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CNN Live At Daybreak

A White House 180; At University of Wisconsin, Volunteers, Police Resume Search for Missing Student

Aired March 31, 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.


CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: A White House 180 -- the president's national security adviser will go before the 9/11 Commission publicly after all.
And good morning to you.

From the CNN global headquarters in Atlanta, this is DAYBREAK for March 31st.

I'm Carol Costello.

Here are the latest headlines for you now.

Violence flares around Falluja. Separate attacks today. In one, civilian cars are attacked and burned. The Associated Press says at least four people killed in the incident you're looking at. Five U.S. military personnel killed by a roadside bomb. That would be a separate incident this morning.

With gas prices at record levels in the United States, OPEC ministers meet today. They're expected to approve a planned cut in the production of crude oil.

Ante up for Afghanistan -- donor nations meet in Berlin today, with the Afghans hoping to get $4 billion to help rebuild their country.

And two and a half years after 9/11, an EPA group holds its first meeting on environmental issues and health risks for workers and residents -- Chad.

CHAD MYERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Carol, good morning.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Up first on DAYBREAK this morning, the White House about face. President Bush has given into pressure from 9/11 Commission. He made the announcement himself that National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice will, indeed, testify publicly under oath.

Live to Washington now and Bill Prasad to tell us more -- good morning, Bill.

BILL PRASAD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.

The president has changed his mind not once, but twice, the White House bowing to an enormous amount of pressure. Condoleezza Rice could testify as early as next week.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PRASAD (voice-over): The president, facing mounting criticism that he had something to hide, makes a dramatic turnaround.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I consider it necessary to gaining a complete picture of the months and years that preceded the murder of our fellow citizens on September the 11th, 2001.

PRASAD: National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice will now testify before the 9/11 Commission in public and under oath.

CONDOLEEZZA RICE, NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: And then I'll be happy to take your questions...

PRASAD: The president has insisted executive privilege precluded testimony by advisers like Rice. But the White House has now reached a deal with the Commission. The bipartisan panel agreeing that this should not be considered a precedent. The Commission now looks forward to clearing up conflicting testimony.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're going to investigate those differences and try and resolve them.

PRASAD: Damaging testimony from a former White House adviser, defections among Republicans and anger from the 9/11 families forced the about face.

SEN. THOMAS DASCHLE (D-SD), SENATE MAJORITY LEADER: It wasn't only good politics. I think it is a good policy.

PRASAD: In another reversal, the White House says Mr. Bush and the vice president will meet with the entire Commission to answer all questions, in private, not under oath. Originally, the administration had said it would meet with just two Commission members.

SEN. TED KENNEDY (D), MASSACHUSETTS: The White House bowed to the inevitable and they conceded to the obvious.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PRASAD: The stage is now set for what could be a dramatic rebuttal. Dr. Rice will try to set the record straight, as she sees it, and do some damage control -- Carol, back to you.

COSTELLO: So, Bill, will the Commission have free reign? Will it be able to ask Condoleezza Rice anything it wants to?

PRASAD: It will. But keep in mind, she could also make a decision, she could also decide that she doesn't want to answer some of those questions. But, yes, Condoleezza Rice will probably be asked about inconsistencies in past testimony. Most importantly, they'll want to compare what she has to say to what Richard Clarke has said.

COSTELLO: It should be very interesting.

Bill Prasad live in Washington this morning.

A dangerous fireball tops our look at stories making news across America this Wednesday. Workers were evacuated, nearby residents told to stay indoors after an explosion at a Texas city refinery, oil refinery. The warnings were lifted after a few hours, when the fire was finally brought under control. Not known what caused the explosions. No injuries reported.

The Justice Department is defending a Muslim girl's right to wear a head scarf to class. Parents of the sixth grader in Oklahoma sued the school district for suspending her. School officials say the head scarf violates the dress code. Federal attorneys claim the girl's civil rights are being violated.

New allegations of sexual assault at the University of Colorado. A rape crisis official says two more women have come forward in the past few months to say they were raped by football players. A panel looking into football recruiting also says under age recruits had access to alcohol.

At the University of Wisconsin in Madison, volunteers and police will resume their search for a missing student. Twenty-year-old Audrey Seiler disappeared four days ago.

Our Jonathan Freed has the latest on the search for the young woman.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JONATHAN FREED, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Security camera video officers an eerie echo of the last time Audrey Seiler was spotted, leaving her apartment building early Saturday. The A student at University of Wisconsin in Madison is the last person anyone expected to be caught up in controversy. But it's the second time in two months.

CAPT. LUIS YUDICE, MADISON POLICE: She left the apartment at approximately 2:30 in the morning and she took no personal belongings with her.

FREED: Police are still puzzled by an incident on February 1, when Seiler was attacked from behind and knocked unconscious while out walking after midnight. She woke up behind a nearby building, but wasn't robbed or otherwise hurt.

YUDICE: And it is unusual for somebody to be attacked by a total stranger on the street. But, once again, we have not been able to make any connection.

FREED: And there's no evidence of a crime this time.

The search for Seiler, on land, by air and on the water, has been joined by a hundred volunteers, including family and friends from her hometown of Rockford, Minnesota. KEITH SEILER, FATHER: Audrey's whole family is hopeful and remains confident that we will find Audrey safe.

FREED: The university has even set up a Web site and e-mailed some 45,000 of its computer users, asking them for help.

Seiler's family does not believe she was depressed and say she seemed to be dealing well with the fallout from the February attack.

SEILER: We're very confident and determined that if the right person hears us, sees her face, that they'll have some information that will help us.

FREED: Jonathan Freed, CNN, Chicago.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: If you have any information on Audrey Seiler's whereabouts, authorities want you to call the Madison Police Department. That number, 608-266-6014, 608-266-6014. And for more information, go to http -- for more information, you can head to the Web site and the Madison Police Department, Madison, Wisconsin, that is.

John Kerry will be off the campaign trail for several days after undergoing rotator cuff surgery today. The Democrat injured his shoulder because of the -- before the Iowa caucuses.

Kerry appears in an MTV news special tonight and though he addresses a number of serious campaign issues, he also answers a question about his musical tastes.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM MTV NEWS)

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: And I never was into heavy metal. I didn't really like it. I'm fascinated by rap and by hip-hop. I think there's a lot of poetry in it. There's a lot of anger, a lot of social energy in it. And I think you'd better listen to it pretty carefully, because there's -- it's important.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: And it's fun to dance to.

Chad?

CHAD MYERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, ma'am?

COSTELLO: Time to review the winner of that DAYBREAK coffee quiz.

MYERS: Hey, excellent. I've got 'em. I've got the questions. Remember the questions from yesterday?

COSTELLO: You know, I don't. My mind is a blur this morning.

MYERS: All right, well, I have the questions and the answers. How's that?

COSTELLO: I love it.

MYERS: According to that new Bush-Cheney radio ad, how many times has John Kerry voted for higher taxes? The answer to that question -- 350 times. Janet Jackson's new album comes out today. Actually, that was yesterday, of course. What is it called? Damita Jo.

COSTELLO: Damita Jo.

MYERS: And the first person in with Richmond, Virginia -- Dinesh Chawla, Richmond, Virginia. Good morning. Congratulations. A DAYBREAK mug, as they say, is in the mail.

COSTELLO: And I wish I had my DAYBREAK mug to show you, but I...

MYERS: Well, why don't you show her the one you've got?

COSTELLO: No. You'll win this beautiful paper cup.

Just kidding, Dinesh Chawla.

Still to come on DAYBREAK, OPEC 101 -- what do those letters mean? Who's behind them and what does it mean for gas prices here in the United States?

Plus, airline cuisine is about to go name brand. Hear what could be on the menu the next time you fly.

And we'll check out the visitor one school caught on its surveillance camera. Take a look at that visitor.

MYERS: Mr. Coyote.

COSTELLO: We'll tell you later.

Then, a student at the center of a civil rights debate -- religious dress in the classroom -- what should and should not be allowed?

This is DAYBREAK for March 31st.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports.

It is 6:13 Eastern time.

Here is what's all new this morning.

Violence in Iraq against civilians and Americans this morning. Coalition officials say five U.S. military personnel were killed near Falluja.

It's already passed the Georgia State Senate. Now a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage is heading to the house for a vote, possibly today. Voters decide the issue this fall.

In money news, your next meal on a plane may be one that you buy. "USA Today" was reporting that airline catering companies are joining forces with brand name restaurants to sell food on flights.

In sports, a knee injury will keep Philadelphia 76er Alan Iverson on the bench for the rest of the season. He still plans to play for the U.S. at the Olympics in August.

In culture, it's the launch of the liberals on the airwaves. Comedian Al Franken is among those taking to the microphone for today's debut of Air America.

MYERS: And a big trough in the East -- what does it mean for you? Much cooler than normal weather for the next five days. It's going to feel like fall out there. And some heavy rain showers coming across the big cities of the Northeast this morning. That'll slow you down.

COSTELLO: And those are the headlines this morning.

You know, all morning long we've been talking about OPEC, those meetings in Vienna, Austria that will take place later today. But will the decisions made at those OPEC meetings really impact what we pay at the pump?

National correspondent Gary Tuchman takes a look for you.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): These are the suppliers of about a third of the world's oil. And there's nothing funny about that to the most oil dependent nations. But as the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, better known as OPEC, meets in Vienna today, don't necessarily assume prices will continue climbing as a result of their get-together.

RON GOLD, PETROLEUM INDUSTRY RESEARCH FOUNDATION: OPEC is really meeting for the purpose of how to make sure they don't have a big drop in the price of oil, not to push it up further.

TUCHMAN: OPEC is represented in both hemispheres. Eleven nations belong to the organization, from the Middle East, Asia, Africa and South America.

The members will decide during this meeting whether to go ahead with a planned production cut of one million barrels per day. Saudi Arabia, the world's largest producer of oil, is leading the effort to reduce supply. One might assume that would lead to higher prices. But...

GOLD: World oil requirements tend to fall off in the second quarter and what OPEC would be trying to do is to sort of make their judgment as to how much oil they need to withdraw to prop prices up, not necessarily to push them still higher. TUCHMAN: However, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates have said they back delaying the production cut. If they succeed in convincing other members to do that, a long shot at best, that could result in lower prices. Either way, gasoline prices right now are at their highest level ever in the United States. But adjusted for inflation, they're considerably lower than during the energy crisis a quarter century ago and this organization is at the peak of its influence.

Gary Tuchman, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: But I know what you're saying, who cares what gas prices were 20 years ago, they're high now? And since gas prices have now become a political hot potato, we want to help you figure out who to believe.

Live to Washington now.

Karen Matusic, the editor of "Oil Daily" and "Energy Intelligence" and an expert on OPEC, welcome.

KAREN MATUSIC, SENIOR EDITOR, "ENERGY INTELLIGENCE": Welcome.

COSTELLO: OPEC meets today to discuss cutting oil production by one million barrels per day. John Kerry is insisting that we put pressure on OPEC to increase oil supplies.

Would that work?

MATUSIC: Well, I think a lot about OPEC is you have to listen to what they say, but watch what they do. In effect, they haven't even put into effect the production cuts that they promised in November. So OPEC production is well over the April 1 and the November 1, which was 24.5 million barrels a day. They're producing together, if you count Iraq, which isn't bound by a quota right now, about 28 million barrels a day, which is quite a bit.

COSTELLO: So should they cut back the production of oil?

MATUSIC: I don't think -- I mean no matter what they say today, you probably won't see any actual production cut. That's what I'm saying. Mainly they've been all producing, including Saudi Arabia, producing well over their individual quota. I think what it's about is sending a signal. A lot of oil prices is market psychology and what futures market -- futures brokers believe. And I think what Saudi Arabia is trying to do is to talk the price not up, but to try to keep the prices from crashing is what they worry about in this second quarter.

COSTELLO: OK, so they're -- you're saying they're not going to cut production of oil by one million barrels a day? I just want to be clear on that.

MATUSIC: That's right. I mean the thing about OPEC is that I don't think they've ever a hundred percent compliance with their quotas. So right now they're producing probably over two million barrels over or three million barrels over what this new production -- this new ceiling will be. I think it would be nothing short of a miracle to ever expect them to get to 23.5 million barrels a day.

COSTELLO: You know, the interesting thing is when you look at the Web site, OPEC's Web site, it's very defensive, in it being sort of the scapegoat for rising gas prices. It says actually countries themselves are to blame because they put such a high tax on gas.

MATUSIC: To some extent they're right. I mean right now what we're seeing, in the last couple of months, what's actually been pushing the prices up? It's true that crude prices are high. What's been pushing the prices up is worries that U.S. gasoline supplies are going to be too low in the summer because of a number of different reasons. One, demand is a lot higher this year than it was last year. Two, you have new environmental regulations coming into effect this year that will lower the supply base of -- the supply pool of gasoline that we can burn -- we can use in this country.

COSTELLO: So you've been listening to the politicians bandy this issue around.

Who's right, John Kerry or George Bush?

MATUSIC: Well, neither of them is right and neither of them are wrong. But to say sort of there's sort of any kind of short fix or quick fix, there isn't, really. I mean, and at the end of the day, as you pointed out earlier in the program, our price of gasoline, when you look at other inflated prices where it actually are relatively low.

COSTELLO: But, yet, but come on, people don't care about that. They care about the prices here in this country.

So who's right? Do we need a new energy policy, like the Republicans are saying? Or do we need to do something else, like John Kerry is saying?

MATUSIC: Well, I think, yes. I mean in this country a comprehensive energy policy has been elusive for decades. And I don't think right now -- I mean what you're seeing, even with the high prices, is that U.S. motorists are using more gasoline than they were last year, even at these high prices. It'll take a lot. They say that six to eight months of $3 oil -- or $3 gasoline before you're going to actually see Americans carpooling, Americans buying smaller motors, you know. It'll take a lot before demand will actually be cut because of the high price.

COSTELLO: All right, Karen Matusic, the editor of "Oil Daily," joining us this morning on DAYBREAK.

We thank you.

MATUSIC: Thank you.

COSTELLO: And we're going to take a short break. We'll be right back with much more.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BUSH: Under my direction, Judge Gonzalez has informed the Commission that Dr. Rice will participate in an open, public hearing.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Yes, you heard it from the president. He's done an about face. Condoleezza Rice will testify under oath before the 9/11 Commission.

We want to talk more about that now.

Judlyne Lilly of WTOP News Radio in Washington joins us live by phone.

Judlyne, is this change of heart all about politics?

JUDLYNE LILLY, WTOP RADIO ANCHOR: Well, it's like the three most important items in selling real estate -- location, location, location. In the case of the Bush administration, it's an election year, an election year, an election year. And the Bush administration does not want to seem insensitive to the 9/11 families. And it's important...

COSTELLO: So...

LILLY: Go ahead.

COSTELLO: So will this have any negative effects in the end, even if she does go and testify and everyone's satisfied with her testimony?

LILLY: Well, you know, they say voters have short memories, but in this case, and especially after the contentious 2000 election, voters will remember this, although by the time that the election comes around in November, this may have been settled. So they might remember it, but it depends on what else happens in the reelection campaigns of both President Bush and the apparent Democratic nominee, John Kerry.

COSTELLO: So will the Commission have full reign to ask Ms. Rice anything it wants to?

LILLY: Apparently yes. They are -- the only proviso that the Bush administration made in allowing Dr. Rice to testify was that it was not a precedent. They did not want to set a precedent with this. That means that no other congressional committee or panel will be able to use this as an example to try to get a Bush administration White House aide to come before any kind of congressional panel in future investigations.

COSTELLO: And there's also word this morning that the president and vice president will again meet with the 9/11 Commission.

LILLY: Yes. They will meet with the 9/11 Commission. However, this will be done in private and this, the information that they tell them will not be made public. Once again, it was part of the deal that they made with the 9/11 Commission.

COSTELLO: Judlyne Lilly with WTOP News Radio in Washington.

Thanks for joining us on DAYBREAK this morning.

Here's what's all new in our next half hour.

Go ahead and chow down on your favorite bowl of cereal this morning. We will clear up some major concerns about what's in that box during our Breakfast With DAYBREAK segment.

Plus, in our Legal Briefs this morning, the Oklahoma City bombing trial of Terry Nichols -- find out what the latest testimony is centering on.

And another deadly day in Iraq. American forces are among those killed. We take you live to Baghdad for the latest details.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Chilling images from Iraq this morning in a town where anti-American sentiment is strong.

Good morning to you.

From the CNN global headquarters in Atlanta, this is DAYBREAK for March 31st.

I'm Carol Costello.

More on the news out of Iraq in just a moment.

First, other headlines new at this hour.

That alleged terror plot in Britain is likely to top the agenda as British Prime Minister Tony Blair faces question time in the House of Commons. Police are questioning eight suspects picked up in raids on Tuesday. You're taking a look at a live picture out of London this morning.

OPEC ministers meet today to discuss a slowdown in oil production. They had agreed to drop production by one million barrels a day starting tomorrow.

Operations have resumed at a Texas oil refinery. That was the site of a fiery explosion last night. The fire quickly contained. No reports of injuries.

Jury deliberations move into the tenth day in the trial of two former Tyco executives accused of bilking $600 million from the company. A search resumes today for a 20-year-old University of Wisconsin student in Madison. Audrey Seiler has been missing for four days now. She was last seen leaving her dorm room on this security camera -- Chad.

(WEATHER REPORT)

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Aired March 31, 2004 - 06:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: A White House 180 -- the president's national security adviser will go before the 9/11 Commission publicly after all.
And good morning to you.

From the CNN global headquarters in Atlanta, this is DAYBREAK for March 31st.

I'm Carol Costello.

Here are the latest headlines for you now.

Violence flares around Falluja. Separate attacks today. In one, civilian cars are attacked and burned. The Associated Press says at least four people killed in the incident you're looking at. Five U.S. military personnel killed by a roadside bomb. That would be a separate incident this morning.

With gas prices at record levels in the United States, OPEC ministers meet today. They're expected to approve a planned cut in the production of crude oil.

Ante up for Afghanistan -- donor nations meet in Berlin today, with the Afghans hoping to get $4 billion to help rebuild their country.

And two and a half years after 9/11, an EPA group holds its first meeting on environmental issues and health risks for workers and residents -- Chad.

CHAD MYERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Carol, good morning.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Up first on DAYBREAK this morning, the White House about face. President Bush has given into pressure from 9/11 Commission. He made the announcement himself that National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice will, indeed, testify publicly under oath.

Live to Washington now and Bill Prasad to tell us more -- good morning, Bill.

BILL PRASAD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.

The president has changed his mind not once, but twice, the White House bowing to an enormous amount of pressure. Condoleezza Rice could testify as early as next week.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PRASAD (voice-over): The president, facing mounting criticism that he had something to hide, makes a dramatic turnaround.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I consider it necessary to gaining a complete picture of the months and years that preceded the murder of our fellow citizens on September the 11th, 2001.

PRASAD: National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice will now testify before the 9/11 Commission in public and under oath.

CONDOLEEZZA RICE, NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: And then I'll be happy to take your questions...

PRASAD: The president has insisted executive privilege precluded testimony by advisers like Rice. But the White House has now reached a deal with the Commission. The bipartisan panel agreeing that this should not be considered a precedent. The Commission now looks forward to clearing up conflicting testimony.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're going to investigate those differences and try and resolve them.

PRASAD: Damaging testimony from a former White House adviser, defections among Republicans and anger from the 9/11 families forced the about face.

SEN. THOMAS DASCHLE (D-SD), SENATE MAJORITY LEADER: It wasn't only good politics. I think it is a good policy.

PRASAD: In another reversal, the White House says Mr. Bush and the vice president will meet with the entire Commission to answer all questions, in private, not under oath. Originally, the administration had said it would meet with just two Commission members.

SEN. TED KENNEDY (D), MASSACHUSETTS: The White House bowed to the inevitable and they conceded to the obvious.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PRASAD: The stage is now set for what could be a dramatic rebuttal. Dr. Rice will try to set the record straight, as she sees it, and do some damage control -- Carol, back to you.

COSTELLO: So, Bill, will the Commission have free reign? Will it be able to ask Condoleezza Rice anything it wants to?

PRASAD: It will. But keep in mind, she could also make a decision, she could also decide that she doesn't want to answer some of those questions. But, yes, Condoleezza Rice will probably be asked about inconsistencies in past testimony. Most importantly, they'll want to compare what she has to say to what Richard Clarke has said.

COSTELLO: It should be very interesting.

Bill Prasad live in Washington this morning.

A dangerous fireball tops our look at stories making news across America this Wednesday. Workers were evacuated, nearby residents told to stay indoors after an explosion at a Texas city refinery, oil refinery. The warnings were lifted after a few hours, when the fire was finally brought under control. Not known what caused the explosions. No injuries reported.

The Justice Department is defending a Muslim girl's right to wear a head scarf to class. Parents of the sixth grader in Oklahoma sued the school district for suspending her. School officials say the head scarf violates the dress code. Federal attorneys claim the girl's civil rights are being violated.

New allegations of sexual assault at the University of Colorado. A rape crisis official says two more women have come forward in the past few months to say they were raped by football players. A panel looking into football recruiting also says under age recruits had access to alcohol.

At the University of Wisconsin in Madison, volunteers and police will resume their search for a missing student. Twenty-year-old Audrey Seiler disappeared four days ago.

Our Jonathan Freed has the latest on the search for the young woman.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JONATHAN FREED, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Security camera video officers an eerie echo of the last time Audrey Seiler was spotted, leaving her apartment building early Saturday. The A student at University of Wisconsin in Madison is the last person anyone expected to be caught up in controversy. But it's the second time in two months.

CAPT. LUIS YUDICE, MADISON POLICE: She left the apartment at approximately 2:30 in the morning and she took no personal belongings with her.

FREED: Police are still puzzled by an incident on February 1, when Seiler was attacked from behind and knocked unconscious while out walking after midnight. She woke up behind a nearby building, but wasn't robbed or otherwise hurt.

YUDICE: And it is unusual for somebody to be attacked by a total stranger on the street. But, once again, we have not been able to make any connection.

FREED: And there's no evidence of a crime this time.

The search for Seiler, on land, by air and on the water, has been joined by a hundred volunteers, including family and friends from her hometown of Rockford, Minnesota. KEITH SEILER, FATHER: Audrey's whole family is hopeful and remains confident that we will find Audrey safe.

FREED: The university has even set up a Web site and e-mailed some 45,000 of its computer users, asking them for help.

Seiler's family does not believe she was depressed and say she seemed to be dealing well with the fallout from the February attack.

SEILER: We're very confident and determined that if the right person hears us, sees her face, that they'll have some information that will help us.

FREED: Jonathan Freed, CNN, Chicago.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: If you have any information on Audrey Seiler's whereabouts, authorities want you to call the Madison Police Department. That number, 608-266-6014, 608-266-6014. And for more information, go to http -- for more information, you can head to the Web site and the Madison Police Department, Madison, Wisconsin, that is.

John Kerry will be off the campaign trail for several days after undergoing rotator cuff surgery today. The Democrat injured his shoulder because of the -- before the Iowa caucuses.

Kerry appears in an MTV news special tonight and though he addresses a number of serious campaign issues, he also answers a question about his musical tastes.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM MTV NEWS)

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: And I never was into heavy metal. I didn't really like it. I'm fascinated by rap and by hip-hop. I think there's a lot of poetry in it. There's a lot of anger, a lot of social energy in it. And I think you'd better listen to it pretty carefully, because there's -- it's important.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: And it's fun to dance to.

Chad?

CHAD MYERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, ma'am?

COSTELLO: Time to review the winner of that DAYBREAK coffee quiz.

MYERS: Hey, excellent. I've got 'em. I've got the questions. Remember the questions from yesterday?

COSTELLO: You know, I don't. My mind is a blur this morning.

MYERS: All right, well, I have the questions and the answers. How's that?

COSTELLO: I love it.

MYERS: According to that new Bush-Cheney radio ad, how many times has John Kerry voted for higher taxes? The answer to that question -- 350 times. Janet Jackson's new album comes out today. Actually, that was yesterday, of course. What is it called? Damita Jo.

COSTELLO: Damita Jo.

MYERS: And the first person in with Richmond, Virginia -- Dinesh Chawla, Richmond, Virginia. Good morning. Congratulations. A DAYBREAK mug, as they say, is in the mail.

COSTELLO: And I wish I had my DAYBREAK mug to show you, but I...

MYERS: Well, why don't you show her the one you've got?

COSTELLO: No. You'll win this beautiful paper cup.

Just kidding, Dinesh Chawla.

Still to come on DAYBREAK, OPEC 101 -- what do those letters mean? Who's behind them and what does it mean for gas prices here in the United States?

Plus, airline cuisine is about to go name brand. Hear what could be on the menu the next time you fly.

And we'll check out the visitor one school caught on its surveillance camera. Take a look at that visitor.

MYERS: Mr. Coyote.

COSTELLO: We'll tell you later.

Then, a student at the center of a civil rights debate -- religious dress in the classroom -- what should and should not be allowed?

This is DAYBREAK for March 31st.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports.

It is 6:13 Eastern time.

Here is what's all new this morning.

Violence in Iraq against civilians and Americans this morning. Coalition officials say five U.S. military personnel were killed near Falluja.

It's already passed the Georgia State Senate. Now a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage is heading to the house for a vote, possibly today. Voters decide the issue this fall.

In money news, your next meal on a plane may be one that you buy. "USA Today" was reporting that airline catering companies are joining forces with brand name restaurants to sell food on flights.

In sports, a knee injury will keep Philadelphia 76er Alan Iverson on the bench for the rest of the season. He still plans to play for the U.S. at the Olympics in August.

In culture, it's the launch of the liberals on the airwaves. Comedian Al Franken is among those taking to the microphone for today's debut of Air America.

MYERS: And a big trough in the East -- what does it mean for you? Much cooler than normal weather for the next five days. It's going to feel like fall out there. And some heavy rain showers coming across the big cities of the Northeast this morning. That'll slow you down.

COSTELLO: And those are the headlines this morning.

You know, all morning long we've been talking about OPEC, those meetings in Vienna, Austria that will take place later today. But will the decisions made at those OPEC meetings really impact what we pay at the pump?

National correspondent Gary Tuchman takes a look for you.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): These are the suppliers of about a third of the world's oil. And there's nothing funny about that to the most oil dependent nations. But as the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, better known as OPEC, meets in Vienna today, don't necessarily assume prices will continue climbing as a result of their get-together.

RON GOLD, PETROLEUM INDUSTRY RESEARCH FOUNDATION: OPEC is really meeting for the purpose of how to make sure they don't have a big drop in the price of oil, not to push it up further.

TUCHMAN: OPEC is represented in both hemispheres. Eleven nations belong to the organization, from the Middle East, Asia, Africa and South America.

The members will decide during this meeting whether to go ahead with a planned production cut of one million barrels per day. Saudi Arabia, the world's largest producer of oil, is leading the effort to reduce supply. One might assume that would lead to higher prices. But...

GOLD: World oil requirements tend to fall off in the second quarter and what OPEC would be trying to do is to sort of make their judgment as to how much oil they need to withdraw to prop prices up, not necessarily to push them still higher. TUCHMAN: However, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates have said they back delaying the production cut. If they succeed in convincing other members to do that, a long shot at best, that could result in lower prices. Either way, gasoline prices right now are at their highest level ever in the United States. But adjusted for inflation, they're considerably lower than during the energy crisis a quarter century ago and this organization is at the peak of its influence.

Gary Tuchman, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: But I know what you're saying, who cares what gas prices were 20 years ago, they're high now? And since gas prices have now become a political hot potato, we want to help you figure out who to believe.

Live to Washington now.

Karen Matusic, the editor of "Oil Daily" and "Energy Intelligence" and an expert on OPEC, welcome.

KAREN MATUSIC, SENIOR EDITOR, "ENERGY INTELLIGENCE": Welcome.

COSTELLO: OPEC meets today to discuss cutting oil production by one million barrels per day. John Kerry is insisting that we put pressure on OPEC to increase oil supplies.

Would that work?

MATUSIC: Well, I think a lot about OPEC is you have to listen to what they say, but watch what they do. In effect, they haven't even put into effect the production cuts that they promised in November. So OPEC production is well over the April 1 and the November 1, which was 24.5 million barrels a day. They're producing together, if you count Iraq, which isn't bound by a quota right now, about 28 million barrels a day, which is quite a bit.

COSTELLO: So should they cut back the production of oil?

MATUSIC: I don't think -- I mean no matter what they say today, you probably won't see any actual production cut. That's what I'm saying. Mainly they've been all producing, including Saudi Arabia, producing well over their individual quota. I think what it's about is sending a signal. A lot of oil prices is market psychology and what futures market -- futures brokers believe. And I think what Saudi Arabia is trying to do is to talk the price not up, but to try to keep the prices from crashing is what they worry about in this second quarter.

COSTELLO: OK, so they're -- you're saying they're not going to cut production of oil by one million barrels a day? I just want to be clear on that.

MATUSIC: That's right. I mean the thing about OPEC is that I don't think they've ever a hundred percent compliance with their quotas. So right now they're producing probably over two million barrels over or three million barrels over what this new production -- this new ceiling will be. I think it would be nothing short of a miracle to ever expect them to get to 23.5 million barrels a day.

COSTELLO: You know, the interesting thing is when you look at the Web site, OPEC's Web site, it's very defensive, in it being sort of the scapegoat for rising gas prices. It says actually countries themselves are to blame because they put such a high tax on gas.

MATUSIC: To some extent they're right. I mean right now what we're seeing, in the last couple of months, what's actually been pushing the prices up? It's true that crude prices are high. What's been pushing the prices up is worries that U.S. gasoline supplies are going to be too low in the summer because of a number of different reasons. One, demand is a lot higher this year than it was last year. Two, you have new environmental regulations coming into effect this year that will lower the supply base of -- the supply pool of gasoline that we can burn -- we can use in this country.

COSTELLO: So you've been listening to the politicians bandy this issue around.

Who's right, John Kerry or George Bush?

MATUSIC: Well, neither of them is right and neither of them are wrong. But to say sort of there's sort of any kind of short fix or quick fix, there isn't, really. I mean, and at the end of the day, as you pointed out earlier in the program, our price of gasoline, when you look at other inflated prices where it actually are relatively low.

COSTELLO: But, yet, but come on, people don't care about that. They care about the prices here in this country.

So who's right? Do we need a new energy policy, like the Republicans are saying? Or do we need to do something else, like John Kerry is saying?

MATUSIC: Well, I think, yes. I mean in this country a comprehensive energy policy has been elusive for decades. And I don't think right now -- I mean what you're seeing, even with the high prices, is that U.S. motorists are using more gasoline than they were last year, even at these high prices. It'll take a lot. They say that six to eight months of $3 oil -- or $3 gasoline before you're going to actually see Americans carpooling, Americans buying smaller motors, you know. It'll take a lot before demand will actually be cut because of the high price.

COSTELLO: All right, Karen Matusic, the editor of "Oil Daily," joining us this morning on DAYBREAK.

We thank you.

MATUSIC: Thank you.

COSTELLO: And we're going to take a short break. We'll be right back with much more.

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(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BUSH: Under my direction, Judge Gonzalez has informed the Commission that Dr. Rice will participate in an open, public hearing.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Yes, you heard it from the president. He's done an about face. Condoleezza Rice will testify under oath before the 9/11 Commission.

We want to talk more about that now.

Judlyne Lilly of WTOP News Radio in Washington joins us live by phone.

Judlyne, is this change of heart all about politics?

JUDLYNE LILLY, WTOP RADIO ANCHOR: Well, it's like the three most important items in selling real estate -- location, location, location. In the case of the Bush administration, it's an election year, an election year, an election year. And the Bush administration does not want to seem insensitive to the 9/11 families. And it's important...

COSTELLO: So...

LILLY: Go ahead.

COSTELLO: So will this have any negative effects in the end, even if she does go and testify and everyone's satisfied with her testimony?

LILLY: Well, you know, they say voters have short memories, but in this case, and especially after the contentious 2000 election, voters will remember this, although by the time that the election comes around in November, this may have been settled. So they might remember it, but it depends on what else happens in the reelection campaigns of both President Bush and the apparent Democratic nominee, John Kerry.

COSTELLO: So will the Commission have full reign to ask Ms. Rice anything it wants to?

LILLY: Apparently yes. They are -- the only proviso that the Bush administration made in allowing Dr. Rice to testify was that it was not a precedent. They did not want to set a precedent with this. That means that no other congressional committee or panel will be able to use this as an example to try to get a Bush administration White House aide to come before any kind of congressional panel in future investigations.

COSTELLO: And there's also word this morning that the president and vice president will again meet with the 9/11 Commission.

LILLY: Yes. They will meet with the 9/11 Commission. However, this will be done in private and this, the information that they tell them will not be made public. Once again, it was part of the deal that they made with the 9/11 Commission.

COSTELLO: Judlyne Lilly with WTOP News Radio in Washington.

Thanks for joining us on DAYBREAK this morning.

Here's what's all new in our next half hour.

Go ahead and chow down on your favorite bowl of cereal this morning. We will clear up some major concerns about what's in that box during our Breakfast With DAYBREAK segment.

Plus, in our Legal Briefs this morning, the Oklahoma City bombing trial of Terry Nichols -- find out what the latest testimony is centering on.

And another deadly day in Iraq. American forces are among those killed. We take you live to Baghdad for the latest details.

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COSTELLO: Chilling images from Iraq this morning in a town where anti-American sentiment is strong.

Good morning to you.

From the CNN global headquarters in Atlanta, this is DAYBREAK for March 31st.

I'm Carol Costello.

More on the news out of Iraq in just a moment.

First, other headlines new at this hour.

That alleged terror plot in Britain is likely to top the agenda as British Prime Minister Tony Blair faces question time in the House of Commons. Police are questioning eight suspects picked up in raids on Tuesday. You're taking a look at a live picture out of London this morning.

OPEC ministers meet today to discuss a slowdown in oil production. They had agreed to drop production by one million barrels a day starting tomorrow.

Operations have resumed at a Texas oil refinery. That was the site of a fiery explosion last night. The fire quickly contained. No reports of injuries.

Jury deliberations move into the tenth day in the trial of two former Tyco executives accused of bilking $600 million from the company. A search resumes today for a 20-year-old University of Wisconsin student in Madison. Audrey Seiler has been missing for four days now. She was last seen leaving her dorm room on this security camera -- Chad.

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