are around 7,000 deaths each year here in Ireland directly related to smoking and tobacco abuse. The health minister, Michael Martin, saying that lung cancer one of the biggest killers here in Ireland. And those statistics no longer acceptable.
Those who forget and who do light up a cigarette in a public workplace will not be fined or arrested, at least not in the first instance. The government wants to take a few months to introduce this more gently. But there are fines associated with breaking the ban. Individuals who smoke could be fined as much as $3,000 and publicans who allow customers to smoke could be fined as much as $4,000.
Many other European countries looking at this Orange experiment to see how it works. Some other countries also considering imposing a total ban on smoking in public places.
Diana Muriel, CNN, Dublin.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: Coming up next on DAYBREAK...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "DAVID LETTERMAN," COURTESY CBS/WORLDWIDE PANTS)
DAVID LETTERMAN: ... it was just an accident?
JANET JACKSON: No, it truly was an accident. LETTERMAN: Yes. And you are surprised at all of the furor over it?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Janet Jackson bears all. Well, not exactly this time. Here what the pop diva told David Letterman about that infamous wardrobe malfunction.
And a serial burglar has a change of heart. We'll tell you what drove him to confess.
This is DAYBREAK for Tuesday.
COMMERCIAL
COSTELLO: Welcome back to DAYBREAK.
For the first time since her revealing Super Bowl performance, Janet Jackson is giving TV interviews. She appeared last night on "David Letterman," hoping to promote her new CD, Damita Jo. It hits stores today. But David Letterman had other ideas.
Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "DAVID LETTERMAN," COURTESY CBS/WORLDWIDE PANTS)
LETTERMAN: You knew it was going to happen, right? You did know it was going to happen?
JACKSON: No, I didn't.
LETTERMAN: You didn't know it was going to happen?
JACKSON: No, I didn't.
LETTERMAN: So it came as a complete surprise to you?
JACKSON: Yes.
LETTERMAN: Really?
JACKSON: Yes. It was truly an accident. It wasn't a stunt.
LETTERMAN: It was not a stunt.
JACKSON: No.
LETTERMAN: It was not premeditated.
JACKSON: No.
LETTERMAN: It was nothing that you had rehearsed.
JACKSON: No. LETTERMAN: Yes. So how did it happen? What exactly transpired there?
JACKSON: Dave, you're going to make me relive this. I want to put all that behind me. I truly do. I did this...
LETTERMAN: Well, not me.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: It was an interesting outfit she was wearing, wasn't it?
CHAD MYERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes.
COSTELLO: It was very...
MYERS: There were no rivets on it.
COSTELLO: We don't know what she had on underneath, though.
MYERS: Yes, right.
COSTELLO: The funny part is, though, the censors. You know, they're on a 60 second delay on CBS.
MYERS: Yes.
COSTELLO: She said -- ooh, there's more of the outfit, Chad. She said Jesus, like "Jesus!," like that. And it was bleeped out of the "David Letterman" show.
MYERS: Is that a belt buckle? Man oh man, that's...
COSTELLO: It's unlike any outfit I've ever worn.
MYERS: It's some hardware.
COSTELLO: Her new album, there's a review in "Newsweek," and it did not get very good reviews. But it hits stores today.
MYERS: I was -- interesting that it was on a 60 second delay, you know?
COSTELLO: Yes.
MYERS: But I thought "David Letterman" was always taped at six o'clock.
COSTELLO: It is. Well, it's not done live in there, right.
MYERS: And they still had it on delay?
COSTELLO: Oh, time for our DAYBREAK Eye-Opener.
And another space tourist who has some real science on his mind. Scientist Gregory Olsen will become the next U.S. civilian to travel into space aboard a Russian rocket. Olsen, who made his fortune in fiber optics, plans to analyze pollution and possibly grow crystals while he's in space. Olsen leaves New York this week to begin his training for the $20 million trip.
Out in Arizona, police investigating a burglary got quite a surprise when a man came up to them and allegedly admitted to the crime. Twenty-year-old Turner Lee Bingham (ph) said he was motivated to turn himself in after seeing...
MYERS: "The Passion."
COSTELLO: "The Passion of the Christ." Yes. Police say Bingham also confessed to five or six other burglaries. They should just take that to the prisons and show it and see what they get.
MYERS: Yes.
COSTELLO: An announcement is expected this morning on the reopening of the Statue of Liberty. The landmark has been closed to visitors since the September 11 attacks.
And, Chad, as you know, I traveled to Washington, D.C. over the weekend to see the cherry blossoms.
MYERS: And you got 24 hour developing on your film.
COSTELLO: A digital camera.
MYERS: And so now it...
COSTELLO: I've like made it into the 20th century. But we've put together Carol's Awesome Adventures.
MYERS: I can't wait.
COSTELLO: It's a story in pictures. Here it is, Chad.
MYERS: I'd love D.C., actually. I lived there for two years.
COSTELLO: Oh, here we are at the Willard Hotel.
MYERS: Oh, nice.
COSTELLO: Is that not beautiful? That's where the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" was written. A beautiful hotel.
MYERS: So it's an old place?
COSTELLO: It's a very...
MYERS: It must be pretty old.
COSTELLO: There's me on Pennsylvania Avenue...
MYERS: Hey. COSTELLO: ... on my way to see the cherry blossoms. And that's the old post office behind me.
MYERS: There you are. Do they still have shops inside the old post office?
COSTELLO: Yes, they do, Chad. Yes.
This is a picture of the White House. And...
MYERS: Well, it looks like a stop sign.
COSTELLO: Well, it is. But you see the security there, how intense it is? That's the Ellipse in front of the White House. And if you could see closer, there would be snipers that you could spot on the roof of the White House.
MYERS: Oh, right. Right. They were behind the stop sign. I have to get you...
COSTELLO: I didn't say I was a good photographer, Chad.
This is me heading down to the tidal basin. And as you can see, that is beautiful. Look at that. Look. Look.
MYERS: Who was taking the pictures?
COSTELLO: Well, not me.
MYERS: Well, of course not.
COSTELLO: A friend of mine, a dear friend of mine was taking the pictures. And he did a mighty nice job.
This is along the tidal basin and you can see how open the cherry blossoms are.
MYERS: Oh, yes.
COSTELLO: Today they're probably even better.
MYERS: Yes, they're going to be great today. They're going to be great all week, although now it's cooler, so that actually may prolong how long they last so.
COSTELLO: Look at that shot.
MYERS: Oh, look at that, yes.
COSTELLO: The Washington Monument, the tidal basin in the foreground and all of those cherry blossoms. The people, there were a massive amount of people down there. I think tourism is coming back to D.C. The Jefferson Memorial, take a look at the steps.
MYERS: What's that? Is that like a school group?
COSTELLO: The Jefferson. No. Those are just tourists. That's...
MYERS: No kidding?
COSTELLO: No kidding.
MYERS: Wow!
COSTELLO: It's like an anthill.
MYERS: It does look like an anthill. A lot of people there.
COSTELLO: Well, it was nice to see.
The last picture to make your morning from Carol's Awesome Adventure, beautiful.
MYERS: Nice stuff.
COSTELLO: Yes. Go to Washington.
MYERS: It's good there.
COSTELLO: See it for yourself. It's worth the trip, definitely.
MYERS: Oh, yes. I really do love the Vietnam Memorial. It is so moving to walk by that.
COSTELLO: Yes. And the new WWII memorial is up and it's big.
MYERS: Oh, yes?
COSTELLO: It's not open till Memorial Day, but you can see it. It's amazing.
MYERS: All right, good.
COSTELLO: We're going to take a short break.
We'll be right back.
COMMERCIAL
COSTELLO: Terror attack foiled? Authorities in London announce the arrest of several suspects with possible links to Islamic terrorism.
And good morning to you.
Welcome to the second half hour of DAYBREAK.
It is Tuesday, March 30th.
From the CNN global headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Carol Costello.
Let me bring you up to date now. Around 700 British police officers and agents conducted a series of raids in and around London this morning. They have arrested a number of suspected Islamic terrorists and officials say they've seized 1,000 pounds of possible explosive materials.
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